Jessica’s passion for beauty and cosmetics started long before she became an entrepreneur. She always had a vision of owning her own spa. Her dream became a reality through perseverance, passion, support from her community, and a loan from CommunityWorks.
A Passion for Beauty
Born and raised in the Spartanburg area, Jessica attended Dorman High School and later Spartanburg Community College, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Though her career initially took her into healthcare, her heart was always drawn to the beauty industry. In 2018, she decided to take a leap and enroll in Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology’s Esthetics Program, graduating in 2019.
Balancing her studies, work, and home life with her daughter Ysabel wasn’t easy, but her determination paid off. After graduating, the former owner of Forever Yung Day Spa saw her picture and reached out and offered her a role at the spa. After working together for a few months, the owner decided to sell the spa, and Jessica found herself taking over in October 2019, just a few months after graduating.
Becoming Empowered by CommunityWorks
When Jessica decided to buy the spa, she turned to CommunityWorks for support. “I love CommunityWorks!” she says. “It’s just the support that you have. It wasn’t hard or tedious to get in and get the funding. It all felt right and comfortable and not stressful.”
With a loan from CommunityWorks, Jessica was able to purchase Forever Yung Spa. Jessica took advantage of other CommunityWorks programs and attended Financial Wellness sessions with Edris Tucker as well as a Women’s Business Center training. Jessica recommends CommunityWorks to aspiring entrepreneurs: “When they say, ‘I want a business,’ I say, ‘I know the perfect place.’”
CommunityWorks didn’t just provide funding; they empowered Jessica to feel confident in her path, giving her the tools and support she needed to grow. As she puts it, “Climbing up the ladder without feeling like you’re by yourself makes all the difference.”
Overcoming Challenges
Running a spa was a dream come true, but the journey wasn’t without its obstacles. Just a short time into ownership, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Overnight, the spa went from a wide scale of clients to none. “It did affect me financially. I wasn’t open the whole year,” Jessica recalls. Rebuilding her clientele after reopening the following year took time and perseverance.
There were other hurdles, too—scaling back, managing finances, and navigating the challenges of business ownership. Jessica had to learn how to prioritize needs, manage revenue, and market her services while being mindful of budgeting. Today, she balances her time between practicing esthetics and managing the spa. She leads a team of 14 independent contractors, including cosmetologists, massage therapists, and a spa manager.
Looking to the Future
Jessica’s entrepreneurial spirit continues as she expands her business ventures, including the promotion of her own skincare line, Ysabel Skincare, which she’s now actively promoting. She’s also increasing her presence on social media, where she shares insights and tips about the industry.
In addition, Jessica is passionate about giving back. She runs a class for aspiring esthetics instructors, helping them navigate the world of spa ownership and showing them what’s possible with the right knowledge and support.
At Forever Yung Spa, Jessica’s mission is to create an atmosphere where clients feel empowered and confident. Offering a wide range of services from facials and massage therapy to luxury treatments, Jessica’s spa truly feels like a “resort close to home.” She and her team are dedicated to helping clients achieve the vision they have for themselves, both inside and out.
