Analise is one of our waxing specialists who has been with Waxi Taxi since April 2022, where she first started as an office assistant. After graduating early from Chesterton High School, she pursued her passion at Tricoci University of Beauty, earning her esthetician’s license in June 2024 and stepping into her role as a waxing specialist.
But Analise’s story goes far beyond her career path. What you don’t see at first glance is the incredible resilience behind her path. After losing her mother, Amy, to breast cancer in June of 2020, Analise began her own battle. Just a few months later, and days after her 15th birthday, Analise was diagnosed with brain cancer.
Analise officially hit remission this month, and we’re so honored to share her inspiring journey with our Waxi Taxi community.
Please start by introducing yourself and telling us a little bit about you.
“Hi, my name is Analise, I’ve been with the Waxi Taxi for 4 years. I started as an intern through the Chesterton internship program. I’ve been waxing for two years in June. I have also been a nanny for a family for 3 years now. I come from a big family, I have 4 sisters and 5 brothers. I love spending time with my family and friends.”
How old were you when you received your diagnosis? Can you share more about that?
“I was 15 when I found out that I had my tumor. The same day we found out something wasn’t right, we rushed to the University of Chicago, where they told us that I wouldn’t have made it another week if we hadn’t found it. I was then admitted, and the next day had surgery to get a biopsy.”
Through it all, you finished getting your high school diploma. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during treatment?
“My biggest challenge was not really being able to rest because in my head, if I took days off for anything, I would fall behind and wouldn’t be able to get done with all that needed to be done with my schoolwork. During treatment, I switched to online school, which wasn’t difficult because it was during COVID, but I would wake up at 5 am to go to the university to get radiation at 7 am, so I could be back to sign onto Zoom and be in all my classes.”
Were there any moments where you surprised yourself with your own strength?
“I definitely surprised myself by being able to get through radiation and not fall behind in school. I feel like it was probably a little crazy on my part to even care about that during such a hard time.”
What kept you going on the hardest days?
“My family and friends definitely kept me going. I knew I had so many people who cared for me, specifically my dad and grandparents, who would take me to radiation 5 days a week and care for me at home if I needed it.”
What did it feel like to hear you were in remission?
“It was a relief the day that I finished.”
What are you most looking forward to in this next chapter of your life?
“I am looking forward to not having to worry about any health-related things, growing my career, and seeing what is in store for me in the future.”
What would you say to someone currently going through a similar battle?
“I would say, remember, each treatment is a step forward, and you’re tougher than you think. Focus on the good moments, and know that better days are coming.”
What does being part of Waxi Taxi mean to you, especially after everything you’ve been through?
“I am so, so grateful for Jeny and for her letting me come onto the Waxi Taxi team as an intern. The Waxi Taxi is more than just a job to me. I’m so blessed to be able to work with such amazing women every day and to have such an extraordinary boss who cares about me and my well-being and works day and night to pave the way for new estheticians and the way we should be treated in the workplace. I love my job, which a lot of people can’t say, and am so grateful to be going on 5 years of working at the Waxi Taxi.”
What are some small things that bring you joy now?
“Some small things that bring me joy are my interactions with my clients, watching the kids I nanny, spending time with friends and family, Biggby bagels, specifically turkey havarti. A lot of things bring me joy because I know things could have gone very differently for me, and I’m lucky to be alive and well.”
How do you celebrate milestones, big or small?
“I am a very extra person, so if there’s ever anything to celebrate, I’m trying to do a big celebration.”
