Guest Spotlight: Kirsten Goetzelman
Hi Kirsten! Thanks again for willing to do this blog interview with me. I’ve been following you for a while and found your podcast about a year ago and loved the realness with good informative, educational answers to your questions you brought on your interviews!
Your community appreciates that. I hope some of your answers here can help out others in this industry or just tell your story to get to know you better. Let’s get started, shall we?
Did you ever envision yourself to be working so successfully in the waxing business? Or being a podcaster?
Not only did I not see myself waxing professionally, but if you ask anyone I went to school with, you would know that I absolutely despised the idea of waxing. The irony of me now being a podcaster around waxing is just the icing on the cake. Haha.
What made you want to get in both of these spaces? How did it come to be?
I really feel like things happen in your life for a reason and the people you meet play a big impact on what pulls you out of your comfort zone. I really liked this salon I was getting serviced at and at the time was working a job I really wasn't meshing with. Even though this salon didn't do facials (they were a waxing salon) I thought a receptionist position would do just fine. After getting hired (second pick i might add...thats a story for another day) I developed a really deep appreciation and inspiration for my boss- Shout out to Raya Schwartz. She truly led me out of my comfort zone into waxing and is someone I can also thank for other ventures I've taken in the industry since (Hint: Podcast motivation). I think working as a receptionist in that salon was always leading me to practice waxing. When I look back now, It was truly the pivot to my career.
I see that you work with FUR? Congrats! What tips do you have for anyone looking to work with brands?
Ahhh!! Crazy, right? Wow. I pinch myself still. I would say making sure you stay really close with your bands you love. This industry is really small and I think that can be a powerful tool when getting noticed. Know what you can bring to a brand- and never come empty handed with ideas.
You’ve teased about you working on your new launch, can you give us a hint? Is it a product or a problem solver kinda device? Regardless, we can’t wait to hear more!
Everyday I'm a little closer to shouting it off the rooftops, I promise. But what I CAN share is that it's a product that also solves a problem :). One thing that's important to note: I only wanted to come out with something that could really shake up the industry.. and my bank account haha. All jokes aside, I really thought about the service provider in the room and what they deal with everyday. My goal is to make lives easier.
Can you give 3 tips and how to begin the process of starting your own brand? Did you Google manufactures etc.? How much, approximately should one raise in capitol?
All honesty is that I'm still figuring this all out as I go. I wish I could say I had the guidance above me but it's been a lot of trusting the process and my gut. I did a lot of research going in and first figuring out if my idea already exists. After that, I began writing down steps to make a vision into a reality and who needed to be by my side to make that happen. Google is your bestie and is how I found my developers. I am currently in the process of manufacturing and what I can say is it truly is the wild wild west. I have been all self funded so far! I think capital and investors is really a personal choice and everyone should do what's best for them!
What do you think shifted and became your turning point to give you a broader perspective in going from a full time waxer to wanting to do bigger things in your career? Share some of your tips for anyone wanting more in their career but feeling stuck in a rut?
Shift your mindset, change your life. I wish that sentence wasn't so played out but it's really true. I decided one day that I wanted more and literally have put one foot in front of the other since. My tips for you is to make sure you are hanging out with people who are like minded in growing themselves too. Nothing is worse than sharing your dreams to people who tear them down. Second tip? NETWORK. Never underestimate the power of the people in your chair, in your facebook groups, in your DM's. Someone will always have a connection you need. Be kind to people and you'll see doors open in return.
Kirsten’s Contact Info:
Website: www.thewaxingguide.com
Instagram: @tampawaxer
