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The author, Silvia Sanchez, graduated from the University of Alberta with a B.A. in Psychology and has over 15 years of experience in the career-consulting field.

waxing business,waxing career

Is waxing a lucrative business in Alberta, Canada?

waxing business,

Is waxing a profitable business?

Waxing can be a profitable business as long as most conditions required for success are met. These conditions include but are not limited to a high level of technical skill, an in-depth knowledge of health and safety factors, and a steady discipline and time commitment to growing your business.

Speed x Material

For waxing to be a lucrative specialty for a beauty professional, one must train in speed when delivering the service. Waxing is one of the few if not the only esthetics service where the client wants the appointment completed in a timely fashion. It goes without saying, the faster the service, the more clients you can see in one day.

Another way to measure efficiency is by not overusing material. Overuse is a common mistake made by new waxers. For example, spreading too much soft wax on an area may create challenges when pulling the resin strip off your client. So, not only is wax being wasted, the service does not flow as smoothly.

Which is the most lucrative waxing specialty?

Bikini waxing is probably the most lucrative specialty. This is because this relatively small area is valued at a higher price due to the intimate nature. In 2023, the average price of a female Brazilian wax in Edmonton, Alberta was $77. Bikini waxing specialists can deliver this service in a cool 15 minutes. Add a 15% tip to this total and you just made $89 in 15 minutes!

The trick is to fill your schedule with clients all day.

How do waxers get clients?

This is where that steady discipline and time commitment to growing your business comes in. Word-of-mouth is the best form of advertising because it always comes from a trusted source, plus, it’s free! However, new waxing businesses cannot rely solely on word-of-mouth advertising. Luckily, there are many free methods of advertising.

The most common free method these days is social media. All waxing businesses should be on as many platforms as possible to reach as many potential clients as possible. Remember, consistency is key in growing a following. In addition, creativity is important when developing ads to reach potential customers. Waxing specialists may face long term challenges when creating social media posts. After all, how much can you say about waxing after five to ten years?!

Do you need a license to wax in Alberta?

While you do not need a license to deliver waxing services in Alberta, industry training is recommended to ensure that you are meeting the Personal Services Regulations and Standards set forth by Alberta Health Services.


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Alberta Beauty Industry Resources
(780)604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com

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canada,cosmetic ingredient hotlist,cosmetic products,retail

Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist

cosmetic ingredient hotlist canada

Has this happened to you?

A prominent spa in Edmonton, Alberta reported an incident involving Environment and Climate Change Canada. According to the spa, they were visited earlier this year by two “Enforcement Officers”. The two officers arrived unannounced and in uniform demanding to do an impromptu inspection of the retail and back bar products being used and sold at the spa. More products were confiscated for “testing” purposes.

What constituted this search?

Months prior, officers from Environment and Climate Change Canada purchased a skincare product online from the spa in question. The product was an exfoliant developed by a manufacturer of a recognized skincare brand often found in medical spas and dermatology clinics throughout Canada.

Unbeknown to the spa, this particular exfoliant violated the Microbeads in Toiletries Regulations put in place in 2018. Plastic microbeads that are greater than or equal to 5mm in size are not permitted in Canada. However, so many years had gone by it did not occur to the spa managers that products available today containing microbleads would still be sold on the market.

“Had we been aware this exfoliant was harming the environment we would have discontinued selling it voluntarily.”

Spa representative

The penalties?

Small revenue corporations can face between a $75,000- $4,000,000 fine for a first offence. According to the spa, no warning or effort to contact them was made prior to the unannounced search.

The lesson?

Be aware of all the ingredients in the skincare/beauty products that you retail. Health Canada has an online resource called the Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist. This resource mentions all of the ingredients that are either restricted or prohibited for use in cosmetic products.

In conclusion, don’t rely on the manufacturer. Don’t rely on border patrol. Do your due diligence when purchasing your products, otherwise, you’ll be surprised when uniformed officers show up at your door!


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
(780)604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com

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alberta,apprenticeship,hairstylist,internationally trained hairstylist,trained abroad

Internationally Trained Hairstylists

internationally trained hairstylist

Dear executive spa group,

I worked as a Hairstylist in my home country for many years before coming to Canada. I enjoy working with hair and would love to continue to do so in Canada. I moved to Alberta 8 months ago. What are my options for working as a hairstylist in Canada using my previous training and experience from my home country?

