Flock & Gather Podcast. Allan Share talks with Courtney Grace Smith, owner of Glow by Courtney
Episode 224: Courtney Smith from Glow by Courtney Grace on Becoming a Solo Esthetician and What It Really Takes to Build a Successful Practice
Going Solo with Glow by Courtney Grace
In Episode 224 of the Flock & Gather podcast, Allan Share, President of the Spa Industry Association, welcomes Courtney Smith, owner of Glow by Courtney Grace in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Together, they explore what it really takes to leave a traditional job and build a successful independent esthetics practice.
Courtney’s path was anything but typical. She joined the Army at 17, spent her 21st birthday in Afghanistan, and used her GI Bill to attend nursing school before going on to esthetician school. After managing six dermatology and med spa locations in Colorado, she opened her own clinic with a single machine and a solo suite, and has grown it significantly since.
From Employee to Business Owner
Next, Allan and Courtney discuss the moment she decided to go out on her own. A difficult experience with a former employer pushed her toward ownership, and she shares how hard it was to separate emotion from what was happening in her business.
For professionals who are thinking about making the leap, Courtney’s advice is to bet on yourself. She encourages estheticians to niche down, find what they enjoy and do well, and take the time to learn the “why” behind their treatments.
Knowing Your Numbers
Then, the conversation turns to the financial side of running a practice. Courtney explains why pricing can’t be tied to emotion, why owners need to understand their cost of goods, and how having an accountant or bookkeeper changed the way she operates.
She also shares how shifting her own mindset around money helped her business grow, and how that change carried over into her personal life.
Equipment, Retail, and Home Care
In addition, Allan and Courtney talk about where a new practice should spend its money. Courtney explains that the right equipment depends on the kind of professional you want to be, and that great technology still needs skilled hands behind it.
She makes a strong case for carrying retail, noting that she believes 80% of results come from home care. Courtney carries more than 15 skincare lines and customizes them for each client, including one in New Zealand she has never treated in person.
Social Media, Mentors, and Confidence
Allan also asks Courtney what someone starting out should do first. Her three tips are to get comfortable using social media as free marketing, find someone to help with finances from the beginning, and seek out a good mentor.
Courtney shares that her own confidence was built one client transformation at a time, and that those results keep her passionate about the work.
Key Takeaways
Finally, Allan and Courtney emphasize that being good at your craft is only part of building a successful practice. By preparing carefully, knowing your numbers, investing wisely, and leaning on mentors, independent professionals can grow a business they love.
Whether you’re an esthetician, a solo practitioner, or a spa professional thinking about opening your own space, this episode offers valuable insights into going independent, business finances, retail, and building a thriving practice.
Topics covered: Glow by Courtney Grace, Courtney Smith, Spa Industry Association, Allan Share, solo esthetician, solopreneur, independent spa professionals, opening a solo practice, esthetics business ownership, med spa management, skincare retail, home care, skincare equipment, knowing your numbers, spa business finances, social media marketing, business mentorship, confidence, veteran-owned business, and beauty industry careers.
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Learn more about becoming a solo esthetician
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