Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Lester.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, where I spent my childhood surrounded by family, friends, and the vibrant culture of the city. I graduated from Edward H. White High School in 2015, and then pursued my higher education at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina, proudly graduating in 2019. After college, I spent three years living in North Carolina before returning to Jacksonville to start the next chapter of my life.
Returning home came with its challenges. I faced a lot of mental health struggles and had to rebuild my life from the ground up. During this time, I realized how much I had forgotten about myself, my self-care, and the small luxuries that make life joyful. This period of reflection and growth became the catalyst for creating Elements by Co, a skincare line that includes body butters, body oils, soaps, and scrubs.
The purpose behind Elements by Co is personal and heartfelt: to remind people to take time for themselves, indulge in self-care, and embrace the small luxuries of life that can bring confidence, comfort, and joy. Every product is crafted with care, inspired by my journey, and meant to help others reconnect with themselves while celebrating the little moments of everyday luxury.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth. After graduating from Edward H. White High School in 2015, I left my hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, to attend Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. I graduated in 2019 and spent about three years living there before moving back home to Jacksonville. Coming back was one of the hardest transitions of my life. I had to completely start over — emotionally, mentally, and financially.
During that time, I went through deep struggles with my mental health that led me to one of my lowest points, a suicide attempt. That period forced me to face myself and realize how disconnected I had become from who I was. Healing wasn’t easy, but it was transformative. I learned how important it is to care for yourself not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually too.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Elements by Co is a handcrafted skincare brand built around the belief that self-care should feel intentional, healing, and luxurious without being complicated. I specialize in creating body butters, body oils, scrubs, and soaps made with nourishing ingredients that leave the skin feeling soft, healthy, and deeply cared for. Each product is designed not just to moisturize the skin but to restore confidence and remind people, especially women, to slow down and pour back into themselves.
What sets Elements by Co apart is the energy and emotion behind it. Every product is made with love, mindfulness, and purpose inspired by my own journey of rebuilding and rediscovering self-worth. I want my customers to feel seen, celebrated, and reminded that they deserve softness in every sense of the word.
I’m most proud of how much my community connects with my brand. Hearing that someone’s skin feels amazing, or that my products have become part of their daily self-care ritual, means everything to me. It’s more than skincare — it’s a reminder to love yourself through the little things.
What I want readers to know is that Elements by Co isn’t just about glowing skin it’s about creating moments of peace, gratitude, and joy. Every jar, every bar, and every drop is made to help you feel good in your own skin, inside and out.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something surprising that most people don’t know about me is that I’m actually a homebody at heart. While I love connecting with people through Elements by Co, my favorite place to be is in my kitchen, cooking, experimenting with new recipes, and creating comfort in simple moments. I find peace in those quiet times at home, and I think that love for warmth and comfort naturally finds its way into my brand. The same care I put into making a meal is the same care I put into every product it’s all about creating something that nourishes and makes people feel good.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://elementsbyco.store
- Instagram: Elementsbyco_
- Youtube: MsCourtneyAlexa
