Medical Spa Insider: Recent Episodes
American Med Spa Association - AmSpa
AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, takes an in-depth look at today's aesthetic entrepreneurs and what makes them successful.
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Tiersch sits down with Hugo Fernandez, CEO of Just Digital Inc., for an eye-opening conversation on the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and medical spa marketing.
With 14 years in the digital space, Hugo shares how recent breakthroughs in agentic AI, changing search engine behaviors, and shifting algorithms are fundamentally altering how patients find and book aesthetic providers. But while technology continues to shift, the foundation of a successful medical spa remains the same: authentic human experiences, solid technical setups, and strong patient relationships.
Whether you're curious about how AI agents will handle future appointment scheduling or looking for simple ways to make your practice crawlable and discoverable online, this episode offers practical, high-level insights for every practice owner. Topics include:
- The AI Resurgence: How new AI tools act as an "amplifier" for creative, operational, and marketing efficiency.
- Human Experience as Original Content: Why real, unique stories in your treatment room are your greatest defense against generic "AI slop".
- The Future of Discovery: How AI platforms (like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini) crawl websites, reviews, and Google profiles to make hyper-personalized recommendations to users.
- Agentic AI & Direct Bookings: What to expect as AI agents begin interacting directly with calendars, EMRs, and patient schedules.
- Technical Marketing Fundamentals: Why structured FAQs, location clarity, schema markup, and proper source tracking still matter more than ever.
In this special episode of Medical Spa Insider, recorded live during Medical Spa Show weekend, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with four prominent female leaders driving innovation and excellence across the medical aesthetics industry: Marlee Bruno, Melanie Speed, Shakira Cabrera, and Limor Weinberg (joined by Chloe Cell).
Together, they explore the personal and professional evolutions required to transition from clinical backgrounds—including emergency medicine, trauma reconstructive surgery, and primary care—into successful med spa ownership, coaching, and international training.
Key themes covered in this episode:
- Marlee Bruno shares her transition from ER medicine to owning a med spa, master life coaching, and the importance of "bootcamp-style" training for serious aesthetic providers.
- Melanie Speed breaks down the unique, filler-dominated demographic of Las Vegas and Beverly Hills, the shift toward youthful preventative treatments, and the critical need for industry training standards to avoid poor outcomes.
- Shakira Cabrera discusses leveraging a background in level-1 trauma plastic surgery to build systems-driven med spas, topically applied regenerative therapies, and educating practice owners on business sustainability.
- Limor Weinberg & Chloe Cell discuss the power of drive, shameless networking, and turning clinical expertise into scalable educational platforms like Limor’s national Lip Recipes tour.
Is your practice set up to keep running smoothly during rough times?
In this episode, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch connects with Candace Noonan, Director of Education at Derma Concepts (the exclusive U.S. distributor of Environ Skin Care). Together, they dive into the economic realities currently impacting medical aesthetics—from rising global import costs and tariffs to shifting consumer spending habits. Candace explains why discounting product prices in a results-driven practice erodes perceived value and devalues clinical outcomes. Instead, she outlines how business owners can reframe retail around comprehensive, protocol-based treatment plans and strategic bundling.
02:17 Industry sentiment about economic shifts
05:30 The dangers of discounting products
08:00 A strategy for absorbing overhead
14:24 Maintaining operational discipline
18:00 Building on the legacy of Environ
23:40 Streamlining to build long-term systems
In this jam-packed episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with three leading aesthetic and wellness innovators at the Medical Spa Show to explore the massive shift toward longevity medicine, functional health, and internal wellness.
First, Dr. Johnny Franco opens up about his personal 100-pound weight loss journey using GLP-1 medications and how he is pioneering treatment protocols to address "aesthetic maturity issues" like skin laxity and volume loss in younger patients. Next, Dr. Sabrina Fabi dives into hormonal optimization, sharing the fascinating neurobiology behind oxytocin receptors, topical hormone wellness, and why looking good is directly linked to how we feel. Finally, Dr. Maxwell Jen shares his journey from emergency medicine to founding Umi Anti-Aging, explaining why he runs a completely filler-free practice and how he balances cutting-edge international treatments with strict US regulatory frameworks.
01:20 The GLP-1 Patient Journey & "Aesthetic Maturity"
04:46 Proactive Treatment Protocols
10:48 The Aesthetic/Longevity Merger
17:41 The Science of Topical Oxytocin
24:56 From Emergency Medicine to Foundational Health
34:56Navigating International Innovations & Regulatory Compliance
In this episode, Alex sits down with Sheila Barbarino, MD, FAAO, FAACS, FACS to talk about the fast-moving world of aesthetic medicine and what’s coming next. They discuss how international travel and research are helping shape new treatment options, from emerging fillers to the next generation of neurotoxins. The conversation dives into practical medical-legal safety advice, including how small daily habits can protect both patients and practices. Finally, the episode highlights the expanding leadership of women in medical aesthetics and why that shift matters for the industry’s future.
00:30 Aesthetics as a global industry
01:34 The intersection of medical safety and legal safety
05:06 How FDA regulation can create an innovation gap
16:45 Innovative new treatments and techniques for holistic treatment
23:15 The leadership role of women in aesthetics
Aesthetics is truly a global market.
In this episode, we explore how Australia became a bellwether for the aesthetics industry, from the rise of Laser Clinics Australia to the impact of private equity, regulation, and changing patient behavior. Dr. Jake Sloane and David Segal, hosts of the Inside Aesthetics podcast, share hard-earned insights from navigating one of the most influential aesthetics markets in the world.
If you’re a clinician, med spa owner, injector, or aesthetics business operator, this conversation offers practical lessons on compliance, business growth, patient trust, and what it takes to survive in a rapidly changing market.
We break down how short-term financial pressure, consolidation, and boardroom decision-making can clash with the long-term, relationship-based nature of medical aesthetics. Discussion points include
03:08 — Jake and David's backgrounds and the origin of Inside Aesthetics
07:13 — How Laser Clinics Australia created a model for other med spas
10:02 — The impact of private equity on the business
18:58 — Why volume-driven models become harder to sustain
26:01 — Lessons for the U.S. from Australia’s regulatory experience
41:45 — Patient demand, shifting treatment preferences, and market pressure
52:39 — The importance of building a community
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch facilitates high-level discussions with two industry executives shaping the trajectory of the aesthetic market. Silvina Nordenstahl, President of the US organization at Galderma, discusses the operational imperatives of scaling a global aesthetic enterprise and the central role of patient-centricity in long-term strategy. Following this, Ethan Min, CEO of Benev, outlines the strategic shift required to successfully introduce global innovations into the US market, focusing on the critical nature of regulatory compliance and the future of regenerative aesthetic technologies. This conversation provides a strategic perspective on navigating the current aesthetic landscape, emphasizing organizational culture, market validation, and the pursuit of long-term sustainable growth. Discussion points include:
- 03:00: Shifting to patient-centric innovation and addressing specific patient needs, such as weight loss and menopause support
- 06:15: Scaling and pursuing innovation without sacrificing safety and quality
- 08:20: Defining a high-performance culture and building a team to match
- 17:10: Benev's shift from traditional manufacturing model to a distribution platform
- 22:45: Using strict regulations to encourage higher quality standards
- 30:30: Regenerative medicine and collagen technologies emerging from the Korean market
Are you staying ahead of trends or falling behind?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with Rob Pickell, CEO of Growth99, to analyze the shifting landscape of the aesthetic and wellness industry. The conversation examines the growing divergence between thriving, scalable practices and those struggling to navigate an increasingly competitive market. Pickell, utilizing his background in technology and SaaS, outlines why traditional healthcare business models are insufficient for modern med spas and details the critical necessity for precise market segmentation, operational efficiency, and the strategic integration of AI to drive sustainable, long-term growth. Discussion points include
- 03:13: Shifting from traditional insurance-based healthcare to the recurring revenue model
- 08:50: The evolution of integrated aesthetic marketing services
- 13:25: A widening gap between high-performing practices and those failing to adapt
- 23:28: Establishing marketing spend benchmarks
- 30:03: Market segmentation and differentiation; defining a specific target demographic
- 41:21: Evaluating the rapid adoption of AI and its practical applications
The world of medical aesthetics changes every day.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider features AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch at the Medical Spa Show, hosting four insightful interviews that explore the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine, the necessity of rigorous standards, and the importance of professional mentorship.
- 00:00:34: Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC discusses the critical need for establishing standards and best practices for PDGF, navigating the balance between innovation and compliance.
- 00:23:14: Sonya Ellis, APRN, CPSN, CANS, ISPAN-F shares her extensive experience in the industry and details her successful mentorship program designed to foster the next generation of aesthetic nurses.
- 00:38:03: Saami Khalifian, MD, FAAD explores his work with Allergan training centers, the intersection of dermatology and plastic surgery, and the power of educational synergy.
- 00:58:15: Kate Dee, MD introduces the Med Spa Board Certification program, aimed at setting national safety standards to distinguish legitimate practices from illegal actors.
From navigating private equity roll-ups to mastering the operational complexity of peptide therapy and wellness, the aesthetic landscape is evolving faster than ever.
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, recorded live at the Medical Spa Show, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down for three conversations about partnership, private equity, and preparing for the future of medical aesthetics. Featuring interviews with:
Audrey Neff (0:26)
- The importance of community building in the med spa industry.
- The role of mentorship and community in Audrey’s career.
- Focus on purpose and impact over profit and quality over quantity
Fresh Clinics (14:41)
- Navigating the complex regulatory landscape in the US.
- Importance of compliance and governance in med spa operations.
- The role of med spas in wellness and longevity.
Julie Davis (31:17)
- Experiences with private equity partnerships.
- Challenges of operational inefficiencies post-acquisition.
- Balancing change with maintaining high performance.
What happens when a successful med spa owner realizes the industry’s biggest challenge isn’t competition—it’s education?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Tracy Olson, owner of Youthtopia Med Spa and founder of Aesthetic Injector Academy, to discuss her unconventional journey from banking and finance into medical aesthetics—and why she chose to build an educational platform instead of expanding into multiple locations.
Drawing from years of hiring, training, and managing injectors, Tracy shares the gaps she repeatedly saw in foundational education for new providers: limited anatomy training, inconsistent safety education, and a lack of standardized preparation before hands-on injecting.
The conversation explores the realities of growing a med spa in an increasingly competitive market, why more locations don’t always equal greater success, and how strong metrics—from utilization rates to retention and KPIs—can guide better business decisions. Discussion points include:
- Introduction and Background (0:40)
- Industry Growth and Challenges (2:33)
- Creation of Aesthetic Injector Academy (5:09)
- Business Decisions and Expansion (8:30)
- Educational Approach and Accreditation (10:17)
- Need for Basic Training in the Industry (17:37)
- Marketing and Outreach Efforts (24:14)
- Legal Challenges and Future Plans (29:54)
In this special "Compliance is Cool" edition of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch is joined by Brad Adatto and Jeff Segal, MD, JD. Together, they dissect the unprecedented criminal indictments that have sent shockwaves across the entire medical spa industry.
Following a tragic IV therapy death at a Texas facility a couple of years ago, a grand jury took the extraordinary step of indicting both the medical spa owner and the medical director on felony charges of murder and manslaughter. Discussion points include:
01:32 Details of the Jennifer Cleveland Incident
04:37 Surprise at Criminal Charges and Legal Implications
06:12 Precedents in Medical and Criminal Law
11:47 Case Comparisons: Dr. Death and Surgical Errors
22:48 Medical and Legal Failures in the Case
38:43 Industry Impact and Future Outlook
43:54 Summary and Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way medical spas operate—but how can practices actually use data and AI tools to make smarter business decisions without losing the human touch?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch is joined by Ben Wolber, founder of Illume (formerly InsightX), and returning guest Taylor Siemens, founder of Kairos Aesthetic Medicine, to explore how AI-powered analytics are transforming modern aesthetic practices.
