Ep. 132: Social Media Sales With Savanna Boda, The Dallas Esthetician
The key to your success is honesty.
That's honesty with yourself, honesty with your customers, and honesty in your marketing. That can sound scary to a lot of people. A lot of us grow up thinking that we have to hide parts of ourselves to be accepted or to feel like we belong.
Savanna Boda, the beautiful and talented Dallas Esthetician, has experienced a lifetime of hiding and minimizing herself for the sake of others. But when she learned to be honest with herself and honest in her social media - when she started to show up as who she TRULY is and not who she feels she needs to be - well, the girl's 23, and she's already experienced massive success in such a short time.
I love Savanna. I feel like we're twins. I mean just look at our IG accounts! She's a girl after my own heart, truly. That's why I wanted to have her on my podcast - because I know you're going to LOVE her. She gives a lot of really good insight on social media sales, how to honestly market yourself, and how to run a business that really aligns with who you are. Her boyfriend always calls her the smartest stupidest person he knows. She's incredibly smart, well beyond her years, but she knows her weaknesses. And that's what's really important. So let's get into it because, sister friend, I know you're gonna love this.
Here are the episode highlights:
‣‣ [02:57] First, let's talk really quickly about something I want you to have in mind as you listen to the rest of the podcast. It's my idea that social media sales and marketing is JUST like dating.
‣‣ [08:57] Savanna starts to give us some insight into her personality here, what she was like growing up, feeling the pressure to minimize herself, learning to embrace who she is, and opening herself up to being vulnerable on social media.
‣‣ [14:17] The two of us have a lot in common, including how we made ourselves smaller to fit in. While I found PMU that gave me a sense of belonging and purpose, Savanna found skincare.
‣‣ [18:00] I want to really dig into why Savanna's so successful because she's only 23 and has really achieved massive success in a very short time. I think it has a lot to do with her online presence and how markets herself on social media.
‣‣ [23:49] Here's the key to achieving success: you have to find what you're good at. Not just in your career but in the way that you market it, the way you nurture your audience, the way that you sell. Savanna gives some really great advice on that here.
‣‣ [38:53] My advice is always to invest in your business. Always always. When you get money in, put it back into your business. That is the best way to ensure that your business really takes off.
‣‣ [43:16] A lot of businesses don't want to be honest. They don't want to be honest about their skill level, the services they can really provide, their quality, because they want to make more money. But Savanna has a different approach - one that I really agree with. And it's that honesty and openness help your success.
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Savanna is incredible! A kindred spirit, obviously, but she's just so bright and smart. And her honesty is SO refreshing! If you're not already following her then you can find her on Instagram right here!
You can follow me, Sheila Bella, on Instagram @realsheilabella!
Here are the links that were mentioned in the podcast!
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You can enjoy a transcript of the podcast here.
Sheila Bella:
Savanna Boda, The Dallas Aesthetician. Yes, The Dallas Aesthetician has 133,000 followers on Instagram. And she is in her early, early, early 20s. She is a social media marketing genius. Today, I pick her brain on how she built her empire through Instagram, right here on Pretty Rich podcast. Welcome to Pretty Rich podcast, where you're totally the heroine of your own story.
I'm your host, Sheila Bella, and I built a seven-figure PMU beauty biz, and a seven-figure online biz without a degree, without a fancy website, or a sugar daddy. And if you and I hang out on here long enough, you're going to start to believe that you can do it too. How about that for a side effect of listening to this podcast? Because you really can.
I know you think I don't know you. I have no idea who you are, but I do. I really, really do. Because I am you. I was you. And I believe we are all on the same journey together. My perfect job didn't exist. So, I created it. The job I wanted wasn't hiring me, wanted nothing to do with me. So, I skipped the line, and I hired myself as CEO, just like you can.
So, consider me your secret beauty biz BFF. In case you need to be reminded on a weekly basis, that power is never just handed to you, you have to take it. Are you ready beauty boss? Let's jump in. What up friends? Welcome to another amazing episode of Pretty Rich podcast. Okay. So, before I begin, I want to remind you that if you leave a five-star review on iTunes, you get a chance to win any of my courses on beauty business marketing.
Any courses on sheilabella.com, and all you need to do is leave a review, screenshot it, post it on Instagram, and tag me. I will choose a winner at the end of every month. Okay. So, I had an amazing Instagram Live with Savanna Boda. Guys, she is incredible. I'm so excited for you guys to get to know her, get to love her, get to adore her as much as I do. We have so much in common.
I think her words when she saw my Instagram for the first time was like, "Are we twins?" We are like the same exact person. If you like me, you're going to love her. She is a social media marketing genius. And we share a lot of the same philosophies when it comes to social media marketing. So, if you're in the beauty industry, if you want to blow up like she did on Instagram, you got to keep listening.
So, listen, I think that social media sales is a lot like dating. This is a weird analogy. I remember clearly when I was single, and when I was dating a lot that all guys, all guys would say something to the effect of I like a good sense of humor. I think I have a good sense of humor. My family says that I have a good sense of humor. But they never made me laugh.
And the whole time I thought to myself, stop talking about your traits. Stop telling me the features. Show me. Don't just tell me how funny you are, let me decide that. Make me laugh. So, what does that, what does dating have in common with social media sales? And I think it's plenty. Okay. Listen, it cost $0.00 to post on social media.
