Today we’d like to introduce you to Aya Restrepo.
Aya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of beauty. Growing up, I was often compared to my sister and would hear those backhanded compliments like, “you’re getting pretty,” which made me acutely aware of how much weight society places on appearance. As a teenager, I spent hours poring over fashion magazines and making collages of women I thought were beautiful.
People respond to beauty in many forms, not just the conventional ones.
Initially, I dreamed of becoming a fashion designer, but my mom encouraged me to pursue a more stable path, which led me to medicine. I studied at Wayne State University, attended PA school at the University of Detroit Mercy, completed a surgical residency at Johns Hopkins, and later worked in cardiac surgery at the University of Michigan before transitioning into aesthetics.
A pivotal moment came at a California conference where beauty was graded using a rigid system. If you didn’t fit the mold of a stereotypical 1950s housewife, you weren’t considered attractive. That struck a deep chord with me. It reinforced what I had long believed: beauty isn’t one size fits all. It’s cliché but true, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I believe everyone has beauty within them, and that belief inspired me to reimagine how medical spas interact with patients. Rather than “fixing” people with treatments, my goal became enhancing their natural beauty by understanding their motivations and providing thoughtful, personalized solutions. Sometimes that even means saying “no” to treatments that aren’t in a patient’s best interest.
In 2020, as a single mom, I took a leap of faith and opened my own practice. Many thought it was risky, but I wanted the freedom to create a space that reflected my vision: playful, luxurious, and empowering. Too often, aesthetics is framed as correcting flaws; my mission is the opposite. I want people to feel safe, celebrated, and reminded of what makes them uniquely beautiful. My greatest joy is helping others experience the confidence and personal power that comes from presenting their best selves to the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting out WAS tough. I was a single mom with two little kids, and I had just opened my business only to be closed a month later because of the COVID pandemic.
Since I was brand new, I didn’t have the paperwork history to qualify for loans or government support. It felt like I was sidelined before I even had a chance to play.
Money was tight, so I couldn’t afford traditional marketing. Instead, I taught myself by reading marketing books late at night and creating videos to stay connected with the audience I had. I stretched every dollar. I cooked at home a lot.
I owe so much to my mother and my brother. I couldn’t have built this business without my mother stepping in to watch my kids while I trained, worked, and grew the spa. My brother has been my right hand from day one. When we moved into this building with 11 rooms, it was just the two of us getting everything ready. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, he still reminds me, “Hey, we’re still here.” Their support has been my foundation, and I’m deeply grateful.
Looking back, those challenges taught me the resilience, resourcefulness and creativity that still shape how I run my business today. “No” isn’t ever an option. It’s just “how?”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Glam Jail, we’ve found our sweet spot serving women and men over 40, and our message of celebrating aging is really, really resonating with people. We have this amazing business where we get to meet and work with many of the region’s top professionals across a wide array of industry sectors, including commercial and residential real estate, philanthropy, fashion and more.
We’re become recognized for being a leader in all skin types, including a wide spectrum of degrees of melanin. Clients tell us they chose us because they’ve seen people with their skin type get great results here. It feels good to break barriers in aesthetics, creating a space where aging and diversity are embraced, and everyone feels confident and safe in their own skin.
We’ve made it part of our mission to give back. For patients who can’t afford aesthetics, we often comp procedures or donate gift cards, and we offer 50 percent off to cancer patients and survivors. One breast cancer survivor told us she felt guilty doing anything for herself, but after her treatment she said we lifted her spirits, and her husband personally thanked us at Christmas.
We’re also deeply committed to treating all skin types safely. Right now, we’re helping a Black patient who was burned by a laser elsewhere, and we’re restoring her skin at no charge. Moments like these remind us that beauty is about healing, confidence, and dignity, and everyone deserves that.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m excited about several meaningful initiatives that are taking shape. We are planning a series of to support nonprofits organizations in our community that holds a special place in my heart. Giving back is very important to our team.
I’m also preparing to unveil a fashion capsule of my own design, which is a dream that connects back to my earliest passions. This project blends creativity, style, and empowerment, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.
Another initiative that I’m especially excited about will honor and recognize women over 40 in a big way. This is a group whose beauty, strength, and contributions often don’t get the spotlight they deserve. My goal is to celebrate their stories and elevate their visibility in a way that feels inspiring and joyful.
Overall, the future feels full of possibility. I’m looking forward to continuing to grow, give back, and create spaces and experiences that uplift others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://glamjail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glamjail.medspa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GlamJail.Medspa
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/glam-jail
