In a profession centered around caring for others, estheticians often forget to care for themselves — emotionally, mentally, and professionally. Many work solo, juggling every aspect of their business while holding space for clients day after day. The result is a feeling of isolation, even in a field built on connection. This is why community matters so deeply, and why the International Congress of Esthetics & Spa (ICES) has become a sanctuary for estheticians seeking belonging, encouragement, and sisterhood within the industry.
Finding Your People in a Fast-Paced Industry
When you step onto the ICES show floor, you immediately feel something shift. You are surrounded by people who understand your world — the exhaustion, the passion, the pressure, and the joy of being an esthetician. Conversations flow naturally because you are among peers who share your language. There is comfort in knowing you are not alone, and that others have walked the same path.
Building Relationships That Fuel Your Growth
Community is not just about friendship. It is also about professional evolution. ICES brings together brand founders, educators, mentors, and seasoned practitioners who openly share their wisdom. A single conversation can spark new ideas, a new direction, or a new opportunity. Many estheticians trace some of their biggest breakthroughs to someone they met in a classroom or at a booth. These relationships become catalysts, helping you grow faster than you could on your own.
Creating a Support System That Expands Beyond the Show
The connections you form at ICES don’t end when the weekend is over. They grow into group chats, collaborations, mentorship relationships, and supportive friendships that last for years. These are the people you celebrate wins with, turn to when you need advice, and lean on when the industry feels overwhelming. This sense of belonging strengthens your confidence and reinforces your identity as a professional.
Finding Inspiration Through Shared Passion
There is something uplifting about being surrounded by hundreds of people who are passionate about the same craft. This shared energy inspires you to level up, expand your skills, and refine your vision. You see others succeeding, evolving, and innovating — and it reminds you that you can too. Community fuels ambition by showing you what is possible.
Returning Home Connected and Renewed
By the end of ICES, you leave not just with new tools, products, and education, but with a full heart. You feel connected, supported, and understood. You return to your treatment room with more than skill — you return with the emotional strength that comes from belonging to something bigger than yourself.
Community changes everything. And at ICES, community is everywhere.