Don't expect customers to buy your product, or ask for you to perform a service on them if you never demonstrated your expertise, okay? The same thing happens when people tell me that they want to be a speaker, or they want to be an author. So, if you want to be invited to speak on people's stages, you have to start speaking. You have to start speaking for free through your social media platform.
That's how it started for me. It's just podcasting. Nobody would give me a stage. So, I didn't want to wait until somebody would give me a stage. I just gave myself one. I think it's my attitude when it comes to a lot of things is that, like the intro of this podcast is that the job I wanted didn't exist and nobody would hire me. So, I just skip the line and hired myself as CEO. I created the job that I wanted.
I hired myself. Don't expect people to ask you to be a speaker at their event, or their virtual summit even, if you've never given a sample speech. If you can't find a single example of you speaking on your Instagram page or YouTube. Don't expect students to sign up for your training if they've never learned anything from you for free.
Don't expect clients to book a permanent makeup brow appointment from you, or have you perform a service, or a lash service if you've never shown them what you can do. If you're not using social media to give people a taste of your talents, don't expect anyone to know about them. And definitely don't expect them to pay you for it. So, when it comes to social media, demonstrate.
You got to demonstrate what you can do. If you want to be a teacher, educate. If you want to be a motivational speaker, inspire. If you want to be an entertainer, entertain. And don't forget to show social proof. Do all of these things before asking for the booking, asking for the business, asking for the referral. You got to show value first. And that's exactly what Savanna Boda is so good at.
Go check her out, you guys at The Dallas Aesthetician on Instagram. All of her links are in the show notes. And I know by the time this interview is over, you guys are going to be just as obsessed as I am. All right, here she is, The Dallas Aesthetician, Savanna Boda. Now live. Oh, my goodness, you guys. I'm so excited for today's surprise. Live surprise live. I'm going to just check my sound.
Guys, I have the most incredible conversation about to happen for you today. You guys don't even know. You don't even know. I have the one and only Savanna Boda, The Dallas Aesthetician joining me here today. And we are going to be chatting all about social media sales. Savanna [Beckon 00:07:18] Boda, so excited. I'm going to go ahead and bring her on because I don't want to... okay, I don't want to waste any time here. Here we go. Hang on. We're live at The Dallas Aesthetician, and drumroll please.
Savanna Boda:
Hi, how are you?
Sheila Bella:
Hi. Oh gosh.
Savanna Boda:
We're all roughed off today. I know.
Sheila Bella:
I just cropped myself out. Oh my gosh. Hi, what's up, babe?
Savanna Boda:
I'm doing so good. How are you?
Sheila Bella:
Great. Your skin looks amazing.
Savanna Boda:
Oh, you're so sweet. Thank you. I just had a chemical peel. So, I'm like on day six. So, the last little rounds of flakes are about to be gone. So, I'm excited.
Sheila Bella:
I love that you show up on social media, both with makeup and without.
Savanna Boda:
Yes.
Sheila Bella:
You're like I'm in the middle of a peel. Is that okay? I'm like, bring it. You're The Dallas Aesthetician. I want to know all about this peel, and how I could look like that.
Savanna Boda:
Thank you so much. And I literally just found your account probably about six months ago. And it's so funny because I was like she's literally me, but in the PMU world. It's so funny.
Sheila Bella:
I know. I think we messaged each other and we're like, "Are we the same person?"
Savanna Boda:
Yes, we are, definitely.
Sheila Bella:
So, guys, if this is your first time seeing Savanna's account, your people, I'm sure would love my account, and vice versa.
Savanna Boda:
No, definitely, we're pretty much identical with our verbiage. And personality is wild.
Sheila Bella:
Okay. So, let's get to that personality. So, I think for some people, they might think you're too young, too blonde, you're too much because you're too comfortable with yourself, you curse too much. And that's off putting. And I get those same exact criticisms, minus the young part, minus the young part. But anyway, bring it.
But here's the thing, the same things that are off putting about you are also the same things that others might feel it's magical about you. I love that you're too blonde. I love that you curse a lot, and I love how comfortable you are with yourself. And I think at 23 years old, oh my gosh, you are eons ahead. Yeah. How do you feel about that?
Savanna Boda:
So, I always say this on my people either fucking love me or they fucking hate me. And that's just kind of-
Sheila Bella:
Yes.
Savanna Boda:
So, you either love me or you don't. I'm a lot to handle. I am very open. I'm very honest. And I spent most of my life I'm basically minimizing my personality. I was told for me, I wouldn't go far because I talked too much. I was always the kid, a blown ballet class for climbing the walls. I was put on ADHD medication when I was four years old.
So, my entire life, I've been told to minimize myself, and not be the center of attention, and not to put a target on my back, and that I was just too much. And I was depressed all those years, not when I was four. But once I started to realize, I was so sad, and I didn't know who I was, because I wasn't being Savanna. And I was taking medication to make me not Savanna and not be happy [inaudible 00:10:39], have all these creative ideas.
And I've never been a very conventional person. I've never been the super book smart, study girl. I've had a tough time only for being 23 years old. So, I think once I decided I was just going to be who I am. And if people liked it, they liked it. If they didn't, they didn't. And people started to love it. That's really, a lot of people think it was my content, my charts, and that thing that helped me grow my Instagram following, but I really feel, of course, that helped.
