Meet Jenise Rodriguez

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jenise Rodriguez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jenise below.

Jenise, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

I persisted by moving away from survival mode and into intentional mental health care. For years, I relied on willpower to push through responsibilities even when things felt overwhelming. Getting the right professional support helped me understand my mind better, set healthier boundaries, and manage my triggers instead of spiraling.

That shift changed how I show up every day. More grounded, more self-aware, and better equipped to handle challenges without burning myself out.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I’m the owner of Sanar Aesthetics, a holistic, results-driven spa in Chicago where skincare and energy care go hand in hand. After 18 years in the industry, what still motivates me is helping people feel restored, not just polished on the outside but grounded and confident on the inside.

This year has been huge for me professionally. I hired my first employee after running everything solo for nearly two decades, and it has completely shifted my world. She’s helped lift the burnout, sparked new ideas, and brought fresh momentum into the business. I’m so proud of how far she’s come. Her brow work is out of this world, and she’s now officially offering brow waxing, tinting, laminations, and lash lifts using only high-quality Korean lines to keep everything safe and elevated.

Right now my focus is expanding Sanar Aesthetics’ presence in Chicago, enhancing our treatment menu, and continuing to build a space where clients feel cared for on every level. There’s a lot of exciting growth ahead.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience

This industry will test you!!! Emotionally, physically, and financially. Resilience kept me moving even when I was exhausted, under pressure, or reinventing myself. For anyone starting out: don’t run from the hard moments. Learn how to breathe through them, regroup, and keep going. That muscle will save your career more times than talent alone ever will.

2. Precision + Curiosity

Whether it’s skincare science, anatomy, or understanding energy, I’ve always cared about why things work, not just how. That curiosity kept my skills sharp and my clients safe. If you’re early in your journey, study everything. Take classes, ask questions, and stay humble enough to keep learning. The industry evolves fast and staying curious keeps you relevant.

3. Emotional Intelligence

This work is intimate. You’re not just touching skin. You’re managing people’s insecurities, boundaries, and energy. Developing emotional awareness helped me build real trust and long-term relationships. For new Esthi’s: practice listening more. Be present. Read the room. And protect your own energy so you don’t burn out trying to fix everyone else’s.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

My biggest area of growth in the last 12 months has been clarity and self-regulation. I’ve learned how to pause instead of react, manage my energy, and respond to challenges with intention. Doing deeper work with the right support helped me understand myself better without turning diagnoses into labels or excuses and working more to understand them.

That clarity has made me more grounded in every role I as a mom, partner, and business owner. It’s changed how I lead and show up day to day.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Jenise
Julisa
Janissa D.

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