We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jalaina Coakley RN, BSN a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jalaina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.
Growing up, my parents were divorced but remained good friends. They shared custody of my sister and I. My dad was a hardworking man — the kind who was up early on weekends, washing cars, reading the newspaper, or working in the yard before most people were awake. He never let us sleep in past 8 or 9; he’d have us up out of bed, cleaning, cooking breakfast, and getting dressed even if we had nowhere to go.
He wasn’t college-educated, but he worked his way up in IT at Pacific Bell, which later became AT&T. He was determined to be successful, and that drive led him to start a side hustle. He started networking, learned about real estate, and eventually began flipping small houses in rural areas. My sister and I were right there with him, cleaning ovens and helping renovate floors on weekends. Over time, he graduated from flipping tiny houses, to duplexes and then bought multiple multi-unit properties out of state. He even started his own property management company and then took the ultimate leap- leaving his job at AT&T for full-time entrepreneurship.
He often shared lessons about business, ownership, and independence, and even took us to see where he grew up — in the humble neighborhoods of Gary, Indiana, and Little Rock, Arkansas — a real reminder of how far he’d come. Seeing him become such a respected real estate boss in his city was truly inspiring.
Meanwhile he was battling Multiple Myeloma cancer. I had the privilege of relocating out of state temporarily to care for him as his daughter and as a nurse. At 57, he lost his battle with cancer, and as the oldest of three girls, I had to step up to manage his business affairs. It was bittersweet to sit in his seat — literally — and carry on what he built. I may have not known everything about real estate, but witnessing my fathers determination and resilience over the years gave me the mindset and confidence to figure things out.
Ten years later, his example still guides me. He taught me the value of hard work, taking risks, and never giving up on your dreams. Caring for him during his illness reaffirmed my calling as a nurse — to bring comfort and care to others during their most vulnerable times. However, my father planted the seed of entrepreneurship in me, and that seed has blossomed into my labor of love, InnerEssence Health. If only he could see the fruit of what he started.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
21 years ago I graduated high school and became a medical assistant. I soon realized I wanted more impact and went to school for nursing. In 2010 I graduated from Howard University’s Nursing program. My first job was at Howard University Hospital in the ER. After several years in ER and relocating back to California, I moved into outpatient Cardiology and fell in love with the preventative side of care- helping people protect their health before crisis hit. Still, I wanted less desk, phone and office time and more connection with the community. I wanted the satisfaction of immediate impact, the way I felt working ER. Thats what inspired me to create Inneressence Health- a way to bring wellness to people, wherever they are.
Inneressence Health offers IV therapy, vitamin injections, and medical weight loss (GLP-1s). All medical services are overseen by a licensed Medical Director to ensure compliance and the highest standard of care.
As the founder of Inneressence Health, I’m passionate about helping moms and busy professionals restore their energy, strengthen their immunity, and gain mental clarity. Dehydration, and vitamin deficiency alone, can oftentimes be the cause to why a lot of us are stressed, fatigued, or more susceptible to illness.
Whether you’re recovering from a marathon, struggling with a hangover, managing post-op recovery, or fighting off nausea and inflammation from chronic illnesses, I’m able to bring relief and speed up recovery — all while keeping you comfy in your space.
And that’s my favorite part of my business; the convenience and comfort I get to I offer.
After all, when you’re not feeling your best, the last thing you want to do is get dressed, find a sitter, or drive across town. I can come to your office or home to treat you in the comfort of your own space, and allow you to relax and take in fragrant aromatherapy and light massage, or even continue working during treatment if you need to. Also, I love being part of community events and partnering with local businesses.
What sets Inneressence apart is the blend of medical expertise and a luxury wellness experience. With over 20 years of experience , I prioritize safety and high-quality care, while also creating an atmosphere of comfort and luxury self-care. My goal is not only to help you feel better quickly, but also to give you the space to slow down, relax, and truly invest in your health.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Word of mouth referrals has been the most effective strategy in growing my clientele. I believe it’s because I show up professionally every single time—whether I’m serving a new client, a family member, or a friend.
I make sure clients I personally know receive the full Inneressence experience, just as they would if they’d found me online or through an ad. That consistency builds trust and credibility. My clients don’t just refer others because they know me personally—they do it because they recognize my expertise and also see the value, and quality of my services.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
Aside from education and training, I believe a genuine love of people is the most important quality for success in this field. I work with people from all walks of life and often go into their personal space since my services are mobile, so being a true people person really matters. You have to truly enjoy connecting with others and adapt to their unique needs. Helping someone improve their health and quality of life is deeply personal, and it requires compassion. When you genuinely care about people, you want to personalize their care, you naturally go above and beyond for them—and that’s what builds trust, loyalty, and keeps clients coming back.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.inneressencehealth.com
- Instagram: inneressencehealth_
- Facebook: Inneressence Health
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jalaina-coakley-17b458351