They discuss the evolution of Illume from a reporting dashboard into a full operational intelligence platform, how role-based reporting can empower injectors and practice managers, and why real-time data is becoming essential for practices looking to grow intentionally and efficiently. Discussion points include:
02:46 The Evolution From Insight X to Operational Intelligence06:05 Understanding the Needs of Injectors and Business Owners11:49 Empowering Injectors with Real-Time Data15:03 The Role of AI in Enhancing Business Operations17:48 Ensuring Data Quality and Integration21:09 Future of AI and Data in Aesthetic Practices23:48 The Human Element in AI-Driven Practices
In this urgent "Compliance is Cool" update, AmSpa CEO Alex Tiersch breaks down several major legal developments that have sent shockwaves through the medical spa industry. The episode centers on the stunning news out of Texas, where a physician and a medical spa owner have been hit with murder and manslaughter charges following a tragic IV therapy death from a few years ago. Alex explores the rare and difficult nature of bringing murder charges in medical negligence cases and what this unprecedented move by Texas prosecutors means for the future of medical oversight. Discussion points include:
00:00 Introduction and Overview of Recent Events03:06 FDA Investigations and Compliance Issues05:57 Criminal Charges in the Medical Spa Industry09:17 The Texas Medical Spa Death Case12:08 Implications of Criminal Charges and Future Discussions
As the lines between the supplement industry, "biohackers," and medical professionals continue to blur, we with down live at MSS with Dr. Kay Durairaj to discuss why aesthetic providers must lead the charge in evidence-based longevity. We dive deep into the world of peptides—from the safety of GLP-1s to the "wild west" of unregulated research chemicals. Dr. Kay also reveals her latest clinical breakthrough: her "Mid-Face Miracle" for preventing the dreaded "Ozempic Face" by supporting facial fat pads.
Whether you're curious about the future of topical anti-aging or worried about the FDA’s increasing interest in the med spa space, this episode is a masterclass in staying ahead of the curve while protecting your medical license. The discussion includes:
[02:47] The Biohacking Resurgence
[04:49] The "Gym Bro" Influence vs. Modern Medicine
[06:56] Evidence-Based Medicine and Licensing Risks
[12:56] Protecting the Med Spa Reputation
[19:12] FDA Outreach and Industry Perception
[21:13] Treating Aging as a Disease
[25:21] The "Mid-Face Miracle" and Ozempic Face
What does it really look like to go from provider… to operator… to owner?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with returning guest Taylor Siemens, founder of Kairos Aesthetic Medicine, to discuss her transition from working as a clinician to managing multi-location med spas—and ultimately launching her own practice.
Taylor shares why she intentionally built Kairos differently than her previous ventures, what she learned from scaling quickly, and why she’s now prioritizing culture, patient experience, and sustainable growth over rapid expansion. Discussion points include:
- Taylor's growth and what led to the decision to start a new business
- Creating a patient-centered culture that drives loyalty and referrals
- How Kairos built strong word-of-mouth growth without paid ads
- The importance of authentic leadership and team alignment
- Why slow, intentional growth can be healthier than chasing rapid expansion
- Lessons Taylor learned from mentors, masterminds, and business biographies
What does it take to grow a medical aesthetics business with intention—and scale it without losing sight of your purpose?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with WellLabs+ CEO Reetu Gupta to explore the mindset behind building a successful, values-driven aesthetic practice.
From early challenges to leading a growing organization, Reetu shares how shifting from operator to leader transformed not only her business, but her approach to culture, team development, and long-term growth. The conversation dives into the importance of purpose, the role of discomfort in personal and professional evolution, and why the most successful practices are built on more than just revenue—they’re built on people.
Discussion points include:
- Why purpose-driven businesses scale more sustainably
- How culture shapes patient experience and team performance
- Using discomfort as a signal for growth and opportunity
- Redefining success beyond revenue in the aesthetics industry
- Leadership strategies for building and empowering high-performing teams
It's time to rethink how we approach healthcare affordability.
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch welcomes back "The Godfather of CareCredit," Beto Casellas, Executive Vice President and CEO of Synchrony Health and Wellness. As the aesthetic industry shifts toward a holistic model of longevity and wellness, the question of affordability becomes paramount.
Beto discusses CareCredit's strategic collaboration with the Milken Institute, a non-partisan think tank, to research healthcare accessibility and financial literacy. They dive into the reality of American healthcare spending—noting that many consumers underestimate their costs by 1.5x—and introduce the concept of "Wealthspan," the financial stability required to support a long, healthy life. From new procedure calculators to fair financing principles, this conversation explores how transparency and planning can ensure patients get the care they need when they need it. Discussion points include:
- How CareCredit became partnered with the Milken Institute
- CareCredit's most recent statistics on patient costs and preparedness
- How longevity medicine has created a need for greater research into affordability
- A look at CareCredit's Procedure Calculator
- How to turn wellness from from an emergency expense into a regular budget item
- The principles and goals of CareCredit, Synchrony, and the Milken Institute moving forward
Innovation in aesthetics isn’t just about new treatments—it’s about improving precision, safety, and consistency in everyday procedures.
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch is joined by Julie Bass Kaplan and Dr. Rebecca Weiss, two highly respected injectors and educators, to discuss how new delivery technology is reshaping neuromodulator treatments.
They break down the real-world challenges of traditional injection methods—from inconsistent dosing to patient discomfort—and how systems like NavaClick by Lineage Biomedical are helping providers deliver more precise, repeatable results. Discussion points include:
- Why precision and consistency are critical in neurotoxin treatments
- Common pitfalls of traditional injection techniques (and how to avoid them)
- How technology can improve patient comfort and outcomes
- The role of standardization in advancing industry safety
- Why continuous education separates good injectors from great ones
- How better results lead to stronger patient retention and practice growth
Not all capital is created equal.
After 10 years building a med spa from the ground up, the offers started coming in. One looked perfect — until it wasn't.
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch interviews Maegen Kennedy, MMS, PA-C, Founder of Windermere Medical Spa and Head of Clinical Development at AYA Skin. This is the unfiltered story of walking away from a private equity deal, spending two years getting crystal clear on what a real growth partnership looks like, and finally finding a company built to scale a legacy — not just extract one. If you're a med spa owner thinking about your next chapter, this conversation will change how you approach it. The discussion includes:
- How to Approach Business Growth with Strategy and Intentionality
- The Importance of Staying Customer-Focused while Scaling
- Why the First Deal Might Not Be the Best Deal
- Recognizing and Preserving Core Values while Pursuing a Partnership
- Trusting Your Instincts while Finding Your Right Fit
How do you react to changes in the industry? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch interviews Max Baybak, co-founder of Influx Marketing, a leading agency in aesthetic marketing. They discuss the evolution of the aesthetic industry, the challenges faced by marketing agencies, and the impact of AI on marketing strategies. Max introduces Growth Stack, a new platform designed specifically for medical spas, emphasizing the importance of personalization and effective web design in today's digital landscape. The conversation highlights the need for agencies to adapt to changing technologies and the ongoing relevance of websites in marketing. Takeaways include:
- Influx Marketing's history of specializing in marketing medical aesthetic
- Why they focus on understanding the patient journey
- Challenges and opportunities provided by developments in AI technology
- The development of Growth Stack and how it allows for more personalized outreach
- Business's need to stay competitive in a changing environment
- A preview of the Medical Spa Show and Influx's involvement in the program
What good is AI if it doesn't know how to put your data to use?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Tiersch is joined by Dennis Steele, co-founder of Podium, to discuss the journey of building a tech giant rooted in the success of local businesses. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital tool for the aesthetic industry, Dennis shares insights into why staying close to the customer is the ultimate competitive advantage. The conversation dives into the evolution of the medical spa industry, the importance of streamlining the "in-store" experience, and how they design the Avery AI to bridge the gap between providers and patients. Whether you are a solo practitioner or scaling multiple locations, this episode offers a roadmap for using better communication to drive business growth. Discussion points include:
- The beginning of Podium
- Why the company works with med spas
- Designing for the single-location vs an enterprise
- The implementation of AI as an employee
- How Podium's new operating system connects AI with data and purpose
Where does innovation come from?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch sits down with aesthetic industry luminary and renowned facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Steve Dayan. Dr. Dayan shares his unique perspective on the early days of the medical spa movement and how he helped pioneer the business and marketing tracks that are now staples of modern aesthetic conferences. They also preview Dr. Dayan's upcoming keynote presentation at the Medical Spa Show 2026. Discussion points include:
- The Creative Power of Necessity
- Industry Evolution
- The Social and Neurological Aspects of Beauty
- How the XOMD Skincare Brand Was Created
- Respecting History
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how medical spas attract and convert new patients—but most marketing strategies still focus on the very end of the buying journey. In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch speaks with Rick Brown, co-founder and CEO of MarketStorm, and Krista Stevenson, head of business development, about how their company and other AI tools are changing the way businesses identify and influence consumers long before they start searching. The discussion includes:
- What the “Messy Middle” means for medical spa marketing
- Why most advertising budgets focus too late in the patient decision journey
- How AI can identify potential patients before they start searching
- The role of predictive data in modern marketing strategies
- Why brand awareness early in the decision process matters
- How med spas can expand beyond social media marketing
How does a medical aesthetic practice scale to a nation-wide brand without sacrificing quality or values?
In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with Jen Seisler, COO of SkinSpirit and George Baxter-Holder, VP of Talent Development, for a conversation about growth, training and leadership in medical aesthetics.
