Meet our may TEI Alumni… Mario RJ Corbin
My name is Mario and I am a clinical esthetician and tattoo artist. I own and operate Hedgehog Inklings in Fort Macleod, Alberta. We offer a variety of services ranging from Laser Hair Removal (IPL) and Dermaneedling to BB Glow and paramedical tattoos! You’ll need to visit our website for the rather long list of goodies on offer. Additionally, we offer opportunities for pop ups to join us as well and already have several talented southern albertan estheticians, piercers, and tattoo artists available in May onwards to ensure that our clients are spoiled for choice!
For 2024 we have begun actively engaging with various communities by attending markets and even a career fair to help educate and inform potential students on the benefits of entering such unique and similar careers! We also opened up a new emporium this year that caters to a variety of artisans and beauty specialists. Our motto is your success is our success thus enjoy collaborating and working with like minded individuals and companies.
Why did you choose to get into the esthetic industry? Was it a big change from your previous industry?
Once upon a time I was a college and university professor! With a background in cultural anthropology and sociology, I have taught in the Republic of Ireland, South Korea, and Quebec, Canada. I began tattooing in 2016 and decided to join the esthetic industry in 2023. I came to The Esthetic Institute in hopes of becoming a certified Tattoo Laser Removal Technician but inevitably graduated with an advanced diploma in clinical esthetics. This is largely thanks to the passion and dedication demonstrated by TEI’s staff. Tamara especially played a very big part in my developing a love for holistic approaches to health and wellbeing vis a vis IPL & laser therapies for a variety of skin conditions.
Whilst this has certainly been a massive change from teaching, I was pleasantly surprised at the similarities to the tattoo industry. The latter is especially true when it comes to pre and post treatment preparation. Courses like BB Glow and Dermaneedling are perhaps the closest to tattooing for obvious reasons. I wish the tattoo industry had an equivalent to The Esthetic Institute and hope that one day the tattoo industry will be held to as high a standard as TEI has held itself in the esthetics industry. Maybe it’s time to think of partnering up and developing such a program Vanessa… wink, wink?!
How long has your business been open or how long have you been employed?
I have owned a tattoo business between 2018 and 2020 in Quebec and more recently, since 2023 in Southern Alberta. COVID aside, we returned to the industry in full force and I began my studies at The Esthetic Institute in earnest that same year after meeting with Vanessa and touring TEI. To say that I was nervous was an understatement. Despite my past careers, I am heavily tattooed and conform more to a typical biker in style (and sometimes demeanor and humor) than I do, say Tim Gunn. Whilst many women would be happy to receive a tattoo from me, I wasn’t too sure about an esthetic treatment. Thus, I have been delighted by the warm reception that I have received as a clinical esthetician, even if I am an enigma, if not a novelty to some. Carpe Diem comes to mind and I am so delighted to have entered the world of clinical esthetics. Despite the limitations and encumbrances that come with starting a new business as a startup inside an existing nail salon in Claresholm, Alberta, we were nominated for Best New Business that year! I am proud of the dedication and commitment that we have adopted as part of our ethos to provide quality services and customer care.
What was your biggest challenge; is it still an ongoing challenge?
When I first began my education at TEI I could not for the life of me understand how a facial could take an hour. Now, I can’t imagine a facial taking anything less than an hour and a half! This is largely because of Betty-Ann Newton and her dedication to the craft of creating therapeutic environments for clients and estheticians alike. Education has been key to not only my understanding of and success in this industry, but also in educating and helping southern Albertans who have had negative experiences in the past. Not unlike the tattoo industry, the esthetics industry is over-saturated with overnight studios with little or poor training, let alone a poor bedside manner. While clients may perceive themselves as spoiled for choice, the dangers in going to a poorly operated business makes it difficult for them to find businesses that they can confidently trust.
Obtaining my education from a CIDESCO recognized school like The Esthetic Institute and having been taught by so many passionate and talented estheticians has given me the confidence and courage to undertake this career with the vigor required to be successful. I would be remiss not to mention that even a year after graduating I am still texting Nadia, one of many wonderful educators at TEI, questions and lean on her for advice and recommendations to this day. She is a source of knowledge and has never once made me feel as though I am inconveniencing her. This is the kind of dedication that I rarely observed in tertiary education amongst my former colleagues. I feel confident in the qualifications I hold from TEI and both my clients and I are so thankful and grateful to have TEI readily available to assist even after graduation.
