Stef Fisher-Sample is setting a new standard for women franchise operators in the beauty and wellness industry. With a determined vision to scale and lead, Fisher-Sample, alongside her business partner Rilee Buttars, has acquired five existing Radiant Waxing locations across Utah and signed an agreement to open 10 additional studios in the state.
The newly acquired studios are located in Park City, Sugar House, South Jordan, American Fork, and Cottonwood Heights. These locations were previously owned by Teresa and Scott Hatter, Radiant Waxing’s first franchisees when the brand launched in 2013 under the name LunchboxWax.
Fisher-Sample said she and Buttars initially approached the Hatters to learn more about the brand during their research phase, which unexpectedly led to an opportunity to acquire the five studios.
“We started with a list of 50 beauty and wellness brands that Rilee and I were interested in and narrowed it down to 20,” Fisher-Sample said. “Radiant Waxing quickly became our top choice after meeting with the leadership team and seeing their vision for the brand. The transition felt seamless, and we developed a strong connection with the sellers.”
WellBiz Brands acquired LunchboxWax in 2021 and rebranded it as Radiant Waxing in 2022. Today, the brand has approximately 65 locations nationwide and reports an average unit volume of $496,254, with top-performing studios reaching $1.1 million.
Fisher-Sample and Buttars have formed their own franchise platform, HenHouse Holdings, a proudly women-owned enterprise. Their long-term goal is to grow their portfolio by expanding within the Radiant Waxing system and potentially adding other beauty and wellness brands.
“We are starting by opening one new Radiant Waxing studio a year and plan to accelerate from there,” Fisher-Sample said. “Some new locations will be in Utah, but we are also exploring opportunities in new markets.”
Inspired by large-scale operators like Flynn Group, Fisher-Sample said they envision building a diversified platform across multiple brands in the beauty and wellness sector.
While Buttars will oversee store operations, Fisher-Sample will lead back-office strategy, including new deals and expansion planning. After working with venture capital firms, Fisher-Sample said she was ready to build something independently.
“I realized I missed franchising and knew I wanted to create something we fully owned without outside investors,” she said. “We know our strengths, and we’re ready to grow.”
Story adapted from original reporting by Joe Halpern for the Franchise Times.