Recorded at AmSpa’s new training center ahead of a hands-on cadaver lab with the Academy for Injection Anatomy, the discussion explores how SkinSpirit has grown from a single clinic in Palo Alto to more than 60 locations while maintaining a strong culture of safety, education and provider-first leadership. Discussion points include:
- Why cadaver anatomy training should become a minimum standard for injectors
- The provider-first strategy behind SkinSpirit’s expansion
- How culture and training reduce turnover in aesthetic practices
- Why responsible growth matters more than rapid scaling
- How corporate partnerships are helping legitimize medical aesthetics
- Why safety and trust remain the industry’s true North Star
In this episode of Compliance is Cool, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch and General Counsel Patrick O'Brien dive deep into the legislative "flurry" currently sweeping through the medical spa industry. Focusing on Indiana's Senate Bill 282, the duo explores how a seemingly benign licensing bill evolved into a restrictive piece of legislation targeting both medical spas and compounding pharmacies. They pull back the curtain on the "Big Pharma" influence—specifically Eli Lilly’s presence in Indianapolis—and explain why the sudden push to track compounded GLP-1 medications has created a "death by paperwork" scenario for med spa owners. This episode serves as a wake-up call for the industry as similar legislative language begins to surface in states like Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. Discussion points include:
- An overview of the path Indiana SB 282 took from draft to law
- An explanation of the bill's provisions and how they would adversely affect medical providers
- The connection between SB 282 and big pharma's battle with compounding medications
- How Alex, Patrick, and their lobbyist worked with legislators to improve the bill and what it still includes
- The national trends that practitioners should stay aware of, and how AmSpa and its members can be proactive in leading the conversation
AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch introduces a brand-new segment of the Medical Spa Insider podcast: Compliance is Cool. As the medical spa industry reaches a critical inflection point, Alex discusses his transition from CEO to Chairman, allowing him to focus full-time on the legal advocacy and legislative "battles" currently bubbling beneath the surface. From the importance of data-backed safety research to a deep dive into the recent legislative "kerfuffle" in Indiana involving Eli Lilly and GLP-1 compounding, this episode sets the stage for a more vocal, protected, and compliant industry. Email your compliance questions to alex@AmericanMedSpa.org to be answered on future episodes. Key points include:
- The Launch of "Compliance is Cool"
- Leadership Evolution at AmSpa and Alex's new projects
- The legislative challenges looming for med spas
- The Indiana GLP-1 bill and Eli Lilly
- Why the industry must invest in scientific studies
- AmSpa’s New Chicago Home
With Alex Thiersch on the ground in Indiana lobbying against pivotal new legislation, AmSpa Digital Marketing Supervisor Derek steps in to break down a whirlwind of 2026 legislative moves. From Big Pharma’s influence on GLP-1 regulations to shifting MSO scrutiny and expanding autonomy for practitioners, this episode explores how new bills in states like Indiana, Florida, and Arizona are reshaping the industry. Learn why "information is power" and how these national trends might be coming to your state next. Key points include:
- The Battle Over GLP-1s
- Stricter State Oversight
- MSOs Under the Microscope
- Expanding Autonomy
- Rising Professional Standards
- New Practice Permissions
- Next Steps for Practitioners and AmSpa
Did you know the average medical spa is juggling FOURTEEN separate vendor deals? With that many balls in the air, it’s easy for something to get dropped. In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch talks with Keri Concannon, co-founder and CEO of Beauty Rep, about why ordering, onboarding, and managing aesthetic brand partnership is still far more fragmented than it should be—and how the Beauty Rep B2B platform was designed to make vendor management faster, clearer, and easier for practices of every size. Listen to learn:
- The unique challenges that large brands and smaller brands each face when it comes to selling
- How BeautyRep opens up conversations by making B2B materials readily available
- The way that brands are using the portal to support their sales teams
- The benefits for practitioners and owners of any size when it comes to finding products and managing inventory
- Keri’s journey from sales rep to entrepreneur and plans for expanding the platform
Growing a practice goes far beyond clinical skills; it requires intentional strategy around hiring, retention, operations, and leadership. AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Ashley James of DermAesthetic Consulting to discuss why owners often struggle to get their team aligned with their vision — and how they can fix it. Smart recruiting is a practical solution that will strengthen your clinic’s foundation and boost long-term success. Whether you’re onboarding your first hire or preparing for a major growth phase, these insights will help you build a practice that thrives without you being “on the clock” all the time. Discussion points include:
- Why hiring right saves more money in the long run than hiring cheap
- The role of your team in establishing your brand and reputation
- Establishing onboarding procedures and timelines that lead to productivity
- Hiring with culture in mind
- How owners benefit from delegating leadership and operations
- Using strategic people management to boost revenue and patient experience
Are you acting on data or just collecting it? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Tiersch is joined by Alex Lirtsman (CorralData) and Tyler Weinberg (Aviva Aesthetics) to explore how med spa owners can "hire" AI-driven data collaboration to achieve operational excellence. You’ll learn how Aviva Aesthetics utilized CorralData to move beyond fragmented spreadsheets and EMR silos, turning their scattered databases into a central source of truth. Their partnership acts as a case study for turning messy data into a strategic growth engine. Discussion points:
- Avoiding Data Fragmentation While Scaling
- Why Pivot to Automated Reporting
- Adding a Human Face to Data
- The Need to Include Data in Decision-Making
- The Definition of Data Hygiene
MSS is the biggest show of the year, every year. It's not easy to tame a beast of that size, but attendees will let you know that it is worth it.
This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with AmSpa Director of Education Kirstie Jackson to preview what’s coming at Medical Spa Show 2026 (April 9–12 at Wynn Las Vegas)—and how the agenda is built to serve everyone from newcomers to advanced operators.
Kirstie breaks down how she uses data and problem-solving to sift through over 450 presentation submissions, the brand-new learning formats attendees have been asking for, and the can't miss learning opportunities—including an AI summit, our industry-defining cadaver course, and live injections making their debut at MSS.
For more information, visit https://www.medicalspashow.com/
Discussion Points Include
- The size and scope of the Medical Spa Show, spanning eight tracks of education
- How the AmSpa team creates an elevated immersive experience
- Creating a speaker lineup that balances the biggest names with exciting new voices
- New features of the MSS App that attendees will love
- A preview of the MSS agenda, from returning favorites to bold new topics including regenerative medicine and artificial intelligence
- Turning MSS into a four-day experience
- The exciting news about MSS featuring live injections
This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Lina Colleli, MSN, FNP-C, founder of Artmedica Aesthetics in Northern Virginia. Lina shares her journey from fashion and beauty into aesthetic medicine, what it has been like launching her own medical spa, and why she believes the pretreatment consultation is one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools in the industry. She breaks down her signature approach to building trust, educating patients, and creating treatment plans that drive both satisfaction and retention. Lina also reflects on social media’s role in her rapid growth, the realities of business ownership, and her long-term vision for teaching and empowering the next generation of injectors.
Key Moments in the Conversation
- Lina’s background and journey from fashion editing and freelance makeup artistry to aesthetic medicine;
- What inspired her to open ArtMedica Aesthetics and the emotions of launching the practice;
- The surprising challenges of business ownership, including inventory management and onboarding staff;
- How social media built her patient base and continues to drive 90 percent of new inquiries;
- Why the pretreatment consult is an essential yet undervalued aspect of patient care;
- How she structures a consult to uncover true concerns, educate clearly, and build long-term trust;
- Strategies for setting expectations, discussing pricing, and guiding patients without feeling sales focused;
- Navigating patient information overload from social media and correcting misconceptions with biology and science;
- Managing a four to five month waitlist and her plans to grow a clinical team to better serve patients;
- Her long-term goal of building an educational academy and stepping into a larger teaching role;
- What she is looking forward to at Medical Spa Show 2026.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jennifer Orechwa, founder and CEO of Salt Marketing, a boutique agency helping medical spas and aesthetic practices turn their story into strategy. Orechwa shares why Salt Marketing chose to focus on aesthetics, how StoryBrand became her go-to approach (she’s a certified coach!), and the proven strategies med spas need to build with authenticity. Listen to learn:
- The five-part framework for a marketing system that attracts, converts and scales;
- How StoryBrand positions the patient as the hero, and why that matters;
- Common marketing mistakes med spas make and how to fix them;
- Affordable resources for small med spa or solo practitioners;
- AI and how to keep your brand authenticity as you grow.
Find more insights at saltmarketing.co and check out the Worth Your Salt podcast.
--
Music by Ghost Score
The male aesthetic market is growing, so we spoke to the expert to find out how to get them in your med spa’s door. This week, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Terrence Keaney, MD, board-certified dermatologist, co-founder of SkinDC, and clinical associate professor at George Washington University, to explore what drives men into aesthetic practices and how providers can meet their unique needs. From seasonality trends and internal marketing strategies to the impact of GLP-1 medications and the rise of hair restoration, Dr. Keaney shares data-driven insights and practical tips for attracting and retaining male patients while delivering natural, confidence-boosting results. Listen for insights on:
- Why men remain an underappreciated demographic and how to change that;
- The treatments men want most: neurotoxins, jawline contouring, and hair restoration;
- How internal marketing and re-consults increase male patient engagement;
- The role of social media and word-of-mouth in influencing men’s decisions;
- Addressing fears of “looking unnatural” and combating filler misinformation;
- GLP-1 users: five aesthetic concerns and how to treat them;
- Why regenerative medicine is the next frontier in aesthetics.
--
Music by Ghost Score
Adding longevity services doesn’t have to mean massive overhead. In this episode, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, talks with Jaclyn Kawwas, Head of Commercial at Peak Health, about how her team built a platform that makes launching or expanding longevity medicine simple and profitable for aesthetic practices. Learn how Peak combines personalized protocols with advanced diagnostics, including comprehensive lab panels and imaging to metabolic monitoring, wearables, and performance testing. This conversation covers:
- Kawwas' career path and why she pivoted to longevity health;
- What “longevity medicine” means and how it differs from functional medicine;
- The biggest barriers for patients and providers in accessing longevity care;
- How Peak Health’s infrastructure and telemedicine platform work for med spas;
- Practical steps to launch longevity services without heavy investment;
- Driving revenue and retention while expanding your audience; and
- Marketing support and early access partnership opportunities.
Learn more and apply for early access at getpeakhealth.com.
Music by Ghost Score
“How can you make sure that you feel as good about your face as you do about your body?” AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Tara Capalbo, MBA, General Manager and VP, Head of U.S. Aesthetics at Galderma, for a live conversation at AmSpa headquarters.
They talk about how millions of GLP‑1 users are reshaping aesthetic patient demand, Galderma’s phase IV clinical study on facial changes after medication-driven weight loss, and the new Sculpt & Lift injection paradigm designed to help patients restore their appearance with natural-looking results. Listen for insights on:
- Her transition from pharma and first six months leading U.S. Aesthetics at Galderma;
- The GLP‑1 phenomenon, declining visit frequency among traditional aesthetic patients, and why Galderma invested early in a phase IV study;
- What the research found about “Ozempic face,” facial volume loss, and skin laxity, and new restorative combination treatment options with Sculptra and Restylane;
- Expert consensus on when to start treatment during the weight-loss journey and how to package care with share-of-wallet in mind;
- Launching a direct-to-consumer campaign that reframes filler language for patient confidence;
- Provider tools: in-office pamphlets and digital assets to bring up aesthetics earlier in the patient journey;
- What’s next at Galderma: 2026 launches, GAIN training, and global trends.
--
Music by Ghost Score
Are missed calls and slow responses costing your med spa business? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Yan Lee, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Zidy, an AI-powered communication platform designed to help aesthetic practices book more appointments, increase Google reviews, and streamline client communication. Lee shares how Zidy consolidates messages from text, phone, social media, and web chat into one intuitive dashboard, enabling med spas to respond faster, schedule appointments after hours, and attract more clients. Listen to learn:
- How Zidy started in real estate and evolved to serve med spas.
- Why AI phone answering can boost revenue for small practices that miss calls during treatments.
- How Zidy’s unified inbox improves response times and client satisfaction.
- Why Google reviews matter for search visibility—and how Zidy automates requests.
- How a California med spa tripled reviews and booked extra appointments after hours using Zidy.
- Pricing options, AmSpa member discounts, and what’s next for AI in aesthetics.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week on Medical Spa Insider, we revisit a conversation with Michael Olson, sales manager at MyAdvice. Together, he and AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch discuss the changes in marketing strategy that medical spas need to make as they grow. Their conversation includes:
- Marketing needs specific to the aesthetic industry;
- How partnerships with marketing firms should work;
- What to look for when choosing a digital marketing company;
- Changing your marketing strategy as your practice grows;
- How your online presence gets people in the door;
- Big changes that would require you to rethink your marketing;
- Marketing to retain your top providers;
- And more!
--
Music by Ghost Score
Can artificial intelligence drive the ability to be more human? This week on Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with Rachel Sanders, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer of Rhodium Software (Rhodium.is.beauty). Sanders, whose career evolved from investment banking to wellness entrepreneurship, describes how Rhodium uses AI to help clinics drive growth so they can focus on the human connection at the heart of every patient interaction. Listen for:
- What Rhodium is and how it makes your EMR smarter;
- Five core areas Rhodium automates: retention, loyalty, analytics, workflows, and communications;
- How Rhodium simplifies scheduling and campaign building;
- Why ease of use is critical for med spa tech adoption;
- Why AI-native platforms outperform retrofitted tech;
- Rhodium’s growth and its mission to support human-first care;
- Using trained AI to answer aesthetic questions after hours;
- The future of aesthetics, women’s health and the client experience.
--
Music by Ghost Score
For Boxed Warning and full Prescribing Information, see https://www.rxabbvie.com/pdf/botox-cosmetic_pi.pdf
Celebrate the excitement of BOTOX® Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) Day with AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch, JD, who is joined by Dr. Lisa Espinoza of La Chelé Medical Aesthetics and Leslie Fletcher, AGNP-BC, of InjectAbility Clinic. In this special episode, we dive into how practices nationwide prepare for one of the biggest days for BOTOX® Cosmetic, with actionable insights to help you make the most of BOTOX® Cosmetic Day. Listen to hear:
- The origins and official recognition of BOTOX® Cosmetic Day
- Exclusive offers for Allē Members, including the popular BOGO gift card
- Proven strategies for marketing, patient engagement, and team training
- How this annual event drives patient loyalty and boosts practice performance
Music by Ghost Score
This week on Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Lana Kerr, founder and CEO of Lumisque Skincare, the company behind the CO2Lift brand. They talk about her journey from entrepreneurial beginnings in Jamaica to pioneering regenerative skincare solutions that are transforming women’s health and wellness worldwide. In this inspiring conversation, Kerr opens up about her passion for empowering women, the science behind carboxytherapy, and how CO2Lift is redefining intimacy and aging.
