March, 2022
by Mary McGinn
Joan Martinez’s entrepreneurial journey started in 2008.
Joan had been working in Manhattan when the recession hit. She lost her job and moved back home to live with her mom. As fate would have it, there was a beauty school right down the street. Joan had never been into beauty, hair, or facials but she was unemployed, bored, and wanted something to do during the day.
“I thought I’d learn how to clean my face,” Joan said, “and I ended up loving waxing.” It hadn’t been her dream, but she was good at it. Hair removal grew into a passion and she’s now been waxing professionally for over fourteen years.
Two years ago Joan Martinez opened Bare Me Waxing, a private hair removal studio in Orlando’s Milk District. Her waxing studio is located in what Joan calls The Hair Square; Bare Me is sandwiched between Hair Godz Barbershop and Mosaic Hair Studio & Blowout Bar.
Joan chose to open her business in the Milk District because she wanted to be close to downtown and loved the vibe the district has to offer.
“It’s crazy that I’m here because when I first moved to Orlando ten years ago I used to always go with my sister to Revolution (Southern Nights). I was always here. Now to end up having a business here is amazing.”
Joan appreciates the great places to eat and drink in the Milk District. She’s particularly fond of Stasio's Italian Deli and Saigon Noodle. She also enjoys the neighborhood’s live music offerings and fun events like Tasty Takeover.
Bare Me Waxing is a fully owner-operated business. “Bare Me is just me,” explains Joan. Because of the nature of her business, Joan prioritizes her clients’ comfortability. As the only waxer in her studio, she can offer consistency and privacy. She builds relationships with her clients and works to educate them on how to care for their skin.
Joan Martinez goes above and beyond to offer the best waxing experience and even makes her own products. “If I don’t make it, I don’t sell it,” Joan explains as she shows us handmade soaps made with the aloe she grows herself behind her studio.
Bare Me Waxing offers unisex hair removal services for your back, ears, eyebrows, nose, armpits, legs, stomach, and all intimate areas.
“If you grow it, I wax it,” says Joan Martinez. “Where there’s hair, we make bare.”
All services at Bare Me Waxing are by appointment only. To book an appointment at Bare Me or to learn more about their offerings visit their website or follow them on Instagram at @baremewaxing.
