Beauty Talk Confessions with Kati

The Elevate 2027 educator lineup is officially here, and Kati is giving you a first look at who is coming to Sedona! In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati shares the educators, demonstrations, certifications, and hands-on education coming to Elevate Wax & Sugar Summit, February 21–23, 2027 in Sedona, Arizona. Elevate was created specifically for waxing and sugaring professionals who want to strengthen their skills, expand their services, increase revenue, and connect with other professionals who truly understand this side of the beauty industry. And this lineup brings together educators Kati has personally learned from, looked up to, and watched make an impact in the industry. Meet the Elevate Educators From speed waxing and Brazilian techniques to sugaring, business education, lash lifting, brow lamination, intimate brightening, and vajacials, Elevate is bringing multiple sides of the hair-removal industry into one room. You'll hear from educators including Elda of Waxing Queen Adventures, Brie Mesquit of Rebel Wax, Rachel and Erica of The Waxer Pros, Myra of Sugar Guru Academy, Caribbean Candy, Kimberly Morphin, Bright, Crotch Cosmetics, and more educators still to be announced. Expect live demonstrations including male and female Brazilians, speed waxing, sugaring techniques, brow and lash services, intimate brightening, vajacials, and education designed to help you improve both your treatments and your business. There will also be opportunities to add hands-on certifications throughout the weekend in services that can complement your existing waxing or sugaring clientele. More Than Another Beauty Conference Kati created Elevate to give waxing and sugaring professionals education they can actually take home and implement. The goal isn't to overwhelm you with information. It's to help you leave Sedona with stronger skills, new services, business knowledge, industry connections, and ideas that can immediately impact your treatment room. And this is only the beginning—more educators and experiences are still being announced. Elevate Wax & Sugar Summit 2027 February 21–23, 2027Sedona, Arizona Tickets and certification opportunities are available now at:elevatewaxandsugar.com Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessionsPodcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions Prickly Bare Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians. Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybareWebsite: pricklybare.com If You Loved This Episode Share it with your wax bestie, sugarist, or beauty professional who needs to be in Sedona with you in 2027. Elevate is about bringing this community together, learning from each other, and leaving with the skills and confidence to take your career to the next level.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade shows used to feel like the place to discover what was next in beauty—but as the industry grows, are they still worth the investment? In this solo episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati shares her perspective after attending Be Well Fort Lauderdale and reflects on nearly 16 years of attending beauty trade shows, starting with Cosmoprof Las Vegas while she was still in beauty school. From travel, hotels, tickets, and taking time away from clients, attending a trade show is an investment. Kati talks about why some beauty professionals are starting to question the return they're getting from larger shows and why she believes smaller, more specialized industry events are becoming so valuable. She shares what she still loves about trade shows—the connections, discovering brands, education, and those unexpected conversations that can change the direction of your career—while also discussing what she feels has been lost as shows have gotten bigger and broader. Kati also shares why these experiences helped inspire her to create Elevate Wax & Sugar, a more focused event specifically for waxing and sugaring professionals coming to Sedona, Arizona in 2027. Why Smaller Events Feel Different When you're surrounded by professionals who actually specialize in what you do, the conversations change. Instead of trying to experience every corner of the beauty industry in one room, smaller events can create space for deeper education, hands-on learning, real product experiences, and connections with professionals who understand your specific business. For Kati, those are the experiences that leave her feeling inspired, supported, and excited to bring something new back to her clients and team. The Takeaway Industry events can absolutely still be worth the investment—but be intentional about where you're spending your time and money. Look beyond the size of the show and ask yourself what you're actually hoping to leave with: education, community, new products, better skills, business connections, or inspiration. Sometimes the smaller room can create the biggest impact. Elevate Wax & Sugar 2027 February 21–23, 2027Sedona, Arizona Tickets are officially on sale, with a limited number of early bird tickets available. Website: elevatewaxandsugar.com Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessionsPodcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions Prickly Bare Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians. Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybareWebsite: pricklybare.com If You Loved This Episode Share it with a beauty professional who's debating whether their next conference or trade show is worth the investment. The right event isn't necessarily the biggest one—it's the one that gives you the education, connections, and inspiration you can actually bring back into your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following a skincare protocol is one thing. Understanding why you're using every ingredient is something completely different. In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Amanda, owner of Loving My Skin Spa and creator of Skin Nerd Training, to talk about ingredient knowledge, continuing education, imposter syndrome, and how The Skin Games pushed her to become a stronger esthetician. Amanda has been licensed since 2013 and has built her career around understanding skin on a deeper level. After earning the nickname The Skin Nerd, she eventually leaned into what made her different and turned that knowledge into an education platform for other estheticians. They talk about moving beyond manufacturer protocols, understanding the intention behind your treatments, and why knowing your ingredients gives you the confidence to adapt as your clients and their skin change. Amanda also shares her experience competing in The Skin Games. She entered her first year convinced she wasn't good enough, struggled with comparison and imposter syndrome, and ended up becoming a finalist in all three categories she entered. Today, she's an 11-time finalist and OG Legend. In this episode: Why ingredient knowledge matters beyond memorizing protocols Turning your niche into something bigger Imposter syndrome and comparing yourself to other estheticians How The Skin Games challenged Amanda to grow Continuing your education as your clientele changes Building confidence by understanding the "why" behind your treatments The Takeaway You don't have to know everything to be a great esthetician, but you should always be willing to ask why. Keep learning, challenge yourself, and don't downplay the thing that makes you different. That may be exactly what sets your career apart. Connect with Amanda Loving My Skin Spa | Litchfield Park, ArizonaSkin Nerd Training: skinnerdtraining.com Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessionsPodcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions Prickly Bare Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians. Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybareWebsite: pricklybare.com If You Loved This Episode Share it with an esthetician who needs the reminder to stop comparing, keep learning, and lean into what makes them different.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should you open your own esthetics business right out of school, or should you work for an established salon or spa first? There is so much pressure in the beauty industry right now to go solo, become your own boss, open a suite, and build your own brand. And while owning your own business can be incredible, there is another side of entrepreneurship that doesn't always make it onto social media. In this solo episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati breaks down the pros and cons of going solo versus working for an established salon, spa, or franchise after beauty school and shares her own experience with both. Kati started her career working for other businesses before eventually becoming a spa owner herself. When she moved specifically into waxing, she intentionally chose a franchise because of the ongoing education, structure, team environment, and opportunity to build her skills before trying to do everything on her own. Looking back, that foundation became an important part of the business owner and esthetician she is today. What Going Solo Actually Looks Like Opening a beautiful salon suite is the fun part. But before you take your first client, there's an entire business that has to be built behind it. Kati gets into some of the things new estheticians may not realize they'll suddenly be responsible for, including finding and leasing a space, registering a business, licensing, insurance, purchasing equipment and supplies, setting up the treatment room, choosing products, sanitation, and covering your expenses before you've built a consistent clientele. And that's before marketing, booking clients, answering messages, cleaning, laundry, rebooking, inventory, taxes, social media, and actually performing the services. Being your own boss also means becoming responsible for almost every part of the business. The Benefit of Working for Someone Else Working at an established salon or franchise doesn't mean you're giving up on the dream of owning your own business. It can actually be one of the best ways to prepare for it. You have the opportunity to work with more clients, improve your timing, experience situations you may never have seen in school, learn from coworkers, receive additional education, and figure out what you do and don't want to bring into your own business someday. There's also something incredibly valuable about having a team around you while you're still building confidence. You don't have to know everything immediately. Going Solo Isn't Wrong. But It Isn't Your Only Option. There isn't one perfect career path in this industry. Some people are ready to go solo immediately. Others benefit tremendously from spending a few years inside an established business first. The important part is understanding what you're actually signing up for before making the decision. Don't choose entrepreneurship simply because social media made owning a salon suite look like the next step after graduation. And don't think working for someone else means you're somehow behind. The Takeaway Your first job doesn't have to be your forever job. It can be your training ground. Use that time to learn. Ask questions. Watch how the business operates. Build your speed. Strengthen your consultations. Learn how to handle difficult situations. Pay attention to what creates loyal clients and what doesn't. Then, if and when you're ready to go solo, you're starting with experience behind you instead of trying to learn your craft and run a business at the exact same time. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become your own boss. Just make sure you're building the foundation that will allow you to actually enjoy it when you get there. Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessionsPodcast Page: Flagstaff Skincare | Beauty Talk Confessions Prickly Bare Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians. Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybareWebsite: Prickly Bare If You Loved This Episode Share it with a beauty school student, new esthetician, or beauty professional who's trying to decide what comes next. Going solo isn't the only definition of success, and working for someone else may give you exactly the experience you need to build the business you eventually want.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don't have to have the newest device, follow every skincare trend, or look like the esthetician you see on Instagram to build a successful business. In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Nakeisha Hamilton, licensed esthetician and owner of The Rebute, to talk about finding your own path in the beauty industry, building confidence as a newer esthetician, and learning to stop comparing your beginning to someone else's years of experience. Nakeisha's journey into esthetics actually started with makeup. What began as doing makeup for friends and family grew into fashion shows, events, teaching, and even working on a movie set. When she realized she needed a professional license to take that career further, she enrolled in beauty school and unexpectedly fell in love with skin. Today, she's creating a practice centered around holistic skincare and her belief that treating the skin can go much deeper than what we see on the surface. Finding Her Own Approach to Skincare After experimenting with different areas of esthetics, Nakeisha found herself drawn toward a more holistic approach. She shares how she's learning to look at the skin alongside stress, self-awareness, confidence, and overall well-being, and how she's bringing her own beliefs and values into the experience she creates for her clients. Now, she's taking another leap by rebranding her business as The Rebute and moving into a brand-new space in Goodyear, Arizona. Her business started with just two clients and a lot of faith. Instead of trying to recreate what everyone else around her was doing, she's continued building something that feels genuinely like her. You Don't Need the Latest & Greatest One of Nakeisha's biggest lessons for newer estheticians is something so many of us need to hear: you do not need to go broke trying to keep up with this industry. There will always be a new device, product, treatment, technique, or trend. Instead of constantly chasing what's next, Nakeisha talks about mastering what you already know, continuing your education, understanding why you're offering something, and becoming really good at serving the clients in front of you. It's okay not to know everything. It's okay to tell a client you need to research something. And it's okay if what works in your treatment room isn't what's currently trending on TikTok. The Skin Games, Confidence & Learning Over Winning Kati and Nakeisha originally connected through The Skin Games, and they dive into how the experience has impacted both of them far beyond competition. For Nakeisha, The Skin Games helped her become more confident while also teaching her that she doesn't need to know everything to belong in this industry. After initially focusing heavily on winning, she's approaching her next competition differently. Her goal isn't just an award. It's to learn, challenge herself, strengthen her skills, and see how much she can grow through the process. Sometimes the biggest win isn't the trophy. It's who you become while working toward it. Just Show Up Kati and Nakeisha also talk about participating together in a 30-day social media challenge and how forcing themselves to consistently show up helped break down some of the fear around being visible online. You don't need perfect hair. You don't need the perfect treatment room. You don't need a perfectly scripted Reel. People want to connect with the person behind the business. Nakeisha shares how some of her best engagement happens when she's simply on camera talking and being herself, rather than only posting perfectly curated treatment content. The Takeaway Stop measuring your career against someone else's. Someone who has been practicing for ten years is supposed to know things you don't know yet. That doesn't make you less capable or less deserving of being here. Give yourself grace. Keep learning. Get really good at what you do. Show up even when it feels uncomfortable. Build a business that reflects who you actually are instead of who you think the industry expects you to be. As Nakeisha puts it: be authentically you. The clients who appreciate that are your clients. Connect with Nakeisha Instagram: @the.rebeauteTikTok: @the.rebeauteBusiness: The Rebute Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessionsPodcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions Prickly Bare Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians. Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybareWebsite: pricklybare.com If You Loved This Episode Share it with an esthetician who is comparing themselves to everyone around them or feeling like they have to keep up with every new trend. Your career doesn't have to look like anyone else's. Keep learning, keep showing up, and give yourself permission to build something that feels like you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.