Meet Jenna Kapitan | Owner of Beyond the Binary by Jenna Leigh Skin

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenna Kapitan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenna, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I needed to fill a gap in the beauty space! In esthetics, it’s starting to become a little more varied in how service providers look and how their rooms look, but I didn’t know any esthetician that looked like me. I also knew I needed to provide services for the LGBT community and make sure that there wasn’t any gendered pricing. I want EVERYONE and EVERY BODY to feel comfortable in my treatment room – as if they’re coming to a friends home to decompress and be themselves. I welcome all clients, but it is of utmost important to me to provide services to the marginalized LGBT community, as there are so many salon spaces where they do not feel comfortable and confident. I’m here to change that!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I provide skin treatments and waxing services to kings, queens, and in-betweens! I am a licensed solo esthetician that runs Beyond the Binary by Jenna Leigh Skin. I am more than proud to serve my LGBT community to provide a safe space for them to come to where they can get a Brazilian wax, a micro-needling treatment, or even a scar revision treatment! I don’t just provide an esthetic service, but I provide an experience – one where my client becomes a friend, and they feel welcome in a non-judgmental environment. Not only do I provide full body waxing and relaxing facials, but I provide advanced skin treatments where I can clear cystic acne, lessen cellulite, and fix facial scarring and wrinkling. My newest addition to my treatment arsenal is scar revision, where I can help clients who may have scarring from top surgery, mastectomy scarring, C-section scars, or self-harm scars. I am the only esthetician in Texas that provides body treatments like this using products that not only work topically, but on a cellular level, for full skin revision from the inside out.

It’s been a rollercoaster ride to get to where I am today. I started esthetician school a little later in life; I was 27 and it was peak COVID time as well. I also worked a full-time job, but knew that wasn’t where my heart lied. I was able to open my own 100 SQ FT. salon space in 2021 – it was very humble beginnings as I worked at my space and continued my full time gig. After around 5 months I was able to have enough saved to quit, and do my business fully – I haven’t looked back since! There are definitely ups and downs in this industry though, as most people see these as luxury services, although I see them as necessities. I’ve picked up gigs here and there for extra cash when work was slow – it truly is all about being able to pivot, and use your skills to your advantage. Rely on your friends for sanity, for help, for whatever you need, even if you want to do it all on your own. I am incredibly prideful and stubborn, and never wanted to ask for help, but have learned that if you are down and really need it, the people that care about you and want to see you succeed will do whatever they can to help you.

I want the masses to know that I’m here, I’m queer, and I’m here to flip the esthetic world upside down!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LadyLove in Bishop Arts for a groovy nighttime vibe with upscale small bar eats and the best mocktail menu! Alamo Club on Greenville Avenue for the best service, patio, and food.
Komodo for a more upscale and fancy dinner – their peking duck is to die for!
Deep Ellum in general – catch a show at RBC, Three Links, Trees, and/or Club DaDa.
Shot Topic for the best bartenders, music, and emo-themed shots.
Go for a run on the Santa Fe Trail
Drag shows at Hamburger Mary’s, JR’s, and Roundup Saloon.
Coffee at Merit in Deep Ellum.
…and a service at my salon space in Lakewood of course!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I absolutely didn’t get here alone and I have so many people to thank for an amalgamation of things. Jessica from @soloestheticianlove on Instagram is my business mentor, Sasha the owner of Daring Haus and Daring Made for completely turning my brand inside out and being my biggest cheerleader, Jane from @theladypeng on Instagram for always yelling at me, Latrice, the owner of Lifeline Family Health and Wellness for being a role model and also providing a safe space for LGBT clients, and of course my partner Nic for being through the ups and downs with me.

Website: www.jennaleighskin.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jennaleighskin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennaleighskin

Image Credits
Madison Truscan.