Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Rasmussen
Hi Alexandra, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I spent most of my childhood being a writer. It started out with writing notes to my dad and turned into poetry, short stories, and journals. The only thing I could imagine going to college for was writing but recognized pretty quickly that it would he a hard career to actually make money in. My oldest brother was a massage therapist already after dropping out of a four year college, so I decided to skip all of that and go straight to a trade school. I was a model as a child and I always loved the beauty industry. I was also that gross kid that would sit on my other brother’s lower back and pop his pimples while he played video games. Esthetics school was quite literally the best choice for me. I didn’t realize until I got out of school that waxing would be my favorite part of it. You only get so much hands on training in school so you really rely on your first spa job to perfect your skill. Once I started working for a local Brazilian woman, she taught me everything there was to know about waxing. She and my amazing manager made sure I was super comfortable waxing men and women’s bodies and kept my books full. The next big spa I worked at was actually the reason I ended up opening my own place. At alot of these corporate spas, it’s all about getting in as many clients as possible even if that means having to rush. I don’t do speed waxing which is what alot of these bigger named places do. I take my time with waxing, especially Brazilians. After going through my last pregnancy at a big name place, not being allowed to take a lunch break (which is an ongoing problem in the spa/salon industry) and constantly being overbooked since I had the most repeat clients, I said enough is enough. I was feeling burnt out after so many years of this treatment. Covid hit and I started making plans to open up my own place. Because of the shut down, I was able to get my ducks in a row. I found a beautiful holistic wellness spa owned by a wonderful woman named Dr. Stephanie Zgraggen to call Ali Cat Wax Shoppe home to. And yes, I book myself a lunch break every single day and had NO idea what I was missing out on! I also took that transitional period to become a cosmetic tattoo artist specializing in microblading eyebrows and tattooed eyeliner. Because I am a long term vegan and wildlife rehabber, I pride myself in only using cruelty free products. My wax is exceptional and I have 18 years of esthetics skill to back it up. After hearing horror stories from plus sized women and people in the queer community from going elsewhere, I knew I wanted my space to be safe for all which is why I offer a genderless menu. Everyone pays the same price regardless of what parts they have. And I never ever make anyone feel bad about their bodies. Every body deserves to get waxed.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a business owner for the last almost five years has definitely had its challenges. I was not remotely business savvy and my mon had to help me with figuring out the license stuff. It can feel super overwhelming when you’re first starting out. Juggling taking care of animals and being a mama of school aged kids on top of working full time is never easy. Add being a business owner without any employees, and I’ve definitely got alot on my plate! I’m lucky that I have such a loyal following and I’ve been waxing alot of the same people for over a decade. My clients all followed me from my last spa and have since sent me their friends and family members. I do feel like the positive impact Covid had was it really pushed people to want to spend their money on small businesses rather than corporations. Hot yoga at Anahata yoga studio is what keeps me sane and able to stand on my feet all day for work! Playing a therapist is something I am really great at but it can be exhausting at times, so I definitely needed an outlet to just be with myself on my mat, breathing.
We’ve been impressed with Ali Cat Wax Shoppe, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am definitely most known for Brazilian waxing on all genders. I also offer facials, spray tans, ear candling, microblading eyebrows and tattooed eyeliner. I am extremely good with first timers as I am a nurturing person and VERY funny. As you can imagine with all of these years of waxing (even old men!), I have tons of good stories to help the time pass. Because I don’t speed wax, I book longer sessions with clients so I can really get every hair and socialize a bit as well. I’m a great listener and good with advice. I wax alot of pregnant women as well and keep extra wedges and pillows so they can comfortably wax from the beginning to right before delivery. Oh fun fact about me is that I haven’t waxed my armpits in over a decade. Yes you have found an esthetician with hairy armpits, and sometimes they are dyed hot pink. I do not believe that body hair is gross and will not try to upsell anything. I love waxing people and giving them a better and safer hair removal choice. But it’s important to note that it is a choice. Body hair is not disgusting or unhygienic. When clients bring their daughters in to start waxing their upper lip, unibrow, armpits, etc please understand I will not tolerate body shaming language. I’m not removing “disgusting hair”, little girls are not gross for growing it, and if she doesn’t want to be waxed, I will not wax her. I require consent and will tell her that we all get to choose what body hair we remove and what we keep. Our language is so important when it comes to what will stick with these girls as they grow up. I learned that the hard way in the modeling industry.
What were you like growing up?
I was a dramatic little girl, super into fairy tales, dancing, singing and all things girly. I loved dressing up and putting makeup on myself, my cousins, and even my brother! I have always loved animals, even bugs. Cats were my favorite and still are (hence the name of my shop and the amount of cat decorations I have in it). Writing and reading were my favorite hobbies by far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Alicatwaxshoppe.com
- Instagram: @alicatwaxshoppe
