We were lucky to catch up with Courtney Lockridge recently and have shared our conversation below.
Courtney, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My resilience comes from a deep sense of responsibility to bridge the gap I saw growing up. I was fortunate to have support and access to opportunities, but I also saw how many others didn’t — simply because of where they were born or the circumstances they were in. That contrast lit a fire in me early on. It made me want to use what I had — my voice, my resources, my time — to help level the playing field. Every time I face a challenge, I remind myself that the work I’m doing is bigger than me. That perspective keeps me grounded, focused, and determined to keep pushing forward.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the founder of two deeply purpose-driven ventures — Impact LA, a nonprofit dedicated to community empowerment and food security, and Shaped Secretz, a body sculpting and wellness business focused on helping individuals feel confident and supported in their bodies.
With Impact LA, I’m most passionate about creating access — whether that’s through free meals for kids, essential item drives for families, or youth programs that give our kids the tools and inspiration to dream bigger. We’re currently preparing for our 6th Annual Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway on August 2nd, where we’ll distribute over 1,000 backpacks filled with supplies, offer free haircuts, and host a day full of resources and community connection.
On the business side, Shaped Secretz is my love letter to confidence and healing. We provide non-invasive body sculpting services and post-op care that support both physical transformation and emotional restoration. What sets us apart is our commitment to treating the whole person — offering a safe, affirming space for individuals navigating weight loss, surgery recovery, or body image struggles.
What’s exciting is that both ventures are expanding. Impact LA is growing its food recovery program and working toward opening our 9 week summer camp in 2026. Meanwhile, Shaped Secretz is laying the groundwork to become a full-scale MedSpa.
At the heart of it all is my belief in equity, healing, and the power of community. Whether I’m showing up as a nonprofit leader or a business owner, my goal is the same: to make people feel seen, supported, and stronger than they were yesterday.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are vision, adaptability, and relationship-building.
Vision gave me the ability to see beyond current circumstances — to imagine what could be instead of being limited by what is. Whether it was launching a nonprofit from the ground up or expanding a business in a saturated market, having a clear “why” helped guide every step. For anyone just starting out, I’d say: protect your vision, but let it grow with you. Write it down, revisit it often, and don’t be afraid if it evolves over time.
Adaptability kept me moving forward through the unknown. In both nonprofit and business work, plans change, funding falls through, people come and go — but your mission can stay steady if you stay flexible. My advice is to get comfortable with discomfort. Learn to pivot quickly and treat every challenge as a classroom. There’s no straight path, and that’s okay.
Relationship-building has been the most powerful currency in everything I do. From community partners and clients to volunteers and funders — nothing meaningful gets done alone. Building genuine relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared purpose has opened more doors than any marketing plan ever could. If you’re early in your journey, start now: show up, ask questions, listen more than you speak, and follow through. People remember how you make them feel — so lead with integrity and heart.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me was model consistency and values. They showed me, through their actions, what it means to show up — for your family, your work, and your community. They didn’t just talk about responsibility, kindness, or excellence — they lived it. That example shaped the way I lead today. It taught me that impact doesn’t come from grand gestures alone, but from doing the small things with intention, over and over again. Their steady presence gave me the foundation to dream big while staying grounded — and for that, I’ll always be grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ImpactLA.org
- Instagram: @mrschocl8
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneypeters/
- Other: https://www.ShapedSecretz.com
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
