We were lucky to catch up with Hannah Simms recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hannah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Starting Thrive Med Spa feels like a dream that was built one tiny, intentional step at a time. As a Nurse Practitioner, I fell in love with the artistry behind aesthetics just as much as the science. There’s something so special about helping someone feel aligned with how they see themselves and I knew early on that I wanted to create a space where that transformation felt safe, personal, and uplifting.

From the very beginning, my vision for Thrive was clear. I wanted it to feel warm, welcoming, and rooted in trust. A place where clients felt seen and celebrated through every stage of their skin journey. But building that kind of experience doesn’t happen in isolation. I’ve had the incredible privilege of co-founding Thrive with my sister-in-law, Hope. She believed in the dream just as much as I did and played a huge role in turning it into something real. Together, we built an environment that values connection just as much as outcomes.

Of course, the early days weren’t without challenges. Being young and new in the industry meant that there were moments I felt underestimated, especially when negotiating leases, dealing with contractors, or navigating the parts of business no one warns you about. I had to advocate for myself and the growth of the business constantly. Looking back, those experiences forced me to become stronger, clearer, and more confident in my vision.

Another lesson was learning not to take everything personally. When you pour your whole heart into something, every setback can feel overwhelming. Over time, I realized that those challenges were shaping me far more than the easy moments ever could. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying grounded in my “why.”

If I could go back, I’d remind myself to breathe a little more deeply and to ask for help sooner. I thought doing it all on my own would prove something but in reality, community and mentorship are what make the biggest difference.
For anyone considering starting their own practice, here’s what I wish someone would have told me:

– Know your “why.” It will carry you through every season of uncertainty.
– Start messy if you need to. You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.
– Lead with integrity and education. Clients can feel when your heart is in the right place.
– Learn the business side early. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential for longevity.
– Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Community matters more than you think.

Thrive was built with heart, intention, and a deep love for people and that foundation continues to guide everything we do today.

Hannah, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Hannah, the co-founder and lead injector at Thrive Med Spa, and I’ve always had a passion for helping people feel like the most confident version of themselves. I originally got into aesthetics because I saw how powerful it can be when someone finally feels aligned with how they present themselves to the world. There’s something so meaningful about blending medicine, artistry, and human connection, and that combination is what pulled me into this field and keeps me inspired every single day.

At Thrive, we focus on evidence based treatments that enhance natural features. We provide a range of services including wrinkle relaxers, dermal fillers, Sculptra, RF microneedling, Hydrafacial, wellness injections, and medical-grade skincare. Everything we offer is rooted in safety, education, and results that feel like you, just more refreshed and confident.

One thing that really sets Thrive apart is my approach. I slow down. I listen. I educate. I’m not here to sell you the trending treatment, I’m here to create a plan that actually supports your face, your goals, and your long term confidence. The aesthetics world can feel overwhelming or intimidating, and we’ve built Thrive to be the complete opposite. Clients always tell us they feel comfortable, heard, and cared for the moment they walk in, and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

Another thing that makes us unique is that we focus so much on balance, proportion, and subtle enhancements. We don’t believe in “overdone.” We believe in thoughtful, customized treatment plans that age gracefully with you. Whether someone comes in feeling tired, hollow, uneven, or just unsure where to start, we help them understand what’s happening anatomically and create a solution that’s natural and sustainable.

What I’m most proud of isn’t a specific treatment but it’s the community that has grown around Thrive. The women (and men!) who trust us with their faces, their goals, and their stories. I love when a client leaves the treatment room glowing not just on the outside, but on the inside. That’s the magic of aesthetics done with intention.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about Thrive, it’s that our mission goes far beyond beauty. We’re here to empower confidence in a way that feels genuine, approachable, and elevated. We truly believe that when you feel good in your skin, it impacts every single part of your life; how you show up, how you speak, how you dream. That’s why we do what we do.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that I needed to do everything perfectly and that doing it all on my own somehow made me more “worthy” or legitimate as a business owner. When Hope and I first started Thrive, I felt this huge pressure to prove myself. I wanted every detail to be flawless, every decision to be right, and every part of the business to be handled by me. I thought that was what successful people did. But over time, I have realized that perfection isn’t what builds a meaningful business. People do. Community does. Collaboration does. And sometimes “done” is better than “perfect.”

I had to unlearn the idea that I needed to have it all figured out on my own. I learned that letting people support you, whether that’s a mentor, a friend, or a team member, doesn’t make you weaker; it makes you stronger. It frees you up to focus on the things that matter most: connection, intention, and the heart behind your work.

Letting go of perfection has allowed me to grow, to create, and to build Thrive into something much bigger than what I could have done alone. And honestly, it’s made the journey so much lighter and so much more beautiful.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Aside from training and technical skill, I think the biggest factor in succeeding in aesthetics is having a genuine passion for people. Techniques can be taught, but truly caring about your clients, their stories, their insecurities, their goals, their confidence, is something that can’t be faked.

When someone sits in your treatment chair, they’re trusting you with something very personal. It’s never just about a wrinkle, a sunspot, or a syringe of filler. It’s about how they want to feel when they look in the mirror. It’s about being heard, understood, and supported.

When you lead with compassion and curiosity, the whole experience changes. You listen differently. You educate differently. You create plans that are thoughtful and customized, not trendy or rushed. And clients can feel that. They know when you’re invested in them as a person, not just a patient.

That genuine connection is what makes the work meaningful, and ironically, it’s what creates the most beautiful, natural results. When you truly understand someone’s face, their expressions, their personality, and their goals, you’re able to enhance them in a way that looks like them, only more confident.

In this field, skill matters but I think heart matters just as much. And I think that’s what sets great providers apart: a real, authentic passion for people and the impact confidence can have on their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cincinnatithrive.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive.medspa/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557444422858