After spending two days with Katherine Goldman, the founder of Stript Wax Bar, I have a new-found admiration for womankind. We can do anything we set our mind to, and Katherine is the prefect example. She does it all: she still does treatments (there is a waitlist), she runs her 7-location California-based salon business (opened in 2009, not exactly in the most booming economic times!) with passion and a firm hand, has developed her own waxes (which vary based on the area that is to be waxed), is launching Flash Facials, and looking to expand on the East coast. And, she does it all while taking the time to enjoy some rosé champagne and raising two beautiful children and reading Fifty Shades of Grey…
AP: What city were you born in? KG: Oakland, CA. I’M Oaktown, baby!
AP: What city to do you live in? KG: San Carlos, CA.
AP: What is your middle name? KG: Victoria. As in The Great!
AP: What is your astrological sign? KG: Cancer.
AP: What is something about you most people don’t know? KG: I was a once competitive gymnast.
AP: What is your most prized possession? KG: My children; can you say that? If not, a friendship ring from my grandmother that looks like a belt buckle.
AP: If you could have dinner with the person of your choice, who would it be? KG: Marilyn Monroe.
AP: Describe your fashion style in three words maximum. KG: Classic, elegant, and black.
AP: Do you wear a watch? If yes, what model? I do. KG: Chopard Happy Sport. It is Swiss and perfect… and was my first push present.
AP: Diamonds or pearls? KG: Diamonds.
AP: What is your #1 beauty secret? KG: There are so many, but I think happiness is ultimately true beauty.
AP: What fragrance do you wear? KG: I have so many… I am loving Chanel Chance right now.
AP: Botox or not? KG: Botox all the way.
AP: Hair color: natural or not? KG: Not.
AP: What are your special diet tips, if any? KG: Eating clean and low carb, and lots of walking.
AP: What do you do for exercise? KG: Chase my two children around. And lots of walking.
AP: What are three things that you always have in your fridge? KG: 2% milk (I am a tea drinker, and I have kids), yogurt, fruit.
AP: What is your cocktail of choice? KG: Rosé champagne.
AP: What is your secret to work/life balance? KG: The lines blur… but if you love what you do, then work and life merge and become fully integrated.
AP: How many miles do you fly per year on average? KG: 25,000. I commute between San Francisco and LA twice monthly at least… and then there are the scouting trips for new locations…
AP: What are your three top tips for travel? KG: 1. Stay hydrated. 2. Get lots of rest beforehand. 3. Plan your trip well.
AP: 3 songs on your ipod right now. KG: I don’t listen to anything but kid music at this point in my life…
AP: What book are you reading right now? KG: Fifty Shades of Grey. My husband bought me the trilogy right after we had baby #2. I guess he wanted to give me inspiration.
AP: Quote to live by. KG: “Do onto others as you want done unto you.”
AP: What is your worst pet peeve? KG: Dirtiness. (Another quote to live by is “cleanliness is next to godliness” – which is how I run my salons.)
AP: What time do you usually wake up in the morning, and how many hours of sleep do you usually get? KG: 7 am and I shoot for 8 hours.
AP: What is your favorite thing about the beauty industry? KG: All of the amazing products.
AP: Least favorite thing. KG: What’s not to love about the beauty industry?!
AP: Who is your mentor? KG: Honestly, my older sister. She has always been a guide. I look up to her.
AP: Words of advice for young women starting their careers today. KG: Have a long-term plan; have patience; be willing to work for your goals and wait it out. Delay instant gratification for long-term success.
