Exciting times are ahead for matrics and graduates of 2018. Those all-important decisions you made of your subject choices in grade nine in order to pursue your dream career/s has come to fruition.
As 2019 begins, big decisions are made, and concerns as to whether these decisions are right and for the right reasons are questioned. All the ‘what if’s’!
Actually, if you take time to sit, breathe and think, the important thing we need to remember and teach our children, friends and family is that learning never stops at a classroom door, or ever at all.
We need to make education a part of our adult life journey where we satisfy our social and personal needs. It doesn’t matter if you have already earned your degree or diploma, been working for 10 years or just fresh out of matric, age is just a number. When you have inspiration and dedication, no-one should stop you. Skills can’t be taken away from you, however acquiring new skills keeps us motivated and inspired. It creates a desire for more knowledge and self-improvement, but most importantly it has a great benefit on our well-being and self-actualization.
Learning new skills adds value to you and your business and effectively builds your clientele as you can then offer a larger variety of services. Becoming the go-to specialist person in specific fields, keeping yourself updated on the latest trends, products and innovations is essential. In the Beauty Industry, upskilling is a must. Imagine if you were still doing the same thing today which you learnt 10 years ago? Technology and skills advance rapidly. Doing the same thing every time will always get the same results, so your business should constantly be changing to keep up with the latest trends. To stay the same could lead your business to stagnate.
Our industry, being a dynamic ever-changing vibrant industry, ensures that we should change. Our clients are “Googlers” and “Youtubers”. We see this especially in the facial, make-up and nail specialities. In particular, nail art. Even skin products and treatments specific for men are ever advancing and coming to the fore. We need to be on top of our game so that our clients can be confident in our knowledge. Choice is out there. The beauty industry is a massive market now, so your salon needs to be different and unique. You should have a Unique Selling Point which attracts new clients and retains the old ones.
Looking at our students, I realize so many people today are all looking to upskill, which is inspiring. We have business owners, restauranteurs, doctors’ receptionist, SARS consultants, just to name a few. All looking to quench their thirst for knowledge.
The beauty and skin care industry is a very social and fulfilling industry where constant learning is an absolute must. You should know what your clients are talking about and be able to contribute to conversations knowledgably. Without continual professional development, you wont be able to keep up with them.
If we divide our industry into 3 main areas, being skin, body and nails and we look at the basics we’ve been taught over the years, the foundations don’t change:
- Skin compromises of basic facials, facials with electrical equipment, tinting and make–up. In today’s times, you need to add to this foundation with new treatments such as chemical peels, skin needling, threading, microdermabrasion, lash extensions, advanced make-up techniques which includes wounds, prosthetics, ageing make-up and all the fun tricks for Halloween, dress up parties and stage. There is still so much to offer, just by adding a few of these techniques.
- Looking at body treatment foundations, we learn Holistic Swedish massage, body analysis and slimming machines. Today, we are trying to live a less-stressed and more relaxed life. People hence need to spend time having treatments to aid this. To upskill, you can learn new techniques such as sports massage, pregnancy massage, aromatherapy, reflexology, manual lymph drainage, Indian head and the ever popular well known stone massage.
- The Nail industry has grown tremendously over the years. From basic overlays to sculptures and now funky and trendy nail shapes that were unheard of 5 years ago. As a nail technician, it’s such fun learning new nail art techniques and simpler and easier application processes.
Do some soul searching, find your passion and have the courage to pursue it. We weren’t created to be passive thinkers and average doers. You are in control of your future and determine your success. I challenge you to leave your comfort zone, make the call or email, to start on your journey to learn that 1 new skill today.
Blog written by: D’miele Steyl, Educator at Beauty Therapy Institute Benoni
Email: benoni@beautytherapyinstitute.co.za
Phone/whatsapp: 011 894 1511/063 884 2506
For further information on the various Beauty Therapy Institute’s and their course offerings:
Please contact Sandy:
Email: sandy@beautytherapyinstitute.co.za or call +27 83 457 1965.
Visit: www.beautytherapyinstitute.co.za
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