Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Ford
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My identical twin sister Carla, who now serves as our COO and I, started in February of 2022 with the idea of naming the company after our maiden name, Smiley. We brought on our 3rd partner and attorney Courtney Walker, who now leads our legal team full time as Chief Legal Officer which is when our unique, medical aesthetics model was born, disrupting the industry! We opened our first brick and mortar medspa in Knoxville and quickly followed with what is now our training facility in Berry Hill, a suburb of Nashville. We opened the Nashville West location in Feb 2023, and our Mount Juliet location shortly thereafter.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I do not think we can really complain. The growth and scale has been a wild ride but our team is absolutely phenomenal and when you have an amazing team – the bumps in the road feel is a lot less bumpy.
For me specifically, it was a constant thought of “Is this the best next move?” In many ways we were out of of our league starting out, but none of the three of us do anything without putting everything we’ve got into it. We learned what we did not know, and have never stopped learning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
As the CEO and Chief of Clinical Services of Smiley Aesthetics, I am deeply passionate about revolutionizing the aesthetic industry through a unique blend of evidence backed practice, innovation, and dedication to training and education, all while maintaining compliance. With over 13 years of experience in the medical field, my journey from the Neurosurgical ICU at Vanderbilt University to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist and now a nationally accredited trainer and 1 of 500 national trainers and faculty members with Allergan’s Allergan Medical Institute (the makers of Botox and Juvéderm and leaders in medical aesthetic injections and injecting techniques), it has been marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to advancing patient care.
My journey in aesthetics began over five years ago, following extensive experience at a medical spa in downtown Knoxville. It was during this time that I recognized the transformative power of injectables in enhancing natural beauty and boosting self-confidence. This realization fueled my vision for Smiley Aesthetics—a vision centered on providing exceptional services and empowering others through education and training. My entrepreneurial brain knew I wanted to do something on my own, be my own CEO and own my own business. I found the beginning pieces to Smiley Aesthetics then invited Carla to join me. She promptly said no at first, committed to her prestigious job with a large healthcare company in Nashville. Her entrepreneurship mind matched mine of course, and she eventually decided to join me on this venture.
My commitment to education extends beyond our training programs—I am accredited by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and Boards of Nursing for our training programs and have had the privilege of speaking at national medical aesthetics conferences such as such as the The MedSpa Show by AmSpa and the Aesthetic Next conference. Most recently, I have been invited to join the Allergan Medical Institute as one of their 500 nationally certified trainers and faculty members.
I am immensely proud of the community of skilled professionals we have cultivated at Smiley Aesthetics and the positive impact we continue to make in the lives of our clients. Excellent training equals excellent client care and it is our priority. Community over competition is a root value for us, ensuring if one provider’s client needs something, the entire Smiley community is there to serve, offering the client dozens of medical provider brains to ensure the best care.
Amanda Parks MSN, APRN, FNP-BC and Emily Oaks PA-C, the exceptional spa manager and clinical injectors at our Knoxville location, are truly part of the heart of our team. Both highly skilled and dedicated advanced practice providers, they bring a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for aesthetic care to their roles. Their expertise, combined with their compassionate approach, ensures that every client receives top-notch, personalized service. Amanda and Emily’s excellence and experience not only enhances the overall client experience but also fosters a supportive and efficient environment for our entire team. Their commitment to excellence makes them invaluable assets to our spa and exemplifies the high standards we uphold at Smiley Aesthetics.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, the aesthetic industry will see significant advancements driven by technology and innovation. We anticipate a rise in non-invasive treatments and a stronger focus on holistic and wellness medicine, integrating aesthetic procedures with overall wellness strategies. Technological innovations, including AI-driven diagnostics and virtual consultations, will enhance precision, client experience, and continue to make self care affordable and convenient. Additionally, compliance and ethical practices will become increasingly important, with a greater emphasis on regulatory compliance, a key component to client safety. At Smiley Aesthetics, we are thrilled to say we have already embraced these trends, ensuring we remain at the forefront of innovation and continue to offer exceptional, compliant, and personalized care.
Pricing:
- 1. Botox: $10 per unit (First time clients enjoy $9/unit)
- 2. Juvéderm Filler: $750 (First time clients enjoy $575/syringe)
- 3. Gold Membership: $149 Monthly / $725 for 6 months / $1450 Annually
- 4. Platinum Membership: $249 Monthly / $1250 for 6 months / $2500 Annually
- 5. Diamond Membership: $399 Monthly / $2000 for 6 months /$4000 Annually
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smileyaesthetics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smileyaesthetics__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SmileyAesthetics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmileyAesthetics
- Other: https://www.patreon.com/SmileyAesthetics
