Women's work: how to work for yourself in America, in the beauty industry

Фото: Depositphotos

America doesn't ask what you would like to do, it teaches you to start everything from scratch. You will have to rebuild your career - whether it is continuing to work in your specialty or choosing a new type of activity. At the same time, despite all the difficulties, many do not give up their career ambitions and start working for themselves. ForumDaily talked to Russian-speaking girls from Miami who preferred their own business in the beauty industry to being hired and were able to build it in such a way as to fully support themselves.

Cosmetology and massage

Before moving to America, Maria Subacheva lived in Chelyabinsk, where she graduated from a local university of physical culture and sports. Then she studied at the beautician, graduated from the school of massage and began to practical work. Maria now lives in Miami and does the same thing as the last few years in Russia: she does facial cleansing, epilation, and several types of massage. In Miami, she started small: she did not have the opportunity to immediately buy all the necessary equipment and machines. To work legally in America, she graduated from the Educating Hands School of Massage and Skincare and received a cosmetician license.

“Studying in America is more organized, there are more requirements and, of course, everything is much more expensive than here,” Maria shares. — I won’t say that studying here gave me a lot. Still, all skills come with practice.”

Subacheva began to advertise on the Internet, social networks, handed out to her new acquaintances her business cards, satisfied customers told her about her friends. My own business was developing slowly, but the girl was not used to stopping: “I am constantly learning and improving my knowledge. I attend events, exhibitions, training courses. Special literature also helps a lot. In the future, I plan to go to university for a physiotherapist. ”

In Miami, the beauty and health industry is very developed and accessible - Maria herself, like many of her clients, uses the services of cosmetologists and massage therapists.

“I can’t say that the local service and professionalism of the beauty salons is at a high level,” she says. “I’ve experienced this myself more than once.” Americans focus on service rather than craftsmanship. My clients have shared their bad experiences with me more than once. Finding “your” master is a great success.”

At first, Mary combined work in someone else's cabin with work for herself, but it took a lot of time and it was not so simple:

“Work in the salon is monotonous and strict due to the requirements of the management. And work on yourself gives you the opportunity to develop and find an individual approach to customers. ”

Maria found a solution that had been tried by more than one generation of craftsmen: she rented a place in the salon for her business. In this case, she was obliged to independently organize her work process - the schedule and success depended only on her. I had to solve problems myself and take responsibility for my own decisions.

“Working for a company takes away the headaches, but you depend on the place and obey the management,” continues Maria. — For the initial stage of business development, working in a salon is suitable. There you can feel the situation, look at everything from the inside, and gain experience. And then set off on a free voyage. Life in America differs from life in Russia in that you have to work a lot here. But if you do what you love, believe in yourself and your strengths, know what you want and go towards your goal, then you will definitely reach it and achieve even more than you could expect. The main thing is to believe and act!”

Permanent makeup

Zhanna Shablinskaya makes a living in Miami the same way she does in her native St. Petersburg - she does permanent makeup and tattooing. She acquired all the knowledge in this area in Russia (the training took 2,5 years) and is sure that the best school is there. In America, Zhanna translated all her documents and certificates into English and received a license - it is required for this type of activity. It cost her $3000. To receive it, Zhanna needed to confirm her existing education and demonstrate work skills or undergo training at a special school and pass exams. Zhanna set to work on all this almost immediately upon arriving in America, and soon began work. Now she has her own office.

“To start in this business you need a lot of money,” says Zhanna. — This includes paid training and paid models for practicing your hand. And, of course, the costs of the materials themselves: disposable needles, caps, paints, advertising and much more.”

Shablinskaya has been doing her favorite thing for more than 5 years. Currently, her permanent makeup services include microblading of eyebrows, lips with a 3D effect, decorative and classic “arrows”. According to Zhanna, the most popular procedure is permanent eyebrow makeup; this procedure is also considered the most difficult. Clients come to her based on recommendations from a friend of a friend - the so-called “word of mouth” works. Shablinskaya never stops posting her advertisements, photo and video works on social networks and advises beginners to pay maximum attention to this when starting out.

