The Power of Mentorship

What Can a Mentor Do For You 

The right mentor can provide another level of personalized guidance and insight that’s hard to find in schools or through personal trial and error. Here are some key benefits the right mentor can offer. 

Learn from Their Mistakes 

A mentor’s real-world experience means they’ve made mistakes and learned many valuable lessons along the way. You get to learn from their errors and avoid common pitfalls, saving yourself time, money, and frustration. 

Personalized Advice and Guidance 

The best thing about a mentor is their ability to tailor advice to your specific needs and unique situation, whether you’re struggling to gain clients, grow your social media, or improve your techniques. Your mentor can personalize a unique solution through a series of one-on-one meetings that will help you achieve what you want in less time and with less effort. With a mentor, you can take risks confidently, knowing that someone is looking out for you and has your best interests at heart. 

Significant Return on Investment 

Joining a mentorship has a high return on investment. You spend little for the amount of growth and knowledge you will gain in such a short time – the return is substantial. Your mentor will help you avoid costly mistakes and help you find the right opportunities to be profitable. The insight your mentor offers can save you money and boost revenue in the future for a small investment in the present. 

Constant Access 

One of the biggest advantages of mentorship is accessibility. You can reach out to your mentor when you have a problem or have questions. This instant support is crucial in preventing you from feeling overwhelmed and gives you the confidence to face your problems, knowing that your mentor’s advice is just a message or call away. 

Networking Opportunities 

A good mentor often comes with a network that can open many doors for you. When you’re in a mentorship, make sure you connect with their network to gain access to opportunities you wouldn’t have on your own. These opportunities can include partnerships, collaborations, and potential clients. 

You Can Find Mentors in These Places: 

• Beauty Therapy School: Many esthetic schools offer mentorship programs. Check if your school has a successful graduate network; this can be a great place to start. 

• Online: Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook have thriving esthetician communities. Find one that speaks to your needs and inspires you to be like them. Start following and engaging with their content, and eventually, you will find potential mentors who resonate with your business goals. 

• Esthetician Conferences and Events: Attending industry conferences or local networking events is a great opportunity to connect with successful estheticians who are willing to share their knowledge. You don’t know when you will meet someone who’s willing to mentor you or at least offer good advice. 

• Workplace: If you’re currently working in a spa or salon, your colleagues or superiors can act as mentors. They’ve been where you are and can offer guidance based on their experiences in the industry. Observe and learn from watching them run a business and retain clients. 

What Makes a Great Mentor? 

Finding the right mentor isn’t always easy, especially with so many self-proclaimed “educators” on social media. When searching for a mentor, there are many key characteristics to look for to ensure they’re the right fit for you: 

Trustworthiness 

A mentor should be someone you trust to have your best interests at heart. Trust will take time to develop; your mentor should inspire you and set an example of where you want your business to go. 

Realistic Approach to Success 

Your mentor should teach you to be financially intelligent and avoid instant gratification. They will emphasize that building a successful business takes time, good habits, discipline, and consistency. Beware of mentors who promise overnight success because real growth comes from long-term effort. 

Experience 

A good mentor teaches not just from theory but from lived experience. They’ve made mistakes and learned from them, and they’re willing to share those lessons with you to help you do better. 

Focus on Mindset 

Your mentor should help you overcome self-defeating beliefs. They’ll encourage you to take responsibility and build confidence. Your mentor recognizes that in business, everything starts with mindset. 

Knowledge of Trends and Technology 

The esthetic industry is constantly evolving. Look for a mentor who stays up to date with the latest trends and technology and who can pass that knowledge onto you in a simple, actionable way. 

How to Leverage a Mentor as a Solo Esthetician 

Once you’ve found the right mentor, it’s important to make the most out of your relationship. Here are a few ways to leverage your mentorship: 

Ask Those Questions… 

You’re investing time and money into your mentorship, so make sure you’re fully engaged and making the most of it. Always ask questions—there’s no bad question. You are there to learn and ask questions! And your mentor is there to answer those questions. 

Here is a crucial set of questions you can ask your mentor based on where you currently are in the business:  

• If you’re just getting out of school, you can ask this: How do I get my first clients? 

• If you’ve been solo as an esthetician for a couple of years, ask this: When do I hire help and expand my business? 

• When you’ve got a store and a team, ask this: How do I know if opening another store is right for me? 

Take Responsibility for Your Learning 

Your mentor can guide you, but it’s up to you to apply what you learn. Stay committed to your personal and professional growth. Take time every day to learn and make sure you’re implementing their advice and strategies you receive. 

Set Clear Goals 

Define what you want from the mentorship and how you want to achieve it. Whether it’s improving a specific treatment, learning marketing, becoming more confident when speaking to clients, improving client communication, or growing your social media, be clear about those goals, write them down, and track them to ensure your progress. 

Don’t Overwhelm Your Mentor with Questions 

Yes, it’s important to be proactive, but don’t overwhelm your mentor with constant questions. Take your time to learn and implement the answers you already have before you jump into more questions. Be strategic and respect their time. 

Give Back 

Don’t make the mistake of thinking the relationship is one-sided. If you meet your mentor in person, take them out for coffee or lunch and pick their brain. If they’re online, share their posts, promote their content, and leave positive reviews. This helps build a mutually beneficial relationship. 

Ask for Feedback 

Feedback is the essence of your growth. Always ask your mentor about your progress and which areas you can improve. Don’t avoid constructive criticism; it’s the key to your growth as a solo esthetician. 

Mentorship can be a game changer for solo estheticians, providing you with the personalized guidance, industry insights, and feedback you need to succeed. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale your business, finding the right mentor will help make your journey a lot easier and more prominent. Seek out a mentor and leverage their expertise; they will help you build a thriving solo esthetic business, overcome obstacles, and gain the confidence you need to achieve long-term success.