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"Discover the key factors that drive success after brow training directly from students who achieved top-earner status within 18 months. Is it group size, training duration, the trainer's expertise, or the powerful force of motivation? Gain insights from those who have experienced success, as their perspectives provide the most reliable empirical evidence to unravel this mystery. Explore the elements that truly propel you to success in the world of brow artistry."

1. Background

 
This article aims to answer a common query: What factors lead to success in Powder Brows and microblading after completing training? We've gathered insights from 78 PMU artists, primarily based in EU countries. These artists have shown consistent business growth from 2018 to 2023, establishing themselves as high-earners within 18 months post-training. To provide a comprehensive view, we contrast their experiences with data from 202 students who experienced moderate or no success after training, leading many to discontinue the procedure or remain undecided about their future in the field. 

Our research is an ongoing endeavor enriched by findings from an additional study involving more than 232 artists, specifically focusing on artistic success. Furthermore, we've incorporated valuable information from various case studies, expanding our data pool to encompass the experiences of over 400 PMU artists across the EU, the UK, and the US. Additionally, the observations have been analyzed and overviewed by two therapists who specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy in the context of additional research projects focused on customer relations and stress levels related to customer interactions.

2. Key Findings

In our investigation, employing tools developed by Holistic PMU, we thoroughly examined four criteria—trainer's experience, length of training, group size, and student motivation—to discern their impact as success catalysts. The primary goal was to identify the critical factors and understand their varying degrees of influence on outcomes.

Target Group Assessment

Our analysis focused on the performance of students 18 months post-training, particularly those who continued to offer the service as their primary income source. An ongoing study since 2017 revealed a growing disparity between the number of students enrolling in courses and those still actively performing the procedures after 18 months. This trend suggests that a decreasing percentage of students find sufficient success to sustain their involvement in the field. Moreover, within their local regions, an even smaller subset emerges as dominant earners, specifically in Powder Brows (across all styles) and microblading procedures.

Considering aggregate statistics from 2015 to 2023, it becomes evident that approximately 3.5% of students entering classes today achieve top-earner status within 18 months. In simpler terms, out of every 100 students, around four successfully become high earners within a year and a half.

Success Factors 

Interviews with these top earners revealed a remarkable consistency across age groups and geographic locations, suggesting the universality of these factors. The responses were as follows when asked about the key contributors to their success. 

Motivation: 71% 
Trainer’s Experience: 59% 
Group Size: 41% 
Length of Training: 12%

 Next, let us explore these factors in more detail, starting with the least influential one.

3. Training Duration - 12%

 
Among the factors influencing success, the duration of training emerged as the least significant, consistently noted by those who achieved success in Powder Brows and microblading. The prevailing format for learning these techniques was a two-day intensive course, typically led by an experienced and reputable trainer.

The two-day class, the most popular and shortest option, stood out. Additional training options included 3-day, 5-day, and even 10+ day courses. However, what distinguished top earners was their level of preparation before attending the class. They often reviewed course materials, sometimes practiced using online resources, and remained highly focused during the course. A common tipping point was identified around the 20-24 hour mark, indicating cumulative focused practice leading to confidence in performing the procedure on models.

Rapid Skill Acquisition in Initial Hours

Contrary to expectations, the 20-24 hours didn't represent progress achieved in a single day but cumulative focused practice leading to confidence in performing the procedure on models. Powder Brows and microblading exhibited similar trends, with skill acquisition experiencing a rapid "hockey stick" trajectory within these hours, typically spread across a week or less.

The Significance of Preparation

Pre-course preparation proved crucial, with students spending 16-18 hours on pre-study to achieve optimal outcomes. This preparation and 16-24 hours of total practice with the trainer led to optimal learning results, especially in smaller groups or individual settings.

Conclusions on Training Duration

Successful students are estimated to reach 75-90% of the required skill level within the initial 20-24 hours of intensive study, assuming feedback from an experienced trainer. The training duration constituted only 12% of critical success factors, with skill development continuing beyond the initial hours at a significantly slower growth rate.

4. Impact of Group Size - 41%

 
For artists achieving high-earner status within 18 months, 41% emphasized the significance of the training group size in their success. The crucial aspect was the attention received from the "main trainer." In larger groups, feedback dispersion among multiple individuals diminished the quality of instruction, with peer feedback or input from "training buddies" deemed irrelevant and sometimes detrimental to skill development. 

Value of Time with the Main Trainer 

Moments spent receiving feedback from the primary trainer on practical exercises were deemed invaluable, providing the highest return on investment. Advanced students particularly valued feedback from the leading trainer over assistants or co-trainers.     

Optimal Group Size for Accelerated Learning 

The optimal size for efficient learning was groups with three or fewer students. In smaller settings, waiting time for feedback was minimized, leading to a considerable increase in the pace of skill development.   

Eliminating the Upper Limit in Smaller Groups

  Smaller settings, including two to three students or individual sessions, eliminated any "upper limit" on skill development. Unlike larger groups where advanced students may plateau, intimate settings allowed unrestricted progress provided the trainer could accommodate the accelerated pace.   

Attention Bias in Larger Groups 

In larger groups, advanced students often experienced a decline in attention from the leading trainer after reaching a certain skill level. The focus on slower learners in larger groups led to diminished personalized attention for well-prepared students, hindering their accelerated progress.

 

The Takeaway 

Smaller group sizes—three students or fewer—facilitated quicker progress, minimized waiting time for feedback and eliminated skill "glass ceilings" found in larger groups. Therefore, 41% of successful students identified a smaller training group size as a key contributing factor to their success.

