About Diane

Diane Buccola

Licensed Esthetician

NCEA Lifetime Certified Esthetician

Speaker - Author - Consultant

ESTHETICS CAREER

In 1999, I fully intended to leave my days as a stay-at-home mommy behind and resume my successful court reporting career. But much to my surprise, something had shifted in me, and I no longer had the passion (and patience) for the pressure that comes with a career in the field of law. So I decided to follow a long-standing dream which was to open a Wellness Center for women. I recognized that I had NO experience in this field so I set out to learn everything I could, and part of that was going back to school to become a licensed Esthetician.

Shortly after earning my Esthetician license, I opened a day spa which I eventually sold to an employee when my family relocated. That spa has had a few owners since I sold it, but it's still going strong under the same name after all these years. In my new city, I opened a solo esthetics practice, and I earned my NCEA Certified credential in 2008. In 2019, I was awarded the Lifetime NCEA Certified credential.

CONSULTANT CAREER

In 2006, I created SpaBizBoard, the first subscription membership site for spa professionals. SpaBizBoard went on to become a most trusted resource for Estheticians for 11 years until I retired her from public view in 2017.

I have written two books for the Esthetics trade, Estheticians are a Girl’s Best Friend and The Heart of Esthetics; and in 2019, I created an online course for Solo Estheticians also called The Heart of Esthetics. In 2020, I launched a second course which I created for newly-licensed Estheticians: Ultimate Guide for New Estheticians.

Throughout my 24 years in the esthetics business, I have written articles for Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa magazine and served on their Technical Advisory Board. I have been a speaker and Master of Ceremonies at International Congress of Esthetics & Spa trade shows. I have contributed to and produced events for BeWell Expo, NCEA and other esthetics-related organizations.

Qualifications

Licensed Esthetician – California (1999-)
NCEA Certified Professional Esthetician (2008-)
Lifetime Award: NCEA Certified Professional Esthetician (2019)
NCEA Certified Professional Esthetician Exam Prep Instructor
Creator/owner of SpaBizBoard, the first private/subscription online message board for spa professionals (2006-2017)
Esthetician Consultant/Trainer
Creator/owner of Skin Renewal Center in Davis, California (2000-sold in 2004)
Esthetician volunteer for American Cancer Society’s “Look Good Feel Better” program
Commendation by California Lt. Governor Cruz M. Bustamante in Recognition of Dedicated Service to American Cancer Society's “Look Good Feel Better” program
Certified – CPR/First Aid/AED
Master of Ceremonies – International Congress of Esthetics & Spa, Long Beach CA (2016)
Master of Ceremonies – National Esthetic Teacher Training
(2015) Author contributor – Dermascope Magazine
Author contributor – Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa Magazine
Speaker – International Congress of Esthetics & Spa (Miami, Dallas, Philadelphia, Long Beach)
Speaker contributor – Israel International Congress of Esthetics & Spa
Advisory Board Member – Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa Magazine
Member of NCEA (National Coalition of Estheticians, Manufacturers/Distributors & Associations)
Author – NOTES FROM YOUR FAIRY GODMOTHER (book)
Author – ESTHETICIANS ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND (book)
Author – THE HEART OF ESTHETICS: Creating Loyal Clients & Achieving Financial Success (book)
Director and Lead Esthetician – BeWell Expo, Skin Analysis Lounge (Los Angeles 2012)
Director and Lead Esthetician – BeWell Expo, Skin Analysis Lounge (Pasadena CA 2013)
Executive Producer – BeWell Expo 2014 (Sacramento CA)
Instructor – The Business of Esthetics (The Learning Exchange)
Instructor – National Esthetic Teacher Training (NETT) 2014
Core Team Member – Deepak Chopra live events (2019)
Course Instructor – “THE HEART OF ESTHETICS: Creating Loyal Clients & Achieving Financial Success.”
Course Instructor – “THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR NEW ESTHETICIANS: Jumpstart Your Career.”

Publications

Les Nouvelles Esthetiques & Spa Magazine (including but not limited to):

Mastering Peels
Connecting with Clients: Blogging to Build your Brand
Know your Sources: Sifting through Digital Information via Social Media
Top Qualifiers when Choosing Back Bar Products
The New Client Questionnaire
Banish Bridezilla Blues: Behold the Bridal Service Buffet!
The Art of the Client Consultation: Boost Retail Sales and Expand your Client Base
Ladies who Lunch – With a Side of Spa
Online Retailing: Is it Helping or Hurting your Spa Business?
Social Media Marketing: Too Much of a Good Thing?
Choosing a Back Bar Line
Spa Dreaming

Dermascope Magazine:

Dare to Inspire – ‘men-tor: A trusted counselor or guide’

Books

The Heart of Esthetics: Creating Loyal Clients & Achieving Financial Success (2nd edition, 2022)
Estheticians are a Girl’s Best Friend (2nd edition, 2016)
Notes from Your Fairy Godmother: Ideas, Inspiration & Joy for Women (updated 2022)