Christopher Drummond returns for our first All the Buzz show. The All the Buzz will be a monthly show that Chris and I do together so listen in and enjoy. By the way we will discuss a variety of topics on each of our All the Buzz segments and we would love to answer any of your questions that you might have so reach out to Chris or I to make sure we answer anything that you need.
Celebrity make-up artist and Microblading and micro-pigmentation expert with over 24 years of industry experience. Julie and Chris met at an industry event so long ago it is hard to remember exactly the year...the true memory is that these two closet introverts have been besties through the highs and lows of their professional and personal lives.
In their regular monthly episodes, All the Buzz - Beauty, Business, Besties and NO BS Julie and Chris promise to educate you, pull back the curtain to our industry and entertain you with their quirky banter.
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Julie: [00:00:00] Welcome to the spa hive. I'm Julie Pankey, your host for today's show. And today I'm chatting with my bestie, Christopher Drummond. Chris is going to be joining us each month for our, all the buzz. Podcasts episodes where we talk about beauty business besties and no BS. Chris is a celebrity makeup artist and medical institution.
[00:00:24] With over 25 years spa industry experience, we have the best conversations over mocktails each month. Join us. As we discuss everything from finances to best makeup tips for being zoom, fabulous to cosmetic procedures of the stars and everything in between ever want to be a fly on the wall. As we peel back the curtains of the spine beauty industry.
[00:00:53] Well, now you can. Hi there and welcome to the spa hive. I'm Julie Pankey, the founder of JMP key partners, your seven figure Spock consultant and the spa hive where the spa hospitality and wellness industry comes for industry business, insight, inspiration. I want to welcome you to our hive. I want to give you a quick reminder to join our always free spy community on Facebook, head on over to Facebook search spa professional community and meet me my spa hive board members.
[00:01:40] And over 400 other industry professionals will meet you there. Now let's jump in. Hey everybody. And I'm here again with hello.
[00:01:59]Yes. Call you Chris. I know when I was writing out like the show description, you know, I put our monthly episode, which is going to be all the buzz beauty business besties, and no BS. With Christopher, but then as I was writing the show description, I'm writing Chris, and then I'm like, okay, do I use Chris?
[00:02:26] Or do I use Christopher? Because obviously I call you Chris.
[00:02:29] Chris: [00:02:29] Right? So you call me Chris formerly known as Christopher
[00:02:37]more informal.
[00:02:39] Julie: [00:02:39] Right. So we're so excited to have Chris back again. And I think we should talk about what are the episodes we're going to be about. So it's so funny. I asked a few people, Hey, what do you want to hear me? And Chris talk about for our first episode. And the few people I asked said, anything that you and Chris talk about together is usually interesting.
[00:03:08] And I would always watch it.
[00:03:11] Chris: [00:03:11] So when you're talking about whatever we want and people will listen
[00:03:15] Julie: [00:03:15] , I know exactly. I was thinking you were still in Miami. So I was sort of still hating on you, but since you've been there,
[00:03:27] Chris: [00:03:27] I'm back to Jersey now.
[00:03:28] Julie: [00:03:28] So not hating on you anymore.
[00:03:31] Chris: [00:03:31] Yeah, no, the glamour is gone and speaking of glamour, there's a lot.
[00:03:39] We have to talk about.
[00:03:40]So you tell me, so where are we going to start with this? This is our first podcast.
[00:03:47] Julie: [00:03:47] So this is our first episode. You know, what I think would be really fun is so I don't know. Maybe it's just fun to me, but we could talk about tell people how we met because. It's funny. I feel like people have a perception.
[00:04:03] So I did a video yesterday about first impressions and not judging a book by its cover, but the reality is right. We all have first impressions and we all make a judgment within seconds of meeting someone. And I feel like. People would have the impression of you and I, that we are super extroverts.
[00:04:30] Chris: [00:04:30] That's funny, super comfortable in front of the camera and doing interviews and going to industry events. And so I thought it might be kind of talking about how we met, which. So truth be told, you know, we're both sort of introverts. We have to push ourselves, really push ourselves to be that extrovert personality.
[00:05:01] It's true. And let me tell you, my, my parents, when I was younger were concerned about me because I was very introverted. I was so introverted. I was. I would just go up in my room and play and, you know, for hours and I wouldn't have friends over and I was fine with that, you know, and, but my parents were worried about it.