What is a mistake that turned into a lesson?
Despite vividly recalling Vanessa’s warning during my entrance interview about taking my time before making big purchase decisions, I failed to adhere to said advice. At the end of my program I purchased an IPL machine before I completely understood the clientele and location that I was in last year (Claresholm). I underestimated not only my market, but equally, how bad experiences with previous esthetic studios had made many potential clients wary of trying again with a new esthetician. Take your time, explore the needs and requirements of your specific market, and make the decisions that financially help you to be successful. Moving to Fort Macleod was an economic decision and the right decision at that. However, I would have only purchased my IPL machine a year or two after starting once I determined the best course of action to take. It is an expensive mistake to make and whilst I am fortunate enough to have many skill sets to fall back on, if you are young and just starting out in life, be patient. All's well that ends well, as they say, and though the move to Fort Macleod has undoubtedly helped, I could have avoided much unnecessary stress by being patient. Moving forward I have been much wiser in what new services that I offer and where my expenses are allocated. However, less is more, especially when starting a new business.
How much time do you spend working on your business each day/week? How do you prioritize work life balance if you are self employed?
My wife would argue that I am a workaholic. It’s not that I disagree. But the term always seems to imply a negative connotation. However, this could be the furthest thing from the truth. Just as I did when I used to teach full time, now, I enjoy learning and educating full time through the services that I offer. I love my work. I love owning a business in esthetics and tattoos. Dare I say, one day I would like to only focus on clinical esthetics and leave tattooing to the young as they tend to have zero back issues or arthritis. Again, my love of clinical esthetics is a credit to the amazing teachers at TEI. It’s really an enjoyable profession to be in and I enjoy the feeling of being able to help both men and women overcome issues around self-confidence due to skin related issues.
As a family man, I have an equally ambitious wife who manages a library, and four amazing children ranging from 17 years of age down to 4 years of age. Simply put, I manage to create a work life balance by delegating the tasks to trusted colleagues. I work with an amazing team of professionals and am very open to ideas and to sharing success. The latter is key. I am only ever in competition with myself. If I know a service can be done better by a colleague or even another business, then I will recommend them to my client to go to them instead. Their success is my success and vice versa as honesty usually results in the very same clients willing to try new services with myself. Thus, it’s not about how much time I spend on any given task so much as it is about the quality and effort that I put into a specific task. It all balances out in the end, or so I tell myself.
What is one piece of advice you wish to share with someone who is interested in starting a career in esthetics or even a fellow beauty industry individual?
Had you asked me at the beginning of 2023 if I had ever thought about becoming an esthetician, the song and image that would have popped up in my mind was Beauty School Drop Out in the movie Grease, sung by Teen Angel to Frenchy (Grease, 1978). The best advice that I can give anyone is to not limit yourself to what you think you want in five years time, but instead, allow yourself to explore new possibilities including the unknown. I am the proverbial definition of teaching an old dog new tricks. I liken it to ripples in a pond. Had I been pig-headed and unwilling to try new things I doubt I would have ever left my home town of Montreal, let alone live the life that I have with my Zimbabwean wife and four children (two of whom were born in Ireland) and now own a business in Southern Alberta.
Like most industries, not all esthetic businesses are created equal. Do your homework, meet the teachers, the students, and the director of the school that you are thinking about attending. Explore the options for employment in the area that you are intending to work and repeat the aforementioned process. Protect yourself, know your labour laws, be confident in asking the questions that you need to know in order to make an educated decision. Whilst I still argue that I was lucky to have found The Esthetic Institute, the luck part comes from having met so many wonderful people. I knew before I met with Vanessa what TEI was about and that being a CIDESCO and AHS approved institution was a priority for me, even if I had zero intentions of doing the CIDESCO program. Being held to such a standard, let alone how everyone carries themselves at TEI, is what gave me the confidence to trust the school with not only my tuition but more importantly, my education.
How did your training at TEI impact, influence or inspire you to succeed in business? Are you glad that you made the choice to do your training at TEI? Are there any special memories, moments or people of influence who made a difference in your education at TEI.
