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

Hi Kasey, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with education – we’d love to hear your thoughts about how we can better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career

I would change the education system to add in the business/customer service side of the industry, not just the basics of our craft. I went to a school that taught me how to not only create a positive atmosphere for my clients and their service but also how to retain the client, educate the client, and other resources to use to ensure my future in the industry is successful. It was very honest in the fact that it’s going to take hard work, dedication and continued education to grow and and be successful. I’m noticing alot of “newbies” going out on their own, relying only on social media to bring the clients in and getting frustrated by the lack of work and money being generated. That then leads to them quiting shortly after starting and giving up. Helping students to understand that this career takes dedication, motivation, a drive to constantly market yourself (and the proper ways to market), and the realization that working as your own boss isn’t easy but worth it and how to provide a great client experience can make a world of difference on so many levels.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am not only a business owner, esthetician and manicurist, but a wife, mother, auntie and friend. I have been working in the spa industry for almost 20 years. I originally wanted to be a dermatologist but starting a family young, going to school for a career like that wasn’t in the cards. I was travelling in Indiana for my job when I setup an appointment to get my hair done out of state at a hair school. I noticed they had a program called esthetics and I could do similar things with skin as a dermatologist, but be in school a shorter time, still play with makeup and make a life out of it. So, I took a leave of absence from my job that I had been in for almost 7 years and applied to esthetics school. I LOVED IT!!
Fast forward, I had moved back to Ohio from Indiana and got my license transferred to Ohio. Work was slow being the only esthetician in the small farming community. I worked hard and gave up alot of time with my family to get where I am today. I was presented with the opportunity to take over the salon I was working in, as the owner was wanting to retire in the industry. I had to make a decision in 4 days! So, in 4 days, I called a friend who is very successful to meet up with her about where I need to start, called the bank about what they needed to help with any financing and started filling out all the paperwork for all the “business” side of permits, licenses, ect. Every step of the way, I prayed that if this was the right thing to do, let it happen. It did! Every step was a smooth process, every thing approved, and the final step was the financing. My business plan ended up being more of a “sell them the idea, explain the industry and show them the numbers of my success” and pray. It was approved, obviously, and that is when Divinity Spa & Salon, LLC was born!

It was a smooth transition within the business. Three hair stylists stayed and no one’s clients or appointments were effected. My close friends and I completely remodeled the salon in one weekend to have it ready for the official grand opening as Divinity. The word Divinity just came to me one day as I was looking for a simple but powerful word that would describe everything I wanted this business to represent. I looked up divine and found “divinity- spreading happiness, bliss and beauty to the world.” And there it was! We are a full service salon/spa offering hair services by independent contracted cosmetologists and skin and nail services by myself. The salon offers years of experience and education that sets us apart from other salons in our area. I was the first esthetician in the county for quite some time and brought in a professional skincare and makeup line.

I am most proud of the growth within the salon. I have 5 hair stylists now who are very educated and dedicated to their clients. We are growing in such a positive direction as far as services being offered now that wasn’t offered previously- hair extensions, organic color line, non bleach alternatives, eyelash services, professional makeup line, Nanoneedling, acidic grade peels, dermaplaning, special event hair and makeup and more! It’s very rewarding to offer services to meet the needs of almost every client!

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

I swear by Michael Cole’s power wheel theory. He is a leader in the industry as far as educating and mentoring. I was given this book by Michael Cole on my first day of esthetics school. He talks about how to greet your client, how to consult effectively, deliver the service, educate the client (how to style their hair at home, products to use to create the look, ect), prebooking them and following up with the client after their service. By doing this with each client, I feel that is why I have been successful as a nail tech and esthetician. This book has taught me to look at this as a career not just a job (j. just O. over B. broke) Its taught me how to talk to a client, listen, and how to set goals and keep them. I still find myself referencing back to the book for answers on many subjects related to the industry and referring other people in the industry to read it.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

This is a hard one to admit, but I had to unlearn word vomiting on my clients! It’s very easy when you are a talkative person like myself to not just dump everything on a client when you are finding connections with them and relating to them. Too many stories to even break down in to just one as a learning lesson. I had lost clients thinking I was just being personable or relating to them, but I wasn’t being “professional” and giving them “their” time. I look back and gringe at some situations but also laugh because I was just being me. It helped me to grow into a better professional and owner of a business realizing this though.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DivinitySpa.Salon

Image Credits
Still Shot Photography LLC Freckle Charlie Photography Brittany Carol Photography