Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Mandell.
Hi Kimberly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey into aesthetics actually began more than 20 years ago when I worked at a dermatology and plastic surgery practice while earning my degree in Communications. Being surrounded by cosmetic medicine sparked a passion that stayed with me for years. Later, I returned to school to earn my nursing degree and spent years building my clinical experience while continuing to pursue my dream of working in aesthetics.
When I decided to open DesignHer MedSpa, I started with very little—no established client base, no storefront, and no guarantees. I rented a pop-up treatment space by the day and initially worked only one or two days a month while maintaining my full-time hospital nursing position. Every patient, every appointment, and every opportunity was built from the ground up through hard work, word-of-mouth referrals, and a commitment to delivering exceptional results.
Over time, that small side business grew into an award-winning medspa serving clients throughout Central Texas. The journey has required faith, perseverance, and countless sacrifices, but it has also given me the opportunity to build a business that aligns with my passion for helping people look and feel their best. Today, I’m proud to be a business owner, nurse injector, wife, and mother, showing others that with dedication and consistency, it’s possible to turn a dream into reality.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. Like most entrepreneurs, I’ve faced plenty of challenges along the way. Starting with zero clients was one of the biggest hurdles. In the beginning, I was renting a treatment space by the day and only seeing patients one or two days a month while continuing to work full-time as a hospital nurse. Building trust, growing a client base, and establishing my name in a competitive industry took time, consistency, and a lot of perseverance.
There were moments when balancing business ownership, nursing, marriage, motherhood, and financial responsibilities felt overwhelming. As a solo business owner, every success and every setback falls on you. But each challenge taught me valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying focused on my long-term vision.
Looking back, those struggles helped shape the business I have today. They taught me to appreciate every client, every milestone, and every opportunity to grow. While the road hasn’t been smooth, I wouldn’t change the journey because it has made both me and my business stronger.
We’ve been impressed with DesignHer Medspa, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
DesignHer MedSpa is a boutique medical aesthetics practice dedicated to helping clients look and feel their best through personalized, natural-looking results. As a registered nurse injector with over 20 years of exposure to the dermatology, plastic surgery, and aesthetics industry, I bring both clinical expertise and an artistic eye to every treatment plan.
We offer a wide range of advanced aesthetic services including injectables, biostimulators, laser treatments, microneedling, chemical peels, skin rejuvenation, and customized treatment plans designed to address each client’s unique goals. While we provide many services, we are especially known for facial balancing, full-face rejuvenation, and creating natural enhancements that help clients look refreshed—not overdone.
What sets DesignHer MedSpa apart is the personalized experience each client receives. As a solo provider, every consultation, treatment, and follow-up is performed by me. Clients are never treated like a number or rushed through an appointment. I take the time to educate, build trust, and create individualized treatment plans that align with each person’s goals, budget, and comfort level.
One of the things I’m most proud of is the reputation we’ve built through genuine relationships and exceptional patient outcomes. Much of our growth has come through word-of-mouth referrals, which I believe is one of the greatest compliments a business can receive. I’m also incredibly proud to have been recognized as Central Texas’ Best Day Spa and Laser Hair Removal Facility for 2025.
At its core, DesignHer MedSpa is about more than aesthetics. Our mission is to help clients feel confident, empowered, and comfortable in their own skin. We believe beauty isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about enhancing your natural features and helping you become the best version of yourself.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Yes—here are a few things I genuinely rely on that help me stay grounded, motivated, and continue growing both personally and in business:
I’m a big believer in learning from people who are doing things at a high level, especially in entrepreneurship and mindset. Podcasts like “The Ed Mylett Show” and “The School of Greatness” by Lewis Howes are ones I often listen to because they focus heavily on discipline, mindset, and building something meaningful while balancing life.
For business structure, marketing, and scaling ideas, I’ve also learned a lot from GlossGenius resources and community content, especially around client experience, retention, and streamlining operations in aesthetics.
Book-wise, I tend to gravitate toward anything that reinforces resilience and mindset. “Atomic Habits” by James Clear has been one of the most practical and impactful reads for building consistency in both business and personal life. I also like books that focus on leadership and confidence, because so much of entrepreneurship is mental.
On the personal side, I try to keep things simple and consistent—planning my week, staying organized, and making time for faith, family, and rest when I can. Honestly, some of the most helpful “resources” are also my day-to-day systems: staying disciplined with scheduling, client follow-up, and protecting time for both work and home life.
At the end of the day, I think the biggest resource is staying connected to purpose—remembering why I started and who I’m doing it for.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.designhermedspa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designher_nurse_injector?igsh=OGdianhrbmI0cTV2&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D7buNwKBG/?mibextid=wwXIfr
