Laura Tanner, Esthetician: From a Devastating Layoff to DMK Skincare Educator, How a Career in Esthetics Was Born + More

Jenna Alvarez, Redondo Beach CA Esthetician: 🌅 What The Fluff Beauty

Esthetician and lash artist Jenna Alvarez didn’t plan to go into lashes. But a chance suggestion midway through her esthetician program sent her down an entirely different path, one that would take her from running house calls across Los Angeles to building a thriving solo practice in California’s South Bay. In this episode, Jenna discusses the harsh and unexpected experiences she faced at her first job at a popular lash studio — from illegal worker misclassification to mean-girl industry politics — and how that experience became the unlikely fuel that pushed her to go out on her own. She also talks about what it actually looked like to build a clientele from scratch, which included hauling equipment up apartment stairwells at 8 pm, scheduling full days of house calls across L.A. County, and slowly figuring out that working harder isn’t the same as working smarter. Jenna also shares what nobody told her about self-employment. The burnout, the identity loss, and the pressure to wear every hat all taught her how to set boundaries and decenter her business from her sense of self. What she eventually learned was how important it is to fill her own cup before she has nothing left to give. Whether you’re fresh out of school, thinking about going solo, or just deep in the grind and wondering how you got here, this one’s for you. Topics covered: finding your niche vs. offering everything, the dangers of worker misclassification, building clientele from zero, setting boundaries as a self-employed provider, the glamorization of entrepreneurship, and why being good at something doesn’t mean you should do it. Note: Since this recording, Jenna has moved her business to Redondo Beach, CA. Connect with Jenna: Website: https://www.wtf-beauty.com/ IG: whatthefluff.beauty [https://www.instagram.com/whatthefluff.beauty?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Catch up on the last pod episode with esthetician Carla Bonilla [https://skincarebyadriana.com/carla-bonilla-l-e-✨-from-makeup-artist-to-esthetician-putting-in-work-building-community-and-finding-her-path-to-entrepreneurship-teaching/]. Want to go to esthetician school in California? Consider an esthetics program at a California community col [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/]lege [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/]. The post Jenna Alvarez, Redondo Beach CA Esthetician: 🌅 What The Fluff Beauty [https://skincarebyadriana.com/jenna-alvarez-redondo-beach-esthetician-%f0%9f%8c%85-what-the-fluff-beauty/] appeared first on Skincare By Adriana [https://skincarebyadriana.com].

Carla Bonilla, L.E. ✨ From Makeup Artist to Esthetician: Putting In Work, Building Community, and Finding Her Path to Entrepreneurship & Teaching

In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with L.A.-based esthetician Carla Bonilla of Carla Bonilla Beauty ✨ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2728.png] We have an honest conversation about what it actually looks like to build experience in this industry, and how your path can evolve in ways you didn’t expect—and even be better than what you thought you wanted. We talk about the pressure many estheticians put on themselves to land that “dream” med spa or luxury spa job right away, the reality of paying your dues, and what happens when your career starts to shift in a new direction. Carla shares her journey from starting in the beauty industry as a makeup artist, going to esthetician school and landing her first few jobs, eventually working for herself, and also becoming an esthetics teacher. This episode is about professional development, determination, and defining success not just by where you work, but by how you grow and give back to your community. If you’ve ever felt disappointed by your job search, questioned your path, or wondered what’s next for you as a beauty professional, this conversation is a reminder that every phase of your career has purpose. Connect with Carla: Website: https://www.carlabonillabeauty.com/ [https://www.carlabonillabeauty.com/] IG: @carlabonillabeauty [https://www.instagram.com/carlabonillabeauty/] Catch up on the last pod episode with Sian Ayres-Harden [https://skincarebyadriana.com/sian-ayers-harden-le-skin-care-by-sian-teaching-at-the-santa-barbara-city-college-esthetics-program-holistic-esthetics-and-running-a-business/]. Thinking about going to esthetician school in California? Consider an esthetics program at a California community co [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/]l [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/]lege [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/]. The post Carla Bonilla, L.E. ✨ From Makeup Artist to Esthetician: Putting In Work, Building Community, and Finding Her Path to Entrepreneurship & Teaching [https://skincarebyadriana.com/carla-bonilla-l-e-%e2%9c%a8-from-makeup-artist-to-esthetician-putting-in-work-building-community-and-finding-her-path-to-entrepreneurship-teaching/] appeared first on Skincare By Adriana [https://skincarebyadriana.com].