[00:05:24] And so they enrolled me in a drama class. And I absolutely loved it and I flourished and I was you know, I got out of my shell then, and, you know, because I was very passionate about it. I loved it. And you could be who you wanted to be and, you know, so, so that's what kind of changed things for me, but I've always had that in me where I'm just kinda eh, Being alone is great.
[00:05:51] You know, totally cool with it. I'm totally with it.
[00:05:56]Julie: [00:05:56] I'm an only child. So I grew up feeling very comfortable with it.
[00:06:01]Chris: [00:06:01] Right. But I grew up with five kids and I am more comfortable alone than, you know, in a big group, especially if I'm by myself. Like when we met as a matter of fact. So that's a good segue, right?
[00:06:18] So, no, well, we met, if I remember correctly, I was working I actually was, had my own makeup line and the first one and you, it was some spa get together and you were there. You know, and you were with some other friends, I think, or at least talking to people you knew. And I was just there and had to kind of force myself to go around and talk to people because I hate events like that to this day, you know, like a networking event, I can't stand it.
[00:06:52] I can't stand them because it's just you're standing there, you walk up to someone and say, hi, I. In sales for skincare, you know, it's yeah,
[00:07:03]you look cool and I'm all alone. So can I can talk to you? That's exactly what it is.
[00:07:09] Julie: [00:07:09] Yeah, exactly. Yeah. We were in New York city. I don't remember where. And was that the Gansevoort? It was at the game. I remember. Okay. And I think we were at buzz.
[00:07:22]Chris: [00:07:22] That was it. I don't even know if spot does that still exist?
[00:07:27] Julie: [00:07:27] Yeah. Does
[00:07:28] Chris: [00:07:28] that was a really cool thing that Christie has.
[00:07:32]Julie: [00:07:32] It is a cool thing. Yeah. And you know, I think she makes networking not so painful. But yeah, I have come in, I was living in The Bahamas and I was in town and. Attended that event. Right. I met a few friends there. I remember Melissa for most.
[00:07:50] I think I met there at the event and I think just, yeah, you were just launching first makeup line and I feel like you were, maybe still was so dodgy.
[00:08:07] Chris: [00:08:07] I think I was some diary. I was kind of promoting both, you know, that's what we entrepreneurs. Do you know when you're hustling as an entrepreneur or?
[00:08:17] Yeah, I had my day job, but then I also had, you know, my makeup line that I was trying to promote and launch at the same time. So I would use an event like that, which technically I was there for some diary. And which is a great brand, by the way. And, but on the other side, then I was, you know, I had some of my lip glosses, you know, in case, you know, someone mentioned makeup, you know, so you never know.
[00:08:46] And so it's all about the hustle. So that's what gets me going. Even though I'm, you know, uncomfortable and don't like being in a big group like that. And introducing myself, it just pushes me because I have a brand to promote and I got a job to do, you know, for my brand. So you just have to get over it.
[00:09:08] Like you said, you get over it, you push through and. To this day I'm I don't like networking events or just, you know, like meeting people, you know? But the funny thing is I'm really good. One-on-one like when I have someone that I'm doing, their brows were in the room, I instantly can connect with people.
[00:09:28] So it's more one-on-one. I'm great. I'm amazing. And I'm great in a group too, but I'm really uncomfortable,
[00:09:38]Julie: [00:09:38] right? You're pushing yourself. Yeah, and you're right. There are benefits, you know, to these networking events. So one is. That we met.
[00:09:55] Chris: [00:09:55] I met someone else and especially at an event like that's really specialized and for a specific group or a specific industry, it does work.
[00:10:05] And it's a really good idea. And you know, our industry, even though it's big, it's small.
[00:10:10]Julie: [00:10:10] It's small. It's a very small world. Yeah.
[00:10:13] Chris: [00:10:13] Yeah. So you have to know the players in the industry. And so one of the best ways to do that through a network. You can bet. However, let's think about this now, Julie, we have COVID.
[00:10:26] Which has come in and turned everything upside down. Not only of course, personal lives, let's not even get into that, but professional lives and business, and that means networking events probably aren't going to exist, or if they do, it's going to be very different than what we were doing when you and I met.
