We recently connected with Ashley Scott and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I have been in this industry for about 12 years now. For the first 10 years I worked and paid my dues in a medical clinic where I got my start as a medical assistant specializing in post operative lymphatic drainage massages for a plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, CA. I later went back to school and received my estheticians license. Flash forward to June 2020, I became a mother, giving birth in the thick of the pandemic. When my daughter was 1.5 yrs old, I was a single mother, however at that time my daughters father was helping me financially with her preschools tuition, $2,000.00 per month. Due to his own circumstances, I found myself with my back up against the wall. My daughters fathers Jamaican Food restaurant went out of business, he stopped answering my calls and his credit cards stopped working (that’s how he paid for the tuition). I have a very hard time asking people for help let alone telling people my personal business, however I gathered my pride and confided in my then boss who also happened to be a “family friend” of mine for about 15 yrs. about the situation I was in. She looked at me, patted me on my back and said, “you will be fine”, nothing more nothing less. I felt defeated and realized nobody cares what you have going on. I wasn’t about to changed my daughters safety and care around all because her father was irresponsible. For years I had been wanting to start my own business and that was the moment I turned on the engine within me. Now, by that time I had helped my former boss build her business, and realized I had been doing this on my own this entire time, just under someone else’s responsibility. So, I took what I had learned throughout the years and applied that for myself.
August of 2022, I found a location, built my own website, purchased every piece of equipment without a loan (literally my own hard earned money), products, and transferred my studio with my own bare hands. Mind you by this time, no one really knew what I had been building in silence. February 8, 2023 was the actual day that changed my life. I woke up that morning and on bended knees I started to pray. I prayed to God asking him to take me out of the place I was working at and to allow me to be 100% focused and in my business full time. I wanted to be free from where I had felt trapped for so many years. Later that morning went into my studio where my dear friend Stephanie Soloman (SGE Reality Owner) came by to congratulate me on all I had achieved. We popped a little champagne, cheered and Stephanie asked if she could post on instagram. This is where God has a funny way of working his “magic”.
The lady I was still working for at that time NEVER ever was on social media, so, without hesitation I said, “yes of course, how else am I going to get my business out there if I keep it a secret?!’’ Stephanie posts, and I reposted. Two hours goes by and I receive a DM from my boss, “Do you have something to tell me?” Don, Don, DON, cat was officially out the bag. I responded with, “Yes and I hope you can be proud of me.” Silence, pure crickets from her end. A few more hours goes by, I receive a text from her stating, “Due to conflict of interest, you are no longer able to work here.”
When I read that message, a heavy HEAVY weight was finally lifted off my shoulders, I didn’t cry, I felt nothing other than a sigh of relief. I replied back, “You can not tell me how I can or can not feed my baby.” After sending the extended text (a lot was said), I looked up, laughed and said, “Really God, today?! It had to be TODAY?! I am officially jumping off this cliff and I trust in you to help me fly.”
I later jumped into my car, headed straight to my now old office, walked in, looked her dead in the eyes and said, “I grabbing my things”. Within 2 minutes, I grabbed everything that was mine and walked out. 15 year friendship was now part of history. As of August 2024, it has been officially 2 years since I started this Entrepreneurial journey. I have learned so much about myself, as a single mother, as a business owner, my faith, and the relationships we choose to have around. Since starting my own business I have been able to pay every single bill including the $2,000.00 a month preschool tuition. I am able to be there for my daughter, work my own hours on my own terms, I have no more anxiety, no more stress, I am free from someone else trying to control my life and that is what I call freedom. Anything is possible when you whole heartedly put in true effort, never quit, and trust the journeys process. Everything you go through is a lesson in life, apply that knowledge and make something happed for yourself. I always view the glass half full, never half empty. If my daughters father had never put me in a messed up situation, I don’t know if I ever would have had the fuel within me to start my own business. Had my old boss never “fired” me, I never would have had the time I wanted to invest 100% into myself. If i didn’t have my faith, I wouldn’t have had courage and peace of mind that everything would work out as planned.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Ashley Heather Scott and I’m originally from Palo Alto, California. I went to Arizona State University, where I got my degree in Tourism Development Management Hospitality, BS. I graduated when I was 20 years old and accomplished my internship for the Palms Casino in Las Vegas in hospitality. When I was 21 years of age, I moved to Los Angeles where I ended up working at a fine dine restaurant in Toluca Lake, as the Bar Manager/Bartender. I became very close (family friends) with the owners who at the time were married and took me in as one of their own. The wife became a mentor/mother figure for me and at that time always pushed me for greatness. She herself was an esthetician, she owned her own skincare line and in front of the restaurant was her Spa. That was actually the first time I ever found out what an Esthetician was. Unfortunately, the couple later divorced and the Restaurant went with the divorce and so did my job. We separated for about a year where from time to time I would come in and receive facials from her. She was working at a medical clinic at the time during her transition of moving out and moving into a new location, she had asked me if I could help her move equipment. She paused and looked at me and said, “why don’t you get into business with me?! I’ll teach you everything you need to know!”
