Name and position:Dr Jennifer Owens, Founder of the Glow Clinic
Age:
35
Lives:
Dublin/Cork
Family:
I am lucky to have both my parents, 2 brothers, 1 sister-in-law, and a gorgeous niece.
Pets:
None, sadly. I would love a boxer dog but I'm not in one place enough to make it even near feasible.
Favourite thing about Cork:
How friendly and easy going people are. Going up and down between Cork and Dublin all the time and spending a fair bit of time in London really highlights this for me.
Least favourite thing about Cork:
The rain. When I think of going to college in UCC, I can only think of wet converse and broken Penny’s umbrellas poking out of the bins on campus. It just seems endless sometimes.
One thing you’d change about Cork: The public transport. It would be great to have some kind of metro or tube system.
When you were small, what did you want to be as a grown-up?
I don't think I had a particular job in mind, but I did know I wanted to be independent. From the age of 2 I think I used to kick up a fuss about doing everything myself and I never really grew out of it! I also loved make and do, art, and creating or building things.
Tell us about your career progression to your role today:
I graduated college with an honours degree in dentistry in 2011. I spent a few years working in the Australian outback, followed by a few years as Google's dentist and then private dental practice in Dublin. During that time, I did an awful lot of orthodontic training, cosmetic dentistry and smile design, trained as a makeup artist and yoga teacher, and started using facial injectables. It was the Botox and filler that I fell in love with, and so I doubled down on that. I trained in London, Amsterdam, and New York and eventually completed an MSc in St Bart's and the London in aesthetic medicine. I was working across 4 different clinics at one point, which was exhausting, so I opened the clinic in Dublin in 2018 as it just made more sense to have my own space. That's since grown to 2 clinics and a team of 8 plus some freelancers and outsourced support for HR, marketing, product delivery etc. This has allowed me to take on more teaching and speaking roles, which has been so much fun, a little scary, and really rewarding.
What is the most enjoyable aspect of what you do?
I'm very lucky, I love most aspects of my job. My team, my wonderful patients, my colleagues and friends in the aesthetic industry, I simply adore working with my hands and the actual injecting, it's like make and do (but a little more refined!). But I would have to say making people feel better about themselves – it's truly magic sometimes, especially with some of the dermal filler transformations because they are so immediate.
What motivates you?
I think originally it was being very unhappy in dentistry. It wasn't the work per se, but the 15-20 people coming in every day that did not want to be there – it broke me down. At one point I knew I could simply not do that for the next 40 or whatever years, and the drive to find something else was very powerful.
Now, I think it's a genuine love for what I do, and the way the aesthetic and wellness industry is changing so rapidly – you need to work at it to keep up to date and the advances are fascinating. Having a team is also a huge source of motivation. I feel very lucky to have such a beautiful team of people, and right now my heart and soul is going into making sure we continue to grow and develop both as a team and individuals.
What advice would you give your 15-year-old self?
I think I was such a square peg in a round hole for the majority of my school and college life, so I'd love to say not to worry, that you'll find your people and your thing eventually, and it will be worth the wait.
If you weren’t in the job you have, what would you be doing?
Hmmm. I really don't know. I feel so lucky to have stumbled into aesthetics because I really didn't feel passionate about anything else before that. I did love maths in school (I still miss it actually, I'm a weirdo, I'm well aware) and I had maths science on my CAO so possibly something along those lines.
What is your greatest life or career achievement to date?
Being able to pay myself a salary. I was always self employed as a dentist (and continued to be as I started in aesthetics to pay my rent, fund my training, etc.) and I was building the business for a number of years before I was able to draw a salary. I will never forget the first time I went on holidays, and I still had the same income that month. It still feels amazing to be honest.
Who has had the biggest influence on you in your life?
My parents and my inner circle.
What is the life dream now?
More work life balance. I have sacrificed quite a lot personally to get my business to where it is. I’ve missed weddings, christenings, birthdays, and I’ve not spent as much time with the people I love as I would have liked. I don’t resent any of that, you do what you have to do, but now I’m luckily able to make my personal life more of a priority.
How do you switch off?
Oooh that's a tough one. Even on holidays it takes me a few days to wind down. Exercise, especially yoga and running, really helps me clear my head. A dip in the sea (swim would be too generous) also helps me reset, as does a hike. I switch my phone to do not disturb in the evenings and leave it in the kitchen, which really helps me switch off enough to sleep properly.
What is your favourite Cork memory?
It's kind of a yearly thing, but Christmas Eve in Cork is one of my favourite things ever. We used to meet my grandad in the Long Valley for a sandwich and a pint and it's still a sort of family tradition (Covid notwithstanding). Lots of happy (and potentially slightly tipsy) memories over the years.
What is your favourite place in Cork?
Fitzgerald’s Park. It’s such a lovely little green spot by the water in the city centre and I love an early morning stroll there.
Do you have a favourite quote or motto?
“Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do,” - Oprah Winfrey.
When are you at your happiest?
By the sea, up a mountain, or in a yoga class.
What is your hidden talent?
I learned how to twirl fire chains when I was 11 and I have a go every so often to remind myself I can still do it.
What might we be surprised to know about you?
I have the world’s worst sense of direction. I use google maps going everywhere, even in Cork. If I don’t, I end up lost!
Anything else you’d like to share with us?
I am so delighted to finally have a home in Cork. The Glow team in Cork is so excited to see you all more often in our brand-new clinic on Marlboro Street!