Key topics covered:
- Lana’s entrepreneurial roots: From dairy and pig farming to launching beauty businesses;
- How personal health experiences led her into wellness and aesthetics;
- Discovering carboxytherapy and bringing CO2Lift to the U.S. market;
- The science and clinical journey behind CO2Lift’s launch;
- Why CO2Lift is a powerful complement to biostimulators like Sculptra;
- Shifting the conversation from sexual wellness to female health and quality of life;
- What’s next for Lumisque: global expansion, documentary on women’s health.
--
Music by Ghost Score
What if your med spa already had all the data it needed to grow? This week on Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch, JD, founder of AmSpa, speaks with Ben Wolber, MBA, co-founder and CEO of InsightX, an AI-powered analytics platform built specifically for med spas and aesthetic practices. Wolber shares how InsightX evolved from a consulting side hustle into a full-fledged SaaS platform that helps med spa owners visualize, understand, and act on their data. Listen to learn:
- How InsightX helps med spas turn raw data into strategic growth;
- The story behind InsightX’s stealth launch and how early users shaped the platform;
- Why traditional data visualization tools fall short for aesthetic practices;
- How strategic recommendations and predictive analytics set InsightX apart;
- What systems InsightX integrates with: EMRs, QuickBooks, marketing platforms, and more;
- The entrepreneurial mindset that makes med spas unique;
- How data can drive scalable growth and prepare you for acquisition;
- What’s next for InsightX, including new partnerships and the November launch campaign.
--
Visit https://www.wellreceived.com/amspa to learn more about your exclusive offer as an AmSpa Member.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa CEO Alex Thiersch speaks with Carrie Caulkins, PhD, MBA, Chief Marketing Officer at BeautyHealth, the parent company behind Hydrafacial. Carrie shares how Hydrafacial has become a foundational treatment for med spas through clinical efficacy, education, and brand power.
- How Hydrafacial grows med spas with immediate, lasting results and brand-driven patient acquisition;
- The 7-in-1 treatment protocol, including lymphatic drainage, extractions, LED therapy, and personalized skin boosters;
- The science behind Hydrafacial’s patented Vortex-Fusion technology and its clinical benefits;
- Personalization options for all skin types, tones, and concerns;
- The rise of treatment stacking and Hydrafacial’s role in combination protocols;
- Training and education programs, support and scholarships;
- Hydrafacial’s brand power and consumer loyalty.
--
Visit https://www.wellreceived.com/amspa to learn more about your exclusive offer as an AmSpa Member.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Nick Liguori, CPA, of Liguori Accounting, about the latest tax law changes and what they mean for medical spa owners in 2025. From equipment purchases to employee compensation, Liguori shares practical strategies to help med spas optimize deductions, avoid red flags, and plan proactively for the year ahead. Listen to learn:
- How to calculate and manage quarterly estimated taxes;
- Why year-round tax planning is essential and how to start;
- How to leverage equipment purchases and depreciation for tax savings;
- What the IRS is watching: audit atmosphere and red flags;
- How to take advantage of itemized deductions;
- Retirement planning tips for reducing taxable income;
- The tax opportunity of MSO structures for medical spas.
--
Don’t miss the Sell More This Holiday Season virtual event on October 21 at 5 PM ET, featuring expert speakers, tactical Q4 sales strategies, and over $100,000 in giveaways. Register now at repeatmd.com/sellmore.
--
Visit https://www.wellreceived.com/amspa to learn more about WellReceived's exclusive offer for AmSpa Members.
--
Music by Ghost Score
How do you help patients with overfilled features or results that no longer look natural? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Amy Lynn, RN, CANS, founder of Glo Derma and Glo Academy, to explore her groundbreaking protocol, The Art of Reversal®. From ER nurse to aesthetic visionary, Amy shares how her personal journey sparked a mission to help others rediscover their inner glow. Together they dive into the science behind regenerative aesthetics, her innovative use of CosmoFrance’s ezGEL PRF and the soon-to-launch BabyGlo Baby Collagen Threads. Listen to hear:
- How a single Botox treatment changed Amy Lynn’s life and career trajectory;
- The origin story of Glo Derma and skills from the ER that carried over to aesthetics;
- The Art of Reversal® explained;
- The psychology of patient education and the “art of refusal” in consultations;
- How ezGEL PRF supports tissue integrity and hydration without filler;
- The science and strategy behind BabyGlo collagen threads;
- How regenerative medicine treats the underlying causes of aging;
- Amy’s upcoming study, kits and training opportunities.
--
Don’t miss the Sell More This Holiday Season virtual event on October 21 at 5 PM ET, featuring expert speakers, tactical Q4 sales strategies, and over $100,000 in giveaways. Register now at repeatmd.com/sellmore.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Phil Sitter, founder and CEO of RepeatMD. Phil shares practical and tactical strategies to help independent med spas thrive in a consolidating industry, plus a sneak peek at RepeatMD V3 and the AI-powered tools reshaping patient engagement. Listen to hear:
- How consolidation is reshaping the med spa landscape and why patient experience is key.
- Institutions vs. Independents: how small practices can out-operationalize big chains.
- 7 practical strategies to immediately boost membership sales.
- How to motivate your team with visual goals and simple incentives.
- Why member value matters: rollovers, flexible benefits, and concierge-level personalization.
- How to overcome membership fatigue with smarter offerings like beauty banks.
- What's new in RepeatMD V3: a skincare marketplace and AI treatment advisors that personalize recommendations and close sales.
Don’t miss the Sell More This Holiday Season virtual event on October 21 at 5 PM ET, featuring expert speakers, tactical Q4 sales strategies, and over $100,000 in giveaways. Register now at repeatmd.com/sellmore.
Download the free 25-page Membership Mastery Playbook built with top practices doing over $50,000/mo in membership sales.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, we bring you to the stage of Medical Spa Show 2025 as AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch, JD, outlines challenges in the med spa industry and how we can overcome them together. The episode also includes the panel Dangerous Practices, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective covering best practices the entire industry needs to adopt to ensure medical aesthetics remains viable, successful, and profitable for years to come.
Panelists include:
- Brad Adatto, JD, ByrdAdatto
- Patrick Blake, MD, FAAD, Portrait
- Michael Byrd, JD, ByrdAdatto
- Katherine Dee, MD, Glow Medispa
- Nicole Gregory, CEO, Urban You
Registration for Medical Spa Show 2026 opens October 1, 2025 for AmSpa members only. Visit medicalspashow.com to learn more.
Don’t miss RepeatMD's Sell More This Holiday Season virtual event on October 21 at 5 PM ET. Register now at repeatmd.com/sellmore.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with renowned aesthetic practice consultant and sales coach Terri Ross for a candid conversation ahead of the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC). With over 20 years in the aesthetics industry, Ross opens up about her own journey in leadership and discusses challenges, opportunities and success strategies for women leading in aesthetics today. Listen for:
- Terri’s return to consulting and her passion for helping practices scale with integrity;
- The changing role of women in aesthetic leadership;
- Why culture, training, and data are the three non-negotiables for sustainable success;
- How to lead through turbulence, from private equity pressures to regulatory uncertainty;
- Why sales training isn’t optional for medical aesthetic practices;
- A preview of Terri’s WALC panel on “Culture, Capability, and Change,” and her call for industry-wide collaboration and accountability;
- The future of aesthetics: AI, commoditization, and the urgent need to define the industry’s identity.
Join Terri Ross and other industry leaders at WALC, October 3–5, 2025, at Terranea Resort. Expect real talk, real strategy and a community of women committed to doing things the right way.
Note: Episode may contain strong language.
---
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Robin Ntoh, VP of Aesthetics at Nextech, to demystify change management as a practical, everyday leadership tool for med spa owners and managers. This discussion highlights why aesthetic practices often struggle with change, how structured approaches can turn disruption into opportunity, and what simple frameworks leaders can apply right away. Listen in for:
- Why change management is essential in aesthetics and how it impacts small practices;
- The importance of preparing for staff turnover and protecting business continuity;
- How active listening and clear communication can reduce chaos and build trust;
- Identifying internal champions to lead change and foster team engagement;
- Turning resistance into opportunity through feedback and inclusion;
- Common pitfalls in med spa management and how to overcome them with strategic support.
Join the conversation October 3 - 5, 2025 at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC) as Robin Ntoh, Terri Ross and Amy Lynn Birkenstamm, RN, CANS share their tips and tricks with The People Puzzle: Solving for Culture, Capability and Change. Learn more and register today at experiencewalc.com.
Music by Ghost Score
This week on Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Brittony Croasdell, MS, FNP-BC, APRN, co-owner of Fulcrum Aesthetics & Surgery, to unpack the evolving conversation around hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable fillers. From viral misinformation to the stigma surrounding aesthetic treatments, Croasdell shares real-world insights from her Chicago-based practice and dives deep into the findings of The Aesthetics Evolution: The Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Fillers Report, a groundbreaking new global report from Allergan Aesthetics. Whether you're a licensed injector, med spa owner, or a curious patient, this episode offers a candid look at:
- The top myths and fears patients have about HA fillers and how to address them;
- Why natural-looking results are the new gold standard in aesthetic medicine;
- How social media algorithms shape public perception and what providers can do to shift the narrative;
- The importance of provider education, transparency and patient trust;
- Tools and resources from the Naturally You with HA campaign to support informed decision-making.
Ready to reshape the conversation around HA fillers? Visit www.naturallyyouwithHA.com to download the full report and access educational materials.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Dr. Rahi Sarbaziha, founder of The Aesthetic Room by Dr. Rahi, Integrative Aesthetics specialist and one of AmSpa’s Distinguished Women in Medical Aesthetics 2023. Dr. Rahi shares her journey from traditional medicine to pioneering a new path that blends integrative and regenerative wellness with aesthetics. Listen to hear:
- How Dr. Rahi’s dissatisfaction with the traditional medical system led her to integrative medicine;
- What “integrative aesthetics” means and its holistic approach to patient care;
- The rise of regenerative therapies like exosomes and PLLA injections in aesthetics;
- Why patient education is driving demand for bioregenerative treatments;
- Her mindset about competition in Beverly Hills’ bustling medical aesthetic market;
- Dr. Rahi’s entrepreneurial journey and lessons learned from building her own practice;
- Her reflections on the 2023 Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference and what excites her most about the future.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Beto Casellas, executive vice president and CEO of health and wellness at Synchrony Financial, the parent company of CareCredit. They discuss the launch of a new consumer resource, the Fair Financing Principles, and talk about how financial education can empower patients to make informed decisions about their aesthetic and wellness care. Listen to hear:
- CareCredit’s credit card that can be used for health and wellness products and services;
- How economic uncertainty is shaping spending behavior in the med spa space;
- Fair Financing Principles: What they are and how they demystify patient financing for consumers;
- Why financial literacy matters, and how better understanding of billing and interest can protect your financial well-being;
- The growing trend of consumers investing in their health, and what it means for the future of wellness care;
- How med spas can use Fair Financing Principles to help patients prepare for the cost of care and make confident decisions.
Visit carecredit.com/ffp to explore the Fair Financing Principles and access tools that can help your aesthetic patients.
Music by Ghost Score
In this greatest hits episode, we revisit a conversation between AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, and top leadership coach and bestselling author Sohee Jun, PhD. They discuss the myth of balance, Jun’s journey into leadership coaching and her advice for overcoming challenges as a business leader. Their conversation includes:
- Why she’s allergic to the word “balance;”
- Integrating our priorities and thinking about our values;
- Her journey to organizational psychology and leadership coaching;
- What working with a leadership coach looks like and who her clients are;
- Advice for cultivating a team of leaders;
- Recognizing when to pivot and elevate your leadership style;
- The challenge of leading multigenerational teams;
- Her keynote at the 2023 Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference.