At the time, I thought she was crazy because I knew nothing about nothing in this industry. I went to school for something completely different, and to be honest I had no interest in this beauty industry at that time. I tend to be a little hardheaded and it usually takes me a while to get my feet wet. Call me a slow starter.
She got me connected with this Colombian Plastic Surgeon in Culver City, and that’s when I learned everything about post-operative lymphatic drainage massages. I became a medical assistant through working with this plastic surgeon and became very good at post opts and body contouring treatments.
From there, they kept pushing the idea of me going back to school to become an esthetician. Again, a little hardheaded I wanted no parts for I just didn’t have any interest at that time. Now during that time, I was also dating this guy when he asked me why I didn’t want to go back to school and achieve my esthetician license? I explained that I really didn’t want to go into more debt and that money quite frankly was the issue. He believed in me so much and offered to pay for me to go to school and without hesitation I said, “DONE DEAL!”
I hustled like I had never before going back-and-forth between being a full-time student and still working in the Medical Clinic. I accomplish my hours and received my license.
Once becoming an a licsened esthetician and learning more medical type of aesthetic care treatments, I found that not only did I really enjoy it, but I was actually really good at it. I had a strong, natural sense of understanding how the body functions, how lifestyle hygiene is huge, how diet affects the gut, proper quality skincare products in the treatment room, and how home care consistency plays a major factor. Because I, myself used to suffer from acne, I just had a passion for helping people with their self-esteem and helping those understand that you do not have to suffer with acne that way.
That is how I became a problematic skin care specialist/post operative lymphatic drainage massage specialist; specializing in acne, anti-aging, melasma, chemical peels, serious cystic acne, body contouring and post operative lymphatic massage for those who have had liposuction, BBL’s, tummy tucks, face lifts and more.
What sets me apart as an Esthetician is my ability to connect with my clients and having those “bed side manners”. Listening to their concerns, their needs, and getting down to the route of where everything is stemming from. I take my time to educate, explain and guide them through out their journeys process. I get on their level and am just as equally invested as they are. I come from a place of first hand experiences as well. When a client knows that you’ve suffered just like them, your ability to connect with them just takes you to another level, they find themselves trusting you so much more.
Although opportunities were presented to me, nothing was handed to me. I had to work hard to achieve my accomplishments and I am so glad I never left anything on the table. Not only did I prove to myself, but I proved to everybody around me that I am beyond capable, and that it doesn’t stop there. What I am most proud of was the moment as a single mother, my back was up against the wall, I felt defeated, realizing nobody was going to save me; I never gave up, pulling myself out of a hole and pushing through those hard moments within yourself. Surpassing every doubt I thought to believe was true. I made something happen for myself and that is one thing nobody could ever take away from me and one thing that I am so proud to say I did all by myself with no help. My daughter’s watching me.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
What has been the most effective strategy for me has been advertising my business on Groupon. The reasons why I chose Groupon was for one, It’s a great form of advertising of your services at a discounted rate. I have found in my 12 years that many people are hesitant to spend their hard earned money to only find themselves disappointed when they try someone for the first time. They are able to try your services at a discounted rate at a more reasonable to them price. The second reason I like Groupon is because only those who have had actually received your service can leave a review. Other platforms have made it easy for trolls to write negative reviews “just because” which can unfairly hurt your business. Thirdly, great amazing reviews is what has kept me booked and busy. It’s a different form of “word of mouth” and people really go off of your ratings/reviews. Helps to make them feel more at ease before coming in to see you! Last but not least, social media. I am not the best at it yet but I am getting better at posting my work.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What has helped me build my reputation within the aesthetic market has been my authenticity, having a professional website, instagram, knowledge, great advice, going over & beyond, product knowledge, my ability to connect with clients, honesty, professional integrity, communication, professionalism, cleanliness both in the treatment room and how you present yourself to others (always remember people treat you how they see you and your environment), respect towards others, humility, having boundaries, and most importantly the fact that my work speaks for itself and that’s giving results clients are seeking.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allthingsskinn.com
- Instagram: @skincarebyashleyy
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/ashleyheatherscott
- Other: TikTok: @allthingsskinn
Image Credits
Lira Clinical Skincare