From Solo Esthetician to Owning 17 Beauty Studios — Humble Bee's Origin Story

Why Clients Trust Them: What Our Best-Reviewed Estheticians Do Differently

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.

From Solo Esthetician to Owning 17 Beauty Studios — Humble Bee's Origin Story

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.

From Rejection to Owning 17 Beauty Studios, My Esthetician Story

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

She Had the Dream Lash Business, Then Priorities Shifted

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

What Every New Esthetician Needs to Hear About Growing in This Industry

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