We were lucky to catch up with Naikia Simone recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Naikia, thanks for joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I absolutely resonate with the sentiment behind your question, and it’s one that I’ve grappled with in the past. There was a time when, faced with a particularly challenging situation in my business, I found myself conducting a thorough job search on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn.

The tipping point for me was when I encountered a significant tax issue with the IRS. As a first-generation entrepreneur, I had navigated the initial years of my business by learning as I went along, sometimes avoiding aspects that seemed complex or unfamiliar. Unfortunately, this strategy caught up with me, and I received a certified letter notifying me of a tax-related problem that had been accruing interest for the past three years.

The moment I opened that letter, my heart sank, and I was engulfed in a wave of anxiety, shame, and regret. It was in this moment of crisis that I instinctively turned to my old toxic trait – searching for a job as a potential escape route.

As I spent an hour sulking and contemplating a return to a more conventional career, I had a pivotal realization. I wasn’t the same person who used to avoid problems or the entrepreneur who neglected her tax responsibilities. Instead, I had evolved into someone with a deeper understanding of financial literacy, and I had the support of a capable accountant to guide me through such challenges.

So, instead of succumbing to the scarcity mindset that had triggered my job search, I closed the browser window and sent an SOS email to my CPA. Together, we worked through the tax issue, and while it wasn’t without its difficulties, I emerged with a newfound commitment to address challenges head-on and prioritize continuous growth in both my financial and business knowledge.

This experience taught me that challenges are not reasons to retreat but opportunities to learn, adapt, and become better. I made a promise to myself that day to leave behind my toxic job-hunting tendency and focus on cultivating an abundant mindset, knowing that what I choose to focus on ultimately shapes my journey as an entrepreneur.

It’s a journey, and I’m still doing the work, but embracing challenges as opportunities has become a guiding principle for me. I’ve come to understand that, indeed, what you focus on grows.

Naikia, 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 Naikia Simone, a licensed esthetician and beauty business coach based in Palm Beach, Florida. I am the proud founder of Art of Aesthetics Skin Studio, an 8-time international award-winning esthetician, and the recipient of the Best of Florida,Best Aesthetician 2023 award.

My journey into the beauty industry stems from a personal struggle with acne and pigmentation during my adolescence and early adulthood. Working for a beauty brand sparked my passion for skincare, and I noticed a lack of representation for people who looked like me in the teaching space. Wanting to be the change I wished to see, I decided to attend esthetics school to learn how to care for diverse skin tones.

During my education, I realized that I didn’t want to be just a ‘regular’ esthetician; I wanted to specialize in corrective skincare, drawing inspiration from my personal journey. In 2019 out of my living room, Art of Aesthetics was born, and nearly five years later, we empower women to feel their most confident in their skin.

At Art of Aesthetics, we advocate for a skincare state of mind. Our mission extends beyond providing exceptional skincare services to fostering a mindset that prioritizes self-care and the confidence it brings. We create a welcoming environment where individuals of all backgrounds can feel comfortable and cared for.

Specializing in corrective skincare, we excel at clearing acne, brightening pigmentation, and redefining the aging process, all of which contribute to a more youthful and radiant complexion. Our mission is centered on helping clients achieve and maintain their Skingoals.

At our studio, we believe in going beyond the traditional facial. Our approach is comprehensive, focusing on empowering clients to prioritize self-care. We understand that skincare is not just about external treatments; it’s a holistic journey towards confidence and well-being. By addressing specific skin concerns, we aim to provide transformative results that extend beyond physical appearance.

Our commitment is to guide clients through a skincare regimen tailored to their individual needs, supporting them in their journey towards vibrant and healthy skin. We take pride in being more than just a skincare service provider; we are partners in our clients’ self-care journey, helping them present their most confident selves to the world.

Today, I take pride in sharing my knowledge with other estheticians and helping them curate treatment plans that yield results and grow their businesses. Coaching fellow estheticians and beauty professionals is incredibly gratifying, especially witnessing the remarkable results they achieve for their clients and in their businesses. The opportunity to impact individuals on a broader scale, contributing to their success and well-being through coaching and training, is a source of immense pride and fulfillment for me.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My journey with Art of Aesthetics started as a side hustle, you know? I was climbing the corporate ladder in retail and sales leadership, but deep down, I realized that my heart was in skincare. I wanted to fix my own skin struggles and help others with their #skingoals.

While working my 9-to-5, I decided to pursue esthetics at my local community college in the evenings. After getting licensed, I set up shop in my living room with a simple goal – get enough clients to cover the salon suite I had my eye on. I tapped into the skills I learned in my corporate role – exceptional consultations, top-notch experiences, and real results.

In just three months, I hit my goal and opened my own skincare studio. At the same time, I was working full-time for a dermatologist, soaking up all the knowledge to go from a regular esthetician to an extraordinary corrective skincare specialist.

Then, COVID-19 hit, and I found myself pregnant, juggling work, motherhood, and entrepreneurship. That’s when I made the call to go full-time with my business. My side hustle officially became my main thing!

Transitioning from the corporate world to running a skincare business had its ups and downs, like opening my studio and constantly learning. But hey, it’s all part of the journey, right? Turning my passion into a thriving career at Art of Aesthetics has been the best decision I ever made.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Building my reputation within the market was a journey rooted in several key factors. Firstly, the power of focus played a pivotal role. Recognizing the significance of honing in on corrective skincare allowed me to channel my expertise and provide specialized solutions for my clients.

Being recognized for my treatment plans tailored to clearing acne, brightening pigmentation, and managing aging became the cornerstone of my brand. The authenticity of my approach, coupled with delivering tangible results, led to positive experiences for my clients.

Additionally, drawing from my background in sales and customer service from a previous corporate role proved to be a valuable asset. In my first year as an entrepreneur, establishing a service cycle that prioritized elevated consultations and customized treatment plans not only ensured client satisfaction but also empowered them with knowledge about their skincare journey.

Education, empowerment, and consistent delivery of exceptional results were the pillars that helped me craft a reputation extending beyond my immediate clientele. Word of mouth, fueled by the positive experiences of satisfied clients, became a potent force attracting new clients who sought not just skincare services but an experience that exceeded expectations.

In essence, building a strong reputation involved not only what I did but how I did it, emphasizing the value I brought to those I served. The combination of specialization, authenticity, and a commitment to client education and satisfaction played a crucial role in establishing and enhancing my standing within the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artofaestheics.co
• Instagram: @artofaesthetics.co @naikiasimone