Today we’d like to introduce you to Elle Speed.
Hi Elle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My Story:
From Acne to Purpose
My journey into skincare began long before I became a licensed esthetician or entrepreneur. It began as a little girl learning one of life’s simplest yet most powerful lessons: take care of yourself.
At just five years old, my mother and grandmother instilled in me the importance of self-care. Every day they reminded me to care for my skin by applying lotion after my bath. To them, skincare wasn’t about vanity, it was about self-respect, confidence, and taking pride in how you cared for yourself. Those small moments became the foundation of the woman I would eventually become.
At thirteen years old, my relationship with my skin changed. Like many teenagers, I began struggling with acne. What started as a few breakouts quickly became something that affected my confidence. I remember looking in the mirror, wishing my skin looked different and wondering if it would ever clear up. I experienced firsthand how skin concerns can impact the way you see yourself.
Instead of allowing those experiences to discourage me, they ignited a passion. I became fascinated with learning everything I could about skincare, ingredients, treatments, and healthy skin. I wanted to understand not only how to improve my own skin, but how to help others who felt the same insecurity I once felt.
That passion eventually became my purpose.
Becoming a licensed esthetician wasn’t simply choosing a career, it was answering a calling. I realized skincare is about so much more than beauty. Healthy skin has the power to restore confidence, improve self-esteem, and help people show up in the world feeling like the best version of themselves.
Like many entrepreneurs, my path wasn’t easy. Building a business required faith, resilience, long hours, sacrifice, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when the outcome wasn’t guaranteed. Every obstacle became an opportunity to grow stronger.
In 2020, I founded Glow Wellness Spa with a vision of creating more than a spa. I wanted to build a space where clinical skincare, wellness, education, and compassion come together. A place where every client feels welcomed, heard, and empowered throughout their skincare journey.
I have continued to invest in advanced education because I believe my clients deserve exceptional care. Through ongoing training in corrective skincare, chemical peels, HydraFacial treatments, microneedling, laser hair removal, Morpheus8, body contouring, and advanced skin treatments, I remain committed to providing results-driven care backed by knowledge and experience.
My entrepreneurial journey continued to evolve when I completed the Goldman Sachs Black in Business Development Program. That experience challenged me to think beyond owning a business and inspired me to build a legacy, one rooted in education, leadership, service, and impact.
Today, I am honored to care for clients who have trusted me with their skin for years. Whether I’m helping someone overcome acne, improve hyperpigmentation, manage aging skin, or simply create a healthy skincare routine, I never forget the thirteen-year-old girl who wished someone could help her feel confident again.
Success isn’t measured only by revenue or awards. It’s measured by every client who looks in the mirror and smiles. Every life I’ve touched through education. Every woman who walks away feeling more confident than when she arrived. Every entrepreneur I’ve encouraged to believe in their dream.
My vision continues to grow. I see Glow Wellness Spa becoming a premier destination for skin health, wellness, education, and community. I aspire to mentor future estheticians, expand my skincare brand, host transformative wellness experiences, and continue changing lives, one face, one treatment, and one conversation at a time.
Looking back, I now understand that my acne wasn’t the end of my story. It was the beginning of my purpose.
The lessons my mother and grandmother taught me at five years old planted the seed. The struggles I experienced at thirteen gave me compassion. Faith gave me strength. Education gave me confidence. Entrepreneurship gave me the opportunity to serve.
Today, I don’t just treat skin.
I help people rediscover their confidence.
And that is the greatest reward of all.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
One of the biggest obstacles I’ve overcome has been working as a Black esthetician in an industry that historically wasn’t created with Black and Brown skin in mind. Black estheticians make up a very small percentage of the profession, and early in my career I often found myself being the only person who looked like me.
One of my first positions was in a dermatology practice where the majority of the patients were White. At times, I could sense that some clients wondered if I could properly care for their skin because I didn’t look like them. I had to earn their trust before I could even demonstrate my knowledge and skills. Instead of allowing that to discourage me, I used it as motivation to become an even better esthetician. I made it a priority to become highly educated in treating every skin tone, every skin type, and every skin condition. Today, I believe that experience is one of my greatest strengths because I’m confident and competent in caring for all skin types.
The second major obstacle was learning to bet on myself. I spent five years working for a large fitness company, and while I was grateful for the opportunity, I eventually realized I had outgrown the environment. I felt like I was being kept in a box. I had bigger ideas, a bigger vision, and a greater purpose than what I was being allowed to pursue.
In 2019, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I chose to leave the security of a corporate position and take a leap of faith to become a full-time entrepreneur. I wanted to build more than a skincare business, I wanted to create a community where people felt seen, educated, empowered, and cared for. I wanted to build a brand that reflected my values, my passion, and my vision for inclusive, results-driven skincare.
Throughout my career, I’ve also had to overcome imposter syndrome. Being one of the few Black estheticians in the industry sometimes made me feel like I had to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged. Over time, I realized that I absolutely deserve to be here. My knowledge, my experience, my results, and the trust my clients place in me speak for themselves.
Those obstacles didn’t hold me back—they shaped me into the esthetician, entrepreneur, and leader I am today. They taught me resilience, strengthened my confidence, and reinforced my commitment to making this industry more inclusive for every client and every future esthetician who comes after me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Glow Wellness Spa is a 100% Black woman-owned boutique wellness spa dedicated to helping women age with confidence because we believe aging is a privilege. We specialize in corrective skincare for women 35 and older, with a focus on hyperpigmentation, acne, menopause-related skin changes, and healthy aging.
We are especially known for our signature HydraFacial experience, which goes beyond a traditional facial. Every treatment is personalized through a comprehensive skin analysis and customized treatment plan designed to help our clients achieve long-term skin health—not just temporary results.
What truly sets us apart is our commitment to education and empowerment. We believe our clients should understand their skin and feel confident caring for it between appointments. We combine clinical skincare with wellness, creating an experience where every client feels seen, heard, and supported.
I’m most proud that Glow Wellness Spa has become more than a place for treatments—it’s a community. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and empower women to invest in themselves, embrace every stage of life, and become the healthiest, most confident version of themselves. Healthy, glowing skin is the result, but confidence is the true transformation.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was definitely a tomboy. With four brothers and one sister, I spent most of my childhood outside. My brother Morris and I were inseparable—we were truly two peas in a pod. Whether we were riding bikes, exploring the neighborhood, or finding our next adventure, I loved being active and enjoying the outdoors.
Some of my favorite memories are gardening with my dad, where he taught me patience, hard work, and an appreciation for nature. On the other hand, I loved spending time with my mom and grandmother, playing in their makeup and watching them take pride in caring for themselves. Looking back, those moments planted the seeds for the career I have today.
I’ve always been curious and loved to read. I enjoyed learning, asking questions, and understanding how things worked—qualities that still drive me as an esthetician and entrepreneur.
Family has always been the center of my life, and my faith has shaped who I am. I grew up in church, and the values of service, compassion, integrity, and perseverance continue to guide me both personally and professionally.
When I reflect on my childhood, I realize it was the perfect blend of adventure, curiosity, faith, and self-care. Those experiences helped shape the woman I am today—a passionate entrepreneur who believes in caring for others, building community, and helping women feel confident from the inside out.
Pricing:
- Hydrafacial Memberships starts at $199
- We offer skin care packages too
Contact Info:
- Website: https://GlowByElleTheSkinDiva.com
- Instagram: GlowByElleTheSkinDiva
