Rosie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Any thoughts around creating more inclusive workplaces?

The most important goal for my business is to have every client feel comfortable, supported, safe, and appreciated. Rosie’s Beauty Lounge is a body positive judgement-free safe space where clients can feel free to vent, share, tell stories, laugh, and feel heard, all while getting waxed in a cozy cute salon. I love catching up with my regulars, and love hearing that they love the space and the results of their services!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I found my calling! I am obsessed with waxing-especially eyebrows. I know, I know, it might sound weird to love what to some might seem to be just the ripping out of body hair, but it’s actually an art. Brow artistry is my passion and my specialty. To be a good waxer, you have to genuinely love talking with and getting to know people, be able to help people feel comfortable and lovely, be skilled at what you do, and love learning and improving.

Rosie’s Beauty Lounge is a combination of all the things I love; designing and decorating, merchandising, making art with brow design, hanging out with the coolest/kindest folks in Austin, supporting local vendors, listening to good music, being surrounded by spa scents, and not having a boss! I feel lucky and every day I look forward to going to work.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Referrals are a huge part of my business. Nothing makes me happy like a client sending in a friend of theirs. Because all of my clients are awesome, their friends are, too! While I am always getting new clients through folks new to Austin Googling “waxing near me”, most come to me via word of mouth, recommendations from Austin womens’ Facebook group, and even from other working Austin Estheticians (we all support each other, though many of us haven’t yet met in person).
I have several groups of friends who are regulars now, as many clients have referred three or more of their best friends to my salon. I always tell them that someday I’d like for all of the groups to meet, because everyone is kind, positive, and full of great energy and good vibes. I know they’d all be fast friends.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Well, I honestly started my business by putting everything on credit cards- 6 of them to be exact. Now, this is something I would not recommend, but it was 2020, and Covid had just hit. I didn’t have a savings to speak of, and the waxing studio where I had been working closed it’s doors forever with no notice, and my unemployment had gone to covering bills and groceries.

I had to start working, and knew I wanted to strike out on my own.
It was an emergency, and that is what I had the credit cards for. I have since paid them all off, and while I’m grateful I had them at the time, I’d recommend to anyone considering starting a business, that they start out with a savings that will cover the cost of opening and also have 6 months of business expenses tucked away for emergencies.

Contact Info:

• Website: rosiesbeautylounge.com
• Instagram: @rosiesbeautyloungeaustin