Podcast Summary: "Coming Into Money at 18 and BLOWING it All + How I Got My GlossGenius Deal & Dealing w/ Hate Online"

Beauty with a Twist — Hosted by Dede, featuring Bri Mesquit (Rebel Wax)
Episode Date: February 6, 2026

Episode Overview

In this candid and inspiring episode, esthetician and entrepreneur Bri Mesquit (founder of Rebel Wax) joins Dede to share her journey from teen mom to industry leader in waxing, product development, and education. The conversation dives deep into the realities of starting a business, overcoming personal and professional hurdles, building a personal brand, developing a signature product, navigating the world of trade shows, dealing with online hate, the shift from service provider to educator, and money mindsets in the beauty industry.

Key Topics and Discussion Points

Bri’s Background & Early Career

[00:20-01:29]

• Bri introduces herself as a 14–15 year esthetician, starting in the treatment room before launching her first product (the iconic wax pad) in 2020.
• Share about moving from services into product and education.

Notable Quote [00:39]

“I started off in the treatment room… Developed our first product in 2020. And now we're more in the product and education space.”
— Bri

Trade Shows & Business Realities

[01:18-03:19]

• Discusses the logistics and high costs of exhibiting at major trade shows (booth fees, electricity, internet per device, drayage).
• Despite the steep investment, says the networking and customer connection are “100% worth it” long-term.

Notable Quote [03:05]

"We've gotten a $7,000 bill before for them bringing... We’re putting money into those, but it’s worth it."
— Bri

Early Challenges & Going Solo

[04:13-08:53]

• Opens up about being a teen mom in esthetics school, navigating personal losses, and the difficulty of separating personal life from entrepreneurship.
• Describes trial and error in her early solo journey: getting scammed by landlords, struggling to market herself in low-referral environments, learning the power of social media.

Notable Quote [07:26]

"I really had to learn to market myself. That's when I started realizing how important social media is...”
— Bri

Moving & Rebuilding Clientele

[09:06-10:24]

• After relocating from Southern California to Bend, Oregon, Bri rebuilt her business from “experience, not scratch”—commuting for clients, doing marathon workdays, slowly establishing herself in a new market.

The Birth & Growth of Rebel Wax

[10:24-14:43]

• The wax pad started as a personal solution to filming pink, aesthetically pleasing videos. Demand exploded after she shared it on social media, leading to unexpected business growth.
• Shifted from brand ambassador to formulating her own wax products after negative experiences with affiliate deals (e.g., not being paid by brands).

Notable Moment [14:28]

“I was owed about a $12,000 affiliate check... In that moment, I was like, I’ve got to do it myself—because I can’t ethically support and promote these brands anymore.”
— Bri

Product Development Lessons

• Initial wax formula was customized for herself and later adapted for broader accessibility; now Rebel Wax offers multiple varieties.
• Proud to be a pioneer of the hybrid gel/cream wax formula, not bothered by copycats.

Notable Quote [16:49]

“We can always own that we were a pioneer of something. And if others follow, that’s...fine. There’s enough for everybody.”
— Bri

Educator & Mentor: The Transition

[17:21-20:47]

• Naturally moved into education after training at European Wax Center and recognizing industry gaps.
• Encourages aspiring educators to deeply master their craft before attempting to teach: mastery, experience, and adaptability to various learning styles are essential.

Advice to Future Mentors [18:53]

“You have to do the thing that you’re going to be trying to teach... Mastering the technique for yourself versus learning how to articulate that and train someone else—whole different ball game.”
— Bri

Speed, Burnout, and Boundaries

[20:47-23:38]

• Talks about thriving in high-stress environments but learning to recognize signs of burnout.
• Stresses self-awareness, knowing your own limits, and rejecting industry comparison.

Mic Drop [23:38]

“Comparison is the thief of joy... Everyone’s ‘enough’ is different. Damn mic drop.”
— Bri

Social Media Growth & Authenticity

[24:01-27:40]

• Emphasizes showing up authentically and being willing to be “terrible” at first—repetition builds skill and comfort.
• Social media (especially Instagram) has been crucial for growth (“consistency, showing up, just pressing post, not overthinking”).

[25:27]

“I’ve made tens of thousands of pieces of content at this point... embarrassment is the price of admission.”
— Bri

The Power & Pitfalls of Social Media

[27:40-29:55]

• Explains how platforms have leveled the playing field for small brands.
• Shares intent to launch on TikTok Shop, recognizing trends and new sales channels.
• Discusses affiliate marketing, urging listeners to “lead with value” and only promote what they genuinely love.

