Today we’d like to introduce you to Chafon Gray
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Hello my name is Chafon Gray and I am a Full Specialist (dual license of Esthetician and Nail Tech) and my business name is The Hairy Goddess Studio. I have always been a hairy person from the day I was born and have experienced being bullied for it so I am very passionate and resonate with my business. I specialize in hair removal services for any and everyone, I am a safe space, who is interested Body Sugaring or experiencing ingrown hairs. Body Sugaring is a alternative form of hair removal to waxing and shaving. Unlike waxing Sugaring is applied against the grain of your hair and removed (flicked off) in the opposite direction and is water soluble for easy clean up off any surface.
I grew up a shy but have always been free spirited, and loving all things having to do with beauty or considered “girly’ even though I played basketball and attempted to maintain my place in my schools Orchestra especially because I procrastinated practicing my Viola. When I graduated high school I was sure I was going to be a nurse but once I actually started at Valencia I realized that was not really my passion. The Beauty industry was still in the back of my mind but I hadn’t thought to try to go to school for Esthetician when I graduated because one I didn’t know what an Esthetician was and two because my family was stern on finding a job/career that would be stable and provide the best retirement plan. Once I decided I wasn’t going back To Valencia I actually went online to find a Nail Tech training program near me so that I could start doing nails. When I went for my school tour I was introduced to all the different programs offered for the beauty industry and instantly knew the Full Specialist was the program for me. When I started school I had a couple of setbacks in my personal life that made me have to take a leave of absence. My mom kept encouraging me to go back and I ended up moving back in with her to work and finish school. When I graduated with my dual license I was very excited and confident in myself but when it came time to apply for an actual spa job I was scared and in shock. I really procrastinated going on interviews for about 6 mos until one day my mom asked ” Are you just going to waste your license?” Parents seem to know the right type of finesse to get your mind thinking haha I really sat and thought on her words. Finally I applied and received a call back for an interview for a Spa I was very nervous but I went. The first spa I ever worked at was scary but the owner was so patient with me just getting out of school and I worked there for almost 4 years until the spa started growing with new Esty’s I needed a change of scenery. After leaving that spa I took a short break for a month and did not realize that the clients I had wanted to find me and book me but I had no where to Sugar them so reapplied at another spa further out in Lake Mary. I loved everything about this place but there was only issue some of the clients that wanted to follow me could not make it to Lake Mary or did not want to make it to Lake Mary. So I had to find a space to Sugar those clients in Orlando and started at a small Wellness Center part time. Unfortunately I did not think this plan through and the owner in Lake Mary had to school me on the Non Compete agreement that I signed.
After that encounter I was feeling down because I didn’t know what I should do about servicing the clients who couldn’t make it to Lake Mary and it was a pandemic going on. It was a lot to think about but of course my mom gave me a good old pep talk and told me I was ready and it was time to start my own business. It was scary at first doing all my legal paperwork and business filings but I did it! I realized in these times of figuring out my career path my clients were always supportive and willing to follow me on my journey wherever I ended up and they believed in me. Now I have been working in my own business and figuring out what works for myself and my clients who most of have been with me since I started learning Sugaring.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Some struggles I have had a long the way in my business journey is having really bad impostor syndrome whenever it came to promoting myself. I remember actually realizing that people do support me and I learned to how to present myself as confident even when I may not have fully been confident that I can run my own business instead of thinking I had to work under someone else’s business vision. Today I can confidently say I know I belong in the Beauty Industry with no questions or impostor syndrome delays.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hello. My business is a The Hairy Goddess Studio open to anyone interested in trying natural Body Sugaring hair Removal method. Sugar Paste is made of Sugar, Water, and Lemon Juice and is applied against the grain of your hair and Flicked out in the opposite direction. What sets me apart from other Estheticians is my passion for hair removal and my Compassion for all my clients. I have been told by majority of my clients that they booked me for the first time and felt so comfortable they don’t want to go anywhere else for Sugaring. What I am most proud of in my business brand is how far my business has come as someone who still experiences moments of shyness or big impostor syndrome I feel so grateful for my business blessings. The Hairy Goddess Studio offers Full Body Sugaring along with some spa services that pair well with Sugaring/ Hair removal. My business motto is Self Care is the Best Care and I make sure to tell everyone that even if you aren’t a client Self Care is necessary.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In my opinion deciding to actually start a business is one of the many risks a Future entrepreneur can take on their career journey. Its almost like the first day in a new school where everyone is already familiar with everyone and you have to network and put yourself out there to gain a “friend” aka client or customer. Although taking risks can feel scary it actually can be exciting going through the trials and errors. Whatever risks you take will always be beneficial because even if they work or not at least you’re attempting to get yourself and your business ventures on the right tract to the success you envisioned.
Pricing:
- First Time Client Full Brazilian Sugar (Female): $40
- First Time Client Full Brazilian Sugar (Male): $50
- Vajacial (Female Ingrown hair treatment): $50
- Penacial (Male Ingrown hair treatment): $65
- Goddess Steam ( V-Steam, Yoni Steam, contact for Male Steaming inquires): $40
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thehairygoddessstudio.square.site/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehairygoddessstudio/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ The Hairy Goddess Studio
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thehairygoddessstudio5006?si=p7CYjkrvkYs88iwC
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-hairy-goddess-studio-orlando
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehairygoddessstudio19
Image Credits:
Chafon Gray
