Three degrees, a successful esthetics business and sage advice. Read more about Crystal Ngozi career journey.
Finding your passion may take a few tries. This was the case for Crystal Ngozi. After getting three degrees, she found her calling in makeup and esthetics. Initially Crystal was a freelance makeup artist until one mentor convinced her that becoming an esthetician could expand her business. “One thing I tell students is to go to school with an open mind. I had no idea what I wanted to do with esthetics, but I went with an open mind” she said.
After graduating, Crystal used her previous marketing and business knowledge to open her own studio. Now she uses that knowledge to help other professionals as a business coach. “You don’t have to know everything about business to grow your business,” Crystal said. She teaches beauty professionals the basics that they need to hit the ground running. “Strategy is important to get the marketing going.”
“You don’t have to know everything about business to grow your business”
Over the years, Crystal has found success in intertwining her two passions and assists other beauty professionals in setting themselves up for success. She assists with the more stressful intricacies of owning your business, such as business plans and provides simple, but effective marketing tips. “One thing I drive home is to find your niche. It’s okay to do other things but be known for that one thing” she suggests.
When reflecting, Crystal said that one her biggest hurdles in her career has been herself. “Getting out of my own way. Overcoming the imposter syndrome,” she said. Self-doubt is something that many beauty professionals can face at any time. Understanding that learning on the job is a part of the job is vital to success in this industry. “There’s always something new that you can learn. I realized that as long as I become a student of esthetics and never think I know everything, I will be fine,” she said.
“There’s always something new that you can learn. I realized that as long as I become a student of esthetics and never think I know everything, I will be fine”
Finding cheerleaders is also important to finding success. Whether they be mentors, other beauty professional, or your family, as was the case for Crystal. Despite being the only esthetician in her family, they affirm her ideas and encourage her in her career. This support was a significant part of combating her “imposter syndrome” when she was first pursuing esthetics.
Other mentors throughout Crystal’s career include the salon owner who employed her in her first salon job and the instructor at esthetician school who encouraged her to seek a continuing education license in marketing. “Some of my coaches and mentors might be my mentor and not even know it,” Crystal said.
A mentor/mentee relationship should be beneficial to both parties; she refers to her advice for students – have an open mind. “Have that trust that I’m going to lead you in the right direction, if you want to be lead,” Crystal said. As a mentor, she knows that she doesn’t have to know the answer right away.
“She’s not in the history books but she’s my history”
When asked to name one person that has impacted her life, Crystal named her grandmother. “She’s not in the history books but she’s my history,” she said. “She is able to see things that women of color weren’t able to do back when she was growing up.”
You can find out more about Crystal on her website www.crystalngozibeauty.com or follow her on Instagram @crystalngoziesthetics and @crystalngozibeauty. Don’t miss her class at the ISSE Digital Experience!
