Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Reynolds.
Tina, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started my journey in hair removal as a client in the early 90s. I was fascinated by it and may have always been a little OCD about cleanliness and organization and hair. Why else would I feel the need to permanently remove my underarm hair? At this time, I was working in film production and continued doing that until 2001. Then in an abrupt turnaround, I decided to become an electrologist and start my own business. I wanted to do something that helped people but also was less stressful than the entertainment industry. As crazy as it sounded, it was the perfect fit for me. Though I still have “emergency” hair removal calls, it has been the best decision I have made. I became involved with the Electrologists’ Association of California serving on the board in various positions. I am now currently the President of the Southern Chapter. And I enjoy removing hair just as much today as I did 14 years ago. It’s an unusual career but I love it.
Has it been a smooth road?
In the beginning, there is always a learning curve. Not only with removing various types of hair on various types of skin, but also knowing how to run a small business in a very competitive city such as Los Angeles. I left the entertainment industry thinking I would have more control of my schedule, but in all honestly, I have never worked harder in my life! But it is on my terms and I guess I just have that kind of personality where I get involved in what interests me. In addition to running Zap! and working there as an electrologist and esthetician, I am very involved with the Electrologists’ Association of California and attend Board of Directors meetings for the national organization The American Electro Logy Association. And in my “spare” time I rescue and re-home cats and dogs. I guess the main challenge is work/life balance.
So, let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Zap! Electrolysis & Skin Care story. Tell us more about the business.
I started Zap! Electrolysis and Skin Care in a single room offering 7 days a week appointment. I would come in whenever someone needed their hair removed. After a few years, I hired an additional electrologist and now 14 years later we have 6 electrologists and 2 Estheticians offering their services. And we are still open 7 days a week, but now I get a couple days off. I am also a licensed esthetician, but my expertise is really in electro logy as I have many more years of experience in that arena. Hopefully, in another 10 years, I will be equally adept on both levels.
We pride ourselves on being extremely honest, clean, efficient, and giving the best customer service possible. We have wonderful relationships with our clients. They are almost like family or friends that we get together with to chat. The services are almost a sidebar. When you are doing a service that isn’t always the most pleasant, it’s a testament to our staff when people tell us they look forward to coming in. Electrolysis is our core service and always will be. But in the process, we see the clients skin and can recommend what would make them look even better once we’ve permanently removed the unwanted hair. Every electrologist working for me used to be an electrolysis client so they really can relate to being on the other side of the needle. And I promise it is not as scary and painful as it sounds.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
Electrolysis has been around for 141 years, which sounds incredulous. There have been many advances in technology and products related to electrolysis, but the heart of the procedure remains the same. Skin Care, on the other hand, is really advancing at a rapid pace. Not only with technology and equipment (micro current, micro needling, new and improved lasers) but also with ingredients such as serums and antioxidants. I see a shift in clients wanting more natural and organic products. Essential oils are increasing in popularity. We have more pollution and external stressors to deal with. Even our food is aging us (sugar and glycation decreases collagen). I hope that we will see a shift come where the collective we take better care of ourselves and use a less is more approach. Prevention is easier than reconstruction. And we should learn to accept graceful aging because it is going to happen to all of us. I do want to look as good as I can, and I am about learning how to do that and then passing that info on to my staff and clients.
Contact Info:
- Address: Zap! Electrolysis & Skin Care
1756 Westwood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90024 - Website: www.zapahair.com
- Phone: 310.474.4787
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZapElectrolysisSkinCare/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zapelectrolysis
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/zap-electrolysis-and-skin-care-los-angeles
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