Story & Lesson Highlights with Courtney Stone Smith of Columbus

We recently had the chance to connect with Courtney Stone Smith and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Courtney, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Who are you learning from right now?
I’m learning from my children right now. I have a 13 year-old girl and a 6 year-old boy. I ask my children a lot of questions around their minds. I love to hear how theirs work. When it comes to solving problems I ask them open-ended questions about how they could solve them. I also get curious about the why behind their feelings. I’m always amazed with how they respond. If we sit and ask our children intentional questions about their lives it brings so much perspective. We adults forget to be child-like with our responses and seeing things through a younger version of ourselves can be so powerful. Sometimes their answers are deep and other times they’re simple. This reminds me to not overthink things at times and also dig deeper with the meaning behind a certain emotion I am experiencing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Courtney Stone Smith and I am a mother, wife, and the owner of Sur(real) Style with Courtney. I am a self-published author, Certified Personal Stylist with a BS in Psychology, an MFA in Fashion Merchandising, and a Fashion Certificate through ReMake.

My brand is all about empowering people over 40 to embrace themselves fully—flaws, quirks, and all. I encourage exploration and the use of music and movement as simple tools to reconnect with joy and presence. Style becomes the pathway for self-expression, a way to see yourself through a new, more compassionate lens.

Authenticity is at the heart of uncovering someone’s style identity. Sometimes it takes digging a little deeper, other times it’s just about remembering who you’ve always been. My work goes beyond the surface—it’s not a transaction, but a true transformation. Styling with me is the finishing touch to the personal growth and self-discovery people are already embracing in their lives.

This month, I launched my Sur(real) Style Method, a year-long journey where I walk beside you as your style guide. It’s not just about clothing—it’s about clarity, growth, and celebrating the beauty of who you are in this season of life. It’s about exploration, empowerment, and finding freedom in your own expression.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I used to believe I was too shy to truly accomplish big things. I thought in order to achieve greater things I needed to be louder and popular. It wasn’t until I joined the workforce and experienced growth in my positions that I realized that was not the case. Once I started understanding the power of calmness I was able to harness that feeling and use it to my advantage as a leader. I was patient and a stronger person because of it.

What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I changed my mind around the actual word failure. I used to think of it as this negative, dreadful word. Now I know that failure is actually a shift to the better version of life for myself. I believe in God and that whatever “failures” I experience are actually the part of me that is trying to control things. I believe God uses failures as a way to take back the driver seat and remind me that He is in control.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
Of course, fads come and go—but the beauty of them is that they give us space to experiment. Without them, how would we discover what truly resonates with us and what doesn’t? Many times, the practices themselves aren’t new at all—it’s just the language or the buzzwords that change. And sometimes we need to hear things phrased in just the right way for it to click and connect with our spirit.

Spirituality is a perfect example. What nourishes one person may not nourish another, and that’s the beauty of it—there are endless paths to explore. Even practices that have existed for centuries can suddenly feel “fad-like” when they trend on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. For some, it may turn into a temporary phase; they try it, realize it isn’t sustainable for their lifestyle, and move on. But even then, it served a purpose: it led them closer to the foundation that truly supports who they are.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
There are many ways I find peace. I feel it when I’m near the water on vacation, taking time to reflect while listening to the waves or watching the trees sway. I feel it when I journal, giving gratitude and letting go of worries. I feel it when music moves me to get up and dance, or when I’m snuggled close with my kids, and embracing my husband. Peace lives in so many small, ordinary moments—we just have to notice it as it’s happening.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://surrealstylewithcourtney.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/surrealstylewithcourtney
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-stone-smith-586a3237/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surrealstylewithcourtney

Image Credits
Stephanie Stone