By Sully Pinos | Executive Director, BLOOM Business Empowerment Center
“I realized this was a place where I could actually build something meaningful and make a real impact,” stated Jaxi. That instinct proved right. Today, she owns four businesses in York County, including Level Up Beauty Academy, and shows no signs of slowing down.
What drew Jaxi to York wasn’t chance; it was potential. Coming from a military family and moving frequently, she recognized a growing region with untapped room for development, particularly in the beauty and education industries. But success for Jaxi was never just personal. From the beginning, her goal was bigger than herself. “I didn’t just want to be successful,” she says. “I wanted to create opportunities for others.”
That mission took shape through Level Up Beauty Academy, where students come in searching for direction and leave with licenses, careers, and confidence. “I’ve watched students come in with no direction and leave with careers. That’s powerful to me.”
Building on that vision, she founded the Level Up & Career Creation Foundation, a nonprofit focused on opening doors for young adults through hands-on training, clear career pathways, and access to opportunities in the beauty industry they might not have otherwise discovered.
Now with four businesses rooted across the city and county, Jaxi’s motivation remains deeply anchored in impact and generational change. “I don’t just want to build businesses, I want to build systems that help other people succeed, whether that’s through education, mentorship, or opportunity.” She’s also taken that spirit a step further, actively helping other entrepreneurs launch their own businesses in the area.
A key part of her journey has been her relationship with the BLOOM Business Empowerment Center, and access to loan capital from them, which she credits as a strong resource and community connector. “Being able to be in spaces like BLOOM has helped me stay inspired and continue developing both personally and professionally,” she says, noting the value of connecting with like-minded entrepreneurs through BLOOM’s events and network.
When you ask Jaxi directly, “Why York?” — her answer doesn’t hesitate.
“To me, York means opportunity, growth, and community. It’s the place where I was able to turn my vision into reality. It’s where I built my businesses, created jobs, and helped people step into new careers. York is more than just where I live — it’s where I’ve been able to make an impact.”
And as York City and York County continue to evolve, Jaxi isn’t just watching. She’s building right here, for the people right here, one level up at a time.