[00:10:50] Julie: [00:10:50] Right. And a much different way. Right? I mean, not hanging out with, you know, 75 people. Right, exactly.
[00:11:01] Chris: [00:11:01] In a small little hotel lobby.
[00:11:05] Julie: [00:11:05] Right. Exactly. And and you know, I think that was part of the reason that pushed me. I mean, I know we've talked and you know, you and I have talked. For years probably now for at least a few years about launching a podcast.
[00:11:21]Chris: [00:11:21] We'll talk about those at some other time.
[00:11:25] Julie: [00:11:25] Exactly. And I feel like that's kind of what pushed me to want to launch the podcast now is, you know, the way that we've done. Done things before we can't do now. And it's a resource in a way to connect with people. You know, we're all connecting right now as people are listening to us and we're sharing our lives and experiences.
[00:11:51] You know, it's like being together when we can't be together. And I feel like that is so, so important, especially for, you know, us and for people to continue to grow and experience growth.
[00:12:05]Chris: [00:12:05] But you know, what too? Sorry to cut you out. But the good thing about this is for people like us, who don't like to be in a big group like that, we don't have to know.
[00:12:18] You know, we can do it all. We can do it all virtually and you're getting, you're doing the same thing, but it's all virtual. It's at home where we're comfortable, where we're not around a lot of people. And I think it's going to be a game changer. I mean, it is , but I think once we get used to it, it's, that's the way things are going to be now , and I've been reading, doing a lot of reading about the future of business and .
[00:12:43] As I'm launching, I should say my, , new makeup line and wellness line things are totally different. You know, let's talk about that a little bit because it's on everyone's mind. And I think there are so many people out there that are number one, excited because of the new changes that can go on for small businesses, but they're also nervous about it and you know, how are we going to do this?
[00:13:10] And. I'm excited personally, because it's going to take my brand, on a different trajectory that I wasn't planning on and I'm ready for the ride. You know, I'm like planning it all out. You and I are both planning things out, things totally different than we were two years ago, three years ago, you know?
[00:13:30] Yeah. And it's scary, right? It's scary to step outside of our comfort zone or that box that we kind of created around ourselves about this is the way that we do it, you know, but I feel like both of us in so many people listening have that mind and spirit of an entrepreneur, right. Which not everyone can understand.
[00:13:54] Right. And not everyone has it. And I don't, as an entrepreneur, understand the people that don't. You know, it's like that whole, you know what I mean? I'm always, I'm almost too much of an entrepreneur because I always see, Oh, this product, it could be improved on why don't I bark at that? And you know, and it's a toothbrush, you know, they have something that has nothing to do with beauty, but that's what being an entrepreneur is.
[00:14:19] And so. COVID I think is really testing us as entrepreneurs and business people and the strong are going to survive. I hate to say this, but it's true. The stronger going to survive, the ones that can really acclimate and change and make corrections and embrace technology. Those are the ones that are gonna really make it.
[00:14:40] And so that's what you and I have been doing. Let's admit it. Julie, we're kind of old school. We're both, you know, Getting in , middle-aged, let's say that, you know, I mean, well, you know, lower middle age,
[00:14:56]but , it's on
[00:15:02]Julie: [00:15:02] three year old granddaughter in some instances is more tech savvy than I am. Right. Literally. And so he has a better memory. Yep. Let's not even go there.
[00:15:17] Chris: [00:15:17] Memory is let's not go there.
[00:15:20]I'm surprised we remembered that. Actually. It's all true. And so, you know, being an entrepreneur in, you know, the age of COVID. I don't know if we call it that, but I am now it's to me, it's reenergizing. It's totally, it's forcing me to change the way that I was doing things that probably wasn't working in any way and making me look, I was just reading, I think it was in Forbes about how everybody needs to be an omni-channel as opposed to just one source of selling or promoting yourself.
[00:16:00] You know, and that's what I'm getting at you and I are used to, Oh, you just do PR you get your name out there and do, that's not how it is now. You have to be on Facebook. You have to, , use all these different channels. You have to be in stores. You have to be online. You have to be on social media.
