Stop doing $10 an hour tasks in your business. 

Stop doing $100 an hour tasks. 

So, what are the tasks you should be doing in your business? 


The $1000 an hour tasks. 

Now let me momentarily backpedal because I already know what you may be thinking…

“$1000 an hour tasks…what are those?!”

“I don’t have the revenue to stop doing $10 and $100 an hour tasks; I’m just barely keeping up!”

“I know I need help, but I don’t know the first place to look.”

Well, sit back, pull up an earbud, and fire up your notes app because in this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, I’ve got you covered on all things hiring a VA. 

If you’re not familiar with the term VA, it stands for virtual assistant and let me tell you; they are a game-changer for the burnt-out, overworked, run-ragged business owner. 

(Even if you’re not burnt out, you can still use a VA because they help you continue to stay sane and help you sustain growth as you scale your business!)

Virtual assistants are the key to setting yourself free from tasks that don’t fall within your zone of genius (aka the $1000 an hour tasks) so you can pass off the to-dos that take you forever to cross off to someone who can do them in mere minutes thus saving you a ton of aggravation and getting you a massive return on your investment. 

However, as you get searching for a virtual assistant, you’ll find there is no shortage of potential hires to choose from. 

In this episode, I’m sharing with you my top tips, tools and resources for finding your perfect fit VA, getting them set up and ready to roll, and creating a system so they can help you achieve your mile-markers for success. 

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How you and your business can benefit from bringing on a virtual assistant (VA)
• What a VA is and what types of tasks they are equipped to handle 
• What to consider concerning pricing, hours, and hiring locally, domestically, or internationally 
• Tips for finding and working with your perfect fit VA 
• Resources for where to begin searching for virtual assistant help

References Mentioned in Episode #085: How to Hire a VA and Reclaim Your Time

• Check out sites such as Hire My Mom, Cloudpeeps, Upwork and Freedom Makers to find a VA 
• Find international VAs in the Philippines 
• Use tools like LastPass, Canva and Google Drive to collaborate and share access to materials 

To keep the conversation going, ask questions, and connect with other like-minded aestheticians building thriving careers, click here to join the free Spa Marketing Made Easy Podcast community. 

There’s an old sentiment when comes to business relationships and how it predicates your success…

“It’s all about who you know.”

While this is true to a degree, because knowing who influences various areas of your community is essential in knowing how to leverage your relationships to be mutually beneficial, what’s more important is how well you’re getting to know people. 

How much effort are you putting into nurturing your relationships?

What are you doing to invest in your existing relationships to make them stronger as well as develop new relationships?

Now, if you’ve listened to even a few episodes of Spa Marketing Made Easy that feature guest interviews, you’ve probably noticed a pattern: all my guests are people I’ve personally connected with or met and developed a relationship with before having them on the show. 

Whether it’s meeting them through my coaching or mastermind groups, business events, or working relationships, our connections are what drive our conversation forward. 

And in this week’s episode, I’m talking with another one of my connections made through my coach, Rachel Perry, who is also a coach herself, as well as one of the sweetest and funniest people I’ve had the opportunity to chat with. 

Today we’re exploring the benefits of business relationships both with clients and with other business owners, and how the power of relationships isn’t so much about the who, but rather the how in how you approach developing relationships with everyone within the sphere of your business. 

Whether you’re brand new in business, you don’t own a business but are working to grow your clientele, or you’re well-established, but looking for new opportunities to expand in your career, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.  

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why investing in finding and nurturing entrepreneurial relationships is important and necessary 
• How to create stronger client relationships that make a client feel valued and how that benefits your business in the short- and long-term
• Simple ways to keep track of your relationships and why you should be keeping track
• The differences in approach to developing relationships with clients vs. fellow business owners 

References Mentioned in Episode #083: Exploring the Benefits of Business Relationships with Rachel Perry 

• To learn more about Rachel, click here to visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Instagram 
• Tune into Rachel’s podcast, Making the Leap 
• Listen to Episode #008 of Spa Marketing Made Easy: Grow Your Clientele With Gift Card Marketing

To keep the conversation going, ask questions, and connect with other like-minded aestheticians building thriving careers, click here to join the free Spa Marketing Made Easy Podcast community.

