Carol Morgan – Cosmetic Skin Therapies

Carol Morgan is an owner and CEO of Cosmetic Skin Therapies. 

I’ve been admiring her from the sidelines for a few years now. When she got in touch to update her photography, I couldn’t have been happier. I knew that photographing her would be something special, but I didn’t anticipate the instant effect she would have on my work.

When Carol looked at her photographs and said “Wow! I love that face – I’ve earned that face”, I knew I’d never be able to retouch another life line (not even a little bit). She certainly is the embodiment of #lifegoals and if I really want to step into #justbeyou, then I’d better jump in with both feet, otherwise I’m doing you a disservice. Since photographing Carol, my editing workflow has changed and I’m having even more meaningful conversations with my clients about beauty and what really matters.

Man that’s a lot of talk about me, but that’s my point about Carol. There’s nothing superficial about her and I don’t think she’s even capable of small talk. When you spend some time with her, it changes your life.

Tell us a little about what you do for a living?

I am an owner and CEO of Cosmetic Skin Therapies.  CST is a national franchise business in the facial aesthetics industry.  We have been trading for about 5 years now and I’ve held multiple roles in the organisation – IT support, Trainer, CFO, COO and now CEO 🙂  I am also a qualified therapist and run a home based counselling practice.

Why did you start your business?

My business partners and I saw a gap in the industry which traditionally hasn’t treated RN injectors exceptionally well.  We also wanted to create a model that has patient care and safety as part of its core ethos.  We also saw an opportunity to do franchising differently and much fairer for business owners- which has proven to be quite popular.

What has been the biggest challenge or fear you have had to overcome in business and how did you manage it?

Balancing the need for growth with ensuring we had built a solid foundation first – and managing shareholder expectations.  I’m a firm believer that whatever you do in life needs to come from a solid foundation so your growth can be as high and deep as your dreams.

How do you achieve balance between relationships, work and personal needs (or kids, family and time out for yourself)?

Great question!  Meditation, yoga and swimming are keys for me and also ensures I have me time.  I find when I am connected to myself and how I am feeling I can much better juggle all the demands of my busy professional and personal life.  I’ve learnt the hard way that if you don’t have healthy boundaries and time out for yourself, your life and therefore your business will stall.

How did you prepare yourself to start your business?

Faith in myself and the belief that being a perpetual student that I’ll learn what I need as I go along – and if feels right follow it!  Also ensuring that, what can be perceived as boring but so essential to a healthy business, is taken care of.  Compliance, privacy, insurance etc. are so critical to underpin your business.

How do you know when you are ready to do something?

Either I’m super passionate about it or fear it – either way I know it’s a challenge that I need to face – and I do love a challenge!

What have you put in place as a reminder to nurture your soul?

Meditation and getting out and about in landscapes I love – a day kayaking or walking along a beach, journaling and visioning my dreams and spending time with my loved ones – feeds my soul.

In the beginning, how did you attract your first good clients?

Utilising current business networks and having lots of cups of coffee and being so passionate about what we were creating.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Up early, walking my dog and/or swimming and yoga.  I’m fortunate that our HQ is downstairs in my home so my commute is great!  There are always meetings across a range of topics as we are small team so we all pitch in.  Lately I am traveling more attending industry forums and expos and working on growing the business now that we have solidified our foundation and have a great team in place.  I also see my counselling clients throughout the week.  My days are never dull!

What do you love most about what you do?

I’m captain of my soul and master of the ship.  Also having the ability to be an advocate for change and positively influence our industry.  Plus I have the privilege of working with some awesome humans.

Who are your biggest role models or influencers that have impacted your career?

I’ve been so fortunate to have 2 incredible business mentors – 1 in the private sector and 1 in the public sector.  They were so generous with their time and wisdom and had endless patience for my never ending questions!  Their natural ability to be strategic visionaries really resonated with me.

Tell us something you we may not know about you already?

I love to paint and knit as other ways to relax and switch my brain off.  Equally also love cranking the stereo and singing and dancing around the house imagining I’m singing to thousands!  I also created legal precedent in Australia as a teenager, with the first successful case of sexual harassment in Victoria back in the 1980s.  It was a defining period in my life and I won against all the odds (I can hear the Rocky theme as I type this!).

Any words of wisdom to those thinking of taking the leap?

Have faith in yourself – even when you can’t see the road ahead keeping taking steps.  Do your homework, be thorough and surround yourself with good people who have your back and will also challenge your thinking and approach.  Always be willing to learn.

How has working with Amanda as your photographer contributed to your business?

Amanda is a damn good photographer and also has an innate, unique quality in being able to bring all of you to the shoot.  Her wisdom, expertise and knowing of her craft really impressed me.  I’m super excited to be utilising my portfolio for my personal brand management.

Who are you listening to right now?

Bishop Briggs, Rag n Bone man, PINK, Queen the list goes on.

Quotes for inspiration right now?

Courage (from the Latin word cor meaning heart) – the original definition of courage was to tell the story of who you are with your whole heart.

What are your values?

Honesty, Courage, Passion, Inclusion and Self Belief

What’s next for you and your business?

For the business – bedding down some final projects whilst ramping up our marketing and networking to expand the brand throughout Australia.  For me ensuring that I guide the team to achieve the vision/strategy and lead from behind ensuring I support them and get out of their way!  Also building up my brand to be an advocate for healthy change.

Favourite movie?

Braveheart

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