Royal Glow Beauty and Esthetics is more than a spa—it’s a symbol of personal transformation, empowerment, and local community impact.
On her first day of esthetics school, Kim Foerster sat in a classroom surrounded by students nearly half her age. “I remember thinking, what am I doing here?”she says. At 39, she had just left a 20-year banking career and was facing the uncertainty of starting over. The doubt was real, but so was her determination — and that uneasy beginning would spark the launch of Royal Glow Beauty & Estheticsin Boardman, Ohio.
From Banking to Beauty: Kim’s Second Act
By mid 2021, Kim’s career in banking had run its course. After years managing branches and working in mortgages, the industry’s shifting demands — and eventually, a layoff — forced her to rethink her future.
What many people didn’t know was that Kim had always had another passion. As a child in pageants, she saw how makeup and skincare could transform confidence. That experience gave her an eye for detail and a belief in the power of presentation. Over the years, she became the go-to for spray tans and pageant makeup, eventually earning Norvell certification in 2020.
Still, turning that side passion into a full career felt risky. “I worried constantly if I’d wasted 20 years and if anyone would even book with me,”Kim admits. But instead of returning to a career that no longer fit, she chose to build something new. She enrolled in esthetics school at 39, earned her license by 40, and within a year, opened Royal Glow. Today, at 42, she runs a five-room boutique spa that blends her love for beauty with her talent for connection.
A Boutique Spa with a Personal Touch
Kim built Royal Glow to feel different from the chain spas she’d experienced — less rushed, more personal. Every client starts with a conversation about their skin, lifestyle, and goals. From there, treatments are tailored in the moment.
Her signature offerings include anti-aging facials that incorporate LED light therapy to boost collagen, dermaplaning for instant smoothness, and customized acne treatments for teens and adults. Spray tanning — one of Kim’s earliest specialties — remains popular with pageant contestants, brides, and women looking for a healthy glow year-round.
Clients notice the difference. “Kim made me feel completely comfortable, and my skin has never looked better,”one regular shared.
Community at the Core
But Royal Glow isn’t just about services — it’s about community. Kim envisioned a space where women entrepreneurs could support one another instead of competing.
She rents treatment rooms to other independent professionals — a nail technician, lash artist, and massage therapist — and makes collaboration part of the culture. They cross-promote each other on social media, share referrals, and brainstorm new ideas together over coffee between clients. “When one of us has a challenge, we problem-solve together,”Kim says. “That’s the power of women backing women.”
This collaborative model has earned attention locally, from a ribbon-cutting with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber to mentions in area media. But Kim says her proudest validation comes from clients who return again and again — not just for the treatments, but for the atmosphere of encouragement and care.
What Other Women Can Take Away
Kim’s story isn’t just about beauty — it’s about the possibility of starting over. For women considering their own pivot, she shares three lessons:
- Your old skills still matter.“Banking taught me organization, customer service, and how to build trust. I use those skills every single day.”
- Find your circle.Having a supportive network of fellow women in business gave her confidence when she doubted herself.
- Age isn’t a deadline.“At 39, I felt late to the game. But clients don’t care how old you are — they care that you care about them.”
Confidence, Not Just Skincare
For Kim, Royal Glow is more than a spa. It’s a place where women can recharge, reconnect, and remember their own strength. “Yes, I want you to leave with glowing skin,”she says. “But more than that, I want you to walk out with your head held high.”
Royal Glow is her reminder — and her gift to others — that reinvention is possible at any stage in life. Today, the business stands not only as a beauty destination but as a community hub where confidence is restored, friendships are built, and possibilities open up.
Learn more atroyalglow.netor see our reviews on Google.
