Meet Jenise Rodriguez of Sanar Aesthetics in Logan Square

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenise Rodriguez.

Jenise, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m an Esthetician who was proudly born and raised in Chicago. My parents were divorced, but were always very supportive of me. I knew very early on the meaning of struggle, of not giving up and most of all never complaining and being grateful for what I have. Being the eldest of 4, meant I always had a lot of responsibilities and a heavy workload; I have always been an extreme multi tasker and very great at time management. (This career was written in the stars for me!) I attended Lane Tech High School on Chicago’s north side, and that’s where I really fell in love with and became fascinated in skin care… all that high school acne! My friends would come over after school or on the weekends and I would have them wash their face in my sink and start with extractions, then we would go find the proper products for them to use at home at our local grocery stores. Helping my mom take out her blackheads was always the highlight of my evenings as a kid! In college, I decided to buy a wax pot and started waxing my friends for fun.

I had to leave traditional college and come home to help my family, and ended up having my wonderful daughter. In those two years, I needed to set some goals and stick with them because of this new little person that I was fully responsible for now. I decided to look up what a waxer was called, since I enjoyed doing it so much. That was the first time I heard the term “esthetician”, and shortly after I received a facial at a high-end salon. Then, my mom bought me a spa package at a day spa and I fell in love with the Spa environment! I signed up for Esthetics School a few weeks after that. I knew that this was what I was meant to do, make people feel amazing in their own skin.

That was a full 10 years ago, (when they didn’t even teach Brazilians in school), and I was a fresh 22-year-old! Since then, I have worked and managed spas all over Chicago, and picked up many skills along the way. Customer service has always been very important to me, and I incorporated everything I learned in every place of employment. In 2013, I became unhappy working for others and not being able to pamper and spoil my clients like they deserved, so with the encouragement of a few clients that followed me over the years, I decided to work from home by referral only. That’s when Sanar Aesthetics was born! Working from home lasted for two years, as I kept getting new inquiries about my services and had to turn people away for safety reasons if they weren’t referrals. I knew I had to do something quick, so I decided to rent out a small room at a salon for a short 8 months. In that time, I found a storefront in Logan Square, and I have now been fully operational in my own spa for almost 1 year! My clients have never been happier; they love the intimate environment and the fact that they can fall asleep peacefully. I’m a one-woman shop, and I go by appointment only because it’s really important to me that my clients know all the focus is on them and not my next client waiting in the lounge.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Being an esthetician definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. I started my career in a ‘hot’ neighborhood, and the demand for me became pretty shocking very fast. I had to deal with so many different personalities and lifestyles that I had never come across in my bubble, all while being so young and a new mom. I was doing great right out of school, in fact I was doing amazing! Then the recession hit, and things got really hard between 2007 and 2009. That’s when I decided it was time for management. Gaining respect in the industry, especially while managing people older than me, was pretty tough – but I stood my ground. When I decided it was time to open my own space I was terrified because I don’t think I was financially ready, but it just felt right. I didn’t have loans or credit cards to help pay for the renovations, it was most of my savings and my very handy dad, family and friends. However, I am very happy I took that chance, and I would do it again.

Sanar Aesthetics – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
In Spanish, “Sanar” means to heal. I’d like to think that that’s what we do at my spa. At Sanar Aesthetics I specialize in Brazilian waxes and treat a lot problematic skin. I’m very hands on, and I’m known for my extractions. It’s extremely important that I educate my clients so they understand how and why their skin has gotten where it is, and together we can get them back on the right track. All of my treatments are customized to the clients’ needs at the moment, so every treatment may be different. Something I’m really proud of is becoming trained in Oncology this past year, and I will soon be able to safely perform treatments on clients going through chemotherapy and radiation. One thing I hope I can continue to do is bring a peaceful, safe environment for clients to not only get result-oriented treatments, but to always feel pampered – whether it’s a 30-minute service or a 3 hour one!

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success not by how much money one makes but on the impact and the positive way they influence and make others feel. Being an honest and humble person will take you far.

Pricing:

• 60-90 minute Customized Facial $80-$100 -All Facials are customized to clients needs.
• Brazilian Wax $45- I don’t charge so much for Brazilians because I like my clients get them to maintain. Not only for special occassions or vacations.
• Men’s Beard treatment $45 -This has quickly become a popular service!

Contact Info:

• Address: Sanar Aesthetics
  3417 W Fullerton
• Website: www.sanarspa.com
• Phone: 773 888 1790
• Email: sanaraesthetics@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanaraesthetics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/facialsbyjenise
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sanar-aesthetics-chicago?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Image Credit:
Julian Calderon

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