Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaelyn Johnson.
Hi Kaelyn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey with Glow Up Detroit started in 2018, although at the time, I definitely didn’t know it would become what it is today. I originally entered the beauty industry through lash extensions under Lashed by Kaye. What began with one service continued to grow alongside me, my education, and the needs of my clients.
My path has been a little unconventional because beauty wasn’t my only career. I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University and later my master’s in social work from Wayne State University. I went on to work as a clinical therapist, so caring for people has really been a common thread throughout my career, even though what that looks like has changed over time.
As the years went on, I realized I wanted to build something bigger than a lash business. I became increasingly passionate about skincare, wellness, and creating an environment where clients could slow down while still receiving intentional, results-driven services. That evolution eventually became Glow Up Detroit.
Today, Glow Up Detroit is a beauty and wellness studio offering customized skincare treatments, lash extensions, waxing, massage, and other self-care experiences. After eight years of entrepreneurship, I’m entering one of the most exciting chapters of the business as we establish our new home in Royal Oak.
A particularly meaningful part of this chapter has been expanding Glow Up Detroit alongside my mom. She is a trained myomassologist, and bringing her into the business has allowed us to expand the wellness side of the brand through massage and therapeutic bodywork. For years, Glow Up Detroit was something I built primarily on my own, so being able to create space for my mom’s gifts within something I’ve spent years building feels very full circle.
Looking back, I think the biggest evolution has been realizing that Glow Up Detroit isn’t tied to one particular service. It’s about the experience we create and how people feel when they’re here. I want someone to walk through our doors knowing they’re going to be cared for, educated, and able to exhale for a little while. My goal now is to continue growing Glow Up Detroit beyond the services I personally provide and into a more complete beauty and wellness brand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’m grateful to say that overall, my entrepreneurial journey has been relatively smooth, but I don’t think smooth necessarily means easy. I haven’t experienced one huge defining hardship that almost ended my business. For me, the challenge has been learning how to consistently show up, adapt, and make good decisions through every season of entrepreneurship.
There have been slower seasons, financial investments that felt uncomfortable, changes within the beauty industry, services that didn’t perform the way I expected, and moments when I’ve had to make decisions without knowing exactly how they would turn out. I’ve also had to learn when to let go of things that no longer fit the direction of the business, even when they were once a major part of what made me successful.
One of my biggest lessons has been learning how to evolve without losing the foundation of what I built. I started with lash extensions, but eventually realized I didn’t want my business to remain in one box forever. Expanding into skincare and wellness, rebranding, and most recently moving the business to Royal Oak have all required me to believe in the next version of Glow Up Detroit before I could fully see the outcome.
I’ve also learned that entrepreneurship can be challenging simply because so much depends on you. You have to be the service provider, marketer, decision-maker, problem-solver and visionary, often at the same time. There are moments when you question whether you’re making the right move, but you still have to make one.
I think sometimes we expect a success story to have a huge rock-bottom moment, and that just hasn’t been my story. My challenge has been the consistency of continuing to show up, evolve and make the next right decision year after year. Eight years later, I think that consistency is one of the things I’m most proud of.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Glow Up Detroit?
Glow Up Detroit is a beauty and wellness studio in Royal Oak centered around three things: beauty, wellness and experiences. We currently offer customized facials and advanced skincare treatments, lash extensions, waxing, massage and therapeutic bodywork.
I originally built my reputation through lash extensions, which is still what many of my longtime clients know me for. As I’ve grown as an esthetician, I’ve expanded more intentionally into results-driven skincare, with a focus on concerns like hyperpigmentation, congestion and overall skin health. Today, Glow Up Detroit brings those beauty services together with massage and therapeutic bodywork to create a more complete approach to beauty and wellness.
That balance is really what I believe sets Glow Up Detroit apart. We aren’t trying to be a traditional spa, and we aren’t a space where the focus is solely on the service being performed. Everything from the treatments we offer to the atmosphere of the studio is intentional. Whether someone comes in for lashes, a facial or a massage, I want the experience to feel personal rather than transactional.
I’m especially proud of how much the brand has been able to evolve without losing its identity. Glow Up Detroit started with lashes and has grown into something that represents a much broader vision of beauty and wellness. Adding my mom, Lynne, as our myomassologist has been another important part of that growth. Her background in massage and therapeutic bodywork allows us to care for clients in a completely different way and makes the wellness component of Glow Up Detroit much more than just branding.
Ultimately, I want people to know that Glow Up Detroit is continuing to grow. I don’t see the brand as simply a place to book an appointment. My long-term vision is to continue creating services, products and experiences that allow people to intentionally invest in how they look, feel and function. I’m proud that after eight years, the business continues to evolve with me while still remaining centered around taking care of people.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Networking has worked best for me when it feels genuine rather than transactional. My advice is to show up, build relationships with people you genuinely connect with, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Some of the most valuable guidance can come from your community and peers, not just someone with the official title of “mentor.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hopp.bio/glowupdetroitstudio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glowupdetroit
