Jessie Harbron on Trust, Touch, and Building a Career in Medical Esthetics

Jessie photographed by Vairdy Frail for Lezara.

Before stepping into the world of esthetics, Jessie Harbron was focused on movement—studying kinesiology, performing aerial circus arts, and working closely with the human body. Her career, up to that point, had always been about understanding how bodies work, feel, and move. But it was as a client—receiving treatments herself—that her curiosity began to shift.

“I started getting treatments and found myself asking a lot of questions,” she says. “Eventually it just clicked—I thought, it would be so cool to be the one providing this kind of care. I already knew what it was like to be the client, and I wanted to be the person helping on the other side.”

A tour of JCI confirmed the instinct. “It just felt right. I didn’t go in planning to enroll that day, but I ended up doing it on the spot. It was an intuitive decision.”

That same openness guided Jessie through the Body Spa & Medi-Esthetics Program. “I came into it with an open mind,” she says. “You never really know what part of esthetics is going to call to you. There are so many different elements—beauty, body, the scientific and energetic aspects. I was excited to explore all of it.”

As a student, Jessie approached the learning process with presence and intention. “I wasn’t just doing it to get a job. It felt expansive, like something that would help me grow as a human being, not just as a professional.”

Still, there were challenges. “I can be a bit of a perfectionist,” she admits. “During one practical, my instructor said, ‘Do you think you’re being a little hard on yourself right now?’ It was a moment that stuck with me. I hadn’t even realized how intense that internal pressure was.”

After graduating in early 2024, Jessie moved from Vancouver to Squamish with her partner—and quickly landed a role at Lezara Laser and Vein Care thanks to a job alert shared by JCI. “The timing was perfect. I got the job before I even moved,” she says.

At Lezara, Jessie works alongside doctors, nurses and laser technicians in a clinic that blends medical and cosmetic care. “We do everything from skin rejuvenation and laser to vein care and women’s health. It’s a really collaborative environment.”

Her kinesiology background has come in handy. “Everything in the body is connected. My training in holistic health gave me a systems-based way of thinking that fits really well in this setting. It’s still body science—just more specific now.”

When asked what’s piquing her interest these days, Jessie turns to the range of treatments at Lezara. “We can treat everything from acne, texture and skin laxity, to sunspots and redness. I'm especially excited about our newest laser, the PicoSure Pro. It's been a game changer for tattoo removal."

While Jessie enjoys the technical side of the work, she’s just as passionate about the interpersonal side—especially in medical esthetics, where treatments can be vulnerable.

“You have to make people feel safe. That starts with how you carry yourself. If you’re unsure or timid, people can feel that. Your body language and tone have to communicate confidence, even when you’re still building it.”

It’s something she’s noticed in every part of the job. “Regardless of the nature of the appointment, you have to lead the experience. People want to know they’re in good hands.”

And while it might feel like a lot at first, Jessie assures new grads that things eventually settle into place. “It’s a lot to hold in the beginning, but once you get your system down, it really does become second nature.”

Living and working in Squamish has also brought her closer to the community side of esthetics. “I’m starting to build client relationships—people come back, we remember each other. It’s not just about the treatment. It’s about creating trust over time.”

For those thinking about joining the program, Jessie’s advice is simple: “Be patient with yourself. You’re not supposed to be perfect right away. You’re learning. That’s the point.”

And for anyone wondering whether this path is right for them? “If something’s calling to you, I’d say go for it,” she says. “Even if it’s not your forever path, it’ll get you closer to what is. There’s no downside to exploring something that excites you.”

Jessie photographed by Vairdy Frail for Lezara.