Zhanna is sure that such a business can be done without knowledge of the English language, if you focus exclusively on Russian-speaking clients, who are often especially appreciated by Russian masters.

“The main advantage of Russian craftsmen over American ones is, first of all, their attention and friendly attitude towards clients,” she says. “Their work is not focused on flow, but on quality, without saving on materials or anesthesia. At the same time, the prices for their services are even slightly lower compared to the prices of their American colleagues.”

You can do this business either as a staff member at a beauty salon or as a self-employed worker—both options can be combined. “It’s not easy to keep up, but it’s possible,” the master shares his own experience. You can also, like Zhanna, rent an office in a salon or rent your own room. “The main advantages of working for yourself are that you don’t have to give half of your earnings to the salon, that you have the right to create a convenient work schedule, and that you are your own boss,” says Shablinskaya. — Working as a tattoo artist can be an exciting hobby for nominal money. But this same job can be your main income. It all depends on the approach to the matter. If you want to really make money, it’s quite possible! You just have to try. The main thing is to develop a customer base and a good reputation. And everything will work out!”

Eyelash extension and henna tattoos

Zarina Chokaeva worked as an executive producer on various media projects in Astana. In America, life began with a clean slate. The girl knew in advance what to expect, so she prepared the ground before moving: she took a course in professional makeup, eyelash extensions and eyebrow correction. Zarina always liked to draw, and she knew that beauty services in America are expensive, the girl put these two facts together and decided to radically change her life. “My first clients were still in Kazakhstan,” says Zarina. “Of course, at first it was my girlfriends, but then I was invited to work in the salon and participate in a KFA photo shoot.”

For the sake of moving to America, Zarina Chokayeva changed the job of an executive producer to an eyelash extension master. Photos from the personal archive

When she arrived in America, she did some research, compared local prices and placed her own ad. But there were too few clients, so I had to look for work. “I went to a pizzeria on the night shift, but I only worked there for a week - I was fired. One client came with flowers several nights in a row and did not let me work. The owner got tired of it and fired me. By the way, now only guys work there at night,” Zarina laughs.

A starter kit for eyelash extensions and gel for temporary tattoos cost the girl about $1 thousand. The cost of a license for this type of activity is about $1500. “The main thing is to work only with high-quality materials,” says Chokaeva. “But they’re not easy to find here, you can’t just buy them in a store like ours.” By the way, the costs paid off quickly.”

Chokaeva no longer remembers how many types of work she had to change until her name began to work for her. “The basic rule of finding clients is to exhibit your work on the Internet and be always in touch,” says the master. — They often write to me on Instagram, ask questions, and I try to answer quickly. We must try to frequently update advertising in VKontakte and Facebook groups.”

Zarina learned the art of henna tattoos in Miami - with the help of an ad on Craigslist. “The store was looking for a henna tattoo artist, and since I always loved to draw, I became interested, so I went for an interview,” she recalls. “They showed me everything on the spot and asked me to draw it.” The owner was pleased and hired me the same day. But I didn’t work with them for long - I received only 25% of the profit. I am very grateful to them for what they taught me. I even worked in a tattoo parlor where I also did henna tattoos.”

Zarina deals with makeup, eyelash extensions, and eyebrow correction. At the same time, the audience of the two most popular procedures was divided: henna tattoos are ordered mainly by Americans, and eyelash extensions are Russian-speaking girls. Zarina managed to visit both sides of the barricades: “As a client, I did the procedures in America that I do as a master, and I can say that our masters are more careful in their work. Local people are very light and welcoming, but their prices are slightly higher. ”

Now Chokaeva combines working for herself with work in the salon. “At first I had to look for some additional sources of income and combine them with my work as a master, but now I’m doing only my own business,” shares Zarina. —

