Conversations with Kalyn Verbeke

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalyn Verbeke.

Hi Kalyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Gosh! where to start?! My journey with Sugared Touch has been anything but linear or simple, but every part of it has made me who I am—both personally and professionally.

I found out I was going to be a mother at a young age, and that news changed everything for me. It lit a fire under me to create a real future—not just for myself, but for my daughter. As fate would have it, I was blessed with the opportunity to move to California to live with my aunt. That move ended up being the turning point in my entire life.

While I was there, my aunt—who owns Sugaring LA—gracefully took me under her wing and taught me the art of sugaring. She’s been such an example of strength, resilience, and grace and she inspires me even today—her love, guidance, generosity, and skill are the foundation for everything Sugared Touch is today. She taught me the craft with so much patience and pride, and I took every bit of that energy and brought it back with me when I moved home to Ohio in 2014.

At that time, I was just trying to figure things out. I was a single mom—I had my daughter in California—and life was a full-blown hustle. I was working two jobs: a little part-time gig at Michaels, and then sugaring at the salon whenever I had a client. I had no extra hands, no backup plan—it was just me, my kid, and prayers. But I loved what I did, and I knew if I kept showing up, something beautiful would grow from it.

When I got back to Ohio, I started from scratch. I was renting rooms wherever I could—Rocky River, Strongsville, you name it. Little by little, I earned my clients’ trust and loyalty, and eventually, I was able to open my own little space in Strongsville. That moment was one of the proudest days of my life. It was FAR from a high end corporate bougie salon, but it was mine—simple, authentic, an absolutely enough!

Then came 2019, and I hit a wall. I was dealing with some pretty heavy stuff—addiction, a difficult breakup, being a young parent, mental health, just typical life. It was one of the hardest seasons I’ve ever faced, and I had to make the decision to step back and really focus on healing. During that time, my stepfather and my employee working alongside me at the time (who I always say are two of the most unsung heroes in this story) stepped up in a big way. They took care of Sugared Touch while I was away getting myself together.

And then COVID hit. Like a wrecking ball. Everyone was stuck inside, services shut down, and the business nearly didn’t survive. But somehow, it did. And in 2022, my stepdad handed the keys back to me. I was sober, grounded, and ready to come back stronger than ever—and honestly? I’ve never looked back.

Since then, the salon has absolutely flourished. We’ve got this cozy little spot in Strongsville that feels like home, and just recently, we added Sjolie spray tanning to the menu—which has been such a fun, glowing addition (pun very much intended).

What’s wild is that even in my darkest moments, the salon always gave me purpose. It reminded me that I am competent, capable, creative—and it kept me tethered to something beautiful when I felt like I was falling apart.

The success of Sugared Touch isn’t just mine, though. It’s a family thing. My aunt, my stepdad, my incredible partner who acts as my spiritual guide (and therapist… and co-pilot when I’m spiraling), my daughter who keeps me playful and inspired, and of course, my amazing clients who keep me grounded and humble. I mean it when I say—I wouldn’t be here without them.

It’s been a journey. But I wouldn’t change a single twist or turn. Every struggle, every lesson, every tub of sugar ordered—it’s all been worth it.

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?
In the beginning, it was pure ignorance. I had no clue how to run a business. Numbers? Scheduling? Taxes? Nope…. I just knew how to sugar very well and keep clients laughing through their Brazilian. Somehow, that combo kept them coming back. But behind the scenes, I learned a lot of lessons the hard way—trial, error, doubt, fear, insomnia, uncertainty, financial instability. It was hard, it was chaotic, but it taught me everything I needed to know about perseverance.

The hardest struggle, though, came when my personal life stopped being something I could tuck away neatly. I was dealing with some deep stuff—bad habits, burnout, emotional fatigue—and that absolutely bled into the quality of my work and the energy I was putting into the salon. It was a really dark chapter for me, for Sugared Touch, and honestly for my family. But it forced me to do some major soul-searching, a whole lot of unglamorous healing, and make sacrifices that stretched me thin. Looking back, though, I see it all as a gift. That pain grew me into the woman and business owner I am now—one who leads with clarity, accountability, and a deep respect for what it really means to hold space for others. These days, the biggest challenge is balancing the ever-growing demands of Sugared Touch with raising my daughter, who’s just about to hit her teen years. Running a business while raising a whole human is a wild ride, and the harmony between those two roles is a dance I haven’t quite mastered—but we keep showing up, one day at a time.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What a great and fun question! I’m a skilled sugarista, which means I’ve mastered the ancient Egyptian art of hair removal using a simple, all-natural paste made from just lemon juice, water, and sugar. It’s cooked down to a perfect caramel-like consistency, cooled to a paste, and then applied by hand—no strips, no sticks, and no mess. I use just a gloved hand to mold and flick the sugar, removing hair from the root in the natural direction of growth. It’s gentle, super effective, and actually good for the skin.

I only use Tamara’s Sugar Paste, which is certified organic and fair-trade—it’s the same brand I was trained with at Sugaring LA alongside my aunt, so it holds a special place in my heart (and on my shelves). The real beauty of sugaring isn’t just the hair removal—it’s the hair refinement. With each session, the hair grows back softer, finer, and more sparse, and with consistent treatments, you’re looking at semi-permanent results.

But if you were to ask my clients what keeps them coming back to me specifically? I’d say it’s my quick hands and the fact that I can crack a joke or two. Most of the time, by the time I’m done they didn’t even know we started!

All in all, what I’m most proud of is the spirit of Sugared Touch. She has been other names, other locations, almost shut down and lost a couple times- but ultimately I feel as though I have been able to channel my creative, bold, comforting and persevering energy into Sugared Touch and I truly feel my clients feel that when they come in.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Absolutely, I’ve got advice—probably more than anyone wants, but I’ll keep it real and simple. If you have a goal, especially if it’s to run your own salon, you cannot give yourself a backup plan. I mean it. There were days where I felt like I had no options, days when my bank account was giving me anxiety, and plenty of moments when I felt like all my hard work wasn’t paying off the way I thought it should. But at the end of the day, I never gave myself another lane to veer into. Sugared Touch had to work—because I never allowed myself to believe there was another path.

I’d also say: right-size your expectations. In trying to hire and mentor new girls here and there, I’ve seen the same thing take people out before they ever get started—lack of patience and an entitled mindset. Building a loyal client base and a sustainable business takes serious time, a whole lot of sacrifice, and a ridiculous number of late nights. It means offering deals when you need to build, learning to be your own content creator, accountant, receptionist—you name it. It means taking rejection without letting it crush you. But if you can be humble, stay grateful, and have the patience to play the long game, you will watch your vision come to life right in front of you.

And lastly, balance your time. I know it’s tempting to be available 24/7, especially when you’re hungry for growth, but if you constantly sacrifice time with your family, your friends, or just time to live your life… those things can slip away quietly and fast. You’ve got to protect what matters most, even while you build what you dream of.

Pricing:

• 3- pack Brazilian(s)- $160
• Brazilian- $75
• Rebook(ed) Brazilian- $65
• French Bikini- $60
• Basic Bikini- $50

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sugaredtouch.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sugaredtouchllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567050246439
• Other: https://www.groupon.com/deals/sugared-touch?redemptionLocationId=9abee6f9-0014-ba42-b5a8-0191fb697711