LunchboxWax, a Boise, Idaho based waxing salon concept, was founded by Debi Lane in 2010. Lane, who has extensive experience in the beauty industry, created a franchise business concept that put waxing and customer service first and created a company culture that truly rallied around empowering women—from the corporate team to the waxologist employees.
Today, the brand has nearly 50 salons open across the U.S. and a team of women guiding the company’s path. Currently, five out of the eight executive positions are held by women, including the titles of CEO, Vice President of Finance and Vice President of Salon Development. The company’s commitment to giving women an opportunity to lead is its hallmark.
Jinell Pecsek, Vice President of Salon Development, and Carrie Morgan, Vice President of Culture and Training, share what they’ve learned and some advice to help other women make a successful leap into the franchise industry.
What led you to start a career in franchising?
Jinell Pecsek (JP): After exploring a diverse set of roles including project management, volunteer recruitment, strategic planning, sales and training, I decided to look for a new opportunity. What ultimately led me to start a career in franchising was recognizing the incredible potential the LunchboxWax model had. I knew I needed to join the team after I felt a strong connection to Debi’s vision and a desire to see the expansion and growth in a culture focused company that works to empower everyone from the staff to the guests.
Carrie Morgan (CM): I tripped into franchising through synchronicity. I met our founder and CEO, Debi, through a mutual friend. Eventually over coffee and girl talk things bolted into place when Debi invited me to her salon for a birthday brow treatment. I fell in love with the business concept and the vibe. Knowing that I had a background working with visionary business leaders and entrepreneurs, Debi invited me to work with her up-and-coming leadership team when she decided to expand LunchboxWax into a franchise. Entering a company where I felt so supported was a lucky way to begin my career in franchising.
Have there been any moments in your career where a female mentor helped guide your path?
CM: Lots. I’m a relator and an experiential learner. Having guides along the way to encourage and coach me has been a rich part of the journey. Mentors give me something that loved ones can’t – an objective perspective. I’ve also found that when you operate in a collaborative environment you find that your colleagues are also your mentors.
How has working for a company like LunchboxWax with a proud culture of female empowerment impacted you professionally as a member of the team?
CM: Aside from living out a dream-come-true vision to help create a workplace model where young women blossom, I feel honored and encouraged as I get to watch their brilliance and development. Knowing that these young women will carry these tools and principles into all they create is the kind of stuff that makes life worth living.
JP: I am privileged to work for a company that so whole-heartedly supports female empowerment and I’m proud to be part of the effort to bring this same level of support to our salons and guests every day. As part of “walking the walk,” I have been impacted by our culture in a way that has propelled me to evolve the approach I take in sales, strategy, coaching and leadership. I consider it an honor to know that this message of empowerment is something everyone at LunchboxWax gets to carry on a national, and maybe someday international, level.
What advice would you give young women looking to start a career in the business/franchising sectors?
CM: First, know the difference between vision and fantasy. For example, asking, “Is this simply a way to make money or does it fill me with both passion and purpose?”, is an important question to ask yourself before approaching any opportunity. Second, do your homework – all of it. If it’s going to be yours, then own it. Third, work with people who compliment your strengths and offset your weaknesses. And lastly, learn to manage your ego, both the low esteem and the inflated version. Look in the mirror first.
JP: Recognize the value in your own experiences (whatever those may be) and see how you can utilize those experiences to benefit those around you. See the opportunity in each challenge, especially the tough challenges. Always strive to continue growing, learning and evolving. And don’t forget to pause and appreciate where you’ve come from and where you are going.