Her Story
About Courtney
Courtney Ward serves as the practice representative director at Optimum Chiropractic in Des Moines, Iowa. With nearly eight years of experience in healthcare marketing, including six and a half to seven years in her current role, she conducts community outreach, organizes free screening events, and educates local businesses about chiropractic services. Prior to entering healthcare, she worked as a retail manager and makeup artist in the beauty industry after earning her aesthetics license. She holds a Bachelor's of Fine Art from the University of Iowa. Outside her primary career, Courtney co-owns an art business called You and Me with her husband, where they create and sell glass and metal jewelry, nightlights, and other whimsical pieces at vendor events and markets. She is a member of chambers in West Des Moines and Urbandale through her art business. Courtney attributes her success to maintaining a positive attitude and the values of hard work and integrity instilled by her parents, while personally prioritizing family and dependability.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Courtney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to waking up every day with a positive attitude and looking at life with the glass half full. I reflect on my life and value what I have because there are so many people that are less fortunate. My parents instilled great values of hard work, determination, following through, being positive, helping your neighbor, and just being friendly and being able to talk to people.
02What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
It's not easy to go out into the community and talk to random people. It can be discouraging to hear people tell you no over and over and over again. But you can hear 10 no's and get a yes, and you can see that person come in to the clinic and see the change that we have made in their lives. You have to wear alligator skin, and let things just roll off, because if you take it personally, you're not going to be able to help those people that really need help.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Personally, family is very important to me. Having family close by or even just friends close by is definitely something that is a huge part of my life. Being there for them, being caring and helpful, being dependable. Professionally, integrity is huge, following through and doing what you say you're going to do, holding everything to a high standard, focusing on the result in every task, and owning and being accountable for your actions.
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