We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Megan Alber a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Megan , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

Picture this, I just passed my state board exams and now I’m on the lookout for my fresh career start officially!
When I first graduated I tried to get my start with lashes anywhere and everywhere. I had my first job at the lash lounge and only actually worked there for one month. I was so new to lash extensions and lash lifts and tints, I only took one class for each while in school and needed more training but never received the training I needed to take on clients at the lounge.
One of my friends I graduated with recommended Amazing Lash for my start because she said the training was great and there was always room to move up as a stylist. I wanted to become a master stylist so bad I worked so hard for 8 months straight to become a senior stylist almost master stylist however I wanted more. Once I had lashes solidly down I wanted to do more services outside of just lashes.
Iv always had permanent makeup on my mind since esthetics school and took the leap to reach out to several studios. I found my first ever apprenticeship to learn pmu and 6 months later it didn’t work out at that studio for pmu for me. I choose to leave because I couldn’t JUST do lashes and still grow at that studio with the services I wanted to do. I took a few classes after and I am now a certified and licensed pmu artist. After leaving my old studio i reached out to the amazing owners at Arch & Edge cosmetic studio in Downtown Raleigh and man am I glad I did!
I am now in the best studio suite with the best studio owners and group of women. I have JUST celebrated my one year as a professional piercer and I have more years to learn and grow in this field!
I wouldn’t change anything in my career path because it has all made me the person and esthetician I am today.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was actually a vet assistant down at the beach and was trying to become a vet student so I moved to Raleigh back in 2018. Once fully moved to Raleigh I realized this career field that Iv wanted to be in and dreamed about since I could remember is fulfilling as in helping animals but really hard on the heart.
Iv always been into hair , makeup, body modifications and I loved that my mom did cosmetology school but ultimately ended up going into the military. I thought I wanted to do hair like my mom so I took multiple tours and eventually found a school in Downtown Durham that I really liked but also had a “esthetics” program and I was like well what’s that? Skincare, lashes ,waxing I was like the opportunists are endless! I signed up that day! Only a couple months into school in 2019 COVID hit.
I was in the middle of my schooling and we had to go online for my schooling for a big chunk of it which definitely shifted my mindset because I had no hands on experience. I thought I wanted to do facials and become an acne specialist but I ended up choosing lashes because I’d watch sooooo cool videos on them.
We had nothing else to do during COVID and I’d see before & after photos it was like wow! I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do!
While still in school I took a few classes for lashes but definitely knew I’d need more training once graduated. I was also eye balling the thought of pmu so I took a microblading class in 2019 as well.
Once covid was over and we were able to go back to school and I took so many models for free.
Now I’m multi certified lash artist as well as pmu artist.
Aside from lashes and I’m also a professional piercer. I specialize in ear curations but also do nostril piercings. I took a in person training back in September 2023 and have been piercing for over a year now. This has by far been the most challenging as it’s a craft and with every craft it’s learning and growing.
I always like to bring clients goals and visions to life. Wether it be a wispy lash set or a sparkly new ear curation I am always here to spend that extra time making sure you get what your goals are!

I’m honestly most proud of finding myself and finding what works for me throughout this crazy journey. I have worked so hard to become outspoken and standing up for yourself for what you want and deserve as not only a small business owner but as an employee as well. I used to be at a studio where I was limited to only doing lashes and I couldn’t branch out with new services.
It took me going out on my own and finding my suite to figure out how to stand up for myself and provide the services and customer service that works for me and my people.
Now I have the best studio owners who literally will help you out with everything and anything. They want you to thrive. It took me so long to find a studio who truly cares and wants the best for you.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Honestly, just being yourself and working with other amazing people within this industry! I did a pop up event a few months ago now at Altered Aesthetics and it was so cool to see so many small businesses come together and just have a great time together! Marketing and mingling together and supporting each other! It’s always better to work together and network and provide a positive environment for all business in this industry.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I have a referral program! It has been life changing to have cards to go into my aftercare kits for all my services. My referral program is $30 off for every referral that comes in and says you sent them. My program is unlimited!
I also have a $20 off for a Google review!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://megsesthetics.squarespace.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megzaestheticz?igsh=bGZ3Y2hpb2lxcml2
• Other: https://memegsesthetics.as.me/schedule.php