Building a Global Footcare Brand on Family, Trust, and Caribbean Optimism

From a beach town in the Netherlands to professional practices across the world, Sylke Bommel is quietly redefining what a modern footcare brand can be - without ever losing sight of where it all began.

Sylke lives in Haarlem, a coastal town just outside Amsterdam, together with her husband and their two young daughters. Motherhood and entrepreneurship now move side by side in her life, but the rhythm suits her. “I’ve always lived an active lifestyle,” she says. “I love adventure, movement, and growth.” There’s also a deep-rooted optimism in her leadership style—an unwavering sense that things will work out. That mindset, she explains, comes straight from her Caribbean upbringing. Born and raised on the island of Aruba, Sylke carries that warmth, openness, and confidence into everything she builds.

That includes Imperial Feet, a footcare brand with a history that spans three generations.

A Legacy That Started in a Basement

The story of Imperial Feet begins in 2001, when Sylke’s grandfather founded the Dutch company Samenwerkende Pedicures. He formulated footcare products himself, producing them in his own basement. What started small quickly grew into something much bigger. Demand surged, and production eventually moved to a local factory. The products proved effective, reliable, and deeply trusted by professionals.

Imperial Feet was born from that foundation. Ten years ago, Sylke took the next step of expanding the brand internationally. A move driven as much by intuition as ambition. “Even as a child, I watched my grandfather grow the company and thought: if this works so well in the Netherlands, why wouldn’t it work elsewhere?” she says.

From One Distributor to 20+ Countries

Sylke’s international journey didn’t begin with a grand strategy. It began with curiosity, courage, and social media. “I thought: let’s try it for a few months and see what happens,” she recalls. Through online visibility, she connected with Imperial Feet’s first international distributor—in Greece. Growth followed naturally. Today, Imperial Feet is available in more than 20 countries, including the United States.

One moment stands out above all others. “Selling products my grandfather developed to professionals in the U.S.—that was a dream come true,” Sylke says. “I'm so proud to see something so rooted in family history embraced on a global scale.”

Navigating a World of Rules and Regulations

Global expansion, however, goes far beyond passion and vision. Each country brings its own set of regulations, registration requirements, and compliance standards—particularly in professional footcare. “Every market speaks a different regulatory language,” Sylke explains. “From ingredient approvals to labeling, claims, and professional usage guidelines, nothing can be taken for granted.”

Rather than seeing regulation as a limitation, Sylke views it as a responsibility. Ensuring that Imperial Feet products meet local requirements without compromising quality has become a crucial part of the brand’s integrity. It requires patience, expertise, and strong collaboration with local partners. “It’s challenging,” she admits, “but it also pushes us to be better, more precise, and more professional in everything we do.”

Trust, Tradition, and Innovation

What sets Imperial Feet apart isn’t just its products—it’s belief. “I truly believe in what we make,” Sylke says. Decades of professional use in the Netherlands provide powerful social proof, making the brand’s story authentic rather than manufactured. This trust carries through everything Imperial Feet does.

One of the brand’s most iconic products, the Nail Mycosis Solution, is based on an old family recipe developed by Sylke’s grandfather. It has remained a bestseller since 2001—proof that experience and effectiveness never go out of style.

For Sylke, professional knowledge is non-negotiable. “Experience is everything,” she explains. That belief is shaping the future of Imperial Feet as well. In 2026, the brand will further expand its education platform, offering both online and in-person masterclasses in collaboration with professionals worldwide.

More Than a Brand—A Community

Sylke’s vision goes far beyond selling products. She sees Imperial Feet as a connector—a global community where footcare professionals support one another, share knowledge, and grow together.

“On challenging leadership days, that vision motivates me,” she says. “A brand like ours can create real connection and impact.”

Looking ahead ten years, her hope is clear: Imperial Feet will stand for trust, quality, and a worldwide professional community built on shared expertise and mutual respect.

Grounded in family values, powered by innovation, and guided by Caribbean optimism, Sylke Bommel is proving that legacy and global ambition don’t just coexist—they thrive together.