Exploring Life & Business with Elizabeth Chaidez of Sol Sugar Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Chaidez.

Hi Elizabeth, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I am a proud daughter of immigrant parents from Mexico, my mother migrated to Los Angeles for a better life. She raised me and my siblings in the San Fernando Valley as a single mother, and worked extremely hard to provide for us. Growing up as a first-generation Latina, my mom would heavily encourage me to finish school, go to college, and build a career for myself. I attended community college after high school but soon realized it wasn’t the right path for me.

At the age of 19, I started working in the beauty industry, in sales and customer service. I started working at a make-up company and later a skincare company. I traveled to work at beauty trade shows across the U.S. and learned so much about the industry and the high demand for it. My love for all things beauty and skincare was growing and I decided to enroll in beauty school in the esthetics program. I graduated and received my esthetics license by the end of 2014 and was excited to start this new journey.
Over the first 5 years of my esthetics journey, I worked at many different spas and salons. I’ve worked as an esthetician, receptionist and spa coordinator. I learned valuable knowledge and experience from each of those jobs. I soon realized that one day I wanted to open my own esthetics business and do things my own way.
Fast forward to 2020: I was employed at a sugaring boutique, where I discovered the art of sugaring and became in love with the craft. Everything changed with the pandemic and salon closures. The boutique I worked closed down for good and I was now going to be jobless. As a new mom with a young child, I felt overwhelmed and uncertain for the future. I asked my self if I wanted to go back and work for someone else or did I want to go on my own, and the answer was very clear. I quickly decided to pivot and start my own business—and I’ve never looked back. I’ve now been running my business as a solo esthetician for the last five years and continuing to grow within my community.

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?
Deciding to start and open a business during a pandemic, was a bit delusional and wild, but I had a vision I wanted to see through. I researched, read books, spoke to other esthetician business owners for advice and support. I worked endlessly on starting up my business. I did not think about it twice, and went for it. I was ready to learn along the way.

My first year I rented a small shared space as I did not have a full client list to begin with. I decided to pick up a part time retail job,
for stability, while I continued to build the foundation of my business. Working retail, and building
up a business while doing mom life on top of everything was very challenging. I was not prepared for all the setbacks but I knew I had to keep pushing through and learned many hard lessons along the way.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sol Sugar Studio?
I created Sol Sugar Studio to be an inclusive beauty studio and safe space. A space where you can unwind and relax while getting your self care services with intentional care.

My beauty studio welcomes everyone in, no matter your race, gender, identity, shape or size.

I specialize in providing quality services in sugaring hair removal, lash lifts, and brows. I love practicing the art of sugaring, for its natural approach to hair removal and holistic properties. I am also very passionate about lash lifts and brows, and love enhancing my clients natural beauty. I love making my clients feel beautiful, confident, and most importantly feel seen and heard.

I believe what sets me apart from others, is my gratitude for my clients. I have built the most wonderful trusting relationships with my clients. I genuinely love to see them each time they come in and hear about their life updates, families, and ventures. I am forever grateful for their support, trust and loyalty.

Today I am proud to be a Latina owned small business that serves her community and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow. I am proud of the safe sanctuary I have created, especially during these difficult times our communities are facing. I am proud of the resilience, passion, and determination that has brought me here today.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
My best advice when you’re starting out and looking for a mentor, is reaching out to local business owners in your industry or in your area. Speaking to other business owners is so insightful and refreshing, and makes you realize that everyone started somewhere.
Joining or attending local community groups, is also a really great way to put yourself out there and network. Get over the fear and put yourself out there to all the possibilities that can come your way.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Solsugarstudio
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SolSugarStudioLA
• Other: https://share.google/zymeKtTQgylfLVbbc

Image Credits
professional photos taken by Jenny Latta, her instagram account is: jem_lens