But they wouldn't have stayed on my page if I wasn't as raw, and open, and [inaudible 00:11:16] Savanna at all times. I would look at these accounts, and I would see what other people were doing. And it just seems so monetized, and it seems so just very robotic, and just not natural, and not that made me feel depressed because I'm like, "They're so perfect, with their little golden Doodle and their fucking avocado toast, and their morning [inaudible 00:11:39]."
I felt like a slob who had cereal crumbs, like cereal crumbs all in my bed waking up with, like I didn't feel good about myself waking up to seeing those stories. So, I was like, "I want to be someone that people are like, okay, she's a human being, this is her, she's normal." And also, be successful.
And so, my story and my mission is just showing young women, and people that have always been told that they're never going to be something because they didn't go to college, and they didn't get a degree, or they struggled with mental health, or they were suicidal, or they were fat shamed, had eating disorders. Whatever it is, when you embrace yourself, and love yourself full heartedly.
And I still struggle every day. It is so hard. Where you are, you connect with so many people that you don't realize had the same issues as you, or have gone through it. And it's like you made this community of people who trust you, because you're so open about yourself, it makes them feel more human. So, that was a lot, but that's how I feel.
Sheila Bella:
How are you freaking Gandhi right now, and you're 23? First of all, I'm so proud of you. But that realization took me several years. It wasn't until I was in my 30s, and I was already married, and everything that all of those things clicked for me. And I think for most of my life, I'm so glad that you're there. But yeah, it's sad because I feel like I wasn't fully present for from one to 30, from zero to 30.
Because I was so afraid to be myself. And I relate to a lot of that. You downplay your wins because you want people to like you. And then, I was always accused of being a narcissist, or drawing attention to myself, and stuff like that. And I wanted so badly to be liked, especially by my half-sisters, who... anyway, we had the same dad, different mom.
I wanted so badly to be liked, and to have sisters because to me, it was such a beautiful relationship. I romanticized it, that I dug myself down, same thing, and I didn't talk about my wins. And I made myself uglier almost around them. I always made fun of myself around them. And they left anyway. That's the thing. You live for other people's approval, but they leave anyway. And that's when I was just fuck this, let's do us. Let's do a Sheila Bella, you know what I mean?
Savanna Boda:
That's literally when the magic happens is when you start believing in yourself. I even had parents that would put me down, and tell me these kinds of things, put me on medications. And even though it wasn't their intent to harm me, it did. And people that have this vibrant energy, and these ideas, and that are just not the conventional child. People try to cage them, and make them more normal, and be like, why aren't you doing good with math, and all of these things?
But it's like, you need to embrace that child's creativity. I never ever thought I would be alive honestly, past my 20s. I was very suicidal, wetting my bed, and honestly, it sounds so silly to say this. But skincare saved my life. I thought I had meaning to my life. And I'm so blessed to be so young and no, but I know a lot of people have this feeling where you're just walking through life, running into doors, and knocking things over.
And you just don't know where you belong. And it's just like, you have this identity crisis. And you don't have this sense of fulfillment. And it's the saddest thing ever. And that's how I felt until I found my calling. And then, as soon as I found it, I don't even know. It's like, all the stars aligned. I know so deep in my heart that this is what I was supposed to do.
This is what God, the universe, whoever, I'm supposed to be here, and be doing this. And I've never felt so sure about anything in my life. So, it is a really beautiful thing. And I think when you find something you love so much and it saved my life, that you can to help grow, and nurture it. So, yeah,
Sheila Bella:
I love that. I think for a lot of people who might not know their purpose or find their purpose, that might sound like ridiculous. Because dude, permanent cosmetics gave me so much purpose. It did in many ways. It changed my entire life. Who knew brows could change your life? By the way-
Savanna Boda:
... on this earth to do skincare, but he did.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah.
Savanna Boda:
And it's funny because a superficial thing. But we work so closely with others, you don't know how insecure someone could feel about their brows or their [inaudible 00:16:31]. What we do is we give a gift of competence to people where they can feel beautiful, and even though it is superficial, that's my role in this industry. I feel also is like normalizing, taking care of your skin, normalizing that-
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, it's self-care.
Savanna Boda:
How to do this. And so, I think just a lot of humility, and rawness on my page, that really is what I think grew my following, and my sales, and clients. Because when someone trust you, and they know who you are 112%, the good, the bad, they know, my bad, everyone knows my bad. Everyone knows that, it's just like, there's no question. It's like, it's all there. There's not like, how is she?
Everyone knows who I am. So, it's very, I feel like more personable, and it's really exciting to share your life with a lot of people, even though it is scary comments. I always say I didn't know why I went through so much bullying, and hardship, and stuff in high school. Because like I said, it was awful. I didn't want to live when [inaudible 00:17:33] like that.
And it's because I wouldn't be prepared to have this role in this industry now at 23 even though I don't handle as great as I could, better than I would have if I had never gone through that. So, I really think that prepared me for this industry, and how ruthless, and how to be like that really prepared me for my mental health, and not letting it get to me, like I used to.
Sheila Bella:
Wow, I was just going to say. Okay. So, let's talk about your quick rise to success. So, you've been in this industry for two years, you've achieved seemingly super quick lightning speed, massive success. And from my analysis, and I'm going to let you confirm, it's all because you're super consistent with content marketing, and you put yourself out there, and you put your best foot forward, and also, you're real at the same time.
