Meet the Esthetician: Martha Hoffman

Martha Hoffman knows the world of beauty. She is currently the Director of Education at the International Academy, College of Hair and Aesthetics, in Tempe, Arizona. She holds the coveted CIDESCO diploma, the most prestigious qualification in the profession. In addition, Hoffman writes for Salon Plus Magazine and the Spanish newspaper Prensa Hispana.

Here, Martha Hoffman talks about how she got started, earned her esthetician license, and worked her way up to the highest diploma the beauty industry has to offer.

Esthetician Schools: Hard Work Pays Off

Q. What was your background prior to becoming an esthetician?

A. I came from Colombia, South America. I didn't speak English, but I knew how to do nails, and I kept my own looking good. Soon I realized I could have a career doing nails for other people. I built up a nice following and opened a business with the intention of becoming a day spa. I hired an esthetician who had great knowledge of products, but about six months later, she opened a business just down the street from mine and took my clients with her!

Q. Is that where esthetician schools came into play?

A. I had to go to school and become an esthetician because it was the more profitable way. I drove into Boston every day and attended class until I got my 300 hours and worked on my license for two years. I started out competing against the woman who had taken my clientele, and that really pulled me toward being the best I could possibly be.

Q. What inspired you to become an instructor?

A. When I arrived in Arizona after doing nails and managing a spa for 14 years, I decided to do something different and went into sales. I represented a prestigious line for five years. When I realized I wanted to teach, I put myself through school, worked hard, and studied hard. Once I got the CIDESCO diploma, I was offered the director's position for the school.

Q. What was the most challenging part of your career path?

A. The language barrier was an incredible thing for me to overcome. I had to study so hard in order to overcome that. Now I expect students to put their everything into anything they do. I know they can overcome because I did it, and so can they.

Careers with An Advanced Esthetician License

Q. What is your typical beauty school day like?

A. Every day is something different. I manage four instructors and their programs and make sure the students are up to date in the latest techniques and advances in the field. As soon as we finish for the day, I make sure everything is in order, sanitized, and organized.

Q. What is your favorite part of the job?

A. I would give someone a facial and think, I can't believe they are paying me to do this! It was so much fun. I could work for hours and hours and not feel tired. It was a good kind of stress.

Q. What was your smartest career move?

A. Opening my business. That was my hands-on university. It was learning how to handle people, vendors, landlords, and difficult clients. It was hard, but I think that was the best thing for me because it shaped me as a businesswoman. It gave me the wisdom to experience the things I am doing today.

Q. What is the next big thing?

A. The medical field is taking over. Clients don't want to sit down and have facials for beautiful skin. They want to be able to walk into a place and have facials that will remove all the wrinkles and lines. They want to have a few injections and you're done.

Q. What kind of advice would you give someone considering cosmetology school?

A. You have to be very passionate about what you do, and you have to be willing to help people deal with their issues. You will meet people who have problems with not only their skin, but problems with other things, like money and divorce and relationships. You are delivering something that will make them feel better both inside and out. So being in this profession is emotionally rewarding, but you can make lots and lots of money while doing it. I love my profession very much and I have so much fun with it. Every day is completely different. I hope to keep doing it for as long as I can.