5. Trainer’s Experience - 59%

    The significance of a trainer's experience and expertise stands out, especially for well-prepared students with high expectations for progress. Further exploration revealed key insights into this factor.  Real-World Insights 

Successful students emphasized gaining valuable information about rare situations directly from experienced trainers, who shared insights from their own real-world experiences. In contrast, less experienced trainers often relied on theoretical explanations, lacking practical anecdotes.   

Value of Unconventional Approaches 

In smaller settings, successful students valued trainers with an "unconventional approach," providing practical techniques that deviated from accepted norms. While risky for trainers, this approach expanded students' learning and implementation possibilities, contributing to their competence. 

Anticipatory Guidance 
Experienced trainers excelled in providing anticipatory guidance, predicting and explaining potential pitfalls students might encounter. This proactive approach, absent in feedback from less experienced trainers, prevented future missteps and boosted students' confidence.   

Pedagogical Skills and Business Acumen 

Successful students also highlighted the pedagogical expertise and broad practical business knowledge brought by experienced trainers. This expertise elevated students' motivation and confidence, making the trainer's experience a critical factor for success, cited by 59% of successful students. 

 

6. Decisive Factor: Motivation - 71%

 
Surprisingly, one element overshadowed all others in importance, surpassing group size and trainer experience: motivation. This factor is individual and straightforward to understand, categorizing students into two broad groups—those standing to gain significantly and those at risk of substantial losses if they don't acquire the skill.   

The Worse the Situation, the Better the Chances 

Most successful students fell into the latter category, facing potential failures in various life aspects if they didn't master the procedure. Their motivation was tied to avoiding cascading failures in financial stability, familial relations, relationships, and public image - a "life-or-death" situation that drove their urgent need to succeed. 

Contrastingly, students with much to gain but lacking immediate repercussions for failure showed lower success rates. The study revealed that a strong safety net or extensive savings decreased the pressure on students, resulting in a decreased likelihood of becoming top earners. In conclusion, motivation was overwhelmingly identified as the most crucial factor for success, with 71% of students considering it the linchpin of their achievements.

7. Psychological Perspective

When exploring the personal traits that contribute significantly to the success of a brow artist, a key factor lies in the ability to work and practice independently post-training while making recognizable linear progress. This proficiency is rooted in a combination of lower neuroticism, allowing for a care-free state and conscientiousness.

To succeed in the brow business, one must recognize and fully embrace these factors, taking complete responsibility for their development. From a practical standpoint, predicting a student's capacity to assume such responsibility becomes feasible in foreseeing future success.

A well-known exercise in this context involves a ten-point test where a novice artist identifies a recent failure and lists ten potential causes. Evaluating how many of these reasons were under the person's direct or considerable control provides a truthful perspective on their general inclination to take responsibility.

Finding a balanced approach is crucial, as extremes on both ends of the spectrum have suboptimal outcomes. Feeling overly responsible for everything may lead to constant anxiety while attributing most causes to external factors, a common tendency among brow artists, can be more dangerous. The underlying problem often stems from an intrinsic desire to avoid responsibility for their work-life and career.

This intrinsic desire is tested when the artist finds themselves in a "make it or break it" situation, serving as an excellent test of personality that determines their career's future success and trajectory. Many seasoned artists have confessed that facing such situations and periods had a transformational effect, crucial for forming their character and preparing them for success.

The takeaway is clear: instead of seeking easy solutions and shortcuts, aspiring artists should consider raising the stakes and, for a certain period, immerse themselves in a situation where they have to live and invest in the development of their career as a brow artist from the income generated with brows. This deliberate approach can lead to profound personal and professional growth, setting the foundation for a successful career in the competitive field of brow artistry.

8. Conclusion

In brow business, a mere 3.5% of students ascend to the elite circle of top earners within 18 months post-training, unveiled by ongoing research since 2015. Surprisingly, only 12% of their success is attributed to the length of training, with a universal investment of 20 to 24 hours intensively shaping their skills. 

Group dynamics emerge as a pivotal element, with small groups of 1 to 3 students identified in 41% of success cases. The quality of feedback from the trainer, particularly in smaller settings, eliminates skill development constraints, allowing for boundless progress. 

The trainer's experience proves indispensable, with 59% of successful students deeming it pivotal. Seasoned trainers bring real-world insights, unconventional approaches, and anticipatory guidance backed by advanced pedagogical skills and comprehensive business advice. 

However, the linchpin of success overwhelmingly rests on motivation, cited by 71% of top earners. This motivation is intricately linked to the tangible risk of severe setbacks, instilling a sense of urgency that surpasses aspirational motivations. In essence, the fear of loss propels success more than the allure of gain. 

A straightforward method to assess one's potential for a breakthrough in the brow business is by deliberately placing oneself in a "make it or break it" scenario. From a practical standpoint, this involves living in a certain period where the income generated as an artist covers day-to-day living expenses and allows for rudimentary investments in marketing. 

The essence of this approach lies in the artist's ability to "survive" under these circumstances, taking full responsibility for setbacks and failures. This experience significantly enhances the likelihood of future success and instills a sense of responsibility for their success. They undergo a transformative process by intentionally creating an environment where financial sustainability is tied to the artist's brow business income. This not only tests their resilience but also fosters a mindset of accountability. Navigating through challenges and setbacks during this period becomes a catalyst for personal and professional growth, setting the stage for long-term success in the competitive realm of brow artistry.