J'adore Beauty Bar & Lounge - Jenny
J'adore Beauty Bar & Lounge
jadorebeautybar.com
Instagram // Facebook // IDIGELGIN
329A Elgin St, Ottawa, ON K2P 1M5
Interview: Nikki Gillingham, Blue Whale Communications
Photography: Marianne Rothbauer, Rothbauer Studio
Tell us a bit about yourself and your background. How did you get started in the beauty / aesthetics world?
I basically grew up in the industry as a second generation. My mother was in the Esthetics industry for over a decade and I gradually just followed in her footsteps not knowing how much I really enjoyed being in the industry. I studied business and entrepreneurship then eventually took a course in aesthetics but working with my mother is where I got the most learning experience from.
What made you decide to take the leap and open your own beauty bar?
I decided to take the leap and open my beauty bar because I’ve always had this vision of my own for a very long time. I wanted to take it to the next level and I knew that this was going to work and how to execute it. I grew up with entrepreneurs my whole life and the entrepreneurial mindset just comes natural to me.
What experience can clients expect when they come in to J’adore?
Clients can experience a unique cocktail experience that you don’t expect in other beauty bars. It’s a place where you can unwind and just treat yourself.
Why did you decide to create a full bar and café menu, instead of the typical wine or tea option usually offered?
I decided to create a full bar and café menu because I wanted to create a different kind of experience for my clients. I wanted to stand out and give people all the options that you don’t get from other beauty bars. Any spa, hair salons, or beauty bar can have a liquor licence and serve drinks but to have a full bar with craft cocktails, it’s a whole other experience to have. It also creates a place to be for special events and celebrations, such as Bachelorette and bridal parties, and birthdays. Who wouldn’t want to be getting pampered while having a drink and popping some champagne?
We change up our drink menu at least twice a year, Winter and Summer with different signature cocktails, just to keep things exciting and have something for people to look forward to.
What’s it like being a part of the Elgin Street Community?
I love being apart of the Elgin community. It actually took me 2 years to find a spot on Elgin since it’s such a high demand area to be in, but it’s the neighbourhood that I knew I wanted to be in and it’s the area I knew my business would be successful in. There’s so much diversity in the businesses and the people here. I also enjoy the hustle and bustle of Elgin. Unlike a lot of other areas, there is always something going on from day to night.
What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs in Ottawa?
If you have an idea or vision, just go for it. Life is all about taking risks, and you never know what you can achieve if you don’t take the leap. It was a learning process for me throughout the whole journey of opening my own business, but it’s all about the experience and challenging myself. I’ve had people doubt me my whole life that I wasn’t capable of a lot of things which pushed me to work hard and prove them wrong and become successful.
If someone has time for just one service at J’adore, what do you recommend?
If someone coming in and just have time for one service, I would recommend getting our herbal pedicure. Our herbal pedicures are all organic and made in house. We use sugar, essential oils, dried herbs and tea to mix into our exfoliating sugar scrub and hydrating mask. We also have a whole list of scent options to choose from such as “Stress Relief” with lavender and chamomile herb mixed with lavender essential oil.
When you’re not busy running your business, what local spots do you like to go to relax and unwind?
When I’m not busy running J’adore, I like to go to Charlotte to unwind and have some of their amazing cocktails. I just love their chill vibe there and being right across from them is also a bonus. I also enjoy visiting other beauty salons to get services done , not only to enjoy myself and treat myself out of work, but to also get inspirations and ideas that I can bring to my own place.
What does the future hold for J’adore?
I’m actually working on a new project called Cocktail Cartel. It’s basically a mobile bartending company that will provide signature cocktails, bubblies, and wine at special events. What’s different about this mobile bartending company than any other ones currently in Ottawa, is that everything will be completely custom, everything starting from the drink menu, the bar set up, and a whole experience overall. It’s a project that I’m very excited about and expecting to launch sometime in the near future.
As for J’adore, I want to focus on this location for a couple more years until I start to think about opening a potential second location. Clients are always asking me to open a location out of the downtown core so there’s definitely a demand, but it’s all about the right time and right opportunity that comes up.