[00:16:19] You have to do it. There's so many different ways that you can get people now. And especially with COVID, it's making it even easier to reach. More people. And that's what I've been working on in the past couple of months. You and I have just literally been calling each other and just figuring out, okay, , we need to start doing ads now for our companies, we need to start doing podcasts.
[00:16:43] And do you know, I'm going to start working more on, on my YouTube channel, which I kind of abandoned a couple of years ago, but now it's coming back around where we need to revisit and really activate. , these ways that maybe we were ignoring,,
[00:16:59] Julie: [00:16:59] right. It's important to talk about , go back to that mind of an entrepreneur.
[00:17:05] So most of the business owners that are listening to the podcast have that entrepreneurial mind and spirit, and sometimes it's easy to have a ton of ideas that you want to implement. But we also need to advise, right. And I know we've learned it firsthand from experience that it's great to have the ideas and write them down and keep them there, but that you have to kind of create.
[00:17:41] Like strategies and figure out like you can't do everything yourself too thin. You don't get anything done,
[00:17:53] Chris: [00:17:53] but that's well, I was going to say, okay, so both of us do that. We spread ourselves too thin. We have too many ideas that we try and do at the same time. , we both admit that, , we're trying to do five different things at once when you really should be focusing on one of them, finish it, do the next, finish it.
[00:18:14] But you and I think a lot of entrepreneurs are not like that. It's all about how many balls can I have up in the air? I'm not saying this is right by the way, I'm just, that's just how you and I are. And then , we see a good idea. We want to grab do it, but there's only one of us or two, you know, us in an assistant.
[00:18:35] You can only get so much done, but yet at least I continue to try and do different things. I'm working on. Some different ideas for some wellness products and some, you know, skincare. And when I really should be focusing on the launch of my makeup, you know, but that's not how I work. You know, I get, I have add when it comes to being an entrepreneur.
[00:19:02] I have add, I have OCD. You know, so
[00:19:06]I think all entrepreneurs do ? So anyway, what do you think about that?
[00:19:14] Julie: [00:19:14] I mean, I think that, , it's important to talk about the reality of what it's like being a business owner, , and doing everything like Chris just said that, we. In order to make our businesses successful, we have to stay relevant.
[00:19:32] And in order to stay relevant, we have to be on social media. We have to do podcasts. We have to do videos. We have to create new services and products for our spas, for our brands. There's so many things that we have to do. And then a lot of us are working in our business. Not only on our business. So we have to do that as well.
[00:19:59] You know? So you might, we each might have , I am an assistant I've Marianne, you know who I love.
[00:20:07]Chris: [00:20:07] I tried stealing her from you, but it didn't work
[00:20:09]called me up. You call me up and say, stop to Marianne.
[00:20:15]First in her. I felt we could share her, but this is a good point though. It's hard to get. Good help that you can trust that you know is going to be there that, you know, has your interests in mind and your business's interests in mind. That's really hard needs a Maryanne. Yeah. I mean, you knew her before you knew her.
[00:20:39] He knew that you could depend on her. You knew she would. Workout. And the problem that I'm having, you know, was trying to find someone, you throw out some resume, you know, people throw your resumes and you know, they sound good, but, you know, I mean, I would rather, this is my mindset and I think yours too, I would rather not hire someone that I don't know and have to deal with them.
[00:21:04] I would rather just do it all myself and be stressed out and complain about it and lose sleep. Then have to worry about someone else if they're handling my business properly. Right. And it's so challenging to bring on new people, you know, it's very tight or they're not going to stay for long. So my mentality is, well, they're not going to stay for long.
[00:21:29] Why deal with it to begin with until someone that I know till Marianne comes around, you know, I'm not even going to worry about it.
[00:21:39] Julie: [00:21:39] Marianne. And we're going to interview Marianne. Marianne is going to talk about the things that she does and how she does it. You know what to look for when we're looking for Marianne. So that'll be an episode that we have coming up soon. It's not easy, you know, it's her job,she's a young mother, , with a new baby, right. And that's her priority , let's be realistic here, a high maintenance person to manage like me.
[00:22:11] we call her now we found this title it's called the executive puppeteer. So I told my mom the title that we gave her, which I think is executive puppeteer. And my mom said. That's so mean you can't push Maryann around like a puppet. I said, others around the puppet, Marianne is the puppeteer. She goes, that's good.
