The Beauty Industry's Best Kept Secret: Why Courtney is Redefining What Self-Care Really Means

Sometimes the most meaningful discoveries come from the most unexpected places. When I was searching for a new nail space to start growing my natural nails after removing extensions, I came across Courtney's Instagram and I was absolutely stunned. Not just by her technical knowledge and artistry, but by her values and the way she approached her craft. Here was someone who clearly saw nails as more than just aesthetics. She saw them as a portal to wellness, confidence, and genuine human connection.

Meeting Courtney as a client, I quickly realised that Reset Wellness Studio is so much more than a salon. It's a welcoming sanctuary where clients feel truly seen, heard, and cared for. It's a place where the relationship between technician and client goes beyond a transaction. It's a genuine partnership in self-care and confidence building.

In our conversation, Courtney shares her journey from an unexpected career pivot to building a business rooted in values, nail health, and the transformative power of showing up for yourself.

Let's start with your story. How did you end up in the beauty industry, and what led you to specialising in nails?

I actually got into beauty sort of by accident. It wasn't anything I had ever planned to do. I actually started university to become an interpreter. But I had some health issues and couldn't continue with my studies, so during my time off from school and work, I stumbled upon a TAFE course for nails.

At the time I could get the course heavily discounted, so I went for it! I used to love watching my mum get her nails done, so at most I thought it would be a good skill to have, doing my own nails and those of friends and family. But after my first class, I actually fell in love! It sparked a passion in me that led me to pursue further training and eventually build a business as a nail technician.

What do you love most about working with your clients?

Honestly, there are so many different things I love about working with my clients. The main thing would be the conversations we have! I love getting to chat with like-minded, values-driven people because I always come away from these conversations having learned something new. It just fills my cup getting to talk to such wonderful people.

They respect my time and my work, and getting to see that what I do can make such a huge difference in how they feel in their day-to-day life is just the best! I also absolutely love that my clients always feel so relaxed and at home when they come to my studio. That's something I've worked really hard to create.

What does beauty mean to you personally and how has that changed over time?

Beauty to me used to only mean looking a certain way or "fixing" things about ourselves to meet society's beauty standards. As I've aged, I've come to learn and realise that beauty is actually a construct designed to keep women behind in life. It's been put on us as a unit of measure in terms of our value and worthiness.

In doing what I do, I sometimes struggle to mesh my values with working in the beauty industry. However, what I'm working toward is redefining beauty if not deconstructing it altogether. Coming to my studio is more about connection and coming back to yourself, away from the busyness and chaos of life. You can always know that Reset Wellness Studio is a stable place for you to show up as yourself.

Beauty to me now means finding your unique self-expression. Whether that's through nail art or the shape of your eyebrows, how you look on the outside should be a reflection of how you feel on the inside not how society tells you that you should look or feel.

It's about alignment between your inner world and outer world, and that's something I'm really passionate about helping my clients discover.

Nail health is often overlooked. What's something more women should know when it comes to caring for their nails?

This is such a great question, and I'll answer it with some personal experience. The majority of my clients come to see me when they're at the end of their tether. They've spent years going to cheap in-and-out salons where they're not cared for and only treated as a number. By the time they come to see me, their nails are really thin, won't grow, and are overall damaged.

I'm the person who helps nurse their nails back to health. Most of the time this is possible, but sometimes the damage is already done. If nail cells become permanently damaged, they will continue to grow that way no matter what you do.

Caring for your nails means choosing a nail technician who actually cares about you and your nail health. Regular appointments and hydrating your nails with cuticle oil can go a long way. So many of my clients are amazed at the results once they commit to the ritual. It's honestly the best part of my job seeing that transformation.

Brows have become such a big focus in beauty. When did they become your passion, and why?

I trained to do brows in September 2023 and instantly fell in love. There is such an art to doing brows, and I take great pride in this part of my work because it takes a lot of trust for someone to let you touch their eyebrows.

I always knew I'd enjoy this craft, but it truly became a passion when I saw my clients' reactions. Their confidence was boosted and how they felt about themselves instantly changed. It's immensely rewarding! There are so many options now that make tailored brows possible. Whatever the client's preference, I can make it happen and help them feel like the best version of themselves.

Your work goes beyond aesthetics. How do you see nails and brows as a form of self-care and confidence for women?

I think more than anything, it's about carving regular time out of your schedule and showing up for yourself that is the biggest form of self-care in my opinion.

Having nails and brows that feel like you carries out into your daily life. When you feel good about yourself, it can have a positive trickle effect on your relationships, work, and even the relationship you have with yourself. The most important thing is setting aside time for yourself where you can just switch off and relax.

It's a bonus that my space is calming, cozy, and my fur babies will make you feel like all is right in the world. That's the whole point of Reset Wellness Studio. It's a sanctuary where you can just be.

You meet so many women each week. How do you hold space for others while also protecting your own energy?

This is a hard one that I'm still working on, honestly. One thing I've implemented lately that has really helped protect my mental peace is having a separate phone for work. That's where I keep Instagram, my main business app. At the end of the day I can leave it in my studio and switch off for the evening.

Also, blocking out time in my calendar to spend time with loved ones and do things that I enjoy makes a big difference. Life is short, and I want to make sure I don't work my time away. Prioritising leisure time is key for me. It's not selfish, it's necessary.

Outside of the salon, what does a reset or recharge look like for you? Any rituals or routines that ground you?

In all honesty, this is an aspect that I'm still working on. I find that having a cup of tea and reading a book can be very grounding if I'm feeling overly stressed. Other times I feel like I need to go out and do something fun like an escape room or see a movie. Doing activities like this can help snap me out of a funk if life has been chaotic.

Spending quality time with my partner and friends is most important to me though. Those genuine connections are what really bring me back to centre.

Finally, what does "growth" mean to you in this season of life personally or professionally?

Right now, growth for me means slowing down and being more intentional. Not just chasing bigger goals, but finding more balance and peace in what I'm already building. It's about learning to trust myself, staying aligned with my values, and creating a life and business that feel sustainable long-term.

I don't want to burn out. I want to build something that feels good, that genuinely serves my clients with real care, and that allows me to show up as my best self every single day.

As our conversation wrapped up, I was reminded of why I was so drawn to Courtney in the first place. She's not just a nail technician or brow artist. She's a values-driven entrepreneur who's reimagining what a beauty space can be. Reset Wellness Studio is proof that when you lead with authenticity, care, and a genuine commitment to your clients' wellbeing, magic happens.

Courtney's story reminds us that self-care isn't frivolous or indulgent.It's a radical act of showing up for yourself. Whether it's through healthy, beautiful nails, perfectly sculpted brows, or simply taking time to sit in a calm, welcoming space, these moments of care ripple out into every area of our lives.

Her journey also shows that sometimes the best careers are the ones we stumble into, the ones that spark unexpected passion and align with our deepest values. And her commitment to protecting her own energy while holding space for others is a beautiful reminder that we can't pour from an empty cup.

Ready to experience Reset Wellness Studio for yourself? You can connect with Courtney @resetwellness_studio and discover what it feels like to be truly cared for in a salon space.

Have you experienced the transformative power of prioritising self-care? Share your story in the comments. We'd love to hear about the spaces and people that help you feel most like yourself!