When I speak with aesthetic experts who have recently taken the leap to start their own aesthetic business whether it’s as a solo practitioner or a spa with a team of aestheticians, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “how do I build a business that lasts?”

We’ve all heard the stats: 20 percent of small business businesses fail in their first year and 50 percent within five years. 

It’s not exactly a hopeful statistic when it comes to longevity, and that’s why I love to share stories like those of my guest on this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, Shannon O’Brien. 


Shannon is an industry vet with over 17 years of experience where she has started and grown not only a successful day spa in Tahoe but has also moved on to a new area, launched again as a solo practice and built it up with a team and a boutique to boot. 

She knows what it takes to build a business from the ground up, scaling her team and services, and building a brand that will be successful for the long haul, but this journey didn’t come without its bumps in the road. 

In this episode, Shannon and I are getting vulnerable on what it looks like to navigate the entrepreneurial journey through tough seasons of life and how you can find beauty in the breakdown to help you build your business to the vision of success you hold, and even beyond your wildest dreams. 

Today, Shannon is the founder of iSugarUniversity where she is bringing sugaring education and community to the online space, and I’m so excited for you to hear her inspiring story of how she arrived to where she is today. 

I know her story will give you hope, especially if you’re in the midst of a rough patch of life or business, but even if you’re not, her story is a case study in the grit and perseverance needed to succeed, and is chock full of takeaways that will help fuel your growth personally and professionally. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Shannon’s evolution as an aesthetician who owned a successful day spa and moved to a whole new city to start over 
• How Shannon discovered sugaring, how it compares to waxing, and why it’s a beneficial treatment to be able to offer your clientele 
• Shannon’s top tips and mindset shifts for navigating difficult seasons of life and business-ownership to build the dream you envision for your life
• Why finding your focus is one of the most critical entrepreneurial skills you should develop 

References Mentioned in Episode #082: Finding Beauty in The Breakdown with Shannon O’Brien of iSugarUniversity 

• Learn more about Shannon’s iSugarUniversity and Sugar Tribe by visiting her website
• Connect with Shannon and iSugarUniversity on Instagram and Facebook 
• To keep the conversation going, ask questions, and connect with other like-minded aestheticians building thriving careers, click here to join the free Spa Marketing Made Easy Podcast community. 

Even though I conduct trainings for hundreds of people at a time via webinars and speak on stages (sometimes in front of camera crews, sometimes in front of live audiences), there’s something about me that may surprise you…


I’m not a natural public speaker.

The truth is, public speaking can stress me out and get me flustered if I let it, but with many things in life and business, I believe that with intentional preparation, those butterflies can quickly be overcome.


After all, life is too short to only live within the confines of your comfort zone.

The good stuff, the out-of-this-world, perfect-fit opportunities that you dream about require doing things when you’re afraid.

However, when you work on possessing this one quality, you’ll find that doing things outside your comfort zone (like marketing and selling, for example) gets a lot easier.

So, this week I’ve got a quick-listen episode for you, but it’s one with a message you need to hear if you want all the rest of the information I share here on the podcast and in the podcast Facebook community to work.

In this episode, I’m also presenting a challenge with some ideas to get you inspired and motivated to jump outside your comfort zone, so be sure to keep the conversation going in the Spa Marketing Made Easy group where our community can help cheer you on, hold you accountable, and provide feedback.

I’ll see you in there!

