CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Jasmine Miller, owner of The Wax House, used her business savvy to turn an idea for self-care into a thriving business.
Miller, 28, is a Clarksville native and Austin Peay State University alum.
With ambition, faith, and a lot of hard work, the accountant, who currently works for the State, opened The Wax House, located on Lowes Drive, in July 2020. Her team of five women provides self-care services such as waxing, facials and more for women and men.
CNow: When did your dream to be a business owner begin?
“I was born and raised here in Clarksville, Tennessee. I received my bachelor’s in accounting from APSU. After I graduated, I started working for the State of Tennessee as an accountant.
“I graduated from Cumberland in 2019 with my MBA and my mentors were telling me I had to do more. I couldn’t just work there as an accountant. I wanted to do more, make more money and give my family a better life. I really wanted to start my own business but was not sure what I wanted to do.
“In May 2019, I’m having one of my pamper days in Nashville. I started talking to some other girls about where they were from and why they came to that location. They told me there weren’t businesses like that where they live, so they travel to Nashville. At that moment I realized what I wanted to do. I wanted to bring a waxing studio to Clarksville. There was a need for affordable self-care services for everyone to enjoy.”
CNow: What has been your motivation?
“My kids, my family, and the girls that work for me motivate me. I will do anything to make sure we keep this business running to the best of our ability and will continue to help them grow in their career/profession.
“There are four amazing licensed estheticians and a receptionist working for me at The Wax House, and it wouldn’t be anything without them. They are outgoing, intelligent, selfless, customer-friendly, hardworking ladies! They have taught me so much and I continue to learn from them daily.
“Even though I do not perform any services, I am HR, logistics, maintenance, receptionist, advertising, computer tech, website designer, accountant, and everything else that keeps the business afloat.
“We have been doing so well that we are now expanding this month to take over the other side of our unit and turn it into one big building.”
CNow: What obstacles did you have to overcome and how did you?
“I had to overcome the money obstacle. I had to give up a lot of my time and work multiple jobs for a year to save up enough to start my business. I worked at a factory and from home for Amazon to save money in my business account.
“That year, I went from business to business to find a commercial rental space. In May 2020, I finally found someone who would let me start my business at their location. I signed my lease on May 30 and literally stepped out on faith. I didn’t have a team or equipment or anything. I prayed about it, and just asked God to walk with me and hopped straight into it. I put an ad out that I was hiring, started remodeling, and advertising like crazy! In less than 30 days I had my whole building complete and a team of six girls.”
CNow: What do you like about your profession?
“I love that I am able to help others and provide an affordable means to take care of yourself. I love to be able to teach everyone about self-care and self-love. I am able to offer others job opportunities for my workers to enhance their skill sets. I love that I can do everything my way and learn a lot while managing my business. I literally learn something new every day and I love it.”
CNow: What advice would you give to others who have dreams to fulfill?
“I would tell them to never give up. Just because one door closes there will always be another that opens. Even when it gets tough, never quit. Just because someone told you no doesn’t mean that it’s not for you. It just means to go elsewhere – that location or idea wasn’t the right space.
“What God has for you will always be for you, and nobody can ever take that from you. Stay positive. What you give out you will receive back, so go hard in everything you do, and treat everyone –even those who do not need it – with the utmost respect.”
CNow: What are some things you’d like people to know about you?
Miller is a single mother of two.
“I love being a mother! My kids are definitely the reason I am who I am today – my motivation. I’m hoping one day they understand that everything I am doing now is for them so they can have something when they are grown.”
Celebrating Black “HerStory” is a Black History Month series celebrating women who are living their dream and making a difference as professionals and entrepreneurs.