We recently had the chance to connect with Mary Smiley Ford and have shared our conversation below.
Mary, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
’m being called to use my voice more boldly—especially on social media—to address the amount of misinformation circulating in the aesthetics and wellness space. For a long time, I hesitated to speak up because it felt easier to stay in my lane and avoid controversy. But as our industry grows, so does the confusion, the noise, and the lack of clarity for both providers and clients.
I’ve spent years building brands, educating teams, and helping people make informed decisions, and I’m realizing that staying quiet doesn’t serve anyone. I feel called to be more vocal, create clearer guidance, and correct the myths that mislead people or hold them back. Not from a place of judgment, but from a place of responsibility—because if we have the knowledge and the experience, we should share it.
Stepping into that role publicly is something I used to be afraid of. Now, I see it as necessary. My goal is to be a louder, steadier voice of truth in an industry that needs it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m one of the founders and CEO of Smiley Aesthetics, a multi-state medical aesthetics company built on the belief that confidence is a catalyst for personal and professional growth. We started this brand as two injectors with a vision, and over the years it has grown into a community of providers, trainers, and clients who all share a commitment to excellence, education, and elevating others.
What sets Smiley Aesthetics apart is our dual focus: we deliver high-quality aesthetic care to clients, and we also empower medical professionals through training, mentorship, and business support. I’ve built multiple brands and grown Smiley from a local startup into a multimillion-dollar organization, and that journey pushed me to develop new lanes I’m beginning to step into now.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding our training programs, strengthening our provider network, and fostering partnerships that will help us scale with clarity and confidence. My work lives at the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and aesthetics, and I’m excited to help more people build businesses that genuinely change their lives, along with building Smiley to help clients feel confident when they look in the mirror.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one with my identical twin sister, Carla. Growing up with someone who shares your face, your energy, and your milestones creates a bond that’s hard to describe. She has been my built-in teammate, my mirror, and often the person who pushed me to believe I was capable of more than I thought.
At the same time, being an identical twin comes with its own challenges. When you’re so closely connected, it can be difficult to learn how to be your own individual—how to separate your identity, your voice, and your path. Navigating that taught me a lot about independence, self-definition, and choosing who I want to be outside of the “twin” identity.
Carla shaped my confidence, my resilience, and my drive, and she also pushed me to figure out who I am on my own. That combination has influenced every part of how I show up today—as a person, a leader, and a creator
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Being in recovery led me to the answer to this question. I stopped hiding my pain the moment I realized that recovery isn’t about pretending everything is fine—it’s about finally telling the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Also, I would hide recovery because my recovery journey was different than others – and I thought that was not okay either. But it is okay – and while we all share a connection, we are all still unique individuals with unique journeys.
For a long time, I carried things quietly because I thought strength meant being unaffected. But recovery taught me the opposite. It taught me that there’s power in acknowledging what hurt, understanding how it shaped me, and choosing to grow from it instead of being defined by it.
The turning point was when I stopped treating my pain like something to bury and started treating it like something to learn from. Recovery gave me the clarity and courage to turn those experiences into fuel—fuel for leadership, for empathy, for boundaries, and for building a life that feels aligned and honest. My pain stopped being a limitation the moment I let it become a lesson – and lessons I learn should be shared with others. Knowledge is power.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to a belief that has shaped everything I build: courage, consistency, and kindness will outlast every shortcut. I apply this to my work, my leadership, and the way I show up in my community. Courage pushes me to take risks, grow new arms of my business, and step into roles that once felt intimidating. Consistency keeps me grounded; it’s the discipline that turns ideas into impact. And kindness is the through-line. It’s how I lead teams, support providers, and build brands that feel human. If you maintain those three values in anything you do in life – weight loss, building a business, eating healthy, etc – you will eventually succeed and hit your goal. We have to take risks, be consistent, and always be kind to anyone and everyone we meet – because you never know who they are (and how they can maybe impact you) or what they are going through (and how you might impact them)!
No matter how long it takes, I’m committed to building work that reflects those three values and helps others find their own version of success anchored in them.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What light inside you have you been dimming?
I’ve been dimming the light that comes from owning my voice fully—my perspective, my ideas, and the way I lead with courage, consistency, and kindness. For a long time, I kept parts of myself small so I wouldn’t take up too much space or make others uncomfortable. But those three values are exactly what make me who I am. They’re the core of how I build businesses, support people, and move through the world.
I’m learning that my light isn’t something to tone down; it’s something to use. When I show up with courage, stay consistent in my purpose, and lead with kindness, I create the impact I’m meant to have. That’s the light I’m no longer dimming.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://smileyaesthetics.com
- Instagram: @injectorsmiley
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysmileyford/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mary.smiley.31
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@smileyaesthetics
- Other: Patreon – patreon.com/smileyaesthetics