As a former college/university professor (20 years) turned tattoo artist (2016-Present) becoming a clinical esthetician was never something that I would have even considered. But here I am, at 47 years of age, proving that you really can teach an old dog new tricks! I began the program in 2023 with the sole purpose of obtaining a qualification so that I could offer Tattoo Laser Removal services at my studio in Claresholm, Alberta.
However, I had to take several prerequisites first including a pre-entry interview with Ms. Vanessa DeMello. With so many schools offering similar services I chose The Esthetic Institute because of its award winning status and equally as important, they are recognized by Alberta Health Service (AHS). They are also a CIDESCO recognized school and hence their teachers taught on both programs. Being internationally recognized and being held to such a high standard was important to me.
Completing the Advanced Diploma in Clinical Esthetics was as rewarding an experience as was completing my honours degrees in Anthropology and Sociology respectively. The teachers are passionate and dedicated and put many of my former colleagues to shame. Knowledgeable, professional, and intuitive, I was not only pleasantly surprised with the calibre of education but also impressed by how I, a 240lb and heavily tattooed bald (sadly) yet bearded (at the time) man was accepted by staff, teachers, and students alike.
From my very first meeting with Vanessa, I was made to feel welcomed and found myself making connections that I didn’t expect to make. Equally, I was delighted with how structured and engaging every class was. The course assessments, practicals, and exams reflected not only theory but real world practice as well. As someone who entered the program not understanding what a facial would or could entail, (let alone how it could possibly take an hour to complete), to being heavily inspired to open an entirely new clinical Esthetics business in conjunction with my existing services, it speaks volumes of the quality of instructors that I had.
From Betty Ann, Angela, and Jaden to Tamara and Nadia (to name but a few instructors) I found myself immersed into a new world of opportunities that I never even realized existed. These ladies (amongst many) never once made me feel out of place but instead, because of them, I have heavily invested into bringing the majority of the services taught to southern Albertans. Thus, the program was challenging in all the right ways and for the first time in as long as I could remember, I felt excited about learning again. This is largely thanks to my educators!
The students are professionally inclined and their ages range from 18 to middle aged. Expectations are clear and concise and we had opportunities to work together in each class. I myself made some wonderful friendships and cannot deny that by the end of the program I was sad that it was over. It's been akin to being at a summer camp for me personally where having to say goodbye to both new friends and TEI has been bittersweet. As cliche as it may sound, this has been a life changing experience for me and I am forever indebted to Vanessa and her team of educators for allowing me to be a part of their school. It has given me a sense of renewal in a way I never imagined could be possible.
I still wear jeans and am going to grow my beard back out to its original glory now that I have graduated… but I will be wearing an Esthetics jacket (black of course) and providing Albertans with the very best that TEI has to offer through my education. Oh, and in case you are wondering, I decided to offer IPL instead of Tattoo Laser Removal for reasons that I explain on our website! 😉 I encourage anyone thinking of a career change to meet with Vanessa or reach out to me with any questions that you may have. Special thanks goes out to everyone at TEI. I loved my time with you more than you could know. My family and I are very appreciative of everything that you did for us!
Keep an eye out for our next TEI Alumni, it could be you!
Meet our February TEI Alumni… Peggy Parsai
My name is Peggy Parsai (@peggy_parsai).
At this moment I offer: 3 different lengths of facials, Microneedling, Morpheus 8, Chemical Peel, OXYGeneo, and I teach my unique techniques as well!
Why did you choose to get into the esthetic industry? Was it a big change from your previous industry?
I was a skincare fanatic throughout my life, constantly exploring various facial and skincare products. In 2015, my interest shifted towards organic and traditional approaches to skin care. Despite being raised in a family where becoming a skin specialist wasn't considered, and the expectation was to pursue engineering or medicine, I initially chose a technical path as a piping designer. However, my passion for skin care remained undiminished.
I embarked on a global journey, immersing myself in learning about practices like GuaSha in Vancouver, Buccal massage from the Middle East, Energy Facial and Reflexology in the US, Face massage in the US too as well as understanding the ingredients in both organic and chemical skincare. This journey of continuous learning has been a profound and transformative experience for me.
