SCORE Mentors Serve as Sounding Board for Skincare Solopreneur

After working for three years as an esthetician, Amanda Sautel ventured out on her own with Aphrodite Esthetics. Yet, a year after opening the Greenwood-based skincare business, she felt “stuck.”

In June, she began mentoring with Dennis Dunlap and Scott Potterack of SCORE Indianapolis. Her mentors listened to her ideas and struggles, gave her “homework assignments,” guided her with marketing, and assisted her in hiring a bookkeeper.

“As a solo business owner, I don’t have anybody that I can bounce ideas off of,” she said. “Scott and Dennis have helped me figure out other tools to stay organized and are holding me more accountable.”

Sautel, who specializes in brows, facials, full body waxing and makeup for special occasions, said she’s already seeing positive momentum in terms of client bookings.

“I’m growing in a lot of ways,” she said. “It’s definitely helpful to talk to people who owned their business and run their own business and see what they do or did to manage that.”

Dunlap and Potterack will continue working with Sautel in growing her repeat business and eventually hiring staff.

“She was a delightful person to work with, so gracious and very dedicated to providing a great experience to her clientele,” Dunlap said. “The driving force behind her is she has the real passion for the business.”

Her passion shines through in the extra time she carves out with new clients to provide for a thorough consultation. Together, they devise a customized approach to skincare, in particular facials, which she recommends monthly. Sautel’s basic facial consists of two cleanses, exfoliation, massage, mask, and then finishing products.

“I like the aspect of helping people relax and get rid of that stress,” she said. “Your skin looks brighter, healthier. It can reverse a little bit of sun damage.”

While she loves providing skincare services, Sautel, a licensed esthetician since 2019, acknowledges that business ownership leaves her with “a lot of different hats to wear.”

For now, Sautel, of Southport, wears the hats of solopreneur and lead esthetician. She first got interested in skincare because she wanted to help customers with their makeup application and proper skincare would help the makeup lay better. But, years later, Sautel’s perspective has changed.

“It’s just more to help people feel confident in their skin,” she said, adding that since COVID more people are focused on skincare. “It’s become more and more of a thing. People care to wear makeup less and less.”

Regardless of her clients’ preferences, Sautel is committed to providing an exceptional experience. And, with her SCORE mentors’ help, she will undoubtedly continue to grow.

“She’s in business to stay in business,” Dunlap said. “We just want to make sure she’s successful.”

About SCORE

Since 1964, SCORE has helped 11 million entrepreneurs start or grow a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free mentoring, workshops, and educational services to 1,500+ communities nationwide. With more than 70 members throughout the Indianapolis area, SCORE Indianapolis provides nearly 3,000 mentoring services annually to local small business owners through one-on-one counseling and small business workshops. For more information about starting or operating a small business, or finding a mentor, visit SCORE Indianapolis at www.score.org/indianapolis.