Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley McBroom.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a born and raised Angeleno by way of South Central L.A.
My current career as a wax specialist actually fell into my lap. I went to beauty school in hopes to go into make-up artistry but I was having a real hard time finding work or getting hired at a cosmetic counter since I lacked retail experience. Luckily, one of my old classmates had mentioned that there was a waxing place that hires newly licensed cosmetologists and estheticians. With that info in hand, I applied for a waxing position and got hired!
However, the birth of Hype Wax L.A. came from taking a leap of faith. Prior to HWLA’s fruition, I grew frustrated and unfulfilled at the waxing studio. At the time, I was at the five years mark and I knew I did not want to be with them any much longer. I even went back to school to get out of esthetics altogether. Funny enough, a couple of years after getting my associate’s in art, I had the opportunity to go solo with my esthetics practice, so of course I went for it! That’s how Hype Wax L.A. was born.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been smooth at all, but that how we grow and learn. I lost my first studio because of the pandemic but found another one just in time, but of course we weren’t allowed to work during the shutdowns. Also, L.A. is the beauty capital of the west coast, so there are a lot of other waxing salons and centers in the area, so I have to make sure to stand out.
We’ve been impressed with Hype Wax L.A., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed Esthetician and I specialize in gender neutral full body waxing. This means that my service menu is not separated or priced by gender and is LGBTQIA inclusive. I really wanted my waxing studio to feel like a safe space of everyone who seeks a bit of self-care. When we think of waxing, we instantly associate it with pain (or that one scene from 40 years old Virgin, lol) but it’s so much more than that. It’s almost therapeutic in a way. It’s the one time you can have time to yourself to feel put together.
I’m very proud that many of my clients trust me for their self-care rituals and support a Black woman-owned business. What makes my space unique is that there is no pressure to be “on”. You can be yourself and just chill for a bit. That is super important to me since a lot of my clientele work stressful jobs. I hate seeing them so stressed out, so I’m glad to be that bit of peace for the moment.
When you come into the studio, you aren’t a number to get in and out. I’ve worked in that kind of environment, it’s so insincere. I rather have quality and make real connections with clients.
What’s next?
What I want for Hype Wax L.A. it to be a well-oiled machine. I want to work less days and hours but a solid and steady stream of clientele. Other endeavors would be offering wax training for those who want to make their waxing business more inclusive for BIPOC and LGBTQIA clientele.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hypewaxla.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/hypewaxla
Image Credits
ALL IMAGE CREDITS AND OWNERSHIP/ COPYRIGHT: Ashley McBroom, Hype Wax L.A., Ashli Haynes @starmagictarot