How long has your business been open or how long have you been employed?
I have been working at Luma by Dr Amane since Oct 2022, however I am actively in this field since 2015.
What was your biggest challenge; is it still an ongoing challenge?
My biggest challenge was addressing the misconception about facial care. There's a general idea in the media that promotes face lifting through aggressive techniques, like pulling and pinching. However, I firmly believe that face massage, which boosts blood circulation and oxygenates the skin, is the correct approach. It helps bring life back to the face and brightens it up. The ongoing challenge is dispelling the misleading information and advocating for the benefits of gentle, energy-based methods like lymph drainage for a truly amazing result on the face.
What is a mistake that turned into a lesson?
A mistake that evolved into a profound lesson for me was investing time, energy, and money in a field that didn't align with my true passion. I spent my younger years striving to appear professional, only to realize it was a detour from my genuine interests. This experience taught me a valuable life lesson – to encourage my daughter to pursue her passion, regardless of societal expectations. It's a mantra I'll carry with me always.
How much time do you spend working on your business each day/week? How do you prioritize work life balance if you are self employed?
I am a very wrong person for this question and I know it. I dedicate every day to my business, investing hours to attend to all clients equally, regardless of their frequency. I'm constantly studying and upgrading myself. While Sunday is my intended day off, I'm always available for client questions, going above and beyond to provide the best answers.
What is one piece of advice you wish to share with someone who is interested in starting a career in esthetics or even a fellow beauty industry individual?
I have been in this field for around 9 years, yet I find myself ahead of those who have spent decades in the beauty industry. I even had the privilege to teach some of them! Do you know why? Because I view my business as my child. I feed it every day, educate myself daily to provide the best for my business, and I never wait for someone to book me clients. I consider my clients as family, and they deserve the best version of me. Just as we don't discard our child for making a mistake, I strive to correct any business errors, rebuild, and start anew.
This mindset has contributed to my ongoing bookings. I highly recommend leveraging social media to introduce yourself. Stick to what your gut tells you, not what others do. Success for someone who dances, sings, or cries on social media doesn't mean you have to follow suit. I focus on showcasing my skills rather than imitating others. In 2020, I became the first esthetician in Calgary to incorporate Buccal massage in my facial room, and I am delighted to see many other estheticians doing the same now!
How did your training at TEI impact, influence or inspire you to succeed in business? Are you glad that you made the choice to do your training at TEI? Are there any special memories, moments or people of influence who made a difference in your education at TEI.
My decision to train at TEI was driven by a desire to complement my holistic approach and ingredient knowledge with a Canadian certificate, allowing me to work in a professional setting. This choice was recommended by a business owner, and I'm grateful I trusted her advice. They say there are two crucial days in your life - the day you're born and the day you discover why. My time at TEI marked that second milestone; it was when I realized I was born to be an esthetician.
The school's unique environment, coupled with the friendly and helpful faces around, made my journey truly memorable. I cherish the experiences, grateful for the impact TEI had on shaping my path in the beauty industry.
Keep an eye out for our next TEI Alumni, it could be you!
Meet our January TEI Alumni… Amanda Hendrickson
My name is Amanda Hendrickson, and I own Rhapsody Spa & Salon alongside my sister, Amber Sundine, in Grand Forks, ND. We are a full service salon and spa offering many different types of facials, body waxing, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, scalp therapy and all salon services. Our skincare line is exclusively Repechage which allows us to customize our facials and body treatments to meet our clients needs.
Why did you choose to get into the esthetic industry? Was it a big change from your previous industry?
I began my career right out of highschool by becoming a licensed cosmetologist. I have always been a caregiver and wanted a career where I could pamper people and make them feel valued and relaxed. I used to say, “if I could give the whole world a pedicure this world would be a much more peaceful place”. This industry is full of possibilities, and over my 25 years I have been able to attend many advanced education classes at places like The Conservatory of Esthetics in Chicago as well as travel as an educator for a skincare line and makeup line. I love our industry because we can have a lasting impression and truly make a difference in people's self-esteem and self-worth.
How long has your business been open or how long have you been employed?
