We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jaylan Parent-Ongel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jaylan below.

Jaylan, appreciate you joining us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My mom was an absolute force. She raised me as a single mom and worked her booty off. She worked multiple jobs for most of my life actually – probably why I also work multiple jobs despite being a business owner. I can’t help myself. It’s embedded in me at this point. She absolutely gave me my work ethic and I am beyond appreciative of that.

I specifically remember helping her at the restaurant she worked at when I was maybe 6-7 years old. I would fill up peoples waters, seat people, and she would handle the rest. We made a great team and people loved to tip me – ha!

My dad also is a business owner and has been very much an entrepreneur. He has a tile business for years. Prior to that he had a fruit and veggie stand when he first moved to the country. Now, he teaches kids and adults how to swim – and I’m his phone gal and scheduler!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi friends! A little back story about me; I moved to Florida almost 7 years ago from New Hampshire. I have two mini weenie dogs who are the best and worst nuggets all at the same time.

I am a small business owner of a facials spa – Just Skin by Jaylan – in Palm Harbor, FL. I’ve been in business almost ONE FULL YEAR which is just crazy to think about. I have been an esthetician for 3 years now and I love every minute of it. I went to esthetics school during COVID which was incredibly odd considering half our faces were covered in masks. Anyway – I attended PTECH in St. Pete and my instructor was the bomb.com – shout out to Ms. Solomon.

Since then, I have also joined her board for the Facials Specialty Program! It’s really an honor because the people on the board are truly incredible.

Back to my business. I focus on results driven skincare. I use a lot of more gentle and natural products but I also utilize enzymes and my handheld tools to get done what needs to get done. I love to be upfront with my clients. I explain a process, a roadmap if you will, to achieve their desired skincare goals. I don’t allow unrealistic expectations and am always very real and honest. I don’t like to product-push people so I will always give you levels to match your lifestyle and budget when it comes to at home care products.

I love what I do. I will hopefully have many years to come as a business owner and esthetician!

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

This is pretty comical actually. I knew I wanted to own my own spa business at some point. So, when I got licensed in October a few years ago, I think I was 26, my birthday and Christmas were right around the corner. What else would I ask for? I asked for ALL the equipment I would need. Steamer, HF wand, sponges, towels, you name it! All I had to purchase by the time it was opening month was back bar product and a shelving unit – courtesy of a STEAL OF A DEAL from Goodwill!

I do little upgrades every month or so to my space or product variety as I can and it works so well for me and my clients.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn…hm… Probably that even if your bust your butt, success doesn’t happen over night. I have had to really back off of myself and give myself grace. Fun fact about me, I don’t like doing things I’m not good at. So, when my spa was booked 2 months in advance by day 3 of being open, I thought I was failing. I wasn’t. I was a new business owner. A new facials spa in town where they are a dime a dozen. I needed to exude patience and let my passion and results speak for themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://just-skin-by-jaylan.square.site/
• Instagram: @jaylanparent
• Youtube: @jaylanparent