Reignite your passion to lead with mentorship from aesthetic innovators, entrepreneurs and renowned experts at the 2025 Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference, October 3 - 5 at Terranea Resort in Southern California. Learn more about the connections and experiences that await you at experiencewalc.com.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa President and CSO Cathy Christensen speaks with Cy Wakeman, drama researcher, New York Times bestselling author of No Ego, and 2023 world's number one leadership guru, to discuss reality-based leadership. They talk about common leadership challenges in medical spas, including managing diverse teams, implementing standardized processes, and balancing in-office and remote work. Their conversation includes:
- Why you should be managing the energy of your team, not their behavior;
- How to clean up your thinking, find your impact and take the next right action;
- Why stress comes from the story we make up about reality;
- Train to act, not react: Co-regulating to diffuse drama and look beyond ego;
- The four types of boundaries leaders must set in the workplace;
- Standardizing processes to eliminate errors and improve safe patient care;
- Cy’s upcoming keynote presentation at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC).
For a masterclass on restoring sanity in the workplace and calling your team up to greatness, join Cy Wakeman at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference October 3 - 5, 2025, at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Her closing keynote, “Reality-Based Leadership: Ditch the Drama and Turn Excuses Into Results” will give leaders the tools, techniques and proven coaching models to skillfully navigate the interferences of drama, hardwire personal accountability and help their teams deliver on their business goals. Learn more and register at experiencewalc.com.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with RealSelf CEO Minou Clark to discuss the platform’s transformation into a dynamic, consumer-first destination for aesthetics. Clark shares how RealSelf is evolving to meet the needs of today’s beauty consumer by embracing med spas and amplifying the human side of aesthetics.
- Clark’s transition from Paris Hilton’s 11:11 Media to her first CEO role in aesthetics;
- RealSelf’s evolution from a plastic surgery directory to a multifaceted consumer platform;
- How social media shifted aesthetics from taboo to pop culture and self-actualization;
- RealSelf’s rebrand: modern UX, aspirational design and intuitive navigation for younger users;
- Launching seamless booking to remove friction and drive conversion across providers;
- Supporting coexistence between med spas, plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists;
- RealSelf’s commitment to vetting quality providers and elevating industry standards;
- Clark's vision for activism, how aesthetics changes lives, and more!
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Nena Kallopoulos, PA-C, founder of Drip Medi Spa in Englewood, New Jersey, to explore the realities of practicing aesthetic medicine as a physician assistant. With nearly two decades of clinical experience, Nena shares the challenges of building a compliant aesthetic practice and reflects on her experience navigating a license lapse and subsequent regulatory review. In this conversation:
- Transitioning from emergency and concierge medicine to IV therapy and aesthetics;
- Building a compliant med spa as a non-physician;
- The unexpected consequences of administrative oversights;
- Her experience with the state licensing board and broader implications for PAs;
- Why education, unity and advocacy are essential to the future of aesthetic medicine.
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Chris Suchánek, founder and CSO of Firm Media and creator of Ailm Atelier, a new online platform showcasing aesthetic doctors and their stories. They talk about Chris’s journey from the music business to specialty medical marketing, and how authenticity, storytelling, and innovation are reshaping how med spas and aesthetic practices connect with patients.
- How he transitioned from Grammy-winning music marketing to aesthetic advertising;
- The origin and mission of Ailm Atelier as a platform for storytelling and recognition;
- Why authenticity and patient trust are the new currency in aesthetic branding;
- The nomination-only process for Ailm’s featured top aesthetic doctors;
- How he redefined his personal brand with inspiration from a 90s billboard campaign;
- A mixed media marketing approach to target med spa patients in their homes;
- The future of Ailm as a consumer-facing, digital platform.
—
Music by Ghost Score
In this greatest hits episode, we revisit an empowering keynote recorded live at AmSpa’s inaugural Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC) in 2023. Listen in as Carrie Strom, senior vice president of AbbVie and president of Global Allergan Aesthetics, chats with Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of SPANX. Following a brief introduction from Strom and AmSpa founder Alex R. Thiersch, JD, this keynote conversation explores the founding of a household name, along with leadership insight on confidence, failure, purpose, mindset, and much more!
This year, AmSpa's WALC is honored to present keynote speaker Jamie Kern Lima, founder of IT Cosmetics. Join us October 3, 2025, for “Becoming Unstoppable,” an inspiring keynote where Jamie shares her inspiring journey from rejection and self-doubt to resilience and success.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Lisa Lickstein, MSW, MBA, co-owner and COO of Lickstein Plastic Surgery and Medical Spa. She previews her upcoming talk at the 2025 Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference and shares how the concept of “unreasonable hospitality,” inspired by Will Guidara’s renowned book, has reshaped her approach to leadership, team development and the patient experience. This conversation includes:
- How clinical director Christina Hobgood Naugle, PA-C, built a thriving med spa patient base;
- What Lisa learned from Eleven Madison Park’s rise to #1;
- Why they created a staff book club to learn and grow together;
- How to systematize staff engagement for a strong company culture;
- The three rules of unreasonable hospitality and how to implement them with your team;
- How her team identified and elevated 100 patient touchpoints to enhance the overall experience;
- A sneak peek at what attendees can expect from her WALC presentation.
Join Lisa at https://experiencewalc.com/, for her session: “Achieving Competitive Advantage and Increased Profitability Through Unreasonable Hospitality.”
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Lori Werner, founder and chief marketing whiz at Medical Marketing Whiz, a woman-led marketing agency that specializes in marketing for wellness and medical aesthetics practices. They talk about her path from medical device sales to entrepreneurship and how her team helps med spas get discovered online using answer engine optimization (AI-SEO).
- How she transitioned from medical device sales to founding a woman-led marketing agency in aesthetics and women’s health;
- The marketing blind spots of practices newly adding cash-based aesthetic services;
- Why SEO and AI-SEO are critical to get recommended by Google, ChatGPT and other AI platforms;
- Going beyond Meta and Google ads with a strategy rooted in how patients research and choose providers;
- Using YouTube, press releases and scheduled content to boost search visibility and trust;
- Email, text and AI tools like Dr. Social Whiz that drive conversions.
For more on this topic, check out Medical Marketing Whiz’s recent webinar: Answer Engine Optimization (AI-SEO): How to Become the Recommended Provider in ChatGPT and Other AI Platforms
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, celebrated entrepreneur, founder of BrainTrust and author of The Beauty of Success: Start, Grow and Accelerate Your Brand. They discuss her entrepreneurial journey from building brands to owning in the beauty space, how she evaluates opportunities, and the ways she protects her mental wellness with the help of her community. Listen for:
- Aligning opportunities with her four pillars: community, mentorship, education, capital;
- How she knows when it’s time to pivot, take a leap or let go of an opportunity;
- Her nonprofit’s efforts for diversity and mentorship in the beauty industry;
- The importance of building a strong community of trusted partners;
- Finding joy and managing stress to protect your wellness;
- Kendra’s advice for maintaining positivity in challenging times;
- Her upcoming ventures in wellness, retail, podcasting and more!
Kendra shares more about the power of building your brain trust in her presentation “Community and Counsel: Building Your Brain Trust” on October 4, 2025, at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference. Register to learn why no founder should navigate the path alone and how you can build the counsel you need for sustainable leadership and self-motivation.
--
Music by Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show edition of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, director of medical spa partnerships at Podium. They chat about what makes MSS her favorite aesthetic conference and trade show, along with the exciting new voice capabilities Podium is building into its AI-powered lead management and client communication platform. Listen to hear:
- What made MSS2025 Podium’s favorite show so far;
- How Avery is solving the issue of speed to lead;
- Building an AI voice for inbound and outbound calls;
- How med spas personalize their AI patient coordinator;
- Why MSS is the one-stop shop for building relationships in aesthetics.
Music by Ghost Score
“For med spas, it’s so important to know who you are, what you stand for, and deliver on that with discipline.” This week, AmSpa’s Alex Thiersch sits down with Lowinn Kibbey, President of North America at Cynosure Lutronic, to discuss the landmark merger of two global energy-based device leaders and what it means for the future of medical aesthetics. They talk about:
- The historic merger of Cynosure and Lutronic, one year in;
- Navigating the unique dynamics of the aesthetics industry;
- Why brand identity, discipline and metrics are key to med spa success;
- Cynosure Lutronic’s approach to clinical training and post-sale support;
- Four major growth drivers: rejuvenation, rejuvenation, skin of color and male patients;
- How GLP-1s are reshaping patient demand and creating new business models;
- And much more.
Music by Ghost Score
What if your med spa data could talk? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Alex Lirtsman, founder and CEO of CorralData, to explore how medical spas can unlock real-time, HIPAA-compliant insights without changing their existing systems. CorralData integrates everything from your EMR to marketing, payroll, and finance systems, giving med spas the ability to uncover actionable insights that drive profitability, patient retention, and scalable growth. Listen for strategies to ask smarter questions of your data, including:
- Integrating all of your existing platforms to get actionable insights from your data;
- How multi-location practices, med spa rollups and private equity develop playbooks;
- Navigating HIPAA and BAAs with AI companies to create secure data analysis tools;
- Using reverse ETL to optimize for high lifetime value patients and boost profitability;
- The questions you can ask your data with conversational AI and large language models;
- CorralData’s tailor-made solutions for Advanced MedAesthetic Partners, and more!
--
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Emma Snowball-Robinson, APRN, founder of PURE Medical Aesthetics and PURE Evolution Academy. They chat about her incredible journey from modeling and marrying a rock star to putting herself through nursing school and founding a thriving aesthetic practice. Emma opens up about her reinvention and why “keep showing up” has been her guiding motto. Listen to hear:
- Emma’s path from modeling to regenerative medicine and wellness;
- Overcoming divorce, financial hardship and the challenges of single motherhood;
- How Emma rebuilt her life and launched her career in nursing;
- Her passion for regenerative medicine and the future of aging well;
- The importance of persistence and always showing up, even in difficult times;
- How a freak accident paused her injecting career and shifted her perspective;
- Her plans to give back through scholarships, community support and expanding her practice.
Music by Ghost Score
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with AmSpa State Chapter leaders from California and Utah, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet California co-chair Sahar Saghezchi, of Cupertino Facial Esthetics; Utah co-chair Terri Hancock, DNP, ACNP-BC, of Bellissima Medical Aesthetic; and Utah co-chair Amanda Hopper, of St. George Med Spa. They share their excitement to reconnect at MSS and the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (WALC), and the ways they are bringing their communities together through state-specific resources, networking and collaboration.
Connect and collaborate with the med spas growing alongside you when you join your AmSpa State Chapter today.
Music by Ghost Score
Join AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, as he discusses with Courtney Smith, account executive, and Jon Romano, SVP of sales at Darwill, how med spas can leverage data-driven direct mail to overcome digital fatigue and achieve significant growth. Recorded at AmSpa’s Chicago headquarters, this episode explores the evolution of traditional marketing and how direct mail can create genuine, lasting impressions that boost ROI when integrated with CRM and digital strategies. Key insights include:
- Darwill’s strategic pivot to the medical aesthetics industry and insights into med spa owners’ unique needs;
- The three essential factors Darwill considers when identifying profitable verticals like medical spas;
- How direct mail campaigns proactively target ideal customers, compared to digital;
- Utilizing CRM-triggered automation for personalized mailers that boost bookings and retention;
- Identifying the most effective creative offers and frequency for med spa audiences;
- Strategies for tracking ROI from direct mail campaigns;
- Combining direct mail with digital marketing for a competitive edge.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Dr. Christopher C. Surek, DO, FACS—board-certified plastic surgeon, internationally recognized facial anatomist, and founder and director of the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA)—to discuss the new AIA Alumni Reunion and Refresher course. Designed exclusively for advanced cadaver training alumni, this event offers a higher level, more intense training experience with live full face injections, layered and cross-sectional dissections, and simultaneous ultrasound assessments. Dr. Surek also talks about his new textbook, co-authored with Dr. Steven Weiner, and the power of mentorship and networking within the AIA community.
