Jessica's Story
From training to running her own medispa
Jessica Mee graduated from OICB in 2016 with beauty therapy qualifications from CIDESCO and CIBTAC. After a varied career, Jessica now runs her own beauty business in Yorkshire, UK.
Getting started
When Jessica Mee started her beauty therapy training, she wasn’t thinking about running her own business. She just knew she enjoyed working with people and wanted to build a career doing something she cared about.
Jessica went on to work in a few different places, including Greyshott Spa, on cruise ships, and a stint in the US. This experience led her to start thinking more seriously about opening her own space.
My career started with CIBTAC and CIDESCO qualifications at OICB – they gave me the foundation I needed to grow.
Entering work
Jessica opened JM MediSpa in Blyth — but it didn’t all go to plan straight away. Just two months after starting work on the building, the pandemic hit and everything was put on hold.
It was tough. The build was delayed, and the uncertainty made it hard to know if it was the right time. But in the end, we got through it.
Since opening, she’s focused on building a team that really understands the treatments they offer and what clients need.
I’ve worked in places where you could tell some of the therapists didn’t feel comfortable doing certain treatments — and the clients could sense it too. That’s why I encourage my team to focus on what they enjoy and are good at.
The day-to-day
Running the business means Jessica wears a lot of hats. Alongside doing treatments, she looks after the team, manages bookings, and handles all the behind-the-scenes work. She’s also built a strong presence on social media, which brings in a lot of new clients — especially younger ones.
We talk a lot about skincare and try to keep things honest. I’ll often post about trends I’ve seen or things I’ve been asked about that week. It’s not always about selling something – sometimes it’s just about clearing up confusion.
Jessica’s mindful of how online advice can affect younger people in particular.
We see teenagers coming in with damaged skin because they’ve followed trends that aren’t right for them. I think it’s important we help people understand what’s safe and what’s not.
What's next?
Three years in, the clinic is growing. Jessica’s planning to open a second site in Manchester and is involved in mentoring other women in the industry. Even with the long days and constant juggling, she says she wouldn’t change a thing.
There are still moments where I feel like I’ve got no idea what I’m doing — but I think most people feel like that sometimes. What matters is staying curious and open to learning.
