HER STORY ⟡ Katherine Wagner
Hi, I’m Kat Wagner, owner of Sweet Alchemy!
A LITTLE ABOUT ME:
I started as an esthetician nearly 14 years ago. After completing my esthetician training in 2009, I became one of LA’s premier speed waxers and eyebrow designers in Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. After 9 years as an esthetician in Los Angeles, I moved to Seattle, where I learned and developed a passion for the art of sugaring. I have since relocated to the Cincinnati area and couldn’t be more excited to share my knowledge and expertise of skincare and sugaring. Initially, skincare was the reason I became an esthetician, however, sugaring is one of the reasons I continue. As painful as hair removal can be, I believe sugaring to be the least painful and most superior way to remove unwanted hair. I strive to help my clients look and feel their best. Treatments with me aren’t a one size fits all. I enjoy creating the space for my clients to come in and unwind. When I’m not in the studio, I love playing with my 3 dogs, trying out new breweries, checking out local boutiques, planning my next home project, and watching true crime documentaries.
HOW I STARTED:
Sweet Alchemy began as a pipe dream in 2009 when I began my journey as an esthetician. I always wanted to own my own business but let fear prevent me from taking it any further than daydreams. I loved the fast pace of waxing but hated how it left my clients skin raw after our session and full of ingrown hairs in the weeks to follow. I also loved giving facials but wanted my days with clients to be well-rounded providing specialized skin services rather than “fluff and buff” or “cookie cutter” facial treatments. When I moved from LA to Seattle, I was on the prowl to find my niche and make my mark in an oversaturated beauty market. I learned Sugaring and everything changed. Moving again from Seattle to Cincinnati; I saw an opportunity to bring a “new-to-you” method of hair removal services to the city. I took over an existing business in 2020 and while it was one of the best decisions of my life, it was also one of the scariest. I worried that if I didn’t take the plunge and bring my love of sugaring to Cincinnati, I would regret it! So I did it! Since the takeover, I have since transformed Sweet Alchemy into the beautiful business it is today and continue to watch it unfold and blossom into greatness.
WHAT IS SWEET ALCHEMY:
Alchemy as a definition is a magical process of transformation, creation, or combination- and that’s exactly what sugar paste is for us; a combination of three ingredients that creates a transformation in the way our clients perceive hair removal as an experience and an art.
At Sweet Alchemy, we are committed to helping our clients feel refreshed and rejuvenated with state-of-the-art hair removal services and custom skin care treatments. We deliver fantastic results for our clients seeking natural hair removal, brightened skin tones, healing from acne, minimizing wrinkles, reducing oil production, and more. We’re proud to be the only all-natural hair removal service in Cincinnati, Ohio. We have a talented team of estheticians who pride themselves on making you look and feel your best. We keep our clients comfort and satisfaction our top priority.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT OWNING A SMALL BUSINESS:
Owning a small business certainly has its challenges but for me; aside from sugaring being my passion, owning business has become a new-found love of mine. I love being creative by finding fun ways to inspire and excite our clients through marketing, educational and entertaining social media posts, and giving back to the community! The team we have on staff makes coming into work feel like a day out and I love that I’ve become a better version of myself through business ownership. I love that our clients can count on us to provide a service they can feel good about environmentally, and deliver the results they crave.