Learn why building your safety community is just as essential as mastering anatomy and register for the AIA Alumni Reunion and Refresher course at americanmedspa.org/aiaalumni.
Music by Ghost Score
In this episode, AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and Cathy Christensen join Dr. Kay Durairaj, internationally recognized facial plastic surgeon and founder of Beauty by Dr. Kay live from Las Vegas at the Medical Spa Show 2025 to talk about Biohacking Beauty: The science shaping the future of biohacking and regenerative aesthetics. From GLP-1s and “Ozempic face” to collagen stimulation, exosomes, polynucleotides and peptide stacks, Dr. Kay demystifies the research-backed tools med spa professionals can use to optimize skin regeneration and enhance cellular health for their aesthetic patients. They talk about:
- The authentic energy of community and growth at MSS;
- Building the Biohacking Beauty track with credible specialists;
- The rise of GLP-1s in aesthetic care and why it’s here to stay;
- How collagen stimulators are redefining injectables post-filler fear;
- Top-tier peptides, exosomes and supplements that fight cell aging;
- Why salmon sperm is being used off-label for facial rejuvenation;
- How to earn trust with credentialing and educational standards;
- Dr. Kay’s personal wellness stack, collagen techniques and more!
---
Music by Ghost Score
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the Tennessee, Georgia and Florida state chapter leaders, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Tennessee chair Courtney D. Walker, Esq., of Smiley Aesthetics; Georgia chair Martina Kolovich, NP, of Altera Aesthetix; Florida co-chair Michael Zanetti of Erasable Med Spa, and Florida secretary Adrienne Lloyd, MHA, FACHE, of Med Spa Optimization. They talk about taking a proactive approach to med spa regulations, the importance of following the rules for patient safety, the training and networking that keeps them coming back to Medical Spa Show every year, and their plans to bring med spas together to elevate the industry.
Get involved at the local level when you join your State Chapter. Learn more at americanmedspa.org/state-chapters.
Music by Ghost Score
“All medical providers just aren't taught the skills to own and operate a business successfully.” This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, and Carla Pierson, DNP, MBA, RN, identical twins and co-founders of Smiley Aesthetics in Nashville, Tennessee. They explore how their mission to empower med spa providers through compliance, clinical training and business support has fueled the growth of a platform powering over 140 independent med spas. In this conversation, you will hear:
- How Smiley Aesthetics supports med spa owners with compliance, clinical training and business tools;
- Why regulatory compliance is the foundation of their franchise-like platform;
- The importance of structure with medical directors and prescribing protocols;
- How collaboration and community-building have elevated them all;
- The unique factor of being identical twins and how it fuels their success;
- How Mary’s journey highlights aesthetics as an avenue for providers in recovery;
- Building their dream package: a training facility, surgery center and med spa.
- Plans for future expansion, a men-focused med spa, and more!
---
Music by Ghost Score
In this special MSS edition of Medical Spa Insider, Michela Bailey sits down with the leaders of the Texas State Chapter, recorded live at Medical Spa Show 2025! Meet Texas co-chairs S. Alexis Gordon, MD, FACS, of Renew MD Facial Aesthetics, and Celeste Cisneros, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, of Solas Health and Wellness; and secretary Tammy Pendygraft, CLHRP, of Revive Aesthetics and Regenerative Medicine. They share what motivated them to lead, how they’re championing safe practices in medical aesthetics, and the importance of compliance education in building a safer, stronger med spa community.
Make a difference in your local med spa community by joining your state chapter today.
Music by Ghost Score
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Victoria “Vicki” Senyk, MSN, AGNP-C, LE, founder of Aesthetics Temple in Northbrook, Illinois. They talk about centering patient wellbeing in this conversation that includes:
- How she found AmSpa’s compliance education;
- Teaching kids skin care with community outreach;
- What motivates her “make it happen” mindset;
- Safety first with comprehensive patient care;
- Regenerative skin care, her aesthetic treatments and more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jennifer Linder, founder of Linder Health and former owner and chief scientific officer of PCA Skin. They chat about her entrepreneurship journey with skin care science, the benefits of noninflammatory chemical peels and hot topics in longevity medicine. Listen for more on:
- How melasma skin care sparked her entrepreneur journey;
- Embracing longevity medicine to target the 12 hallmarks of aging;
- Educating your med spa teams about the science of skin care;
- How to use chemical peels with your med spa treatments;
- Empathy as a key component of the treatment plan;
- What GLP1s are doing to your patients’ skin;
- And much more!
Save the date for the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference, October 3 – 5, 2025 at Terranea Resort in Southern California.
Music by Ghost Score.
This week AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Bobbi Bullock, NP-C, founder of Bobbi Bullock Medical Esthetics. They talk about how she got her start in medical aesthetics, the unique health challenge that led her to groundbreaking research on facial asymmetry, and how she builds community to grow stronger together. Listen to hear more about:
- How she got into aesthetic medicine from corporate health care;
- Going from one room in a salon to growing a fully booked business;
- Prosopagnosia: overcoming the challenge to detect and correct asymmetries;
- Identifying asymmetry in the nasolabial folds, lips, cheeks, jawline and temple;
- How her network saved the day when she experienced a vascular occlusion;
- Promoting community and collaboration with a network of med spas;
- And more!
Hear more about Bullock’s experiences in the All-Star Injectors Panel on Friday, April 11 at Medical Spa Show.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, sits down with Tyler Weinberg, CEO of Aviva Aesthetics, and Dan Hosler, chairman of the board at Aviva and managing partner of DuneGlass Capital. They discuss how Aviva is implementing an innovative approach to business growth that provides med spa owners a pathway to long-term success—offering a unique alternative to traditional private equity. Learn how their model empowers growth-minded med spa owners to scale, retain control and prepare for long-term success and potential sale. This conversation includes:
- The reality of private equity: how it works and trade-offs for med spa owners;
- How Aviva’s alternative model help you grow without losing ownership or control;
- Key operational benefits of partnering with an MSO that supports autonomy;
- How Aviva’s fully aligned incentives help increase your business value;
- Steps to improve your financials and prepare your med spa for a sale;
- Building a long-term, sustainable business that attracts investors.
Music by Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Sara Cole, AGACNP-BC, CANS, Siren Medical Spa; Chakika Williams, DNP-L, MBA/HCM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FPA, SkyRose Rejuvenation Clinic & Spa; Alexander Rivkin, MD, Westside Aesthetics; Alyssa Rapp, Empower Aesthetics; Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT, Gorgeous Aesthetic Bar; Jenna Hilton, PA-C, Vibrant Skin Bar. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conference attendees. Don’t miss their sessions at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Sara Cole, AGACNP-BC, CANS
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 10:35 a.m. | The Psychology Behind Your Best Consultation
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 10:30 a.m. | When Is It Right to Say “No”
- Sunday, April 13: 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Addressing Lower Face Laxity
Chakika Williams, DNP-L, MBA/HCM, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC, FPA
- Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | Diversity in Aesthetics: All Faces Are Not Created Equal
Alexander Rivkin, MD
- Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | Nonsurgical Rhinoplasty: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Alyssa Rapp
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 1:30 p.m. | Leadership and Life Hacks: Insights from a Mom, Wife, Entrepreneur and Executive
Georgia Cirese, RN, CANS, CLT
- Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | Sell It Like a Scholar: Leveraging Knowledge as a Strategic Sales Tool
Jenna Hilton, PA-C
- Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | Panel: The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
Music By Ghost Score
Would you learn another fine injection technique to access a patient population of 30 million? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Keetha Hanlin, RN, LME, senior clinical advisor at Methapharm, distributor of sclerosing agent Asclera. Drawing on her 20 years of experience, Hanlin discusses sclerotherapy as a treatment for spider and reticular veins in the lower extremity, and how to incorporate cosmetic vein treatment in your aesthetic practice. Listen to hear more about:
- Sclerotherapy vs. laser for spider and reticular veins;
- The “HASTI” algorithm process to screen patient candidates;
- Partnering with specialists to treat underlying venous disease;
- Potential complications of sclerotherapy and how to avoid them;
- How to package sclerotherapy with your membership program;
- When to inject, profitability, hands-on training, and more!
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gretchen Frieling, MD, of GfaceMD; Christal Parker, FNP-C, APRN, of Savvy Beauty and Wellness; Blakelee Paige Smith, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C, of Skin + Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Molly Bailey, PA-C, of Face Forward Aesthetics. They share their biggest wins, lessons learned, and must-know insights for conference attendees. Don’t miss their sessions at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Gretchen Frieling, MD
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | The Aesthetic Revolution (Things We Don't Hate): Thought Leader Nexts and Bests
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 11 a.m. | Ultrasound Before and After Treatment: Diagnostic and Complication Mitigation
Christal Parker, FNP-C, APRN
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | All-star Owners Panel
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 10:35 a.m. | The Intersection of Hormone Therapy and Weight Loss: Optimizing Patient Outcomes
Blakelee Paige Smith, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, NP-C
- Saturday, April 12: 4:25 - 4:50 p.m. | Mastering Hair Loss in Aesthetics
Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | All-star Owners Panel
- Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | The Art of Dissolving Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
- Saturday, April 12: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Perfect Partners: Medical Spa Owners and Practice Managers
Molly Bailey, PA-C
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 9:25 a.m. | From Lifts to Likes: Building your Aesthetic Brand on Social Media
Music By Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, JD, speaks with Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, founder of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique. They chat about how she uses artificial intelligence to reclaim her time and how AI automations are transforming the future of medical spas. Everybody needs to know and understand AI, Dr. Jones says—start here!
- How AI has been a game-changer in her business;
- The exact framework Dr. Jones uses to prompt ChatGPT;
- AI’s power to compress time for tasks, from business plans to slide decks;
- Addressing concerns about online data privacy with large language models;
- The most useful applications of AI for med spa solopreneurs;
- How generative AI is reshaping the med spa industry;
- The future of AI, superintelligence and more!
Learn more about the transformative power of AI for solo aesthetic practice owners on Saturday, April 12, as Dr. Jones presents “Team AI: How Solopreneurs Can Maximize Profits and Reclaim Time With AI Systems and Automation.” Position your business for success at Medical Spa Show 2025, April 10 - 13, 2025.
Music by Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from W. Chistopher Croley, MD, of Skin & Tonic; Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, of Lemmon Avenue; George Baxter-Holder, DNP, APRN, CANS, of SkinSpirit; Katie Duke, NP-BC, of KD Creative; Riley Worth, NP, of Elase Medical Spa; and Nicole Gregory of Urban You. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
W. Christopher Croley, MD
- Saturday, April 12: 9:35 - 10 a.m. | Beyond Binary Beauty: Elevating Transgender Care in Medical Aesthetics
- Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | Male and Female Facial Balancing
Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 10:35 a.m. | "Snatched": Advanced Lower Face Filler Injection
George Baxter-Holder, DNP, APRN, CANS
- Thursday, April 10: 12 - 4 p.m. | The AART of GAIN: Education on the Galderma Aesthetic Portfolio
- Friday, April 11: 9:25 - 9:40 a.m. | The Secrets to an Unbreakable Spirit
- Friday, April 11: 2:15 - 2:40 p.m. | Full Face Assessment Demo
- Sunday, April 13: 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. | AIA Cadaver Training
Katie Duke, NP-BC
- Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | Making the Pivot: How to Find Your Authentic Path in Aesthetics and Beyond
Riley Worth, NP
- Saturday, April 12: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | The Importance of Facial Mapping and How to Obtain a Sharp Jawline Using HA Fillers
Nicole Gregory
- Friday, April 11: 8:55 - 9:25 a.m. | PANEL: Dangerous Practices, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective
Music By Ghost Score
This week, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Randi Boyette, PhD, CEO of Spark Medical Marketing and CMO of NewBeauty, to explore her inspiring career journey and vision for the future of the medical aesthetics industry. As Corporate Development Advisor at AmSpa, she shares her passion for elevating the industry by focusing on compliance, culture, and collaboration. Tune in to hear about making your own opportunities, maintaining a strong business culture, and why AmSpa is pivotal in shaping the industry’s future.
