Leah Ingram, owner of successful beauty franchise Leah’s Waxworks chats to Professional Beauty about pinpointing client trends and overcoming obstacles.
Briefly describe your career
I have been in the beauty industry for 28 years and have owned my own business for 25. I started in a hair salon in Hurstville where I became very busy as I was offering a full leg, bikini and mini facial for only $20! I was recognised by a leasing executive who gave me a $10000 incentive to take my own beauty salon with a 3 year lease. People would travel from Bondi to Hurstville in their lunch breaks for the services I was offering. Clients LOVED the fact that I always did more for less! I have a passion for removing hair and I found I became extremely busy so I opened more salons in Bondi, Miranda, Eastgardens, Parramatta, Burwood and now City CBD.
You recently opened a new salon in Sydney CBD? How is your business different to other express salons around the area?
I had a lot of clients in Bondi who worked in the city but had to travel to Bondi on the weekends or after work. I really wanted to please my clients and the opportunity came across so I decided to open in the CBD. What sets us apart from other salons is this – NO appointment necessary. We fit everybody in because we are well trained beauty therapists that work well under pressure as a team and we use quality wax that I have formulated myself to help my team do a thorough and perfect job.
How did you promote the opening of this new salon?
You really need a PR agent! We celebrated the opening with a pop-up Leah’s Waxworks flower cart in Pitt Street Mall. Customers who had treatments on June 5 received a posey of flowers as gift.
How will this new salon support the network of other Leah’s Waxworks salons?
We noticed how hard it was to fit all our clients in on Thursday nights, Saturday and Sunday in our suburban salons. So being able to fit them in on their lunch breaks made it easier for our team and our clients. They want to be in-and-out and that’s what we do best.
What are some major challenges you have encountered in your business?
I wouldn’t know where to start! I could write a book about the challenges I have had with staff, leasing agents and friends. I must say these challenges have made me more determined to succeed so I thank them for that. From the beginning people underestimated me but this is why I am so successful today; I overcame the obstacles by working harder and opening more salons around Sydney.
What business advice would you give to other aspiring business women?
- Don’t trust anyone!
- You really need to enjoy your job, whatever it is, you can’t fake it.
- Be prepared to work hard and LONG hours
For more information visit http://www.leahswaxworks.com.au/