Conversations with the Inspiring Jenna Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Thomas.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I always knew I wanted to be in the beauty industry from a young age. I grew up with family and friends who did hair, nails or makeup. I had my first perm when I was five! When I reached high school, there was a program I could spend half of my day to get my cosmetology license. It seemed like the right fit for me and since college wasn’t something my parents could afford (my brother joined the army to pay for his), I did that for the last two years before graduation assuming I would always do hair. As graduation neared, we had different speakers from the industry come in and I realized I had a passion for Aesthetics way more than I did hair. I loved the idea that I could pamper someone and provide result oriented treatments. Once graduating with an Operators license, I went on to the International Dermal Institute to further my education as an Esthetician. I was hired on as a receptionist in 2007 with the promise I could build my way up and start taking clients. In the meantime, I learned about the business side of things; product orders, taxes, sanitation and building client relationships. A while after in 2008, I started taking clients and offering treatments.

After a few of my facial clients complained about their skin following bridal makeup trials in 2012, I really took a look at how I could help them and make it better for future brides, I knew if I offered professional clean makeup that would allow their skin to glow without causing breakouts it was the best of both worlds. After my first on-location wedding, I was hooked. The rush of being a part of someone’s big day combined with making people feel beautiful on the most important day of their lives is the best feeling.

After meeting other wedding industry creatives through networking events in 2014, we teamed up and started a wedding collective called The Bevy. It has been such a blessing to work in a studio with such amazing girl bosses!

In July of 2018, I decided to take the next step for my career and go out on my own as an Esthetician. I was warmly welcomed to a Salon gallery at City Salon Suites and Spa in Dallas. It has been the best decision yet!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Unfortunately, the original owner of that day spa had no interest in allowing me to take clients and after a year I was prepared to quit. Fortunately for me, someone else bought the business and my real career began. They actually gave me the opportunity and I was so fortunate as the new owner went on to be a great mentor to me. I did everything from waxing, facials, airbrush tans and lash treatments. I started offering makeup services in a spa for special occasions and my clientele for that really grew.

At the time, I was very focused on helping with my mother who had suffered from illnesses all of my life. Being one of her main caretakers took up any extra time I had and being recently engaged myself I was in the throes of planning my own wedding.

Six months after my wedding, my mother unexpectedly passed away. During the grief that followed, I really took time to see what I needed to do next. When you go through something as heartbreaking as that, you start to lose your sense of self-worth. I knew I needed to focus my extra time and attention on something to better myself and make my mother proud.

That is when I searched out airbrush makeup classes and learned more about the bridal industry to really begin my makeup career. Wedding makeup is one of my favorite things about my business. I have even encountered a few brides who have lost their mother and I always felt like I could offer an extra bit of love and perspective on that during such an important day.

Advice for future business women would be if something steps in your way, let it build you up, not bring you down. We all have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyonce. Dallas has such a wonderful industry of professionals and most of them are only a direct message away to offer advice on starting businesses or where you can get further education. Our DFW area is very talented!

Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I offer Facial treatments such as; Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Acne Treatments, Waxing, Brow/Lash tinting and Certified Elleebana Lash Lifts. On the makeup side, I specialize in on-location Wedding Day Airbrush or Traditional makeup application as well as in-studio lessons and sessions.

I really believe when people take time and money out for themselves they deserve results. Although I do offer massage in my facials my main goal is to have your skin in better shape than when you came in. When you leave my spa room or makeup chair, I want you to feel more relaxed and that you can really see/feel a difference.

One thing I think sets me apart as a business is I don’t just care about the day of, I care about the ever after. I want to have your skin a flawless palette prior to makeup application + get you as glam as you want to be on your wedding day! I also love having the opportunity to continue my relationship with my brides following their big day whether its facial services, brow shaping or bold lifted lashes!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jennathomasbeauty.com
• Phone: 214-725-2258
• Email: jennathomas.beauty@gmail.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/jennathomasbeauty
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennaThomassBeauty/

Image Credit:
Joy Neville Photography, The Tarnos- photo, Alba Rose photography, Kristen Dee Photography, Stephanie Rose Photography

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.