Meet Katie Clerkin of Jalan Facial Spa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Clerkin.

Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in New England and went to Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business. At the time, I wasn’t exactly sure what direction I wanted my career to take, but I knew I wanted to be part of something meaningful and people-focused. I’m very thankful to have grown up in a family that provided unconditional support, especially as I was figuring out my path and learning the value of hard work, empathy, and perseverance.

In 2021, I moved to Denver and found Jalan Facial Spa, where I was hired as the Spa Manager for our flagship Uptown location. I quickly fell in love with Jalan – not only the culture that Andrea Soonthornswad, our Director of HR, had built but also the unique opportunity to be involved in every aspect of a small business, while still having the support of our parent company, Herbaline, based in Malaysia.

Last year, I had the chance to travel to Malaysia with our Director of Esthetics, Sophia Tallent, where we toured Herbaline’s beautiful spas, restaurants, and hotels. That experience sparked my excitement for what expansion in the U.S. could look like. Shortly after, I was promoted to Director of Operations, and we began construction on our new location in Greenwood Village.

This new space became our first “2-in-1” concept in the U.S. – Jalan Facial Spa and Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion. Working side by side with my mentor and our CEO, Cheri Young, through the process of opening both businesses was one of the most rewarding and educational experiences of my career so far, and it has only deepened my excitement for the future of Jalan.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Construction was a huge learning curve for me. I had never built anything from the ground up before, so every step of the process was new. Thankfully, Cheri, who had overseen our first location, was there to guide me, along with our amazing contractor, Peter from Far North Construction.

While my background is primarily in the spa side of the business, I was also very involved in the restaurant build-out. I didn’t have much restaurant experience, so there were plenty of brand-new challenges along the way. But each obstacle became an opportunity to learn, and seeing the final space come together was incredibly rewarding.

The biggest payoff has been watching our guests experience and enjoy the special environment we created. It made all of the hard work and late nights worthwhile, and it has given me so much confidence moving forward with future projects.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Jalan Facial Spa is a wellness destination that blends the restorative qualities of a spa with the results of advanced, results-driven skincare. We specialize in facials, body treatments, and wellness rituals designed to nurture both the skin and the spirit. What distinguishes us is the intentionality behind every detail-from the way our services are structured, to the calming environment we create, to the small rituals like guided breathing and warm lemongrass tea that transform a treatment into a full sensory experience, which we call the Jalan Journey.

We’re proud to be known for our signature facials, which go beyond skincare to offer a truly holistic approach to well being. At our newest location in Greenwood Village, we’ve expanded this vision by introducing Jalan Facial Spa alongside Mama Kim Malaysian Fusion, creating a unique two-in-one concept where guests can continue their wellness journey through nourishing, flavorful cuisine rooted in our Malaysian heritage.

What sets Jalan apart is not only the quality of our treatments, but also the culture we’ve cultivated. Our brand is built on care- for our clients, our team, and our community. Every touch point reflects our belief that self-care should feel both luxurious and accessible.

What I am most proud of, brand-wise, is the experience we’ve created: a space that is both modern and deeply restorative, where every guest feels seen, supported, and renewed. Jalan is more than a spa- it is a place to pause, reconnect, and leave feeling transformed.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the quality that has been most important to my success is adaptability. In the spa and wellness industry — and especially in a growing business like Jalan — every day brings new challenges, whether it’s opening a new location, navigating construction, or learning the ins and outs of a restaurant alongside a spa. Being adaptable allows me to approach each situation with curiosity and resilience, learn quickly, and find solutions that move the business forward.

Alongside adaptability, I would also say passion for the work and the people is key. Loving what I do and caring deeply about our guests and team creates a foundation that makes even the toughest challenges feel manageable and rewarding.

Pricing:

• Facials range from $99-$259
• Massage range from $79-$99
• We’ve just launched our first collaborative package with Mama Kim called Sauna Mee Time! Enjoy a 30 minute facial at Jalan and Mama Kim’s signature Sauna Mee meal along with a cocktail or mocktail for $99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jalanspa.com
• Instagram: @jalanspa