Sian Ayers-Harden, LE — Skin Care By Sian: Teaching at the Santa Barbara City College Esthetics Program, Holistic Esthetics, and Running a Business

In this episode of Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with Sian Ayers-Harden—licensed esthetician, holistic skincare expert, and esthetics instructor at the Santa Barbara City College Cosmetology Academy (the very program I graduated from!). Sian shares her inspiring journey from stay-at-home mom to thriving esthetician, business owner, and beloved educator. She opens up about building clientele as a new professional, the importance of uplifting community within the beauty industry, and her transition into teaching at Santa Barbara City College. We talk holistic skin health, why barrier-supportive treatments matter, how estheticians can stand out in a competitive field, and what today’s students truly need beyond the standard curriculum. Sian also dives into her passion for modalities like nano-infusion, microcurrent, and the power of internal wellness in addressing skin concerns. If you’re a new esthetician, a beauty student, or a seasoned pro looking for renewed inspiration, this conversation will inspire you. Interested in the esthetician program at Santa Barbara City College [https://www.sbcc.edu/cosmetology/]? Be sure to check out the program website.  Learn more about esthetics instructor and esthetician Sian Ayers-Harden [https://www.skincarebysian.com/], and view her treatment offerings.  Find Sian on Instagram @skincareby_sian [https://www.instagram.com/skincareby_sian?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==]. Learn about becoming an esthetician in California [https://skincarebyadriana.com/how-to-become-an-esthetician-in-california/]. And find a community college esthetician program in California [https://skincarebyadriana.com/a-list-of-california-community-colleges-with-esthetician-schools/] near you.  The post Sian Ayers-Harden, LE — Skin Care By Sian: Teaching at the Santa Barbara City College Esthetics Program, Holistic Esthetics, and Running a Business [https://skincarebyadriana.com/sian-ayers-harden-le-skin-care-by-sian-teaching-at-the-santa-barbara-city-college-esthetics-program-holistic-esthetics-and-running-a-business/] appeared first on Skincare By Adriana [https://skincarebyadriana.com].

Sarah Fox, LE — LASHFOX: A Lash Business Built on Boundaries, Integrity, Continued Growth, and Confident Pricing

In this episode of Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with esthetician and lash artist Sarah Fox, founder of LashFox in Ventura, CA. Sarah shares her journey from starting beauty school at just 20 years old to running her own thriving business for over a decade. She opens up about the early challenges of building clientele, the importance of setting firm boundaries with clients, and how she stayed committed to her craft—even through the uncertainty of COVID shutdowns. Sarah also talks about finding her niche in creating natural-looking lash extensions [https://skincarebyadriana.com/all-about-natural-looking-eyelash-extensions/], why she prioritizes client education and lash health, and how returning to school for business and marketing gave her the tools to take her brand to the next level. You will come away inspired by Sarah’s honesty, resilience, and practical advice for beauty professionals—whether it’s managing pricing, navigating fills when a client comes in with just two single lashes on, or simply remembering not to give up when things get tough. ✨ [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2728.png] Tune in to hear Sarah’s story, her favorite pro products, and her advice for staying authentic in a competitive industry. Find Sarah on IG: @LashFox [https://www.instagram.com/lashfox?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Check out her website: https://www.lashfoxventura.com/ [https://www.lashfoxventura.com/] The post Sarah Fox, LE — LASHFOX: A Lash Business Built on Boundaries, Integrity, Continued Growth, and Confident Pricing [https://skincarebyadriana.com/lash-fox_sarah_fox_ventura_ca_lash_artist/] appeared first on Skincare By Adriana [https://skincarebyadriana.com].

Nicole Sanchez, Esthetician: Rediscovering Passion, Navigating Career Detours & Building a Skincare Business Rooted in Family, Community, and Self-Care

In this episode of The Everyday Beauty Pro, I sit down with Nicole Sanchez, a bilingual esthetician and owner of All You Skincare Spa in Port Hueneme, California. Nicole shares her candid journey from feeling lost after esthetics school to building a thriving esthetics business serving her local Spanish-speaking community.  She opens up about the challenges she’s faced in her esthetics career—from early business setbacks to misaligned work environments, and even unexpected city zoning issues—and how each obstacle became a stepping stone toward her current success.  Tune in to hear how Nicole embraced resilience, found her niche, and created a rewarding spa business that reflects her values and unique talents. Nicole’s Website: https://allyouskin.com/ [https://allyouskin.com/] Follow Nicole on IG: @allyouskincare [https://www.instagram.com/allyouskincare/] Nicole Sanchez, an esthetician in Port Hueneme, CA, holds up skincare products and smiles at the camera. [https://skincarebyadriana.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3302.heic]https://skincarebyadriana.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IMG_3302.heic The post Nicole Sanchez, Esthetician: Rediscovering Passion, Navigating Career Detours & Building a Skincare Business Rooted in Family, Community, and Self-Care [https://skincarebyadriana.com/nicole-sanchez-esthetician-port-hueneme-ca/] appeared first on Skincare By Adriana [https://skincarebyadriana.com].