Spilling the EsTea

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda and Jess to break down exactly how they consistently bring in reviews and why it works. These two have had days where they’ve brought in 20 or more reviews across Google, Yelp, and our booking system, and it’s not luck. It’s mindset, timing, and consistency.We talk honestly about why asking for reviews feels awkward at first, how fear of rejection holds people back, and why reframing the ask as word of mouth changes everything. Amanda and Jess share how they decide when to ask, who to ask first, and how tools like QR codes make the process simple and natural.We also dive into why reviews aren’t just about stars. They’re about trust, safety, and connection. Clients read reviews word for word, especially when choosing between multiple estheticians. Reviews help clients feel confident before they ever walk through the door, and they play a huge role in keeping schedules full.If you’re an esthetician who feels nervous asking for reviews or unsure how to start, this clip shows what actually works in the treatment room and why consistency makes all the difference.

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I continue my journey and share how Humble Bee grew from me being a solo esthetician to what it is today, 17 studios and a growing team. This episode is about perseverance, being willing to start from the bottom again, and choosing the long game even when it’s uncomfortable.I talk honestly about moving to Las Vegas with no clientele, starting over in a new city, and realizing quickly that working for someone else wasn’t the right long-term path for me. I share what pushed me to open my first solo room, how I handled slow days, low paychecks, and the fear of betting on myself. I also explain why Groupon played such a big role early on and how turning first-time clients into loyal regulars changed everything.I walk through the moment hiring became necessary, not because I wanted to grow fast, but because life changed. Kids changed my availability, my body couldn’t keep grinding forever, and I knew I needed to think long term. I explain why I chose to hire employees instead of staying solo, how we structured growth one location at a time, and why working as a team has always been central to how Humble Bee operates.This episode is for anyone trying to decide which path is right for them, staying an employee, going solo, or building something bigger. None of these paths are wrong. They just serve different seasons of life. My hope is that sharing the full picture helps you understand what’s possible, what’s hard, and what’s worth it.This is part of an ongoing series, and the next episode will be a Q&A where I answer the questions I get most often from estheticians in the treatment room about growth, hiring, and timing.

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I finally sit down and tell my own story. This is part one of a three-part series where I share how I got into the beauty industry, how many doors were shut in my face, and how those rejections ultimately shaped the path that led to Humble Bee.I talk about starting out thinking I wanted to do hair, realizing it wasn’t for me, and being drawn to esthetics instead. I share what school was really like, how different the industry was back then, and how difficult it was to get hired without experience. I went through countless interviews, heard “no” over and over again, and still kept showing up.I explain how I finally got my foot in the door by offering to work for free, doing front desk, inventory, product filling, and anything else it took to prove myself. That opportunity changed everything. It taught me the back end of a business, helped me build a full clientele, and laid the foundation for the owner I would eventually become.I also share how I fell in love with hair removal, why I switched from waxing to sugaring, and how learning a skill that few people were doing at the time helped me stand out. This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or unsure of their path. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to keep going.This is just the beginning. In the next part, I’ll share how Humble Bee actually started, how I went from solo esthetician to building multiple locations, and what the early years really looked like.#estheticianlife #esthetician #sugaring #waxing #hairremoval #beautysalon #beautyindustry #careerjourney #spillingtheestea #humblebee

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I sit down with my dear friend Syd to talk honestly about what it really looks like to grow, pivot, and redefine success in the beauty industry. I’ve watched Syd evolve from one of our early Worker Bees at Humble Bee to running her own successful lash business, and now into a completely new season of life as a mom.  We talk about her early hustle, working long days between Humble Bee and her lash studio, building a full clientele, and loving the art and therapy of lashing. But we also get real about what happens when life changes. Motherhood shifted her priorities, her energy, and what she wanted her days to look like. She opens up about slower books, industry changes, and the emotional weight of feeling like you’re not contributing “enough” when your schedule isn’t packed.  Syd shares why she ultimately made the brave decision to pivot again, this time toward nursing, seeking stability, benefits, and a schedule that supports her family. We also talk about timing, seasons of life, and why success doesn’t look the same forever. This conversation is a reminder that there is no one right path in this industry, only the one that fits your life right now. If you’re an esthetician, lash artist, or beauty professional questioning your next step, this episode will resonate deeply. #estheticianlife #esthetician #lashartist #lashextensions #nursing #facials