[00:22:45] And she cause she's managing. Exactly. And I'm like, right, exactly. And she goes, okay. I like it. Okay. I just didn't want you to be pushing Marianne around, pushes me around. Are you kidding? I wouldn't get anything done if it wasn't for her.
[00:23:04] Chris: [00:23:04] And that's one thing you need to look for in an assistant, it's just really difficult.
[00:23:09] You know, there's all these, you know, boxes you need to tick off and, you know, Marianne fortunately has a lot of them or all of them, but. Otherwise, you know, it's hard to find that person. So that's just another thing and we're not here complaining. We're just, we're stating as entrepreneurs, you know, some of the challenges that we're running into and how we've dealt with them.
[00:23:32] If we've dealt with them, have we, are we dealing with them? Are we doing properly? So the thing is I am properly. What I like about us, Julia, and you actually have created this network of people that you do this with is we help each other out. You know, we all know we're, you know, have relatively new businesses and we're trying to build them and grow and strengthen them.
[00:24:01] Well, we don't know how to do all of it. You know, and we're willing to admit that. And so to have people in the spa industry, in the beauty industry that are all coming together, helping each other out, answering questions, how should I do this? You and I do that all the time. We will call each other up and just be crying essentially because it's like, there's too much.
[00:24:23] Like I can't do everything that needs to be done to get my business where I want it.
[00:24:28] Julie: [00:24:28] And you need those people that you can be real with, and that are not going to yes.
[00:24:35]Chris: [00:24:35] A hundred percent real. And that's what we do. It's really important.
[00:24:40] Julie: [00:24:40] Like we don't always like the other's answer or opinion, but we can be real and honest.
[00:24:49] And you want to surround yourself with people like that. Not people that just agree with you. Because you won't get anywhere that way. You want to really have objective opinions and bounce ideas off of people that understand that care. And that challenge you outside of your comfort zone a little bit.
[00:25:08] I mean, Chris and I have been talking about, you know, our marketing efforts and marketing teams that we're bringing on and everyone knows. That's an expensive endeavor. Right. And so I stayed
[00:25:22]Chris: [00:25:22] is stressing me out and it's freaking me out.
[00:25:25]Julie: [00:25:25] And I said to Chris yesterday, I said, I don't know if I can afford it.
[00:25:29] You know, Chris says, yeah, but you can, you afford not to do it right.
[00:25:35] Chris: [00:25:35] Julie I'm in the same place, but here's the thing you and I have been in this place multiple times before. So you have people that are it's the first time and they know it's going to cost a lot of money, but they don't know if they should do it.
[00:25:49] If it's worth it. You and I have been through that a couple of times. And I think I speak for you when I say we're both ready to make. Even more financial investments because we know what we have is going to work and it is working and we're ready or at least willing do we have the finances? That's a different story, but to take the plunge and make these marketing expense, you know, expenditures that technically we probably can't afford, but you have to.
[00:26:23] Right. It's really scary, but you know what I mean? We're healthy. We're doing well. We have good homes. We have, you know, spouses, you know, so it's scary, but what's the worst that's going to happen, you know? And that's what I just keep telling myself. And it's if I don't do what I want to do now, I literally don't think I'm going to have another chance.
[00:26:48] Because, you know, I'm not saying I'm old, but I'm 50, you know, how much longer can I be? You know, chasing after, you know, starting my business and, you know, it's I don't have a choice. And so, and the universe doesn't have a choice. Like it's got to help me. It's got to it's time. It's time. Right? Exactly.
[00:27:08] Julie: [00:27:08] And I'm right on your heels if 50 50 this year. So before we finish, I mean, our episodes are going to be all over the place and we hope that we give value and inspiration and you know, a whole lot of realness.
[00:27:25] Chris: [00:27:25] Yeah, just, you know, I, what I want from people to get out of this is just to know that they're not alone.
[00:27:32] And to see that even successful entrepreneurs have big struggles every day and challenges, you know, just because it starts getting successful doesn't mean it gets easier. It actually gets more, more stressful and more challenging and more questions that you have no idea what the answers are. It's really, it's not for everyone.
