Vantaggi
Training and a paycheck when you do work.
Svantaggi
I was initially skeptical of the negative reviews I read about this franchise, assuming they were written by disgruntled employees. Unfortunately, my own experience confirmed many of the red flags I had chosen to overlook. While the training provided is thorough and heavily focused on sales, the overall work environment—particularly at the Winter Park location—was deeply disappointing. The facials offered are basic and easy to perform, but the studio does not support professional growth or help estheticians feel confident in their roles, regardless of skill level. The treatments are so limited and repetitive that they fall below the capabilities of a seasoned esthetician, who will likely find themselves bored and unchallenged over time. The location I worked at is owned by a physician who, despite good intentions, lacks the professionalism and understanding necessary to lead in this industry. She demanded that we not hold any other jobs in the esthetics field, even if those roles didn’t interfere with the limited services offered at her small, self-managed studio. We were made to feel constantly on edge about job security. Schedules were cut soon after training ended, and discussions about hours were met with hostility. Staff were expected to clock in only five minutes before appointments—leaving no time for room prep or reviewing client notes—and to clock out exactly on the hour, even if still working. This required frequent explanations and corrections just to account for actual time worked. There were no testers or product samples provided during training or after opening, and we weren’t allowed to perform practice services on one another. This lack of hands-on preparation created additional stress and uncertainty. The work culture became toxic, fueled by gossip and a lack of professionalism. Private conversations with management were shared with other team members, which bred distrust. Concerns raised were often dismissed, and input was unwelcome. Rather than creating a collaborative, empowering space, the leadership fostered fear, micromanagement, and insecurity. Additionally, the owner devalued my skill level when it came to the pay structure. She frequently pointed out that she was paying more than other esthetics employers, but the compensation did not reflect my experience or the value I brought to the team. There are also no benefits provided, which further undermines the strict policies and expectations placed on staff. The lack of support does not justify the level of control exercised over employees. Though this may not reflect every location, my personal experience at the Winter Park studio was disappointing. I hope future leadership prioritizes professionalism, transparency, and respect for their staff—because the estheticians, and their clients, deserve better!