My Biggest Takeaways as a Solo Waxer by Jaclyn droll
Starting a business and building clientele is like unlocking a whole new level of yourself, one you didn’t even know existed. It’ll push you to think in ways you never have before and shove you outside your comfort zone (in a good way). It’ll show you just how resourceful, creative, and smart you really are. It’s a direct path to your higher self, the version of you that planted this dream in your heart in the first place.
In this post, I’ll break down the 3 biggest takeaways of how I started my business and built my clientele from scratch within a few months - in a new state, knowing exactly zero people. I went from seeing one to three clients a day to averaging 15 - 20 clients a day in about six months as a solo waxer. If I can do it, so can you! So, take what resonates, and leave the rest.
1 | Invest in education:
I literally would not have built a business without investing in education. Like, for real - I would’ve had to shut my doors within a couple months. I do have a degree in business administration, BUT!! I would argue that the outside education I invested in was way more valuable (and my degree was... kinda useless, lol).
When I say “education,” I mean books, podcasts, courses, and mentors (I’ll share my faves at the end)! I spent three years preparing for my business launch. I devoured books on business, mindset, personal development, selling, and even spirituality. I listened to hundreds of podcast episodes, attended webinars, summits, and courses, so many I lost count.
I didn’t have a client base from a previous job and I didn’t have friends to model for me. But those three years of being a “student” taught me how to find and retain clients and actually run a business. You don’t know what you don’t know, and knowledge is power. So take the time to learn and evolve!!
The most important thing I learned? Marketing and advertising. Posting on Instagram isn’t marketing (sorry, I had to say it). There are amazing free and paid courses on Meta, YouTube, and Google ads that teach you how to attract clients the right way. Or, if social media isn’t your thing, you can learn about networking, traditional advertising (like magazine ads, billboards, gym TV ads), or community events.
Find mentors you admire, even if you can’t afford their services yet, follow their socials, listen to their podcasts, and absorb their content. The internet is literally a goldmine of free education if you take the time to find it!
2 | Become an unforgettable service provider:
Think about your favorite nail tech, hair stylist, or facialist. What comes to mind first? Probably how they make you feel. Maybe your nail tech always gives you a good laugh, your hairstylist keeps it real about your inspo pic, and your facialist lets you zen out for an hour.
Now, think about a service provider you didn’t vibe with. Even if their work was good, what stuck with you? Probably how they made you feel. I once went to a nail salon where the receptionist was so rude, I almost walked out. The nail tech wasn’t much better. She was cold, annoyed by my questions, and clearly uninterested in me. The ironic part was my nails looked amazing. But did I ever go back? Absolutely not!
Take the time to care about your clients, like for real. Clients can tell when you don’t feel like you have time for them. Even if you’re busy, your client should never be able to tell you’re rushing or frazzled. Nobody wants to feel like just a number to you. In a world where a client has so many options, how can you make it stupid for them to go anywhere else?
Our job as service providers is to do what we need to do to make our clients comfortable. Basically- it’s not about what you need, it’s what your client needs!
3 | Figure out your why and have clear goals:
Not knowing your “why” is like driving a car with a bunch of people all shouting different directions at you. It’s confusing, overwhelming, and makes you doubt what you already know. Social media can feel like that. One person says go left, another says go right, and suddenly you’re lost.
I found myself following a great sales coach, who is really talented, but we didn’t align at all. I kept implementing their advice, but felt so disconnected from myself. I didn’t realize I was literally following someone else’s dream instead of my own. I lost sight of my “why” for months and let someone else sell me their dream. This is when I realized I have to integrate my why into my everyday life.
Your why keeps you grounded. If you don’t define it, the world will define it for you. For example, my goal is to have a storefront and eventually employ a team of waxers. I never planned to go into education. But for a minute, I got caught up following an esthetician who made education seem like *the* dream. I snapped out of it, and now I recognize that it was a moment of misalignment. And it made me understand if I stand for nothing, I fall for everything.
Another piece of advice I heard from a mentor was to start with the end in mind. Basically, start your business knowing what your exit plan is. Is it to sell your business one day? Leave it to your kids? Turn it into a franchise? If your goal is to sell your business when you're 45, things will need to be structured much differently than the person who wants to sell their business at the age of 75. This is why the “why” and your goals are so important to define before you start your business (or ASAP if you already started)!
Follow people, and surround yourself with like minded individuals who enhance and feed your goals. Plans can change, but knowing your why will keep you from getting lost along the way and set yourself up for success.
Final Thoughts:
Starting a business will test you everyday. You’ll have highs and lows. Sometimes within the same day, but don’t forget this dream was planted in your heart for a reason. No one else has the vision you have, so take it and run with it. As long as you truly want it, nothing can stop you. Wishing you the best and all the success.
Xoxo,
My Fave Waxbare Products:
Prep: Waxbare CLEANSER+ Waxbare TONER
I use cleanser to prep body services and toner to prep face for services
Wax: Waxbare COCONUT + Waxbare CORAL
Coconut I use exclusively for Brazilians! Also for chin / lip / brow for clients with thicker hairs.
CoralI use for pretty much everything else! Also worth mentioning, it’s the only wax I’ve ever loved for leg waxing!!
P.S: As promised, here are some of my favorite books, podcasts and mentors!
Books:
Get Good With Money by Tiffany Aliche
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robery Kiyoaksi
Karma of Success by Liz Tran
Podcasts:
Entrepreneurs on Fire by John Lee Dumas
Med Spa CEO by Heather Traveen
Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher
The Waxing Podcast by Kirsten Goetzelman
Courses, Resources + Summits:
Bosses in Beauty | Raya Cunningham
Maha Copy | Madison and Haley
Marketing Matters | Ashley Brock
Unleash the Power Within | Tony Robbins
