We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittney Romero. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittney below.
Brittney, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Deciding to open a business in Southern California and not back home in Northern California is one of the riskiest things I’ve done. Not only did I decide to open a business in a city I’m not from and didn’t have many clients in, but I also moved while we were still in quarantine. There’s still a lot of Los Angeles I haven’t fully experienced yet. Before I moved, I was working for someone and had a thriving clientele. So technically it would’ve made much more sense for me to open a business up North and not down here. When quarantine hit that did change a lot for me to be completely honest. I was dead set on not returning to the beauty industry. Sitting at home every day watching the news and having some client messages asking me if I were working out of my house really had a negative impact on me and how I viewed the industry. I was starting to get a little stir-crazy sitting home every day and seeing my mom go off to work while my life felt like it stopped honestly. I worked so hard and went through so much to become an esthetician and being told our industry was “non-essential” was a tough pill to swallow. One day when my mom came home, I very much so jokingly asked if she wanted to take a spontaneous trip to Los Angeles. Never did I imagine she would say yes. Every day I spent sitting at home cleaning, taking my dog on multiple walks, eating white cheddar popcorn, watching the news and tiger king I knew I needed a change of scenery. Needless to say, when my mom said yes, I had set forth a change of course in my life I didn’t expect.
Our quick weekend getaway was great for my mom, my dog, and myself it gave me a recharge I needed and sparked a new inspiration. I toured apartments and found one that I liked at the time and after a few weeks and lots of tears I made the move. I was happy to land a teaching job at an esthetics school because services were still restricted. The more I talked to the students about the industry the more I missed actually working in it. I found myself at a crossroads once again and made another switch to get back into skincare. As I moved from job to job, I kept thinking it was the managers or the situations as to why I wasn’t happy. However, I kept making excuse after excuse as to why I shouldn’t work for myself. I was essentially self-sabotaging. I had/have this very interesting way of cheering others on and telling them why THEY can achieve their goals but was forgetting how to be a cheerleader for myself and my long-term goals. I knew I was unhappy because I wasn’t following my calling.
I don’t exactly remember what my “ah ha” moment was to start the process of working for myself, but I’m happened I finally listened to myself. I researched and got help of course on how to start funding and getting the right paperwork to get going. Now this process has not been easy by any means, however it’s a different type of hard work. Doing what I want how I want makes the hard work, tears and stress all worth it. Everyday I’m still learning and evolving. If I try something and it doesn’t work, I try something else and learn to see challenges as opportunities. Funny enough I do have my random moments where I wonder what if my mom would’ve no to coming with me to Los Angles for a mini vacation. I wonder what I would be doing and where I would be. So, there is a beauty in taking risks and getting out of your comfort zone.
Brittney, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As I mentioned a bit earlier, I am originally from the Bay Area and still love it very much. Southern California just has this hustler’s mindset that I’m attracted to. I love that everyone has their “thing” their passion and working hard towards it for it. As an esthetician this is the perfect place for me to be, not for the vanity aspect but the self-care aspect.
I offer a variety of facials at my salon suite and mobile as well. My mobile appointments have quickly become popular since I’m able to bring the self-care to you. My facial offerings include customized calming facials, anti-acne facial, and a firming/brightening facial. Facials are not one size fits all, so I like for current clients and new clients to feel comfortable knowing I customize my facials to their concerns. I use professional grade skin care products to give my clients the best results possible. I also utilize a variety of skin care tools such as microdermabrasion, Gua Sha, and even LED light therapy to help elevate the facial experience. I also would love to add that facial massage is my favorite part of the facial, so expect to relax too. My business is a safe space whether you are sleeping or we’re chatting and laughing. Either way you’re literally in good hands in a judgement free zone.
I often get asked which I like doing more facials or lash extensions and that is an impossible question to answer since I love them both. In addition to offering results driven facials I also offer eyelash extension application of both classic and volume lash extensions. Lash extensions allow my creativity to come through. I enjoy creating a look for someone based on eye shape, lifestyle, and preference. The technique that I was trained and certified in allows me to get as many natural lashes, “lashed” in order to get my clients lash line as full as possible. Now while lash line full ness is the goal for my clients, I most importantly want readers to know I keep the health of the natural lash in mind at all times. Lash extensions are literally glued to the natural lash so keeping the integrity of the natural lash is so important.
