As the beauty industry continues to flourish, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare is preparing the next generation of estheticians and master estheticians through a comprehensive curriculum that combines online coursework and in-person practice. Since the school’s grand opening in September 2023, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare has been hard at work putting down roots for exceptional esthetics education in Olympia, including community partnerships that expand career prospects for students and graduates.
“I think the biggest thing that I have learned throughout my time as a business owner and working with students is networking is key,” says Jin Mi S. Williams, owner of the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare. “Getting involved with your community is key. The only way to be successful is to get engaged with your community. And if you reach out to them, they’re going to meet you halfway.”
The work of the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare is already gaining regional recognition. Highlighting the school’s in-depth coursework and dedicated teachers, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare was named Best of South Sound 2024 in the Best Trade/Technical School category. Williams says that receiving this award demonstrates the demand for beauty services and careers in the community.
“It shows that there’s definitely a need for esthetics,” says Williams. “It definitely shows that the market trends are changing where people are more interested in skincare. They’re more interested in overall health, which obviously shows through their skin. It shows that the employment market is changing, too.”
The Olympia School of Advanced Skincare’s Esthetic Education Bolsters Students Toward their Dream Career
According to Williams, the school has continued to increase its learning space and team of instructors over the past year while also supporting students in realizing their ideal beauty career. For some students, that may include a pathway toward owning their own business after graduation, but Williams adds that entrepreneurship is not the only route for those interested in esthetician or master esthetician training.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to be a business owner, that’s fine too,” explains Williams. “You don’t always have to follow what’s on Instagram or TikTok and have this lifestyle that may not be realistic of what you see online.”
A primary way the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare is helping to guide students toward their career goals is through fostering community connections. Williams says that may mean communicating with local salons who are in need of quality employees, or introducing students to resources like the Thurston Economic Development Council to learn more about the steps necessary to open a business.
“Everyone has different working styles, and we want to be able to support that,” says Williams.
South Sound Students Receive Top Notch Training at the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare
The Olympia School of Advanced Skincare uses a hybrid curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, tools and experience for a career as an esthetician or master esthetician. Williams says the curriculum was also designed to consider the lifestyle of students who have responsibilities outside of their skincare coursework, like employment or a family and registration for new students is available each quarter.
For students and established estheticians or master estheticians in the community, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare will also be providing continuing education certifications for special services like lash extensions, brow design, advanced skincare treatments and permanent makeup.
The Olympia School of Advanced Skincare is also helping high school students to jumpstart their beauty career through a partnership with the New Market Skills Center in Tumwater. According to Matt Ishler, executive director for the New Market Skills Center, the center is a collaboration between a dozen school districts across Thurston County and beyond that enables high school students to engage with employment-oriented and technical studies, including the recent addition of master esthetician instruction.
“Motivation soars when students see the connection between their education and future career opportunities,” says Ishler. “It is exciting to work with students to help them make those connections. It is what education is all about!”
Williams first spotted an opportunity for partnership after attending a career fair at Shelton High School and learning that financial constraints would prevent some students from being able to consider an esthetics education. Williams has been grateful to work alongside the team at New Market Skills Center, including Ishler, to create a specific curriculum for high school students and welcomed the first group of students into the program over the summer. A second cohort is slated to begin June 2025.
For those looking to continue their education after they have completed high school, tuition costs continue to be an important consideration. Williams says that especially for younger students, or students with minimal credit history, securing traditional loans may be difficult.
To help alleviate this financial stress, the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare is connecting with local financial institutions, including Charli Terminelli, AVP of business development with America’s Credit Union, to discuss the potential for a new loan program geared toward students without prior lending experience. And for many Olympia School of Advanced Skincare students, America’s Credit Union has also become a valuable place to learn more about managing finances, and how that can one day help them to reach their ideal beauty career.
To learn more about educational programs available through the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare, visit the Olympia School of Advanced Skincare website.
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