Maybe you’re sitting there right now, thinking about whether to turn your passion for esthetics into a business. Let’s say you’ve received your certification (or are headed in that direction), invested in skin care products and can name the top three dermal fillers faster than the average person can say “wrinkle-free.” Or you’ve already dabbled a bit in the industry but haven’t committed to anything consistent—you know, like giving your cousins facials at Christmas time. But starting your own esthetics biz as a full-time gig? That sounds scary, right? Enter the idea of a side hustle.
Here’s the deal: starting an esthetics business as a side hustle is like diving into a luxury pool, but you can still keep one foot on dry land. (Translation: you still have your day job.) Let me walk you through the “pros” of why this could be the best decision you’ll ever make.
Tip 1: You’ll Have a Legit Excuse to Become Skincare-Obsessed
Imagine telling your friends, “Oh, this isn't just a hobby—this is ‘business research’.” Every time you buy that fancy new serum or spend hours reading up on the latest microneedling techniques, it’s not wasted time or money--it’s an “investment.” What better way to test products than to use your own face as a glowing billboard? And when your skin care routine involves terms like “cellular turnover” and “epidermal rejuvenation,” it’s all in a day’s work. The obsession suddenly becomes part of the job, and you’ll feel fabulous about it.
Tip 2: Low Overhead—You Can Work in Your Own Space
Forget renting some fancy high-rise studio in the city for $3,000 a month. Start small. I started my first healthcare-related business in my garage. It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked—and my customers didn’t know or care that my car was parked next to my shipping boxes. Of course, zoning laws and licenses need to be on point, but the idea is that you don’t have to blow your savings on rent right off the bat.
Tip 3: You Get to Learn While You Earn
When you start a side hustle, you have the perfect opportunity to get comfortable with the business side of things without going all-in immediately. Sure, you’ll make a few mistakes along the way, but isn’t that part of the fun? Mistakes aside, running your own business on the side lets you learn at your own pace. You can experiment with marketing strategies, client management, and treatments without the pressure of needing to turn a profit immediately to keep the lights on.
Tip 4: Side Hustles Breed Creativity (And Unexpected Solutions)
Starting an esthetics business on the side forces you to get creative in ways you never imagined. Can’t afford the fancy marketing agency? Time to brush up on your Canva skills and create DIY Instagram posts. Need to source affordable supplies? You become a pro at negotiating with vendors. Trust me, you’ll develop a superhero-like ability to stretch every dollar.
One of my most creative ideas? Creating our monthly Skin Scene parties where we introduce our classes and services to friends (and friends of friends). We started out with some easy appetizers and libations and grew the parties from there. I’m not saying offering free treatments and other prizes over chardonnay won’t lead to some pretty hilarious Instagram selfies, but hey, it might just land you a handful of paying clients, too.
Tip 5: The Flexibility is Unreal
When you’re running your esthetics business as a side hustle, you get to set your own hours. You can take on clients in the evenings, on weekends, or during that magical lunch break window. This flexibility means you get to decide when and how much you work. And let’s be real: being your own boss feels pretty amazing. No one’s breathing down your neck, asking why you took an extra-long coffee break or whether you’re “on track with the quarterly goals.” Your clients come to you because they trust you, and you call the shots.
Hard Work Paid Off
Starting an aesthetics business as a side hustle isn’t all glam and glitter—it’s hard work, and there will be bumps along the way. But the freedom, creativity, and satisfaction you’ll get make it all worth it. Plus, you get to walk around saying things like, “I own my own business,” which is a great conversation starter at parties. And don’t forget to have fun!
Three Additional Tips for a Successful Side Hustle
Step up on social. What better way to market your side hustle than on (free!) social media? Include live reels, before and after photos, shots of what your workplace looks like, funny stories and experiences, cute videos of how you give your puppy a spa treatment, etc.--whatever fosters engagement!
Start a Newsletter. Keep your community in the loop with a regular email newsletter, sharing updates, exclusive offers and behind-the-scenes content. Make it personal and engaging, not salesy.
Keep Your Eye on the Prize. If your ultimate goal is to quit your day job and go full-time in your own skin care biz (and I hope it is!), then be sure to track your expenses and income like a Dateline detective!
Louis “The Laser Guy” Silberman is CEO/Founder of National Laser Institute, a cosmetic laser and medical esthetic training institute. He is the owner of medical spas in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dallas, Texas, and Oakbrook, Illinois, and a nationally recognized author and motivational marketing speaker. He can be contacted at louis@nationallaserintitute.com and followed on Instagram @ louisthelaserguy.
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