Description
Ever thought you had your career path all figured out—until life threw a fabulous curveball? That’s exactly what happened to Hayley! In this episode of The Day Makers Podcast, host David Dolce chats with Tricoci University alumna Hayley about her unexpected journey from studying microbiology to diving headfirst into the world of esthetics. She spills all the tea on what made her switch gears, the highlights of beauty school, and why helping people feel their best is the ultimate reward. Whether you’re considering a career in skincare or just love a good “follow your passion” story, this episode is for you!
Find Hayley on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeloveleigh_aesthetics/
Show Notes
– Meet Hayley! From science labs to skincare studios—how did she end up trading petri dishes for facial treatments?
– How sitting in a microbiology lecture made Hayley realize she was meant to be in the beauty industry instead.
– The best (and messiest) parts of beauty school, from learning hands-on treatments to making lifelong friends.
– Why estheticians are more than just skincare experts—they’re confidence boosters and true day-makers!
– Thinking about beauty school? Hayley shares what she wishes she knew before starting, plus some real talk about the industry.
– Hayley’s big dreams for the future, plus her favorite skincare tips for glowing, happy skin!
Links
YouTube: https://youtu.be/af7KA3z8aYs
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4em5Y6qHH1mL07BPO5f4TY?si=sv88VE59RVW17ijk_ITk4Q
Transcript
We are here to make people feel good about themselves
We really have to feel like we are a day maker for the guest You’ve made my day
How great is that when you hear those words from your guest David Dolce: Hello, I’m and here’s another episode of the Day Makers podcast
Today we are interviewing one of our alumni Hayley, welcome to the show
Thank you. Thank you. You’re Very, very welcome
So let us know what campus did you come from and what program did you do? I came from the Rockford campus and I did the aesthetics program
That’s really cool. Mm-hmm
I love aesthetics and I’m gonna love to hear about this question because I know you were not initially looking into beauty school
This is something that just popped up. What were you doing before? Yeah, so I was actually in the middle of my microbiology class
Um, I was, my whole family and myself, um, have been in healthcare, um, majority of my adult life
So sitting in microbiology and I’m scrolling on Facebook, shame on Me, and an ad popped up, um, for Tricoci and I had gone to beauty schools for a couple months mm-hmm
Um, right after I had had my son
And, um, it was always been a huge passion of mine
So, um, really quick I signed up and, um, connected with the admissions team, who is absolutely amazing
Yes. And, um, I began my journey in aesthetics at the Rockford location and never looked back
And it’s been an amazing welcome change from the medical side of things
I can’t imagine. Mm-hmm
Because you bubbly personality mm-hmm
You’re all into it, and that’s part of it
Um, it’s one of the things like, so many different people do this, and for you it was like a total career change, total flip in what you were doing
Yeah. That’s just, that’s crazy. I love that story. Yeah
Um, so tell me a little bit about a day of the life of a student
Mm-hmm. And how did you adjust being that you are a mother
Mm-hmm. Right. Yeah. So how, how did you do all this? So, yeah. Mom of two, um, I did end up, I had a good bit of savings, so, um, I ended up completely putting everything on hold
Um, and focusing, went full time, focused everything on esthetician because I think it, if you have the opportunity, which I know it’s very hard, um, but if you do have the opportunity to do that, I think just being able to immerse yourself in it and be fully present in the program, uh, it’s so rewarding
And being able to, you know, give it a hundred percent, 110%, you know, um, I think that that would is super important
And I have a great support system
Um, so I, I would, that’s how I did it. Yeah
Yeah. You’re lucky and everything lined up for you. Yeah
The right place, right time
Absolutely. Do you find the flexibility of being an esthetician great
Especially being a mom? Yeah. Um, you can create your own schedule, you know, absolutely
Around, oh, I have a, um, cheerleading practice or wrestling or something
I’ve got one boy, one girl
So, um, I’m all over the place and, um, multiple jobs
So, um, I block out certain days and, um, I’m able to bounce around with the kids and it’s really, it’s really great, the flexibility
It’s crazy. We’re able to nab you on a rare day off
I know. So I feel like most creative people, we are entrepreneurs
Right. You have to have that spirit to be in this industry ’cause you truly are working for yourself at the end of the day
Mm-hmm. Tell me about some of the other things that you’re doing
Yeah. So you’re doing a lot
I, I am, I do have a full plate for sure
Um, which I am very blessed to be able to say that I have that
Um, I also have a woodworking business, so I do like, I love it
Charcuterie boards, cutting boards, custom furniture pieces, even down to like wood flooring and custom kitchens and things like that
Um, I also actually waitress at a local restaurant that, um, to Rockford that has been there for over 30 years, so Wow
Rockford original. I’m very proud
I’ve got some custom pieces there with some flight boards that we have, um, some checkbooks boards and things like that
