I opened up Wallies because Salina didn't have a Waxing salon. I saw the need for one and poured everything I had into it. I started in a small space on Santa fe with concrete walls and a black ceiling. It was very moody, eclectic feel. I loved it but I knew I always wanted a more luxury esthetics lounge.
My dreams came true when I discovered 145 S Santa fe. It was a big space, tall ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors and potential. I decided it was time to invest more into Wallies. Take the big jump.
It took only 6 months for the buildout, lots of tears and stress. I can't even describe how stressful it is to open a business. I thought about backing out multiple times.
I don't come from money, I worked to save up for Wallie's to be what I always envisioned. I never took out a loan. I just worked and worked and put everything I made back into the business. I sometimes felt insane jealousy seeing what I wanted on Instagram, these beautiful Salons. I just kept telling myself I would have it one day.
That day is today. We just updated our waiting area, added my office downstairs, updated the lash lounge and updated the upstairs permanent jewelry area. WE fucking did it.
It's so damn pretty. It feels clean, aesthetic and open. I finally feel like I have the luxury salon I always wanted and I did it without a mans money. I waxed until my hands went numb and wanted to get it on my OWN.
Is it still stressful? absolutely. Do I want to quit somedays? yes. But thats the beauty of owning your own business. It drives you crazy but you get allllll the control and freedom.
I would love to franchise Wallie's one day, for the sole fact that most waxing chains are toxic. They don't pay their waxers what they're worth. I had my girls move from commission to booth rent in less than a YEAR. They put in the work. Could I have kept them on commission and eventually made a profit big enough that I wouldn't have to work? Yup. But I don't want to make money off other people like that. I've always said as long as the bills are paid I'm okay. I make a living off my clientele so that I don't have to rely on the Salon. Wallie's would franchise as a hybrid (commission/booth rent) salon. You can start commission so that you don't have to drop thousands on your room/supplies. Once my girls were doing 1K weeks I knew they were ready to be on their own.
Staying commission isn't a bad thing though, I would be okay with someone staying commission so they didn't have to do all the work that booth renting requires. Either way, most people would look at my business model and laugh. Money hungry corporations want to make the big $$ off their employees so they don't have to work. I just don't believe in that.
The next growth would be a second location but I'm not doing that. It would be one of my girls that would be opening another one. I want to grow the success within my team. Once one of them is ready, I will help them and guide them but it would be their own.
Wallie's was my first rodeo, Poppy & Vine is my second and there won't be a third. I want to live life and not be tied down to my work, missing so much of what life has to offer.
Growth and success is an amazing thing to see unfold when you've put yourself through hell getting there.
Until next time,
The Salina Esthetician
xoxo
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