← Beauty with a Twist
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- [00:00]
A
Hey, guys. Welcome back to another episode of Beauty with twist. I'm super excited for this week's episode because we have a special guest. Go ahead and introduce yourself.
- [00:07]
B
Hey, guys. My name is Kimberly, and I go by wax junkie on Instagram. That is underscore wax junkie.
- [00:14]
A
Oh, my gosh. I'm so excited to have you. This is my first time meeting her, you guys. Where to? Tell them where you came from.
- [00:20]
B
I'm actually from the San Fernando valley in Los Angeles here in California.
- [00:24]
A
How far is that?
- [00:25]
B
It was about an hour away to get here.
- [00:27]
A
Oh, okay. So it wasn't that bad.
- [00:29]
B
Not bad at all.
- [00:30]
A
So tell them what you do. Tell them about your place. Tell them you think about wax junkie.
- [00:34]
B
Yes. So I have a spa in Chatsworth, California, and basically I specialize in Brazilian waxing as well as vagials.
- [00:43]
A
Okay, so do you just do Brazilians or do you do, like, full body?
- [00:47]
B
Currently, I've put myself to just do Brazilian waxing right now.
- [00:52]
A
Okay, so you don't do, like, anything.
- [00:54]
B
Else other than vagacials are the add on that I do have available. But right now I'm not doing anything but Brazilians and vagacials. But I do do like butt wax as well as, like, other little things. But most of the time it's mostly Brazilian that I get.
- [01:09]
A
You know where I know you from too? Neither. You're saying this. Hold on. Vagazzles.
- [01:13]
B
Yes, I do.
- [01:14]
A
Vagazo.
- [01:15]
B
What?
- [01:16]
A
Vagazzles. What the were vagazzles? Until, like, I looked on your page and I was like, oh, my God. That makes sense.
- [01:22]
B
Yes, I do add on some vagazzles after wax or vajacial, and that's just pretty much to make the kitty look a little prettier.
- [01:29]
A
The kitty looks pretty.
- [01:31]
B
It looks very pretty.
- [01:32]
A
Do you charge a lot for vaginas? This is for me, you guys. Okay, hold on. Because I got them and I'm like, how the do I mark them, you know?
- [01:39]
B
Well, I buy the sheets off of the bush bomb pro website and I charge $7 to add it on. But sometimes I will give a little freebie, depending on the client. And if they let me film, I'll just be like, can I throw in a vagazzle? And most of the time they'll say yes.
- [01:53]
A
Okay, so you're just like, let me just fucking sparkle your p ssy real quick. That's what she said.
- [02:00]
B
Yes. Let me bling you out.
- [02:01]
A
So how did you come up with wax junkie? Tell me.
- [02:05]
B
Well, it was about now that I'm, like, trying to think of the amount of time that I've been waxing. About, like, seven to eight years ago, my husband and I were driving down the freeway in la and I was just, like, with a notepad in the car, like, constantly, like, drawing down names and cute little, you know, just creativity of trying to understand, like, what I wanted to bring. And I remember that I was like, well, waxing is the main thing I'm going to be doing at this point. I stopped doing facials, and I really wanted to focus on waxing. And I remember that I just was dotting down keywords and things that I was, like, really interested in. And remember that I really liked the word junkie, because in today's world, obviously junkie is not a very positive word. And I was like, well, once you wax, you can't go back. You're gonna really love your results. And for me, it was like, you become a junkie to waxing. So it just kind of flow if it was a nice blow to the name. And I stuck with it.
- [03:06]
A
That's literally what I know you as. Like, I. When you walked in, you guys, I was like, wait, I forgot her name. Hold on. And then I was like, wait, I just know you answer because I've never heard such a unique name, you know, Wax Junkie. So when I heard it, I was like, oh, my gosh, that's you for sure.
- [03:20]
B
I definitely thought it was such a weird name. And then over time, I just kept saying it out loud. I was like, wax junkie. Wax junkie. And I realized, like, it was just such a good name and I wanted to keep it. I. There were a couple times that I was gonna change it, and it just. Nothing else after that came so organic and, like, that I loved. So I stuck with it.
- [03:42]
A
Yeah. So how long have you been waxing, then?
- [03:45]
B
I've been waxing for 10 years now.
- [03:47]
A
So tell me how you started.
- [03:50]
B
So I started off at European Wax center, of course. Of course. That's, like, always the first place a lot of us start. And I been an esthetician for 12 years now. The other day, I was actually speaking with my friend Caitlin, and I was like, I think I've been an esthetician for 10 years. And I had to renew my license. And I started to look back on my social media. I'm like, wait, how long have I been an esthetician?
- [04:13]
A
Like, you forget. You forget. People ask me too. I'm like, wait, I don't even. Hold on. I had to count you know?
- [04:18]
B
Yes. I. I kind of just was like, wait, I've known Caitlyn for a while now, and when I met her, I said I was an essential for 10 years. It's been two years, so I'm like, yeah, I've been Esther for 12 years.
- [04:29]
A
Yeah. So then did you. Okay, so back in the day, right, you went to school and then you went straight to European or did you go another route or.
- [04:40]
B
Yes.
- [04:41]
A
Yeah.
- [04:41]
B
So when I began, I didn't know what I wanted to be after high school. And I remember that my parents being Latina, they were like, either you go to school or you work. And I was like, I didn't know what I wanted to do. So I did community college for a while and it wasn't for me. As much as I loved the thought of going to school and becoming the first kid in my family to graduate from college, it just didn't resonate with me. There was a lot of things that I just didn't grasp or didn't really feel passionate about at the end of the day. And I remember I dropped out and I didn't tell my mom for maybe like a month. And I would just lie and I would tell my mom going to school.
- [05:23]
A
I feel like this is a repeated of my story because that's literally what I did too.
- [05:27]
B
Yeah, I didn't want to disappoint my parents. Um, and I just kind of was like, okay, well eventually you're gonna have to come clean. And I told my mom, I said, I'm sorry mom, but I'm not going to school anymore. And she was just like, well, you're gonna have to get a full time job then. Cause I only had a part time job at that point. So I used to work in retail and at that point I worked for this company that was under bcbg and I really wanted to do marketing. Retail. I love fashion. Like, that's like one of my biggest things that I love to do. Or at the time I was like doing more merchandising. And I remember they were going to close down and that's when I decided like, I have to get a real job. Like an adult job.
- [06:11]
A
Yeah, yeah.
- [06:12]
B
And luckily I had a friend who's still in the industry who gave me the option like, hey, you can come work with me. I work at this skincare company and they're based out of Barcelona, Spain and they're called Meso Aesthetic. And we would do retail sales, so we would call estheticians, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, you call their offices to try to sell them on the products.
- [06:36]
A
Yeah.
- [06:36]
B
And they were known for a depigmentation treatment called cosmetic. So you would have to call these very educated, you know, people, and you would be, like, excited, but also scared because you're, like, not sure what esthetics is like. I went into it kind of thinking, oh, this is going to be, like, a beauty thing. But only realizing how deeper it got, and the more deeper it got, I was like, I want to be an esthetician. And at that point, I was traveling with them. I got to go to, like, Miami to the shows for, like, IACC and like, Vegas and Texas. And I was just traveling in my early 20s, and that's when I realized I'm going to go and get my license. Like, I need to become licensed so that I can take this seriously and. And know more about the industry and know what I'm talking about. That way, when I talk to these professionals, I can feel confident in what I'm saying.
- [07:26]
A
Yeah.
- [07:27]
B
So I went to school. It took me about eight months. And after that, I stayed working there. And my boss was pretty much like, you need to get out of here.
- [07:37]
A
Because she fired you.
- [07:39]
B
He fired me, but in the nicest way possible.
- [07:43]
A
She's like, kim, we just can't afford you in a good way. Or was it like.
- [07:48]
B
It was more. He saw my potential, and he said I was wasting my time there.
- [07:52]
A
Oh, okay.
- [07:53]
B
Yeah, it was a nice way. It was like a nice push. It was like a. You have way more to discover, and you need to get out there. And had he not done that, I probably would have stayed there, probably would have been comfortable with the job, because, again, I was getting paid well. I got to travel. I was in my early 20s. It was, like, such a great experience.
- [08:10]
A
So did you have a plan B or was it kind of just like.
