We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amy Adams a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Amy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?
Q: Talk to us about how you got your first job in the field you practice in today. Tell us the story, paint the picture for us so we really understand the context and what it must have felt like in your shoes at the time. What were you thinking about, what were your goals/aspirations at the time, what was the recruiting process looking back, are you happy you ended up where you did for your first job?
Tell us the story, paint the picture for us so we really understand the context and what it must have felt like in your shoes at the time. What were you thinking about?
I love this question because it’s so transcendent and relatable, and personally it has propelled my career by making this one pivotal first step when I chose to enter the industry and accept my first position in aesthetics.
When I first started, in beauty school, my blinders were on to everything but being an esthetician. I was bartending at night at the time, going to school during the day, and sleeping in my car on my breaks. I needed to change my life, my lifestyle, and I was so enthralled with the growing industry that I didn’t let anything stop me from reaching my goals. It was a really tough, six months, but I was determined.
While in school, I remember my focus was only on learning. Scrubs were mandatory, so I bought a pair from Amazon, knowing I wouldn’t be the most fashionable, but it would meet the requirements for school. I was made fun of for my scrubs being so boring and boxy, for not putting on make-up and not joining in on the beauty school gossip with the other girls. Beauty school was not fun. I remember the girls’ joking and asking me “are you a lesbian?” because I was so disjointed from the traditional culture of beauty school (yes, if you’re a millennial, you know the movie Grease…. it was just like that). I remember thinking and talking to my friends, “Am I really being bullied at the age of 36?” The answer was yes. But I was so focused on learning everything skin and science that I really didn’t have much more time to think of that. Later, I won two beauty school competitions- Best Costume Make-up and I was the student that performed the most treatments on public clients while in school. The prize was a gift card to choose multiple products from the Dermologica Skincare line.
Seven years later I have done so much in this industry. I’ve owned a lash studio in Pacific Beach. I’ve worked at the front desk at a Medical Spa in La Jolla where I was quickly promoted to part-time medical assistant and pati-time aesthetician. I’ve traveled the country as a brand development partner for a leading laser manufacturer, and later became an educator for a local beauty school, helping new estheticians in Southern California pass their state board and enter the industry.
I can confidently say I’ve explored quite a few avenues within the industry, and I’m confident I’m exactly where I am meant to be. I own Amy Adams Aesthetics in Carlsbad, Ca. where all of my experience, education, and industry knowledge is able to come together, culminating in what I believe to be the best and most advanced medical skincare for estheticians in San Diego.
It’s important for me to share these experiences with newer estheticians, or even older individuals looking for a career change, because I think that everyone has this idea that estheticians only perform facials, wax or perform lash enhancements, but in reality there are so many more avenues for licensed aestheticians in this field. You can be a customer service rep, or work in marketing or sales for your favorite skincare line, you can become an educator, you can work in luxury spa, health and fitness, retail, medical, and/or wellness, you can have a holistic approach or medical, niche to specific skin conditions or practice them all. The options are truly endless and ideally you can utilize your interested and skillset to be a huge asset in the industry and our community. You are what makes your skillset unique.
What was the recruiting process like?
For me, it was important for me from the start to align myself with people that shared the same intense thirst for knowledge of skincare. After graduating, I opened my laptop and searched for the top aesthetic practices in San Diego. I knew I wanted to work in La Jolla so believe I just put “San Diego’s Best Medical Spas La Jolla” in the search bar and from there made a list of the top 6-7 medspas. One day, I got dressed up and into the mindset that these practices needed me, so whether they were looking for an aesthetician or not…. I was on my way. La Jolla Cosmetic Medspa was the second Medspa on my list and introduced myself. I was professional, open and eager to do whatever it needed to secure a position in and around the people I wanted to immolate. I learned so much at LJCSC and is where I fell in love with laser and learned how I can partner with advanced solutions for skincare as an aesthetician. I learned all about pre and post supportive treatments that I could do to enhance the patient experience.
Quickly after honing my niche as an aesthetician, COVID happened and when I was laid off. I decided to investigate other options, knowing that medical grade and advanced aesthetics was an absolute in my pursuit.
That’s how I found Sciton. It wasn’t an aesthetician position, rather a remote marketing position that allowed me to utilize my communications and marketing degrees along with my knowledge in aesthetics to bring attention to another avenue of my keen interest- advanced aesthetic medicine using laser technology. I traveled the country learning how different cultures and demographics approached skincare, and helped leading plastic surgery centers, dermatology offices and medspas the importance of combination therapy using laser technology, facials and skincare.
Are you happy you ended up where you did for your first job?
My eye has always been to be and provide the best possible outcomes for my clients and patients. I’m so grateful for the experiences that I’ve had, the people I met, and the knowledge I’ve gained. Though it wasn’t easy by any means, every step I’ve made has made me the aesthetician I am today. I wouldn’t have anything if I weren’t grateful for everything.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I pride myself and my business in offering the best treatment options and products available in advanced skincare. It’s my belief that I’m here to help you build a foundation for healthy skin and radiant results as quickly as possible, without stressing your skin, your budget or your lifestyle. I want to help educate my clients in the process so they are able to confidently make skin care decisions for themselves, while feeling comfortable enough to ask me any questions that they have. My clients and I are in a relationship- a skin-lationship. I will never stop educating myself and I will never stop seeking to provide the best for my patients. I thirst for their success, and my patients goals are my goals. When a new patient comes to me, they know they are getting the best every single time, there’s no need to go anywhere else or seek advice anywhere else. The results I provide and the reviews I receive online and in person speak for themselves.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I pride myself in the network I align with. As an esthetician in California we are limited to the treatments we’re able to provide versus say Texas or Florida where estheticians can laser and/or inject. For me, this has allowed me to really focus on my practice, become the best at what I do, and provide support to laser technicians, injectors, derms and plastic surgeons in my area. If there’s something I can’t do, I have a networks or providers I can refer to. And, vice versus. Laser techs, injectors, derms and plastics all over San Diego, North County, Orange County and beyond know they can refer patients to me to help maintain the procedure results after their treatments. It’s equally important to prep and maintain results, and providers and patients are know that.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
Be about your business. No bullshit. If you don’t know something, don’t pretend. This industry isn’t about “fake it till you make it” …. your patients’ health and future rely on you to practice what you preach and to know what you are talking about. Niche down, focus on what interests you and dont try to do too much at once. There are enough clients for everyone, and enough people with very specific skin conditions that need your help. FOCUS. EDUCATE. DOMINATE.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amyadamsaesthetics.com
- Instagram: aestheticianamyadams
- Facebook: Amy Adams Aesthetics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-adams-54574547
- Other: Google Business Page (and reviews): https://g.page/r/CScZTyGT7OsbEB0/review
Image Credits
Image Credit: Moshe Edri Photography, Kasey Alicia Photography, New Lands Photography