Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Achter.
Hi Melissa, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was attending college when I met a nice, handsome young man. We started dating and soon I was introduced to his mother. She was an Electrologist.
Honestly, I had never even heard of such a thing. But I saw how much she loved what she did and how well it worked with her family life. Soon, I found myself engaged and in Electrology School. After graduating, my mother-in-law and I worked together for a few years until she decided to retire.
She was wonderful and taught me so much about running the business. It has now been 39 years of marriage and Electrolysis, the best decisions ever!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first few years like all new endeavors proved challenging. There were definitely lean years. Building up clientele, paying the bills, balancing family and job. Luckily, I had the support of my husband and mom who would care for the kids when I worked.
And truly I chose the job because of its flexibility with family. COVID became a struggle, as I know it did for all businesses when I had to shut my doors for two months. I feel fortunate I was able to weather the storm.
We’ve been impressed with Melissa Achter Electrolysis, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I’m a small, quiet, independent business but I feel I do work that improves self-esteem and self-worth. Electrolysis is the permanent removal of hair, which on its surface seems trivial. But to women who wake up early every day and quietly head to the bathroom to shave or tweeze the secret they keep hidden from everyone, even the person they share the most intimate parts of their lives with, it’s a big deal. I can attest it is something that rules their lives. It’s something they think about constantly.
They worry if someone will touch their face, they can’t just go to the dentist, they need to make sure they shave before they go. It takes more time to get ready for work to shave or pull all the hair and then cover up the redness and marks with make-up. Parties, lunch, or dinner with friends it’s the same, it’s always there, always looming in the background. It may sound a little dramatic but I can promise you it’s not, because every day it’s always there, it’s something they can’t just not think about.
For some women, it’s not a daily ritual that rules their lives, it’s just something they see as making life more convenient, like not shaving their underarms or having their eyebrows shaped. Some women want to have their bikini line done, and hair on toes or fingers can be an annoyance that can be taken care of as well.
As women, it’s something we really don’t share with our friends. When a client comes in and I tell them this hair growth they are experiencing is very common, most of them are shocked, all this time they thought they were the only one. If by chance, they get brave enough to share their secret with a friend or relative, they are most likely met with, “Oh my goodness! Me too!”
I’ve literally had clients shed tears in my office, so grateful for the newfound freedom they are experiencing. This is one client’s story from last week: “When I was dating the man I would end up marrying, I always kept the hair on my face well hidden, always plucked or shaved and covered with make-up. We got married a while ago and it wasn’t so easy to keep the secret anymore. I finally had to confess that I had a face full of hair, I was so embarrassed, he was understanding, but when I found electrolysis he also supported me, I can’t tell you how this has helped me! I am so happy, so excited.”
Each client has a story, I feel privileged to be able to help them remove an obstacle that has plagued them for years if not decades.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Good question. There is an Electrology school in Salt Lake City. Mentors may be a little harder to come by. We electrologists are kind of few and far between. The laser came on the scene a few years ago and became well known quickly.
Unfortunately, the laser is not permanent and many women found this out the hard way. Don’t get me wrong, the laser can help reduce hair growth and some find it very helpful, but if it is permanency you are looking for Electrolysis is the only FDA-approved method.
There is an Electrology Guild in Utah and a National Guild called the AEA (American Electrolysis Association.) Networking with these organizations can be helpful in putting you in touch with other electrologists in your area and around the country.
Pricing:
- 30-minutes session $35
- 60-minutes session $70
- 15-minutes session $20
Contact Info:
- Email: melachter@gmail.com
- Website: melissaachterelectrolysis.com
- Facebook: Melissa Achter Electrolysis