Hope to hear back soon!

Lisa X.


Dear Lisa,

Individuals who have trained abroad in hairstyling and would like to work as Hairstylists in Alberta Canada have the following options:

PLA EXAM

Hairstyling is a government-regulated occupation in Alberta. In other words, a regulatory body exists (Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training) that provides options to help you achieve this goal.

One of the options provided are Prior Learning Assessments (PLA). According to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, these assessments include testing your level of knowledge and technical skill. To clarify, passing a PLA exam can help you gain entry into an apprenticeship program, or help place you in the appropriate place in your apprenticeship program.

As per Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, you can attempt a Previous Learning Assessment (PLA) exam if you successfully completed training that covers the same learning objectives as the apprenticeship education program, or if you have a minimum of one year experience in the trade.. 

Keep in mind this option will require you to provide proof of training so be ready to provide certificates/diplomas, or proof of work experience in the trade. Also, there are application and exam fees you must pay.

Steps to obtaining your apprenticeship

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.

After securing employment, you may apply to be a Registered Apprentice in Alberta. Once you have completed your application and pay the 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.

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).

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.

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.

List of References

Tradesecrets 2024, accessed 15 September 2024, <https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/learn-about-designated-trades>.


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

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canada,esthetician

How do I become an esthetician in Canada?

how do i become an esthetician in canada

The path you must take to become an esthetician in Canada depends on the province you live/plan to live in.

Regulated provinces

Certification standards to work as an esthetician in Canada differ from province to province. Some provinces have regulation trade requirements, for example:

  • Saskatchewan divides their esthetic regulations between Nail Technicians and Skin Care specialists, also through an apprenticeship and trade certification commission.
  • New Brunswick regulates Estheticians. 
  • Manitoba regulates their Electrologists and Estheticians through Apprenticeship Manitoba

Training and on-the-job hours may transfer to a regulated province if you meet their individual criteria. If you are moving outside of a regulated province, your training and certification will be appealing to employers in a province that does not have these requirements. 

International Training

If you completed your esthetics training abroad, you may be able to use your education to work as an esthetician in Canada. This depends on whether the province you live in is regulated. However, we strongly recommend studying your province’s health and safety regulations in order to align your skills with Canadian safety and infection control guidelines.

Estheticians moving to Alberta can review Alberta Health Services’ Personal Services Regulations and Standards to learn more.

Type of Employment

Finally, there are two ways to become an esthetician in Canada in an unregulated province. Some employers may choose to train on the job. Many estheticians have started with training in one service, for example, waxing. As they gain practice and clientele, they build on their technical skills until they can offer a full service menu. In fact, because Alberta is an unregulated province when it comes to esthetics, many estheticians have been able to build successful businesses in this manner.

If your province is regulated, you can legally work as an esthetician in Canada after meeting expected training and hours.


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alberta,doing nails from home,nail certificate,nail technician,wrking from home

Do you need a certificate to do nails in Alberta?

do you need a certificate to do nails in Alberta

Minimum education required to work as a Nail Tech

While there is no official certification required, most nail salons require a new hire to have training. In addition, professional tools and supplies are sold by distributors who require proof of training to sell products. Distributors do not sell to the public.

Furthermore, Nail Technicians- like all other beauty service providers- must follow Alberta Health Standards and Regulations. The elimination of transmission of diseases is of utmost importance when delivering these services professionally. In other words, offering manicures and pedicures is about more than beautifying nails, it’s about hand, nail, and foot health. Good training courses review contraindications, infection control, and safety protocols.

On the other hand, if you plan to be self-employed you will require a business license.

Home Business License

While you do not need to be certified to work from home as a Nail Technician in Alberta, you do require a home business license. These are granted municipally. In other words, you have to apply for a home business license through your city. This isn’t always a quick process, so give yourself at least 3 months for your application to be processed post submittal.


EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP
Beauty Industry Resource Centre
(780) 604-2772
info@executivespagroup.com

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Executive Spa Group

info@executivespagroup.com
(780) 604-2772
executivespagroup.com
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