[00:27:59] Julie: [00:27:59] So I know it's like in our soul, you know, it's escape. We've tried to escape it. We tried and it didn't work. It doesn't work. So we'd rather suffer as entrepreneurs and complain and be, it's not all miserable though. Right? I know. But sometimes, but it's a huge takeaway is that we can't do it alone. And, you know,
[00:28:35]Each other, you also, you know, we've built these communities and it's the reason why we've started this podcast and why I've put everything that I have into the spa community that is predominantly free for people to join and get resources and have people that are there that can understand what they're going through.
[00:29:02] And have their back. You know, when you need someone to hold your hand or someone to talk to, you know, we're always there. There's always no strings attached. That's the key here. This is a no strings attached. We're not going to try and pull you in and sell you something. I mean, if we do have things to sell, if you want to buy him great, but it's, this is literally to help people out.
[00:29:27] We've seen a whole and in at least the spa and beauty market where it just doesn't exist, at least in my eyes. It doesn't. So that's why we're doing this. So my one last question before we say a fond for well today is what have you seen and what are you looking at? That's kind of new and trending that our listeners.
[00:29:54] Should pay attention to, in terms of technology and tips to grow their business,
[00:30:02]Chris: [00:30:02] I'm just going to stick with the technology part of it. Cause that's a big question, but as far as technology I've really been focusing more and more on that. And there are a lot of things that are tech.
[00:30:17] And the logical, if I could say it and that are simple and that are inexpensive, that you can apply to your business. And that's one thing I think we're going to explore more is what can someone that's not good with technology that doesn't really care about it, but knows they need to, what can you do with your business and technology?
[00:30:42]That's not overwhelming. And so that's what I want to answer in the next, you know, some of our next podcasts, one of the, one of the things, because people in the beauty industry tend to not be very technological. They're not good business people for the most part and they need help. And so that's what we wanted to do.
[00:31:05] Julie: [00:31:05] Exactly. I couldn't have said it better myself because you know, I've said it a million times that it's. You know, we have people that are masters at their craft, but you can't be an expert on everything. And so, well, yeah, I mean, I try to be too, but you know, we can't put that on everyone. Right. The same demands we put on ourselves would just not be fair.
[00:31:35] It's right on everyone. What was I saying? Oh yeah. Technology. So people that are, you know, amazing hairstylist, creative estheticians and makeup artists might not be the best business managers and that's okay. That's what. Like us and, you know, groups that we put together are for is to help you fill in that void, wherever you have a weak spot, which we all have spots in our businesses, how we can help give you the tips and tools that you need.
[00:32:08] To fill in that weak spots so that you can be, you know, a force to be reckoned with on all aspects, right? Yeah.
[00:32:15] Chris: [00:32:15] What'd you say, Julie, sorry, but if I have a question that's directly related to that, what would you say? The one thing is in your opinion, that people need to know according to what you were just talking about.
[00:32:33] Julie: [00:32:33] Just one thing. Oh, that listening,
[00:32:38] Chris: [00:32:38] let's say they're a spa entrepreneur, a spot preneur. And they want to know how to take, you know, go from being an aesthetician and building a huge business. And they don't know where to start and if they're good for it and if it's going to work for them what would you say.
[00:32:59] Julie: [00:32:59] Well, I think one of the most important aspects is to understand your financials. expense business, you know, so. There's so many professionals I talked to when I look at their financials of existing businesses.
[00:33:16] Right. If they have it right, sometimes I have to pull it out and dig it out for them. Or we get like the last years documents from their accountant. But when I figured out they're doing TurboTax, but I pull it out and they're making, you know, 20 to 25 cents on the dollar, you know, to me, that's an expensive hobby.
[00:33:47] Chris: [00:33:47] Well, it's true. And so let me just talk about that for a second. As someone selling makeup. Okay, so this is just rule number one. If you're going to be retailing, something, the cost you buy that let's say it's you buy something for $5 from the wholesaler, you have to at least charge double that amount. So what that would mean $10 in order to make money off of it?
[00:34:16] For the most part that's just in the industry. That's, you know, a basic and. If you can't do that, or if you don't do that, then you're not going to be making money. You know? So that's rule number one about retail is you have to double the amount that you bought it for at least double it. Yeah. At least I usually more than that's a little insider tip, but I usually, you know, if you can triple what you bought it for, you know, so instead of $5 you sell it for 15, you're making $10 off of every product.
