Meet Kalyn Merkle | Esthetician & Waxer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kalyn Merkle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kalyn, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I really just wanted to wax people. I have always loved talking to my clients while waxing them, I’ve gotten to know so many people and have grown to cherish learning from others how we* (humans) deal, struggle and grow through adversity. Connection was my greatest motivator. I knew how to wax and connect but I didn’t understand how to do business at all. I had zero clue what I was doing. I actually would cringe when anyone would refer to my operation as a business. When I started out, creating a business wasn’t even on my radar, connecting with others and hair removal was my only mission, I didn’t realize what I was doing was actually creating a business.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is called Wax Local and is located in Costa Mesa. It’s a one woman shop. I use both hard and soft waxes depending on the area being waxed and client’s needs. I specialize in providing a comfortable and judgement free zone where my guests are free to share their life with me. Waxing is a very vulnerable task for many people, it’s painful and exposed. My greatest joy is when they say at the end of their service, “Wow! It wasn’t bad at all! You are so easy to talk to and quick!”

None of this self employment gig is easy on its face, but it’s so worth it & the rewards keep pouring in. I keep learning how to improve, work through fear and manage time. My greatest struggle has always been accounting. I got a booking system that does the basic day to day accounting for me, and connected with an accountant that specializes in small business growth. Overcoming challenges have been a day by day process with the assistance and advice from experts. I don’t know everything or have to figure everything out on my own and admitting that to myself has been the best tool to overcome every hurdle.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Costa Mesa is awesome. I would take them for a nice nature walk around the Back Bay, grab lunch at ETCetera Sushi and stop by Pilar’s apothecary to pick up some herbs for tea. I would also take them on the Balboa Ferry, hit up the Fun Zone to play some games and end the afternoon with a nice walk around the island. My favorite place in Orange County is without a doubt I-Spa in Irvine. It’s the best local Korean spa, has an amazing restaurant, the amenities are great and it’s the perfect place to relax for a day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My grandpa is in my phone as “hero gramps.” He’s been my number one supporter. He has always called me out when I’ve made dumb choices, pushed me to improve & cut out bad habits. He is in his nineties, now, so the wisdom I lean on from him is shifting from day to day stuff to the greater value of time. He’s been my go to guy for business and life advice. When I was a rebellious teenager all the way into my twenties he would repeat the same line every time I began to whine over self pity and victimization: “it’s your life, kid, you need to live it, no one else can or will do it for you.”

My clients! Without them I wouldn’t get to have this amazing job! Some of the most important business and life wisdom has come from them. I’m so grateful for them.

My son, Levi, my number one motivator to grow and improve. He deserves a mom who is brave and focused. It’s my job to give him tools, and if I’m not cultivating them in my day to day how can I give pass them on to him? He’s been the motivating force I needed to get my life together and continue growing up.

Website: https://waxlocaloc.com/index.html

Instagram: @waxlocal

Image Credits
Josh Warner Burke and others