Community Over Competition in the Beauty Industry

​There are moments in this industry that remind you why you chose it in the first place. Our recent event was one of those moments for me. Not because of the treatments, the demos, or even the education, although all of that mattered. It was the energy in the room. The conversations. The way people showed up, not just physically, but emotionally. And what kept coming up for me over and over again was this: This industry thrives when we choose community over competition. But if we’re being honest, that’s not what most of us are taught.

​The Industry Teaches You to Compete

​When you first enter the beauty industry, there’s this underlying message:

• Protect what you know
• Don’t share too much
• Stay ahead of everyone else
• Watch what others are doing

 
And before you even realize it, you start looking at other estheticians as competition instead of connection.
 
I understand where that mindset comes from. This industry can feel saturated. Social media amplifies comparison. And when you’re building something of your own, it’s easy to feel like you have to hold on tightly to everything you’ve learned.
 
But here’s what I’ve learned over the years: That mindset will limit your growth far more than it protects it.

What Community Actually Does for You

​Community doesn’t just feel good. It changes the trajectory of your career. When you surround yourself with other providers who are learning, growing, and willing to share:

• You learn faster
• You avoid unnecessary mistakes
• You gain perspective you would never have on your own
• You build confidence through connection

 
At our event, I watched providers ask questions openly. I watched others step in and share their experiences. There was no hesitation. No gatekeeping. And that’s where real growth happens.

Community Over Competition Is a Choice

​This isn’t something that just happens. It’s something you choose.
 
It looks like:

• Answering a question instead of ignoring it
• Sharing what worked for you instead of keeping it to yourself
• Supporting someone who is just getting started
• Being open about your own learning process

 
And no, that doesn’t mean giving everything away or having no boundaries. It means recognizing that there is room for all of us, and there is only one version of you.

You Can’t Build Community While Worrying About Being Misunderstood

​There’s another piece of this that doesn’t get talked about enough. If you’re going to choose community, you also have to accept this: Not everyone is going to understand you. There will always be people who:

• Take what you say the wrong way
• Twist your words
• Assume your intentions instead of asking

 
And if you spend your time trying to fix that, explain yourself, or make everyone see you correctly… You will stay stuck.
 
I’ve experienced this more times than I can count over the years. There have been people who didn’t agree with me. People who were upset when I set a boundary. People who misunderstood something I said or how I said it. And for a moment, it can make you question yourself. But here’s what I’ve learned: You cannot be bothered with people who are committed to misunderstanding you.

What Actually Matters

​What matters is the energy you lead with. If you show up with:

• Integrity
• Honesty
• Care for people
• A genuine desire to help

 
That is what carries you.
 
Not every interaction will land perfectly. Not every relationship will stay aligned. But over time, something shifts. People come back around.
 
I’ve had moments in my career where relationships felt off, where there was tension or distance. And later, those same people have come back, we’ve had conversations, apologies have been made on both sides, and the energy has changed. Because at the end of the day: We’re human. We’re navigating business, growth, emotions, and communication all at the same time.

Community Requires Grace

If we’re going to talk about community, we also have to talk about grace. Grace for:

• Miscommunication
• Growth
• Boundaries
• Change

 
That doesn’t mean you allow everything. It doesn’t mean you don’t set boundaries. It means you don’t shut down or close yourself off the second something feels uncomfortable.

What Collaboration Actually Looks Like

“Community over competition” means nothing without action. Here are a few ways to actually live this out in your career:
 
 1. Refer Instead of Holding Everything 
 
You don’t have to be everything to every client.

• Don’t do lashes? Refer to someone who does
• Don’t specialize in acne? Send them to someone who does

 
Those referrals build trust and relationships that come back to you.
 
 2. Build a Small Circle 
 
Find a few people who are serious about growth.

• Share wins
• Share challenges
• Ask real questions

 
This industry can feel isolating. It doesn’t have to be.
 
 3. Show Up to Events and Conversations 
 
Get in the room. Not just to learn, but to:

• Connect
• Introduce yourself
• Build relationships

 
Opportunities don’t just come from skill. They come from proximity.
 
 4. Share What You’ve Learned 
 
You don’t have to know everything to be valuable. If you’ve learned something:

• Share what worked
• Share what didn’t
• Share what you would do differently

 
That’s how we all get better.

What This Event Meant to Me

​What meant the most to me wasn’t just that people showed up. It was how they showed up. There was openness. There was curiosity. There was support. There was a willingness to learn and to give at the same time.
 
And it reminded me that this industry doesn’t have to feel guarded or competitive. It can feel connected. It can feel collaborative. It can feel like a space where we genuinely want to see each other succeed.

Final Thought

​If you’re building your career in this industry, remember this: You don’t grow faster by isolating yourself. You grow faster by getting in the right rooms, having the right conversations, and being willing to both learn and contribute.
 
Community is not a weakness. It’s an advantage. And when you choose it, consistently, even when it’s imperfect… It will change everything.