Starting Out in Esthetics: Find a Mentor or Start Your Own Business?

For those of you who have been in the industry for a while, I’d love to hear your honest advice.

For someone who is newly entering the esthetics industry, what do you think is the better path?

Find an established spa, clinic, or skin professional who is willing to take you under their wing — learn the business, build hands-on experience, develop your confidence, learn consultations, treatments, retail, client retention, etc.

OR

Start your own business from the beginning — build your own clientele, create your own brand, and learn the business side as you go.

I’m curious about what you feel is most valuable during those first few years. Is it better to spend time learning under someone experienced before branching out on your own, or is starting your own business early a realistic option?

For those who started their own business, what do you wish you had learned first?

And for those who started working for someone else, what made the biggest difference in preparing you to eventually work independently?