Just one year ago, Hosted Aesthetics was nothing more than a phone call, a business plan, and a lot of determination.
On September 2nd, 2024, I picked up the phone to a supplier I knew well and pitched them an idea I wasn’t even sure would work. At that point, I had a basic website, some collateral, and a vision for doing things differently.
The plan was simple: start small, approach the people who knew and trusted me, and see if anyone else believed in what I was building.
Did Hosted turn out exactly as I’d planned? Slightly.
Did I hear more no’s than yes’? Absolutely.
Were there days I thought it wouldn’t work? 100%.
On those days, Joe would tell me: “Keep going, Cork. One foot in front of the other. Just make it happen.”
And somehow, that feeling - that it was down to me to make it work - didn’t intimidate me. It didn’t stress me out. It excited me. If I put enough into it, I could turn the vision into reality.
From an idea on a page to being called innovators, disruptors, and game-changers - Hosted has grown into something far bigger than I imagined.
On a personal level, Joe and I have built not just a business, but a life we love. We work together, parent together, play Padel together - and laugh every single day.
On a professional level, we’ve changed the way suppliers and clinics connect. Hosted has proven that when you listen, innovate, and lead with heart, you can build something truly different.
We’ve realised that beyond connection, there’s a huge need to support established clinic owners in growing as business leaders. That’s why in just one year we’ve launched Hosted, to connect, and the Leadership Summit, to educate and empower.
It’s been fun, terrifying, and exhilarating all at once - full of crazy highs, low points of doubt, and more learning than I ever thought possible.
Looking back, Hosted has grown just as much from the challenges as from the wins. Here’s what the first year has taught me:
Listen more than you assume
Our best ideas didn’t come from what I thought the industry needed, but from what people told me. The Leadership Summit itself was born out of hundreds of conversations with clinic owners about their growth plans and the gaps in support for established businesses.
Storytelling is everything
At first, Hosted was “an event.” Then it became what it truly is: a personalised shopping experience for clinics and suppliers. That shift changed everything.
No’s are feedback, not rejection
Every “no” gave me insight that helped refine the pitch, the model, or the positioning. Rejection wasn’t the end - it was the redirection.
Progress beats perfection
We didn’t wait until everything was flawless. We launched, learned, pivoted, and grew. By the time most people would still be planning, we were already running with a working concept.
Ask the right questions
The answers are always out there - the key is asking the right questions to the right people. Advisors, suppliers, and our clinical board have been instrumental in shaping Hosted. Growth is never a solo effort.
Adopt a win–win attitude
From the beginning, we built Hosted to create value for both suppliers and clinics. If one side wins and the other doesn’t, it won’t last. True win–win builds trust, loyalty, and long-term partnerships.
Inspire one another
One of the greatest joys of Hosted has been watching people inspire each other. By bringing the right people together, collaborations spark, ideas are shared, and the future direction of businesses is reshaped.
Own your niche
We didn’t try to compete with everyone. We found an unserved gap and committed to serving that group wholeheartedly - and that’s where the magic happened.
Collaborate relentlessly
Connection is our superpower. Helping people meet, share, and build together has been at the heart of the Hosted community.
Celebrate the small wins
The first yes. The first rebook. The first time someone called us “game-changing.” Those moments mattered just as much as the bigger milestones.
Keep perspective
We work hard - but we don’t save lives. That reminder helps me lead with balance, kindness, and fun.
Hosted at one feels like the end of the beginning. If this is what can be achieved in a year, imagine what’s next. Thank you to everyone who has believed in us, supported us, and been part of this journey so far.
We’re only just getting started.
Courtney x
