We were lucky to catch up with Yolanda Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yolanda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission is to make imperfect skin beautiful by providing corrective & preventive solutions.

Our skin is the largest organ on our body. Our face is often the first thing people are greeted with. Our face, is something we look at everyday.

Unfortunately, many people are not happy with what they see. Imperfections such as acne, blemishes, fine lines, wrinkles etc.

There was a time when I suffered from grade 2-3 acne on my face. I tried countless over the counter products that never worked! I started wearing makeup to cover my imperfections only for my skin to become worse.

I initially went to esthetician school to learn the instant services like eyebrows & lash extensions, to only be intrigued by the anatomy of skin & how medical & professional skincare & treatments are backed by scientific knowledge & was the key to true skin health.

Upon graduating, I still toyed with the idea of pursuing skin as a whole & helping others like I helped myself or just sticking with my initial plan of performing extensions & waxing. I enjoyed giving facials but I thought they were kind of boring. And plus educating others on skin health was also boring.

However, I saw there was no representation in the aesthetics Industry in my area of expertise. That’s when I knew, I had to step up.

It wasn’t easy. But through my transparency & relatable journey, I’ve changed lives of men & women near & far.

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’m no unicorn, but I know how to shape shift.

I moved to Phoenix in 2018 from a small town in Ohio. No real vision for my life or next career move.

I enrolled into school May 2018 with the hopes of graduating & working in a dermatology Upon graduation, I was able to get a few interviews but never offered a job because of “lack of experience”! And I said to myself, I’m going to HAVE TO CREATE MY OWN TABLE.

By 2019, I was offered a place to practice esthetics & build my name. I was forever grateful for that opportunity. It gave me a taste of what entrepreneurship felt like. But the money was just not coming. I didn’t understand what all it took to gain clientele let alone keep them coming back! I couldn’t give out facials for $20.19 forever😳

I took a step back and went back into corporate America. While working, I continued to research, read & watch what others in the industry was doing. I wrote down ideas, plans & goals I wanted for myself & made a mental note, that when it was my time, I would be ready. I began taking clients on weekends, in my home. Building relationships & my name.

And right when my clients starting picking up with skin treatments that’s when the pandemic hit & I had to pivot. I had to stop servicing out of my home & make a plan. I offered free virtual consultations & drop shipping skincare to their homes to start them on a skin routine! Staying consistent with that plan, I was able to open my suite by September 2020.

Once, I niched myself and embraced the idea that I can help others is when I truly saw the vision..

Offering customized skin treatments, skin care products & education. Clients began to understand the importance of skin health & see results! Setting my clients up for success after they leave my treatment room brings me so much joy.

I know what sets me apart is because I was once in my clients shoes. I hear them & truly understand their frustration with their skin. Because I was there. But I didn’t have a “me” to help..

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

During school, our instructors gave us a list of items we would need to start our solo careers. Slowly but surly, I would buy things off that list like disposables, beds & decor. All from my income from my 9-5.

When it was time to start offering skin treatments, I took a portion of my tax refund to buy supplies & inventory. Whatever I had left over after paying my salon rent, I’d put right back into EstiBlack.

In the beginning, I only offered what I could afford. Adding little by little as my client list grew.

The opening of my suite was a labor of love with the help of my fiancé & friends who painted and put things together.

I continued to use a portion of my paychecks to add more things to the menu & the suite.

Also, my POS system offered a couple of capital loans to keep me going.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Social media is a scary place! Honestly, it still scares me!

I utilize Facebook & instagram to share my story as well as my clients. I also use it for informational skin tips/tricks to use at home.

I built my followers all organically. Once I stop focusing on the number or being perfect that’s when I saw my numbers climb. I’m still micro but mighty!!

Once I figured out my brand voice & my target audience, posting became easier. Show up & just be you.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.EstiBlack.com
• Instagram: EstiBlack_aesthetics_
• Facebook: Estiblack Aesthetics

Image Credits
12.16 Photography CRM Group