But I also do like different markets and things around our city
We have an amazing art culture and I am very fortunate to be a part of that
That’s really cool. So I love that
And then I also still in the medical field, so I am a PHM at Mercy
Stop. Stop. So I work in the lab there as well
Um, and then I work, work all the clients and around, around whatever job I’m doing that day, I am working at least two jobs every day
Um, just balancing it all
It’s nuts. It’s really cool
You live in a community that has a good art culture
I mean, you have the Rockford Peaches too
Yes, of course. Last time I was at the Rockford campus, I’m like, I’m gonna drive past the Beaches Stadium
Yes. I’m like, oh, that was it. Got a little picture. Yeah
And got a little bit of history of my under my belt
Um, so back at Tricoci. Yes. So you said you saw our ad
Mm-hmm. Did you look at any other schools or did you just see that Tricoci ad and you’re like, this is my one stop shop. I’m going here
I love information and reviews and, um, I kind of just gathering as much as I possibly can because I’m great at overthinking everything
So, um, I visited every school in Rockford, toured every single one
Wow. And we at Tricoci have just an outstanding aesthetics world there
That’s true. Like, they’re one of the only ones that the spa that we have is insane
It’s just truly next level in comparison to that
And I don’t mean to knock any other school, but I am just very proud to be at OSA alumni and have the opportunity that I did there. We’re proud To call you one. Yeah, for sure. That’s cool
Because I feel like our cosmetologists are the ones that like just jump in
Right. And then the estheticians are the ones that do want the information and do look harder into things just in general, even in their program
And so that’s you, so that’s very fitting. Yeah
Uh, did you learn any lessons while at Tricoci? Oh, Yeah. I was very humbled several times throughout the program
Um, I am the ripe age of 32. Mm-hmm
Um, so a lot of girls, um, are coming from high school and this is their journey and I love that for them
Um, I have just had a little bit of a different path
Um, so social media side of things, uh, was actually very hard for me. I can Imagine It’s same
Um, I didn’t have that growing up, so it was new
And then having kids, they encompassed my whole life
Um, so I didn’t really immerse myself in it
And one thing I will say you should make sure that you do is hop on social media
Um, don’t wait until you graduate
Um, yes, absolutely do everything that you possibly can, even if it’s, even if you’re not posting right away, but taking pictures and videos and even if it’s quick little, um, snapshots of whatever you’re doing that day
Um, even just clocking in really quick, I would, I would really encourage anybody to make sure that they’re immersing themselves in social media
I think it’s very, very important
Um, and it’s a great tool that we have for free, you know, so Yeah
That’s great advice. Yeah
And you should have a separate page, right? Absolutely
For your professional account and your personal one
Yes. Yes. Definitely
Wanna see what you’re doing on the weekend
I’ve had to teach to that sometimes. Yes
I’m like, no, let’s do a separate page. Right
Concentrate on business. Mm-hmm
I learned a lot in this role about the algorithms and how those work and who to follow
So you see who’s watching your things and like, I had no clue
It’s so detailed
Honestly. Very. I wish We had it when I was in beauty school
I’m like, I’d be way up here doing hair in Hollywood by now, man
But yeah, that’s a great tool
We stood outside of Jewel, we handed out our business cards to everybody Right
By the school. Right. That’s cool
So if you could go back mm-hmm
Day one, knowing what you know now. Yeah
What would you tell that person that started on that first day? Again, the social media thing for sure
I would, I was very scared of it, but, um, I would say just embrace everything that comes my way
The relationships that I made are throughout my program are truly lifelong relationships
And I was, I just feel so blessed
I, I don’t know if it was, you know, divine timing, uh, or whatnot
Mm-hmm. But the girls, the, the great group of girls that I have had along that journey and the teachers and staff were just awesome
So just embrace everyone there
Like, not just aesthetics, like getting the people that I got to know in cause uh, and the, you never know what door that will open, you know, and I’m working with a couple of cause girls that I went to school with
No way. That’s cool. And the owner of the salon I work at now is a Koshi alumni
Yes. Oh yeah. It’s, yeah
It’s just be, get comfortable being uncomfortable
I would say take chances, um, put yourself out there, try new things and lean into social media. That’s Beautiful. Yeah. We’ve been around 20 years, so now our graduates are hiring our graduates
Yeah. And it’s just absolutely crazy
It’s cool that we built, we built such a big network, 15 campuses, three different states
Do you know what I mean? Yeah. So we’re like, and we all take care of each other
Yeah. ’cause it’s means something special to be part of Tricoci
Absolutely. Why’d you choose esthetician over cosmetology? Mm-hmm. Because it looks like you do great makeup, great hair
You’re, you got the personality cosmetologist
We like to talk a lot too. Right
So why’d you choose aesthetics over cosmetology? Um, really it was more initially because of my background in the healthcare field
