When Heather Elrod first found Uni Okay Wax, she wasn’t simply impressed — she was satisfied. After a profession main manufacturers like Wonderful Lash Studio, the place she grew the corporate from 70 places to greater than 200, Elrod sought her subsequent huge problem. Her in depth franchising expertise, ardour for pure merchandise and talent to scale companies made her a super match for Uni Okay Wax, a Florida-based waxing franchise recognized for its proprietary elastic wax.
Elrod did not simply see potential — she noticed a possibility she could not cross up. Via her funding agency, Aware Capital Progress (CCG), she bought the corporate and now serves as its govt chairwoman, specializing in the model’s strategic route. “What initially drew me to Uni Okay was its modern strategy to waxing,” Elrod says. “It is the one all-natural wax in the marketplace, and its distinctive elastic properties make the method quicker, much less painful and extra hygienic.”
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Uni Okay Wax
Based in 1993 by Noemi Grupenmager, Uni Okay Wax emerged from a private want. Grupenmager developed the model’s proprietary wax in Miami to deal with her daughters’ skincare considerations. In contrast to conventional waxes utilized briefly strips, Uni Okay’s elastic wax stretches throughout massive areas of pores and skin and is utilized at physique temperature, lowering discomfort. Company additionally obtain a person wax pot, enhancing hygiene — a significant draw within the post-Covid period.
This mixture of innovation and market alternative sealed the deal for Elrod. “We noticed super potential in Uni Okay’s enterprise mannequin and its whitespace for progress, notably in untapped markets,” Elrod says.
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The following stage
Since buying Uni Okay, CCG has shifted its position to extra of an funding associate, offering sources and strategic steering moderately than direct oversight (Heather Harris, who not too long ago grew to become CEO, now leads day-to-day operations).
However Elrod’s impression remains to be felt — one in all her first strikes was implementing KPI dashboards and tailor-made efficiency experiences to provide franchisees actionable insights into their companies. “Our objective was to provide franchisees the instruments to succeed, no matter their background,” Elrod says.
Elrod additionally launched guest-focused initiatives, together with the Okay-Membership membership program, which gives limitless waxing for the worth of a single session every month, and Okay-Packs, discounted service bundles. These improvements enhance recurring income for franchisees and make waxing providers extra accessible for patrons.
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A franchisee’s perspective
Ed Miranda, a Uni Okay Wax franchisee, first encountered the model as a buyer. “I heard about this waxing place close to the place I stay in Miami. The expertise was seamless — from reserving on-line to checking in with an iPad,” Miranda says. “I beloved the product, the inexperienced, the scent of the place and, after all, the aesthetics. It regarded wholesome general. That is once I knew this was one thing particular.”
Miranda’s advertising and marketing experience helped him see Uni Okay Wax’s progress potential. “We purchased our first location in 2020, and inside a short while, we grew its income from $600,000 to almost $1 million yearly,” he explains. By investing in focused digital advertising and marketing and the model’s new membership program, Miranda has constructed a robust base of repeat prospects. “Over 63% of our prospects that come every month have come in the course of the previous 90 days,” he provides. “The membership mannequin has been a game-changer as a result of it brings consistency to what’s usually a seasonal and weather-dependent enterprise.”
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A scalable, easy mannequin
With 34 studios in Florida and New York, Uni Okay Wax is now gearing up for nationwide progress, with plans to divulge heart’s contents to 50 new places yearly. Enlargement efforts are concentrating on markets in Arizona, the Carolinas, New Jersey and Connecticut.
What makes Uni Okay so engaging to franchisees is its simplicity. The enterprise mannequin depends on low labor turnover, robust recurring income and brief service occasions. Waxing appointments usually take 15 to twenty minutes, enabling excessive visitor volumes. In truth, Uni Okay’s flagship studio serviced 200 prospects per day inside simply six months of opening.
“We’re seeing important curiosity from franchisees in different programs, notably meals and beverage, seeking to diversify into an easier, extra scalable mannequin,” Elrod says.
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Constructing for the long run
Elrod’s resolution to put money into Uni Okay wasn’t nearly backing a enterprise — it was about supporting a model she believes in. As govt chairwoman of CCG, she stays engaged within the model’s strategic progress from an investor’s perspective whereas entrusting operational management to Harris. “I needed to get my fingers across the enterprise fairly intensely within the early days earlier than passing the reins,” Elrod says. “The crew has been extremely supportive, and we’re targeted on making sensible selections that profit each visitors and franchisees.”
As Uni Okay Wax expands, its dedication to innovation, hygiene and buyer expertise stays the muse for fulfillment. “What excites me most is the chance to convey this unbelievable product and enterprise mannequin to extra markets, each domestically and internationally,” Elrod says. “Uni Okay has all of the substances for long-term success, and I am thrilled to be a part of its journey.”