In this episode you’ll discover:

• The surprising thing that can make me nervous in business and how I overcome it
• The behind-the-scenes of how I prepare to do things outside of my comfort zone
• The core issues as to why you may not be hitting your sales numbers and steps you can take today to resolve it

References Mentioned in Episode #023: The Key to Successful Selling

• Learn more about and attend iS Clinical’s upcoming Advanced Seminars.
• To talk treatments and everything skincare, join the Aestheticians Connect community on Facebook.
• Join the Spa Marketing Made Easy Facebook community to gain access to live monthly marketing trainings, branding tips, and a network of connections to help you build your business.

As the world of health begins to focus more on how our mentality fits into our overall sense of wellbeing, you might have increasingly heard the term “Mind-Body Connection” used around various topics of wellness.

For some (maybe this rings true for you?) the phrase “Mind-Body Connection” can conjure up feelings around “woo woo” or existential concepts, but as my guest on today’s episode explains, the Mind-Body Connection has long been rooted in science, and is only continuing to gain further scientific evidence of its presence and importance in our lives.

In this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, I’m talking with Rachel Llanes, Health Educator for the Army Wellness Center on Oahu, who is not only obsessed with learning and teaching about optimal human performance but helping others achieve it through the Mind-Body Connection.

Through her work, she’s educated and coached a vast array of people from all walks of life including active duty service members, dependents, civilians working with the Department of Defense, as well as veterans.

And if you’re at all familiar with the military, you know they’re only investing in programs and education that have been shown to work, so even though there’s still much to be discovered about the way our minds and mindset corresponds with the physical health of our bodies, there’s proof in the pudding that the Mind-Body Connection, while largely intangible in its anatomical presence, it has a very concrete presence in our overall health, happiness, and even relationships.

Listen is as Rachel shares with us the five keys to unlocking your Mind-Body Connection.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• The definition of “Mind-Body Connection” and how you can utilize it and understand it for your business
• How working through your body can change your brain chemistry, and thus, your energy and mood
• The five essential resources that we all have access to become our best selves
• The first step you can take to engage with these five Mind-Body Connection points

Resources Mentioned in Episode #022: 5 Keys to Unlocking the Power of the Mind-Body Connection with Rachel Llanes

• If you have questions and would like to connect with Rachel, send us a note and we’ll introduce you!
• Read Girl Code: Unlocking the Secrets to Success, Sanity, and Happiness for the Female Entrepreneur by Cara Leyba.
• Read The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.
• Read, “Good genes are nice, but joy is better” in The Harvard Gazette, showcasing the findings from their longevity research.
• Check out the 90X Goal Planner and the SELF Journal by BestSelf Co.
• Connect with a community of like-minded aestheticians looking to build thriving careers and businesses inside the FREE Spa Marketing Made Easy community.

No business owner with the desire to thrive is immune to the hustle mentality.

And while strong work ethic is a good thing, and necessary for being a successful business owner, there comes the point where if you want to grow, you’ve got to learn to let go.

I know, it sounds counterintuitive…

We think that the harder we work, the more reward we’ll gain or the faster we’ll achieve our vision of success.

But the truth is, when we’re bogged down with the daily minutiae of tasks that don’t best utilize our zones of genius, we get stuck in the grind.


You know the one I’m talking about.

The grind of just skating by with keeping up with client management, treatments, and only the most pressing admin tasks while the other things on your to-do list get perpetually pushed to the next day, week and month.

As a result, business growth has slowed if not come to screeching halt, and you’re feeling more frazzled than ever, which means it’s time to let go, hire, and delegate.

In this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, I’m welcoming back my friend Nicole Simpson, an aesthetics industry educator and international speaker, to talk all about when it’s time to hire for your spa and grow your team so that you can effectively grow your spa business.

Trust me; if you find yourself scrambling to “do it all” in managing your spa, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss because the only thing continually being frazzled will get you is financial trouble and a fast-pass to full-blown burnout. And that doesn’t have to be the case.

