Jena Karam shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Jena , we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building—something people don’t always see—is the culture within our team. Growing up in a very patriarchal society, I knew that creating a workplace where women’s voices are valued, respected, and celebrated was non-negotiable for me. I always had the vision of building something of my own, because I’ve never been much of a follower—but what I didn’t realize was how fulfilling it would be to see other women grow alongside me.
In just six months, we’ve grown from two incredible women to a team of five, and that has been one of my proudest accomplishments. Every day, I’m blown away by what they achieve and the way they show up not only for the business but for themselves. It’s not just about professional growth—it’s about building confidence, creating opportunities, and shaping futures. I know the impact of this work extends beyond us; it’s planting seeds for the next generation, for their children, and for a world where women know their worth.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Jena Karam, and I’m the founder and CEO of Rainforest Head Spa—a female-owned and operated holistic spa that focuses on both scalp and skin health. When I started this journey just six months ago, it was nothing more than a vision and a lot of determination. Today, we’re proud to be fully booked out months in advance, steadily growing our team, and continuing to invest in their education so that we can provide the very best care for our clients.
What makes Rainforest special is our philosophy: we believe in bringing people back to their roots. Whether that’s through the care and rest we provide in the spa, or by helping restore health with the right products and treatments, our mission is to create a space where people feel deeply cared for and renewed. For me, it’s not just about beauty on the surface—it’s about building confidence, restoring wellness, and creating a ripple effect that extends into people’s daily lives.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The funny thing is, I think about this question often—because I truly believe who we are as children gives us hints about our purpose as adults. For me, I was always a creative at heart, always building little “businesses” for my friends and family using whatever I had on hand to create a core memory or an experience. By the age of 10, I had already opened a hair salon, a mini golf course, a summer camp, and countless lemonade stands—all from my front or backyard.
I was what you’d call a mover and a shaker, never really in it for the money, but for the joy of bringing people together and making them feel something. Looking back, it feels almost poetic that I ended up opening a small business—because if I’m honest, child Jena would have absolutely approved.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
I think suffering looks different for everyone. For me, it showed up most in school. I had regular teachers, tutors, educational summer camps, college, and eventually a master’s program—and while I loved learning, I absolutely hated the way things were taught. That disconnect made the whole process feel like suffering at times.
But what it gave me was something success alone never could: endurance and grit. I watched so many people give up along the way, when in reality just a few more months of persistence could have led them to the most beautiful reward. That’s the hardest part about the world we live in—so much of it is built on instant gratification, and we lose sight of what really matters: the journey.
At Rainforest, we say this often, and it’s something I live by now—you truly grow through what you go through. The views at the top are nice, but it’s the memories and growth you experience along the way that change you forever.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
This is such an important question, especially when it comes to starting Rainforest. We live in a world where instant gratification is everywhere, so from the beginning I had to ask myself: Is this a fad, or is this a real shift in the way people care for themselves?
When I first shared my idea, a lot of old-school thinkers dismissed it as a “fad.” My challenge was to prove otherwise—by building something that people would not only try once, but return to again and again. Since head spas are still new to the U.S., I knew it was our responsibility to make the experience truly unforgettable, rooted in both healing and long-term results.
And honestly, it wasn’t difficult to see the foundation. As women, many of us grew up having our hair played with, brushed, and braided—it was comforting, therapeutic, and even healing. Somewhere along the way, that stopped. What we’ve done at Rainforest is reintroduce that sense of care, but with a holistic, process-driven system for scalp and skin health. It’s not just pampering; it’s restorative. That combination of emotional connection and tangible results is why we’re consistently booked out for months at a time.
To me, that’s the difference: fads are fleeting, but foundational shifts reconnect us to something timeless.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply—something I don’t think most people truly grasp—is that time is the most valuable construct we have. You can’t buy it, you can’t borrow it, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. It’s the one resource we all share, yet it’s also the one we take for granted the most.
For me, every important decision comes down to time. Where am I spending it? Who am I giving it to? Is this worth the energy and hours I’ll never get back? Success, money, and even recognition can come and go—but time is the one thing you can’t replace. That’s why I’m intentional about pouring mine into what matters most: building Rainforest, creating memories, and living in alignment with what feels purposeful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rainforestheadspa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rainforestheadspa/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rainforest-head-spa/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Rainforest-Head-Spa/61564082930547/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rainforest-head-spa-ellisville