- [08:12]
B
I'm Like, I'm. It was completely. And at this point, again, like, I was just unsure what I wanted to do.
- [08:19]
A
Yeah.
- [08:20]
B
And I just started applying for jobs left and right, and the first job that called me back was European waxetter.
- [08:26]
A
And then you went to European. And how long did you work there?
- [08:28]
B
I worked there for about a year. I really enjoyed my experience there. I know that. I've listened to other podcasts with. With your guests, and I'm like, it's funny because it's either a hit or miss for some people. You can tell some people are either grateful for the experience, or they were just completely, like, angry. And I think my experience was a mixture of both. Like, I Didn't have a great manager and boss. But I think what I found comfort and happiness with was my clients. Like, they were amazing and they were so supportive, and it just became really quickly. I knew that waxing was, like, one of my strongest things that I could do in my industry, and I just loved it.
- [09:13]
A
And so did your clients follow you?
- [09:15]
B
No, I didn't steal any clients. I was like, the other people were scared to get sued, and I was so terrified that I would get a call and be like, you're in trouble, you know?
- [09:25]
A
Yeah. So when you quit, you just decided to go pure solo and then you decided to work out of a room or you rented somewhere?
- [09:32]
B
Actually, I ended up applying for hand and stone massage and facial spa. They're well known here in Los Angeles. And I primarily worked there for four years doing facials. So I kind of quit waxing, all in all. And I just was like, well, this job was going to help me grow in my industry and I wasn't primarily, like, interested in doing facials, but I was also excited to try something new and kind of like leave European Wax center behind. Because at the end of the day, working there was great and I learned a lot. But there is no connection with your clients there. They don't really allow you to have a connection with your clients.
- [10:11]
A
Yeah, because it's fast, right?
- [10:13]
B
Yeah. 15 minutes in and out.
- [10:16]
A
Yeah. Did you like facials? Be honest.
- [10:19]
B
I loved it.
- [10:19]
A
Really?
- [10:20]
B
Yeah. I did it for four years also.
- [10:22]
A
You did it for four years after you.
- [10:23]
B
After your Van Wax Center.
- [10:24]
A
Okay, so then what made you come back?
- [10:26]
B
Well, the pandemic, primarily because at that time we were furloughed, we were let go for a while. And remember, we were at home and I have a son. So at the time, he was about 2, 3 years old. And knowing that I wasn't going to be getting a paycheck, it was really scary.
- [10:45]
A
Oh, yeah.
- [10:45]
B
And I feel like, you know, having a child really puts things into perspective. And you realize, like, I have to do this because there's so many things that are going to change. And not having an income was like, so terrifying. So I remember that I just was like, you know what? Fuck it. What can go wrong? I ended up buying a massage table I set up in the corner of my back house. And I just invited people to start coming in and I was like, hey, you want to. You want a coochie wax?
- [11:19]
A
And they started coming, huh? They started coming because the pandemic is kind of where I started too. It just blew up. You Know, so I feel like a lot of people blew up because of the pandemic.
- [11:29]
B
It was a lot of sadness for people, but I think it was also a big eye opener for people, too. And if you build it, they will come.
- [11:37]
A
Yeah. So then after that pandemic passed, then you realize, okay, I need to leave this. Did you rent a room or you just went straight to your storefront?
- [11:48]
B
There came a point where my mom has always been so supportive and, like, other than my husband. And, you know, I've always had so many people be supportive. My mom was the one who was like, you're bringing a lot of people into your house. I think it's time you look for a space. And I was terrified because I think anytime you're doing something new, it's completely. It's terrifying.
- [12:12]
A
Yeah.
- [12:13]
B
You don't know what to expect. You don't know what's gonna happen. And I feel like that is the point that I kind of want to make across is like, take those steps slowly and build. Because I think that a lot of us are scared to even start anywhere because you don't know what to expect. But that's the scary part. And honestly, at this point, it's like the most fun part of it all is like, you don't know what's going to happen.
- [12:34]
A
Yeah. Especially I feel like now it's so, you know, there's so many people that do this in this industry, and it's just so oversaturated and it is 100%. So I feel like people are just getting discouraged of, like, why am I not getting books or whatever. Why isn't it working out for me? Like, how it's going to be working out? Like, wax junkie, she's so big in the industry, or, you know, other people that are so big and like, why isn't it doing that for myself? You know? And they get discouraged, so they stop doing it.
- [12:59]
B
Yeah. And I feel like I'm not going to lie. My journey has been, like, to the point where I've worked, worked, worked, worked, that I sometimes look back and I'm completely in awe of, like, how much has happened since then. And I think that when you're passionate and you love what you're doing, you don't even look back sometimes. And there's sometimes, like you're standing on the top of the mountain and you're like, wow, how did I get here?
- [13:23]
A
Yeah, how?
- [13:25]
B
And how do I have people that they want to work with? Me is also another one. It's. It's such A exciting time. And I think it matters, like, the energy you bring and people just. They gravitate towards that energy.
- [13:40]
A
Yeah, I feel like that's the same too. I feel like a lot of people, I feel like if you have this, like, bitchy attitude or you're just very, like, closed off, it's not going to get you far, really.
- [13:51]
B
And we've all worked with people like that. I feel like we've worked with. Right. We've all worked with people that were like, you know what? I see the potential in you, but maybe you're not ready or you're not there yet.
- [14:02]
A
Yeah.
- [14:02]
B
And I feel like that's something that I've struggled with because I always want to take people under my wing and I want to help everybody. But sometimes you realize, like, not everybody.
- [14:11]
A
You know, is you in a way. And we try to. Like, for example, I had someone that used to work here, and I just kept trying. I think I kept trying to push this person to be kind of like me in a way. And I would just share my ideas and share how I filmed my content and how I did certain things that kind of bit me in the ass in a way in the end. And, like, it. She wouldn't change when I wasn't around. So, like, when I was around, she would be this person. But when I wasn't around, she wasn't this person. And clients started, like, telling me about her. Like, I just don't feel comfortable. Like, this is so weird because when I'm here, it's not like that.
- [14:48]
B
Gravy. Yeah.
- [14:49]
A
And then I had to let her go. When I got my first bad review, it was like a long paragraph about this person. And I was like, I. On my website, I don't have. Yeah, I don't have one bad review, but this person. And it's multiple complaints now. And it just hurt me because I was like. Like, I just can't change you, you know? Yeah.
- [15:08]
B
Even though you want to help them as much as you, you know, you can only lead a horse to water.
- [15:13]
A
Yeah.
- [15:14]
B
But I think these experiences are what help us grow and it's what helps us also to learn. Like, when you meet someone new, you kind of catch these things and you're like, okay, this person is probably not the best person right now. Maybe in the future. But I think it's a struggle because we always want to. I mean, I'm this type of person where I want to see the good in everybody, and I always try to pick the good in everybody. And I, like, don't see zodiac sign.
- [15:39]
A
I didn't even ask you. I'm such. I'm. Milo's over me. My manager's over me. Is he. And I ask every person, what's your zodiac sign? Are you Leo?
- [15:46]
B
No, I'm a Sagittarius, but I think my rising is Leo.
- [15:50]
A
You give me Leo vibes. You give me queen vibes.
- [15:53]
B
Like, I'm surrounded by Leos. My mom, my brother, and my son are Leos. So I feel like I'm my mom, helpless to it. Yeah.
- [15:59]
A
And my brother's a Leo. So that energy I'm feeling.
- [16:01]
B
Yeah, for me, I think you kind of just. You gravitate towards what they do and, like, you learn from their behaviors. And you're like, yeah, but I was just telling my friend Caitlyn, I was like, I feel like I'm so real and I'm so honest, but sometimes it does bite me in the ass.
- [16:15]
A
But that's something about Sagittarius. They don't know how to. They don't have a filter. They're going to say, what the they say. Am I right?
- [16:22]
B
I. I try to be nice about it. Okay? I try. I try. I always try to find my words. And lately, actually, what I've been doing is, like, I sit on my thoughts before I speak. Like, that's something that I've learned with age. Like, as a seji, I'm like, okay, like, sleep on it and then talk to them tomorrow. Or like, I try really hard not to.
- [16:40]
A
I'm just a crier. Can you guess mine? Are you into astrology? No. Can you guess who I am? Are you not into astrology?
- [16:49]
B
Pisces?
- [16:49]
A
No, Close. I'm in the water signs.
- [16:52]
B
I was gonna say for sure. Water.
- [16:54]
A
I'm a crier. I cry all the time. Actually, no, let me say this. I'm not. I don't cry. I'm a cancer.
- [17:02]
B
Cancer.
- [17:03]
A
I don't cry. But, like, I feel like that I've been pregnant. All I do. I cry all the time. And it could be for the dumbest reasons. Okay. I think my emotions are just. My hormones are just everywhere.
- [17:12]
B
But that's pregnancy. I was like that, too. You can ask my husband. He'll tell you. I cried for everything.
- [17:16]
A
Yeah. Smallest thing I've seen. Oh, my God. Anyways, so you went from the. The room, and then you decided to go to where you at currently? Or did you go somewhere else?
- [17:28]
B
No. So actually, after I worked from home, probably for about two years. So when people say, like, oh, my God, you built your clientele yeah. But a lot of it was a big amount of time in between. So I ended up from there in North Hollywood, and I rented a small little studio there for about eight to nine months. And then from there, my business just kept growing and growing, and there came a point where I couldn't even keep up with my own clients. I would have to turn people down. I would have to say, sorry. And at this point, you have to remember you have your clients come in every four to six weeks. So some of my clients were like, I can't get in with you. I can't be consistent because I can't get in with you.
- [18:05]
A
Yes. So it was kind of. It was like, I maybe can't take new clients because my regulars are just taking up so much of my time.
- [18:12]
B
Yeah. But that's also what I learned in sales, is you're leaving money on the table. You're literally telling people, I can't service you, so you're pretty much sending them away elsewhere. And there's. There was a point where I would tell people, okay, well, come see my neighbor or go see my friend over here. So there was just pretty much like, I'm sending people somewhere else. I'm not keeping them in house. And that's when pretty much the idea rose of combining a business and moving to a bigger location. And at first, we did file for, like, an llc. We were going to pretty much hire people to work for us. And at that point, it was about six months into this, hire people, where it was just a ton of responsibility. It's just one of those things where I don't feel or did not want to feel like I was somebody's boss because I have so much going on in my life. Like, I don't have time to tell people what to do, what to do. I just don't. And honestly, one thing I learned was that common sense doesn't really apply to everybody. Yes, it doesn't apply to everybody. And luckily, I do have a group of strong, beautiful, talented women that they know what they're doing. And I feel like I'm so lucky to have found these group of women.
- [19:34]
A
So you have how many booth graniteurs with you right now?
- [19:37]
B
Right now. Caitlin's one's been with me the longest, and she's here supporting, so I love you, Caitlyn.
- [19:41]
A
She's here. Shout out to her.
- [19:42]
B
I love her. So, Caitlyn. And then there's Lila.
- [19:45]
A
Okay.
- [19:46]
B
And then there's Areli, Rosie. And then we just added Sydney and Daniela. So we're seven in total?
- [19:53]
A
Seven total. Including you?
- [19:55]
B
Including me.
- [19:55]
A
Great. So does everyone do everything different? So one says facials, another one does.
- [20:01]
B
Pretty much. We're a collective group that collaborates, so we're known as aesthetic junkies. But everybody is their own business owner, so. So it's Skin by Caitlyn. And everybody has their own, like, name for their business. So the beautiful soul Rosie Touch. She's going to kill me if I say that wrong. And Lila G. Beauty. So the other two, I'm still getting to know them a little bit more, and we're going to talk to them more about, like, what their approach to beauty is. They just joined us literally, like, this month.
- [20:31]
A
Yeah. And it's kind of like this, that it's the same thing here, except not everyone. I feel like I'm the only one that does, like, facials and wax. Actually. No. I have someone that is sugaring.
- [20:44]
B
Oh, cool.
- [20:45]
A
And then I have a lash tech, and then I have a nurse that does Botox and filler and stuff like that, so. And it's good to have everything, too, because it's like, if I can't service the wax, I'm like, hey, have you tried sugaring before? And then I'll send them that way.
- [20:59]
B
It's like I said, like, keeping them in house. That way you're not losing a client.
- [21:03]
A
You're just sending them in inside, you know?
- [21:06]
B
Yes.
- [21:06]
A
And that's a good thing, too. But at first I was doing, like, hourly, and like you said, it just takes. It's just too much and it's hard. But for me, it was like, I kind of related to where you said, like, not a lot of people are like, you and your work ethic. And I feel like I fired so many girls and their interview was spectacular. And then when I started working with them and working with them, I'm like, oh, my God.
- [21:27]
B
Yeah. Because you get to know people over time and you see their true colors and you realize not everybody has it in them the way you have it in you.
- [21:35]
A
Yeah.
- [21:35]
B
But like I said, I'm very lucky to have my girls, that I could see it in them day in and day out. They hustle their asses. They literally promote themselves. And luckily, I was able to work with them, you know, hand in hand. I was able to help them learn, like, about Brazilian waxing. And they've taught me things. And I feel like it's such a great community in our environment. And we've been together. Most of us have been together at least for the three years now that we've been renting where we're at, and I can tell you, as of now, we've not had one single, like, argument or fight between us.
- [22:09]
A
I love that.
- [22:11]
B
Which is so rare.
- [22:12]
A
It is. I was just gonna say that is so rare.
- [22:15]
B
We have really great communication like that. I know that I can feel 100 about. But, you know, we're women. We're all gonna have our days off, our, you know, moments where we're not our 100 best. But I feel like we do a really good job of, like, uplifting each other, too.
- [22:30]
A
Yeah. Is that. That's my question. Like, how did you create such. Like, when you interviewed them? Because obviously I interviewed them even though they're a booth renter, so I can't even catch a vibe with them first, because I'm gonna be. Even though you're a booth renter, I'm still going to be with you every single day. Even though your own boss. 100, you know, so how did you get to, like, create them? Did they reach out to you and you kind of were just like. Or did you know them so.
- [22:53]
B
Most of them. Well, luckily, like I said, Caitlin was with us from the beginning. She was actually one of our employees at the beginning. And when we switched over to renting, if you don't mind me sharing, she was a little bit scared because she was like, well, I wanted to come into this to be an employee, not to booth rent. And I was like, look, we are going to help you. We'll figure it out. And she has been with us three years now, and she's been her own boss since then. And luckily she stuck it through. And I feel like every time I interview somebody, most of the time I'll be like, can you sit with me and interview this person? Because I feel like sometimes, like I said, me being me, I'm always like, I want to help this person. And sometimes the girls will be like, kim, did you not notice A, B, and C? And I'm like, no, I didn't.
- [23:38]
A
Oh, my God. Why are we still the same?
- [23:40]
B
So it's nice to have someone next to you who cares about you, cares about their environment. We care about each other's environment because, let's be real, we spend more time where we work than sometimes we do at home. And so if I'm going to spend all this time at my second home, I want to feel happy. I want to feel like we're all getting along. We take care of each other, and it's honestly one of the best things that could have possibly happened. Out of all of the things that probably didn't work out, I feel like there's always this positive thing that comes out of things that don't work out.
- [24:12]
A
Yeah. And like the same my assistant shout out to her. She's been working for like, almost six years. And there's days girl, where I'm just literally like, I can't take that. Like, can you do it for me? Like, she's just. And then I feel like since you're so close with her too, you know, they just kind of like they know you and they know stuff that you like, you like. And then like. Okay, I know that she won't like that.
- [24:33]
B
Yeah.
- [24:34]
A
You know what I mean?
- [24:34]
B
Just like the other day I came out and Caitlin was like, are you okay? And I was like, actually, no, but I'll tell you about it in a bit. Yeah, it was just them, like slight tea. And then. It's funny how we can read each other's energy really quickly.
- [24:47]
A
Yes.
- [24:48]
B
And I feel like that kind of not even just friendship, but like, you know, you can just really tell if someone's not 100. And maybe they don't want to talk. We don't want to talk about it 100 right away. But it takes some time. But like, luckily we have each other to like, lean on each other and like have these conversations and discussions. And it doesn't have to be work stuff. It could be personal stuff, you know, and we become like family. So I feel like sometimes even like if someone's going through something, you're just like, hey, how's that going? Like, just to check up. Yeah. I think it's so nice to have like co workers like that.
- [25:21]
A
Yeah. And I feel like I thought I. Because I'm telling you, I had so many booth renters here and I've had my long term renters. And then Sunday left because of, you know, one. One was working here. She worked here for like three years. She was booth renter. She wanted maternity leave and she just quit being an assistant overall. But I still love her. I wish she could come back. But anyway, so there's been some that come for six months a year. You know what I mean? And then my assistant's like, stop over sharing your life. And I'm like, I just can't help it. Like, they just. And then I just keep blabbering and blabbering. And I think it's just because, like, I trust people so fast and that's like my biggest thing. That's what for myself, like, my red flag Like, I literally trust people, even if I don't know you.
- [26:03]
B
I'm like, then it hurts you because you're like, I trusted you guys, and he backstabbed me.
- [26:07]
A
You know what I mean? So it's like, it sucks. But now that I. Where I'm at, I feel like I can. I know how to choose booth renters wisely.
- [26:16]
B
Yeah.
- [26:16]
A
And I feel like now the team that I have is so good that I'm like, fog. Like, they had to be. If they're the next person that comes in, not only has to be good with me, but with every. I need to make sure the vibe. That's what we do, too, is with everybody, you know?
- [26:31]
B
That's what we do. Like I said, we're very lucky that we all kind of just intertwine with each other so that we kind of know if someone new is coming in. We kind of already know if they're gonna fit or not. And I think that's the best part is that we all get along so well that if someone comes in, we're like, ooh, we don't know. Like, that might not work out. And there. That has happened. There's been times where I've been, like, like, blindsided. And girls were like, hey, why do you let so and so talk to you like that? Like, I had people come in, and I'm like, no, you don't get it. They're sweet. That's how we. That's how we banter. That's how we talk to each other. And they'll be like, no, no, Kim.
- [27:08]
A
You don't see it.
- [27:09]
B
Like, and I'm almost, like, blind because I'm just like, really? Yeah.
- [27:12]
A
Like, are you sure? Yeah.
- [27:15]
B
But I think that's just, like, the person in me I always want to see, like, I said, the best in people, but I feel like that's also one of my weaknesses, is that I don't sometimes see when someone's not being genuine or, like, they don't want the best for us or me.
- [27:29]
A
Yeah.
- [27:30]
B
So. And, you know, sometimes it takes years, if anything, to figure it out. And I feel like I've come such a long way, but I can't say that I did it on my own for, like, 100. I cannot say that by myself.
- [27:42]
A
Yeah. And another question, too, because I feel like this is a topic where, you know, I've gone asked, should you go solo, or should you have, like, a best friend to join you, like a partner? Do you feel that should happen? Do you feel you should? You know, there's always that. Let me give you an example. Two best friends in a room, and they're like, okay, let's go start a fucking business. And then they're best friends. And then they always say that business partners never last. But then there's some stories where they actually last. So do you think I want you to go solo?
- [28:16]
B
You know, I would suggest maybe spending more time with somebody if you really want to try it out. I don't think there's anything wrong with it because like you said, there has been instance where I've heard of partnerships working, but I think that at the end of the day, you need to both really have an understanding of what business partnership means to you. Because I do feel like, no offense to anybody, but somebody might have a bigger passion and more of a drive than the other, or your version of your goal and your dream might not be the same as mine, or it could change over time. Things happen, you know, there's no really way of telling if it will or work out. It will or will not work out. I just think that in my personal experience, if I could reverse the yes, I'd probably tell myself that I could do it on my own. Like, you know how people say, like, if I could tell my younger self something that, you're gonna be okay, you're gonna be okay. Yeah, you're gonna figure it out. I feel like there's things in my career path that I wish, like I said, could probably reverse time, but I also don't regret anything that I've done because it wouldn't be where I'm at if I. That wouldn't have happened.
- [29:30]
A
Exactly.
- [29:31]
B
Like, these are all stepping stones and learning experiences, whether they're good or bad. I keep telling myself the same thing. Like, at the end of this, you're going to come out stronger. You're going to come out having more experience, more knowledge in situations. And if I had to decide right now if I would go into a partnership with somebody, I would tell you, fuck, no, never again.
- [29:54]
A
But you know what? I've heard that too. I've heard, like, so many horror stories of having a partner. They did this. They this, this. And I actually had some on my podcast talking about this too. And. But then I also hear good stories, like, oh, my God, I can't. This person's been my, you know, friend for so long, and they're my business partner, and I do everything with them, you know, but you're right, sometimes their path is in your path, and I feel like you have to, maybe they won't tell you that in the beginning they're like, oh, yeah, whatever. You. We're gonna do the same. Like, I want that too.
- [30:22]
B
Yeah.
- [30:23]
A
You know, and someone's like, love bombing.
- [30:25]
B
Like, you're just like, yes, yes, yes, yes.
- [30:27]
A
And speaking of that, one of my best friends shout out to her. She was on my podcast and beauty bar by Z. I'm gonna call her out. We were gonna be business partners. We were gonna open up like a whole, like an Aspire solo salon type of thing. But I think me and her realized that, like. Yeah, no, like, let's be best friends.
- [30:45]
B
Respectfully, I love. Yeah, let's not do that to our friendship.
- [30:48]
A
Yeah. And it's so crazy cuz she was. She became my roommate, so I lived with her too. Amazing. It was amazing. I think it was just such a best friend bond, but not a business bond.
- [30:58]
B
Yeah.
- [30:58]
A
You know what I mean? Because she runs business very different. So I think we realized, like, yeah, let's not ruin our friendship.
- [31:04]
B
Oh, for sure. Because it does. And it can and it will. Not will, but it might. Yeah, but see, like, I don't have a partner right now, but I work alongside other women. Yeah, but we're not each other's bosses. I don't boss them, they don't boss me. You want to take days off? Take days off. I'll see you when I see you. But you're running your own business, so therefore, I'm not going to intervene in what you're doing with yours. Yeah, you don't intervene with mine. But we could still work together. Yeah, why not? But I've learned the very, very hardest way, and I feel like for me, it's a hard path.
- [31:38]
A
You're like, next.
- [31:40]
B
Thank you.
- [31:41]
A
Next. Yeah. And that's what I feel like, too. I feel like having booth renters for me. And this is another controversial topic. I like it better than having hourly. Okay. But more importantly, I like to be having. I like to have booth renters. Because I feel like, like you said, I'm not your boss. You could do whatever you want as long as you pay me your rent. You know what I mean?
- [32:02]
B
Yeah.
- [32:02]
A
And you could do however, you could take days off, you could do whatever you want. I'm not going to tell you what to do. Just pay your rent and I'll see you when I see you.
- [32:09]
B
Yeah, that's how it is now. And I think that's the best, smoothest way to do it. Because you wish them well, they wish you well. We share clients sometimes. That's actually like the funniest thing, because.
- [32:20]
A
Share clients.
- [32:21]
B
Yeah, we share clients.
- [32:22]
A
Or like, someone, like, if you. If you don't do something, she does.
- [32:24]
B
Yeah. So if I'm unavailable, like, let's just say, you know, I'm unavailable, and I go on my schedule. We all have the same booking app and love. It's honestly the best. It's the best. I feel like it works the best for us. Yeah. At least for us. And I'll be like, hey, I'm unavailable, but Rosie could take you tomorrow. I'm unavailable, but so and so could take you tomorrow.
- [32:44]
A
And they keep 100 of that. So it's like, everyone win, win.
- [32:47]
B
That's how I feel. And I've heard other. I'm obsessed with your podcast. So I've heard the other episodes, and some of the girls are like, well, I want to be making money when I'm not there. So she's working with me. I pay her hourly and commissions and this and that.
- [33:00]
A
I've done that.
- [33:01]
B
Yeah. But it's, you know, again, more work. The competition, it could feel some way, like, that's my client. And I feel like I love that feeling of not having that competition. It's just women supporting women, and we're all successful in our own way.
- [33:15]
A
Yeah. So you know that this is super. This industry is, like, super oversaturated. How different is it from, like, 10 years ago to now? Like, do you see, like, everyone's a waxer?
- [33:28]
B
I mean, there are a lot of people who I feel like I see online are starting a business, or I even have clients of mine who come in and they're like, hey, I'm gonna be going to session school when I graduate. Like, what do you think? And I'm like, look, find your passion. If you love skin care, what's gonna work best for you? You know, because there's a certain amount of things we could do within our scope that I say, like, but if you want me to teach you waxing, I'll teach you. And that's happened with my girls, where I'm like, I want to see how you do a wax. Like, let me help you. Let me give you tips. And I feel, like I said earlier, like, I'm probably the one who always wants to help people, but I also feel like seeing people now, like, okay, I'm a business owner now. It takes more than just saying I'm a business owner. There's so many things that come with being a business owner. It's not just an Instagram in a room. It's not it's more than. And I feel like that's one of the biggest things that I stand by is, like, make sure whoever you're going to see is a professional, has their proper paperwork, has insurance. You know, there's all these things that come with being an owner other than just being like, I own a business, you know, oh, my gosh.
- [34:34]
A
You know, they don't think it's. They think it's easy. Let me see. Instagram. Let me just, you know, post. And then, you know, I'll still. And you know what? Some people have their regular job, and then they'll still do, like, yeah, estheticians on the side, but everyone's. I feel like a lot of people have asked me, like, oh, how do you do it? Like, how long have you been doing it?
- [34:54]
B
Right. I heard that you're in business school or you were.
- [34:56]
A
Yeah. I mean, I'm almost getting my bachelor's in business.
- [34:59]
B
That's amazing.
- [35:00]
A
And people ask me, like, well, how have you been in business for so long? I'm like, because, girl, like, I. Even when the days I'm not busy, I'm still keeping myself occupied by doing something that I know that I'm gonna get busy. You know what I mean?
- [35:12]
B
Yeah. You're always working.
- [35:13]
A
I'm always working. Even when I'm off, I'm working. And I have three days off now. I used to have zero days off. Now I have three days off. And those three days off, I'm still working. And it's not even just. It's. It's like, working as in, like, content, or if I'm not doing content, I'm doing, like, tax stuff, which a lot of people don't know. That's hard.
- [35:30]
B
Okay? If. If everyone could run a podcast, they would. It's hard. Everything is gonna take work, but if you love what you're doing, you're gonna make it work. You're gonna just. You don't even look. You're just like, okay, what do I need to do? What do I need to do? And I feel I honestly could be the one to tell you, like, I'm working all the time.
- [35:47]
A
I know, because I stalked you. Let me tell you how I stalked you, okay? I stalked you. This was a long time ago when we barely followed each other, and you did something, and you were in a. And you were in a room. You had your ponytail, and you were on your iPad, and it was a list of things to do. You were on there, and you were like, one was content, and you had to do some Bush bomb stuff.
- [36:05]
B
Yeah. And I was like, I make list. I'm the list queen. And I was like, I love sharing my.
- [36:10]
A
My list that. Because then I love to see it. And when I seen it, I was like, maybe because my assistant does everything she tells me my to do. She don't forget this, this, this, and that. She'll even set up my personal appointments for me.
- [36:22]
B
Oh, my God, I need somebody like that.
- [36:24]
A
When I move, she helps me move. Like, I moved twice this year already. And she comes and she's like, okay. Like, she has her, like, stuff ready to move. And she helps me outside of work, inside of work, even when I'm not here. And I. Someone wants to come and check out the room for booth renters. I'm like, okay, you take it. She's like, okay, I'll take over.
- [36:43]
B
I love that for you.
- [36:44]
A
So she does everything right. So when I seen your to do is. I'm like, maybe I should do that.
- [36:49]
B
I mean, I think that it's great because there comes a point where I do feel like having an assistant is so nice. We have a girl. Okay. So we ran this little program for a while where we had two interns coming in from. What was the school name? I forgot the name of the school, but it's an esthetician school. Academy of Beauty Professionals.
- [37:12]
A
Oh, yeah. So they're students.
- [37:14]
B
Yes. So they have this new program now, which, you know. How long have you been in a position for?
- [37:19]
A
I think I'm going on. Oh, my God. Hold on. I think I'm going to like, six years. Okay. Yeah.
- [37:24]
B
So I'm not sure if you were cut off, but they had this thing where back then you had to do the written exam and then the.
- [37:30]
A
Oh, I did a prayer. I did both practical. Yeah.
- [37:32]
B
Okay, now they don't have that.
- [37:35]
A
I know, right?
- [37:35]
B
Like, it's so annoying.
- [37:37]
A
Yeah.
- [37:37]
B
And it's so frustrating because when you took this test, you were, like, nervous as.
- [37:41]
A
First of all. Yes.
- [37:42]
B
And they're watching your every move. And I now know that they only have to do the written part.
- [37:47]
A
So not only just that. Did you hear it? Shorter too.
- [37:50]
B
Oh, yeah. The hours are shorter. Shorter, right?
- [37:51]
A
Yeah. No, the test is shorter. So Normally it was 120. It's 90 questions. Oh, wow. Well, okay. Anyways.
- [37:58]
B
Anyways, so we're the OGs. So she. We had two interns come in and they were pretty much helping us. And one of the interns just really gave it her all. Like, she was like, what do you need? I can do this for you take your lunch. I was like, I could get used to this. And, you know, now, so she pretty much graduated, she got her license, and she's been in school right now for nail tech. But she comes in to help me and I pay her, and she is the best, like. And that's why sometimes I feel like it would be good to have, like, an assistant because they can help you and make more opportunities for you because they're helping you through the process.
- [38:38]
A
Absolutely. I don't know what I would do without my assistant.
- [38:40]
B
Yeah. And right now, I answer all emails, all calls, everything. I do it on my own. I do everything by myself.
- [38:46]
A
And that's what I'm saying. You're fucking queen. I knew you were. I knew you hadn't been. Because me, I couldn't. Okay. And I could, I did. I'm not saying I couldn't, but I used to do that. But I feel like that's how I drained myself. And I feel like there was emails, important emails I would miss.
- [39:02]
B
Yeah.
- [39:02]
A
And there was important dms, like, hey, I. I reached out to you and I'm like, oh, my God, I didn't even see it. And there was like, I have a work phone and I have my personal phone. So my work phone would always, even on my days off would blow up, you know.
- [39:14]
B
Yeah.
- [39:14]
A
And now that I.
- [39:16]
B
Or if you're on vacation or, you.
- [39:17]
A
Know, and my assistant's just like, go, leave me your phone. I'll leave me your iPad. I got you.
- [39:24]
B
And I love it. Okay. I'm. I'm after this.
- [39:27]
A
This is your sign.
- [39:28]
B
This is my sign.
- [39:29]
A
And. And I feel like it's someone. Someone asked me, like, how. When did you know, like, you need an assistant? For me, I think it was when I realized that I was draining myself. And I feel like I was able. The income that I was bringing in, I was able to hire someone on my team and just make sure. And letting her know that this is my expectations from her and telling her, like, what I really need from you is to make. Is to help me get a lunch. Making sure that I'm okay. Even just the get lunch part, like.
- [39:58]
B
Sometimes you don't eat.
- [39:59]
A
Yeah. Making sure that I'm mentally okay and that, like, you know, it's something that I miss. But you got. You know what I mean? And I feel like she's been working almost to tell you for six years. And I went to high school with her, so I feel like she understands me, you know? But, yeah, it was. It's the best thing. Just Going to.
- [40:16]
B
Honestly, it is. I feel like just hearing how this makes your life a little easier, especially with a baby on the way. I'm sure it's going to be.
- [40:23]
A
Yes. She's worried. She's like, well, how long are you taking off work? I said, I'm only going to take off three weeks. But she's. Girl, you're not. Oh my goodness. I'm a workaholic though. It really is like that. You know, when you're a business owner, they're like, you don't really. You work more, I feel like, than a regular. But that also could be a controversial topic. Like, oh my God, like you're saying you work harder than nurses. I'm not saying that.
- [40:45]
B
What I'm saying maybe the same amount of hours as them.
- [40:48]
A
Yes. But also too like there is this thing that went viral on Tick Tock. It was like being an influencer. So hard trying to get a, try to get a, a regular job or someone was like, I'm a nurse. And like being an influencer, they're saying some like that. Right. And it's so crazy because like I don't take. No. What is it? Like, props to you for being a nurse. Props to you for being in construction because it's so hard.
- [41:13]
B
Yeah.
- [41:14]
A
But being a business owner too is.
- [41:16]
B
Just, it's a lot like sometimes when I talk about these things, like when clients, like when we talk and I'll be like, oh, yeah, like this or I'm that. And they're like, you do all that? I'm like, yeah, but it's not by myself. Like, I'm lucky. I have a lot of help. My mom helps me a ton with my son and my dad and then my husband, he's a very hands on father. I can't say I do it by myself. I don't. I need how I need my. What do they call it? My village. Yes, I need my village. And if it wasn't for these people, I wouldn't be able to do what I do.
- [41:48]
A
Yeah. And you, that's so good too. Because not only help people have that.
- [41:51]
B
No. Yeah. And also for me, like, family is super important. Like I do. Like you said, like I. You have three days off. You said I have three days off. I have Sunday, Monday, Tuesday off. And Sunday's my family day. Monday, Tuesday. Well, my son's on summer break, but usually I like to be able to pick him up. I like to take him somewhere to get lunch or get a this or that. Like I want my son to see me as well. So for me, four days a week working, I don't feel guilty, because when I'm there, I'm giving it my all. And I feel like when I look at these moments when I get home and all is fine, I feel. I don't feel guilty for it. I feel like my son will one day look at me and be like, wow, my mom worth. I really did that. And everything I do is for him. Honestly, it is. No, but for real, like, it is. It is. It's for him. It's for his future, you know, to teach him that, you know, women could do it, you know, just as much as a man could do it.
- [42:47]
A
And I can't wait for my son to see that too, girl.
- [42:49]
B
Yeah, it's beautiful. It really is. I think that if I will. And I have to be honest, I feel like my drive before my son was pretty bland. It wasn't very there. But after I had him and then going through Covid and doing all that, it was just like, I knew I had to do something. And it was beautiful that I found what I found, because I knew it was in me all along. I just didn't know it till, like, maybe even hour at this point.
- [43:13]
A
Yeah. And then you kind of see, like, yourself, you're like, dang, I've come so far. You know, Then you, like, sometimes I'm like, thinking. I'm like, how the. Like you said earlier. How the fuck did we do it? Like, yeah, like. And we look back, and then there's days. I just feel extra, extra grateful.
- [43:28]
B
Oh, 100. Yes, 100.
- [43:30]
A
That's another thing. Like, yes, business is we so hard, and it's like, yes, it's draining. But in the end of the day, it's the best thing ever. Because we make our schedule. We're capable. We're able to make our schedules, have the days off.
- [43:42]
B
Absolutely.
- [43:43]
A
And, you know.
- [43:44]
B
You know, one of my biggest things is probably, this is your first baby, right?
- [43:48]
A
Yeah.
- [43:48]
B
Is once you see that they're, like, in kindergarten and they're doing all these, like, little things like, hey, we're doing a school performance. I'll be like, hey, clients, I'm sorry, but can I see you a little bit later? And they're like, absolutely. Go to your son's performance. Go to his. These are the things that you will never be able to get back in your kids. They look up when you're at their performance. They're looking in the crowd, where's my mom? And you see those children who are looking for their parents and they're probably not there. And I, unfortunately, was one of those kids where I would look up and my mom. How to work, my dad had to work.
- [44:21]
A
That's. Yeah.
- [44:21]
B
But, you know, I don't blame them for those things. I just feel like that's life. But when you're a kid, you don't understand that. So I hope and pray when my son gets older, he's going to be like, well, my mom was always there. My dad was always there. My grandma was always there, you know, so these are the things that honestly make it worth 12 hour shifts.
- [44:39]
A
Yeah. And that's. That's why I became a business owner. I knew. I knew that I wanted to be my own boss for a very long time, and I knew it was going to be hard trying to make it, but I feel like now it's so rewarding that I know that I'm able to run my own business, take the days off. And when my son gets here, I'm able to say, hey, I mean, I know I'm going to take three weeks off maternity leave, but I can take longer if I wanted to.
- [45:04]
B
Yeah, you can.
- [45:04]
A
And there's just.
- [45:05]
B
You should.
- [45:05]
A
Yeah. Everyone thinks I'm crazy, girl. Trust me.
- [45:08]
B
And there's.
- [45:08]
A
There's jobs that they give you a specific time, and it's.
- [45:12]
B
Don't get me started on the state of California.
- [45:14]
A
How long is that even now?
- [45:15]
B
Six weeks for vaginal delivery, eight weeks for.
- [45:19]
A
Don't say eight weeks for a C section.
- [45:21]
B
Eight weeks for C section. That's what I went through.
- [45:23]
A
Are you joking?
- [45:25]
B
Yeah. My boss wanted me back after eight weeks, and I was like, well, I plan on taking family time. And she was like, that's fine, but we're gonna have to offer you this shift.
- [45:34]
A
When you're ready to work, shout out to nine to fives. For real. Because they go through a lot, too.
- [45:38]
B
There's a lot of things that's wrong with the state of California and mothers and.
- [45:41]
A
Yeah.
- [45:42]
B
Yeah.
- [45:42]
A
I don't know, girl. If I'm.
- [45:43]
B
That's a whole other. That's a whole nother topic. Yeah.
- [45:45]
A
If I get a C section. Deuces. I'm sorry, clients. I love you guys, but.
- [45:49]
B
Yeah. You know, everyone's recovery is so different. So my recovery was pretty gnarly. It was pretty bad. And again, my village. That's all I will say.
- [46:00]
A
Yeah.
- [46:00]
B
Very lucky.
- [46:01]
A
And that. I'm saying three, everyone. Every time I say three weeks are like three weeks. Yeah. I was like, you know what I mean? But it's. It's it's. For me, I'm trying to come back in three weeks only because, like, I'm like, I'm a workaholic one thing and then two, it's like, kind of like, I do have a village myself. So, like, we'll take care of the baby, and they're going to help me out through everything, too. But for me, it's like, I hope I have a good recovery, because if it's not three weeks, then I'm going to, you know.
- [46:26]
B
Yeah. And take as much time as you need. Postpartum depression recovery. Yeah. There's a lot of things that go into it. I feel like for people who've never had children, like, they don't really know what to expect. I myself didn't know what to expect. And when I did have to go back, I will say that that did contribute a lot to my postpartum. And, yeah. Because I will say this, as a mom, like, I breastfed for a year. So, like, the pumping and the breastfeeding and going back to work after eight weeks, it was very difficult. It was very difficult. The bonding moment of your kid. And it's just a very, very crucial time for both.
- [47:02]
A
Yes.
- [47:02]
B
So I've heard that. Take your time.
- [47:04]
A
That's all I will say.
- [47:05]
B
I never tell people what to do, but.
- [47:07]
A
And then if you see me on Instagram and then you see me back in three weeks, you better text me, be like, girl, are you okay?
- [47:12]
B
At least you're going to be here.
- [47:13]
A
Like, yeah.
- [47:15]
B
Have a good facial and just free the nipple. Go for it.
- [47:19]
A
I love the nipples.
- [47:20]
B
Yes.
- [47:21]
A
Okay, so now let's talk about this little controversial stuff that I've been seeing on Instagram. Are you a fast waxer or are you? Tell me. Because, look, can I be honest with you? I'm not. Okay. I could be a fast waxer. I could be having someone in and out in 10 minutes if I wanted to.
- [47:40]
B
Oh, yeah, absolutely.
- [47:41]
A
Okay. But I feel like I have such a bond with my clients, but that's my problem. Yeah. I also, I've heard, like, oh, you can have a bond in 10 minutes. Can you?
- [47:49]
B
I mean, no. I'm sorry, but no. I block. We block off 30 minutes for Brazilian waxing.
- [47:55]
A
Okay.
- [47:55]
B
And the reason being is because of the cheeseme. The cheese.
- [47:59]
A
Right?
- [48:00]
B
Am I.
- [48:00]
A
No.
- [48:01]
B
Real.
- [48:01]
A
Yeah.
- [48:02]
B
If you have a good bond with your client, it's as soon as they walk in. Sometimes I'm like, can I close the door before you get naked? Like, let me shut the door before you start bringing it all Down.
- [48:11]
A
Yeah.
- [48:12]
B
And it just starts. They get undressed, they hop onto the table. 30 minutes sometimes is not enough for you to fit in. But then again, like, I don't have a PhD baby. Like, oh, shit. There's only so much I can help you with. So I do say, for me, I'm a slow waxer for that. And I run late sometimes when I come out, I'm a little early. Everyone's, like, laughing at me. They're like, you're early. I'm like. But it's sometimes, for the most part, I don't like rushing my clients in and out. I don't want European Waxing their vibes. I don't want my clients who feel like they're just another number.
- [48:45]
A
Yeah.
- [48:45]
B
And to me, I'm not gonna lie. Yes, money is the. The motive. Money is the best thing out of what we do. But for me, I feel like I can meet in the middle. Yeah, I could still make good money, but I could still service my client and have enough time with them. And to me, making them feel heard, like, seen, loved, all that is so important when it comes to your business. That's why they don't go to European Wax.
- [49:09]
A
Yeah.
- [49:09]
B
If they wanted to have fast, they would. What do you call it? Wham, bam, slam. Thank you, ma'am. They can go down the street, but I think they come to us because they want to experience just friendships.
- [49:22]
A
Yeah.
- [49:22]
B
That's all it is.
- [49:22]
A
I agree. Because I've seen so many girls that. Well, not so many. Well, yeah, let's say I've seen girls on my Instagram and they have, like, 45 Brazilians in one day. And I just know in the back of my head, 45 Brazilians is how many minutes per client. And then I see other girls, like, they'll start at 7, clock out at 11pm because they have so many, you know, Brazilians plus in between bras and stuff like that. And I'm just like, how do you get a conversation? Like, for me, it's like, fuck, I talk so much. So I space out 30 minutes, you know, and it's like, yes, I'll be done with your wax in 10 minutes. You're not gonna be in pain for 30 minutes, but you'll be in pain for 10 minutes. And the other 20 is just for me and you.
- [50:06]
B
Yes. I think that's how it is. Honestly. Like, I could do a Brazilian in 15 minutes.
- [50:12]
A
Yeah.
- [50:13]
B
Or less. But I walk over to my pod and I walk back, and I'm like, breathe in, breathe out.
- [50:19]
A
How does it have temperature.
- [50:21]
B
And when we're doing the vagacial, even nicer because then they do like the little steam and then it's just, it's an experience. They're paying for an experience. They're not paying for a quick service. But if that's what you do with your business, by all means do that. And if your clients come back and they love that experience, even better. But I will be honest. I do have a few clients, a handful where they will say, I gotta be in and out, like I gotta go. I have things to do. And I'm like, say less. I get you out, don't worry. And those people, we might not have that bond, but at least they know they can come in with me and they can still get that service and it's fine. But there are people who I do feel they need that extra time. How many people have you had cry on your table?
- [51:02]
A
Oh my gosh.
- [51:04]
B
Not from the wax, from like an emotional topic or like discussing things.
- [51:10]
A
A lot of times I. Even when I get facials and I, I have this thing where I can feel someone's sympathy.
- [51:16]
B
Yeah.
- [51:17]
A
And I just feel like it kind of just like when I touch you, I could just feel like you're going through something. It's like you're empath.
- [51:23]
B
You're an empath.
- [51:24]
A
And I could just fill it. And like when someone even, even when.
- [51:28]
B
You greet them, you can see it automatically, like, what's going on? How are you?
- [51:31]
A
Yes. And it's so weird because even with new clients, I like, even if I've never met you, I could just feel like. You okay?
- [51:38]
B
Yeah.
- [51:39]
A
I remember I've had that happen a couple times where I've had this one client's particular. She was new and I asked her like, hey, are you good? Just wanted to make sure she was a new client. Broke down crying on the bed.
- [51:49]
B
Yeah. It's because they're in a vulnerable position. They, you know, it's just a lot of emotions going on at once. Yeah. So that's why I don't like to rush them out. But I think I just did this funny tick tock where my friend who comes and see me and I wax her and she usually will bring me a little buzz ball at the end. She's so cute. And we'll drink our buzzball at the end. But we're like laughing because it's like, that's like a therapy session almost. And then I think I put like my phone up to like leave a tip kind of thing. She was like, thank you for letting me vent. And I just went like this with my phone, and it's like, it says, leave a tip. 10, 20, 30. But it's, like, funny because it's like, that's how, like, you know.
- [52:24]
A
Yeah.
- [52:24]
B
Yeah.
- [52:25]
A
And this is so fun. We had a. My other podcast, my last one with Christian, we're talking about tipping. Do you include your tipping into your.
- [52:32]
B
No. It's a 7. We charge $70 for a Brazilian and 105 for a wax and a mini vajay shawl.
- [52:38]
A
Okay.
- [52:39]
B
And we don't. We don't ask people to tip us. If they tip us, it's it. We will accept it. Sometimes if, like, a client comes in, they're like, I've just been so much. I've been on a budget this and that. And they're like, here's like, my $5. I'm like, go get yourself a coffee. Go treat yourself to something.
- [52:57]
A
Yeah.
- [52:57]
B
You know, because at the end of the day, it's appreciated, but it's not mandatory. It's not. It's already included in our price. Yeah, well, like, it's not included, but.
- [53:07]
A
Like, it's not excluded, but the price of the box is already enough in a way. Yeah.
- [53:12]
B
Yeah. So I try to be understanding.
- [53:13]
A
Oh, I'm not pushing with tips, but shout out to my clients. I have the best tippers.
- [53:17]
B
Oh, yeah, me too.
- [53:18]
A
Oh, my gosh.
- [53:19]
B
Sometimes we get major tips, and I'm like, no. Or. Or they'll pay me with Zell on their way out. And I've gotten that before where, like, they'll tip me a lot, like, 50 bucks or something. And I'm like. And I'll write. I'll. I'll text them. And I'm like, did you mean to.
- [53:33]
A
Send me this much?
- [53:35]
B
And I'll be like, yeah. And I'm like, you didn't have to, but thank you. I appreciate you. I always appreciate your business. Like, it's not needed, but thank you.
- [53:45]
A
Yeah.
- [53:45]
B
Honestly, it's really nice.
- [53:47]
A
Have you had any crazy waxing stories lately?
- [53:51]
B
We're just talking about this.
- [53:53]
A
Stop. You.
- [53:53]
B
This happened. This happened recently. Full disclosure. I know I've. Like, I said, listen to your podcast. And I know that everybody's so different with what they allow in their room. So, for example, like, I know some people don't allow extra people in their room, and I usually don't care. I don't mind, because I've never had an experience. Experience where it was uncomfortable.
- [54:15]
A
Yeah.
- [54:16]
B
So this time around, somebody did ask me if they can bring in somebody. And I. My gut feeling. Listen to your gut feeling. I already knew in my heart that it was like, don't do it.
- [54:29]
A
No go.
- [54:30]
B
Oh. But I still allowed it because I said to myself, sometimes my clients want to bring in their significant other because they want to see what the process is like they want to see. And I've had people of all, you know, gay, straight, by all of that. So to me, I'm lgbtq, all of that. I'm. I'm happy to accept all people. So this person wanted to bring in their significant other. And I was just telling my friend and my husband, like, it made me feel very uncomfortable because I rarely have this, like, gut feeling that it's not a good idea, but this time I knew it wasn't. And so. And so brought in her person. And just the comments that were being made, the way they were acting, there was a lot of sexual energy, and I was like, why do I feel like you guys are getting off on this? Why do I feel like you guys are excited for another woman to be in the room with y'all right now? Like, this is not. This is never happening to me. Yeah, it was giving swingers, and we've been poached. My husband. I haven't poached many times. And we're always just like, it's a cute, funny idea, you know, but we never. We don't think we're right now our 60s or something, when we're all saggy, you know, we're not there yet.
- [55:44]
A
We're not there yet.
- [55:46]
B
So, you know, I honestly felt super uncomfortable. And this has never happened to me. And I kind of. I was telling them. I'm like, I was a little disappointed in myself that I didn't speak up.
- [55:55]
A
And I forgot, like, it was.
- [55:58]
B
There was some smacking going on. There was some leg grabbing. There was a little push of the penis. And there was some comments like, you like it?
- [56:09]
A
Like that?
- [56:09]
B
Does that feel good? And at the end, I always grab my, like, bush bomb oil. And then I'm like. And he was like, does that feel good? And I was like, y'all need to get the out. Like, you guys need to go. Go.
- [56:19]
A
Goodbye, please.
- [56:20]
B
But I didn't say anything. And I was so frustrated with myself that I was not, like, how I thought I was.
- [56:27]
A
I thought it was a regular.
- [56:29]
B
Oh, my God.
