Esthetician Unlocked

A lot of estheticians are taught how to treat skin. Not nearly enough are taught how to run a business that survives. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Crystal Ngozi Ochemba, founder and lead esthetician of Crystal Ngozi Beauty and Esthetics, to talk about building a real, profitable, and purpose-led practice. From niching down in skin of color to pricing...

You’d think safe and skillful treatment of melanin-rich skin would be a thing by now. But unfortunately, the aesthetics industry continues to fall short. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with JoElle Lee, a powerhouse in medical aesthetics with nearly three decades of experience, to discuss why treating melanin-rich skin safely and skillfully is not just a spe...

Welcome to Esthetician Unlocked, hosted by Elaine Sterling. You're now entering the podcast for navigating the fast-paced world of beauty trends. Through practical, expert-led conversations, we help you sift through the TikTok trends, Instagram reels and influencer recommendation to find what really works. Whether you’re a beauty newbie or a seasoned enthusiast, we’ll equip you with practical tips...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, we sit down with Quinise Arnold to talk about her business journey, the story behind her name inspired by Maya Angelou, and the latest nail beauty trends. We also play a fun round of Beauty or Baloney where Quinise puts her nail expertise to the test. Quinise Arnold is a multidisciplinary creative and business strategist who leads with pres...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, we sit down with Cheron Hamner master stylist, beauty entrepreneur, and motivational leader. From her beginnings as an Atlanta stylist to building a seven-figure salon business, Cheron shares her powerful story of resilience, transformation, and success. Our conversation explores her journey to Atlanta, the role of hypnotherapy and personal...

Send us Fan Mail In this fun and candid episode, Elaine sits down with our brand-new Director of Student Services, Mr. Erik Maney, to give listeners the inside scoop on the man behind the title. From his approach to balancing work and life, to his love of music and the gym, to navigating dating and building authentic connections Erik opens up about who he is beyond the office. To top it off, Erik...

Send us Fan Mail Elevating Beauty Through Vision with Jacie Eber In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, Elaine sits down with Jacie Eber, Health and Beauty Manager at Designs for Vision, to explore how her work is transforming the way beauty professionals see and feel on the job. With a background in the medical field, Jacie shares how she’s helping estheticians reduce pain and improve posture a...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Healing Skin, Shaping Futures, we sit down with Kelly Wolcott, LE, CIDESCO Diplomatan advanced esthetics educator, international judge, and industry trailblazer. With over 25 years of experience, Kelly shares her journey from hands-on corrective skincare to empowering professionals through education, mentorship, and leadership in The Skin Games. Tune i...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Elaine Sterling Podcast, we welcome Traci Daly-Smith, a pioneer in oncology massage, esthetics, and holistic wellness. With over three decades of experience, Traci shares how her personal mission to support a client through cancer shaped her career and led to the creation of A New Daly Beginning, a nonprofit dedicated to providing healing therapies for cance...

Send us Fan Mail Season 2 is here, and we’re kicking it off with a powerhouse guest! In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, Elaine sits down with the incredible Jazmyne Mims, Business Development Manager at Hydrafacial. Jazmyne brings a perfect mix of beauty and business expertise, with a background in Fashion Merchandising, an esthetics degree, and experience working with iconic brands like Cha...

Send us Fan Mail In the much-anticipated season finale of Esthetician Unlocked, Elaine reflects on the highs and lows of her journey, embracing both the failures and achievements she lovingly refers to as her “AFs.” With a raw and honest perspective, she shares the lessons learned along the way and the growth that came from it all. This special episode features a Q&A segment, where Elaine answ...

Send us Fan Mail In Episode 7 of Esthetician Unlocked, we’re joined by Tiffany Underwood, a passionate esthetician and founder of SkinCo. Known for her expertise in personalized, science-driven skincare, Tiffany shares her journey in the beauty industry, her innovative treatment techniques, and her mission to help clients feel confident in their skin. She also discusses Tiff Tiff’s Chemo Bags, her...

Send us Fan Mail Join us this episode as we sit down with Stacy Wells, co-founder of L’esprit Academy, a trailblazer in the beauty industry. With a career rooted in creativity and community, Stacy is passionate about elevating industry standards through education and advocacy. Her unique background as a licensed cosmetologist, former salon owner, and expert in marketing has shaped her vision for b...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re shining a light on the powerful connection between light and skin health. We’ll explore how different types of light can either nurture your skin or lead to damage. From the skin benefits of red light therapy to the potential harm of UV rays and blue light, we’ll break down which lights to embrace and which to shield yourself from. Tune in to learn how to pr...

Send us Fan Mail In this enlightening episode, we welcome the inspiring Asha Sterling, a health advocate who breaks down the complex world of healthy and unhealthy foods. Asha shares her personal journey towards better health, including the challenges she faced and the transformative lessons she learned along the way. Join us as she provides practical tips for improving your own eating habits, hel...

Send us Fan Mail In this exciting episode, we sit down with Tamara Shealey, a seasoned lobbyist and beauty industry expert, to explore the fascinating intersection of politics and beauty. Join us as Tamara shares her journey navigating the complexities of advocacy, revealing how her work influences the beauty landscape. From essential industry insights to her top tips for aspiring beauty entrepren...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, we dive into the fascinating world of the skin microbiome and its crucial role in maintaining healthy, radiant skin. Elaine will break down the science behind the skin microbiome and offer practical tips on how to support and balance it through your skincare routine. Discover which ingredients can help nurture a healthy microbiome, which co...

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