We recently connected with Jessica Laurén and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
This is a tough question for me to answer, because who knows exactly what their purpose truly is and when they find it? All I know is, I believe I found mine after 35 years of trial and error and a few broken hearts. The journey to my purpose began when I was eight years old. I went on a school field trip to a local new station and watched as the newscasters got their makeup done before the show. I remember being mesmerized by a beautiful anchor who was rehearsing her lines quietly at the news desk before the show started. That day sparked my desire to become successful in the world of broadcast media.
Upon graduating with my B.S., I was offered a travel writing position for an expat publication in Europe. I was working and loving my new home and life for a little over a year when my world was shattered at the root, my dad passed away. My first love, my biggest cheerleader and the one who encourage me to be “a voice in the wilderness”, as he used to say, was never coming back. Then, just two weeks following his death, my husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Barely able to comprehend what was happening all around me, we gathered our things and moved back home to fight a battle we ultimately knew we were going to lose.
Despite the odds, and dealing with immeasurable grief, my husband began to encourage me to continue to pursue my goal of working in Broadcast Media. Months after getting settled into our new home and life, I accepted a position producing the morning show at a local news station. “You got it?! Yessss! I knew you were going to get it”, my husband shouted with excitement as I made the announcement. However, it only took me a few months working in tv news to realize, I hated it. But, I wasn’t sure if it was due to the stressful circumstances I was working through, or if I genuinely didn’t like my job. Regardless of my entangled feelings, I knew my dad would be proud of me and I could see and feel how proud my husband was in my success; and that was enough for me to make the best of the situations I faced.
Three vigorous years of fighting, the battle was won and cancer was the victor. His death knocked the wind from my lungs and left me crippled for what I thought would be indefinitely. I sat in my grief with disbelief, how could so much be taken from me with no remorse. I eventually moved back to my home town where I was reunited with family and friends as I navigated my once again, changing life. As I settled in my new role as a widow, I met a man who mirrored the same zest and passion for success and life I once held. I didn’t know much, but I knew he sparked something in me. Thinking about my life, I knew I genuinely hated working in tv news and I didn’t want to go back. So, I dedicated the next two years of getting to know myself, as a single independent woman on a search for my purpose in life.
Then, oddly enough, one day I developed multiple breakouts on my once porcelain skin and sought help through different dermatologists with no avail. From that, I decided to enroll myself at the Aveda Institute in Winter Park to become certified as a Full Specialist Esthetician. I needed to learn the science behind skin to correct my biggest concern at the time; which in turn brought me to the path of self discovery and what I believe is my purpose in life, helping people love and appreciate the skin they’re in! From the first facial I performed, I instantly fell in love with skincare, myself and simultaneously, found my purpose. Which is helping women, teens and men alike, to be confident with themselves and help them find happiness within themselves through the struggles of my own journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I am now beginning my fourth year as a successful full specialist esthetician and I love every minute of my life and job. My focus is offering massage-heavy spa facials, while yielding MedSpa results. My favorite type of client to work with are those who suffer from acne, hyperpigmentation and/or melasma and those who want to reduce the signs of aging. I understand the impact all can have on ones confidence and self-esteem and I know how easily the two can come back with proper skin management.
I currently work at the Massage Envy in Lake Nona and during a customized facial service, any of the following advanced treatments can be added to your session to achieve maximum results.
* Dermaplaning is a deep exfoliation that removes the vellus hairs or “peach-fuzz” from the face to minimize the appearance of acne scars, fine lines, wrinkles and dull skin.
* Microdermal-infusion simultaneously exfoliates, extracts debris, and infuses skin with professional serum while pores are open and ready. The result is healthier, brighter-looking skin that’s more even in tone.
* Chemical peels, though they may sound scary, chemical peels are gentle treatment for deep exfoliation, resulting in a refreshed, more radiant-looking skin.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I guess the three most impactful attributes I hold would definitely be my competitive spirit to overcome any obstacle in my way, my determination to finish things I start and the journalist in me to uncover the truth in all things, especially skin.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I would say the person who has helped me the most is myself; and I don’t mean that in a cocky way. If I would have been asked this question a year ago, my answer would have been very different. However, after taking the journey to self awareness, I now understand each of us hold the power to transform our own lives and I give myself a lot of credit for that!
Contact Info:
- Website:www.jessicalauren.
love - Instagram:@facials.over.
filters or my “Just For Fun” page @wanderlust.journalist