Affiliate Strategy [32:00]

“Do not just cold reach out and ask for free stuff... Start promoting them now. Lead with value.”
— Bri

Money Mindset: Gaining & Losing

[34:02-38:32]

• Bri shares a deeply personal story: after her mother’s death, she received a large settlement at age 18 tied to a tampon-related lawsuit—then “blew it all.”
• Her early belief was not whether she deserved money, but doubt in her ability to manage it responsibly—a mindset she’s worked hard to change.

[34:49]

“I always saw it as a possibility for me... But then I had to break the mindset of I’m not the right person to manage that money and I’m gonna lose it all over again.”
— Bri

Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

[40:22-43:43]

• Biggest obstacle holding waxers (and all beauty pros) back: scarcity mindset and the belief that “the industry is oversaturated.”
• Real root: lack of sales/marketing skills and unwillingness to do the work and persist.

Powerful Analogy [42:50]

“A quarter, right? What’s the likelihood of you getting heads ten times in a row? …It’s actually 100%, because I didn’t say you had only 10 tries... You just gotta keep doing it.”
— Bri

Evolving Definitions of Success

[44:13-47:52]

• Success now means time and experiences with family, not just finances.
• Having enough financial freedom to create memories outweighs the old chase for “money, money, money.”

[44:13]

“Success to me now—experiences and memories made with my family and finances to not be a barrier...”
— Bri

Trends, Hot Takes & the Future of Beauty

[47:52-51:34]

• Predicts growth in industry events and in-person connection, more ‘edutainment’ content, and deeper AI integration.
• Over trends: Posting daily/weekly income for clout, negativity as a sales tactic, and “mean girls” in the industry.

[49:53]

"I'm just tired of people posting what they make in a day... I don't think that's tasteful."
— Bri

Criticism, Hate, and Handling Comparison

[54:04-59:20]

• Despite her online presence, Bri identifies as an introvert who finds social interactions at trade shows and speaking events draining.
• Explains her evolved approach to criticism: check for truth, adjust if needed, but otherwise, focus on showing up for those who need her message.
• Acknowledges that cruel online behavior is unfortunately rampant, especially in beauty Facebook groups.

[55:53]

“If they don't feed me, finance me, or they're not my spouse—what does it do for me to... I'm not going to put my energy into that.”
— Bri

Building Discipline & Motivation

[59:48-61:29]

• No longer relies on motivation but on cultivated discipline; her own health transformation (lost nearly 80 pounds over 3 years).

[59:51]

“I no longer depend on motivation... I have created discipline... Motivation is a feeling and it comes and goes.”
— Bri

Legacy and Final Thoughts

[61:55-66:46]

• Hopes to inspire women to “bet on themselves,” challenge limiting beliefs, and persist “until” they achieve their goals.
• Upcoming for Rebel Wax: Expanding opportunities for others to increase income and exit the treatment room when ready.
• Closes with a guiding quote from her grandma (from Zig Ziglar):

  “You can have anything you want in this life if you just help other people achieve what it is that they want.”
  — Bri [66:01]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “Embarrassment is the price of admission.” — Bri [25:27]
• “Comparison is the thief of joy. Everyone’s ‘enough’ is different. Damn mic drop.” — Bri [23:38]
• “See a problem, be the solution.” — Bri [17:27 summary]
• “A quarter: What’s the likelihood of getting heads ten times in a row? It’s actually 100%—because you keep flipping until you get it.” — Bri [42:50]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] Bri’s introduction and beginnings
• [01:18] Trade show realities
• [04:13] Personal & professional early challenges
• [07:26] Transition to solo practice; social media
• [10:24] Launching the wax pad
• [14:28] Start of Rebel Wax after affiliate brand fallout
• [17:21] Transition to educator/mentor
• [23:38] Mic drop on comparison
• [24:01] Building a content style; authenticity
• [34:02] Money mindsets, inheritance & loss
• [40:22] Overcoming limiting beliefs in the beauty industry
• [44:13] Success redefined—family & freedom
• [47:52] Industry trends & what’s getting old
• [54:04] Surprising fact: Bri’s an introvert
• [59:51] Motivation vs. discipline
• [61:55] Desired legacy & empowering others
• [66:01] Closing quote—servant leadership

Conclusion

Bri’s story is brutally honest, insightful, and full of practical wisdom for beauty professionals and entrepreneurs. This episode delivers actionable advice on business growth, personal development, and online presence, with plenty of real-life lessons about resilience, authenticity, and redefining success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow beyond the treatment room, Bri’s journey shows that betting on yourself—and being willing to mess up along the way—truly pays off.