Zhane Bushrod of Silver Spring, Maryland on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Zhane Bushrod. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Zhane, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
“A Day in the Life of a Med-Spa Professional, Student, and Parent”

Part 1: The Intentional Start (6:00 AM – 6:30 AM)
“My day is built on discipline and intention, so it starts early—around 6:00 AM. Before anything else, I carve out a moment for spiritual grounding. I use that time to say my prayers then listen to soft music. This brief, focused period is essential; it sets a positive and centered tone for the busy day ahead, ensuring I move from a place of peace.”

Part 2: The Morning Balancing Act (6:30 AM – Commute)
From 6:30 AM, I shift into ‘Mom’ mode. I wake my daughter so we can share a quick breakfast, get her ready, and then I enjoy the small ritual of walking her to school. After that, I face the reality of my 40-minute commute to Silver Spring, Maryland. I warm up the car and use that time in traffic as an audible learning session or for reflection, preparing mentally for my clients at the med-spa.

Part 3: Professional Focus: The Med-Spa Role (Arrival – 3:00 PM)
When I arrive, my first priority is to create a seamless and sanitized client experience. I immediately open the spa where I work, complete a thorough sanitization, check for missed calls, and confirm the day’s appointments for myself and my colleagues. This organizational prep is crucial. Once the logistics are handled, I focus completely on preparing for my clients for the day, shifting into my core role until I finish up around 3:00 PM.

Part 4: The Second Shift: Family, Study, and Self-Care (3:00 PM – Evening)
The drive home marks the start of my ‘second shift.’ Once I get back, the priority is reconnecting. I take a quick bath to decompress, then spend focused time with my daughter, discussing her school day—it’s our daily check-in. The evening is a juggle: I cook dinner, but then I pivot to my personal development and studies. I make sure to read for 30 minutes before tackling my class homework. I treat my academic responsibilities as seriously as my work. Finally, I clear out my inbox and text messages, clean the apartment, and prepare for the next day, ensuring everything is reset for the 6:00 AM start.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello, I’m Zhane Bushrod, and I’m a proud Washingtonian and single parent.

My Brand: Intentionality and Transformation
While I work as a dedicated aesthetic professional at J. Elite Esthetics in Silver Spring, to truly introduce myself, I’d say my personal life and professional philosophy blend seamlessly. I operate as a ‘Triple-Threat Caregiver’: a service provider at the spa, a lifelong student, and a committed mother. My professional brand, and the ethos of Skin Esthetics, is built on intentionality and transformation—not just for my clients, but as a path I walk every day.

What I Do: The Holistic Approach
Our ultimate goal at Skin Esthetics is to empower individuals by helping them create an efficient and personalized skincare regimen. I truly believe that skincare is more than just a routine; it’s a journey toward rejuvenating the skin and achieving confidence in one’s natural beauty. Our mission is rooted in a holistic approach that goes beyond surface-level treatments. We aim to nurture not only the skin but also the habits and practices that contribute to long-term results—that means aligning each client’s skincare plan with their unique lifestyle, diet, and overall skin health goals. We guide clients toward healthier choices while offering advanced, tailored treatments.

What Makes My Brand Unique: The Safe Sanctuary
What makes my approach unique is the environment I create. Every single client is treated as a ‘VIP’ here. I don’t just see skin issues; I see a person’s journey. I strive to create a safe sanctuary for everyone to feel comfortable expressing themselves, accepting where they are, and rebuilding the confidence they may have forgotten they had. It’s about providing a space of compassion and expertise where transformation—both visible and internal—can truly begin.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Long before I was a spa professional, a student, or even a parent, I was a young woman focused on versatility and passion. From the sixth grade through high school, my dopamine came from a deeply diverse set of activities: I played defensive midfield in soccer, ran with school modeling teams, participated in debate teams, and even learned the flute simply because it was the last instrument available to get into the orchestra.

That forced adaptability—like picking up the flute when I really wanted the cello—taught me an invaluable lesson: Success is about thriving with the resources you have, not the ones you wish for. Soccer taught me teamwork and discipline, and the modeling/thrifting fostered my sense of unique style and self-expression.

When life changed and I became a teen parent, that discipline kicked in. While my path shifted, the fundamental skill I learned from all those groups remained: It’s okay to belong to different worlds as long as you maintain sight of who you are individually. This foundation is why I can successfully balance my career at Skin Esthetics, my studies, and parenting today.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could have a conversation with my younger self, the entire talk would center on authenticity and self-acceptance. The core message would be: ‘Stop shrinking who you are just because the people around you can’t accept your light.’ I’d tell her to remain the vibrant, helpful, optimistic, and spiritual person she is, regardless of the obstacles she faces.

That message is crucial, because when you stay true to yourself, the right connections—the people who truly uplift you—will naturally gravitate toward you at the right moment. The second piece of wisdom is to abandon the pursuit of perfection. Instead, thrive to be better than you were yesterday. Every morning is a chance to start over, and that commitment to daily improvement is far more powerful than the impossible goal of being perfect.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The cultural value I protect at all costs is unwavering authenticity, rooted in the fierce resilience of my ethnic background.

As a Black woman in society, I’m fully aware of the statistics and historical context that have often placed us as the least protected or most marginalized. But where others might see a barrier, I draw my greatest strength. I stand proudly to be part of people whose journey is defined by their refusal to break.

My power and my secret weapon come from the strength of my ancestors. It is the inherited wisdom and grit of those who created pathways where there were none. I carry that forward today, energized by seeing strong Black women not just in leadership, but thriving in every sphere of influence.

This value dictates everything I do:

In my life, it means I refuse to shrink who I am for anyone’s comfort—I remain the spiritual, vibrant, and optimistic person I am.

In my business at Skin Esthetics, it means creating a safe sanctuary where every client, regardless of their background, can feel comfortable being their authentic self and rebuilding confidence.

The protection of this value is the protection of my own truth, which allows me to serve my clients, raise my daughter, and pursue my education with unmatched confidence and integrity.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
Given how much I pour into others all day—from clients at Skin Esthetics to my daughter and my studies—the greatest sanctuary I have is the comfort of my own home. This is where I can completely unwind and separate from the pressures of society. I have a very specific ritual: I light my candles, take a deliberate bath, and then I let loose. Whether it’s playing music or having a full-blown solo karaoke session, this is where I drop the guard I have to carry during the day. In the safety of my home, I’m allowed to stop ‘appearing strong.’ I can just be authentically me, relax fully, and rebuild the inner resources I need for the next day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Skinesthetics.shop
• Instagram: Skin_.Esthetics_
• Other: Email: [email protected]