Today we’d like to introduce you to Rakia Marshall.
Hi Rakia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a little girl, my mother and sister would call me in the bathroom to help with styling their hair. My mom is a cosmetologist, she did hair as a young lady. My sister did hair also. The beauty niche I guess, ran in the family. I had my first few clients in middle school and I continued to build my clientele through word of mouth. Back then, social media wasn’t as big as it is now. 2013 I moved to Jacksonville, FL, where my father’s side of the family resides. I knew as an adult I wanted to move somewhere warm and Jacksonville was a good start. When I moved to Jax, I promoted myself on social media, such as Instagram, as a braider and I pretty much blew up quickly.
I started doing hair out of the house and it became to a point where I think the entire Jacksonville has been in my place Lol. It was definitely time to find a business place to house my work. I signed for my first salon storefront in 2015 and I did hair for a while. I named my salon “CrownD Jewels.” Eventually, I started to do brows and lashes, and I absolutely fell in love with those services. I stopped doing hair and now only do Waxing, Lashes, and facials. I completely turned my salon into a waxing shop and changed the name to Lax Wax Jax.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’ve ran into many bumps along the way. All of my obstacles were lessons and I learned from them all. A lot of my struggles came from impulsive decisions and being a person that would bet on myself even knowing some of the decisions were to big for my reality. I just believed in myself that much. And many times I’ve failed but I never quit! Quitting just wasn’t and isn’t an option for me.
One of my struggles was trying to handle everything myself and the hiring process looking for employees. I played every role you could think of, from the customer service rep, the manager, the worker, you name it. And I finally was like ok Kia, it’s time to hire before you’re completely Drained. I eventually went through an interview process with several Esthetician’s, I had so many ladies that didn’t show and there were several that didn’t fit what I was looking for. I became super discouraged But Never gave up. Lax Wax now has Employees that are amazing at what they do, professional and fits in perfectly.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Lax Wax Jax, we provide Full Body Waxing and Facials, but We’re mostly known for Brow Waxing and Tinting. As a Creative, Brows, I feel is a service that’s an art. You have to know exactly how to shape them from bushy to thinner brows without botching them. You have to know exactly how to apply the tint to make them look very natural and have a filled in look. For most, brows takes a while to understand and to perfect. But I always say “Practice Makes Perfect.”
I began teaching our techniques doing advance Group courses and 1on1 Courses for Brow Tinting. Our Brow Tinting course also includes how to correctly wax and shape brows. I’ve hosted over 10 classes since the end of 6/7/2019 which was my very first class date. Every class has been a joy to teach and the best part of them are my students showing me their progression since class.
What sets Lax Wax apart from others is our professionalism first, the neatness and consistency in our work. We take pride in making sure our clients are satisfied before leaving the shop. The shop environment is complete comfy and a soothing place to be. The ladies literally comes in, lays down and falls to sleep while being serviced. We also pride ourselves in making sure everyone feels welcome.
Contact Info:
- Email: LaxWaxjax@gmail.com
- Website: LaxWaxJax.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CN3BFI9Hnmz/?igshid=mdaiwl4drxf4
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaxWaxJax/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UC1b0XhyZxZgdvgwO_LrPWiA