- Randi’s transition from corporate sales to medical aesthetics marketing
- Building a sense of community in the medical aesthetics industry
- The importance of compliance and ethical practice in med spas
- Randi’s role in AmSpa’s strategic growth and vision for the future
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kim Burke, APN, FNP-C, of Kiss Aesthetics; Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, CANS, of Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics; Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C, of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique; Josie Tenore, MD, of Trevi Longevity & Aesthetics; and Audrey Neff, of PatientNow. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Kim Burke, APN, FNP-C
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 10:30 a.m. | When Is It Right to Say "No"
- Sunday, April 13: 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Facial Balancing on a Budget
Julie Bass Kaplan, FNP-BC, CANS
- Saturday, April 12: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Perfect Partners: Medical Spa Owners and Practice Managers
- Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | Panel: The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 10:30 a.m. | When Is It Right to Say "No"
- Sunday, April 13: 11:15 - 11:45 a.m. | Addressing Lower Face Laxity
Kiiyonna Jones, PhD, FNP-C
- Saturday, April 12: 2:15 - 2:40 p.m. | Team AI: How Solopreneurs Can Maximize Profits and Reclaim Time With AI Systems and Automation
Josie Tenore, MD
- Saturday, April 12: 9:35 - 10 a.m. | The Value of IV Services in Your Aesthetic Practice
Audrey Neff
- Saturday, April 12: 4:25 - 4:50 p.m. | Developing High-value Membership Programs That Enhance Patient Loyalty and Practice Revenue
Music By Ghost Score
What is a realistic investment from seed to success? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ashley James, CEO of DermAesthetic Consulting and MedSpa Mobile Solutions. They discuss the financial must-knows when opening a medical spa for the first time. Their conversation includes:
- The unique challenges of running an aesthetic business;
- Hidden costs that could derail your business plan;
- Equipment purchasing dos and don’ts;
- What services to bring on based on ROI and direct costs;
- Predictions for the future of aesthetics and functional wellness;
- The latest updates on MedSpa Mobile Solutions, and more!
AmSpa Members receive a complimentary Strategy Session valued at $349 for new customers. Listen to learn more about MedSpa Mobile Solutions: Innovative Mobile Med Spa Solutions: Why and How They Work
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Erika Barry, NP-C, of Resculpt Aesthetics; Savanna Boda, LE, of Savanna Boda Aesthetics; Jacklyn Halpin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, of Aesthetic Couture Medical Spa and Skin of Color Aesthetics; Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS, of The Confidence Bar; and Steven Sorr, NMD, of Source of Health. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Erika Barry, NP-C
- Thursday, April 10: 2 - 4 p.m. | Mastering Social Media with Injector Bunny and Social by Libby
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | All-Star Owners Panel
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 11 a.m. | The Aesthetic Revolution (Things We Don't Hate): Thought Leader Nexts and Bests
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | Trendy Tox: Traps, Tips, Necks and Facial Slimming
Savanna Boda, LE
- Saturday, April 12: 9:35 - 10 a.m. | How to Create Influence in a Competitive Industry
Jacklyn Halpin, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
- Saturday, April 12: 10:10 - 10:35 a.m. | Energy-based Device Safety Protocols for Skin of Color: How to Choose and Prevent Adverse Events
Rana Kennelly, AGNP-C, CANS
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | All-Star Owners Panel
- Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | The Art of Dissolving Hyaluronic Acid Fillers
- Saturday, April 12: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Perfect Partners: Medical Spa Owners and Practice Managers
Steven Sorr, NMD
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | Advancing Sexual Wellness Treatments in Your Practice
- Saturday, April 12: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | How to Incorporate Functional Wellness Into Your Practice
Music By Ghost Score
In this special milestone episode, we’re celebrating over 300 episodes of Medical Spa Insider, a journey that started in 2018. AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, Cathy Christensen, and Michela Bailey reflect on their favorite moments, from their very first episode to unforgettable conversations with guests who’ve gone on to achieve incredible success in the industry. Tune in for a look back at the most memorable episodes, evolving industry trends, and what excites them for the future—plus a sneak peek at what’s coming at Medical Spa Show 2025 (April 10 - 13, 2025), and the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference (October 3 - 5, 2025).
Catch a few of the hosts’ favorite episodes:
Terri Ross on CoolSculpting, Paul Nassif, and Top-selling Med Spa Treatments
Lessons in Confidence from Self-made Billionaire Sara Blakely
Member Spotlight: Sarah Balladares, PA-C
A huge thank you to all of our listeners and guests who have supported us, making this podcast an invaluable resource for the med spa community!
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Dr. Kay Durairaj, of Beauty by Dr. Kay; Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC, of InjectAbility; Sahar Saghezchi, LPN, of Cupertino Facial Esthetics; Grace McLaurin, DMSc, PA-C, of Vitality Anti-Aging Center; and Suzanne Munshower, RN, of Beauty Marx Aesthetic MedSpa. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Dr. Kay Durairaj
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 5:25 p.m. | Biohacking Beauty Track
Leslie Fletcher, NP-BC
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | All-Star Injectors Panel
- Saturday, April 12: 1:05 - 1:30 p.m. | How to Navigate Body Dysmorphia as an Aesthetic Professional
- Sunday, April 13: 10 - 10:30 a.m. | Optimizing Results with One Vial of Tox Challenge
- Sunday, April 13: 10:45 - 11:45 a.m. | Conformity and Consumerism
Sahar Saghezchi, LPN
- Saturday, April 12: 2:15 - 2:40 p.m. | Identifying Red Flag Patients
Grace McLaurin, DMSc, PA-C
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 10:30 a.m. | When Is It Right to Say “No”
- Sunday, April 13: 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. | Facial Balancing on a Budget Case
Suzanne Munshower, RN
- Friday, April 11: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | Optimizing Outcomes with Injectable HA Microdroplets and Skin Boosters
Music By Ghost Score
How do we build a culture where ideas have a fighting chance? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa president and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speak with Kyle Scheele, author and upcoming keynote speaker at Medical Spa Show 2025. Deemed “the patron saint of crazy ideas,” Scheele shares his entrepreneurial journey, the power of outside perspectives, and how we can stop talking ourselves out of ideas to move the ball forward. They talk about:
- Embracing crazy ideas and accidental entrepreneurship;
- The role of outsiders in driving innovation;
- Building community to face challenges;
- How to stay out of your own way;
- Consistently taking small steps;
- Creativity as a team sport;
- And much more!
Bring home practical, tactical, tangible ideas to encourage creativity and innovation when you attend Scheele’s keynote “How to Turn Yourself (and Your Organization) Into an Innovation Machine” on April 10, 2025, at the Wynn Las Vegas. Register for Medical Spa Show 2025 to save your seat and start building a culture where innovation is a natural byproduct.
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Adam Haroun, founder of Aesthetic Altitude; Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA, founder of Smiley Aesthetics; Carl Clarke, MHS, RPA-C, founder of Diamond Works MedSpa; and Kacie Avey, RN, CANS, founder of Tailored Aesthetics. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Adam Haroun
- Saturday, April 12: 1:40 - 2:05 p.m. | Your Brilliant Debut: How to Successfully Launch a Premium Treatment by Thinking Like Hollywood
Mary Smiley Ford, MSN, APRN, CRNA
- Saturday, April 12: 10:35 - 11 a.m. | Male and Female Facial Balancing
Carl Clarke, MHS, RPA-C
- Sunday, April 13: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. | AIA Advanced Cadaver Course
Kacie Avey, RN, CANS
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Music By Ghost Score
This week we return to a conversation between AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and two leaders of Operation Mend, a nonprofit UCLA Health program that provides specialized surgical and psychological care to post-9/11 military members, veterans and their caregivers. Executive Director Jo Sornborger, PsyD, and Christopher Crisera, MD, plastic surgeon and executive medical director, share the charity's mission and vision in a conversation that covers:
- The origins of Operation Mend and the importance of their work with veterans;
- The intersection between mental health needs and reconstructive surgery;
- How involving caregivers in the program led to better outcomes;
- How needs are assessed;
- Why there is so much difficulty in getting treatment for veterans;
- How trauma can affect the entire family unit;
- The personal impact from working with Operation Mend; and
- How listeners can become involved in their mission.
From February 10-17, 2025, $75 of every ticket sold for the Medical Spa Show will be donated to Operation Mend, with matching contributions from AmSpa and ByrdAdatto. Make a difference for a wounded veteran with your registration this week at www.medicalspashow.com/operation-mend.
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Jennifer Hartley, ACNP, founder of Skin Synthesis Clinic & Spa; Amie Martin, RN, founder of Aesthetic Mentor; and Erica Crawford, president of Influx Marketing. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Jennifer Hartley, ACNP
- Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
Amie Martin, RN
- Friday, April 11: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | How to Build a $20 Million Aesthetic Injector Team
Erica Crawford
- Saturday, April 12: 5 - 5:25 p.m. | Medical Weight Loss Is Unlocking a New Wave of Aesthetic Patients. Are You Capitalizing?
Music By Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Taylor Siemens, NP-C, vice president of operations at Vitalyc Medspa and clinical advisor to AmSpa. They discuss the nuances of laser safety and the need for proper training and education in medical aesthetics. Their conversation includes:
- How combining laser with other aesthetic treatments boosts results;
- What med spas need to focus on when it comes to laser safety;
- How much training is enough to competently perform laser treatments;
- Ablative vs. non-ablative and photofacial devices;
- Understanding scope of practice, laser licensing and legality;
- Possible complications, even in the hands of experienced providers;
- Standards for proper laser training and education, and more!
Sign up for Turning Your Practice Up to 11: Energy Device Master Class on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at Medical Spa Show.
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Annie Hockey, president and head of consulting at Skytale Group; Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG, founder of Sugar Land Med Spa; Patrick Blake, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer at Portrait; and Amy Anderson, co-founder of BrinsonAnderson Consulting. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Annie Hockey
- Friday, April 11: 1:40 - 2:05 p.m. | The Insider’s Guide to Private Equity Interest in Medical Aesthetics
Kimberly L. Evans, MD, FACOG
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | Advancing Sexual Wellness Treatments in Your Practice
Patrick Blake, MD
- Friday, April 11: 8:55 - 9:25 a.m. | PANEL: Dangerous Practices, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective
Amy Anderson
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Everything You Want to Know About Running a Thriving Med Spa
Music By Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Erica Crawford, president, and Max Baybak, co-founder and chief growth officer of Influx Marketing. They discuss the community response to recent devastating wildfires in California, and how to adapt your marketing plan for 2025. Their conversation includes:
- The impact of recent wildfires in Southern California and how the community has come together;
- Using local service ads (LSAs) to boost your Google Business Profile;
- Marketing for medical weight loss: Can your med spa compete?
- The comeback of long-form organic content for SEO;
- How AI is and isn’t changing med spa marketing plans;
- Why you should be doing social media content in-house; and
- Diversifying your marketing budget to reach your goals.
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Kate Dee, MD, of Glow MediSpa; Linné Linder, ND, of SkinSpirit; Cameron Hemphill of Growth99; and Jessica Nunn of Maven Financial Partners. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Kate Dee, MD
- Friday, April 11: 8:55 - 9:25 a.m. | Dangerous Practice, Devastating Consequences: A Compliance Perspective
- Saturday, April 12: 1:40 - 2:15 p.m. | Balancing Ethics and Revenue— How Ethics can Boost your Revenue
- Sunday, April 13: 9 - 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Linné Linder, ND
- Friday, April 11: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | Unlocking the Fountain of Youth: A Journey Into Longevity and Regenerative Medicine
Cameron Hemphill
- Friday, April 11: 5- 5:25 p.m. | Maximizing Patient Lifecycle Value Through Marketing
Jessica Nunn
- Friday, April 11: 1:05 - 1:30 p.m. | What the Most Profitable Med Spas are Doing in 2025
Music By Ghost Score
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Danielle Oyasu, NP, founder of Beautifully New Med Spa in Park Ridge, Illinois. They talk about the importance of community, their shared love of the city, and more in this conversation that includes:
- How she was introduced to AmSpa;
- The community spirit in aesthetics;
- Talking safety and responsible practices;
- Treatments that changed her confidence;
- Her skincare regimen, empty-nester status and more!
