Today we’d like to introduce you to Elayah Artis.
Hi Elayah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
– I have loved, and been interested in the beauty industry for as long as I can remember. It began with me loving the art of doing nails from going to the nail salon with my mom as a little girl, and me always braiding, straightening, and curling the hair on my Barbie dolls. Then I got into high school and started coloring my own hair. Hair is what I initially went to cosmetology school for. I was just going to take hair, but I was convinced to do full cosmetology – hair, nails and esthetics. I am so thankful I did that, because that is how I found my passion for waxing. While in beauty school, I worked at a hair salon and the owner tried hard to convince me to do hair but I was so set on waxing. I went on interview after interview and did not stop until I landed my first waxing job. I even applied at the same company, twice. Once for one location, and again months later when another one of their locations was hiring and that is when I finally got my first job as a waxer. I worked my way up fairly quickly to what they call a “red level waxer” then eventually I was the trainer for a while. At first, I honestly never thought too much about starting my own business. I just wanted to wax! I absolutely loved what I did, so I thought this is my dream job. Eventually things started to change and I started to battle with do I stay here or do I start my own business one day. Then out of the blue I was presented with an opportunity to rent a room. It felt like a sign that I had to take this opportunity.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Things started off smoothly, I was making money, and living the dream! But honestly outside of the waxing and interacting with my clients, it was all so new to me! There were little struggles along the way of learning how to run a business. Social media, for me personally, was probably one of the biggest struggles. I never had to do any of that before. I was so used to and prefer one on one interactions in the suite. Despite being in the service industry, I can be pretty shy, and I have serious stage fright. This can still be a struggle for me sometimes. Overall though, I think the biggest struggle for me has been this last year or so. Things started to slow down for me, and I wasn’t as booked. I was working a second job and doing Uber Eats to make ends meet. My mom a.k.a. my biggest cheerleader and my go to guinea pig since school passed away unexpectedly and that obviously affected me very much in my personal life. I started to question everything. What is my path? What do I want? What are my goals/dreams? I was still struggling to get myself busy again, while also struggling with grief. I contemplated very hard and for a long time on closing my business or not. I decided to keep it open, but go down to part time to focus on my mental health and to cut cost. I wasn’t ready to give up on my dreams for my business and I’m so happy I didn’t.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Waxing Artis?
My business is The Waxing Artis. My business name is a play on words – my last name Artis, and Artist. Bringing together myself the person behind the business, my love for art, and my belief that all things in the beauty industry are a form of art. I specialize in full body speed waxing using hard wax. Even though I can speed wax, no appointment is ever rushed, and every appointment is tailored to the clients wants/needs. Not just the wax but the whole experience. I have a wedged pillow or will modify positions if needed. If you wanna talk, I would love to talk. If you need quiet and a moment to yourself, I get that. We don’t have to talk. This is a come as you are, judgement free zone. Waxing can be scary, and vulnerable for some so I pride myself on making my clients feel comfortable and confident through the whole experience. While we are licensed and professional here, my clients are more than just another appointment on my schedule. I value the trust and relationships I build with them. While the core of my business is waxing, I do brow tints and brow laminations as well.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
– In the past I would not have considered myself a risk taker. I am an over-thinker and I am a planner. I have to weigh all the possibilities and know all the details. Then, like I said, I was presented with an opportunity that I felt I couldn’t pass up. Starting my business was the biggest risk I have ever taken. I was not as prepared as I would normally prefer to be, but I chose to take the risk and bet on myself. Now I look at risk completely differently. Sometimes you have to take a risk, especially when it comes to following your dreams. There’s risk in everything that we do in life. Nothing can be perfectly, and completely planned out. I have learned so much about business, the industry, and honestly myself along this journey. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. It’s the hardest thing I’ve done, but the most rewarding. I was always pretty proud of myself for following my passions to beauty school, and all my milestones at my first job, but following through with the risk of starting my own business has made me the proudest. Even if future plans change, I still took the risk and I will forever be proud of that. So take the risk! Bet on yourself and follow your dreams!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thewaxingartis.glossgenius.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewaxingartis
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thewaxingartis