I understand that your feed might be super curated, but you're super real. And your story is like you're here now, you show up. First of all, your skin looks amazing, looks like a chemical peel. Just days out, you're super real on your podcast. I don't know. You have the magic formula. So, why do you think you've become so successful so fast?
And if there's anybody out there who's new to the beauty industry, who's listening to this, how can they duplicate basically that magic sauce that you did? What is the formula if there is one?
Savanna Boda:
Perfect. So, there's so much to this-
Sheila Bella:
I know. There is that so many of your five-minute-
Savanna Boda:
History for the right reasons. You have to start with a mission. It can't be like I want more followers. I did not come into this industry thinking I would have any money. I literally thought I'd be living on my parent's couch until I was 30. But my biggest thing is you have to have your why, you have to have your reason. And for me, like I said, skincare saved my life.
So, that passion, that drive, that fire is immense. That's the beginning of the formula, you have to have that passion. You have to be ready to not go out on Friday and Saturday nights. I turned 21 when I started my business, and I didn't go out and party every weekend. I gave up [inaudible 00:19:53] when I didn't have clients [inaudible 00:19:55]. Maybe be like, let's go day drink and get mimosas.
I'm like no, even though I've been zero clients on my books today, I would set my little happy ass on my chair, and was researching, watching how other people were getting followers, and clients, and seeing how other people were doing treatments on YouTube, on anything, any source that I could find, I would spend eight hours, nine hours that day and just research.
And I think a lot of it starts with a good foundation of dedication. You have to already have the wisdom. You have to have that knowledge. You have to prepare yourself to be successful. Because if you're just marketing content, and you're marketing stupid stuff, and not actually focusing on your education, and your skills, you're going to get so slammed and busy that you're not going to have time to focus on those things as much anymore.
So, for me, one of the things I think really helped me out was just focusing and staying laser focused. My poor boyfriend and I didn't have sex for six months. I was so busy working on content at night. I'm like, sorry [inaudible 00:20:53] it's like, you have to make sacrifices. I missed family dinners. I lost half my friends. I can tell you, other than my employees, and like friends that we talked to once in a while and see once in a while, I don't have best friends.
And you can't, when you're owning a business, and running a business, and trying to better yourself, you have to be selfish and put yourself first. That is the main thing. Passion, put yourself first, and you have to be comfortable with who you are. It was so hard. I remember the first time I ever did a live, I was shaking like this. I had to down a bottle of wine before I could-
Sheila Bella:
A bottle.
Savanna Boda:
... three fucking people, my boyfriend, my boyfriend's mom, and my aunt were watching me and I was [inaudible 00:21:37]. And I think it's just forcing yourself to get out of your comfort zone because you believe in something bigger and you believe that you can help others. I didn't start my social media to be Instagram famous. That was never my goal.
I literally wanted to be able to pay rent. I needed rent money. I was like, how the fuck am I supposed to get clients in my chair? And I was like, I guess I can just start marketing myself. That's all I can do. Because I don't want to go walk up to people, and hand out my business cards, and everyone knows, it's easier to do everything online. It's easier to send a mean message online and say it to someone's face.
It's easier to get a client online than it is asking them to their face. "Hey, be my client." So, I think having that drive, and really keeping everything client focus. Now, I definitely have more content that relates towards aestheticians. Because I have become someone they look up to, and I do cater some of my content towards them.
But in the beginning, everything was towards educating clients, and making them interested, and I've always been a very creative person. I've never been good at math. I'm very dyslexic. You all know I misspell everything at least.
Sheila Bella:
I love that. I really like that about you. Really makes me feel comfortable.
Savanna Boda:
... make a chart. There's always one misspelled word, and I'm just like God really said creative, but illiterate when he made me because I've always been dyslexic. I pronounce things wrong. I said surfactant instead of surfactant for such a long time. It's so funny because my boyfriend always says, he's like, "You are the smartest, stupidest person I know." I'm very good-
Sheila Bella:
I love that. Oh my gosh.
Savanna Boda:
It's so funny because that's what... it's like, I'm blind, which goes with it, because I do like the dumbest shit all the time. But I'm also like, a genius. Some days I'm just so smart. But then, there are other days where I'm like, I am the dumbest human I've ever met. I cannot believe I worked all day with my pants. Literally, my sweat pants inside out, and backwards. Who does that?
Sheila Bella:
You're dumbest, smartest person I know who can freaking relate.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
I feel seen right now. I love too, that your man recognizes that about you.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah. When it comes to bookkeeping, and that kind of stuff, it's not my thing. But when it comes to being creative, and that marketing thing, that's just where I live, that's my realm. And so, I do think it is hard to tell someone, just do all this, and you'll be just like me because I do think a lot of my brand is me. And so, it's hard to emulate that when you are completely different personality type.
So, I do think my personality, and just like the things that I'm good at naturally does make a difference when it came to my quick rise, and things like that. Because it is harder for some people to be creative. They might be good at doing graphics, but in designing them, but are they good at the words? You know what I'm saying?
And so, I think I want to have the complete package, and it's definitely something you have to work at. So, get that mindset, but to be honest, I do think it is more difficult for others. My boyfriend could never, he is not a creative person, but it works for him. So, I think really finding your things that are you, and working on what you are best at because I see so many aestheticians that make seven figures.