Um, I still have plans to finish nursing school. Nice
Um, so like I mentioned in the beginning, I was in my microbiology class when I was like, hold on, this is, you know, absolutely
Where I believe that I need to be
Um, but I am going to attend nursing school in the fall and I plan on, um, be in a nurse injector
I I hope you were going there
Yes, yes. Being a nurse injector and, um, bringing that to the salon And I’m glad you brought that up
Yeah. Because there’s a lot of people that want to get into esthetician Yeah
Because they want start doing the injections. Yeah
That stuff’s huge. I could use a couple injections myself, but you do have to go to school for nursing as well to be able to do all of that
Yes. Mm-hmm. You have to do both, right? Yeah
Aesthetics and nursing. That’s cool
So I asked these questions to everybody. Mm-hmm
Um, I wanna know, when was the moment in your life that you realized you had that power to make somebody else’s day? And what did that feel like for you? Yeah. Um, I would say they’re probably the first client that I took, like organic client that I took in the program
Um, she was coming in and she had just lost her husband. Oh
And a friend gifted her a spa day. Wow
And it was at the school, big shoes to fill, right? Mm-hmm
And just immediately in the consultation, we just headed off and were able to get down on a deep level when we were going through medications she was on
And, um, it just really, she mentioned like, it just really uplifted her day
And I was unsure about leaving the healthcare side of things because I love so much being a part of people’s life in that way and feeling like I’m helping heal and things like that
And bringing, giving her that opportunity to just feel loved and seen and heard was so cool and so rewarding
And she’s now a loyal client
I love it. So it just tied it all together. Yeah
You’re like, I’m still doing something where I help people
That’s why I got into it
I wanna make people just feel good. Absolutely
I wasn’t about the fashion that I just wanna make people feel good
Yeah. So how do you think that extended into her just daily life, right? It went from beyond mm-hmm. In the school, that facial
Yeah. Well, I think too, giving her something to focus on and something that she’s able to kind of like find herself again, and like truly self-care is self-love. I love, love it. Something To look forward to too, Right? Yeah. So she’s got a routine and something that she’s excited to get out of bed and do something that she is able to wind down in her evenings with
And she just, she’s able to, like I said, really give herself that self-care and that self-love that I think, um, has been able to just translate into other things in her life
Mm-hmm. Um, making new connections and getting herself back out there and, you know, going to the gym and things like that
And so, and we have like a great friendship also
So I love seeing her
Every time she comes in I’m like, okay, what’s going on now? Where, where did we go? She is just found this new side of her that, Aw, it’s, I’ve loved and I feel so honored to be a part of
See, it’s crazy how those people just like touch you
Yeah. And she changed you, I’m sure, just as much as you changed her
Absolutely. So it’s all like personality, that passion, that, uh, compassion, all of that
How does that tie into creating clients that you’re gonna have forever?
It’s so, so important to be able to cultivate a relationship with your clients,
because I think in my opinion, that’s why they keep coming back to you is if you,
a lot of times our clients are like-minded individuals, right?
Mm-hmm.
Who we are able to have that good banter and connect on certain things and it’s just an
organic friendship, you know, like you, yes, I’m helping you with something
and I’m able to provide you a service, which is amazing
Um, but also you meet so many people in different walks of life that you’re, I’m now going to this person and doing this with in their profession
And, you know, it’s just, it’s amazing the relationships that you can make outside of things hard
It’s the, and how much that can translate into word of mouth in your business
It’s everything. It’s huge
And it’s really how I’ve gained like 80% of my clients
That’s fantastic. Right
And that’s free marketing right there. Absolutely
Your clients are walking billboards. I say it all the time
Yeah. And, um, just, yeah, that whole personal factor is really important
There’s a reason why they came to you for the first time, right? Mm-hmm. ’cause whoever did them before was just subpar
They didn’t connect with you do start to get clients that are like mm-hmm
Part of your circle. Absolutely
You attract people that are like you. Mm-hmm
And I’ve noticed that through 20 years now, I’ve been doing hair
But like your clients then become your friends. Yeah
So you’re working on your friends, you have a good time, you fill your book instead of like, who’s gonna come in today? Am I gonna get any clients today? Mm-hmm
You’re like, oh, you already know week in advance. Yeah
Oh yeah. Sally’s coming in. Yeah. Then John’s coming in
I can’t wait to see Barb. Like Yeah, absolutely. Yeah
It’s Supers great
Yeah. Well, thank you so, so much. Okay
Um, you made this super comfortable. Mm-hmm
You’re the first interview I’ve had that wasn’t a student that I was familiar with Yeah
That I saw day to day. Mm-hmm
So I wish you the best of luck, Hailey. Thank you
Thank you so much for joining us
Thank you for having me
Yes. And good luck in your future
Thank you. You’re Welcome.