Unity in Diversity | Starpil Wax

At Starpil Wax, we celebrate the different cultures that make up the esthetics community and believe that there is unity in diversity. Our different backgrounds make us unique and shape who we are as individuals. As a leading wax brand, we will strive to become even more inclusive, so that we can be a voice of empowerment for all beauty professionals. 

Meet Brandy, Monica, Sunnie, Zhinous, and Marra. 

These are five estheticians and business owners from different backgrounds. We got together with them to ask a few questions about their journey to starting their own waxing business and find out more about what drives them every day!

Let’s get right into it!

Brandy Wood 

1. What city are you from? Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born and raised in Jersey City, NJ. I lived most of my adult life in Hampton Roads, VA and now I currently reside in Augusta, GA. I'm a wife and a mom of 3 beautiful girls. I've been pregnant for the past 2 years so I'm trying to figure out what else is there to know about me lol...

2. How did you get involved with Esthetics?

I transitioned to esthetics after working for an EWC franchise. I loved learning more about skincare and realized I really had a knack for it. The best part was I only had to work the one job to provide for myself and my daughter.

3. How has your experience as a Business owner been?

My experience as a business owner has definitely been eye-opening. It has made me more focused and detail-oriented.

4. What drives you to do what you do daily?

I don't want to go back to being broke... A lot of stress comes from money issues, and I can’t look my kids in their eyes knowing I have the ability to provide and didn’t do anything with it or try. I want them to be proud and also be an example for them to know they can do it too.

5. Do you have a message to the world or anyone reading this right now?

My message to anyone is always this- you can make money or you can make excuses but you can't do both at the same time. And life is too short to live it miserably. Find YOUR happiness, don't make someone else responsible for it.

6. How can people find your info? 

People can find me on Instagram and TikTok at @PrettyHauteWaxStudio

*Bonus: What is your go-to Starpil Product?

My secret weapon is the Pink Film Hard Wax beads mixed with Starsoft

Monica Udeh

1. What city are you from? Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born and raised in Houston Texas. Which is what motivated me to name my company Waxx-A-Holix. After Houston’s famous chopped and screwed DJ group called Choppaholix. This group is really big in the Houston culture and I wanted my brand to have just as big of an impact on my clients as Choppaholix had on me growing up.

2. How did you get involved with Esthetics?

I gained my cosmetology license in high school but once I graduated, I wanted to learn more than just hair and nails. I was offered a job at a major waxing company so I took that opportunity where I fell in love with helping clients with their skin which eventually led me to my own building my own brand. Helping clients with no limits of a corporate company.

3. How has your experience as a Business owner been?

It can get frustrating at times because I am only one person juggling multiple tasks between business and personal life but worth every second. I can never see myself working for anyone other than myself ever again.

4. What drives you to do what you do daily?

Honestly, myself. I know the life I want to live and the legacy that I want to leave for the generations that I am going to birth. I am the blueprint to my future and I want it to be grand. So I motivate myself to always be greater than yesterday.

5. Do you have a message to the world or anyone reading this right now?

Never give up. And don’t allow someone to tell you that your way isn’t the right way. There are 100+ different “right ways” to live happily and achieve your goals.

6. How can people find your info? 

IG: @WaxxaholixbodywaxingFacebook: Waxx-A-HolixTwitter: @Waxxaholix

*Bonus: What is your go-to Starpil Product? 

I love Starsoft hard wax. It picks up every strand of hair on the first strip! Also, it's gentle enough for every one of my clients.

 

Sunnie Marie

1. What city are you from? Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I’m from a small town Genoa, IL, and went to cosmetology school at Hair Professionals Career College in Dekalb, IL my junior and senior years of high school. 

2. How did you get involved with Esthetics?

I first started my love affair with waxing while being a hairstylist at Hair Cuttery in 2007. I cut and colored hair and waxed brows and lips only, for 6 years before moving on to MAC cosmetics for 4 years. 

3. How has your experience as a Business owner been?

After combining all the skills I acquired at both places, I set off on my own! It's been amazing!

4. What drives you to do what you do daily?

I’m totally driven by natural beauty and my family so venturing off into my own business was the best option! I’m able to do all of what I love, which is full body waxing, facials, eyelash extensions, and natural makeup and also work when I want!

 

5. Do you have a message to the world or anyone reading this right now?

At Sunnie Marie Beauty, choosing Starpil exclusively as my waxing company has been awesome! The products are amazing (Starsoft Clear Hard Wax is my FAVE)! Starpil products help me work fast and their online support helps me build more clientele quickly! 

