Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Temple.
Hi Kelly, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
One of my first real esthetics jobs was waxing full-time in 2016, and I got fired. That one stung. But you live and you learn.
I opened my own studio because I wanted to get back into skincare — and honestly, I wanted freedom. I was 25. I wanted to party, I wanted to do things on my own terms.
I opened my first real location in 2020 and started building a team, and something shifted. I was ready to try being more responsible, to actually grow this thing into a business.
Then COVID happened.
We pushed through. I slowly grew a small team around me, and in 2022 I was able to open a second location focused on corrective skincare. By 2026, we expanded that location enough to bring everything back under one roof — closing the first spot and coming together as one. Full circle.
And through all of this — all of it — I had no idea how hard owning a business would actually be. The therapy. The healing. Growing my skills and my knowledge. Having hard conversations. Hiring the wrong people. Overpaying people. Figuring out which one I was doing wrong at any given time.
I’m finally getting a grasp on things this year. It’s a big year for our numbers, and I’m really happy with the systems I’ve built and the team I have. What I love most now is teaching and educating other estheticians — helping them grow as providers while still supporting the business as a whole.
So how did I get here? A lot of therapy. Support from my people. And a whole lot of “I have no idea what I’m doing.”
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Smooth? No. Not even close.
Numbers have been my biggest ongoing struggle. I’ve never been rolling in it. I’ve loaned the business a lot of my own paycheck over the years just to keep things moving — which is something nobody really tells you about when you open your own business. This year I’m finally getting clear on that and building real financial boundaries between me and the business.
Leadership was another one. At first I thought I was good at it, but the truth is I was just being too nice. No boundaries. Saying yes to everything. Letting things slide because I didn’t want to be the bad guy. I’ve had to learn how to develop real boundaries, speak up when something isn’t right, and still be kind while doing it. That balance doesn’t come naturally — you have to work at it.
And then there’s the hiring piece. I’ve hired people who thought they could run my business better than me. That was always the worst. Nothing will humble you faster than realizing someone you brought onto your team doesn’t respect what you built.
But I’d love to know what business owner has actually said yes to this question — that it’s been smooth.
Please give me their number.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TEMPLE?
We’re rooted in ritual and designed for results. TEMPLE is not your average day spa. We’re a cut above — in our skills, our atmosphere, and the experience you walk into. It’s a place you can find home at.
I’m proud of building a brand that invites our clients to become family. That’s not just a cute thing to say — it’s how we operate. You walk in and you feel it.
But what I’m MOST proud of is building out my esthetics team and the training behind it. I’ve been training since day one, and I’ve gotten so strong in it that other spas are now inviting me to come teach their teams. That’s so cool to me. I never planned for that — it just grew out of doing the work.
And here’s what I want you to know — there is nothing you should skip out on at TEMPLE. Massage, facials, skincare, head spa, lash and brow services — all of it. And I mean this — each one is such a unique experience that touches a different part of your soul. Every single one.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
What a cute turn of a question.
Pool days in my meme’s backyard. I loved swimming, and she always had food and love and family waiting. Those were the absolute best days, and I wish I could have them back as an adult just so I could really understand what it all meant and what it felt like. You don’t know how good it is when you’re in it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thisistemple.com
- Instagram: thisis.temple
