In this episode of Beauty Talk Confessions, Kati sits down with Marisol Molina, owner of Empowered Waxing, to talk about the real journey of building a career in the waxing industry—and why some of the hardest experiences can end up teaching you the most.

Marisol didn't originally plan on becoming a waxing specialist. She started esthetics with the intention of eventually pursuing cosmetology, experienced an incredibly discouraging first job interview, stepped away from the industry, and eventually found her way into waxing.

From working at European Wax Center and LunchboxWax to becoming a trainer and eventually opening Empowered Waxing, Marisol shares why she believes new estheticians shouldn't be so quick to skip working for someone else.

They talk about learning through experience, making mistakes before your own name and business are on the line, understanding skin beyond simply applying and removing wax, and why working inside an established business can teach you lessons you'll carry into entrepreneurship.

The conversation also dives into something that doesn't get talked about enough: the relationship between a waxer and their clients.

Marisol shares how learning to open up, show more of her personality, and allow clients to know the person behind the service completely changed her clientele—and even helped inspire the name Empowered Waxing.

From Employee to Entrepreneur

Opening your own suite can look like the ultimate goal, but there is so much value in the years leading up to it. Marisol shares why she now looks differently at the franchises she worked for, the sales expectations she once disliked, the difficult managers, and even the responsibilities she didn't think mattered at the time.

Those experiences ultimately helped prepare her to understand clients, sales, front desk responsibilities, training, and the realities of owning a business.

Her advice to newer waxers is simple: get the experience, learn everything you can, make mistakes, stay open-minded, and don't give up on the industry because one experience wasn't right for you.

Building a Clientele Through Connection

Being technically great at waxing matters—but clients also want to know who they're trusting.

Marisol opens up about being told early in her career that she was too reserved and needed to let clients see more of who she was. It wasn't easy advice to hear, but when she began opening up and showing more of herself, she noticed her client relationships becoming stronger.

That same philosophy now carries into her social media. The videos that sometimes feel silly to make are often exactly what help a potential client decide, I would feel comfortable with her.

The Takeaway

You don't need to have your entire career figured out the moment you leave beauty school.

Every job, difficult experience, mistake, client, and mentor can teach you something that prepares you for what's next. Master your craft, understand the skin you're working with, learn how businesses operate, and don't underestimate the power of allowing your clients to genuinely know you.

And most importantly, as Marisol reminds herself every day: you've got this.

Connect with Marisol

Instagram: @empower__waxing

Connect with Kati & Beauty Talk Confessions

Instagram & TikTok: @beautytalkconfessions
Podcast Page: flagstaff-skincare.com/beautytalkconfessions

Prickly Bare

Professional waxing products and post-hair-removal skincare created by an esthetician, for estheticians.

Instagram & TikTok: @pricklybare
Website: pricklybare.com

If You Loved This Episode

Share it with an esthetician or newer waxer who needs the reminder that they don't have to rush into doing everything on their own. The experience you're gaining right now may be exactly what prepares you for the business you want to build later.