How Courtney Shields Pitched an Innovative Clean Beauty Product Over Dinner and Turned It Into a Reality
Courtney Shields is the definition of a glow-getter.
Six years ago, she was a singer-songwriter looking to break into the music industry when she decided to take the leap and launch a blog to share her beauty and fitness tips. What originally started out as a passion project quickly proved to be a profitable business.
Fast-forward to today and that humble blog is now a multifaceted platform reaching thousands of daily readers and over 680K Instagram followers. It should come as no surprise that Shields has collaborated with all the major beauty brands, and this month, she launched her very first product, Glow Hour, with the innovative clean beauty brand TULA.
Like many of the best beauty products, the idea for Glow Hour was born from a personal need. Unable to find a brightening under-eye treatment she loved, Shields decided to create it herself—and she found the perfect in a brand she’d worked with for years: TULA. One evening while at a work dinner with reps for the brand, she took a sip of her wine, made the pitch, and the rest is history.
At Create & Cultivate’s recent Digital Beauty and Self-Care Summit, Maya Allen, a beauty editor at Marie Claire, virtually sat down with Shields to learn more about her multi-hyphenate career and her latest venture in the competitive clean beauty industry, including the night she summoned the courage to pitch the idea to TULA over tapas and wine.
Scroll on for all of the most memorable moments from the conversation, and be sure to grab a notebook and a pen because you’re going to want to write these quotes down.
On launching a beauty blog…
“I love helping women feel more confident.” - Courtney Shields
On cultivating inner beauty…
“Inside out, outside in.” - Courtney Shields
On partnering with TULA on Glow Hour…
“Choosing TULA was super easy for me.” - Courtney Shields
“I’ve been using their products for 5 years.” - Courtney Shields
“I wanted to work so closely with the team to create something from the ground up.” - Courtney Shields
“I didn’t want to just white label something, I wanted to be a part of the process.” - Courtney Shields
On the importance of getting started...
“You can always pivot as you go, but just start.” - Courtney Shields
On forging ahead during COVID…
“You can look at 2020 two ways. One way is you can choose to complain and feel stuck and frustrated, or you can use 2020 as an opportunity for growth.” - Courtney Shields
“There’s power in our perspective.” - Maya Allen
On not paying attention to the number of followers, likes, or comments…
“If you are seeking outside validation, you’re never going to be happy.” - Courtney Shields
On seeking work-life balance…
“You can have it all, but you can’t have it all at once.” - Courtney Shields
On prioritizing self-care…
“Go for the walk, take the bath, do whatever fills you up, otherwise you’re pouring from an empty cup.” - Courtney Shields
On standing out in a saturated space…
“You have to do what you’re passionate about.” - Courtney Shields
“Standing out in a saturated space is all about being yourself and being authentic.” - Courtney Shields
“If you start trying to emulate what everyone else is doing, you’re on an uphill battle.” - Courtney Shields
“Looking inward, figuring out what feels good to you, and then doing that full-force is so important.” - Maya Allen
On navigating negativity and naysayers…
“I’m not a jar of Nutella, I can't please everyone, no matter what I do.” - Courtney Shields
On the best advice she’s ever received…
“Don’t procrastinate. You’ve got to get it done eventually, so might as well do it now.” - Courtney Shields
On her purpose…
“Walking through hard shit and showing people that you can still do hard things with a positive attitude and come out on the other side.” - Courtney Shields
On not paying attention to the number of followers, likes, or comments…
“If you are seeking outside validation, you’re never going to be happy.” - Courtney Shields
On seeking work-life balance…
“You can have it all, but you can’t have it all at once.” - Courtney Shields
On prioritizing self-care…
“Go for the walk, take the bath, do whatever fills you up, otherwise you’re pouring from an empty cup.” - Courtney Shields
On standing out in a saturated space…
“You have to do what you’re passionate about.” - Courtney Shields
“Standing out in a saturated space is all about being yourself and being authentic.” - Courtney Shields
“If you start trying to emulate what everyone else is doing, you’re on an uphill battle.” - Courtney Shields
“Looking inward, figuring out what feels good to you, and then doing that full-force is so important.” - Maya Allen
On navigating negativity and naysayers…
“I’m not a jar of Nutella, I can't please everyone, no matter what I do.” - Courtney Shields
On the best advice she’s ever received…
“Don’t procrastinate. You’ve got to get it done eventually, so might as well do it now.” - Courtney Shields
On her purpose…
“Walking through hard shit and showing people that you can still do hard things with a positive attitude and come out on the other side.” - Courtney Shields