[00:34:49] But you also, as you were saying, you have a lot of expenses, so you're not really making $10. You're probably making two.
[00:34:57] Julie: [00:34:57] Right? Exactly. And that's what I was going to say. For starting a spa salon is to look at the hard number is I don't like to see anyone spend more than 45% on rent utilities, employees, product services.
[00:35:22] Because once you go over that 50% Mark, it's cutting into your profit. Yeah.
[00:35:28] Chris: [00:35:28] Yeah. It's just not, it's not feasible to maintain.
[00:35:32]Julie: [00:35:32] Right. It's not feasible. And you're going to be 20 years down the line again, like I said, making 20 to 25 cents on the dollar. Right.
[00:35:42] Chris: [00:35:42] You know what, Mike, and that's the thing, killing yourself and not making the money you should be making.
[00:35:49] Yeah, exactly. But, you know, I would say the big, my biggest tip for someone that's starting out. And I had to do this when I was relaunching my makeup line. And as you know, it's taken me many years to get where, to the point where I'm ready to launch it, the tip is this, take your time, do it slowly and do it right.
[00:36:15] So a lot of people what you were just talking about, okay. There are hairstylists, they've been a hairstylist for 10 years. Great. But then they say, you know what? I go on my own and they want to start big. They want to have a huge salon and have 10 people working there. And I have a receptionist and that's not how you start.
[00:36:34] You start really small. You rent a chair, you have the least amount of overhead that you possibly can have, which is usually renting a chair or, you know, doing it from home, which some people do. And especially now with COVID, I don't know how that would work, but. Starting small as few expenses and overhead as humanly possible so that you can make as much money from the beginning as you as possible.
[00:37:03] That's my tip start small, even though you don't want to, even though you have this vision of this huge, beautiful spa start with one room that you're renting. Right.
[00:37:16] Julie: [00:37:16] Slow and steady. Right?
[00:37:18] Chris: [00:37:18] I, that, I hate it. I hate that it's taken me four years. I hate it because from day one, I've known exactly what I want to do and how I want it and what I want it to look like.
[00:37:29] But guess what to do that would cost me $2 million. If I did my makeup line, exactly how I wanted it with all the products and the marketing and all that, it would be $2 million. Crazy. I don't have that.
[00:37:46] Julie: [00:37:46] No. Exactly. And you want to fund your own business, you know, you don't want to be beholden to investors and partners and things like that.
[00:37:55] Chris: [00:37:55] Right. And that's a whole another conversation because I'm kind of going through that right now. And, you know, I was, I went through that before and burned. So do I want to go through that again? Do I, you know, a lot of people are saying, you know, if you can stay on your own, don't get investors, don't get people involved, just hire people.
[00:38:18] And I'm taking that very seriously. But on the other hand, if someone can come in and offer a million dollars, Who am I to say? No, you know, so it's difficult. It's difficult, but start slow. That's the bottom line, right? Right. Well, I think that's all we have time for today, Chris. I know we could talk for hours and have, and do yeah.
[00:38:49] We just wanted to give everybody a quick taste into our conversations that we'll be having every month together, you know, in our monthly episode, if you have any topics that you want us to discuss, we're going to be kind of peeling back that curtain of the spine beauty industry. So if you want us to dive deep into any topics, definitely drop us a note.
[00:39:17] So that we can cover any of the topics that are important to you. And you have about beauty, about business, about spa, about whatever you want to ask us. Go ahead and ask. Trends and, you know, we cover, I wanted to ask you what are some of the most frequently asked questions that your clients ask you about, you know, makeup and beauty, but we have to cover that next time because we just don't have enough time in one half hour episode.
[00:39:51] Well, that's a good teaser then. And that allows me to prepare. Great. All right. Well, thanks Chris. It was good talking to you as always my friend. And we'll talk very soon. And again, if you guys have any questions, let us know. If I've piqued your interest, even just a little bit about the spa hive.
[00:40:13] Good news. You can learn more over at our free Facebook community. That's right. Head on over to Facebook search spot hive, professional community, and join me my spa board and over 400 other spot hospitality and wellness professionals there. The community is always free. Chopped, full of tips, tricks, and educational content to serve you.
[00:40:46] Look forward to seeing you there.