Meet Keisha Jackson | Medical Spa Owner & Registered Nurse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keisha Jackson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keisha, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
This is my 8th year being a registered nurse, and though I’ve always loved helping people, I wanted to help people in a different light. Covid is the big bad wolf we all hate so much. Working before the pandemic and then through the pandemic were honestly 2 different eras of nursing for me. It opened my eyes to so much, and how important health and wellness were for all of us. Healthcare changed so much after Covid, and I honestly prayed for my place in healthcare after Covid. This business was showed to me in a dream, down to the name of my business. I woke up out of my sleep, wrote the name and ideas I had down, and the rest has been history.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started nursing in 2015 on a regular medical floor working with adults. I worked my way up to being a charge nurse, and soon started travel nursing shortly after. I’ve been to numerous different hospitals across the states. I got a full time job offer here in Atlanta working at the children’s hospital in the ICU. I had no experience working in ICU, or working with children, but this was again someone willing to take a chance on me. I soon switched back to adults full time also working in ICU. It took me 7 years to complete my bachelor’s degree because my senior year of high school, at the age of 17, I got pregnant with my son. I had a difficult pregnancy and he ultimately was born prematurely. I started and stopped college so many times I lost count. Mentally I was exhausted, and so many people were counting me out, and ready to label me as a statistic, but I knew I couldn’t let that be my story. I quickly realized no one could write my story for me BUT me. Nursing school was not easy for me, and even after nursing school there were still so many challenges I faced before I was even allowed to sit for boards. I jumped through so many hoops, but I thank God for placing the people in my path that he did because it was so strategic and meticulous that he’s the only one that could have done it. Every time I took 2 steps forward, I was being knocked 10 more backwards. The lessons I’ve learned along the way are to keep going. No matter what it looks like, what it feels like, no matter how uncomfortable it makes you, if it scares you, do it! That’s your mission. When someone tells you no, find another way. When the next one says no, find another way, and continue to do that until you get to where you want to be.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to the area, we are EATING because I’m definitely a foodie. On Monday we’re going to Magic City early just for the wings lol Taco Tuesday we have to go to Rreal tacos or tacos & tequila. Wing Wednesday, most def J.R. Crickets. Thursday, happy hour at the Thompson. Friday, we are hitting Ponce City Market and eating at 9 mile station and enjoying the games and music. Saturday, we’re getting Caribbean food at Apt 4B or Rock Steady. Sunday brunch at Boogalou or Whiskey Mistress. I also love to be outside in nature lol so we might hit chattahoochee river and do some tubing or go to Anna Ruby Falls or Panther Creek Thailand for a hike.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I give the most credit to my very first nursing manager, Pauline McGee, that gave me my first nursing job. She took a chance on me when I first graduated nursing school before I even took state boards to officially become a registered nurse. She has poured into me all of these years, even when she herself wasn’t at her best. Any idea I have, she always waters, no matter how crazy it may sound to others. My foundation in nursing is credited to her, and a foundation is everything with any career path you take. Even when I moved 6 hours from home to a new state and got a new nursing job, she drove here to Atlanta to check on me, and made sure I had a smooth transition. She has always pushed to me aim higher, go bigger, and to give life and my purpose all I have in me, and that’s stuck with me all throughout my nursing career.

Website: https://www.VAGARO.com/allthingshydration

Instagram: @allthingshydration_llc