Ellen Kavanagh is the Founder and CEO of Waxperts a dedicated multi award winning waxing salon based in Dublin, Ireland. Waxperts concentrate exclusively on offering full body waxing for male and female clients.

12 Questions for Founder & CEO of Waxperts Ellen Kavanagh

Ellen has taken time out of Her schedule to talk to AGENT about Her Business, Her goals and work life balance

1. Briefly tell us how you first got into business, and describe your business goals.

Along with my business partner, Trish, we own Waxperts, which is a professional depilatory waxing range for salons and spas worldwide. We make innovative waxing products and then manufacture and distribute them. Both our backgrounds are in beauty, our passion is waxing and we own and operate a flagship Waxperts waxing salon in Dublin so we really understand our customer and the end user the client.

2. What age were you when you realised you wanted to run your own business?

I kind of fell into it when I was 27 and decided to open my own waxing salon. I had a clear vision for Waxperts even back then so it was definitely meant to be. I had no formal business training or experience so it’s been a huge learning experience but I’m not afraid to ask for help along the way.

3. Who are your business icons and inspirations?

I was lucky enough to have Louise Phelan from Paypal mentor me and she is an outstanding business person. She definitely inspires me. Within the beauty industry Jo Malone and more recently Jen Atkin who owns Ouai haircare. I see a lot of similarities with her work and how she’s growing her brand and with what we want for Waxperts.

4. What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you surmount it?

Growing and scaling the business is always challenging especially as we own the company 100% without any outside investment. We grew organically for the first few years, then took on a business loan to help us scale the business at a crucial time.

5. What gives you the most satisfaction in business?

Happy customers. Whether it’s distributors seeing great success or Waxperts transforming salon owners businesses it really motivates us. And thanks to social media the end user gets to share with us the love they have for the treatment they got somewhere or the Waxperts retail products they love. We know we have the best wax on the market and every salon in the world has a waxpot so our goal is to make sure that it’s Waxperts wax in it.

6. Work-Life balance: is it possible? How do you achieve it?

Everyones idea of balance is different. You just have to do what works for you, your family and your business. I adore my work so it truly never feels like work. I have a son that’s four years old so that keeps me busy too. And my husband is also self employed so the way we work is just normal for us. I wouldn’t know what to do with a 9-5 job! I don’t really switch off but I’m happy that way.

7. What is the first thing you do every day?

Hang out with my husband and son. It starts my day off on the right foot! Then I check my phone and the multiple of messages from various streams, email, social media etc

8. What screen saver picture is currently on your phone?

My son, Cooper.

9. What is the most important app on your mobile phone, and why?

I don’t think I could pick just one, Whatsapp to keep me connected with my team and my friends. Mail to be able to work mobile from anywhere in the world at anytime and Instagram or snapchat to keep me entertained.

10. What is the last thing you googled?

I had to check but it was a Gordon Ramsey recipe for chickpea stuffing. Its delicious btw!

11. What item do you never leave the house without, and why?

I hate to say it but my phone, I have lots of trucks, managers and teams and I really don’t ever disconnect

12. What advice would you give to your younger self starting out in business?

Don’t judge your progress by someones else’s. You never know what’s really going on in another persons business or life so keep focused on your own path. Enjoy the journey every day.

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