Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Jacobs.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Having worked in criminal justice for many years, I found myself contemplating what I would do after retirement, knowing I would retire at a younger age than most and it was only a few years away. I knew I would want to continue working, but would I stay in criminal justice? It was heavy on my mind while attending my electrolysis appointment, so much so, that my Electrologist asked what I was contemplating. I explained my deep thought and to my surprise she said, “You should become an Electrologist! I have an apprenticeship program and I think you would be an excellent Electrologist!”
Electrolysis HAD, in fact, CHANGED MY LIFE! As someone who suffers from the debilitating, confidence lowering, depression inducing effects of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), needless to say, it did not take me long to decide I would become an Electrologist. I cannot describe the joy that comes with helping someone who has been praying for a solution for years to their unwanted hair problems. As it turns out, Electrolysis was so rewarding that I switched careers before even retiring!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think every small business owner faces obstacles and challenges. Keeping up with customer expectations created by big business, deep pocketed corporations has certainly been a struggle. Electrolysis has been around for more than 125 years; luckily, we live in a technologically advanced time! I have to thank the talented and creative professionals who design and continue to advance extremely helpful tools, from web sites to self-booking applications. These tools have made it possible for many small businesses to keep up with large corporations, at a more affordable cost.
The obstacle that has affected me most, even emotionally, has been the inability to help every single person who contacts me about electrolysis. There are simply not enough hours in the day. I have always been the type of person who wants to help everyone I possibly can and I really took it personally when my schedule was so booked up that I had to start a waiting list. At that point, I began considering hiring employees and soon found the amount of skilled Electrologists in town were very limited. That is when I decided to begin training apprentices and most recently have begun the process of opening an Electrolysis School.
Please tell us about My Bare Lady Electrolysis & IPL.
Electrolysis is the only form of hair removal the FDA allows to be labeled permanent. We insert a small probe the size of the hair into the natural opening of the hair follicle, release a 27.12MHz wave that damages the follicle, causes the hair to detach and then we extract the detached hair and move on to the next one.
There are 3 types of electrolysis: Galvanic, Thermolysis and Blend. Galvanic creates Lye in the follicle, caustic soda that eats the hair follicle. The probe must remain in the follicle for approximately 30-60 seconds. Thermolysis uses heat to destroy the hair follicle and the probe is only in the follicle a fraction of a second. Blend is a combination of the two, requiring the probe to remain in the follicle approximately 30 seconds.
We specialize in Thermolysis because it is less painful, more effective and provides quicker results. Paired with the most advanced electrolysis equipment available, The Apilus xCell provides the most comfortable and yet most powerful results available, reducing the amount of sessions a person needs. This is what sets us apart from other businesses in Houston. We have invested in the most advanced equipment because each of us at My Bare Lady Electrolysis & IPL know what it is like to have unwanted hair. We want our clients to have the quickest results possible. This is also why I do a thorough consultation so clients have the information necessary to help obtain quick results.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
There are many things I would have done differently if given the chance to start over.
I wish I had put more time into planning after the first 3 years. So much focus is always on the first years, that sometimes we forget to start planning 3-5 years, then 5-10 years. Really allowing yourself to be open to change, and allowing the brainstorming process of “How can I make this better?” which, can make you feel like you have lost control at times but is so very important to growing a business.
I would have also set more distinct boundaries between work time and personal time. Too often, business owners lose themselves to their businesses and are completely consumed, not allowing for any down time.
Of course, I certainly would not get as frustrated with knowing I cannot get everything done, I can only prioritize. Nothing wakes you in the middle of the night quite like suddenly realizing you missed a deadline! (cringe)
Pricing:
- Electrolysis $40-$100 per hour, depending on the skill level of the Electrologist
- IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) $150-$650, depending on the size of the area of the body
Contact Info:
- Address: 1141 Heights Blvd
Houston, TX 77008 - Website: electrolysishouston.com
- Phone: 281-986-9518
- Email: mybarelady@gmail.com
- Yelp: My Bare Lady Electrolysis
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
