Meet Ashley Smith | Master Licensed Esthetician, Licensed Educator & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, is there something you can share with us that those outside of the industry might not be aware of?
I think that outsiders to the esthetics industry don’t realize the amount of science involved in being an esthetician. When we are performing services we are applying sciences such as human biology and chemistry. Something as simple as the humidity in a room can effect the outcome of some of our services so there is a lot of critical thinking, preparation and planning involved. I also need to mention the business skills & tenacity it truly takes to be successful in a competitive career field that is currently trending. Becoming a professional esthetician is committing to life-long learning. There are always new technologies, improved techniques, products and ingredients that we would need to stay abreast to. There is never a dull moment and always a way to reinvent yourself.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Fuzion Brow and Beauty Studio is a complete Esthetics studio. We provide a “Fuzion” or Mixture of esthetics services. Although we provide an array of services and treat all skincare needs, our speciality is anti-aging of deeper skin tones. I am also an mentor and licensed educator. We teach post graduate estheticians advanced techniques monthly.

I am most excited about our upcoming rebranding and transition to a Med Spa in 2022. We also recently relaunched our signature skincare line. Skyn Fuzion Custom Skincare. We currently have 3 kits, our Iconic (anti-aging), Clarifying (Acne) & GL02 (discoloration). The new and improved skincare services & products coming in 2022 are going to be cutting edge and transformative.

I’ve gotten to this place business-wise by simply staying the course and sticking with it through the ups and downs. I don’t have an overnight success story. Majority of my clientele are returning customers and word of mouth referrals. There have been times I have seen a customer I haven’t seen in ages and they will say “Ashley, you did my facial five years ago and it was the best service I ever received!” I am the “family” Esthetician for many.

I’ve certainly had my share of challenges along the way like many other mompeneaurs.  Work life balance, Mom guilt, child care, learning how to effectively market my business, even finances to be transparent. “It takes money to make money”… they say and I was self funded for years.

I reached a turning point in my business when I hired a business and marketing specialist to teach me how to be more efficient. Especially marketing online. Its hard to wear all the hats and they have literally been a life saver. It certainly hasn’t been easy but I thank God for my ability to adapt to what ever my circumstances are. Many new Estheticians are looking for the secret sauce but there simply isn’t any. We each have our own God given unique attributes.

Recently my oldest daughter called me “Ms. Make it happen” she truly had been with me every step of the way and it made me so proud she saw that in me. She has seen me over come every challenge by simply not giving up! God always reveals the solution to every problem. The path will just open up for you if you believe in what you are doing. Half the battle is simply showing up everyday and doing your best.

Lessons I’ve learned along the way are to think things through! I’ve taken the hard road a few times being too hasty and had to regroup. I’ve had to start my business over a few times. I also learned that you don’t have to offer every new esthetics services on the market and just because it’s the latest thing on the market and scaling down to specialize in a few things is best. To be successful in our industry confidence and self awareness are is not negotiable. As a licensed esthetics undergraduate educator, since 2007, I can tell what students are going to go on to do amazing things in a short amount of time with them in my class.

They a generally very focused and self aware. They also don’t make excuses they do what they need to do with a positive attitude and professional disposition consistently. That’s what it takes. That’s the “it” factor!

I want people to know that what ever success I will and have obtained was earned. I have a strong compassion for single mothers because I am one and I understand the challenges. While building my business I maintain a full-time job as an esthetics instructor. Many days consist of going to work to teach, picking up my girls, grabbing them food, dropping them at a sitter and going to the studio to do evening clients. I’d of course then have to pick them back up and then be back at the next morning. So many people have helped along the way with them when they could and I can’t thank them enough. It takes a village.

I want the world to know that Fuzion is a company that genuinely cares for people and we don’t take the self care and education we provide lightly. Our desire is to educate and inspire while leaving a positive impact on every person we encounter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’d love to take my best friend to Ray’s on the river for dinner the ambience is so beautiful. I’ve been hearing a lot about the The Garden Room, from my clients and associates that would definitely be on the itinerary. I would enjoy any event with live music. I’m anxiously awaiting the Jazmin Sullivan concert all of my clients know I am a huge fan of hers. I’m not sure of all the current events in the city but the Taste of Atlanta and Auburn Festivals have always been things I’ve wanted to check out too.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people I’d like to acknowledge. First of all God for placing the desire to pursue this vision in my heart. My parents, my sisters, my late God mother and cousins. I have amazing loyal customers, co-workers and students whom I constantly learn from. My late esthetics instructor whom became my mentor and told me I was going to be a become an esthetics educator, which I did not see as a talent, she actually set me up with my first opportunities in the field. She was a single mother also and really put time into helping me understand the business of esthetics. She introduced me to the concept Me Inc. Which helped me to always see myself as a business no matter if I was self-employed or employed. I have a spa mom who managed me for close to 10 years at Natural Body Spa & Shoppe. I learned so much from her about business. She was no nonsense and truly has become like a mom to me. I’d especially like to acknowledge my 3 daughters (Morgan, Aubrey & Faith), they are truly my motivation and leaving them a legacy is my life goal.

Website: www.fuzionbeautystudio.com

Instagram: Fuzionbeautystudio

Facebook: Fuzionbeautystudio

Image Credits
Carrigan Tucker (Clicks by Carrigan) images 1-4 Image of legs myself teaching a private class. Skyn Fuzion Products and Sonic Fuzion Ckeansing Brush.