Salome Sallehy // Founder + President of Sugar Sugar Wax
Salome Sallehy //
Founder + President of Sugar Sugar Wax
Meet Salome Sallehy, founder and president of Sugar Sugar Wax. Salome shares her founding story and some tips for FEMs.
Special thanks to Salome for sharing her story with us!
Tell us in a few sentences how your brand helps others?
Sugar Sugar Wax empowers people with sensitive skin to remove hair quickly, safely and easily. There are a lot of skin conditions and disorders that make it near impossible to shave or wax and sugaring is the only gentle and non-toxic method to remove hair. There’s so much stigma attached to body hair and facial hair for women and while we empower people to have choice, we also empower people to make choices that feel good to them. We don’t define beauty for our customers, we give them the tools to define beauty on their terms.
What was the inspiration to start this business?
When I experienced sugaring and learned about the tradition it changed my life and I had no choice but to share it with others. My personal experience had left me very unsatisfied with the hair removal options that were on the market, and it seemed that innovation wasn’t happening in the space. Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands.
When you started your business, did you ever envision that you would be where you are now?
From concept to reality my business has changed so much and made so many little pivots; all of them necessary and in hindsight things unfolded exactly as they should have. It’s hard to see the journey when you’re in it and sometimes it can be disheartening to stumble and even fall but it’s all led me here and I couldn’t imagine being this proud.
Was there ever a time that things didn't fall into place, struggles or challenges? What were they and how did you get past it and grow from the experience?
There have been so many mistakes, and so many struggles that I didn’t foresee. One of the ridiculous mistakes I made gave me some perspective. Tapioca starch powder, which is made from cassava root is one of the ingredients we use to make the Detox Dust body powder. Not only is it natural and safe, but it’s exquisitely functional. Since cassava isn’t grown here in the US we had to look abroad for suppliers. We eventually found and vetted one that we really liked and placed a pretty sizable order, not thinking it would be any different than anything else that we would import into the US. We dotted our i’s and crossed our t’s to ensure that we can import it. Well as it turns out moving large amounts of a white powdery substance between countries and across borders raises a lot of eyebrows and requires clearance and a lot more scrutiny. Although we were clear to import it we actually couldn’t export it from the country of origin and we couldn’t find a shipper that would be willing to handle powder. Since it had already left the processing facility it couldn’t be returned so we just dumped hundreds of kilos of tapioca powder. What I learned from that was not to take anything for granted and to do sanity checks on everything. I think that in this part of the world we can sometimes feel entitled to justice and we assume ‘innocent until proven guilty’ but in many other parts of the world it’s actually the opposite. The assumption is that if you’re shipping a white powder to the US it’s probably a narcotic until you prove without a shadow of a doubt that it’s not.
What was the biggest lesson you learned while starting and growing this business?
It’s hard. The higher the goal, the harder the climb. But would you really want to climb a small hill? You have to match expectations with effort.
I’ve also learned that things always take longer than you think they will so you have to plan for buffering, and also be flexible for adjustments because success is never a linear path.
What would you tell a FEM that is struggling in her business and feeling like it's too difficult?
There are only 2 reasons that things feel difficult; either it’s not a good business/idea or there’s a lack of skills. Every entrepreneur knows deep inside if it’s more likely to be the former or the latter. In either case there’s a solution. Maybe you need to go back to the drawing board and vet the idea. Talk to people outside of your usual circle and see if you can validate the concept or maybe a change or pivot is required.
Perhaps there’s something that you need to do differently to turn a corner. It might feel difficult because it’s not a muscle you’re used to flexing, but there are incredible resources to help you skill-up or get help. If I were to have executed on the first idea of Sugar Sugar, it never would have made it to market but by testing concepts and doing market research we were able to land on the sweet spot.
What continues to inspire you to keep on growing your business?
The stories that our customers share. When we hear about how our product is changing their lives or even just making them feel more comfortable in their own skin; I’m reminded of why I’m doing what I’m doing.
Final advice for those thinking of starting a business or looking to grow their current business?
Do it. Commit to yourself and do everything you can to bring your vision to life. Even if you fail; the lessons you will learn about yourself will shape you into a version of yourself that you didn’t think was possible. My hardest moments have been my greatest teachers.
How can FEMS follow you?
For more information on Sugar Sugar Wax: https://www.sugarsugarwax.com/
Follow Sugar Sugar Wax:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugarsugar_wax/