February 13, 2017

Meet Amanda Cummings of Greenleaf Waxing Studio in Cahuenga Pass

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Cummings.

Amanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I initially got my Cosmetology license for hair, but quickly discovered that skin care, (more particularly waxing) was where I felt drawn to. I would always volunteer to take the Waxing clients at school. After school, I got a job at a busy Waxing Studio where I built my clientele to the point where I was doing 10-15 Brazilians a day. I soon became manager of the spa I worked at and started to learn about those aspects of the business as well. I ultimately decided to move to California (from Michigan) and open my own studio. Aside from learning the technical skill of the craft along the way, I quickly realized that the interpersonal interactions could make the service easier for the client. I have always been interested in the healing arts and I try to infuse that same spirit into my work.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It’s been a bit of both. The transition of finding a space to base the location of the studio went pretty smooth for me. I found the location within days of moving to California and knew right away that it offered the privacy and comfort that I was looking for. I’m a sole proprietor so I share the space with another practitioner and it works very well. We have sort of a supportive team in the space. However other aspects were more challenging, like dealing with the back end organization that is needed. Marketing was another aspect I was relatively unfamiliar with before starting the business. Luckily I found the right people who could help me in that department. My cousin, who is an entrepreneur as well, gave me some valuable advice when I started and that was to figure out what aspects of the business I did well and enjoyed, and which aspects were more difficult and perhaps to find people in those fields to work with. Marketing was an example of that. I love doing to front of the house work, with the wax and the clients directly, so I found a team to help with the back of the house.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Greenleaf Waxing Studio – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in Brazilian waxing for women, but I do full body waxing however 85% is bikini waxing. I think what sets me apart is the personalization of my business. I am a sole proprietor so my clients get 100% of my attention while they are there. I take an interest in getting to know my clients. I try my best to employ a gentle technique and make the experience as easy as possible and I focus on using organic products and wax so as to leave the pH of the skin as close to normal as possible. My main focus is always the safety and comfort of the client. At various times I have made and sold different organic skin care products and both used and retailed them to clients. Creating a line of skin care products has been in my interest for some time now.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
While I’d like to keep the business small, I plan to continue to grow and learn while at the same time keeping the personal feel of the business. At some point, a skin care line or line of natural candles may be in the works. I am also a ceramic artist on the side so may plan to build more of the retail aspect up to support that. But keeping the spirit of the healing arts will always be my focus.

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