Here’s more of what you’ll learn in this episode:

• What indicators to look for and notice for when it’s time to start bringing on help in your spa
• The process for how to approach your initial hire, so you feel confident and prepared
• Mindset shifts and best practices to take note of when choosing your new hire
• How to start wearing your CEO hat more frequently once you have hired in order to see continued and sustainable business growth

References Mentioned in Episode #021: How to Grow Your Spa by Expanding Your Team with Nicole Simpson

• Connect with Nicole via her website, on Facebook and Instagram
• Listen to my previous episode featuring Nicole, The Key Traits and Practices to Become a Successful Spa Entrepreneur
• Read The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
• Get more expert resources, gain feedback, and find accountability + real relationships by joining the free Spa Marketing Made Easy Facebook Group

Energy healing, Reiki, incense and essential oils…if you’re anything like me, these ideas and concepts have always been a bit, well, “woo woo.”

But as I’ve opened my mind to holistic practices and how they can correlate with business, I’ve seen the benefits and, dare I say, become a bit of a believer.

From crafting gratitude and presence practices in my personal life to seeing how those practices correlated within the spa industry, I wanted today’s episode to dive deep into the concept of energy healing and energy flow, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to help lead this discussion and answer my questions than Silke Tyler.


For the past 30 years, Silke has honed her expertise as an energy healer and teacher of various modalities, including being a Reiki Master, as well as an artist. Not only does she have a breadth of knowledge when it comes to energy work and healing, but a true depth as well

In this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, she gives insight into how we can make our treatment rooms a sacred space for our clients as well as ourselves as we give so much of our energy as heart-led service providers.

If you’re already on board with the “woo” side of business, I know you’re going to love all the actionable takeaways Silke shares, but if you’re someone who’s maybe a little more analytical like me, I encourage you to approach this episode with an open mind and heart.

Because beyond learning a new practice that can impact your business, Silke offers advice that can genuinely transform the experience of your spa for both you and your clients for the better, and that is always something to strive for!

In this episode you’ll learn:

• What energy work and energy healing entails, Silke’s journey into this line of work and her philosophy on how energy healing can benefit everyone
• The importance of creating a sacred space as an aesthetician and what defines a sacred space
• How to begin creating a sacred space in your treatment room that allows for positive energy flow and a more connected client experience

References Mentioned in Episode #019: Creating a Sacred Space in Your Spa’s Treatment Room with Silke Tyler

• Learn more about Silke’s healing work via her website, and connect her on Facebook and Instagram.
• Learn more about Silke’s free resources and trainings, which she’s created for you to learn and grow, gain spiritual and holistic knowledge, insights and practical tools.
• Skip ahead to Episode 20 to tune in to Silke’s short guided meditation to take before servicing your clients.
• Explore essential oils by Aura Cacia.

Does the idea of going live in front of the camera leave you feeling frozen?

Yes, you know that doing things like Facebook and Instagram Live can be great for your marketing efforts, but you feel awkward being on camera, you don’t know what to talk about, and then the fact that you’re LIVE and can’t click the stop or pause button?

Forget it!

Listen, I 100 percent understand that putting yourself out there via live video can feel scary, but if you were brave enough to venture out on your own as a solo aesthetician or spa owner, you’re brave enough to sharpen your camera-ready skills.

Thankfully, with tips from experts like Tiffany Lee Bymaster aka Coach Glitter in your back pocket, you can build your on-camera confidence to begin leveraging the power of live streaming.

In case you haven’t guessed by now, Coach Glitter is my guest on this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy, and she’s here to give you the honest-to-goodness truth: you can’t afford to not connect with your audience via video.

In case you’re still on the fence, according to a study conducted by HubSpot, 72% of respondents said that where both video and text are available on the same page, they would rather use video to learn about a product or service.

If that’s not enough reason for you to embrace video marketing for your services, I don’t know what is.

So, if you’re ready to get on board with today’s most effective social media strategy, listen in as I discuss Coach Glitter’s unique background as a pro makeup artist and how she became a live video expert, plus how to use these tools to boost your aesthetic expertise and grow your audience.

(And with a name like Coach Glitter, how can you not be intrigued?! Trust me, she is an expert who will give you the boost you need to finally click the “Go Live” button with confidence!)

