Today we’d like to introduce you to Elysse Munoz.
Hi Elysse, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Originally from Orange County. I was working in Aerospace and later construction. While in construction I was on the biggest infrastructure projects, in the country, worth one billion dollars. I loved my job but there were a lot of obstacles working in a male dominant industry. I was very vocal when it came to fairness. I ended up getting fired during COVID. I took time off from working while the world was at a standstill Eventually I ran through my savings and freaked out because I didn’t know my next move. No one seemed to want to hire me in construction anymore.
I went to visit family in Oregon one year and on one occasion I was in charge of beautifying my aunts and cousins. I was known to be the beauty guru of the family, being the oldest. I was at the grocery store with my mom prepping for the family bbq and also grabbing the ingredients to make sugaring paste; sugar and lemons. At the time I had applied for food stamps because I was so broke. I remember thinking “wow, I just got sugar and lemons for the paste”. When I got to my aunt’s house I made the paste and started sugaring everyone.
I had learned how to sugar and thread when I was about 16 years old back home. I have always struggled with body hair and it was one of my biggest insecurities so I learned. I was too embarrassed to go to a salon and have them wax places I didn’t know people even grew hair in. I had actually gone to beauty school at a very young age and thought of getting into eyebrow threading.
Unfortunately, in my culture we are taught to go to college and work so, I was forced to get a “real job”
Anyway, so I am at my aunt’s and my youngest tia asked me if I had ever thought of charging people to get sugared. I brushed her off because again, I was raised to think in order to make money you need a degree.
When I got back to LA that summer I was on my last dime and I was not getting call backs from jobs. In time of desperation I remembered I had a food stamp card and I knew how to make sugaring paste. I just went for it. I created my booking site and I had my first client the next day.
I was sugaring out of my apartment on Pico/Union with NO AC. I later built the brand, started to market my products and offered sugaring training.
I fell in love with teaching. It was not because the money, it was more because I had girls from all walks of life who were looking for a way out. There was one girl from South Central who’s brother had just gotten killed. He was involved in gangs. She said the last thing her brother said to her before he died was “you will make it out”. She said that a few days later an ad for my sugaring course popped up on her feed and she booked. I cried. It was so moving because I have always wanted to help change the world and as long as I could help change one person’s world, my job was complete. It felt good to know that I was helping other women make money and become entrepreneurs. I have always had a passion for helping others.
Fast forward a few years I now have my own brand, my own studio, and a nice list of celebrity clients. I literally made something out of nothing. Coming from where I come from, that’s a big deal especially when breaking bad generational cycles.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been smooth at all. I have had moments where I wanted to give up. Moments where my own family did not believe in me. I have had friends turn against me but with the support of my clients anything is possible.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Sugar Wax LA is more than a service it’s a brand that represents womanhood, community, and resilience. We offer services/products but also training in sugaring and business.
We are known for helping other women become business owners. I believe that’s what sets the brand apart. There is more than just a service. You won’t see us at beauty conventions trying to sell products and etc. We like to be more involved with the community whether it be at board meetings or business workshops.
What does success mean to you?
Success is being able to help others. Putting people in positions that will help them better their future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sugarwaxla.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarwaxla/?hl=en
