》Lash Extensions training 》FEB 4, 11, and 25

Tuition includes:

📎Full sized Lash Kit by Lilly Anne Lashes

📎Training Manual

📎Master Educator led classes

📎Certification from Executive Spa Group

Learn more about this course. Spots are limited, so register today!

Indispensable Behaviours of an Ace Employee

A guide to job security and being the employee they can’t live without.

As we send yet another class off to do their work experience, we hope they recall all the lessons learned in class, in particular, how to be an “ace” employer.

What is it that makes an “ace” employee – and how can you be one?

An “ace” employee is an outstanding, superstar, and most importantly, indispensable employee. If you’re a job hopper, have seen more termination notices than pay checks, or simply can’t seem to get the promotion you want, this article may be worth the read.

What do employers look for in an “ace” employee?

1. Time Management

A massive struggle with most “problem employees” is their time management. Being late every day- even if only 5 minutes, calling in sick constantly, or lack of reliable childcare are huge factors in your employer forming their opinion about you. The mismanagement of your own time has negative consequences for your pay check and your team. Team resentment about your unreliability could create a hostile work environment over your workmate’s resentment.

When you are being conscious of your time and priorities, your employer will notice your reliability and trustworthiness. Key holder responsibilities are given to those who earn trust. These responsibilities sometimes come with a pay increase, but are always a step in the right direction to growing your career. Having control of your time management is a MUST, especially in the workplace.

So how can you improve your time management skills? Here are some tips from an “ace” employee:
Analyze why you’re always running late. Is it due to lack of planning?

• Organizing yourself the night before will better prepare you for the next day.
• Getting enough rest and taking care of your body will generally help you wake up without six alarms in the morning.
• Plan for the road conditions – if you see it’s about to snow in the weather forecast, think about leaving earlier the next morning.
• Tell yourself that your shift starts a half hour earlier than it does. Wouldn’t you rather have time to prepare for your day at work instead of rushing in and feeling overwhelmed? Vince Lombardi famously said, “If you are five minutes early, you are already ten minutes late”

2. Initiative

When you see something that needs to be done at work, do you automatically do it?

If not, you may not be taking enough initiative in the workplace. Managers love employees that do necessary tasks without being asked.

“It’s not in my job description” should absolutely be eliminated from your vocabulary, unless it puts your personal health or safety at risk. Superstar employees go above and beyond when they think no one is watching. However, a good employer is always watching and taking notice of their value. Unlike employees who only go above and beyond when they think they may benefit from the situation, these superstars have higher job security during slow times.

3. Intuition

Anticipating needs is an incredible form of intuition that makes the whole day more productive. An ace employee will foresee a future event and prepare for it. This could be setting out tools that you know you’ll use, or having the coffee ready when you know there’s an early meeting. Your preparation and your willingness to see your team’s needs before they do is going to make the day run smooth and make you stand out from the crowd.

So how can you improve your intuition? Here are some tips from an “ace” employee:

Challenge yourself when you start getting bored.

People quit their jobs because they get tired of the same routine. An easy way to create a fun and dynamic workplace is to create a job for yourself when you feel things are stagnant.

• See a void in the system? Think up a way you can increase efficiency
• Ask someone if you can help with their project
• Always get clearance from your manager before starting any additional projects, and make sure you can handle your regular obligations as well as your new responsibility

Knowledge is power!

A challenge most managers face is not having enough dynamic employees to be able to delegate tasks to. An employee that has experience in different areas is extremely valuable. A superstar staff is made of different people with different strengths – and there are ways to diversify your skillset.

• Check to see if there is a product knowledge course you can take to better familiarize yourself with the stock at your workplace. If not, a quick Google search could reveal lots of information you didn’t know- just make sure the source is credible
• Additional courses in your spare time can increase your skillset. Talk to your manager about furthering your education – you’d be surprised at the support some employers offer to employees that take the initiative to learn more about their industry. With that being said, take every course offered to you for free by the company (especially if it’s optional!). Some courses can seem boring or not related to your day-to-day, but you never know when that additional information can become useful
• Ask a colleague if they can show you how they perform a task. There is more than one way to do things. Although your way may work for you, you may learn something new.

