Graduate Success
Aveda Institute Las Vegas Graduate, Joshualyn Ocampo, hit the ground running after completing our 900 hour Esthiology program in July of 2019 and becoming a licensed Esthetician in Nevada. She is currently renting a room in Skyjazz Spa where she specializes in facials, back facials, foot baths, waxing, lashes, lash training, and personal development. In an interview with Joshualyn she reflects on her journey to success, what she learned along the way and offers advice to current students hoping to follow in her footsteps.
“Growing up I always knew I wanted to do something I was passionate about. I just had to find out what that was,” she shared. Joshualyn attended college for some time before she realized she wanted to do something more creative with her life. She always had an interest in the beauty industry, so when she saw an opportunity to become certified in eyelash extensions she dug in! She came to learn that in Nevada you must be a licensed Esthetician or Cosmetologist in order to offer eyelash extension services. This is when she found Aveda Institute Las Vegas.
She called to schedule a Career Planning Session and came in to meet with a member of the Admissions Team. She remembers a distinct feeling of belonging when she walked through the door of Aveda Institute Las Vegas for the first time. “I knew I was in the right place,” she explained, “I felt the vibes.” With her sights set on eyelash extensions, Joshualyn started Esthetics School without ever having had a facial! Needless to say after hands on training in the introductory portion of our curriculum, she fell in love. Joshualyn believes she found her true calling in skin care.
Advice to current students
Joshualyn wants to use her journey as a guiding light for students still blazing their trail. Some advice she offers her friends is to do what you are passionate about and you will never work a day in your life. She encourages people to ask themselves why they are here on this earth and how they can guide others by using their own personal experiences. For those still in school, she recommends learning everything you can and being open-minded. You never know when you are going to be introduced to your future passion or future teammate. At Aveda Institute Las Vegas we talk about the seasons of your career and how you can grow and adapt within the industry to suit the different phases of your life. Getting a license opens doors to endless opportunities within the beauty industry.
Joshualyn encourages current students to start building their clientele now, while they are in school. Her first client post-graduation was a guest who followed her from the Institute! She made sure to take down contact information for all clients before their service in order to keep her client address book up-to-date. This is something she still does in her current business. She recommends using social media to advertise to your personal network. During her time in school, she re-shared the Institute’s Groupon deals and promotions to her business and personal Instagram which helped build her network and influenced repeat business benchmarks and 5 star reviews. “You are your own marketing. Print business cards and pass them out to everyone you meet.”
As far as technique goes, she wishes she spent more time practicing waxing in school. This is something she has since incorporated into her business to fill her book. “Waxing has amazing profit margins.” She encourages students to make the most of their time by practicing what they are afraid of in order to gain more confidence before they move on from the learning environment.
One of her favorite projects while in school was Aveda’s Catwalks for Water. She specifically loves the creative process of transforming a model into something beautiful. This project is made even more challenging by only using recycled materials to bring this vision to life, not to mention the cause. Having the opportunity to partner with Charity: Water and Western Resources to raise money for clean water is something that will keep her coming back to the event every year!
Life after School
“Life after school is emotional.” Post-graduation Joshualyn went back to a job she knew in her heart was not the right choice for her. “I had to jump into unknown waters and open up a spa room.” On the most stressful days she is able to draw on what she learned from Aveda Institute Las Vegas to get her through. “When I have a busy day I utilize everything I learned at school.” From arriving one hour before every service to set herself up for the day to aligning intention by adding value to every service she performs, Joshualyhn is making days one guest at a time. Joshualyn’s personal mission statement is, “My mission is to empower others to fulfill their dreams, enhance beauty and positively impact lives around the world”, is Joshualyn’s personal mission statement. She would like to say thank you to Aveda Institute Las Vegas for a wonderful education and a special thank you to Horst Rechelbacher, Aveda’s founder, for giving students the chance to impact lives and enhance natural beauty in the industry and around the world.
Follow in Joshualyn’s Footsteps
Are you as passionate about beauty and helping others as Joshualyn is? Learn more about our Esthiology and Cosmetology programs and how we can help you reach your goals. At Aveda Institute Las Vegas, we prioritize our student’s success and want to see you go on to do great things! Contact us today to find out about how we can help you on your journey into beauty.
Keep Reading:
Quiz: Cosmetology or Esthetics? Which One is Right for You?
How to Choose the Right Beauty School for You
How to Become an Esthetician in Nevada