6. How can people find your info? 

You can see all my work on my IG www.instagram.com/PrettyGurlSunnie or book an appointment over at www.styleseat.com/SunnieMarieBeauty! Hearts

Zhinous Javan

1. What city are you from? Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I'm from San Antonio, TX. I’m an artist, I’ve been an artist my whole life. there are so many different forms of art and I’ve got to experience many of them,

I started off as a graphic designer 11 years ago, and I got exposed to the eyebrow threading & tweezing. I was also a musician and I was injured due to playing an instrument and that prevented me from furthering my career as a musician. I went to beauty school in 2016 and got my license in 2017 as an esthetician. 

I worked at EWC for about 6 months as a wax specialist and I also worked at the brow bar about 5 months as a brow stylist! Before I go on my own I started out working about a year from home then I found a business location that worked perfectly for my client's needs and I officially opened my business to the public in January 2019! I moved into my own salon on January 15th, 2020.

2. How did you get involved with Esthetics?

I came to the United States in 2013 when I was 22 years old and went into the service industry but I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing so I had to find my passion again and that’s what led me to become an Esthetician.

3. How has your experience as a Business owner been? 

It's been great! I've been doing a lot of trials and errors and I have learned a lot. Now I know how to market and advertise my business and how to manage it well. It’s been about a year since my business is starting to do very well. I tripled my net income in just 5 months once I switched to online booking. I've also been receiving tons of training requests on a daily basis and I'm so thankful to see most of my fans and followers are interested in learning my technique from around the world. I have the best clients that I could ask for and I’m grateful for everyone that helps and support me as I got my business started, I couldn’t have done it without them!!

4. What drives you to do what you do daily? 

I believe that being an esthetician is my platform but my calling goes far beyond beautifully Sculpted eyebrows. I also believe in most in my devotion to empowering other women and promoting confidence in them by Sculpting a customize signature brow using top Notch products and state of the art techniques.

5. Do you have a message to the world or anyone reading this right now? 

My message to anyone reading this today would be to believe in loving people for who they are and celebrating our differences! Also, that if you have a dream, hold onto that dream, keep that vision in your head and no matter what obstacles come against you or whatever people may tell you that you can’t accomplish that dream, hold onto your faith and keep that drive because your dreams can come true!

6. How can people find your info? 

They can find me on Google by typing ZhinBeauty.com, they can also find me on IG & FB by @zhinbeauty, my youtube channel is Zhinbeauty as well. I have all the contact information on my website and social media.

*Bonus: What is your go-to Starpil Product?

Before & after products! Starsoft Wax, blue film & pink film hard wax, Coral wax, your double wax warmers!!!

Marra Portesi

1. What city are you from? Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born in Wisconsin, but I grew up in Argentina. I come from a family that has been in the beauty business for over 50 years. I remember as a young teenager being always around cosmetics and perfumes; I felt complete instantly.

2. How did you get involved with Esthetics?

20 years ago came back home, my family and I choose to settle in South Florida pursuing the American dream. I went to beauty school to get licensed and to sharpen my skills. it opened the doors to many opportunities and to find my true passion, WAXING.

3. How has your experience as a Business owner been?

After so many years of hard work, dedication, and the support of my family and partner I’ve been able to open my own business, which is a dream come true. It’s a long journey, but I feel very accomplished as a business owner.

4. What drives you to do what you do daily?

I enjoy sharing my experience and training our staff at Starsoft Wax Center as the main goal is to provide an excellent experience. It truly motivates me to see my customers happy, smiling after the changes in their appearance, and building lifetime relationships with our guests.

 

5. Do you have a message to the world or anyone reading this right now?

I learned from my parents to always have positive energy, give 110% no matter what type of job you do, and the most important thing is doing your job give love and honesty. That’s what I try to encourage at Starsoft Wax Center.

6. How can people find your info? 

You can find me on Instagram @marrastarsoft! 😊

*Bonus: What is your go-to Starpil Product?

My favorites Starpil products are Blue Film and Pink Film hard wax. I use them on a daily basis and it’s definitely the best product In the market.

If you would like to have your business featured with us on an Esthie Spotlight you can signup by clicking on the following link:

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If you are an esthetician but haven’t started your own business or are aspiring to become an esthetician, we hope that this article inspired you and motivated you to reach for your goals. No matter where we are or where we come from, we can all work to make our dreams come true!