Today we’d like to introduce you to Shelly Todd.
Hi Shelly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been an esthetician for 14 years. When I started, I had a difficult time finding products that I could use without having a reaction. I have mast cell disease and it makes my skin and body sensitive to many products. I started researching ingredients and I began to build my own skincare line of products that focus on aging and acne prone sensitive skin.
I focus on sensitive skin and only providing services and products that everyone, of all ages and health status can benefit from. I’ve taken skincare courses all over the US and Canada to learn all I can about natural solutions to common skin issues like premature aging, melasma and other hyperpigmentation conditions, rosacea, acne and other inflammatory skin issues and to learn about ingredient toxicology.
My skincare practice, J Renee Esthetics and my skincare line, J Renee Organics Skincare have won awards and have a loyal following. I love what I do and pride myself on learning as much as possible about the skin and modalities that are proven to improve every complexion.
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?
Of course there are bumps in the road when you start and run your own business, but it’s all worth it to be able to work for myself and dictate my life as I see fit. I work quite a bit, and with my health issues, I don’t always feel well, but I power through because I absolutely love my clients and that I get to help them feel and look their best.
I have opened many skincare clinics in many cities in Oregon, South Carolina and Georgia; the hardest part of startup is building trust with potential clients and getting your business in front of people. One of my favorite ways to build awareness about J Renee Esthetics is to donate services to auctions, schools, shelters and other fund raising events for the less fortunate and for causes that mean a lot to me. As a cancer survivor and a person with many health challenges, I love to donate my time and money to help causes that support research and help pay for medical bills.
We’ve been impressed with J Renee Esthetics and J Renee Organics Skincare, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started J Renee Esthetics in 2012 and J Renee Organics Skincare in 2013. Since the beginning, I wanted to become an expert in skin, I wanted to know everything there was to know about how to preserve and protect it and what things get in the way of healthy youthful skin.
I love learning and often read studies on lasers, microdermabrasion and other machines that prove or disprove the claims of manufacturers. I make sure that I only use products and machines that are proven to help the skin long term.
I feel a heavy burden of truth is owed to my clients, so I’m not afraid to say no when someone wants a service that will harm their skin. My only bad review in 14 years is from a client I said no to because of a contraindication of a medication she was taking. The service would have burned her skin. Hard truths are sometimes warranted, even if that client ends up frustrated with me.
The beauty industry is overflowing with false claims as the norm, add in social media influencers, and you have a lot of misinformation. My knowledge is based on facts and proven by studies and research.
I specialize in sensitive skin because I too have many sensitivities. I’ve had a very hard time explaining just HOW sensitive I truly am to estheticians and receiving the proper skincare for it is nearly impossible. Most of my clients seek out my services and products because it’s the only place they can get real answers and start feeing that their skin can finally glow on its own, without medication, without plastic surgery and without toxic ingredients.
What does success mean to you?
If I feel happy, proud of the work I put in and receive positive feedback from happy clients, I feel I am successful.
Creating something from nothing and building it into a living for over a decade is pretty great. I’m proud of myself for sticking through it even through moving, divorce, loss, health issues, surgeries and the devastating business consequences of COVID shut-downs.
Pricing:
- Facials $58-$155
- Microdermabrasion $120-$165
- Microneedling $245-$295
- Skin Classic $217
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.JReneeOrganics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/j.renee.esthetics
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reviveesthetics
- Twitter: https://x.com/jreneeorganics
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@skinfoshellytodd6465
