Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennifer Allyn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Jennifer , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
What did your parents do right?
They wouldn’t agree, but my parents did everything right. Did they yell? Yes. Did I get spanked when I was a brat or smacked across the mouth when I backtalked? Yes. Did they threaten and take away and ground me? Yes, yes, and yes. Did I deserve all of it? Absolutely YES! My parents were tough, and strict, and expected a lot, but in return, we are all well-adjusted, successful, happy, and so incredibly supported and loved.
Classic first child, in every sense of the term. I was also the limit pusher, the back-talker, and the one who paved the way for my sis and bro to live the easy life, ha ha. My parents were and are endlessly generous, giving all they could to give us an incredible life, but also with limits. Looking back, I see how much we had, but I also remember certain lessons about value, and they we weren’t automatically given everything we wanted. I specifically remember a pair of jean shorts I wanted from the GAP when I was maybe 12 or 13. That were $34 and I had to ask for and then work for them. It wasn’t a given that I could just have them. We weren’t automatically given a car at 16 but, when we graduated college, that was our gift, because we’d earned it.
Dad was big on enrichment, and would pay for anything that added value to our lives. As kids, he’d buy us 2 books a week, if we read them. So, each week we devoured our two books and eagerly awaited the weekly trip to the bookstore for our next treasures (usually the Babysitter’s Club for me). As a result, I remain to this day a voracious reader. When we went to college, Dad would pay for anything that made us better, more well-rounded people. Tickets to cultural events, shows, and concerts, textbooks (even if not required for class), museum memberships, etc. When I needed a suit for my first nursing job interview, Mom and Dad bought it (I was 26!). They were so proud of me and that I’d truly found my calling.
When I started my business, I worried that I’d disappoint my parents by leaving the hospital. Dad, a well-respected physician and Mom, a critical care nurse, now with their daughter giving up a career in critical care and emergency medicine to pursue specialization in aesthetics. I worried they’d find my choice superficial and lacking in value. But I’ve found purpose here, and a family of clients whose lives I’ve enriched by listening to their dreams and wishes and insecurities, and helping them find their self-confidence again. I know Mom’s proud of me. I pray that Dad would be too.
Losing Dad was a blow to my entire being. I knew it would be. I mourned his loss for years before it happened. I thought I’d prepared myself for the inevitable. And yet, when those final weeks, days, hours, and minutes were finally upon us, it was unlike anything I ever imagined.
I know in my heart that I said what I needed to say, that Dad knew how much I loved him, and that we all knew, no matter how much it hurt, that it was time. But damn it if that isn’t the worst of all the horrible, no-good, very-bad things in life. How do you say goodbye to someone you love so immensely, that has shaped every fiber of your being, who has given you everything that you have and ensured that you have absolutely everything you need in life?
When my business had grown to the point that I needed more space, I knew that in the new office I wanted to honor my parents and all that they are, have been, and have given to make my dreams a reality. My interior designer suggested a gallery wall of sorts, and that is where the idea of the “Tribute Wall” was born.
In bold, black letters on my beautiful, white shiplap wall, lies the inscription:
“More than just a name on a sign, Allyn represents not just a family lineage but a legacy, a legacy of honesty and integrity, of kindness and compassion, of care and service, of professionalism and excellence. THIS IS OUR BRAND.”
This is followed by a family photo montage and a letter to my parents thanking them for it all. For, without them, this beautiful dream would not have become a reality.
Jennifer , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I always knew I’d be a nurse. It’s in my blood. Some families are filled with teachers, others are all lawyers. Ours is a family of doctors and nurses. For as long as I can remember I wanted to follow in my mom’s footsteps and become a nurse. So, I did just that. And I was good at it. Really good. And I LOVED it. But, around the seven year mark I got the itch. That bug that says it’s time to do something new, that plants the seed of yearning for a new challenge. So, I packed up everything I had and left sunny San Diego for Nashville, where I’d been accepted into the Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) program at Vanderbilt.
