Hidden Gems: Meet Marina Claunch of Avivah Wax Spa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marina Claunch.

Hi Marina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was 21 working as a lead esthetician at a local spa in St. Louis when I decided I needed a change. I knew from early on that I did not want to spend the rest of my life working under someone else. I was going through a bit of a rough patch at the time, my grandma had just passed away and I was going through the worst possible breakup, so I decided that I was going to take charge and start my own waxing spa.

I stumbled upon the cutest spot on De Mun in Clayton and instantly fell in love. The process took about three months to set everything up and open to the public. I’m Jewish and always said that if I had a daughter, I would name her Avivah. Avivah is Hebrew for “springtime.” I knew I wasn’t going to have children any time soon and my business is my first child so I decided upon the name Avivah Wax Spa. Over the last three and a half, soon to be four years in September, my clientele has surpassed 2,000 people. I have been very lucky to be able to do something that I love with clients that I love. Making people feel more confident and beautiful is the heart of what I do at Avivah Wax Spa.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This may sound odd but everything went very smoothly for me in the beginning. Everything just sort of fell into place gracefully I was truly surprised how easy the entire process of opening Avivah Wax Spa was for me. I think the biggest struggle of running my business has been COVID-19. Trying to run a business that deals so closely with the public during a pandemic was definitely the hardest obstacle I have come across. I am up close and personal with my clients so I was truly worried that I wouldn’t be able to stay open. I did close from March 14 until June 1st and that was probably the hardest 3 1/2 months of my life. I have made sure to put every precaution necessary in place since re-opening in June so that my clients feel at ease coming in during such uncertain and scary times.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Avivah Wax Spa?
At Avivah Wax Spa, I offer full body waxing, lash lifts, lash tints and eyebrow tints. I specialize and am known mostly for Brazilian waxing. What sets me apart from other waxing places in St. Louis is that I am not a chain and am minority-owned (black-owned and woman-owned). I am most proud of the amount of clients I have gained and the diversity of the types of clients I have. I want readers to know that I offer my services to adults of all sizes, races, and ages. It can be intimidating getting a service such as a Brazilian wax done, so I want people to know that they are in good hands without judgment.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am not much of a risk-taker personally. My biggest risk I’ve ever taken was opening my business and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. If the gain is worth the risk, I say take it. Risk is all relative to each specific situation. Sometimes it’s worth it and sometimes it’s not. If you have a big dream or goal that you’re trying to achieve, taking a risk can’t be avoided.

Contact Info:

• Email: avivahwaxspa@gmail.com
• Website: https://avivahwaxspa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avivahwaxspa/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/avivahwaxspa/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/avivah-wax-spa-clayton
• Other: https://square.site/book/GGHBZ037J4E94/avivah-wax-spa-clayton-mo

Image Credits
Marcus Lashah Walker Photography Making Shots Photography