In this exclusive interview with CanadianSME Small Business Magazine, Kyla Dufresne, the Founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar, shares the story behind her trailblazing brand that has revolutionized the hair removal industry. With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and confidence, Foxy Box has grown from a small side hustle to a thriving franchise with 24+ locations across Canada. Kyla’s passion for empowering women, driving community impact, and creating a positive, body-positive environment is at the heart of her business, making her a standout figure in both the franchising and wellness industries.
Kyla Dufresne is the Founder and CEO of Foxy Box Laser + Wax Bar, a trailblazing brand that’s redefining the hair removal industry with humor, inclusivity, and unapologetic confidence. What started as a side hustle in the dining room of a shared house has grown into a thriving franchise with 24+ locations across Canada—and counting.
You started Foxy Box in your dining room, with no business background and zero startup capital. Looking back, what motivated you to build a business out of this idea, and how did your earliest challenges shape the brand’s culture and mission?
The idea for Foxy Box was sparked when I couldn’t get in to see my regular waxer, and I remember thinking, Why isn’t there a place that just specializes in this?—and that is fun, fast, and welcoming? That simple thought made me realize there was a real gap in the market. I used my bartending tips to set up shop in the dining room of my shared house. That was the start of Foxy Box.
One of the biggest challenges was finding clients who’d actually let me practice on them. Being a bartender and a bit of a socialite, people were hesitant to get a waxing service done by me. It wasn’t until I set up a legit storefront and separated my nightlife from my daytime hustle that strangers started walking in for waxing services.
Over time, I surrounded myself with smart, skilled estheticians and business mentors, learned everything I could about the industry, and poured all of that knowledge back into the business. And even though I didn’t start with skincare credentials, I did start with passion, purpose, and a deep drive to create something different. And that’s been the secret sauce ever since.
Foxy Box stands out as Canada’s first gender-neutral wax bar, known for its humour, inclusivity, and confidence. How did you develop this unique brand identity, and what key practices or policies ensure these values remain at the heart of every location?
From day one, I wanted Foxy Box to feel different. Waxing is an intimate service, and I saw an opportunity to take something often clinical or awkward and make it fun, empowering, and inclusive. I wanted to create something that felt real. A place where people could show up exactly as they are and leave feeling confident and celebrated.
Foxy Box is the first and only hair removal franchise in North America to be Green Circle Certified, meaning 95% of its waste from wax strips to gloves and cotton rounds is recycled and diverted from landfills. Additionally, we’re the first wax bar in Canada to go fully gender-neutral, removing labels from its services so everyone feels safe and included no matter how they identify.
Inclusivity shows up everywhere at our wax bars. It’s not a one-time decision; it’s baked into how we operate. Sustainability and inclusivity aren’t just buzzwords for us. It’s at the heart of everything we do. We want our clients to feel welcome and safe, while also leaving with smooth skin and a clean conscience.
Many small businesses dream of scaling, but few manage to franchise as successfully as Foxy Box has. What influenced your decision to pursue franchising, and what have been the most rewarding and difficult aspects of guiding others to represent your business?
Foxy Box was built on a culture rooted in inclusivity, connection, and community, along with a vision to help other entrepreneurs, especially women, to achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. I didn’t just want one location, I wanted to scale it, franchise it, and give other entrepreneurs, especially women, the opportunity to build successful businesses under the Foxy Box umbrella.
I asked myself: Can this be systemized? Can it be taught? Can someone else be profitable doing it? When the answer was yes, I dove in!
Selling my first franchise was pure chaos; I had no idea what I was doing. But I learned, got a coach, and built better systems.
I would highly recommend any business owner beginning to franchise their business join the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA). It’s a great way to be part of the franchising community in Canada, learn from the best, take advantage of all kinds of resources, and be a part of advocating for this industry. And because potential franchisees can always Look for the Logo—the CFA Member logo that signifies your brand has signed on to the CFA’s code of ethics—you can showcase your franchise system as a qualified brand and find future franchisees.
In fact, the most rewarding part of building this business has been to witness other entrepreneurs—many of them women—build thriving businesses under the Foxy Box brand. We’ve created a network where people genuinely want to help each other succeed.
The hardest part is ensuring every location perfectly reflects your vision, so maintaining consistency while empowering others takes trust and tight systems. But when you get it right, it’s magic. You’re not just scaling a business, you’re growing a community.
You’ve shared stories of signing leases days before giving birth and juggling parenthood with entrepreneurship. How do you balance these responsibilities, and what advice do you have for women and parents building their own businesses while navigating personal commitments?
I actually tend to stay away from the word balance—it feels like a myth. I prefer to focus on finding my flow. Every day looks different, and I try not to look too far down the road. I focus on what’s pressing today and tomorrow, and move from there. Tools like Monday.com help me stay organized—I add tasks on the fly, assign due dates, and when I’m finally in front of my computer, I can dive in efficiently.
The truth is, I couldn’t do any of it without support. My team, my husband, and my mother-in-law are absolute lifesavers. I signed a lease three days before giving birth and was back on calls a few days later—it wasn’t glamorous, but it was real. My advice? Don’t wait for perfect conditions. Build your village, ask for help, and trust that doing your best is enough. Some days I’m a powerhouse CEO; other days I’m just proud I kept a toddler alive and replied to one email. Both count.
As Foxy Box continues to expand across Canada and beyond, what final insights or words of wisdom would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs—especially those just starting out or considering franchising as a path to growth?
Franchising is a great way to scale your vision and empower other entrepreneurs along the way. I always knew I wanted Foxy Box to be a platform for that.
You’ve got to be gritty, you’ve got to be resilient, and you have to be obsessed with making other people successful, not just yourself! That said, it can be one of the most rewarding ways to grow a business, empower others, and scale your impact.
If you’re considering getting into franchising, my biggest advice would be-
- Join the Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) which offers legal guidance, mentorship, and a wealth of resources.
- Attend conferences and networking events and build your support system early.
- And most importantly—make sure your business is scalable.