About 5 years into my career as an NP I realized that life in the ER wasn’t sustainable, that my health and quality of life were suffering, and that I desperately needed a way out. A great friend had dreams of opening a hair salon (we’d dreamed together about opening a boutique) and suggested that I could come in and do botox injections for her clients. I’d long been interested in skincare and aesthetics, and saw that another nurse practitioner in the hospital had great success in her “side gig” offering injectables. So, I booked myself an appointment and picked her brain about the biz. Beth graciously answered all of my questions and pointed me in the direction of my initial training. Five years later and I’m running a thriving aesthetics practice and have left the ER completely. I couldn’t be happier or feel more fulfilled.
One could argue that aesthetics is the superficial side of medicine. Does vanity lead many people to us? Sure. But most who come in are the regular folks, moms mostly, who’ve never done a thing for themselves, and are desperately wanting to regain some sense of self, to recapture who they are, and to feel again on the outside how they do on the inside. There is a tremendous opportunity here, but with that comes great responsibility. My role is to build up, support, and cheer on, while encouraging my clients to give themselves some grace. We are all our own worst critics, and spiraling down that rabbit hole can lead to some dangerous habits.
When I started my practice I knew I wanted to defy the typical medspa vibe. I wanted to create a space where all feel welcome, and like family, and like they are in my home. I want my clients to feel comfortable and confident and empowered in whatever route they choose to achieve their goals. I strive to make aesthetics attainable, to teach good, foundational skincare habits, to encourage folks to think about their skin health and overall appearance holistically, to consider how their habits affect their physical appearance and results.
As a result, I am blessed with the most amazing, beautiful, kind, supportive, and loyal client-family. I cannot believe that I get to spend my days with these amazing individuals, nestled in the heart of a wonderful community, doing what I love and find endlessly rewarding and fulfilling. What more could I possibly ask for?
Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?
Humility is paramount to success in the world of aesthetics. Despite the mainstream, lighthearted, lucrative, and celebrity image that social media portrays, aesthetic treatments are medical procedures with very real (and scary) risks. There is nothing more frightening than an injector without medical knowledge, who doesn’t understand anatomical variances or how to manage an emergency, or someone who doesn’t take into consideration the risks associated with what we do. The best in our field are those who are continually learning, who aren’t afraid to say “no” because they don’t know, who spend tens of thousands of dollars annually to learn from the leading experts in their field, who understand that it takes years to become good at this craft, and that even then, we’re never “good enough”, who know that “imposter syndrome” is a very real phenomenon.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
I like to think I’m a good judge of character. Some of my past hiring choices would suggest otherwise, ha ha. Needless to say, I’ve learned some hard lessons over the past few years, but number one is “trust your gut”. Hiring is an art, and one that takes time and practice to perfect. Even then, it can be difficult to find those gems that truly “get” you and your business and feel aligned with your mission and vision.
Our core values spell out exactly who and what I’m looking for in an employee: honesty, integrity, kindness, professionalism, and teamwork. Those who’ve not been successful with us have directly violated one or more of those principles, and often, our strict “no drama” policy. Those who thrive are the embodiment of all.
I am endlessly thankful for my current team. We are small but we are strong and successful. We support each other. We cheer on each other’s victories and milestones and cry over each other’s losses. They tell me they are happy and fulfilled but I am continually aware that without them we would not have the success we do, so I try my best to reward them for their hard work. I keep an open door policy. I strive to be communicative and transparent and to encourage participation and feedback. I learned long ago that those who don’t feel invested are not going to be motivated to excel, so I empower my team to take ownership over their roles, to come up with ways to make us better, to share their ideas for growth. More than anything, I try to keep an open mind, to remember that my way isn’t the only way, and to be receptive to new perspectives. As a result, I have a loyal group of professionals that work so hard to make Allyn Aesthetics the success that it is.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allynaesthetics.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/allynaesthetics
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/allynaesthetics
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-allyn-dnp-agacnp-bc-fnp-bc-aprn-9305268a/