Graduate Story - Krystal Lang
Our 2015 graduate, Krystal Lang, recently opened her now thriving business, Skin Envy Aesthetics based in Lismore.
Krystal grew up in a rural town 130km away from The French, at the age of 19 she knew distance wasn’t going to stop her from pursuing her dream career. Following on from her graduation of the Diploma in Beauty Therapy and Screen Media at The French, she had built valuable industry connections, enabling her to get a foot in the door securing a job at Laser Skin Centre where she blossomed.
Krystal’s story sheds a light on the challenge of building a career in a rural location. Her resilience is what has led her to success and her now thriving business, Skin Envy Aesthetics, which she opened early 2022. Krystal mentions that you can do ‘anything or go anywhere as long as you are willing to put your mind to it and do the hard yards’, as she has.
What motivated you to pursue a career in beauty therapy?
I wanted to have a career that was filled with passion, and empowerment while also being fulfilling and rewarding. I didn’t want to settle for anything less than what I deserved. I wanted to be able to fill my cup up without relying on others and the fear of failure. I knew having a career would tick all these boxes for me but finding something that would be reciprocated both ways was a challenge until I met with the student coordinator for the French. The fact I could make someone feel confident and enjoy that process while on a journey with a client is the biggest reward someone could ask for.
What was your main motivation for studying at the French?
I was 19 at the time of starting my studies at the French and I knew if I wanted to be taken seriously with endless opportunities I needed to find a college that was able to provide endless opportunities for growth. At the time the French were 130km one way from where I lived but I knew to have a successful long-term career distance didn’t matter.
What was your favourite part about studying at the French? How would you describe your experience from the day you started at orientation?
From day one when you stepped in the doors, there was always a sense of warmth and welcoming from not only other students but educators as well. For me personally, it was important that I studied somewhere with educators that were just as passionate as you are to guide you on your newfound career journey. I would say however it is hard to pinpoint exactly my favourite part, but apart from the learning aspect, it would be feeling like you are part of a community. You felt as though you were a part of something bigger and regardless of your cohort, everyone was genuine and helpful as if they were on the same journey as you.
How did the French help prepare you for life as a professional beauty therapist?
The French taught me a lot of valuable lessons and skills but the most important was to keep pursuing even once you have graduated. There are so many endless possibilities and opportunities within the beauty/ dermal industry. The French helped prepare me by helping me understand what my driving force was and their teaching philosophies helped me stand out within the industry.
Did you have a favourite teacher / subject at the french? Why?
My Favourite subject and still is to this day is skin biology and laser physics. I love the science and research behind it, especially since my field of work is mainly skin and laser. My skin educator at the time was Renee Sheane Smith and I still have an amazing relationship with her to this day. I love that we both share the same passion for the industry we love.
What is the best advice you received from your study at the French?
Know your worth and don’t settle for anything less. Every opportunity you have is an extra step towards your goals even if it doesn’t feel right in the moment.
How easy was it for you to gain work after graduating? Tell me about your first career ‘break’?
I was actually lucky enough to obtain a job after I did my work experience while still studying however my first career break into skin and laser was when I applied for a job that didn’t exist yet. Laser Skin Centre in Varsity had maybe only been open for maybe 6 months when I sent my resume and email detailing what I was looking for. Alessandra the owner also knew Renee through industry connections and that’s where I really began to blossom into my passion. Working at Laser Skin Centre gave me so many valuable lessons and opportunities I never knew existed and they are something I still hold on to this day.
The Future of Beauty
What elements of your study allowed you to obtain your new job? Were there any specific skills that you learned from your time at the French that you then highlighted in order to be hired?
Studying at the French gave me the fuel to my fire to pursue my passion. I think it’s important with any aspect to ensure you do it for the right reasons.
How are the French graduates perceived out in the industry?
The French are known well for their outstanding first-class learning and the ability to adapt to our ever-changing industry which makes students also ready for anything.
What do you most enjoy about your new job? Has there been a memorable moment since you graduated?
I have had so many career highlights over the years it’s extremely hard to pinpoint the most memorable but if I had to choose it would be signing my contract with Cutera to own my very own Picosecond Enlighten Laser. I never thought it was possible to achieve so early on in my business but I worked hard to make it happen.
