1. Leah Ingram Founder and Director Leah’s Waxworks Bio
Leah’s Waxworks is one of Sydney’s leading and most successful beauty salon chains, albeit with
a distinct difference. Leah’s Waxworks offers high speed beauty, without appointments in some
of the city’s busiest shopping centres. From humble beginnings in 1992, Leah’s Waxworks now
boasts 7 exceptionally successful salons across the city and most astonishingly, the salons are still
owned and operated by their passionate and dedicated founder – Leah Ingram.
Leah studied Beauty therapy in 1989 and as Leah reflects on her early years in the industry she
remembers that there wasn’t a great focus on waxing. Back in the 80’s and 90’s beauty therapy
focused predominately on facials and massages, and although waxing technique was taught, the
students didn’t get the opportunity to have practical experience until they were on the job. Leah learnt
on the go in a high pressure environment. Although it was at times stressful dealing with such a great
volume of work, Leah proudly admits that she grew to love waxing, learning every tiny detail through
hands on experience.
At 21, her parents gave her $2000 to travel overseas. Instead, Leah used the money to rent a small
room at the back of a hair salon in Hurstville Westfield and set up her own one-room salon. She was
offering waxing and facials, but her days were quite and soon she grew bored. Not one for sitting idle,
Leah took the bold and brave approach to place a sign in the salon window offering a leg wax, bikini
wax and mini facial all for just $20! Soon she was inundated with clients. With her endless passion
and unquestionable talent, it wasn’t long before Leah grew a large client base of loyal and happy
customers.
Leah never turned a client away, working hard to ensure she was ultra quick, whilst still giving each
customer an outstanding waxing job. Before long, the Westfield Shopping Centre management
noticed the extraordinary number of clients waiting in Leah’s salon, and they offered her a special deal
to get her in her own shop space.
Slowly Leah’s Waxworks grew, but Leah maintained her famous low prices, always adhering to
her founding philosophy of giving her clients more for less. Eventually Leah’s Waxworks opened
their second store in Bondi Junction Westfield. Once again things started out slowly, but as word
spread of this new concept in beauty therapy, it too became as busy and in demand as the original
store. Not long after, Leah’s Waxworks opened stores in Miranda, Eastgardens, Parramatta, Sydney
CBD and most recently Burwood. Leah now employs over 60 staff and 45 full time, fully qualified
beauty therapists.
As the phenomenal success of her business builds momentum, Leah has exciting plans to expand the
business nationally. Through sheer hard work, determination and learning on the go, Leah has built
a hugely successful chain of 7 salons on her own, and has now decided to take the courageous step
of restructuring her business to allow for further growth. With her unmistakeable can-do attitude
and genuine love for the industry, Leah hopes to build the Leah’s Waxworks brand into a nationwide
franchise. There’s no doubt that the new venture will be a resounding success, as Leah continues to
display unrivalled dedication and commitment to her craft.
For more information about Leah’s Waxworks visit: www.leahswaxworks.com.au
For Further Information:
Maz Coote
Sweaty Betty PR
T 02 8399 3599
E maz@sweatybettypr.com