At SkinMD, we celebrate the amazing women we work with every day. Our mission is to provide a safe, positive, and empowering environment for all, and we are incredibly proud of our predominantly female team. Together, they have created welcoming spaces across all of our locations.
As we wrap up International Women’s Month, we’re excited to share a special interview with Katie Murphy – a woman who does it all behind the scenes. As a co-founder of SkinMD, Katie has been instrumental in growing the company alongside Dr. Flashner for the past 10 years. We sat down with her to gain a deeper understanding of her journey, her vision for the company, and what women’s empowerment means to her.
A Conversation with Katie Murphy
How long have you been with SkinMD, and what is your current position?
“I’ve been with SkinMD for 10 years, and I’m currently the COO.”
What is your favorite part about working at SkinMD?
“The people! They’re the key to our success. We have a great group of like-minded, hardworking people. They’re kind, caring, and just completely inspiring to work with every single day.”
What is your favorite service SkinMD offers and why?
“All of them! I’m like a kid in a candy store. Anyone who works for us should try the treatments we offer so they can speak to them effectively. But I think my favorite has to be my weekly DiamondGlow® facials and EMSCULPT® I love my injections and Morpheus8 too!”
Outside of work, what are your interests?
“My family, the beach, traveling, and watching my son play sports. Walking on the treadmill is also so therapeutic for me.”
What are some of your go-to spots on the North Shore?
“Pellana and Daniella’s. We love family dinners, and those are our go-to spots.”
Personal Insights and Inspirations
What is the one thing you like to do to feel beautiful and pamper yourself?
“Weekly DiamondGlow® facials and EMSCULPT®. It’s the best pick-me-up.”
What is your best skincare/health/beauty tip?
“Take time for yourself. Age with confidence! Book the treatments and put the time aside to let yourself look and feel better.”
What events in your life led to starting the business that you’re in now?
“In high school, my priority was shopping, makeup, my friends, and my social life. I wasn’t huge on academics. Senior year, everybody was going to college, and my parents tried to push me in the right direction. They thought I wasn’t ready for traditional college, so they suggested community college. I’ll never forget, I was walking down the stairs in the house I grew up in, and my mom said, ‘You’re so miserable. What do you want to do with your life?’ I said, ‘I don’t know, I love making people feel beautiful.’ She booked me an appointment to tour an esthetics school and get a facial. After that, I went to esthetics school.”
What events in your life led to offering the specific products or treatments that we offer?
“We have such highly engaged employees who all have a voice and share ideas. It’s not just Dr. Flashner and I who bring on new treatments and products. I talk to a lot of women and moms. I used to work at a tanning salon and was in the tanning bed before a Friday night out! Now, being able to correct sun damage and help people age gracefully is so important to me.”
Building SkinMD: The Journey
How do you choose what services to offer at SkinMD?
“We’re constantly out there talking to different counterparts in the industry – device reps, manufacturers. We make it a point to stay ahead of the curve. It’s all about having these relationships in the community and asking questions to figure out what’s coming down the pipeline. Once we know what’s coming, we meet with representatives to understand the equipment and how it can help our patients.”
What led you to pursue medical aesthetics specifically?
“Going back and getting that facial from Penny and touring my esthetics school was an impactful moment for me. I wanted to be ‘the’ expert. I sought the highest level of education to empower myself and kickstart my career. It wasn’t just formal esthetics education – it was being an apprentice to the trade and absorbing everything I could.”
What was a big failure or flop you faced early on?
“Early on, I didn’t really know what I was passionate about. I knew what I wanted to do but wasn’t sure exactly how to pursue it. My mom was there to point me in the right direction. My community college experience was a flop, but it was pivotal. It got me to where I am today.”
What sacrifices did you have to make to get to where you are now?
“Balance. But what is balance? In life, you give as much as you can when you can. I’m lucky to have a strong support system in my family, husband, and child. I do miss out on things, but my husband steps up when I can’t, like going to our son’s baseball games and sending me videos. We’re building out our infrastructure, and I feel supported in my work for our people.”
What have you been able to help people do?
“Watching people grow, develop, win, and advance their careers has been incredible. It’s rewarding to see someone go from a front office coordinator to a management position, or an esthetician become a registered nurse. Seeing people buy houses, cars, go on vacation, get married, and have children is so fulfilling.”
What have you successfully created?
“Our culture here is empowering. We’ve built an environment where our people feel supported and developed. We encourage entrepreneurship and tell our team, ‘We work for you. This is your business, too.’ We celebrate all of the wins.”
Why was SkinMD started?
“SkinMD was started because of our patients. After American Laser Skincare closed in 2015, Dr. Flashner came to me. We knew we had the building blocks—focusing on relationships, customer service, effective treatments, and a great culture. Putting these all together is what has led to the success of SkinMD.”
How did SkinMD start?
“We knew which treatments gave us effective, real results. Whether it’s acne, skin tightening, or eliminating fat, we prioritized our patients and identified what worked. That focus on real results is what set us apart.”
Empowerment and Women’s Leadership
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
“Empowerment and inspiration. Celebrating the achievements of women—my grandmother, my mom, my sisters, and my friends—is a reflection of progress.”
What qualities make a great female leader?
“A great female leader has vision, integrity, empathy, communication, and adaptability. These qualities help leaders motivate and build strong teams. We all make mistakes. We’re human. But learning from those hiccups and working together is key.”
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from another woman?
“One piece of advice that stuck with me came from someone on my team early in my career. I was tough, and she helped me understand the importance of partnering with people and explaining the ‘why’ behind my actions. She gave me a paperweight that still sits on my desk today. It says, ‘Be yourself, because the people that matter don’t mind, and the people that mind don’t matter.'”
Growing up, was there someone who inspired you to become who you are today?
“My parents. Their grit and resilience shaped me. They worked tirelessly to provide for our family despite hardships. Their determination was humbling and instilled a strong work ethic in all of us.”
Why do you think it’s important for women to contribute to this field?
“Women are needed in this field for so many reasons. Our patient base is predominantly female. The empathy and patient care we provide, especially when it comes to aging, are essential. The industry is growing, and it’s crucial to have role models for younger generations of girls who are getting into skincare.”
What challenges do you think women face today in the workforce, and what advice would you give women looking to advance?
“Surround yourself with like-minded, driven people. You need people who want to grow and succeed. Be adaptable because priorities will shift. Balance work and life, and don’t be afraid to pursue your passions.”
What piece of advice would you give to women who want to pursue entrepreneurship?
“Go for it! Surround yourself with good people. It’s about them. Once you figure out your industry and your path, pursue it with fierce conviction. Perseverance and self-belief will get you through. If you love what you’re doing, it’s all worth it.”
Thank You Katie!
Katie’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and hard work. Her story not only inspires those within SkinMD but serves as a beacon of empowerment for women everywhere. Thank you, Katie, for all you do and for continuing to pave the way for the next generation of leaders.