Describe a day in the life of you on a working day?
My typical work day begins with a coffee while reviewing client files before the day begins. I always go in with a plan and goal outcome for most clients. I book mostly back-to-back with a 20 min allocation most days to check stock levels and do ordering if required. Each day can vary depending on what clients I am seeing but I love the mixture of laser, facial and body contouring treatments.
Why is it so exciting to work in the beauty industry right now?
The industry is constantly changing with medical aesthetics leading the way with so much data and research. There is so much to constantly learn and that helps shape anyone as a therapist. The education is right at our fingertips even post-graduation.
What advice would you give to students who are wanting to pursue a career in beauty therapy?
The sky is your limit and you can achieve anything or go anywhere as long as you are willing to put your mind to it and do the hard yards. Studying at the French has given me so much confidence and with the ability to learn in a state-of-the-art facility compared to traditional learning methods, you’re already a step ahead in your career.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS WHO ARE WANTING TO STUDY A BEAUTY THERAPY DIPLOMA AT THE FRENCH BEAUTY ACADEMY?
The sky is your limit and you can achieve anything or go anywhere as long as you are willing to put your mind to it and do the hard yards. Studying at the French has given me so much confidence and with the ability to learn in a state-of-the-art facility compared to traditional learning methods, you’re already a step ahead in your career.
MY SIGNATURE BEAUTY GO TOS…
Scent: Giorgio Armani Si
Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury pillow talk
Book: Good Life, Good Vibes by Vex King
Blog: Anything health and science related
THE FRENCH EDIT…
City: Melbourne
Beauty Muse: I believe in being your own beauty muse. We all have the potential to be beautiful in our own unique way
Drink: Coffee
Song: Daylight by David Kushner
Quote: “Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.”
“Skin Envy Aesthetics was born on a dream I had that
I never thought was possible and 12 months on we
are thriving and growing as each month goes by. ”
- Krystal Lang
Why did you decide to start your own business? Can you tell us a bit about your journey?
I Launched Skin Envy Aesthetics in April 2022 and I haven’t looked back since. After moving back to the northern rivers I struggled to find somewhere I could still pursue my career and grow as a therapist as rural locations don’t typically offer advanced services or treatments which are my specialty. I wanted to have a business that was innovative with technology but also still stayed up to date with all the latest trends all within a clinical environment with a bespoke element. I love the result-driven aspect but still reach for my spa hands to really give my clients an experience they haven’t had before. Skin Envy Aesthetics was born on a dream I had that I never thought was possible and 12 months on we are thriving and growing as each month goes by.
What were the first few steps you took to set up the business?
In all honesty, I really didn’t know what to expect or what I was doing running a business of my own as it was somewhat new territory for me but I had this idea in my head of what my end goal was and slowly started planning small goals to help me reach my target. I ultimately wanted my business to provide services that my rural location was lacking in many aspects. Planning is one of the key elements to running a successful business I believe and will ultimately help you grow and learn how to adapt your business depending on your location and ideal clients.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting your business, and how did you overcome them?
Running any type of business will always present challenges and I like to believe I can do everything myself which eventually is not healthy so I have learnt to outsource a lot of things, especially administration work so I can spend time focusing on the business and clients to ensure I provide the best service for them.
What did you learn during your time at The French that helped prepare you when starting your business or during the course of your business journey?
The biggest thing I have taken away from the French when it comes to running my business is being resilient. There will always be good times and bad times however, your actions will determine the outcome.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and where do you see yourself in five years?
I have some extremely ambitious goals over the next few months to 2-3 years. My business is flourishing and I’m always looking for ways to upskill and grow. With the business, I plan on branching out into mentoring and education to help other industry members to continue to grow who share the same love and passion for advanced dermal education and laser. Eventually, my business will see clients and students to help them both reach their goals and help me teach women the best way to navigate their career paths.
If you had just 1 piece of advice for our Frenchies who are wanting to start their own business, what would it be?
Don’t forget to reach out and ask for help. Opening a business is such an amazing opportunity and there are so many helpful people out there willing to give advice or point you in the right direction. Having a second opinion sometimes can really help you look at things from a different perspective not only clinically but from a business perspective as well.
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