We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Crystal Stocking. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Crystal Stocking below.
What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
I want to leave a legacy as someone who never gave up on their dreams and always believed in the power of hard work and determination.
When we are born, we become authors of a book about our life. It is full of chapters, some happy, some sad, and some with lessons and stories of growth and strength. It’s all about you! Write a book that you would want to read and be proud of. In my book, I want to be remembered for my strength, perseverance, and passion for helping others. We all have a story, and it’s how you handle the hard stuff and celebrate the good. You only fail if you stop trying. You control your destiny! Your failures are not life sentences; they are only lessons. If my story inspires others to keep going and never give up, I will have accomplished something meaningful.
As a teacher, I’m known for my blond hair, makeup, dresses, and love for CiCi’s pizza and Chicken Salad Chick! My students will remember me as a selfless, caring, and passionate mentor who always encouraged them to be their best selves. And as a mother, I hope to be remembered as a devoted and loving parent who always put her family first. Above all, I hope people will say that I lived my life to the fullest and never took a moment for granted.
Please tell us about yourself.
I grew up in Cumberland, a small town in Maryland. I have two brothers and a sister. My childhood was very challenging, and I was forced to grow up fast. In my family, college was not an option. The expectation was to graduate high school and get a job, but I always wanted more. I know my late parents did the best they could under the circumstances, and despite my hardships, I thank them for instilling in me self-discipline and an unwavering work ethic. Without these life lessons, I would not be who I am today.
1991, I graduated from Fort Hill high school and moved to Charleston, SC. Here I had my daughter, Whitney; I was a teenage mom and not sure of my path in life. As a single parent, I had to work multiple jobs to support my daughter. It was not easy, and I barely kept my head above water. Despite the challenges, I started my own cleaning business and worked as a nanny for three young children. I achieved this for 12 years; one day, I woke up and said, “I want to go to EMT school.” I always had a propensity for helping people, and becoming an EMT was a life-long dream, or so I thought.
I met my husband, Joe, while in school, and a few years later, we married. Then tragedy struck! My husband’s ex-wife died from cancer, leaving behind two young children. Our family of three became a “blended” family of five overnight. With my husband in the military and preparing for a nine-month humanitarian mission, I had to put my plans on hold and focus on raising our kids and supporting my husband’s military career. It was not easy, but I dug deep and found a strength I didn’t know I had. I worked tirelessly to help my children succeed, all while managing everything else on my plate. Looking back on that moment, I can see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown. It’s true what they say: you never realize how strong you are until you have no choice.
How did you get into your industry?
My long shifts as an EMT were becoming increasingly difficult and unsuitable for raising a family. After much thought, I decided to change my career. Growing up, I always had a passion for makeup and skincare. I spent hours in the mall browsing through the different store’s cosmetic departments. However, I never knew “Esthetics” school existed, I discovered esthetics after going for a facial with my daughter’s friend, and I applied to a local Esthetics program shortly after. I spent a year in school before graduating and beginning my new career.
I worked my way up from a spa to medical esthetics and even had a business for six years. Clients were impressed with my knowledge of product ingredients and suggested I become an instructor. I realized that teaching esthetics was another way to help people, so I became an instructor in 2016, and it was the best decision I ever made. I excelled in my profession and even became a Milady Master Educator, Advanced Master Educator, Trailblazer Master Educator, Teacher of the Year twice, and featured in the “Voyager” magazine. In 2021, I was offered an incredible opportunity to work for Paul Mitchell the School in Charleston, SC as their “Esthetics Education Leader”. Under the tutelage of Director Bart Horton, I helped to open their Esthetician program from the ground up. In less than a year, we became the most sought-after esthetics program in Charleston and the #1 Esthetics program at Paul Mitchell.
What type of services do you provide?
I offer a variety of services to students and licensed estheticians. As an esthetics instructor, I can help you prepare for licensure as an esthetician and assist with South Carolina testing. Whether you need a refresher before the test or are transferring your license from another state, I’m here to help. Additionally, I provide continuing education classes to ensure that professionals are current with the latest trends and techniques in the field. Lastly, I also make state board kits to make the licensure process as smooth as possible.
What sets you apart from others?
As an educator, my compassion and understanding of every student’s situation set me apart from others. I am always available to my students and believe that to master esthetics information, it’s essential to deliver the material using multiple learning styles. People learn differently, so I take the time to learn about every student and the best method to teach them. I am proud to be a Milady Master Educator, Advanced Master Educator, and Trail Blazer Master Educator. I was awarded Teacher of the Year twice and teach continuing education classes. In addition, I offer State Board Boot Camp for my students who may need a refresher before the test or for anyone who needs to transfer a license from another state.