They don't even use an Instagram. So, don't feel like you have to. If that's not your thing, there are so many ways to get clients, and to be successful in this industry, and you just have to find what's the most you. The more you try to force yourself, I have a cat hair in my nose you all, I'm so sorry.
Sheila Bella:
Do it, do it.
Savanna Boda:
I'm not picking my nose and getting a cat hair out. But cat wise, but I really do think, focus on that. If it's public speaking, go do that. If it's more training, do that. So, there's so many avenues in this industry. And I guess my short answer to that is when you find your thing, you won't ever let it fail, and you'll be so successful at it.
Sheila Bella:
Oh, that's amazing. Hey, question for you. How much money do you think you've spent in total on permanent makeup training, lash training, the trainings that improves your craft? Easily thousands of dollars by now. My next question is, did any of those trainings teach you how to make money? Probably not. You may be an amazing artist, but they can't pay you for your talent if they don't even know you exist.
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This isn't a one size fits all program. This is a relationship. And as somebody who has built two-multimillion-dollar beauty businesses, getting you to your goal is not going to be rocket science for us. We can help. This is the sales education you never got. Great art alone isn't going to give you a successful beauty business. It's not going to give you the life of your dreams.
It's a combination of art, and a great business, and marketing structure. So, what are you waiting for? If you are 80% sure that Pretty Rich Bosses is the program for you, it's the only thing you haven't done yet. Why don't you go ahead and book a complimentary strategy call with either myself, or any one of my advisors? And all you need to do is go to sheilabella.com/apply.
That's sheilabella.com/apply. Accelerate your success. Get there faster, and let's do it together. You're so wise.
So, I was listening to your podcast this morning. It's called The BlondEST podcast. But I love that there... and I didn't even realize there was a play on the spelling of it. The blondest has E-S-T at the end. And it was a different font because that stands for s petition. I was like, oh how... you are the smartest dumbest person I have ever met too, because that's genius.
Savanna Boda:
Definitely.
Sheila Bella:
Okay. I was listening to it this morning. And you said don't be the cheesecake factory of aesthetics. Choose a niche. So, I think what you meant by that is cheesecake factory, they have everything. They have American food, they have Japanese food, they have Mexican food, and it's all good.
But you said choose a niche. And I observed, oh my gosh, but even cheesecake factory had to choose a niche, which is cheesecakes before they could be good at breaking everything. So, can you elaborate more on that piece of advice for our audiences?
Savanna Boda:
Yes. So, when I first graduated even actually, before I graduated, I wanted to put my hands into everything I wanted to wax. I wanted to do microblading. I wanted to do laser. You guys, laser school, and did a PMU course at the same time, I would go to one, and then leave, I found over at the side of Dallas and do the other one because I was so fucking excited.
And I just was like I can't, like I was so anxious. I wanted to learn and absorb chaotic energy was how I felt. I felt I was missing out, and I just wanted my hands in everyone's pie. And had to take five different microblading classes to be confident because I put too much on my plate. Literally, after that week, those two weeks of those both trainings, I literally was sitting there.
And I was like, I literally have to go read all these pamphlets back. I was so overwhelmed because I was throwing so much at myself at one time. And I was like okay, so yeah, cool. I have a microblading certification. I got my laser certification, but I'm not good at it because I... while, all the other girls in the PMU class were practicing after a class, I was at another class doing a different thing.
So, I think, armed myself with all of these things, really actually put me at a disadvantage because I just spend more money to get better. And I also wasn't able to absorb my knowledge. So, I really think in the industry, it's so important to really keen in on what you're wanting to do. And it might change, which is the beauty of this industry is like, you could be doing microblading for 10 years, and decide you want to go do lasers.
Or whatever it is, you don't need to throw yourself into all these things at once, and feel like you have to so. Another thing too, is what I noticed, when I first started booking a bunch of clients, I spent three weeks making the cutest names for my [inaudible 00:30:45]. So, when we have clients with skincare stuff, they're not going to come in and be like, "Hey, I want to lock the gas, and feel I want to TCA feel."
Like, "No, you can't tell me what you want. Because it might not be good for your skin." We have to tell them like, "No, you need this cranberry enzyme because you have acne or you need this pumpkin one because you have thicker skin," that kind of stuff. So, I spent so long making this menu and giving my clients all of these options, and it would overwhelm them, and they'd end up not booking.
So, do you ask go to the cheesecake factory, I have more cat hair in my nose, it's fine. And your [inaudible 00:31:20] and you flip the page and you're like, "Oh, yeah, I'm like, I want to get these nachos." You flip the page, and you're like, "Fuck no, I want this spaghetti and meatballs." It's like God damn it, I want the barbecue pizza. And you're just stressed out and overwhelmed.
And it puts you in a very anxious mindset. And it doesn't make you feel comfortable. And I noticed, I like when I just have limited options. I'm able to pick and know like, they're the best at Italian foods so they only have Italian food here. Be the place where you're like, "Oh let's go here because they're the best." And most of the time, clients well, they'll seek out, who's the best microblader in DFW.
And they're going to go see that person, or who's going to do the best waxes? It's very difficult when you're a one stop shop because it almost I feel like devalues the brand. And it's harder to marginalize and market what you're good at because there's so much, it gets messy and confusing. And you're like, wait, what services do they do? And how can you be so good at everything?