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I sit down with Deja to talk about one of the most inspiring growth journeys I’ve witnessed at Humble Bee. After more than three years with the company, Deja is now one of our top performers, but her path was far from easy. I remember training her early on and seeing the nerves, the doubt, and the struggles that so many estheticians experience in the beginning.Deja opens up about battling anxiety when she first started, thinking she “knew everything” until she got into the treatment room and realized just how unpredictable this job can be. She talks honestly about messing up early services, feeling like she wasn’t good enough, and having moments where she wanted to give up. Over time, working with different clients, hair types, and personalities helped her build confidence and trust herself.We talk about the slow process of building a clientele, trusting the process, and why patience matters more than people realize. Deja shares how she stopped chasing a fully booked schedule on day one and instead focused on learning sugaring and building real relationships with her clients. That patience paid off. Today, she has a loyal clientele, clients who recognize how far she’s come, and a role as a supervisor supporting newer estheticians.This episode also highlights how important support systems are in this industry. Deja explains how having a team behind her helped her push through self-doubt, and how many estheticians leave the industry simply because they don’t feel supported. Finding the right environment can truly change the entire direction of your career.If you’re a shy esthetician, an overthinker, or someone who feels behind, this conversation is a reminder that growth takes time, mistakes are part of the process, and confidence comes with experience.#estheticianlife #esthetician #perseverance #beautysalon #beautyindustry #beautycareer

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I sit down with Katie to talk about something that almost no one discusses openly in the beauty industry, what it’s really like to be an introverted esthetician and how to build confidence when you start out shy, quiet, and unsure of yourself. Katie has been an esthetician for six years and a Humble Bee sugarist for three, and her journey is a perfect example of how slow and steady growth can truly pay off.Katie shares how she never expected to become an esthetician, how she originally thought she would focus on facials and makeup, and how waxing and sugaring unexpectedly became her passion. She opens up about feeling awkward, overthinking every detail in the treatment room, and worrying about saying the wrong thing. She talks honestly about learning to relax, let go, and trust her training so she could connect with clients in a natural way.We dive deep into the challenges introverts face when entering this industry, the fear that comes with starting fresh out of school, and why new beginnings feel scary even when you know you’re meant for this work. Katie also shares how long it took her to finally take the leap, how she went from barely having clients to being fully booked, and why patience, consistency, and perseverance matter more than anything.If you’re shy, introverted, or questioning yourself as a new esthetician, this episode will speak directly to you. Katie’s story proves that you can start small, grow at your own pace, and still build a thriving career.#estheticianlife #introvert #confidencejourney #sugaring #spillingtheestea

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I sit down with Rochelle to unpack the real reason some estheticians stay fully booked while others struggle. It has nothing to do with speed or technique, and everything to do with building genuine human connection.Rochelle shares her journey from retail to lashing to finally finding her place in sugaring. She opens up about why lashing never worked for her, how sugaring unlocked her ability to truly connect with clients, and why those relationships are at the heart of her success. From clients becoming close friends to moments that bring her to tears, she talks honestly about how deep these bonds can go.We also dive into what actually makes clients come back month after month, how to navigate the emotional side of the treatment room, and why creating a welcoming, safe space is far more powerful than any advanced technique. This is the side of the beauty industry no one teaches, but everyone needs.#estheticianlife #therapy #clientconnection #beautyindustrytips #clientloyalty

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I dive into one of my core philosophies in business and in life: be like water. When a problem shows up, you adapt, go around it, and keep moving forward.I share two real stories that shaped this mindset for me. One is from my early solopreneur days, when I literally broke my treatment bed 20 minutes before a client arrived and had to convince an Uber driver to deliver a backup bed just in time. The second happened much more recently, when the city shut down one of our studios for 10 days because of a major water leak in a shared building with 60 other service providers.I walk through how my team stayed calm, thought creatively, and found solutions fast. From securing temporary rooms to leaning on community support, the goal was simple: keep the business moving and take care of our people.I also talk about the reality of entrepreneurship. It’s never perfectly smooth. Some weeks feel like nonstop fires. And sometimes the problems turn into blessings in disguise, like when your favorite product gets discontinued and forces you to discover something even better. Everything is figureoutable if you stay flexible.If you’ve dealt with an unexpected setback in your business, share it in the comments. How did you adapt, what did you learn, and how did you keep the water flowing?#entrepreneurlife #smallbusinessstories #businessresilience #beautyindustry #problemsolver

In this episode of Spilling the EsTea, I sit down with Lauren to talk about the real reason so many estheticians stay slow, especially in their first year. If your books aren’t filling up, your schedule feels inconsistent, or you’re struggling to build momentum, there’s usually one core issue behind it.Lauren, known as the Queen of Rebooking at Humble Bee, breaks down exactly why some estheticians grow quickly while others stay stuck in slow seasons. We talk honestly about client education, rebooking habits, service quality, and confidence, and how these small behaviors either create a fully booked schedule or quietly keep you slow without you realizing it.If you’re a new esthetician, sugaring specialist, waxer, lash tech, or beauty professional trying to grow your clientele, this conversation will help you understand what’s holding you back and what you can start changing today. Watch this if you want to grow, get busier, and build a career that stays consistent all year long.#estheticianlife #beautybusiness #sugaringhairremoval #clientretention #growyourclientele