We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Winnie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jessica, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
If I had relied on my thought process, I probably would have flaked out on starting Winnie Skin Co.. Life works strangely though and I ended up getting fired from my “dream job”, unexpectedly. After a 24 hour meltdown, my first ever panic attack that put me in the ER, and a good friend telling my I should “do something with that license you got”, I took the leap and rented out a small room in South Pasadena. Winnie Skin Co. was born into an empty room with just an empty bed, a squeaky stool, a dinner tray for product to sit on, and a hand me down steamer off Craigslist. I had zero idea what I was doing, but it just felt so good and right. It would take me about 5 months of doing this before realizing, “hey, I think this could be my job”. Once I took it seriously, like a real job, I saw my success start to skyrocket. I guess my thought process was solely based on survival at the time, and it worked.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I truly believe the success of Winnie Skin Co. was coming into the industry and wanting to not only showcase my work, but educate potential clients, and show some of my personality. When I started my professional social media (2016-2017), there was not nearly asm any estheticians as there is today. I will say it was probably easier to stand out, but what made people stay as a follow or client was my personality. I only know this because I have literally asked my clients why they chose to switch to me as their esthetician or why do they choose to drive hours to see me. Every single person has said that they love that they feel like they’re coming to hang with a friend while getting a well-done service done.
They appreciate the transparency and education, along with a bit of gossip and vibey music. In 2022, I believe that it is my transparency that has set me apart in a seemingly cookie-cutter industry where many businesses can appear the exact same.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am new to the Inland Empire, so as much as I’d like to take them back to LA with me, I’d probably explore the IE to see what it has to offer. They’ve built a new Top Golf near me, so I think it would be the perfect opportunity to explore that.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d love to shout out my Nana. I don’t think she realizes how much support and peace of mind she has provided to myself and the rest of my family. Despite so many of her own hardships, she has always had my family and I at the center of her attention. Thank you, Nana! We love you!
Website: www.winnieskinco.com (coming soon)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/winnieskinco
Facebook: www.facebook.com/skinbywinnie
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsYhO0hfwuSBRfFc-Fq1YRw