No matter what service is booked I want the readers to know time and care went into every little detail of my business. Every business choice was made with discernment. I offer the same care and great service for appointments in my salon suite or in the comfort of your home.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
As much as I love being in the beauty industry, it actually wasn’t my first choice. Naturally like many students post high school I didn’t fully know what I wanted to do. I enrolled in a community college and started off taking my general education classes. What I came to realize is how much of a science nerd I actually am, and I enjoy helping people even though I’m a big introvert. I ended up enrolling in a 2-year dental assistant program and honestly had my whole life planned out. My dentist at the time who was absolutely amazing had actually planted a seed of interest about the dental industry and inspired me to look into it. When I say I had my dental career planned out I had it fully planned out. I found and applied to my program and at the same time was researching dental hygiene programs. My plan at the time was to become a dental assistant first then get a job with tuition reimbursement so I could enroll in a dental hygiene program next. I must admit I even had a school picked out. The University of the Pacific in Stockton is known for their dental program. As you can see, I fully had my life planned out and was on track.
When I first started my dental assistant program, I loved it and learned a lot however I knew something was wrong when it started feeling like school. The excitement faded and I felt like going to school was a chore. The program I as enrolled in was 2 years long and I was a year and a half in when I literally woke up crying because I didn’t want to go to school. Something just clicked and I realized the dental industry wasn’t actually my calling nor my passion. The only two things I still knew was I wanted to have a career that was science based and helping others. Since my program was 2 years, I was still on track of completing my Associates of Science degree, however I felt like a failure for unenrolling in my program and I took a small break from school. Taking that break was the best decision I’ve ever made.
During my mini break I was job hunting on craigslist and applied for a receptionist position at a franchise spa. I knew absolutely nothing about the spa industry and can’t even tell you why I even applied in the first place. The funny thing is I didn’t even know what an esthetician was, my esthetician at the time I was referring to her as my “brow girl”. I didn’t know she had an actual title. During the interview process for receptionist job there was a script I had to memorize because selling memberships was part the job description. I wish I could I had it fully memorized but I absolutely did not and somehow, I still got the job. I’ve always had issues with my own skin and struggles with keeping my acne under control, so I was excited when I learned what an esthetician did and how they could help. During my product training and even talking with the estheticians at my job my interest in the industry grew more and more. When I listened to their product suggestions and started getting facials, I saw a difference in my skin. This time I really took my time in researching the industry and asked as many questions as I could and soaked up all the knowledge I could from them. Needless to say, I enrolled in my esthetics program in 2012, graduated in 2013 and excited to say I’ve been a licensed esthetician for 10 years now. I did also receive my A.S. Degree in Natural Science and Mathematics. My journey to finding my calling was definitely stressful but it led me to where I am today, and I wouldn’t take back any of my experiences.
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
In the beauty industry you most definitely need to have love, passion, and be a hustler. I love being an esthetician, but our industry can be competitive. The basis of our education is mostly the same, those of us who are successful understand ‘s education is only part of the puzzle, it’s a huge part but only a part. If someone is coming into this field, simply for the money they tend to not last very long. You have to purpose to be in this field, you have to know your “why”. If someone were to ask you WHY you’re an esthetician or WHY you’re in the beauty industry you need to be able to answer it sincerely. If your answer is money you’re not in the right industry. The beauty industry is not just about vanity we’re changing people’s lives every day and spend a lot of energy and resources to do so. Clients are not foolish they can sense who cares and who doesn’t. I often hear newer beauty professionals say they’re shy or introverted, which I understand. I’m an introvert as well but I love what I do, and because I love what I do, and I have a purpose, my confidence shines brighter than my introverted feelings. Estheticians and all other beauty professionals who are successful have a hustlers’ mentality and know how to be sympathetic as well as personable. Those qualities will help you succeed in this industry.
Contact Info:
- Website: vagaro.com/brittneycariceesthetics
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brittneycariceesthetics/