Advertise on podcast: Esthetician Unlocked

Your spa business should not collapse the second you need a day off. Unfortunately, many do. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Daniela Woerner, Founder and CEO of Addo Aesthetics, to talk about the operational chaos hiding behind so many successful-looking beauty businesses. Daniela reveals why spa and salon owners keep running six and seven-figure businesses from memory, what an AI employee actually means, why systems protect the client experience and why “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” might be the most important business filter you ever use.

A brush is not just a brush. And if you can buy 50 of them for $10, Anisa Telwar Kaicker has questions for you beyond just the brushes. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Anisa, Founder and CEO of Anisa International, to talk about what it takes to build a global empire. She gets into the importance of cosmetic brush quality, ethical manufacturing, leadership evolution, philanthropy and why beauty professionals need to understand the tools they put in their hands. Anisa also reveals how a chance opportunity became a global beauty business, why quality beats cheap volume and why sometimes the smartest move is walking away from something good so you can protect what matters most.

Beauty marketing loves a shiny ingredient. Krupa Koestline loves a formula that actually makes sense. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Krupa Koestline, award-winning cosmetic chemist and founder of KKT Innovation Labs, to talk about clean beauty, custom formulation, biotech ingredients, what melanated skin really needs, exosomes, salmon sperm and why skincare brands need to stop pretending one product can do everything. Krupa brings the science without the scare tactics, the skepticism without the snobbery and a very clear reminder: ingredients need context.

Skincare is not the cute little add-on at checkout. It is the foundation of the client relationship, the result, and the margin play. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Kathy Walton, CEO and Founder of Inspira Skin, to talk about her 25 years in aesthetics, private label skincare, client education, TikTok trends and why slapping your logo on a bottle does not magically build a brand. Kathy gets into why providers need to stop thinking in one-off treatments and start building complete client journeys that include skincare, education, trust and a real plan.

Trends, client orders, and the latest machines didn’t build Candace Marino’s reputation. Her hands-on authority did. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Candace Marino, founder of The LA Facialist in Beverly Hills, to talk about building a skincare business on authority, customization, retail and actual hands-on skill. Candace gets into why she walked away from HydraFacial, why clients need what their skin requires (not just what they ask for) and what building true expertise outside of Instagram posts actually takes.

The beauty industry has spent years selling bigger and stronger everything - higher concentrations, more actives and “better” results. But Dr. Tiina Meder asks: at what cost? In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Dr. Tiina Meder, dermatologist, cosmetic safety expert and founder of Meder Beauty, to unpack the microbiome, the rise of sensitive skin, the overuse of retinol and why safe skincare is not “less advanced” skincare. Tiina gets into peptides, probiotics, barrier health, brand education, the gut-skin-brain axis and why estheticians need to stop confusing aggressive with effective.

Chemical peels, dermaplaning, microneedling, devices, treatment stacking - the esthetics industry has never had more tools. But more tools never made a better practitioner. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Lyn Ross, founder of Institut’ DERMed, to talk about the science, discipline and emotional intelligence that has driven her skincare practice for over 4 decades. Lyn gets into the product knowledge estheticians cannot afford to fake, why unconditioned skin should not be pushed into aggressive treatments and why the healing power of touch still matters in a device-obsessed industry.

A lot of estheticians are taught how to treat skin. Not nearly enough are taught how to run a business that survives. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with Crystal Ngozi Ochemba, founder and lead esthetician of Crystal Ngozi Beauty and Esthetics, to talk about building a real, profitable, and purpose-led practice. From niching down in skin of color to pricing with confidence, preselling services, protecting cash flow, and leading with education instead of equipment flexes, Crystal shares the kind of advice estheticians usually have to learn the hard way. This episode serves as a much-needed reminder that nothing can save a bad beauty business - not even the most expensive lasers in town.

You’d think safe and skillful treatment of melanin-rich skin would be a thing by now. But unfortunately, the aesthetics industry continues to fall short. In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, host Elaine Sterling sits down with JoElle Lee, a powerhouse in medical aesthetics with nearly three decades of experience, to discuss why treating melanin-rich skin safely and skillfully is not just a specialty - it's a moral and professional imperative. From launching the Skin of Color Global Institute to addressing systemic gaps in esthetics education, JoElle shares battle-tested protocols, myth-busting insights and her candid view of how the industry needs to change.

Welcome to Esthetician Unlocked, hosted by Elaine Sterling. You're now entering the podcast for navigating the fast-paced world of beauty trends. Through practical, expert-led conversations, we help you sift through the TikTok trends, Instagram reels and influencer recommendation to find what really works. Whether you’re a beauty newbie or a seasoned enthusiast, we’ll equip you with practical tips, honest reviews and the knowledge to make informed choices for your beauty journey. Tune in for fresh perspectives, myth-busting insights and everything you need to keep your beauty routine on point in this ever-evolving world! Subscribe now :)

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, we sit down with Quinise Arnold to talk about her business journey, the story behind her name inspired by Maya Angelou, and the latest nail beauty trends. We also play a fun round of Beauty or Baloney where Quinise puts her nail expertise to the test. Quinise Arnold is a multidisciplinary creative and business strategist who leads with presence and purpose. As the owner of Conceit Nail and Beauty Studios, a licensed Realtor, and an awa...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, we sit down with Cheron Hamner master stylist, beauty entrepreneur, and motivational leader. From her beginnings as an Atlanta stylist to building a seven-figure salon business, Cheron shares her powerful story of resilience, transformation, and success. Our conversation explores her journey to Atlanta, the role of hypnotherapy and personal development in her growth, and her unique perspective on hair trends and the evolving beauty ind...

Send us Fan Mail In this fun and candid episode, Elaine sits down with our brand-new Director of Student Services, Mr. Erik Maney, to give listeners the inside scoop on the man behind the title. From his approach to balancing work and life, to his love of music and the gym, to navigating dating and building authentic connections Erik opens up about who he is beyond the office. To top it off, Erik and Elaine play a round of Two Truths and a Lie that you don’t want to miss! This episode is all ...

Send us Fan Mail Elevating Beauty Through Vision with Jacie Eber In this episode of Esthetician Unlocked, Elaine sits down with Jacie Eber, Health and Beauty Manager at Designs for Vision, to explore how her work is transforming the way beauty professionals see and feel on the job. With a background in the medical field, Jacie shares how she’s helping estheticians reduce pain and improve posture all while enhancing their vision. The conversation also dives into fun topics like sports, favori...

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring episode of Healing Skin, Shaping Futures, we sit down with Kelly Wolcott, LE, CIDESCO Diplomatan advanced esthetics educator, international judge, and industry trailblazer. With over 25 years of experience, Kelly shares her journey from hands-on corrective skincare to empowering professionals through education, mentorship, and leadership in The Skin Games. Tune in for a conversation about skin, growth, and the future of esthetics.