Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenica Jones.
Jenica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
For me, it all started during the pandemic. To say the pandemic was a wake up call would be an understatement. I completed graduate school at the start of the pandemic, and found myself at a cross words trying to figure out what’s next. I also found it quite challenging to move into a healthcare role that paid well post MBA, and as a result started to do some self reflection to figure out how I could create a side hustle to supplement my existing income.
During this reflection, I started to think about the things that I enjoyed doing on the weekends as well as the things that were part of my day to day, and for me that was beauty, shopping, and attending and promoting parties. I already had an online ecommerce business called Exquisitetings, and one of my highest selling products on the site was lash strips. I also enjoyed getting my own lashes done, and friends would always comment on my lashes. So naturally, I decided to build on that by taking an eyelash extension class, and fell in love with it from day one.
A few months later, I started doing lashes out of my apartment and have since learned more techniques and styles to expand my service offerings. Within a year, my clientele grew exponentially, and I also saw the need to create a more personalized and intimate setting for my clients which led to the opening of Exquisite Tings Beauty Bar in Downtown Orlando in September of this year. In creating this beauty bar, it was important for me to create space for others like me, and so I made it my mission to hire aspiring beauty entrepreneurs on my team.
My team is now made up of 4 ladies with different service offerings, so clients can get all their beauty needs completed under one house. I’ve also expanded my services, and specialize in eyelash extensions, waxes, eyebrow tinting and lamination and micro blading with hopes to add a few more services in 2022.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Entrepreneurship is hard. Definitely takes a leap of faith, but the payoff is worth it in the long run. In starting my own journey as a lash tech, it took me 5-6 hours to do a classic/hybrid set. Although the end product was great, I wanted to do better for my clients. That drive coupled with my purpose enabled me to push beyond my comfort zone and take on an additional course to improve on efficiency. Let me tell you, lashing takes patience. There are some clients that will have over 300 lashes on each eye and it takes time and precision to add an extension to each individual lash. There were moments when I was discouraged, but friends and family kept me motivated and my purpose kept me going. After getting trained further, I was able to bring my time down to 2.5 hours and overtime down to 2 hours and improved tremendously at my techniques (S/O to my teacher). On my first 2 practice models, it took me 8-9 hours to do a full mega volume set, and seeing the result I knew that I could be great at this, so I kept going. Some months were great for business and some months, I did not have many appointments, but I just had to trust that God had a plan for me. I even went back to working a full time job to fix my credit and pay down debts, which resulted in me losing clientele since I was not able to service them during regular hours. And it just came to a point where I had to make a decision – either live a life by design or let someone else decide that for me. I ended up quitting my job after 6 months, and went back to working full time as a lash tech to preserve and build my clientele. And it was the best decision I ever made. Now, I have my own Beauty Bar thanks to taking that leap of faith.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in volume lashes and giving my clients that natural but strip lash look. I love when my clients let me freestyle with the style and lengths of their eyelash extensions. I love to play around with new techniques and colors to see how the end result will look on different types of eye shapes and complexions. Although this can be challenging sometimes because a lot of clients have a certain way they like their lashes and it works for them, I always make sure no matter what I do I give them the best customer service experience and I pride myself in that. Even when I worked in my home, the service and professionalism that I conduct my business with keeps my clients coming back (& my techniques of course lol). My response time for messages is at least 3-4 hours or less and I always do my best to squeeze in any last minute appointments or late night appointments. I try to work with all my clients, even new ones, because I know how it is as a client wanting your lashes done for something special or just to spice up your look and everyone is booked. Sometimes due to one’s work schedule, it’s difficult to find someone to work late at night or a certain time that fits your schedule. I also understand when an appointment gets canceled due to certain circumstances, especially in a pandemic and you’re searching around for someone whose work is good, but also able to squeeze you in can be very stressful. My understanding as a client first and background in business and customer service sets me apart from others, which is why my Beauty Bar is a one stop shop for all your beauty needs.
What were you like growing up?
I was born and raised in Jamaica, so I am a sucker for the island vibes and culture. I love being outside and spending quality time with my friends and family, especially visiting my grandmother during the summer months in the country and playing with animals. I guess that’s probably one of the reasons why I want a farm style home with a few animals running around when I settle down and have children. You could always find me making jokes and watching movies during my down time or getting my hair done and painting my nails as a child. On some weekends, my dad would take me to his electrical store Jones and Sons Ltd to hang out or sit on his lap while conducting business, and I believe it is from these experiences that I got the entrepreneurial bug. At the time, I just didn’t know what it would be. I would like to think my Dad is still here with me, watching me grow, becoming the woman he envisioned me to be, and guiding my footsteps. It definitely feels that way.
Contact Info:
- Email: Exquisitetings@gmail.com
- Instagram: Exquisitelyminkedd
- Facebook: Exquisitelyminkedd
- Other: Ig: ExquisiteTings & Facebook: Exquisite Tings Beauty Bar
