We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kailee Huntington. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kailee below.

Kailee, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

When I first became a licensed esthetician one of my top priorities was to further my education beyond what they teach you in school if I wanted to provide the best experience for my clients. I believe always learning is the key to success and I never want to stop. So when I first started out especially, I did a few jobs that I knew weren’t exactly where I wanted to be long term but the skills I learned were invaluable and I am forever grateful!

Fast forward to 6 months after becoming licensed, while still working one of my other esthetic jobs, and I received an opportunity to rent my very own space that I would be sharing with a massage therapist that I knew. It was a tiny room that was upstairs in an old office building with no sink (although there was accessible down the hall) in a somewhat questionable part of town. But, I loved it. Everyone has to start somewhere and being able to branch out on my own for the first time and connect with clients in a space that was (almost) all mine was an absolute dream! Although this space was a great place to start, the location wasn’t ideal and it wasn’t exactly a place that was “aesthetic” enough to promote. That being said, I focused on continuing to build my skills to offer the best services I can to my clients no matter where I was.

Moving forward again about 2 years I got the opportunity to build and design my own spa space!! This was where I had the chance to make this my ‘defining moment’. Up until this point I had always had another job (or sometimes two) to help supplement my income as I slowly but steadily built up a clientele with the eventual goal of fulfilling my dream of being a full time esthetician. It was slow going but going nonetheless, and it was safe. But I had decided now was that time that I needed to quit my other job and be the full time esthetician I wanted to be, even though I didn’t fully have the clients to support that just yet. I would have to take the leap if I ever wanted to get there, and trust me, that was scary to take that risk.
Yes I was nervous but I would never be here if it weren’t for my supportive family helping me so much. They helped me through school, my other jobs, and were an absolutely incredible help with this new space. Just as one example during the construction process that stands out to me was when designing my spray tan room. My dad and one of my uncles spent hours developing an effective extraction fan for the overspray. I explained what it would need to do and why and let me tell you, I have never felt more loved than watching a construction and HVAC professional give their all so that I can have the best spray tan room possible when Im still not sure they even know what a spray tan really is!

I’ve been in this new space for about six months now but so far this has been the best decision and most certainly can be considered a defining moment of my career. I love that my mom and I picked out the artwork, my dad hung all of the shelves for me (and pretty much everything else), my grandma and I hung the wallpaper in the entryway. All of those little details make this spa a place I am genuinely proud of and love to be at. I get excited to go to work every day, I love what I do, and where I get to do it. Six months in and my clientele has easily doubled. Im extremely grateful that I have the best clients who love coming to this space as much as I do. I hope that if I continue to work hard, and learn that I will continue to get to meet the most amazing people, get to make them feel as beautiful as they are, and help them feel confident in their skin and the craziest part is I actually get paid to do something I love.

Kailee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Kailee being Kailee Nicole Esthetics and i’ve been a licensed esthetician since 2019. I offer a variety of esthetic services including facials, chemical peels, waxing, spray tans, dermaplaning, lash lifts/brow laminations and more!

I started this journey in 2018 when I, on the search for a career I would love, stumbled on the San Diego City College Esthetics program. As a teen I thought being an esthetician would be such a fun and fulfilling job but school was expensive. All of a sudden with this community college program a career in esthetics was affordable and something attainable! The rigorous program was about 45+ hours a week and I was working at the same time but after sixteen weeks we did it! All the girls I went through this class with were some of the nicest, most talented, hardworking ladies I’ve met. So many of them had kids, or other careers, or other things going on and they also worked insanely hard to finish this certification. The day we all went to the Stateboard of Barbering and Cosmetology and passed made it all worth it!

Just a few years later I am happy to say I am in my own spa and excited to be establishing myself as a professional and a business owner in Santee, CA.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

This is something I’m still learning how to do! I’m by no means an expert and am learning all the time, mostly though trial and error.

I do think the most effective way to build clientele is word of mouth. But how to get the clients to spread the word about you is the problem! Thus far I’ve tried several platforms, some paid and some not, but what I’ve had most success with is Instagram and Google.

Maintaining a presence on Instagram that’s engaging can be a challenge but I try to only create content I would want to see myself if I was a client and post with intentions. Not just something that looks good on my feed but a post that has a purpose, to show a before and after of a popular service, share some tips and tricks, reviews, and tutorials etc. I notice when I make content this way it’s simpler and people see the results of a service or product they’re actually interested in and in turn more likely to book!

I’ve also had success with Google which I wasn’t expecting! After gaining a few reviews I noticed my profile shows up higher on searches for ‘esthetician’ in. my area. Reviews have been crucial! I also make a point to beef up my Google profile with up to date information, with photos of the inside and outside of my spa, as well as the services I offer.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Client relationships 100%! In a service based job like mine your clients and their trust are absolutely everything. I want every visit to be an experience that makes people feel relaxed and renewed. When my clients tell me they love the smell when they walk through the door, or the little nap they get during facial massage, or when lash lift clients are as obsessed with their results as I am it makes my day! Building and maintaining these relationships and trust is one of my favorite parts of my job and absolutely a key to success.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kaileenicole.com
• Instagram: @kailee.nicole.esthetics

Image Credits
Grace Films Co.