The Refinery Medical Aesthetics | 2025 Small Business Awards
Compiled by LAUREN JURGENSEN & BRADEN DIMICK | Photos by CHRISTINA NOLAND
The Refinery Medical Aesthetics | Owner Sarah Jepson | Micro Enterprise Award Winner
What inspired you to start your business?
As a nurse practitioner, I’ve always been passionate about helping people feel their best. Over the years, I saw how esthetics could be a powerful tool that restores confidence and overall well-being. What really inspired me was seeing how many women, myself included, put themselves last. I wanted to build something that encouraged them to prioritize their self-care and feel empowered.
What’s been your biggest challenge?
Learning how to run a business. I came from the medical world, where everything is structured and patient focused. Suddenly, I was wearing every hat: provider, receptionist, marketer, bookkeeper and manager. I made plenty of mistakes early on because I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I overcame this by leaning into every learning opportunity I could find, from local small business development resources to business coaching, and simply asking for help when I needed it.
How does it feel to be recognized by your community?
It’s incredibly humbling. I started The Refinery with a vision and a lot of heart, but no formal business training. To be recognized by my peers and community is both validating and deeply meaningful. This award represents resilience, growth and connection. It reminds me that every late night, every hard lesson and every small step forward (or even backward) was worth it. I’m grateful beyond words and more motivated than ever to keep serving and showing up for this community.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?
Start small, stay focused and don’t let fear stop you. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin, you just need to believe in your vision enough to take the first step. Lean on local resources, ask for help when you need it, and surround yourself with people who truly want to see you succeed. It’s also important to be okay with letting go of the things or people who don’t support your growth. Not everyone is meant to go where you’re going, and that’s okay. Most importantly, stay rooted in your “why.” When things get hard, and they will, your purpose is what will keep you going.
What’s next for your business?
We’re broadening our offerings to include wellness and functional medicine services that cover weight and hormone management, allowing us to care for the whole person, not just the surface. We recently added an esthetician to our team and are now offering customized skin care, including facials, hydro and microdermabrasion, red light therapy, and ultrasonic, high-frequency and microcurrent treatments.
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