Advice: be friendly and always in touch. Basically, the salons here work according to the scheme 50 / 50 - the same as ours. It is necessary to have a plan, break it into pieces. In order to achieve success, one should not be afraid and, when a good opportunity arises, feel free to go forward. ”

Artistic tattoo

Dana Alexander moved to Miami Beach from Astana. In Kazakhstan, she worked as a tattoo artist. It took her about two years to study, she learned a lot by herself. Dana came to America to work only in the tattoo industry, which is incredibly popular here. According to her, for such work it is necessary first of all to have an artistic beginning. The cost of training and equipment varies from almost penny to extremely high, depending on the place of training. For example, training for a master of artistic tattoo in the American school can cost up to $ 8 thousands for 6 weeks. Dana says that to work you need to have a BBP certificate, a state and city license. All together costs $ 400 per year.

Dana Alexander studied the art of artistic tattoo on her own. Photos from the personal archive

“Compared to Kazakhstan, in America the art of tattooing is more developed, demand creates supply,” she says. “There are a lot more clients and craftsmen here.” And the peculiarity of working in a salon in Miami Beach is the abundance of tourists who want to bring such an unusual “souvenir” from Miami as a tattoo in memory of an unforgettable vacation. This is a great responsibility for a master.” At the same time, the most popular type of work is small tattoos, inscriptions and symbols.

Dana doesn’t see any particular differences between Russian-speaking and American masters. “There are some who are very talented, some who are very popular, and some who are just ordinary,” she says. “Prices depend not on where the artist is from, but on the artist himself, his level.” To engage in such a business, a basic level of English is sufficient. Skill is much more important.

“The best advertisement for an artist is the tattoo itself,” comments Dana. “Whoever knows what a quality tattoo looks like will always come back for another.”

Tattoo artists are prohibited from working from home. But it’s easy to rent space to work in a salon to work for yourself or be a full-time salon employee. “I can say that I haven’t worked in Miami for a day. What I do, I call creativity,” explains the girl. “And the money earned in this way is enough and you can even save it.”

Manicure

Just 2 years ago, Irina Chimba lived in Kazan and worked as a lawyer. She prepared for emigration in advance: while still in Russia, she took courses in hardware manicure, pedicure and nail design. A couple of months after moving to Miami, she already began working in a new specialty. To work in this field in the United States, you must obtain a license. To do this, you need to take a course that lasts 2 months, its cost is $2000 - 5000. Certificates of training in other countries do not matter, the hours are not counted. Irina bought equipment and consumables in local specialized stores, although she brought most of the materials for work (gels, gel polishes, brushes) with her: in Russia there is a wide selection of professional cosmetics at a more affordable price.

Irina Chimba is sure that in America Russian masters of nail service are especially valued. Photos from the personal archive

She advertised her services on social networks, in Russian magazines and in Russian stores. Over time, clients began to advertise it. “Russian speakers prefer to seek beauty services from masters who studied and practiced in Russia or Europe; the quality of training there is much better,” explains Irina. “Our masters master a variety of nail processing and design techniques and work very carefully.” But the level of American nail service, in her opinion, is significantly inferior: “American and very popular Asian masters in Florida treat nails superficially, believing that the main thing in a manicure is to paint the nails. Moreover, the rules for cleaning and sterilizing instruments are simplified as much as possible. As a rule, instruments are cleaned and simultaneously sterilized by immersing them in a special liquid. In Russia, it is necessary to wash everything, sterilize it in a chemical solution, dry it, warm up the instruments before further use and store them in special containers. But in the USA there are no such requirements.”

Americans also value Russian-speaking craftsmen for high-quality work and are often not afraid of bad English masters. “If your English is still not going well, it’s not a problem: Americans, as a rule, are very friendly, polite people, and if necessary, they explain in plain words what they want,” shares Irina. “But minimal English is necessary.”