Work ethic doesn’t come automatically. It has to be learned and developed through self-discipline. Following these tips will demonstrate to employer your strong work ethic and make your work day more enjoyable. Most importantly, it will show your employer how indispensable you are!

Executive Spa Group
(780) 604 2772
info@executivespagroup.com

ESG students learn proper skills and techniques by performing services on models to obtain experience and certification. You can now book online with our students!

Model Criteria

• No artificial nails
• No active infections

Before you book online

• Students are assigned to clients on a “first come, first served” basis. We do not schedule appointments with specific students. We believe the experience of interacting with new clients is crucial in our education experience.
• While we appreciate early birds, please arrive at your scheduled time.
• Late comers take away from the student’s learning experience, please arrive at your scheduled time.
• Any no-shows or appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours notice will result in the inability to book future appointments.
• Please do not bring anyone to the appointment with you.
• You may appear in photos or videos used for learning or publicity. Models will be asked to sign a Media Release form along with a Model Waiver.

Can children be models?

Parents can book children ages 12 or older as models for Manicures and Pedicures ONLY. Models must be 18+ for all other services.

All services provided by ESG students are free of charge, tips are not required but they are welcomed 🙂
Book Now

EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Career and Employment Centre
Alberta Beauty Industry

Cosmetology Choices: Understanding Options For Your Hairstyling License

Looking for the perfect career? If you:

• Are fueled by creativity
• Love the idea of socializing at work
• Want to help people feel better about themselves
• Like the idea of flexible hours and fun working environments

the Hairstylist occupation could be the right path for you! The Alberta Learning Information System has a great breakdown of this exciting career. Before you jump right in, you have two primary options to consider. In Alberta, Hairdressing is considered a Red Seal Journeyman Trade. This means higher standards in Alberta for Hairstylists. Certification is based on education and hours worked in the salon.

Option One: The Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship path will take you two years to complete. This includes a minimum of 1400 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training each year (20 weeks total). The benefit of this route is the cost effectiveness and the real life, hands on training.

Steps to obtaining your apprenticeship

1. Secure a job in a salon. This could be getting hired as a salon technician, receptionist, or retail specialist. Your supervisor should be a Journeyman Hairstylist to train you and confirm your hours worked. 2. After securing employment, you may apply to be a Registered Apprentice in Alberta. Once you have completed your application and pay the $35 registration fee, you may be issued an Apprenticeship Card and Blue Book (this is the record log in which your worked hours are tracked). As an Apprentice Hairstylist, you are able to buy product (no chemicals!) from salon distribution centers, and you are legally able to handle the tools of the trade. 3. Your on-the-job hours are divided into two twelve-month periods. During each period, you are expected to complete 1450 hours (this is 40 weeks based on 35 hours a week). 4. Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at DelMar College in Calgary and MC College in Edmonton.

• Your technical training is divided into Period One and Period Two. Both are 10 weeks in length (700 hours total). You may be eligible for financial benefits while in technical training. The average cost of tuition for both periods generally doesn’t exceed $2500. Tool kits would be available for learning purposes only, and it would be your responsibility to invest in your kit for your work experience.

5. Once your on-the-job training, technical training, and corresponding examinations (theory and technical exams for Period One and Two) are successfully completed, you are eligible to take the theory and technical exam for your Interprovincial Red Seal.

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Don’t forget about grants and loans available!

• Alberta Student Aid provides loans and grants to apprentices registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program with Apprenticeship and Industry Training who are attending an approved technical training program as a full-time student.
• The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money would be available to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages and to help support your family.
• The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices get started in the designated Red Seal trades.
• The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in the designated Red Seal trades.
• Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit for Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction . Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a skilled tradesperson.

We recommend you review the Hairstylist Apprenticeship and Industry Training Outline and the Hairstylist Exam Outline and the newest updated information for the Apprenticeship Program before you begin your journey.

