

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mikala Lewis.
Hi Mikala, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
While going through a tough postpartum depression in 2015, I was introduced to skincare through a friend who taught me how to properly care for my skin. I learned the importance of sunscreen, exfoliation, and having a routine that actually works. Skincare became my form of self-care — a way to reclaim my time and feel like myself again. I fell in love with how it made me feel so much that I knew I wanted to turn it into a career.
Two years later, in 2017, I enrolled in beauty school to become an esthetician, and I haven’t looked back since. I landed my first job in 2018 as a hair removal specialist at a local waxing chain — which, to my surprise, turned into something I absolutely fell in love with. I’m so thankful for my time there because it taught me the fundamentals of managing a spa, working with clients, and understanding the power of retail.
In 2019, I opened my own salon, Arie Beauty Studio, a luxury waxing and skincare studio for women in Lubbock, Texas. I wanted to create something completely different from what I saw around me — something that was about more than just numbers. It was about the experience. Arie Beauty Studio grew to become the only Black-owned full-body waxing studio in town for five years. During that time, I had the opportunity to work with top brands in the professional beauty industry, including Fur, Nova Wax, and Zandi Land.
Over the past eight years, I’ve made it my mission to perfect the art of providing top-tier waxing and skincare services that truly cater to my clientele. I’m driven by a passion for creating a safe, welcoming environment for every woman who walks through my studio doors. I want every client to feel not only comfortable but also relaxed and cared for during their waxing and skincare experience. I’m dedicated to offering a luxury, detail-oriented experience that sets Arie Beauty Studio apart.
Out of that same passion, I launched The Waxing Table Podcast in 2021, where I share business tips and insight with other beauty professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking to grow and scale their businesses.
In 2024, I relocated Arie Beauty Studio to Arlington, Texas to expand and elevate my business in a new way. Although moving back home wasn’t easy, it’s been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made for both myself and my business. The DFW area has opened the door to incredible opportunities for growth and connection, allowing me to serve a new market of women while staying true to the values that built my brand — luxury, education, and care. My client reach has grown in ways I couldn’t have imagined, and I’m so excited for what’s to come as Arie Beauty Studio continues to evolve and expand in this thriving community.
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?
The biggest struggle for me came when I decided to move my business over five hours away to Dallas. I had poured so much hard work into growing my clientele and establishing myself that, when it was time to move, it felt like I was leaving everything I’d built behind. From working part-time while growing my business to staying up late, investing in coaching, taking advanced education courses, and upgrading my studio — I was so proud of how far I had come and grateful for the space I was in.
But God told me it was time to close one chapter so I could step into a new one. I realized that everything I had built was just the foundation for what was next. It was a bittersweet moment, but deep down, I knew He was calling me to grow even higher.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Arie Beauty Studio ?
As a Licensed Esthetician and founder of Arie Beauty Studio, I specialize in luxury body waxing and skincare for women. My mission has always been to create a space where women feel seen, cared for, and confident in their skin — a place that prioritizes comfort, education, and self-care.
I take pride in offering more than just a wax appointment. Every service is customized and intentional, from the consultation to the post-care education, to ensure each client feels informed and supported long after they leave the studio. I also focus heavily on skin health — helping women address common concerns like ingrown hairs, hyperpigmentation, and texture through consistent care, exfoliation routines, and curated product recommendations.
What sets Arie Beauty Studio apart is the experience. I’ve created an environment that feels both luxury and approachable — where professionalism meets genuine connection. Clients come to me not just for a smooth wax, but because they trust me to care for their skin and help them feel comfortable in such a vulnerable service.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the community I’ve built. Over the years, I’ve been able to connect with women from all walks of life and educate them on proper skin health, while also mentoring other beauty professionals through my podcast, The Waxing Table. My brand stands on three pillars: luxury, education, and care — and those values guide everything I do.
Now that I’ve expanded back to my hometown in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, I’m excited to continue growing my reach and introducing more women to the Arie Beauty Studio experience. Whether they’re booking a wax, learning about skincare for down there, or tuning in to the podcast, my goal is always the same — to help women feel confident, informed, and empowered in their own skin.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was (and still am) really into all things creative — music, dance, poetry, art, writing, journaling, and fashion. My mom surrounded me with women in business from a very young age, which really shaped my perspective on becoming an entrepreneur. Fun fact: in high school, I used to write poetry for a fashion company’s blog and even starred in a music video where I wrote and recorded an original song!
Pricing:
- Luxury Brazilian Wax $73
- New Client Luxury Brazilian Wax $35
- Signature Brow Shape & Tint $60
- Signature Brow Shaping $40
- Underarm Wax $26
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ariebeautystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariebeautystudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ariebeautystudio
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikalalewis
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaxingEsthetician
Image Credits
All images are owned by me.