Today we’d like to introduce you to Janell Elise.
Hi Janell, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a family of hard workers. Growing up, seeing my parents dedicate years of their life to provide a better home for me and my siblings than they’re upbringing, is what motivates me. Not that I have any dependents of my own yet, but my goal is to do the same in life! I want to take what my parents provided me and exceed beyond those accomplishments.
I’m not originally from Houston/ Katy but I’m not too far off. I’m from Beaumont, TX. People usually have a misconception of my city. Just like most there’s street life, poverty, and we deal with a lot of disasters but there’s a pride about the area! Because of how we came up, we’re built tough and natural born hustlers! It’s either you make a way for yourself or get lost in the struggles of the day to day small town life.
The day I came to Houston was rather rough, as I decided to leave home and stay with my siblings. This was several months before I settled in Katy. I arrived after a spiraling series of unfortunate events, a rock bottom basically. Just days before my licensing test at that!
Getting my license was of the upmost importance to me, as I struggled in school on multiple occasions. I dropped out of college the first time in late 2015 and had a whole two year break to work and pay off tuition I had wasted being in classes I had no passion to attend. Two years later, January 2018 I started cosmetology with high hopes and it humbled me completely. It took me two years to finish a one year certification that I wasn’t even sure was really for me. Come the prime of COVID, I got laid off from my dead end job of almost five years! In all those years, I spent so much time working, going to school, and focused on everybody but myself. The year 2020 was life changing for me. After being laid off, I told myself I’m never going back no matter what. I was always overworked and unappreciated for poor pay at any 9 to 5 job I had. In that same year I almost lost my mother, who was blessed to have another life thanks to the awesome staff at Herman Memorial!
While my mom was in the hospital, as one of the few grandkids still back at home… I was with my grandmother a lot at the time. I was helping her watch and take care of my sick grandfather. I seen life deteriorated from those I loved. I seen my papa for his last night here on earth and my mom was in the midst of her life changing lung transplant surgery.
I became serious about my mental, physical, and emotional health in these times. A full awakening! I ate healthier, exercised everyday, and most importantly I started healing from past traumas. I was more in tune with my inner self and actively worked on bringing a healthier me out.
By the time I graduated summer 2020 I knew what I wanted in life and was fully focused on getting there! With new goals and ambition, came with changes in life for worse and better! I reunited with friends and loss some. I started many ventures and took breaks before finishing. Had life changing events that I took to heart. Had to do things more than one time or all over again. All these lessons molded me and my business to what and who I am today!
I was on a constant emotional rollercoaster. August/ September 2020, I was at my happiest in these times, just for months later to end up being in a sunken place again. A couple different bad nights turned into the worst night.
I remember having this drive of motivation purely fueled off hurt my last days living in Beaumont. I carried it into Houston to keep me focused on what I’ve worked so hard for. Again, this was just a couple days before my licensure test. I just about cried when I seen I passed, knowing I had to go in there like nothing had happened just two days prior and with last minute practice the night before. My years of being confused on belonging somewhere was defined by that very moment, that I WAS exactly where I needed to be in life. I eventually went back home to gather my things little by little.
A month before I left Beaumont, I spent all my investments and stimulus together to setup my first workspace. One of my closest friends had encouraged me to take that first step in September for an event of hers to do facials. That was my first time doing facials under my own business name and also my first clientele/ string of trips to Houston. Yet I didn’t take it seriously until December of 2020.
I left to go live in Houston the first day of November and it took weeks to process a lot that had happened within that last 24 hours I was still living in Beaumont. I had gone through so many changes, ups and downs, I felt so drained for that whole month, but I kept working on my goals! The whole time I was in Houston, my focus for my esthetics business never left. I knew I was meant to be esthetician!
I still had my work setup at home in Beaumont because I had no space to work in Houston or a permanent home to do my services. At the time I only took practice clients until I got more comfortable with my work. Like I previously stated, I always supported and looked out for everyone but myself. Thankfully I had a friend, who supported me in return and became my first real client (outside my practice ones)! This was when I started taking my business seriously in December. I was so anxious and doubted my ability to run a serious business for so long!
(My first endeavor, some months after being laid off in March 2020, was an online boutique with a twist called Juice Universe. I didn’t have a clear plan at the time, but I wanted to show another side of me while having a way of income. I stressed myself so much for feeling like I had been failing both businesses).