And unless you're Jesus Christ, no one's going to be the best at everything, maybe four or five things, but not everything. For me, I don't do lasers anymore. I focus literally on skincare, and microblading, don't do any other PMU. It would give me a heart attack. I'm a very anxious person, it took me a very long time to get comfortable with microblading.
Sheila Bella:
I remember you said on your podcast, you're like, if I can have like an out of body experience. And I could clone myself, and I could do microblading on myself. You ask yourself like, would I do it on myself? And when you said no, you didn't offer it to anyone else.
Savanna Boda:
Exactly.
Sheila Bella:
So, I thought that was amazing. I think a lot of times, people jump the gun before they feel confident, but yeah, love others as you love yourself.
Savanna Boda:
So, fucking pissed if someone ruins my face. I won't touch anyone until I feel confident in my skill set. Because it's someone's face, and we're working with someone's face. I could say it 90 times, we're working with someone's face, you guys. It's literally not like an ass tap that they can hide with jeans. It is their face. So, you have to be confident, you have to be prepared, and you have to be ready.
So, yeah, I think that's the best is just when you're the best of the best, people are going to be like, go here for lashes, go here for this. And it also makes you I feel like a little bit more ethical to be like, "Hey, we're not the best that lashes in town. So, we don't offer them." But so and so is amazing. And you also are able to create this community, and really help hand clients to other people that are good at different things.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah. I love that community.
Savanna Boda:
For sure, I could give you a brow wax, but it's going to suck. So, go see my girl that does brow waxes, and she's amazing at it, or go see my girl that does lashes. Even when people want microshading, and they come in, they want microshading. Yeah, could I make more money and go take a microshading course, and learn how to microshade? For sure. But I don't want to do it.
I just don't want to do it. I don't want to touch it. I don't want do it. So, give them to someone else. And I think creating that community, and helping other people as well as what this industry needs to be more about, instead of like, better have all these services so no one goes anywhere else and-
Sheila Bella:
... got that monopoly. Yeah.
Savanna Boda:
I'm like, no, just let people be good at what they're good at, and find your thing. And if it is everything, then cool, if that works for your business-
Sheila Bella:
Impossible, impossible though, that you're good at every thing.
Savanna Boda:
I haven't seen it done one stop shop that I thought was perfect yet, but until then, unless it's a huge CEO corporate company, but I feel like it's Just... I think it's more ethical to really focus on what you're comfortable with and confident with instead of trying to rack up your dollars and be like, "Oh, no, we wax here. Oh, no, we do whitening teeth here. Stay here, don't go anywhere else." Yeah, I don't know. I don't like it.
Sheila Bella:
Let's talk about community because that's a big part of my strategy too, and also, it's not just strategy. It's what I enjoy about social media. You're not building a following, you're building a community. And once you tell your story, and once you're vulnerable, it changes your Instagram followers into a community, honestly. So, let's talk about community, and how important that is. Seriously, guys, the beauty industry is so small.
Look, Savannah and I found each other. She's in Dallas. I'm in Los Angeles. She's an aesthetician in PMU and I'm in PMU. So, let's talk about good girl power IG etiquette. Because I think people are lacking, or so rude. And also, how that helps you in your business. And also, it helps you sleep at night for crying out loud. So, to you, what would you describe as good girl power Instagram etiquette?
Savanna Boda:
I would say if you're inspired by somebody or something they posted, always giving them credit or tagging them, but being kind and courteous. And if they like your stuff, there's back. And I will be honest, I'm the worst at... I actually hired a girl to literally go and like pictures so I can support my other STs, literally, I'm having her do that an hour a day, and reply to comments and interact for me, because I do all my dm stuff, and all my content on my story stuff.
But I don't have time to interact anymore. And I feel bad. So, we're actually having someone help with that now. God bless America. But I think just being kind to one another. And if someone is supporting you, like supporting them back, and also, it doesn't hurt you. It actually is an amazing thing. I remember I first was starting my Instagram. I saw another aesthetician comment on this other esthetician's work, and I admired her so much.
I was like, "Oh, if she thinks this girl is good, she must be good. Let me follow her." So, it helped her gain a follower, and it's just giving back and helping other people. And also, it looks good for clients too, you guys. Think about it, as a client's perspective, if you're thinking about going to see somebody, and you go look through their comments, and a bunch of it is other industry professionals hyping up, wonderful.
I as a customer would be like, "Oh, she must be good if other professionals think she's good. And that her work is amazing, and all of this stuff." It literally boosts your chances of getting a client. So, if we all pitch in and all do that for everybody, everyone's going to get clients. And that's the thing you guys, no one person is better than another. I might be too obnoxious for a lot of people.
I'm not obnoxious in treatment, depending on the client. But I might not be your cup of tea, you might want a relaxing facial instead of more of a results-driven treatment. So, it's okay, like I said, you either fucking love me or you fucking hate me. And that's pretty true for a lot of people. I think some people get away to the middle that aren't as like out there.
But it doesn't hurt you to help other people is what I'm trying to say. And When I started to get too booked up, there's an aesthetician in Dallas here who actually has a full book now because my clients that I couldn't take anymore, or it was too much of a drive, or is too difficult to get in with me now that we're so booked out, she actually was able to fill her entire books off of my recommendations of them got her.