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Option Two: Full Time Cosmetology Program

Although it is not necessary to attend a full-time program to enter the beauty industry, many cosmetology programs are available for you to enroll in in Alberta before you get a job in a salon. The advantage of this is that you have a wide selection of schools to choose from to ensure you receive the education you require. Full time programs are beneficial to those who feel they need to be trained before they enter the industry. Career training facilities, like full-time cosmetology schools, are independent, private institutions that are regulated by the Private Vocational Training Act. The cost of a full-time cosmetology program in Alberta ranges from $11,000 to $16,000, and generally includes a starter toolkit. These programs can take anywhere from 9 months to 1 year to complete, depending on the facility’s required hours – this is, on average, 1400 hours. The Alberta Apprenticeship Board, however, only requires 1,050 hours from an approved institution. An advantage of some cosmetology programs is the length of time spent in a learning environment as opposed to a working environment. Some participants find this beneficial as they feel they may need more time learning to feel comfortable before they start taking clients. The facility may also teach advanced techniques, outside of what the Apprenticeship Program deems necessary for licensing. Alberta Advanced Education has a great page on what to know before enrolling in a Private Vocational Training School. The Approved Technical Training Schools in Edmonton are: MC College CLI College Est-Elle Academy of Hair Design Eveline Charles Academy

Barbering is not a separate license in Alberta.

It is very important to know that Barbering is not a separate license in Alberta. Although there are training facilities specifically for barbering, you should be aware that a full Hairstylist Apprenticeship (including technical training) needs to be completed for licensing. There has been an important change to note regarding technical trade schools. Previously, on-the-job training hours were credited for completing a full-time hairstyling program at an approved school. As of September 1st 2018, on-the-job work experience credit will only be given on a case-by-case basis. This means that you are no longer granted 1400 hours from your training provider that can be used to lessen your time as an apprentice. Once technical schooling has completed, you still must register as an apprentice and complete 2800 on-the-job hours. READ MORE. Knowing your options will help you make an informed decision regarding your education. For more information on Hairstyling careers contact (780) 604 2772 #103. EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP Career and Employment Centre Alberta Beauty Industry

Enlightening your clients: The difference between store-bought and professional skincare

Selling skincare at work comes naturally when you are able to answer a client’s questions regarding the professional lines carried at your salon or spa. When you have the answers, your sales pitch can turn into a fun, fact-filled conversation.

Have you ever had a client ask you what the difference is between store-bought and professional skincare?

Walking up and down the skincare aisles of the drugstore can leave your clients’ head spinning with promises of “No More Wrinkles” or “The Best Acne Treatment” and my personal favourite, “The Best Anti-aging Cream”.

The fact is there is no one product on the market that can deliver on these claims alone, especially ones found at the drugstore.

Why?

Because to get results to actually back-up these claims clients need to use high quality products with an array of ingredients and these are not found on shelves.

They are found at spa’s, medi-spas and dermatologist offices. Places such as ‘Sephora’ and ‘Shopper’s Beauty Boutique’ are also a few good places to get good quality products.

Let’s take a deeper look at the difference between store-bought products versus professional skincare, so that we can educate our clients on the difference.

Ingredients and Dosages

The skincare market is a billion dollar industry which relies heavily on marketing to get people to pick their products over others. They usually do this is by using some of the catch phrases mentioned at the beginning of this article.

People who are not in the skincare industry, for example our clients, may not be able to verify if the ingredients have the ability to actually benefit their skin.
Additionally for safety reasons, store-bought products cannot have high amounts of active ingredients because they must be safe for the general public to pick off a shelf, without consultation with a professional. For this reason, drugstore products usually have low levels of active ingredients which may not, and more often, does not, live up to their promises.

On the other hand…

Professional products contain high amounts of active ingredients that can actually back-up the claims they promise.
They contain numerous active or as I like to call them “performance” ingredients such as antioxidants like Vitamin C, B, and Ferulic acid, acne fighting ingredients like Salicylic acid, Anti-Aging acids such as Glycolic acid and the best ingredient to fight aging… Retinol… just to name a few.

The reason professional products are not sold in stores is because of the science behind the products. People selling these products have to be properly trained on skin analysis, ingredients, and contraindications. They are expected to educate the client on how to use the products safely and recommend the appropriate products for their skin/ skin concerns.

In conclusion, when it comes to skincare the best thing to do is educate your clients on the differences between professional and store bought products, the price point may be a bit higher but if results are what your clients want; knowing what they need to use to get those results will usually out weigh any price concerns.

Shauna Jenkins
EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP