Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Wilson
Hi Emily, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey in the beauty industry began at seventeen years old. I had recently dropped out of high school due to a severe anxiety disorder and lacked direction or purpose in my life. I knew I had to do something but felt I wasn’t cut out for college, so I enrolled in beauty school, not yet knowing what I truly wanted out of my career.
After beauty school, I took a job at a corporate waxing salon. Waxing wasn’t my dream job, but it was one of the only places that would hire an esthetician straight out of school. People in the beauty industry often say that you don’t choose your specialty; it chooses you, and this was absolutely true in my case. I discovered I was good at waxing and had a gift of making people feel comfortable. I had previously thought of myself as an introverted, antisocial person, but learned that I loved the client connection aspect of my job. The opportunity to meet so many different people, hear their stories, and learn from them, became my favorite part of my job.
After a three-year career working for corporations, I opened my own business. Being self-employed is a common path for beauty industry professionals and one that many aspire to. However, I never wanted to be self-employed. I told myself and others that I didn’t want the responsibility that comes with running a business, but the truth was that I lacked the confidence in myself and my ability to handle the pressure that comes with running a successful business. in my experience, waxing corporations paid low wages, expected employees to work long and unrealistic hours, and limited the control that employees could have over the quality of service they provided.
All of these factors contributed to my decision to open my own business. I had a large and loyal clientele, who I wanted to be able to provide a better experience for.
My business was always intended to be small and word-of-mouth based. As my clientele increased, so did my confidence in myself. I found that I absolutely love running a business and am very fulfilled by it. I have always believed in a “people over profit” mentality, and being self-employed allows me to uphold those values in everything I do. I no longer have to follow the protocols of a corporation that is only concerned about their bottom line. I have the freedom to treat each client in a way that honors their unique circumstance, and that’s incredibly valuable to me.
Two years after opening I could no longer keep up with the demand and decided it was time to hire my first employee. I am extremely protective of my business and reputation, so I spent about a year searching for the right person to hire. I finally found my employee (also known as my partner in crime), Kennadi, Words can’t describe how valuable Kennadi is to me and my business. I truly enjoy being able to provide another esthetician with something I never had: a workplace where she feels recognized, supported, and well-compensated. Kennadi and I are blessed with an amazing clientele and a job that we enjoy going to each day. We can’t wait to continue to grow the business and add more amazing waxers to the team.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have an amazing support system that has helped me along the way, but there have still been many challenges.
Imposter syndrome and personal insecurities have been one of my biggest roadblocks to success. I have always been a person who cares deeply about what others think. When I first opened my business, I worried about what my peers would think. When I raised my prices for the first time after a year in business, I worried what my clients would think. When I recently began to pitch a new business idea to investors, I worried that they wouldn’t take me seriously.
What I have learned is that confidence is rooted in humility. Being humble enough to admit when you don’t know something is invaluable. Learning is a privilege, and in business there is always something new to learn.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My business provides full-body waxing services, specializing in Bikini/Brazilian waxing services. We are known in Georgetown for not only the quality of service we provide, but also the positive environment we have created for clients. My goal with waxing has always been to take an experience that is traditionally uncomfortable and nerve-wracking and turn it into a positive one. With quality of service being one of our top priorities, we book our services for a longer amount of time than most waxing centers. This allows us to have enough time to provide detailed service while also building rapport and a relationship with the client.
As a business owner, it’s extremely important to me that all clients feel welcome in our space. Our salon is a safe space for everyone, including LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive individuals. I am extremely proud of our dedication to making sure each and every client feels accepted and valued.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am extremely lucky to have had a huge support system.
My parents, who supported me even though I took a very different career path from them.
My friends, who let me practice on them when I was just starting out.
My mentor, Paula, who taught me the basics of waxing and gave me tough love when I needed it the most.
My employee, Kennadi, who treats my business as if it’s her own.
Most importantly, my clients, who have supported my business in the form of purchases, referrals, social media shoutouts, and so much more.
Pricing:
- Brazilian – $72
- Brows – $25
- Underarms – $25
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wildflowerwaxstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildflowerwaxstudio.tx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Wildflower-Wax-Studio/100093500597411/?refsrc=deprecated&_rdr
- Other: https://g.co/kgs/UuzEiyD
Image Credits
Kody Diane Photography
