Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Rodriguez.
Hi Wendy, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
As soon as I finished esthetician school, I started brainstorming ideas for my own business. About a year later, in 2022, I took a leap of faith and began renting a small studio space in Downtown, Texas. I was surrounded by an amazing mentor and other estheticians who supported and motivated each other every single day. At that time, I was working full-time as a server while building my clientele on the side. I offered big discounts and free services just to get people through the door, and it worked! Over time, my books filled up to the point where I had to start reducing my hours at my serving job. It was surreal to realize that 95% of my clientele came from referrals and word of mouth, that gave me a sign that I was doing something right. Eventually, I realized that juggling both was affecting my energy and focus, so I made the scary but necessary decision to quit my full-time job and dedicate myself completely to my business. I trusted God with that decision, and little by little, he provided & blessed me with consistent clients and growth. Today, I’m proud to be running my business full-time, six days a week. What started as a small idea has turned into something I’m truly passionate about, and I’m grateful every day to be doing what I love.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. In the beginning, one of my biggest challenges was balancing my full-time serving job with building my business. There were many nights I’d get home late from work and still have to wake up early to open my studio. I was running on very little sleep and trying to do everything myself, which eventually started taking a toll on my energy and focus. Another struggle was trusting myself enough to take that leap of faith and go full-time with my business. It was scary to walk away from a steady paycheck and rely fully on my own work, especially with bills and responsibilities. But I reminded myself why I started, trusted God’s timing, and pushed through the uncertainty.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Bare With Gwen?
My business, Bare With Gwen, is a Houston-based body waxing studio dedicated to helping people feel confident and comfortable in their own skin. I specialize in full-body waxing and take pride in creating a clean, welcoming, and relaxing environment where clients can truly unwind and trust they’re in good hands. I believe what sets me apart from other wax studios in Houston is the relationship and experiences I strive to create for every client. I focus on making each service as comfortable and personal as possible. From using high quality products to maintaining a calm, professional atmosphere. My approach is gentle, detail-oriented, and centered on building lasting relationships with my clients. I’m really proud that my business has grown almost entirely through referrals and word of mouth. To me, that speaks to the genuine care and connection I’ve built with my clients.. it’s something that can’t be manufactured through marketing alone. Bare With Gwen is about more than waxing. It’s about empowerment, self-care, and helping people feel confident in their natural beauty. That’s what I want clients to know, that every service is performed with intention, care, and the goal of making each client leave feeling their best.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I honestly love everything about my city. I love how diverse it is and how supportive everyone is with one another. There’s so many entrepreneurs who have met and we all love to just learn from one another and grow together. My least favorite thing about Houston is the traffic. I hate how long it takes you to get from one place to the other, but other than that, I love everything about my city!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.barewithgwen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barewithgwen
