The BeautyPro Podcast Feature

Jaclyn Luongo, LumEnvy Skincare VP of Business Development and Brand Partnerships, Featured on The BeautyPro Podcast

Podcast Transcript: The Beauty Pro Coach

Christine (Intro): Miss Jaclyn Luongo is an esthetician, executive, and entrepreneur for all things skincare—but the skincare that actually works, like LúmEnvy. Listen and watch as she shares the magic behind the latest technology involving salmon DNA and how you can get your hands on it. Check it out on the YouTube channel, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Let's go.

Are you a beauty or barber pro looking for that push to do that thing you've always wanted to do, whether it's in or out of the salon, spa, or shop? Are you tired of not feeling good enough, smart enough, skilled enough? Are you tired of not getting a handle on your mental health boundaries and insecurities?

I'm Christine Sherwood, the Beauty Pro Coach, an internationally certified coach, a salon and spa owner, and your personal Jiminy Cricket. I use my own experiences, good and bad, as a salon owner, to help you be more self-aware, authentic, and forward-thinking in your approach to life in and out of the salon. It's time to reach your version of success with the Beauty Pro Coach podcast.

Oh my goodness, you guys. I am here with Miss Jaclyn Luongo. And she was sharing with me such a cute little story about how she heard about me and the Beauty Pro podcast. Jaclyn, can you share that with everybody because that's really cool?

Jaclyn Luongo: Absolutely. So, my best friend, who also happens to be in the beauty world in a completely different side of it—permanent makeup—she listens to podcasts when she walks every single day. Months ago, she came across your podcast. She listens to all industry-related podcasts; that is her vibe. She constantly says how brave it is to have a podcast and talk about what's in the industry.

So, I started to listen to some of your podcasts, specifically the one about the holidays, which I loved. That was a singular podcast that was just you, and you had so much info. When I started to listen, I started sharing it with friends. That's how this whole thing works—we support each other.

Months later, our PR company for PDO Max said, "Do you want to be on this podcast?" And I said, "I know this podcast! Yes, I do." It’s how the universe works, putting us together. I'm so excited because I think there's so many backstories for us that are very parallel. I come from the hair care beauty world many moons ago at a young age, just like you did. So, I’m so excited to chat with you.

Christine: I love that and I love how it comes full circle. Thank you for sharing that. Now for everybody listening, please share who you are, what you do, who you're representing—the whole nine yards.

Jaclyn Luongo: Absolutely. I love the beauty industry; I've been in it for 25 years. I started in aesthetics—I am a licensed esthetician living in Boston. I started in sales, training, and education. I've had the opportunity to train in Europe with elite Italian estheticians who are always way ahead of us with skincare. My career evolved into leadership, putting that passion for skincare together with empowering women.

I am in my "forever home" with PDO Max and LúmEnvy skincare. I work with amazing women where we are supportive of each other every day. I'm Vice President of Business Development. We have a national sales team selling our products, from PDO threads to skin boosters, glow pin stampers, and now this really special, unique skincare line.

Christine: I love all of those things. You are a boss babe!

Jaclyn Luongo: Thank you. I also wrote a book six years ago called Successful Selling in the Beauty Industry. I felt like "sales" has this negative connotation sometimes, but I don't ever feel like I'm "selling." The book has tidbits on how to do that in a smooth, easy way that puts people at ease, because it's part of what we do in the beauty aesthetic sector.

Christine: We’re definitely going to have the link to that book in the show notes. The new generation of beauty and barber pros coming up often do not want to "sell." How do you teach them? How do you motivate them? Because it's not about selling; it's about earning your client's trust.

Jaclyn Luongo: First, find your "why." Once you have that, there's a true heart behind it. Once you have that, sales feels natural. The mindset shifts to the reason you are recommending a product or service. It's about you believing in what you are talking about. Whether you're B2B (which is what I do) or an esthetician selling to a patient, having that belief makes it easier. It’s about the longevity of helping a business grow or helping a client maintain results at home. They’re buying it somewhere anyway!

Christine: Exactly! Now, on the other side of that coin, I hear people say, "I have to try every product before I recommend it." I’m like, that is impossible!

Jaclyn Luongo: That’s a tough one. I believe in finding a niche and being an expert in it. Whether you specialize in microneedling, lasers, injectables, or color versus cutting—find that road and stick to it. You can't be great at everything, and you can't speak to every single product because the beauty industry comes out with something new every hour.

Christine: So, within the industry, there are so many paths. How can we use our human passions to incorporate with our business side?

Jaclyn Luongo: Why did we all get into this? Most of us are artists, creatives, and nurturers. I had my first facial at 11 years old. Think about little girls with Barbie dolls or pretend makeup kits—we are exposed to it at a young age. If it's attractive to you, it stays inside you. What a gift to take that route and make a living out of it.

