Meet Lindsay Conklin | Licensed Esthetician and Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsay Conklin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I decided to finally start taking my own advice. I have been a licensed esthetician since 2007 and an esthetics educator since 2016. For years I’ve been guiding students to become successful beauty professionals all while thinking “one day I will have the guts to do that” I have worked in full service salons, spas, wax centers, beauty schools….but it has always been as an employee. Just like everyone else I am afraid of failure but I’m a true believer that with the right attitude anything is possible. I woke up one day and decided it was time to be my own boss! I contacted a good friend from beauty school and she had a studio that I could share until I built up my business. Less than 2 months later I moved into my own studio. I will soon be leaving my teaching position to focus on my business full time. I will still be teaching beauty professionals but I will be focusing on small classes for continuing education.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I got married when I was 22. After the wedding I thought “now I need a career.” I had no idea what exactly an esthetician did. All I knew was that they did some waxing and the girl that waxed my eyebrows seemed like she enjoyed what she did. (Fast forward 10 years and I actually worked with that esthetician!). On my 23rd birthday I signed up for esthetics school at Artistic Beauty College. I started in April after I returned from my honeymoon. I enjoyed school but it didn’t really ignite my passion for skincare. After I graduated it took me almost 18 months to get licensed. The school I attended was changing ownership and the State Board of Cosmetology was changing their testing and I got lost in the shuffle. During that time I had my first son and suffered with post partum depression. One day I figured out I needed to do something for myself and I decided to finally get my esthetics license. I studied on my own for a month to take the written and practical exams. I passed them both the first try. This absolutely helped get me out of my depression. The next challenge was to find a job. It can be difficult to get a position without a year or more of experience plus I was very shy and unsure of myself and abilities. My first job in the industry was as a guest service advisor at European Wax Center. When I was hired they asked why I wasn’t applying for a wax specialist position. I told them it was because I didn’t think they would hire me for that position. After a few months as a gsa I moved into the role as wax specialist. I loved it!! Waxing is my jam. Being in this role helped not only with my technical skills but also with my shyness. I had to learn how to have confidence and make small talk with strangers. (You can’t have awkward silence when waxing intimate areas). I stayed at EWC for a couple years and then had my second son. After maternity leave I went to work for a friend at Beauty Brands, which is a full service salon. I met some great people and learned some new skills like eyelash extensions and airbrush tanning, plus became more confident in my facial skills. Fast forward a couple years and the same friend that brought me to Beauty Brands encouraged me to become a licensed educator. I never in a million years thought that I would be an educator. I was terrified to speak in front of crowds and I didn’t trust that I knew enough to teach other people. After a lot of self doubt and dragging my feet I decided to go for it. I really had no idea what I was doing but I passed the tests and became a licensed esthetics instructor! For the first year (and periodically after) I suffered from imposter syndrome. I felt like I had no business teaching. To help myself become more knowledgeable and confident I started taking continuing education classes. I now have a lot more confidence in my teaching abilities and my knowledge in skincare. Being an educator has ignited my passion for skincare. I have enjoyed sharing that passion with students but now it’s time to work more closely with my clients to help them with an integrated approach to their skin. I will never stop learning. I tell my students that if they ever reach the point where they feel they know all they need to know about skin it’s time to retire. Knowledge really is power and this industry is ever changing. I’m excited for the future. I have big dreams for myself and Waxing Moon Esthetics. Maybe one day I will open up my own school.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not a very exciting person. Some of my favorite places in Tucson may be lame but I love Reid Park Zoo and the Desert Museum. My out of town family love to go there when they visit. When I do go out to eat we go to The Parrish. Their food and drinks are phenomenal! My oldest son (14) always wants to go to The Screamery for ice cream.and my 8 year old loves Eegees.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Obviously my family has always been a big support. My husband and two sons are always cheering me on. But the biggest support for this big leap into the business owner role is my friend and “esty bestie” Bonnie Johnson Lugo. We met in beauty school in 2007. She was a huge help then and has been a real help with navigating what it takes to be a business owner in the beauty industry. And finally my friend Shelyse Roberts. She has seen more in me than I’ve seen in myself. If it wasn’t for her I would never have become an educator or the esthetician that I am today.

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