What are you most proud of?
I am incredibly proud of my family and the success of my students. Throughout my career, I have taught over 700 individuals from all walks of life. It has been truly amazing to witness their growth and achievements. Among my students were mothers, wives, recent high school graduates, GED holders, and even two students with a Ph.D.
I am overjoyed to see my graduates thriving in their respective fields. Many have opened businesses, worked for highly respected plastic surgeons and dermatologist offices, and even landed jobs as makeup artists for reality shows, Disney World, and skincare companies. Four of my students have even become instructors, and the list continues!
As an instructor, I believe that the most important thing is to create a strong connection with my students. I want them to know that they can achieve anything they set their minds to, no matter what their current situation or age may be. My own life story is a testament to this message, and I hope that it serves as inspiration for my students to aim high and never give up. Every one of my students has a unique story, and I am honored to be a part of their journey towards reaching their full potential.
What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.?
If you’re interested in a career in the beauty industry, you don’t have to attend a 4-year college to be successful. As an instructor at Paul Mitchell the School Charleston, a career in esthetics can be gratifying if you enjoy helping people and have a creative side. Not only is esthetics a booming industry, but there are a multitude of jobs within this field. If you’re ready to get started, I’m here to help guide you toward a successful career.
Please provide as much detail as you feel relevant as this is one of the core questions where the reader will get to know about you and your brand/organization/etc
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
My reputation within my market was built on a combination of factors. First, I became an esthetician and then became an instructor. Through teaching, I developed strong relationships with my students, and as each class graduated, they would recommend me to anyone interested in becoming an esthetician. These word-of-mouth recommendations were crucial in building my reputation.
Additionally, I am passionate about the industry and genuinely care about every student and their success. I have a different connection with each one and can relate to their stories. I continue supporting them on their journey after graduation, attending salon openings, and getting their services. In short, my reputation was built on the combination of my expertise, passion, and dedication to my student’s success and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied students.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I remember one moment from my journey that stands out as a testament to my resilience, teaching during COVID! Teaching for an organization with eight schools was always challenging, but nothing could have prepared me for what was to come. When COVID started in January 2020, I was tasked to help with developing and teaching an online esthetics class via Zoom – something that had never been authorized by the state of South Carolina before; it was overwhelming.
Despite the challenges, I was determined to create an engaging course for my students and develop a new platform for learning. We tried pre-recorded videos that would be used for all the schools, and I was one of the instructors featured in them. We had to move fast to get up and running once online school was approved. I recorded ten videos quickly and began showing them to students and giving them assignments. It didn’t take long to realize this wouldn’t work for me or the students. I was teaching all day and recording all evening. I was exhausted. I also knew this wasn’t how most of my students learned information. I had to find ways to engage them via their different learning styles and keep them interested in six hours of Zoom training daily, so we went live. This allowed me an opportunity to engage with them just like in class. We had practical demos, and they would follow along with their doll heads at home. We did the best we could with what we had. The students were receptive to it and challenged them as well. It wasn’t easy, and there were times when I wanted to quit, but I knew that if I did, all my students would suffer, and their careers would be delayed.
So, I pushed through, finding motivation in the knowledge that I was giving my students the best education they could have during the pandemic under these difficult circumstances. It wasn’t always easy, but I learned to be resilient and never give up, and so did they. And in the end, my hard work paid off – my students were engaged and learned everything they needed to pass the state board exam and become licensed estheticians. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of what I accomplished, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have made a difference in the lives of so many students when there was so much uncertainty.
My road has been filled with many hardships; whether raising my siblings or figuring out how to put food on the table as a teenage mom, I never gave up!
I teach my students; they must overcome obstacles to succeed. Success does not come easy, there’s no timeframe, and there is always a price to pay, and it is different for everyone!
There are four qualities to be successful:
1: Commitment
2: Patience
3: Structure
4: Perseverance
Remember, there are no mistakes in life, only lessons, some good, some bad; regardless, we learn from our lessons, grow, and move on.
Image Credits:
Photography:
Michael Mulligan
www.michaelmulligan.com
Makeup:
Katlin Mikel
Katmikelbeauty.glossgenius.com
www.instagram.com/katmikelbeauty
@KatMikelBeauty
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