Meet Jasmine Esquilin

NYIB: Thank you very much for sitting with me today! First question is really simple. Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Jasmine: Well, I am a mother. I have a 17-year-old, which is shocking to say. I have a 17-year-old and a 15-year-old that isn’t mine biologically, but I have taken in and is mine.

NYIB: So, you’re a busy mom!

Jasmine: Yes, very busy mom. I also work at Millennium Diner; I am a waitress/jack of all trades. I have been there for a while. I pretty much am CEO, CFO, manager of everything that makes my household run.

NYIB: Oh, I get that. What ended up drawing you to Esthetics?

Jasmine: Well, it has been a long time coming. I have always been into the beauty industry and one day I got a flier in the mail from Perfect Body. It had these pictures of all these people, before-and-after’s, and what Perfect Body could do with lasers and esthetics. I said to myself, “I want to know more about this.” So here I am.

NYIB: What were you doing before school?

Jasmine: I was in sales for a long time, about 10 years. I was in the car industry and I really was successful, I loved it. But then the company I worked for went out of business. I found myself kind of without a home, so I then owned my own dealership for a bit. I liked it, but it was A LOT of work and it was very taxing on my family. Then my father got sick, so I decided I was going to put that on hold. I sold the dealership, which was in Georgia, came back to New York, and went back into the waitressing world because it’s always there.

NYIB: How does your current job feel about you being back in school?

Jasmine: They are my biggest supporters. Everything I do, my boss is behind me, being my cheerleader, telling me to press forward. Working for them is really a pleasure. They’re like family for me.

NYIB:  It’s really vital and important to have that support system. School is a lot. Trying to juggle it all can be hard, so it’s good when the family, work and those outside of school support your education.

Jasmine: Yeah, the job has been really great. I’ve changed my whole schedule so I could incorporate my education and they’ve been super understanding.

Also, over the last 2 years I lost 100 lbs. I knew with my new body I was becoming a new me, and I wanted to take that all the way. I knew I had changed my look and my body, but I wanted to change my mind too. I wanted that to grow. So, that’s when I decided to go back to school. And then I wound up here.

NYIB: That was part of what I remember the first time we met! I remember you saying that you put in so much work to get yourself to a better place physically, and your goals were not ending there, your drive was strong. You wanted to keep going, and that stuck with me these last few months, which is why I knew I had to interview you!

NYIB: What made you choose New York Institute of Beauty?

Jasmine: I looked a lot of other schools. The Esthetics industry is blossoming and there were a few places to choose from. But every school is so different. NYIB was the best school for me because it has the Advanced Esthetics program. It’s also close to home. And you guys. This place is like family. Everyone in my class is so close, and we have such great ties with each other. If you look through my phone it’s all student’s names. The diversity of the students here is great and the staff is amazing. I love it.

NYIB: I am so glad to hear that. I know sometimes students get nervous when they aren’t in this specific demographic they feel is the “right” one.  I know I was one of them, it can be nerve wracking to think you are going to be the odd fish out.

Jasmine: Yes, that was me too!

NYIB: I remember! And didn’t I tell you don’t worry we have everyone here, there is no weird age or background?

Jasmine: Yes, you did!

NYIB: I am so glad to hear you have built friendships here. You are proof that within diversity relationships thrive!

Jasmine: We really developed together, learned together, and grew together. So, it’s going to be bittersweet when we graduate. We only have this little time left and then we go out into our careers.

NYIB: Can you believe you’re almost done?

Jasmine: Yes and no. It’s super surreal. You put in all this work and you see the end coming and you’re like wow! It’s very satisfying.

NYIB: So, since you’ve been here you’ve learned a lot. What has been the thing you’ve found most interesting?

Jasmine: Oh my god, there’s so much I couldn’t even tell you. It has really broadened my horizons. You know, I’m older, and I know I’m older. I didn’t expect to be in school at this age. I didn’t expect to be here at this point in my life, so everything is a learning experience, and everything is useful and great. As far as the program, anatomy is probably what I liked the most. Oh, and waxing! I love waxing. Instant gratification. I am all about that.

NYIB: Me too! With graduation right around the corner, what are some of your goals?

Jasmine: That’s a good question. I see myself in a couple of different places. I am deciphering now what I want to do. I definitely see myself in oncology esthetics. My best friend passed away from cancer, and I know this field has an oncology path and that’s what I want to pursue. I want to be with people who need my help.

NYIB: That’s amazing.  A phrase I heard once and love to repeat is that within the area of oncology esthetics, the doctors and nurses are treating the disease, and the estheticians are treating the person. It’s a growing and much needed field. And I see you as someone with the comforting type of personality that would do amazing things there.

NYIB: Any advice you want to give to someone else debating whether or not to jump in to the Esthetics industry?

Jasmine: It’s okay. It’s okay, and you will be all right. You got to just keep pushing. I remember at orientation Angelica said at one point everyone might end up crying in her office and I thought, “Pshh, I will never be in her office crying.”  That is not me. But I did end up crying…a few times! But they were all good occasions! When I passed my final, I bawled in the bathroom. I didn’t know what do with all of that energy, but I was just so happy and proud of myself. 

So, it’s okay. You can do it. You are awesome. You will make it!

NYIB:  I want to thank Jasmine again for her insight and spending some time with me here for Featured Student.

Interviewed and written by Megan Leitch, L.E., NYIB Admissions Representative.