Jenna Green, a licensed esthetician, has established Skyn + Zen Esthetics in Valparaiso, offering personalized services designed to help residents feel refreshed and cared for. The Valparaiso-based business provides a space for individuals to slow down and reconnect with themselves, serving Valparaiso and neighboring communities.
Skyn + Zen Esthetics provides customized facials, back treatments, and waxing services. Green emphasizes understanding that "every client is different," addressing individual needs, whether they seek solutions for skin concerns, relaxation from exhaustion, or both. Her objective is for every person to leave feeling more relaxed and confident. The name Skyn + Zen Esthetics reflects this dual focus on skin care and promoting a sense of calm and relaxation.
Green's transition to esthetics followed 15 years in sales and customer service, including nine years with T-Mobile and Verizon, and experience in retail sales management. She also served as a director of operations at Spenga Valparaiso, a business owned and operated by her family. These prior roles instilled knowledge in leadership, business operations, customer relationships, and the process of establishing a community-integrated business. Green stated she eventually realized she wanted to combine her business acumen with a personal passion for helping others feel cared for, confident, and comfortable in their own skin, leading her to pursue esthetics education and licensure. That journey culminated in the creation of Skyn + Zen Esthetics.
Green grew up in Northwest Indiana, specifically between Portage and Valparaiso. She attended Nativity of Our Savior School and Andrean High School before continuing her education at DePaul University in Chicago. She credits her grandfather, James “Dwight” Hooper, for instilling in her a strong sense of discipline, determination, and mental toughness. She learned from him that the word “can’t” is not a part of one’s vocabulary and that challenges should be approached by figuring out how to overcome them.
Green views Valparaiso as an "ideal fit" for both her business and her family, stating that the community feels "like home" after spending much of her life there. She noted that people in Valparaiso support local businesses, celebrate each other's successes, and genuinely desire to see their neighbors succeed. As a small business owner, Green prioritizes building community relationships, enjoying the opportunity to meet new people, hear their stories, and witness individuals striving to improve their lives.
Drawing from her own experience, Green encourages others contemplating starting a business not to delay. She advises against waiting for a "perfect time," asserting that one will likely never feel "100% ready." She advocates for taking the leap, doing it, learning as one goes, adjusting when necessary, and continually moving forward.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Green enjoys spending time and making memories with her son, whom she considers a vital part of her life. Her leisure activities include listening to music, dancing, socializing with friends, discovering new places, and engaging in relaxation or self-care. Green expresses pride in establishing her own business and hopes Skyn + Zen Esthetics will evolve into "more than just a business," believing Valparaiso offers the ideal environment for this aspiration.
