Helene Headington shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Helene, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
At this pivotal moment in my career, I have come to understand the critical nature of leadership as my business, Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique, continues to evolve. I am intentionally stepping back a bit from my role as a service provider to prioritize the development and direction of my team. In the past, my commitment to working 5-6 twelve hours days with clients left me with little bandwidth to focus on the strategic needs of the business. This lack of time also restricted my ability to identify key areas for improvement and engage in coaching and training discussions with my team. Recognizing that each employee plays a vital role in reflecting the essence of my business. I now limit my client work to 3 days a week. This change is allowing me to invest more time in marketing, initiatives, operational planning and cultivating my team’s skills. The results have exceeded my expectations, demonstrating that by stepping back, I can facilitate significant growth and success for both my business and my team.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, my name is Helene Headington, and I am the proud owner of Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique located in Raleigh. I launched Sweet Pea ten years ago as a solo endeavor, and I am thrilled to now lead a talented team of four skilled Estheticians. While we have earned a reputation as Raleigh’s premier Brazilian wax specialist, we also offer an array of services, including “everything brows”, lash lifts, spray tans and facials.
For three consecutive years, we have been honored to be recognized as Raleigh’s Best Waxing by News & Observer. Our dedication to our clients sets us apart, we prioritize their satisfaction an consistently strive to go above and beyond in providing exceptional service. We are truly grateful for their trust and support.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I must say that my clients often recognized my potential before I could see it myself. It’s intriguing how we cling to past identities because they are familiar to us. The phrase “fake it till you make it” truly resonates with my journey. When I opened Sweet Pea Waxing Boutique, I had no idea the path that lay ahead. While I was confident in my ability to provide excellent Brazilian waxing services, my knowledge of business operations was limited. I have since gained invaluable insights along the way and continue to learn. My long time clients, who have been with me since the beginning, frequently express their pride in my growth and share how enjoyable it has been to witness the growth of both myself and my business. Their support often catches me off guard, as I sometimes still perceive myself as that scared woman with a dream.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could share a message with my younger self, it would be to embrace confidence wholeheartedly. I previously believed that I needed to meet specific appearance standards or achieve particular goals before I could truly feel confident. However, I have come to realize that confidence is paramount. It is the foundation that elevates both beauty and accomplishments, allowing them to shine prominently.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I once believed that dedicating 60 hours a week in the treatment room was the only path to business growth. However, I have come to understand that when a business seeks to scale and incorporate new team members, the owner must prioritize business and team development to ensure success. Recognizing this shift has been pivotal in my journey toward sustainable growth.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I’m presently tap dancing to work! I am thrilled to witness the remarkable growth of my business, which brings me new insights and enthusiasm each day. Working alongside my dedicated team is both inspiring and enjoyable, contributing to a fulfilling and dynamic work environment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sweetpeawaxing.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/sweetpeawaxing
Image Credits
Hawa Images
