Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Devon Nelson
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been in the industry since the late 90s, and I was fortunate enough to know by the age of 15 that I wanted to be in the spa industry. I’ve never looked back.
In 2008, I opened Esty Skin Studio in East Austin. It’s truly a holistic hideaway focused on all-natural skincare and assessing lifestyle choices to help clients feel good about their skin from the inside out. We have stayed true to that holistic model, despite the popularity of medical spas and products laden with chemicals.
In 2020, I launched my vegan skincare line, Petals & Clay. The line was initially introduced with an “At Home Facial Kit” during the lockdown and has been wildly successful in calming inflamed skin for people across the United States. It is our in-house skincare line at Esty Skin Studio, and we also offer wholesale accounts for med spas and herbalists who appreciate the soothing effects of our products on rebuilding the skin barrier.
Early in 2024, I started a female empowerment campaign called Pretty Skin B!tch, or “PSB” for short. Its messaging resonates with women everywhere. The campaign champions holistic activism against the oppressive beauty norms that have been imposed on women for generations. I post daily on the blog and host meetups where women can share their stories and rally for self-love, individuality, and sisterhood. My goal with PSB is to establish chapters worldwide where women feel safe and seen, free to be who they are naturally. I find building this community as rewarding as giving facials and creating skincare products, and it feels like I’ve come full circle with my purpose in the beauty industry.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Being a small business owner in a growing city has it’s ebbs and flows, especially in the service industry. Unexpectedly shutting down in 2020 was my biggest obstacle and I’m forever grateful for my pivot with the Petals & Clay skincare line.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Holistic beauty naturally emerges from a holistic lifestyle. I am deeply committed to nurturing the body, mind, and spirit, and to fostering a safe space within oneself. I take pride in my decision to avoid integrating medical services such as lasers and injectables, which many spas have adopted for profit. I’ve remained true to my ethos of cultivating beauty from the inside out.
I am incredibly proud of Pretty Skin Bitch (PSB). It challenges the prevailing narrative that we need to expend our precious energy striving for an airbrushed, perfect appearance. The sisterhood we are building within our community is immensely fulfilling and a testament to the power of our shared values.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I’ve bootstrapped all three of my projects—Esty Skin Studio, Petals & Clay, and Pretty Skin Bitch (PSB)—entirely on my own.
This approach has been incredibly rewarding, teaching me numerous skills as I strove to keep costs down. From the very beginning, I handled all aspects of branding, packaging, and content creation for social media myself. This hands-on experience has not only shaped the unique identity of each venture but also deepened my understanding and appreciation of every facet of my businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.estyskinstudio.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/estyskinstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/389721930336380/?mibextid=c7yyfP
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/esty-skin-studio-austin