Christine: It's your inner child! I love that. So, what do you feel is the secret to success?

Jaclyn Luongo: Never stop learning. Find a good mentor. Once you think you know everything, you're done. Success is a progressive piece where you're constantly seeking what else you can learn. At a young age, I found a mentor and watched leaders on stage, saying, "I want to be in that chair someday."

Also, the five people you spend the most time with influence who you become. I tell my 18-year-old daughter: "Play up." Don't think small; think big. You excel more when you surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.

Christine: That is gold. Think big, play up! Now, let’s deep dive: what has been your biggest failure and what did you learn?

Jaclyn Luongo: When you're chasing "success," you sometimes compromise who you are. I’ve been in environments that didn't fill my tank or make me happy. The gift of being able to pivot is the best gift you can give yourself. Forgive yourself for making a choice and adapt. If you stay stuck because you think "this is where I'm supposed to be," you're doing yourself a disservice. I never thought I’d be here, but I challenged myself to find what I love and stay away from what I don't.

Christine: What is a current struggle you're going through, personally or professionally?

Jaclyn Luongo: I wouldn't say it's a struggle, but I want to lean into supporting the industry by encouraging the synergy of medical providers and estheticians working together. We hit a roadblock when we feel stuck in our scope. If medical providers and estheticians partnered more, there would be even more growth. It’s not a competition; together they create amazing results.

Christine: So, marrying the medical and the spa. What is the disconnect there?

Jaclyn Luongo: The disconnect happens when estheticians don't get a medical director or work in med spas where they have access to deeper treatments. Both are needed. The esthetician is a skin expert, and the medical provider can treat on a deeper level.

Christine: What can estheticians do more of to bridge that gap?

Jaclyn Luongo: Podcasts like this! This is real-time, innovative information. Also, going to conferences and being in person. Post-pandemic, we’ve gotten used to being in our bubbles. We need to be part of communities and ask questions. If we stay comfortable, it's the enemy of growth. Life's about showing up.

Christine: You mentioned going to shows. I keep hearing this theme—go to the shows! Why now?

Jaclyn Luongo: I think people stopped attending them for a while, so they became smaller. Whether you go in person or do webinars, you need to take time to educate yourself on the business piece, not just the craft.

Christine: Let’s get into PDO Max. Who are you representing today?

Jaclyn Luongo: The trend for years has been non-invasive treatments with less downtime—the "in-between" for people not ready for a facelift. PDO Max started as a thread company about eight years ago, founded by Giovanna McCarthy.

Years later, she researched ingredients for skin boosters and found that PDO threads in a powder form were effective topically after lasers or microneedling. That's PDO Afterglow. Then, a year and a half ago, we launched LúmEnvy, which uses PDRN—salmon DNA. It’s a hot trend. It contains glutathione, niacinamide, and Vitamin C for brightening.

Recently, we launched the "Glow Between" kit for home care. It helps maintain treatment results until the client comes back for their next service. It includes a serum, a PDRN sheet mask for "glass skin," and tools like LED masks.

Christine: So PDO Max is the bridge between aesthetics and medical aesthetics. This is cool! How do estheticians get involved?

Jaclyn Luongo: You have to find continued education. You can go to pdomax.com. We have graphics, protocols, and videos to set you up for success. We aren't trying to replace what you're doing; we sit on the shelf alongside other clinical brands.

Christine: What is a common myth you encounter?

Jaclyn Luongo: The myth that estheticians are a "last resort" or that what we do is just "fluff and buff." It infuriates me! We are skin experts. If you want to improve your skin, you go to an esthetician. We should be working with medical providers, not against them.

Christine: What is a lesson you've learned that you wish everyone else would just "get"?

Jaclyn Luongo: You have to feel the feels to learn the lesson. Follow your heart and find what fills your tank. Also, find economic independence. I struggled my first year as an esthetician, but I knew it would be worth it. Be in it for the long road.

Christine: What has been your favorite "insult" that became a driving force?

Jaclyn Luongo: When people think the beauty industry isn't a "serious" career. I just think: "You have no idea how much fun I have on a daily basis."

Christine: Wrapping up, what is one question I didn't ask that you wish I had?

Jaclyn Luongo: The "Why." Why are we still here after all these years?

Christine: So, what is your "Why"?

Jaclyn Luongo: I could never think of doing anything else. I’ve always loved this industry. Have the grit to get through those first few struggling years—it’s worth it.

Christine: Thank you so much, Jaclyn, for coming on and sharing your wisdom.

Jaclyn Luongo: Thank you! It was a pleasure. Check out pdomax.com and LúmEnvy skincare. We have a lot of cool new things in the pipeline.

Christine (Outro): If you've never heard of LúmEnvy or PDO Max, now you have! You must get your hands on it—not only for yourself but for your community. I already got mine and I am in love. Check out the links in the show notes and let me know what you think of today's episode!