Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracey (Ann) Montilus.
Hi Tracey (Ann), so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I want to start by giving all glory to God, because none of this would be possible without Him.
I started my business while I was still in high school. I joined my school’s cosmetology program without really having a plan, but I quickly fell in love with waxing. My journey to becoming licensed was not an easy one. I was one of the only students in my class who was truly determined to pursue my license, and I had very little guidance or support along the way. When COVID happened, even some of our instructors stopped showing up, but I refused to let that stop me.
I went on to college, earned my cosmetology license, and continued building my business. I started waxing out of my dorm room and slowly expanded from there. What started as a skill I simply loved turned into a business that continued to grow.
About two years ago, I took another leap and began selling hard wax beads and formulating wax for other waxers. That opened the door for me to grow beyond simply providing services and into product development and helping other beauty professionals grow their businesses.
Looking back, there have been so many roadblocks and moments when it would have been easy to give up. But I kept going, kept trusting God, and kept pushing through. Everything I’ve built has come from faith, perseverance, and being willing to keep moving even when I couldn’t see the full picture.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Being a young entrepreneur and learning how to navigate business ownership at such a young age came with a lot of challenges. I had to teach myself about finances, business operations, marketing, and what it really means to build and maintain a business, all while balancing school, my grades, my education, my personal life, and other responsibilities.
There were also challenges that came with being a Black business owner. Funding, opportunities, visibility, and getting my business in front of the right people have not always been easy. There were many moments where I felt like I had to work twice as hard just to create opportunities for myself.
I’ve had plenty of roadblocks, setbacks, and moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path. But those experiences taught me how to be resourceful, persistent, and willing to figure things out even when I didn’t have someone showing me exactly what to do.
A big part of my journey has been learning as I go, trusting God through the uncertainty, and continuing to push forward even when things weren’t moving as quickly as I wanted them to. Those challenges have shaped the business owner I am today and have made me even more determined to create opportunities not only for myself, but for other beauty professionals as well.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Ann’s Body Bar?
Ann’s Body Bar is a beauty business built on faith, education, results, and entrepreneurship. I specialize in professional waxing, corrective skincare, intimate skin treatments, and education for beauty professionals. Over the years, my business has grown beyond the treatment room into product development, wholesale wax supply, mentorship, and helping other beauty professionals build businesses of their own.
At the heart of my brand is my mission to help Black women find confidence in their skin. I focus on addressing concerns such as hyperpigmentation, ingrown hairs, uneven skin tone, and texture through results-driven skincare and intimate skin treatments. I want my clients to not only see a difference in their skin, but to understand their skin and feel confident caring for it.
One of the things I’m most known for is taking waxing beyond simply removing hair. I focus on creating results-driven experiences that address the skin concerns that often come along with waxing while educating my clients on proper skin care. Through Ann’s Wax Supply, I also formulate and sell professional hard wax beads for other waxers, giving beauty professionals access to quality products they can confidently use in their businesses.
What sets my brand apart is that I’m building more than a service-based business. I’m creating an ecosystem within the beauty industry. I’ve experienced what it feels like to start with very little guidance, figure things out through trial and error, and build while still learning. Now, I use those experiences to help other beauty professionals improve their skills, strengthen their brands, increase their income, and create opportunities beyond trading time for money.
One of my biggest goals for the future is to open a physical wax supply store in Baltimore. There is currently a gap in the market for a dedicated beauty supply destination specifically for professional waxers, and I want to bring that resource to my city. I envision a space where estheticians and beauty professionals can purchase quality wax, supplies, and professional products without having to constantly search for vendors online or travel outside of Baltimore.
I’m most proud of how much my brand has evolved while still staying true to the foundation it was built on. From starting as a young waxer to developing products, educating other professionals, and creating multiple streams of income, I’ve been intentional about allowing God to lead the direction of my business. My faith is at the center of everything I do, and I truly believe every door, opportunity, and level of growth has been possible because of God.
Ultimately, I want Ann’s Body Bar to represent excellence, education, results, and opportunity. I’m not just building a business for myself. I’m building something that I hope will create opportunities, resources, and confidence for the next generation of beauty professionals and the women I serve.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about Baltimore is how much the city is evolving. There is so much talent, creativity, culture, and opportunity here, and I love that Baltimore has a strong sense of community while still having so much to offer. It doesn’t feel like a small city, but there is still a sense of connection that makes it feel like a community.
If there is one thing I would like to see more of, it’s collaboration. I believe there are so many talented business owners, creatives, and organizations in Baltimore, and I would love to see us connect more, support one another, and create more opportunities to grow together. I think Baltimore has so much potential, and when we collaborate instead of trying to build separately, we can make an even bigger impact on our city.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://annsbodybar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annsbodybar
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14qBAGvQajg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://annsbodybar.as.me/schedule/b6d0ef00