Sheila Bella:
Oh my gosh, that's incredible. You said another family pretty much, and all of her employees and everything. That's so beautiful.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah. So, I think giving back, and when you're in mindset, and this is my biggest thing, people are like, "Well, how did you get so much money to be able to do your Med Spa?" I literally did not spend any money on myself my first year. I spent everything back into the business. The second I made money I bought the machines I was waiting for. The second I made money I'd get the retail I wanted. I would get a better logo. It just was a slow process, you guys, and-
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, you have to keep investing back in your business. Yeah, I did the same thing.
Savanna Boda:
... I was like a good purse or not really spend most of my money, the majority of my money is going straight back into the business, and that's the mindset you have to have.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah. You only get out what you put in. How can you expect to have a big return on investment when you have very little investment? And yeah, going back to the power of community, and Instagram is so crucial. It's so helpful for being able to build allies in this industry. It's so amazing because there are certain women that I've grown to really love.
They're like my best friends in the beauty industry. And it's so nice to have a network like that. Because at the end of the day, your family doesn't understand you, your friends don't understand you, they don't know how to advise you in business. But guess what, when you have colleagues, your "Competitors" should be your best friends because they're the only ones that know what you're going through.
So, yeah, having a network in the beauty industry is so crucial to your success. I think what's good IG Girl Power etiquette is to reshare, to comments, to support, to uplift when people like, to help people that you believe in promote things that they're launching. Like, oh, here, yeah, here, why not? Let me share this.
You know what, I think if it's something that you believe in too, like, "Oh, my gosh, my followers would totally love this course, or love this product that my friend is launching, and sharing it." I think, first of all, the bond that you will build just from that simple reshare, and that business owner knows that you have no financial gain and doing that.
Savanna Boda:
Exactly.
Sheila Bella:
That freaking last. That's immense in their brain.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah. I agree.
Sheila Bella:
Say that again.
Savanna Boda:
I said it builds great connections and like strengthens our network.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, absolutely. It's just such a great culture. Okay. So, what is the best advice you've ever received in the beauty industry? And what's the worst advice you've ever received? So, let's go to the first one, the best advice anyone's ever told you about this.
Savanna Boda:
Best advice was to go solo. That was the best advice I was ever given was, I literally sold a job. They're like, yeah, Savanna, I think, honestly, you'd probably be better off just working for yourself. Because I'm very opinionated. And I was like, yeah, yeah, you're probably right. I should go work for myself. Didn't happen then, but that was the best advice I was ever given, and it was actually supposedly mean, but it wasn't. And the worst advice I've ever been given. I would say, telling trying to upsell people. That's the worst advice I've ever been given, upselling. Because I don't believe in... as I wouldn't recommend it if they didn't need it. If they already needed it, I would have said it from the very beginning. You know what I'm saying? That's why I believe in the initial.
If that's what they need not being like, "Oh, you need micro needling, and then get them in the room be like, and bamboozled and be like, "Oh, but you could do the stem cell micro needling." If that's not the cards for [inaudible 00:42:49] cards, and I really do believe that you make more money when you're not trying to make money, and you're not thinking about money. I swear to God, the days that I'm like, "Okay, I need a solid day, got to get some money going." I make the least amount of money, and the days that I'm literally just doing me and just mindlessly doing my work, not mindlessly, but you know what I'm saying. Not thinking about sales, just like doing my work, seeing their face thing like this is what you need.
That's the days I make the most money because it's honest, and an ethical, and I think God, and Jesus I believe in God. Sorry guys to get religious with you. But He rewards you when you're a good human being, and like your ethical, and honest So, I've done sells the wrong way in the past, I've done sells in the right way. And I'm telling you, sells isn't sales.
It's literally you recommending what they actually need, and not giving them anything other than that. And if they ask, for sure, you can explain it but you never need to give something to somebody that they don't need. And just reputation is everything, sleeping at night is everything. I don't know how people sleep at night with that stuff. I just couldn't sell life insurance or something like that. I would literally do it. That's the worst advice is upselling. So, I just think it's not-
Sheila Bella:
Upselling dishonestly, just for the sake of upselling. Yeah, I don't believe in that either. Absolutely. What do you want to be known for? Let's say you die. Let's say you die and go to heaven. And you look down from the clouds. There are pink clouds, there are pink wings. And you look down, and everybody's at your... this is your celebration of life. And what are they saying? What are they saying? Who is Savanna Boda? What do you want to be known for?
Savanna Boda:
I want to be known for the girl who helped change the way of the aesthetic industry making it more ethical, cool. I don't even know how to say it. It's not something tangible. I feel like it's making the industry more ethical, more honest. Normalizing skincare, normalizing taking care of yourself, normalizing that everyone has skin issues.
I think just being a light in the industry and for my clients, just a fresh breath into the skincare world that's not salesy, and like, here's this lavender lemon spray rosewater, not all [inaudible 00:45:17] the fluffy, taking, stripping all of that out of the skincare world, and it results in ethical, and just straight to the point. That's what I want to be known for.
Sheila Bella:
Results based, honest. Yeah. Comfortable, comfortable with yourself.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
Because it gives other people permission to do the same thing. Oh, I was actually talking to one of my friends this morning who said that she watched one of your acne webinars.
Savanna Boda:
Yeah.
