Podcast Summary: Beauty with a Twist – Episode: Switching to Soft Wax DOUBLED MY PROFITS in One Month

Host: Dede
Guest: Jennifer Del Cruz (Jenny), Waxer at Janity Artistry, Pearl City, Hawaii
Release Date: August 1, 2025

In this insightful episode of Beauty with a Twist, host Dede welcomes Jennifer Del Cruz, affectionately known as Jenny, from Pearl City, Hawaii. Jenny shares her remarkable journey from a social worker to a successful entrepreneur in the beauty industry, detailing how a strategic switch to soft wax dramatically doubled her profits within a single month.

1. Introduction and Guest Background

Dede opens the episode by introducing Jenny, expressing her excitement about having her as a special guest. Jenny nervously recounts her first solo flight from Hawaii to San Diego, highlighting the courage it took to embark on her entrepreneurial journey alone.

Notable Quote:

"[00:42] A: Can I just tell you guys, we started planning this how long ago?"
"[00:43] B: Oh, I think April. April is when I like, hey, I posted. I'm coming."

2. Transition from Social Work to Beauty

Jenny delves into her professional background, explaining her initial career as a social worker—a role she found increasingly unfulfilling due to burnout and exposure to client traumas. She recounts her prior experience in the beauty industry, having worked at Sephora for five years and practicing permanent makeup during her time as a social worker.

Notable Quote:

"[01:21] B: I started my business during the pandemic. Actually, I was a social worker for about two and a half years... and then I decided I want to become a waxer."
"[02:03] B: I want to give people the confidence of, hey, like I may be big... but I want to give people the confidence back."

3. Building the Waxing Business

Jenny outlines the early stages of her waxing business. Starting part-time in a small studio room, she quickly expanded her client base by promoting herself as a waxing specialist accessible to everyone, including plus-size clients who often find waxing services limited and uncomfortable.

Notable Quote:

"[05:00] B: So I started working really hard in SC school... I started promoting myself in a way where like, hey, everybody can get wax."
"[06:30] B: And that's where I build on and I tell a lot of people. I don't have the time to be somebody else."

4. The Strategic Switch to Soft Wax

Jenny recounts her pivotal decision to switch from hard wax to soft wax—a move that transformed her business. The high costs and logistical challenges of sourcing hard wax in Hawaii led her to explore more efficient and cost-effective alternatives. After attending a workshop led by Jane Payne, Jenny adopted soft wax, which allowed her to perform treatments faster without compromising quality.

Notable Quote:

"[16:10] B: I started being invested in the way that her technique was, how she sold herself... within the first month I had doubled what I made just as a hard waxer in just soft wax."
"[19:28] B: And now with the speed of, of soft wax... I've been able to take my waxing from 20 minutes to maybe the fastest wax I've done is like six minutes."

5. Business Growth and Overcoming Challenges

With the switch to soft wax, Jenny's clientele surged. She moved from a shared part-time space to a full-time private room, significantly increasing her working days and service capacity. Despite facing disagreements with her initial studio owner, Jenny's dedication and strategic marketing—particularly through viral TikTok content—cemented her success.

Notable Quote:

"[07:00] B: I was able to go from four days sharing a room with somebody... to working seven days a week."
"[06:45] A: Yeah, well, I'm like, why would I...? "

6. Enhancing Client Relationships and Personal Resilience

Jenny emphasizes the importance of genuine client relationships, leveraging her background in social work to connect authentically with her clients. She discusses the emotional toll of handling client traumas and how therapy helped her maintain her mental health, ensuring she remained a supportive and resilient business owner.

Notable Quote:

"[22:27] B: I think when you don't take people's things personal, it doesn't affect me as much as it used to before."
"[26:00] B: I was engaged in the beginning of the year... but also, I'm here taking care of you. I'm here taking care of me."

7. Mastering Social Media and Branding

Jenny shares how authentic and relatable content on platforms like TikTok played a crucial role in her business growth. By being herself—humorous, genuine, and approachable—she attracted a loyal client base who appreciated her transparency and personality.

Notable Quote:

"[33:10] B: I just wanted to be myself... my one TikTok, I think it’s like at 3.5 million right now."
"[34:43] C: Yeah."
"[33:47] B: And when I started doing workshops... clients see my personality from your phone and be like, okay, she seems cool."

8. Advice for Aspiring Waxers and Beauty Professionals

Jenny offers invaluable advice to those entering the beauty industry. She stresses the importance of authenticity, consistency, and avoiding comparison with others. Emphasizing hard work and the significance of building a supportive community, Jenny encourages new professionals to stay true to their values and continuously strive for personal and business growth.

Notable Quote:

"[52:07] C: Yeah."
"[52:08] B: And I think for, for what it's worth, you will find the people. I always tell my students, you will find the people who want to come to you. You just have to put in the work."
"[54:25] A: But know that if you are not consistent, it's done."

9. Conclusion and Inspirational Quote

As the episode wraps up, Jenny shares an empowering quote that encapsulates her philosophy both personally and professionally:

Notable Quote:

"[61:12] B: Make the world your domain, Honestly. And to stay beautiful. Because you are beautiful."

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic Adaptation: Switching to soft wax allowed Jenny to streamline her services, reduce costs, and serve more clients efficiently, leading to a significant increase in profits.

• Authentic Branding: Maintaining authenticity on social media platforms fosters genuine connections with clients, enhancing loyalty and expanding clientele through word-of-mouth and viral content.

• Resilience and Mental Health: Balancing a demanding business with personal well-being is crucial. Jenny's proactive approach to managing emotional burnout through therapy highlights the importance of self-care for sustained success.

• Community Building: Creating a supportive network among beauty professionals and continuously educating herself and others contributes to personal growth and industry advancement.

• Consistent Effort: Persistence, consistency, and the willingness to adapt are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving long-term business success.

Jenny’s inspiring story underscores that with the right strategies, hard work, and authenticity, beauty professionals can significantly enhance their businesses and achieve remarkable growth.