- [56:31]
A
I'm not gonna say. I'm not gonna say stop.
- [56:33]
B
I don't wanna.
- [56:33]
A
Oh, my God.
- [56:34]
B
I get myself in anything, but I feel like next time. I know.
- [56:37]
A
Absolutely.
- [56:38]
B
And I feel like, from here on, I will know what to do and what to say and, like, how to handle the situation a little bit better. Because if it made me feel uncomfortable and I see naked people for a living, I think that's a lot to say.
- [56:50]
A
Yeah, I know. I was in, like, caduceus. I see. I've gotten into. I think unless I was the same way, because I'm not even going to front. Like, there's times that stuff has happened to me and I'm like, frustrated myself because I don't speak up. But recently something happened and I didn't speak up. I think it's because in the moment I'm not thinking and it's kind of like I'm embarrassed. I don't know. I'm secondhand embarrassed. I don't know what it is. And I. I don't know.
- [57:14]
B
And I always told myself, like, I'm going to know how to handle these situations. They have arise. But I think what it was, it was just more like shock and not being fully aware and like. But now I know.
- [57:26]
A
Yeah.
- [57:27]
B
You know, so if that ever happens to somebody, I want them to know, like, say something if you're uncomfortable. Like, you're the professional. You at any point should say when enough is enough. And I think that it comes with the territory because just because we're Brazilian waxers and we're used to it, there are some things that can happen where you're like, no. And I think that was my fine line. Like, that was my direct. Like, I'm a professional. I don't. Yeah, I don't do that.
- [57:52]
A
Have you ever had to fire a client for like a no call, no show?
- [57:58]
B
Yes, absolutely. And part of me almost feels excited to do it. I got the rent, like a loyalty client, too. Most of the time. It's not loyal, though. It's like you're like. Most of the time it's someone who doesn't really know me, doesn't know my work ethic, doesn't know who I am.
- [58:12]
A
But been there probably two, probably three times maybe.
- [58:15]
B
Yeah. But there have been an instances where it's someone who's been a regular and I'm like, I'll text most of the time. Okay. So we use Square app. And most of the time, if they know call no show, we try to give them a chance to pay through Z and Venmo. We write it in our system, we let them book. Next time they have to pay the full service amount. We don't play with the 50%.
- [58:34]
A
Nothing.
- [58:35]
B
No, you pay for the full amount, baby. You are wasting my time. Yeah, because that's.
- [58:39]
A
Period.
- [58:39]
B
Because you're wasting my time. I could have easily taken one or two people in between or for your appointment. So I think that kind of also teaches them to be respectful, and they don't want to lose out on $105 or $70 or whatever service they booked. And it doesn't matter if they even book just with me. They could book with me and two of my other girls. They have to pay all three of us.
- [58:59]
A
And what if their card declines on.
- [59:01]
B
And that happens all the time. It does.
- [59:03]
A
And it does.
- [59:04]
B
So frustrating. One, two. It's. It's disrespectful because at the end of the day, you can go somewhere, and I've worked other places where they still charge you a certain. A certain amount for no showing, but for us, it's like a full, full, full price. And when it declines, we just block them from booking. We put a little red flag on their name.
- [59:23]
A
We go on Instagram and say, we can never do this again.
- [59:26]
B
Yes, I will. Literally, once in a while, I will post.
- [59:29]
A
Yeah.
- [59:29]
B
A whole thing, a paragraph. I'll chat GPT it, too. So that way it sounds nice. Because when I'm writing it, it does not sound nice. But I'll put on chat GPT make this sound nice, and it'll say, like, you know, it's frustrating when we can't service other people due to you booking, and when your payment declines, it's a waste of time for you and for me.
- [59:50]
A
Yeah.
- [59:50]
B
So I take it very serious. I do not play with my time. And I. My husband will tell you, I'll go home and I'll be like, you will never guess. And I get frustrated. The girls get frustrated. They come to me, it declines. So you're not welcome back until you pay your fee. And that happens.
- [60:05]
A
Yeah.
- [60:05]
B
Where they won't pay it. And then a couple months will go by, and then they'll reach out and they'll say, hey, that just happened to me. I'm sorry, but I'm gonna pay your fee. Can I still come in?
- [60:14]
A
And we'll wait.
- [60:15]
B
We'll wait. We'll silently wait till you are ready to come back. And most of the time they will, because they'll go somewhere and they probably will expect the same service, if not better or whatever have you. And then when they realize that it's not gonna get better than us, then they come back and we'll gladly take.
- [60:31]
A
It back, but plus what you owe me and what I'M about to do to you.
- [60:35]
B
Yeah. But, you know, stand on business.
- [60:37]
A
Yeah.
- [60:38]
B
That's what your business is. You have to stand on it.
- [60:40]
A
And it's like, learn that. Because it's. And it's like, I said, shout out to my assistant. She's the one that's like, no, they don't get no more chances. Like, that's it. They're done. So she writes all the messages for me, but then I'm always like, she's the bad guy. Yeah. I'm like, no, it's okay. Like, it's fine. Like, it gives me a little break to do this. But then this was a long time ago. Now I'm just like, oh, hell no. Block that person. Like, I can't, you know?
- [61:01]
B
No. And your work is so beautiful, honestly. So I. I feel like your work is who you are, is what you do. It's your passion. It's more than just. Or a service you didn't show up for.
- [61:12]
A
Yeah.
- [61:12]
B
It's my livelihood.
- [61:13]
A
It's.
- [61:14]
B
It's all.
- [61:14]
A
Absolutely.
- [61:15]
B
So that's why for us at Aesthetic Junkies, we take it very serious.
- [61:19]
A
No. Yeah, I've realized I have to take that serious. And I've also had clients that they'll come get service, and they dispute it.
- [61:28]
B
Oh, that happened to me recently.
- [61:30]
A
Yeah.
- [61:30]
B
And I had receipts and I won.
- [61:32]
A
And I had receipts and I lost.
- [61:34]
B
Oh, my God.
- [61:34]
A
Video recording. And it was a $500 service. Yes. 500. So crazy. And it happened. I turned in video recordings, I turned in bank statements, everything booking, my booking site, my rules and stuff. And.
- [61:52]
B
Yeah, it's all placed. That's the thing. Like, we're not just gonna. We place it everywhere for you to see it. You sign off on these.
- [61:59]
A
Oh, yeah.
- [62:01]
B
And I've. Yeah, it's. It's. It's unfortunate, but luckily it doesn't happen all the time, so it's okay.
- [62:07]
A
Yeah. But that's how it is.
- [62:09]
B
Yeah, that's how it is.
- [62:10]
A
Yeah. Well, thank you for being on my podcast. We are times up, but we always end this podcast with a quote, so go ahead and tell us your quote. Did you think of a quote?
- [62:18]
B
I feel like I did at the beginning. I was like, what am I gonna say? It was like, last minute. I was like, my favorite quotes. And I will always live by this one, and I stand by it. And I used to have a post it note at the top of my computer when I was working in sales, and it said, if you love what you do, you will never have to work a day in your life. So it was really cute. I loved it. I was like, do what you love and you'll never have to work a day in your life because you'll wake up every morning, you're gonna have passion. It's your drive, it's your goal. It's you live, breathe, eat, sleep it. And I actually bleed it too, so.
- [62:52]
A
Oh, I love. My hormones are crazy right now. Please don't make me cry.
- [62:57]
B
No, I know, but it's honestly such a pleasure to be able to do what you love and.
- [63:01]
A
Yeah.
- [63:02]
B
To have people constantly support you, to give you these opportunities, to be on podcasts, to work with brands like Bush Bomb, you know, as their in house sd. To have a group of women who work with me and they support me and they love me and they keep cheering me on. It is the best experience I could have ever asked for.
- [63:20]
A
Yeah. And I'm so sad we didn't even talk about bushbone.
- [63:23]
B
Are you crazy?
- [63:23]
A
But it's okay. You'll be back. I hope you'll be back.
- [63:26]
B
Bush Bomb sd.
- [63:27]
A
Yes. I'm hoping that our next season, you'll be back and where you are from there.
- [63:32]
B
Yeah.
- [63:32]
A
Well, thank you so much for joining.
- [63:33]
B
Thank you. Thank you for being on my podcast. Thank you.
- [63:36]
A
All right, guys, see you next week. Bye.