The Wax Zen opens in Milledgeville

Published 4:01 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

Born in the Bronx, New York, Shalanda Martin moved to Charleston, South Carolina at the age of 3. She was raised there as the middle child and only girl. Martin moved to Macon in 2018 and is now a mother to her two daughters. 

In 2019, she attended cosmetology school intending to become a master cosmetologist. The inspiration for that goal was her grandmother, mother, and the other women in her family who did hair. 

“When I enrolled in school, I thought that cosmetology was all about learning to do hair. I had no idea that I would also be learning how to do nails, makeup, facials and most of all waxing,” Martin said. “I loved all of it. The day I learned to wax in class I instantly fell in love with it. Seeing the hair be removed from one’s body part became very satisfying to me. In that moment I knew that waxing would be a service I would enjoy waking up to do.” 

She worked for a while at a Macon area wax business and began thinking about opening her own. 

While working for the company, Martin said that she noticed that women would come in from Milledgeville and the surrounding areas. 

“The thought crossed my mind to open my shop [in Milledgeville] instead. One being that I would be out of the contract radius and also, I would be able to bring the services desired to the city of Milledgeville,” she said “That would also save a lot of women gas money.”

Martin says she started The Wax Zen from the ground up and without any help from a grant or loan. The business was funded and started using money from her savings. Opening was also a stressful process for her due to several varied factors and she is thankful to have had help from her mother along the way. 

Located at 2401 Holly Drive, Suite B in Milledgeville, The Wax Zen held its grand opening on Sept. 9. The business is open on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. 

The business is a one-stop-shop offering a full body wax spa that services men, women and even teens. The Wax Zen also currently offers teeth whitening/tooth gems, yoni steaming and body contouring. Martin added that she plans to begin offering services for facials, massages and eyelashes as well.

Part of what Martin said she loves about running The Wax Zen is the freedom that comes with it. She said she also enjoys that she can show and teach her 10-year-old how to become her own boss one day. 

“The Wax Zen is unique because I offer what many waxing spas don’t offer and a serene and welcoming place. I cater to them. I am very thoughtful,” she said. “I’m not in it for the money but in it for the joy I receive when I see the smiles on my clients’ faces. I offer wine to clients 21 and older. I give them the utmost respect and top-tier service.”

For more information on The Wax Zen, visit www.thewaxzen.com or check out the Facebook, Instagram or TikTok pages.