*Note: Woman Wednesday is a part of our blog. Each Woman Wednesday post will feature a woman who would like to share information in the hopes of inspiring and motivating other women. Comments are welcome below.
Q and A with Angela, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Magnus Salon, Pittstown, NJ
“Before I was an esthetician, I had a different job that I thought was my “forever” job. However, I was let go from this job with no warning and on Valentine’s Day! And to make matters worse, we were right in the middle of buying a house and getting qualified for a mortgage. At the time, I was so upset and couldn’t see past what was happening. Just a short time later, I landed the receptionist job at the wax studio, and now I am a licensed esthetician doing work I absolutely love! If I had not been let go from that other job, I never would have found my true profession, nor have the enjoyment in a job that I have now. Looking back, I can see how all the pieces fit together and it makes sense, but at that time, I had no idea. So, no matter what is happening at the moment, continue to push forward and do your very best. What seems like the worst thing in the world can be a blessing in disguise.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about my family, my husband, my friends, my horse Ty, and my work. I guess that’s a lot to be passionate about, which may explain why I am so busy. My mother introduced me to horses even before I could walk, and it has been a lifelong passion for me. Riding keeps me connected to the Earth and the outdoors (and basically keeps me sane). For my career as an esthetician, I more or less fell into this through circumstance, but I honestly can’t imagine doing anything else!
Pictured: Angela, her husband, and their friends on their wedding day (last year).
After high school, I took several different jobs, including a receptionist job at a waxing salon. The owner thought I could be a good waxer, that I had natural talent, and she sent me to school to learn to be an esthetician. I immediately connected with the teachers and the classes, and I graduated at the top of my class! This was something I could not have imagined in high school. I have learned that when you are passionate about something, the studying and learning parts come easier. And I love my work! For the first time in my life, I am truly good at something besides riding horses.
Pictured: Angela’s sweet horse, Ty!
When I am working on a client, whether I’m doing a facial, skin treatment, or wax, I want to help my client feel confident about themselves. It’s not so much about our outer beauty as it is our inner beauty, and I feel that part of my job is to bring confidence to a client so that they can let their inner beauty shine outward. We are all different, and we all have different body types, different ages, different shapes, and sizes. But sometimes, a small difference can bring a person confidence in themselves, and when I can do that, it’s the best part of my job. Not everyone’s goal is to look like a model in a magazine. My goal is to help my clients to better match their outside to who they see themselves on the inside so that they bring that new-found confidence into the world. When a client’s face just lights up, I know I have done that!
Pictured: Angela’s eyebrow work (on her clients). In the circles, “before” pictures are shown above, and “after” pictures are shown below!
Q: What is something valuable you’ve learned that you’d like others to know?
A: Never give up. Period. No matter how hard life is now or how down you may feel, know that everything happens for a reason. Before I was an esthetician, I had a different job that I thought was my “forever” job. However, I was let go from this job with no warning and on Valentine’s Day! And to make matters worse, we were right in the middle of buying a house and getting qualified for a mortgage. At the time, I was so upset and couldn’t see past what was happening. Just a short time later, I landed the receptionist job at the wax studio, and now I am a licensed esthetician doing work I absolutely love!
If I had not been let go from that other job, I never would have found my true profession, nor have the enjoyment in a job that I have now. Looking back, I can see how all the pieces fit together and it makes sense, but at that time, I had no idea. So, no matter what is happening at the moment, continue to push forward and do your very best. What seems like the worst thing in the world can be a blessing in disguise.
Pictured: Angela riding her horse.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: For me, the family was always a big part of my life. Every night we would have dinner together and talk about how our day was and what we would like our next day to be like. If there was an issue, we would talk about it as a family. So, because of this, I feel that I have a team behind me, people that are there for me. And now, as an adult, my team includes more than just my family, but what I refer to as “my tribe,” which includes good friends as well. My tribe is an important part of my life, and we work together to support each other.
School was NEVER my thing! I struggled a lot. Because I have dyslexia, I never felt confident or comfortable in the classroom. My brother was extremely studious and scholastic (as is my mother), so I always felt that I couldn’t keep up. However, once I went to school to be an esthetician, I just blossomed! I graduated at the top of my class, which was something I never thought I could do.
The biggest thing I can say to people who feel discouraged with school, their job, or other parts of their life – is to just hang in and don’t be afraid to try new things. One day, you will find your calling, what you were meant to do. Don’t give up!
Being raised with horses teaches you a lot of responsibility and respect. When taking care of a 1,200-pound animal, there are times your life is in their hands, and there are times that their life is in your hands. Being able to bring that sense of responsibility, discipline, and commitment to my career has been an important part of who I am today. I truly feel lucky to have the clients that I do. I guess it comes back to that old and wise saying: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” I treat all my customers with respect, and I am very grateful that they chose me and trust me as their esthetician.
Pictured: Angela pictured with her husband and her dogs.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: For me, feminism is not about fitting a certain mold, putting yourself in a perfect little box or a perfect pedestal, or even anything to do with what society says a woman should be like. Feminism is about the ability to be a free spirit – to have the freedom of choice. Whether you choose to be a lawyer, a police officer, an artist, or a stay-at-home mom, feminism means that all these roles have value, and should be equally valued by society. Feminism is about having the opportunity to create your own best self, whatever shape or form that takes. It’s about being your own personal best according to who we are on the inside, not who society tells us to be. Feminism is having choices, having freedom, and having the ability to live the life on the outside that matches who we are on the inside.
And as I said earlier, the best part of my job as an esthetician (and where I like to bring this freedom to my career) is when I can help someone bring out their inner beauty, feel confident in who they are, and help them to shine their own inner light – in whatever shape or form they choose to do so. True beauty is something that is inside of us, and when I can be a part of bringing that beauty to the outside world, I know I am helping others. That is what is most important to me as an esthetician.
If you are in the area (New Jersey), come see Angela at Magnus Salon (click here for more) to get your eyebrows done, and let her make you feel amazing!
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Olivia has lived in a lot of places; her husband is in the Air Force. She’s lived in Charleston, South Carolina; Panama City, Florida; Atlanta, GA; and St Louis, MO. But her favorite place is wherever she is helping rebuild communities after natural disasters.
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