I began working in a local spa in 1999 and worked there for 11 years before I opened up my own business. I rented a booth for a year and then on March 1st 2011, we opened Rhapsody Spa & Salon.
What was your biggest challenge; is it still an ongoing challenge?
One of my biggest challenges has been finding the balance of boss-employee relationship. I have always cared so much and oftentimes got too personally involved with people who worked for me. I would try to give them everything they needed instead of focusing on what the business needed. It was an ongoing challenge for many years with a lot of ups and downs and a lot of soul searching, reading leadership books and talking with a business coach. Over the years I have been able to find a balance where I am able to show that I care and make the Business successful. I am not perfect, so it is still a challenge at times, however I do believe I am improving every day.
What is a mistake that turned into a lesson?
The biggest mistake I made is not taking the time to work on my business from the very beginning. I thought if I worked really hard and made as many clients as I could happy that I would be successful. I ended up working 6 days a week, most of them 10-11 hours a day for several years with not much to show for it. My sister so graciously told me I needed to have an office day once a week, but I felt trapped thinking I had to bring as much in as possible. I tried and tried to find the time but felt the money coming in the door was more important. I found myself drowning in paperwork, bills and employee drama. I found a company called Strategies and hired them to be our business coach. They taught me how to make a cash flow plan and showed me the importance of working ON my business instead of IN my business. It was a long road, but eventually the fog cleared, and I had a new vision of where I wanted to take Rhapsody Spa & Salon.
How much time do you spend working on your business each day/week? How do you prioritize work life balance if you are self employed?
I now come into the salon everyday at 8:30 after the kids go to school and work in the office until my first client, which depends on the day, 10, 11, or noon. I have an office day every Wednesday which becomes fluid if clients have to move around. However, I do spend about 8-12 hours a week on the business.
Balancing work life was a challenge for a long time. I often felt that I was failing at the role of being a wife, mother and a business owner. Through the coaching and leadership books I have read, I have been able to understand that I can leave work at work and be present at home. Doing that meant setting boundaries with my schedule, clients and staff as I had always felt that I needed to be available all the time. I still work very hard, just in a different way.
What is one piece of advice you wish to share with someone who is interested in starting a career in esthetics or even a fellow beauty industry individual?
I now come into the salon everyday at 8:30 after the kids go to school and work in the office until my first client, which depends on the day, 10, 11, or noon. I have an office day every Wednesday which becomes fluid if clients have to move around. However, I do spend about 8-12 hours a week on the business.
Balancing work life was a challenge for a long time. I often felt that I was failing at the role of being a wife, mother and a business owner. Through the coaching and leadership books I have read, I have been able to understand that I can leave work at work and be present at home. Doing that meant setting boundaries with my schedule, clients and staff as I had always felt that I needed to be available all the time. I still work very hard, just in a different way.
How did your training at TEI impact, influence or inspire you to succeed in business? Are you glad that you made the choice to do your training at TEI? Are there any special memories, moments or people of influence who made a difference in your education at TEI.
The Beauty and Spa Management program is absolutely amazing! I wish that I would have taken this course at the beginning of my career in order to prepare me for opening my business one day. It would have saved me a lot of stress because I would have had a set plan from the very beginning. However the struggles I endured really made me appreciate the information and stay dedicated through the course.
I have to say that meeting Vanessa a year ago at the Repechage Day of Empowerment was life changing. I had just been looking for a program or class I could take to really take my dream to the next level. Vanessa was so kind and helpful in telling me about the program that it made me want to attend TEI in person! I was so grateful there was an online option as I live in the states.
Recently I had the opportunity to thank her in person at this year's Day of Empowerment. Also, my instructor Meredith, was so helpful in so many ways. When I informed her I was dyslexic, she immediately gave me solutions to help me with all the reading assignments and never made me feel uncomfortable. She was kind, thorough and very professional. Her knowledge of our industry is absolutely amazing, and if she did not know the answer she would always check on it and get back to me. Because the course was online I didn’t have the opportunity to really get to know my fellow students or teacher assistant Brittany, but they were all very kind and easy to work with. Lastly, I would have to say that having Beverley Crowther as my examiner was a pleasure. Throughout my exam, which can be very hard for those with dyslexia, she was so calm, and I felt as though I was just sharing with her about my dream spa.