Meet our January 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.