Our Business Spotlight is a weekly series focused on local business models, the people behind them, and the unique offerings they bring to the community.
Business Spotlight: European Wax Center
Location: 1075 West Main Street, Branford (in the Kohls Plaza)
Owner: Komal Aggarwal
Over time working in covering local business and in small business marketing, you tend to see a variety of models that work, and unfortunately, some that don’t work. We see entrepreneurs come from all backgrounds, from highly educated professionals to young students just out of high school. And every one has a unique story, reason for taking the small business leap, challenges and successes, and that makes each one fascinating.
An Indian immigrant who came to the United States to pursue masters degree, Komal Aggarwal is no exception to this. Her education led her to a career in finance; love and children led her to the East coast, and ultimately to Connecticut. And if India to Cleveland to NYC to Connecticut to open a wax center seems like an interesting journey to you, trust me, it was to me as well.
But as a female immigrant working her way across the globe and family life (she is married with two children), opening a wax center has helped her do something she is passionate about: helping women. She employs and trains many, and mentorship is a passion for her. Investing her time and energy in European Wax center has allowed her to better the life of her employees as well as use her education and finance background to help mentor other female business owners.
That said, no matter how good one’s intentions, there still needs to be a demand for the services European Wax Center provides. As this writer has almost no knowledge of the waxing world, we sat down with Komal to learn about what she does and the business model.
Steve: So please start by telling me about your background.
Komal: So I am a little bit of a lot of things, like many women my age. I am a business owner, I am a mom of two, my daughter is 13, my son is 10. I have a puppy, a golden retriever, he’s 110 pounds, and my husband and I have been married for 17 years. I moved to the United States from India about 22 years ago for a graduate degree.
I worked in finance for the first 9 years of my working life. When I moved to CT, I was looking for something more local so as to not take the train to NYC every day. In India, the only way we remove hair is through waxing. There is not much shaving or laser removal, and I was a client guest of European Wax Center. So my interest in the business model grew, it was something I knew well, and it was a newer service for the local market.
Steve: So we now know more about your background, So now the business. What is European Wax Center?
Komal: So yes, waxing is our focus. We know there are other places to get waxing services, but often they are added on to services, like spa’s or facials and massages. Here, our focus in is waxing and we have just added eyebrow tinting.
Steve: What is “European” about it?
Komal: No, the company was not founded in Europe! The “European” part is that our supplies and waxes we use come from Europe. Standards in Europe are higher, and they have banned many substances and ingredients that are allowed in the United States. With higher standards comes higher quality waxes and materials, and that’s what we use. So here, we use a violet-colored beeswax that is proprietary to our brand. Its called Comfort Wax.
Steve: My knowledge of waxing pretty much is limited to a scene in The 40 Year Old Virgin, where Steve Carell character is in pain from a chest wax. How accurate is that?
Komal: (laughing) Well, maybe years ago, but not now and certainly not here. The Comfort Wax I mentioned earlier fixes that; it has what we call ‘skin-soothing’ ingredients and is a hard wax that doesn’t adhere to the skin. Its warm and comes off gently without strips, so no yelling from pain! But I do not mean to discredit The 40 year old virgin, but the number of men calling us has been growing quite a bit.
Steve: So lets talk about the business model. European Wax Center is a large company, and is nationwide. As I was sitting in the front area prior to meeting with you, one client guest came from as far away as Essex, who knew the brand from NYC and loved it. That’s a great sign. What is the model, and what is working well for you?
Komal: So yes, it’s a large company, and I started with three locations – Meriden, North Haven and Branford. All locations are independently owned and operated by me and my team. As a small business, Branford made a lot of sense – while there are boutique places who offer wax services and are great, we really just our focus is on the waxing. For example, all of our wax specialists are trained estheticians, we have the highest sanitization standards in the industry and our wax is free from many additives. So within 15 minutes you are on your way and then you get on with the rest of your day. I feel like we are the experts in full body speed waxing.
We have also structured the model to encourage regular waxing, as there are long term benefits to this. Waxing every 4-6 weeks over time promotes lighter hair and it becomes far easier to maintain. We have a subscription model that provides a loyalty discount so that we our guests see experience those benefits over time.
Like I said, all of our employees performing services Wax Specialists are licensed Estheticians, and also who go through rigorous speed waxing training through with us.
Our model is simple: our customers guests can expect highly trained staff, the highest quality waxing services up to European standards and can generally be in and out in 15 minutes. Waxing is our focus, and we are finding our clients guests appreciate that.
Steve: So how has Branford been to you?
Komal: I am so glad to be here. It’s a little different than North Haven, largely in that the radius of customers is cut in half due to Long Island Sound. And fish don’t get waxing services! But we have found very loyal customers here, and are working to get more involved in the community. Even in this shopping center, many of us have become friends and share guests, from the Stretch Lab to Admire Dentist to liquor store. We have also had contact with First Selectman, Jamie Cosgrove and Economic Development Coordinator, Perry Maresca, who had had great advice and have been very helpful supportive. It’s truly been a great town to be a part of.
Steve: So I hope featuring European Wax Center helps get the word out and can further your growth. So make your sales pitch to new customers. Why try out European Wax Center?
Komal: Firstly, thank you for featuring us! We are excited to have you here. For new clients, I want them to know that we value your health and safety first. We are highly trained and use the best waxes that our center policies as well as our Comfort Wax meet the highest safety standards. We value your time, and as such most clients guests are in and out in about 15 minutes. And we invite you to try your first wax for free. Choose a service, and the first one is free! We have that much confidence in what we do.
and if you have questions about what we do or the free initial service, please call me. I’d love to hear from you!
Steve: I appreciate you sitting down for this profile. And I appreciate the support you are giving to other businesses and your focus on using your education and experience to mentor others. And I’m glad your journey from India to Cleveland to NYC has ultimately led you here to Branford!
Komal: Thank you!
To contact European Wax Center in Branford, please call (203) 871-1980, or follow them on Facebook at this link. , or on Instagram at this link.