We recently connected with Jessica Bradley and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

I work in the beauty industry, and own a small business as an aesthetician providing lash extensions (along with other lash and brow treatments). My ‘unpopular opinion’ amongst beauty industry standards is tipping/gratuity. I don’t accept tips on services from clientele. On occasion I choose a local non profit to donate gratuity collected to, and left it as an option to clients should they decide to donate or not.

I’ve worked in restaurants and coffee shops as a server, where tipping is the norm (although, unsurprisingly, I have opinions regarding overall tipping). I preface this unpopular opinion with I do ALWAYS tip in restaurants, where unfortunately its a known standard that server minimum wage is $2.33/hr from their employer and consumers are subsiding their wages by tipping. I’ve worked in various salon settings in guest services/front desk, management, and also as a provider in which tips were always a conversation. Even as flippant when scheduling a new client, ‘they’re a great tipper.’ When I first opened my own studio in January 2020, I started off accepting tips as normal industry standard. I set my pricing to reflect my worth as a lash artist in a private space, so amidst covid (April 2021 decided to change tipping culture where I could control it. I started off by picking local nonprofits to donate to, and informing clients of the change. Hearing clients reactions to this change validated how I’ve felt regarding tipping. My logic as a beauty provider is, you pay me to provide you a service. I provide you a service to the best of my ability. Why should you be left deciding how much EXTRA to pay me? Why should I judge you positively or negatively with what you decide to leave extra? Regardless if it is positive or negative, this inherently (and perhaps subconsciously) affects a clients future appointments.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was self taught in photography and utilized hair/makeup knowledge from working at a hair salon throughout high school. I went on to pursue a fine arts degree from University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and worked in fashion retail where I lead the Greater Milwaukee area in sales.

In 2016, I relocated to Green Bay and attended The Salon Professional Academy – Appleton to receive an Aesthetician’s license while managing a salon spa. In 2018 I gained validation as a lash artist pretty quickly, as I entered a global lash contest and won an award. I wanted to combine my original love of beauty/fashion photography into this new found talent, so in January of 2020 I decided to open my lash studio. It allows me total creativity, as I get to do lash extensions, then do a photoshoot to fulfill marketing/advertising. I love furthering my education, and hold 6 certifications as a lash artist.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

People seek me out as I believe in being honest and as educational as I can be. I am always keeping up on industry education. My goal is taking a new course/certification each year.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I’m a very visual person, so a strong social media and website is a must. I don’t post often, but with my background in photography/design, I try to be very intentional with the work I post.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vicicollective.com/
• Instagram: vicicollective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicicollective

Image Credits
Jessica Bradley – photographer Elyse & Sydney Tappy, Keverlyn Ullmer – models