Exploring Life & Business with Helene Headington of Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Helene Headington

Hi Helene, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello, my name is Helene and I’m the owner of Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique in Raleigh. I started Sweet Pea Waxing 10 years ago as a one woman show. Just me in a small, hot , dingy office above the Red Dragon Restaurant. With almost 10 years of waxing experience on the upper east side in NYC and a dream I embarked on a journey that would forever change my life. When I started my business there were really only two types of places to get a Brazilian wax in Raleigh. There was the corporate chains or the high end spas. There wasn’t really a small business market for waxing at the time. I wanted to open a waxing business that not only gave the best Brazilian wax in town but also a business that prioritized client relationships. And that is exactly what we have done. Through client referrals and word of mouth Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique has grown so much. I now have a much larger location with 3 amazing Esthesticians on staff and we often service up to 50 clients a day and growing.

Sweet Pea’s recipe for success has always been the same since day one. It’s simple. We provide excellent customer service and phenomenal service results. Period. We have perfected our Brazilian wax technique and use high quality products in a clean and professional space. We wax our clients the way we would want to be waxed . Every Single Time. Their 10th visit with us is going to mirror their 1st visit with us. We’re consistent.

I’m often asked why did I choose the name Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique? I wanted a name that honored women and highlighted the female anatomy. In “wax world” flowers are used to represent the female genitalia. After researching hundreds of flowers I chose the Sweet Pea flower because of it’s visual similarity to the vulva…and also Sweet Pea is often used as a term of endearment. It’s turned out to be the perfect name.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a small business presents numerous challenges. I initially believed that once I opened my doors and launched my website, clients would just start booking those appointments. However, reality proved to be quite different. I vividly recall the anxious days and sleepless nights filled with uncertainty about the future of Sweet Pea Waxing. In my first month of operation, I served just four clients. To cover both my living expenses and the costs of running my business, I worked as a waitress throughout that first year. Remarkably, I didn’t take a single day off, my time was divided between the restaurant and the boutique. It was a rigorous period of relentless effort and dedication that paid off in the end.

The challenges I face today as a business owner differ significantly from those I encountered in my first year. Currently, my primary focus is on maintaining a healthy work-life balance, managing the business side of Sweet Pea Waxing and keeping up with social media trends. Navigating these digital platforms can be particularly stressful, as a Gen X, I do not possess a natural aptitude for technology.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique?
Our claim to fame has always been the Brazilian wax. We do male and female Brazilian waxes all day long and we are really good at them. Over the years we have expanded into other areas of Esthetics and now offer brow services including brow tint and lamination, lash lifts, spray tans, facials and vajacials.
What sets us apart in the industry is definitely our strong customer service. We appreciate our clients so much and always go above and beyond for them. We have a lot of gratitude for our success and support.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique wouldn’t be where we are today without the skill set, professionalism and hard work of my staff. These Estheticians show up every day and give our clients 100%. They are hands down the reason Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique was voted Raleigh’s Best Waxing the last two years in a row by the News & Observer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sweetpeawaxing.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweetpeawaxing
• Other: https://tiktok.com/sweetpeawaxingboutique