Klinger's salons have been cited by experts as a precursor to the multi-billion spa industry, and she brought European-style female skin care to the United States.
[2][8] In 1938, Klinger withstood the objections from the family of her husband about working,[1][7] and she and a local doctor opened her first skin care salon in her hometown of Brno.
[4] Klinger had no money;[3] she found adjusting to life in the United States difficult at first due to the country's sense of humor and cried when she was called "honey" by others.
[4] She had an uncle who resided in Great Neck, New York;[1] he, the wife of a publisher, and a broker helped Klinger secure a bank loan of $15,000,[1][3] with the belief her methodology would prove effective.
[7][10] The bank loan allowed her to open a shop called Georgette Klinger Inc. at 509 Madison Avenue, Manhattan;[1] she created her projects from fresh and natural ingredients with herbs and fruits in her kitchen during the early years of her career.
[2][10] Klinger was one of the first to advise against exposure to the sun to prevent premature aging,[1][6][11] told clients to consume extra water, not to use soap to clean themselves,[6] to eschew hairspray,[3] and avoid applying a large amount of make-up as used in Hollywood beauty.
[1] She visited her stores regularly,[6][7][12] provided equal treatment to her customers regardless of their social class,[3] and published a small amount of advertising due to a partial dislike of large wording.
[6] Klinger moved the flagship store to 501 Madison Avenue in 1959,[1] and opened a second salon in the Los Angeles suburb of Beverly Hills ten years later.
[1] In October 1981, Klinger received the Eye Research Institute of the Retina Foundation's inaugural Woman of Vision Award, and in 1982 was invited to join The Committee of 200, which was composed of businesswomen who ran businesses with an annual turnover of $5 million.
[7] Maureen O'Sullivan of Palm Beach Daily News noted Klinger did not "sugar coat her assessments" and provided staff with support and assistance.