Issue link: https://www.ahpindiestylist.com/i/1343227
associated-professionals.com 21 Today my bio reads like this: Shawna Rocha, licensed in California and Washington, NCEA certified, oncology trained, winner and judge at The Skin Games, and educator and trainer for iSugar University and Hale & Hush Skin Care. I have also been honored to create educational videos for ASCP on treatments for compromised skin, and I have trained many estheticians, spoken at schools about holistic skin care, and have a fully booked clientele—with a wait list. In 2020, I trained to teach oncology esthetics, and I released The Esthetician's Guide to Skincare app, which makes daily education easily accessible to estheticians. As I become more successful, people want to know the secret recipe to my success and how I did so much in such a short time. I'm often asked, "What would you tell other students who are just coming into this profession?" Following is what I tell new esties. WHEN YOU GRADUATE, YOU KNOW NOTHING I literally chanted to myself, "You know nothing, Shawna Rocha," as I signed up for several educational courses. Don't get me wrong, esthetician school prepared me to pass the state board and I knew esthetics at a very basic level. That was their job. Now, what was mine? CONTINUING EDUCATION IS CRUCIAL Education is a crucial component to a successful career. I watched ASCP videos, took classes, went to nearby tradeshows (which have tons of free education), researched online, and subscribed to magazines and websites. I did everything I could do to learn. FIND YOUR NICHE Here's what I ask the students I train: Do you want to stand out and be a pretty sprinkle donut or be just an ugly plain donut? In other words, find a way to make yourself unique. For me, I fell in love with oncology esthetics, autoimmune issues, and comprised skin. BE HUMBLE Leave your ego at the door, because you know nothing, remember? Find a mentor or even a group of them. Ask questions and listen to the answers. Observe and absorb knowledge wherever you can. I am most grateful for my powerhouse group of mentors and fellow estheticians. The appreciation I have for my people goes very deep, and they know who they are. They have helped make me the esthetician I am today. BE REALISTIC You will be broke, begging for clients, and eating off the dollar menu for a while. Full bookings take a long time to create. It took approximately a year and a half before I had a full book. For me, working for someone else really helped me get started. I didn't have the money or the knowledge to have my own treatment room right out of school. I wanted to spend my money on education. ASK FOR HELP My boss helped me with tips for getting clients, keeping them, ingredients, retail sales, and learning treatment techniques. The knowledge and help I received was immeasurable. REMEMBER, YOU'RE THE BOSS Even today, with a full book and a wait list, vacation pay still does not exist for me—and it most likely won't exist for you either. As esties, we don't have sick time, paid days off, or vacation pay, and we work nights and weekends. You will work long and hard, but it will be worth it. STAY BALANCED The most important thing to learn is balance. Honestly, I'm really bad at that. I am still learning lessons on scheduling too many people, giving too much of myself, and not saying no to people when I should. To this day, it is still a learning process. KEEP LEARNING My best advice is to take advantage of all the education offered. There is free education, paid certifications, places you can find research and answers, and people who will help you find what you need. So, my big secret is this: Jump over the highest cliffs. Try new things, even if you fail. Push yourself. Never stop learning. And show everyone that you are a sprinkle donut. This job is not easy, but it is very rewarding.