Sheila Bella:
And she was like, oh, my gosh, I totally believe she had a whole mindset change. She was like, I can totally curse on my webinar. What am I talking about? I can totally do it. She did, what's... because that's who she is naturally, and she says that you gave her permission to just be herself.
Savanna Boda:
And I think when you're so held back, sometimes things come out of my mouth, you guys, that I didn't even know where there, like on my podcast, crazy stuff. And I think when you love your life freely, and truly be who you are, life is just so much better. No people in your life are putting you down and telling you, you're too much.
Get those people out of your life. Get out of your life. I had to, no matter how hard it is. family, friends, whoever it is, your happiness and your success means more, and you will never be successful until you allow yourself to be 112% you.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, I love that.
Savanna Boda:
And mock it all. It's so true. And not to be like Tony Robbins, but it does unlock your brain.
Sheila Bella:
It doesn't deserve your attention. One of the things that I've learned too, is it's life is so much simpler. And you go so much farther, when you learn to not take things personally. Yeah. So, a couple more questions, but I have some people in the comments going like, save this live, please save this live, just so you guys know, it will be saved. But also, this live stream, the audio of it is going to be on Pretty Rich podcast, which is my podcast.
So, you can always find it there. It's on iTunes, Spotify, Google Play, just Pretty Rich podcast. Okay. A couple more questions. Second to the last question. I sold this question from Tim Ferriss because I thought it's just so good. It's just so revealing. Okay. So, he asks all the time, all of his guests. Let's say you were given a billboard in Times Square for 24 hours that you could pick any quote on, what would you choose?
Savanna Boda:
I would say, accept the things you cannot change. Have the courage to change the things you can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Sheila Bella:
Serenity Prayer. I love that.
Savanna Boda:
Therapy guys. All thanks to wilderness therapy.
Sheila Bella:
Is that your therapist?
Savanna Boda:
No, it was a wilderness program I went to when I was-
Sheila Bella:
Oh, cool.
Savanna Boda:
In the woods, like a wilderness woman. So, I felt like that-
Sheila Bella:
What? Was it like a retreat?
Savanna Boda:
Yeah, not like a retreat. It's more like boot camp for the bad kids, and the depressed kids, and it was a lot. You should listen to the podcast. I have called Savanna In The Wild. Three and a half months in Utah. And I think a lot of that to once you hit your rock bottom, there's nowhere else to go, but up. And it made me fearless, I think too.
Sheila Bella:
Oh, okay. Yeah, I will listen to that podcast episode. Okay. I can't believe we're almost wrapping this up. So, where can we find you and how can we work with you?
Savanna Boda:
So, I am The Dallas Aesthetician on Instagram and Savanna Boda on Facebook and Twitter. And our YouTube is Savanna Boda. I'm trying to think of all these outlets that there are nowadays, Jesus Christ. But the best is The Dallas Aesthetician. It's The Dallas Aesthetician with an A, and yeah, that's how you can link with us.
Sheila Bella:
Love it. Love it. And your podcast.
Savanna Boda:
Yes, the podcast. I've read about that one. I knew I was forgetting one of them. It's called the BlondEST on Spotify and iTunes.
Sheila Bella:
The BlondEST podcast. I love it.
Savanna Boda:
[inaudible 00:49:46] soon.
Sheila Bella:
Yeah, awesome. Just so you guys know who are listening to the audio version of this. I'm going to put the link, all of Savanna's link in the show notes of this, so you must go check her out. Thank you, Savanna. This was so amazing. I'm so glad I finally got to meet you.
Savanna Boda:
I know. Once corona is over, we need to have drinks with Spa Strong.
Sheila Bella:
Oh my gosh. Yes. Yes. Royal and M'Lisa, guild, check them out too, Spa Strong. They're amazing.
Savanna Boda:
Shout out to them. Yes. Awesome. It was so nice to meet you.
Sheila Bella:
Good to meet you, too. Thank you, everyone for watching this live. Until next time. Bye.
Savanna Boda:
Bye.
Sheila Bella:
Hey, thanks so much for listening to today's episode of Pretty Rich podcast. If you want to continue the conversation longer, check me out on Instagram. It's my favorite place to connect with you guys @realsheilabella. I'm happy to answer any of your questions, or simply to chat, and get to know you better.
And if you end up doing something super awesome like screenshotting this episode and reposting on your stories, that would put the biggest smile on my face. Don't forget to tag me. I appreciate every share, and love feedback from my listeners. Also, do you have my number, do you have my number?
Because if we're going to keep hanging out, you should probably have my number. So, you can actually text me. That's right. You can text me at 310-388-4588. And if you're sick, and tired of doing business alone, and you're interested in accelerating your success by hiring a business coach, or joining our mentorship program called Pretty Rich Bosses.
Go ahead and just apply, why not? Check it out. Go to sheilabella.com/apply and we'll schedule a free strategy session with either myself or one of my advisors. And of course, I got to include my kids. So, here to send us off are Beau and Grey. Grey, say share with your friends.
Grey:
Share with friends.
Sheila Bella:
Please review my mommy on iTunes.
Grey:
Mommy iTunes.
Sheila Bella:
Thanks for listening.
Grey:
Thanks for listening.
Sheila Bella:
Hey, Beau, can you tell everybody what our family motto is?
Beau:
Yeah. I could do hard things.
Sheila Bella:
I can do hard things. Good job, buddy.
