You're Board Certified... Now What? 4 Things to Do to Build your Career
After hours in the classroom, studying, practicing, and taking your boards (phew, glad that’s all over!) you get to do what you love everyday... right? Well… kind of. Yes, you’re prepared, you’re passionate, you’re ready to take on clients but it’s a huge step going from student to professional and this process takes time! There’s still so much to learn, so much to practice, and so much knowledge out there so make a plan, stay humble, and keep building your knowledge and expertise all while continuing to do what makes your heart soar!
Learn (v): gain or acquire knowledge of or skill by study or experience.
Don’t stop learning. Formal, organized training is a great foundation and a necessary step towards doing what you love but it’s only just the beginning. Make sure you are constantly seeking out new ways to expand your craft, your business, and your client base. Challenge yourself and go outside your comfort zone to learn about things you are interested in from people who are passionate! Advanced academies like Vidal Sasson, Arrojo, or Toni & Guy are a great place to start and personally helped my expertise immensely! I’m excited to share what I’ve learned through study and experience in my course The Beauty Business Builder.
Assist (v): Help someone, typically by doing a share of the work
By assisting an established stylist, you are growing your skills and your network, making meaningful connections with those in the industry who have experience that can be so valuable for you to learn from! Be choosy about who you choose as your mentor, a perfect pair can jumpstart your confidence, your knowledge, and your business! Pick someone you admire and make sure to bring your unique perspective, personality, and passion to the table, you may have just as much to teach them by just being you!
Work (v): be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, especially in one's job; do work.
Take the leap and practice to perfect! Work on as many models as you can get your hands on. Set a weekly go of how many people you’d like to work on and make sure you keep honing your skills to identify what you love the most and what you are especially talented at… put your focus there and do the work!
Market (v): advertise or promote.
You are in charge of advertising and promoting yourself, no one else will! Understand your unique voice, skills, brand, and talent in order to share you clear message with your potential and existing clients. You will need to set yourself apart from the community of excellent stylists. We are all needed and there is room for us all to do what we love but you will want to attract your perfect clients by understanding and promoting who you are and what you can do for them that no one else can! I feel like I had to learn a lot of this on my own as my formal education didn’t go into detail. Check out my course to learn what I learned and get a jump start on your marketing power!