As a rule, salons offer to work according to a 60/40 scheme, but much depends on the experience and quality of the master’s work. Renting space in a salon when working for yourself will cost from $500 per month, the price greatly depends on the location of the salon. “Nail technicians in Miami, according to my calculations, earn approximately $1000 a week,” says Irina. “But for this you need to work a lot and diligently, have a busy recording schedule, be a sought-after specialist and do your job “excellently.”

Today, Irina, who started working as a master only two and a half years ago, is scheduled every day, and the woman complains, rather, about the lack of weekends.

“I’m sure that girls who start working as nail technicians in the USA have nothing to be afraid of,” says Irina. “There are enough clients for everyone!”

The hairdresser

Kiev Elena Elena Yanishhpolskaya was practically born with scissors in her hands: she passed from haircuts to dolls and endless experiments with her own hairstyles to hairdresser courses, which she graduated from after 9 class of secondary school. In graduation classes, she already not only honed the acquired skills on her friends, but also earned herself chocolates. After she studied at the Academy "Master of Beauty." At 2010, Elena took a color course at L'Oreal, read seminars and worked for herself, renting a place in the cabin. And then she moved to Miami.

According to Elena Yanishpolskaya, the profession of a hairdresser will always help to provide for herself. Photos from the personal archive

“I was always told that a hairdresser is never hungry, this is a profession that will always help you provide for yourself, no matter where you find yourself,” says Elena. “Sociability is also important in our business, so upon arrival I actively got to know people and offered my services in order to “drag” them into my chair, and then it was a matter of experience and light hands.”

Like the rest of the masters, Elena needed a license. There are two types of certificates related to hair: barber (male hairdresser) and cosmetologist (hairdresser, manicurist, cosmetologist without medical procedures and injections). The second type of license is much broader. No matter where you study, each state will require a new license. To do this, you need to go to a beauty school with your diploma, hours will be counted there, and even if you have more of them than you need here, you still have to take a course and in addition to take an HIV test. Next - the exam and license obtained. With a license, there is an 3 employment option: in the salon (employee), open your company and rent a chair in the salon or open your own salon.

Beginners who decide to learn the art of hairdressing in America will have to spend $ 16 000 and 1 200 hours to learn, while, of course, you need knowledge of English.

“But this does not mean that after completing the course, a person immediately became a specialist,” adds Elena. — For a good result you need practice, at least a year or two of active work and, of course, talent, desire and love for your work. The easiest way to start is to go to a salon as a hired employee, build a clientele, and take a closer look at how everything works. You need to come up with your own twist, give yourself an answer to the question - why should people come to you and not to someone else?”

Work in the cabin will require minimal costs to start, you only need to buy your tools. A salaried employee receives a percentage of his revenue, usually 50 / 50, while shampoos, conditioners, varnishes, paints are provided by the salon. To rent a seat in the cabin, in addition to the tools, you need to have your own professional products. To buy it, you need a license, as well as payment for a fixed chair rental, regardless of the number of customers. All that is left on top - and will be your earnings.

Now Elena, who has 17 years of experience behind her, has been providing a full range of hairdressing services, and in addition can do makeup. She was able to adapt to new conditions: “In Florida, there are several factors that affect hair: moisture, sun and water. For many, the hair here begins to "push", so keratin straightening is so popular here. In general, Florida is not for nothing called the "sunny state", there are so many bright colors that women want to look bright. "

Having visited a beauty salon as a client, Elena was dissatisfied with the quality. “Miami is a resort, no one fights for a client here, one today, another tomorrow,” she says. — Of course, there are good masters both among Russian speakers and among Americans. But our craftsmen are valued higher; we are considered perfectionists. We really always strive for the ideal, Americans usually have an easier time with this, they don’t bother like that.” Elena adds that in Florida you can easily start working without English, because there are many Russian salons and many Russian clients. But good English, of course, opens up new opportunities for professional growth. “This profession has brought millions and fame to few people, except perhaps in narrow circles, but, nevertheless, you are guaranteed a comfortable life with good income.”