It was only then I started to gain confidence in my work! Come New Years I had been through a lot of interviews, looking for work as an esthetician in Houston. I was always a high prospect candidate, yet never hired. I was getting by with unemployment and delivery jobs. It hurt to be seen as not good enough for these jobs but it was obvious my true destiny was to be my own boss and working under my own practice! I was taking a couple clients here and there back at home in Beaumont, since that was my only way to do my services while I continued to stay with my siblings and friends in Houston. I continued to market and try to get my name out as an esthetician looking for Houston clients. There were countless days I felt lost, sad, and depressed. All I wanted was to get things up and going and for people to see what I can do! I just kept planning, coming up with ideas, and making new goals. March 2021 was a big month for me. A whole shift happened, I called it Grand March, meaning Grand Rising. I refocused and listed what I seriously wanted for the rest of the year. Which was: a place to call home, a space to do my work, become the woman I’ve always wanted to embody, and find my peace and happiness. Fast forward to May, I moved on my 24th birthday into my first apartment (as well as finally released Juice Universe into the world) in Katy, TX. I remember a feeling of home when I came to the apartments for the first time. Everything felt right! Honestly since being in Houston I’ve felt a more sense of belonging. To the people, to the nightlife, the food, work ethic, events… the vibes are unmatched! I finally officially opened my esthetics business in my home on the 24th of May this year. The support I’ve received so far has been unreal! It has touched my heart to think about how the people in this area have decided to give me try out of all the amazing great estheticians in the surrounding areas! I have appreciated every single one who have been on my table and I hope my clients feel it when they come in! I can’t help but to pour all my love into my services!
I just appreciate life more and want to make up for the years I haven’t! I have so many more things in the works! I’m very excited for people to see the things I have yet to release! Please be on the look out for more of Janell Elise Aesthetics and Juice Universe! Thank you Katy/ Houston for the warm welcome, I’m beyond happy to go forth in my journey here!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When it comes to what you want in life, it’s never going to be easy. It’s a lot of uncertainty that comes with this lifestyle. Entrepreneurship is not for everyone, but it’s been the most fulfilling and rewarding for me! I had to let go of a lot of unhealthy habits and bring in healthy traits in the process. Doubt was my biggest challenge. Growing up I was told I could do a lot of careers except the one I wanted to do the most. My first passion was massage. I was told I couldn’t make a living doing that and I kept these thoughts with me for a long time. That and I always felt like I had to uphold this image that wasn’t mines; socially, career wise, and throughout my education. During my solitude in 2020, I realized I wanted to live my life me and not someone else. I erased my negative thoughts and put positive ones in place of them. I truly believe I can do whatever I want to achieve now because I’ve made things happen already. It just takes one step towards the right path and you have to keep going, because it’s no turning back.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Janell Elise Aesthetics?
Here at Janell Elise Aesthetics, any negative thoughts, anxieties, judgments, toxicity, and stress is to be left right at the door! My business is a place of healing and comfort! I want to get rid all the bad stigmas that come with franchise spas. I truly care about every client that I have!
I will give you the professionalism, patience, education, confidence, laughs, and the overall amazing results that every client deserves from their esthetician! If you’re not radiating an aura so bright after leaving me, I didn’t do my job! I specialize in skin (face and body) and glow! More specifically, facials, wax, and massage!
I thoroughly practice and educate myself before doing any service. I use all natural professional skincare and products.
I put my soul into this work and I’ve only recently started, but my passion runs deep!
How do you define success?
I define success with gratitude and growth. I feel success every day I wake up knowing I made it where I am today, doing more for myself now than I was a year ago! Every new client that books with me is a success! A new service I’m able to provide is a success! Being in a position to help someone, whether it’s through my services or a person in a situation I was previously once in, is a success! Beating statistics and overcoming hometown struggles is a success!
A win is a win, no matter how small or big. You’re impact will be made regardless! I have so much to be grateful for, so for that I will always feel successful!
Pricing:
- Janell Elise Facial- $80
- Brazilian Wax w/ Vajacial-$60
- Back Massage- $40
Contact Info:
- Email: janell.elise.aesthetics@gmail.com
- Website: https://jeaesthetics.glossgenius.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Janell.elise.aesthetics/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janell.elise.aesthetics/
- Other: https://www.shopjuiceuniverse.com/
Image Credits
Cidaknee Photography WOKE Media Photography