In this episode, you’ll also learn:

• How Tiffany was forced to take the plunge into live video and has since gone live over 1,000 times, and has never looked back
• Why live streaming can provide a much-needed boost around building our audience and promoting our services
• How to stop playing small and start showing up through your online video marketing
• Her top tips for getting started with what to say, do and show when you go live plus how to leverage that live streaming content through your other marketing channels

Recommended Resources from Episode #018: Getting Comfortable with Live Video as an Aesthetic Expert with Tiffany Lee Bymaster aka Coach Glitter

• Learn more about Tiffany and her work as a camera confidence coach, branding expert and pro makeup artist.
• Check out Coach Glitter’s course, Lights Camera Branding!
• Connect with Tiffany aka Coach Glitter on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
• Ask your live video questions, receive feedback and support in the Aestheticians Connect Facebook group.

Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur?

Traditionally speaking, an entrepreneur is someone who owns their own business, which if you own a spa or operate as a solo aesthetician, would mean that you’re an entrepreneur!

But even if you work as an employee for a spa, and don’t necessarily have aspirations to run your own show, the insights shared in this episode of Spa Marketing Made Easy will still apply because as you’ll see, every successful spa expert needs to possess these key qualities to achieve their definition of success.

After all, as an employee, you still have sales goals to meet and client bookings to fill, right?

So, as long as that’s the case, there’s always room for improving our entrepreneurial traits in skills, and this episode will help you do just that.

Today I’m joined by my good friend, Nicole Simpson, an aesthetics industry educator, aesthetician, international speaker, and most recently the AVP of Global Education for SkinCeuticals.

She’s traveled and worked in more than 37 countries educating on the skin, cosmeceutical science, as well as on business development and social media for aesthetics clinics around the world.

And as a co-founder of Aesthetic Influencer, an aesthetics education and support company created to provide the aesthetics industry with resources for business and social media growth, Nicole remains at the cutting edge of the aesthetics world to carry out her mission of elevating and supporting the industry she loves.

(You may also be familiar with her as she is one of the panelists from the Aesthetic Marketing Seminar I hosted in San Diego this past spring!)

In this episode, we discuss which qualities every skincare and spa entrepreneur needs to have and develop to build sustainable success on your terms.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why it’s critical to define your vision for success and how that aligns with the journey you take to achieve it
• The purpose of “starting with why” and how to find your “why”
• How your “why” and purpose helps you overcome entrepreneurial roadblocks the steps you can take to cultivate your why further and have it drive the actions you make in your work
• What a successful entrepreneur’s mindset consists of and the consistent attributes between successful entrepreneurs
• How understanding your own personality and perspective allows you to shape your journey to success

References Mentioned in Episode #016: The Key Traits and Practices to Become a Successful Spa Entrepreneur

• Connect with Nicole via her website, on Facebook and Instagram.
• Learn more about Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” via his book and by watching his TED Talk.
• Read “The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level” by Gay Hendricks.
• Take the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator test.
• Join the free Aestheticians Connect Facebook group.

Silver linings, looking on the bright side, glass-half-full…however you coin the idea of optimism, what you’re actually doing is choosing to be positive. And yes, positivity is a choice.

While being positive isn’t a marketing strategy per se, when embraced and embodied, the power of positive thinking has true, scientific evidence of improving not just our day-to-day lives, but long-term happiness and sustainable business success.  

Tune into this episode to hear:

• Why mindset is a critical piece of success and happiness in life and business
• My personal story of how positive thinking has directed my entrepreneurial journey and my approach to taking on challenges and struggle for beneficial outcomes
• The science behind positive thinking and the tangible numbers to prove how impactful it can be in your business
• A simple practice you can begin doing now to immediately begin shifting your mindset into a place of positivity and possibility

To join the Spa Marketing Made Easy community on Facebook and receive more marketing insights, support, and feedback, click here.