Music by Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Gilberto Saenz III, PA-C, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; Bree Black, Co-founder of JobSnob; Johnny Franco, MD, FACS, of Austin Plastic Surgeon; and Judy Kozlicki, Head of Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery at Skytale Group. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Gilberto Saenz III, PA-C
- Friday, April 11: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | Implementing a Successful Weight Loss Program
- Saturday, April 12: 9:35 - 10 a.m. | Cellulite: The New Frontier of Combination Therapy
- Saturday, April 12: 3:50 - 4:50 p.m. | The Worst I Ever Had: Complications and How to Overcome Them
Bree Black
- Saturday, April 12: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | The HR Panel: Hiring, Retaining, Compensating and Managing Your Aesthetic Team
Johnny Franco, MD, FACS
- Sunday, April 13: 9- 11:45 a.m. | Bridging the Divide: Conversations on Controversial Issues
Judy Kozlicki
- Friday, April 11: 3:50 - 4:15 p.m. | How Knowing Business Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Will Maximize Your Revenue
Music By Ghost Score
What can microneedling remind us about keeping the medical in medical spas? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Molly Muecke, RN, MSN, APRN, NP-C, founder of Astra Aesthetics in Knoxville, Tennessee. They discuss the risks associated with microneedling, the importance of safety protocols in medical aesthetics, and the need to educate patients and regulators about safe med spa practices. Their conversation includes:
- How a non-compete brought her practice closer to home;
- The potential risks and side effects of microneedling;
- Why microneedling is regulated as a medical procedure;
- Educating patients about safe aesthetic practices;
- Proper safety protocols for needles and syringes;
- Half-syringe usage, injection safety and more!
Music By Ghost Score
In this Medical Spa Show speakers series, we hear from Taylor Siemens, NP-C, vice president of operations at Vitalyc MedSpa; Christopher Balbi, director of marketing at Meesha Aesthetics; Rebecca McAbee, practice manager and chief operating officer at Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics; and Kelly Choi, NP, founder of The Beauty Collective. They describe their wins and lessons learned, along with what conference attendees will learn from their classes at Medical Spa Show 2025, from April 10 - 13, 2025!
Taylor Siemens, NP-C
- Thursday, April 10: 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Choosing the Right Treatments for Your Medical Aesthetics Practice
- Saturday, April 12: 2:15 - 2:40 p.m. | Practice Non-surgical Body Contouring for Your Practice
Chris Balbi
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 9:25 a.m. | Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Your Aesthetic Practice
Rebecca McAbee
- Saturday, April 12: 1:05 - 2:05 p.m. | PANEL: Perfect Partners: Medical Spa Owners and Practice Managers
- Saturday, April 12: 4:25 - 5:25 p.m. | The HR Panel: Hiring, Retaining, Compensating and Managing Your Aesthetic Talent
Kelly Choi, NP
- Saturday, April 12: 9 - 10 a.m. | All-Star Owners Panel
Music By Ghost Score
In this 300th episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jodi Faustlin, chief compliance offer, and Chad Schiffman, director of risk management at Healthcare Compliance Pros. They talk about fundamental compliance policies and procedures for your organization, why the OCR and FTC are getting more involved in healthcare compliance, and how aesthetic practices can protect electronic personal health records. Their conversation includes:
- What triggers the FTC to look into your business practices;
- Why you should be careful with claims of HIPAA compliance;
- How to conduct a thorough risk analysis to find vulnerabilities;
- Getting your team’s buy-in to implement your compliance policy;
- How to protect your patients’ health information (PHI) when using AI;
- Protecting the confidentiality, integrity and accessibility of PHI;
- Keeping up with rules and regulatory updates, and more!
Healthcare Compliance Pros (HCP) understands that the health care industry continues to face a significant amount of regulatory oversight in HIPAA, OSHA, corporate compliance and human resources. Many health care organizations have struggled to find an efficient, simple and cost-effective way to stay current with these high-overhead, low reward-liabilities. Having seen this frustration firsthand, HCP has created innovative online tools and comprehensive compliance support to address these needs.
Music By Ghost Score
In this episode, we revisit a conversation between AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, Shawna Chrisman, NP, CEO and founder of Destination Aesthetics, and Maegen Kennedy, PA-C, co-founder and clinical director of Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute. They spoke about the current stage of their medical spas, the details of scaling a business, and insider tips to help new and growing medical spas reach their goals. Listen in to hear more about:
- What they’ve learned through expanding to multiple locations;
- How to prepare for expansion and train your employees;
- Strategies that have helped their med spas find success;
- Tracking and responding to the data in your practice;
- Which KPIs show you the health of your business;
- Advice for med spas starting out or looking to reach the next level;
- An original membership model and loyalty program;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jonathan Kaplan, MD, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of BuildMyHealth. They chat about DrWell by BuildMyHealth and how it simplifies medical weight loss treatment for both patients and medical aesthetic practices. Listen in to learn:
- Evolving from price transparency solutions to subscription medications;
- How DrWell automates billing and connects med spas to compounding pharmacies;
- Compliantly paying providers and helping patients navigate insurance;
- How 503a and 503b pharmacies can continue providing weight loss solutions;
- The future of provider-to-consumer and working with compounding pharmacies;
- And more!
Music By Ghost Score
This week in AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Patrick Blake, MD, and Praveen Ramineni, co-founders of Portrait, along with Sam Pondrom, JD, associate at national healthcare law firm ByrdAdatto. They discuss the role of medical directors in shaping aesthetic practices, from setting protocols to ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety. Their conversation includes:
- How independent medical providers stay competitive;
- Portrait’s launch kit and systems to scale aesthetic practices;
- Navigating compliance concepts and the gravity of patient care standards;
- Building a medical director network to provide state-required oversight;
- The most common compliance mistakes people make when trying to open;
- Developing protocols and a standardized foundation for the long term future;
- Compliance as an ongoing process, knowing your exposure to risk, and more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, Director of Medical Spa Partnerships at Podium; Traci Andreason, FNP-C, founder of Rise Rejuvenation Center; Cortney Hall, COO of True Medical Spa. They discuss the systems and tools that can help med spas increase lead conversion and manage the volume they see over the holidays. Their conversation includes:
- How to capture the influx of the holidays;
- Building a holiday game plan focused on value over price;
- Teaching consumers how to interact with your business;
- How patient education helps med spas capture more leads;
- Allocating your marketing to build SEO and get the word out;
- How an AI patient coordinator improves response time;
- Actively training your AI, and more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa’s President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Nick Liguori, CPA, owner and founder of Liguori Accounting. They discuss the complexities of management service organizations (MSOs), common pitfalls for medical spa MSO taxes and how to properly set up your accounts. Their conversation includes:
- MSOs: the key structure for compliant med spa ownership;
- Where med spa MSOs can get tripped up with financials;
- Specific tax challenges and common pitfalls to avoid;
- How to ensure that your business entity is set up correctly
- The typical process of setting up the proper systems;
- When to transition from DIY bookkeeping to working with professionals;
- How to correct and prevent future issues while preparing for tax season;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Traci Andreason, FNP-C, founder of Rise Rejuvenation Center. They talk about her specialty in sexual wellness and her passion for empowering women in this conversation that includes:
- Joining AmSpa to learn compliance in aesthetics;
- How sexual wellness became her specialty;
- The education intimate health practitioners need;
- Remembering that patients bring vulnerability ;
- Her passion for helping others reach their goals;
- The anatomy coloring book she created for injectors;
- Her favorite treatments, skincare routine and more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, we revisit our conversation with Michael S. Byrd, JD, and Bradford E. Adatto, JD, of national business and health care law firm ByrdAdatto. AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Byrd and Adatto in a discussion of the latest in aesthetics compliance concerns and what medical spas should know about IV therapy compliance. They cover:
- Private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and the idea of integrated health care;
- How the corporate practice of medicine and scope of practice regulations compare for IV bars vs. traditional medical settings;
- Standing orders and who can use independent medical judgment to make IV therapy treatment determinations;
- How nursing boards view administering IVs;
- What the risks are for noncompliance in IV therapy;
- Delegation and good faith exams in IV bars;
- How pharmacy boards regulate licensing and compounding IV medication;
- · What the enforcement atmosphere is at the moment, and more!
Listen to these previous episodes to learn about an unfortunate incident at a Texas medical spa, plus the educational resources the industry is building to help aesthetic providers safely perform IV nutrient therapy.
Music by Ghost Score
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Kenzie Cammuse, founder of Nashville Skin Studio. They chat about how she started an aesthetician owned med spa in this conversation that includes:
- Celebrating their recent awards at Best of Nashville 2024;
- How her AmSpa membership continues to help her grow her business;
- Owning a med spa as an aesthetician and partnering with a medical director;
- Why she favors energy devices and specific products;
- Her skin care, aesthetic treatments, and more!
Music by Ghost Score
How are two nurse practitioner injectors transforming the future of aesthetic education? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Alexa Nicholls Costa, NP, and Alexandra Rogers, NP, co-founders of LexRx. They discuss an exciting expansion of their certificate program in partnership with the Boston College Connell School of Nursing. Their conversation includes:
- LexRx’s brand evolution and new educational offerings;
- How they pitched an injectables program to university leadership;
- The significance of academic partnerships for aesthetic training;
- How student feedback inspired a new business-building initiative;
- The enthusiastic response from nurses joining this community.
Register for the upcoming Clinical Aesthetics Business Building course on November 16th at Boston College!
Music by Ghost Score
This week on the podcast, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Elisabeth Smith, PA-C, founder of IndieRX. They talk about how AmSpa events helped her strengthen the foundation of her business, in this wide-ranging chat that covers:
- How she first learned med spa regulations and compliance;
- Her experience at medical spa boot camps and AIA advanced cadaver course;
- Stand-out advice to being honored as one of Nashville’s best med spas;
- Developing proprietary skin care products, Skindie Rx;
- Her skin care and aesthetic treatments;
- And much more!
Sign up for the Orlando Medical Spa Boot Camp the weekend of November 8 – 10, 2024 to learn the most important med spa regulations, discover trusted business strategies and connect with med spa owners and professionals who will become your community. Whether you are new, prospective, or 5 years into the business, you can take away pearls of wisdom for the next steps on your medical aesthetic journey. Register today!
Music by Ghost Score
When performed appropriately, IV therapy is safe. What resources can help med spa providers practice safely? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Sam Tejada, founder and CEO, and Dr. Christopher Davis, chief medical officer of Liquivida. They talk about the business growth of Liquivida’s IV nutrient therapy solutions and wellness centers, why they got involved with the American IV Association (AIVA), and the educational resources they’re working on to promote safe medicine in the aesthetic industry. Their conversation includes:
- What inspired Tejada to found Liquivida with only $500 in his back pocket;
- Why interventional cardiologist Dr. Davis added IV nutrient therapy;
- The science of IV therapy to selectively target micronutrient deficiencies;
- How they used clinical data to convince the public this is more than a fad;
- The importance of treating IV therapy seriously as a medical treatment;
- Future datasets for providers with the American IV Association (AIVA);
- Liquivida Wellness Centers vs. Liquivida Integrated Lounges;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score
How much training and experience is enough to be a safe, competent injector? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Michelle Doran, MSN, APRN, BC, CANS, co-founder of RN Esthetics and faculty for the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA). They chat about her personal training journey in medical aesthetics, the importance of clinical education in facial anatomy, and what to look for when hiring a provider. Their conversation includes:
- What drove her to switch from palliative care to medical aesthetics;
- Her first aesthetic education, early mentorship, and path to training;
- The types of aesthetic training courses she invests in year after year;
- Why she finds it important to hire nurses with real world experience;
- Taking the AIA cadaver course and how she became a faculty member;
- Essential anatomy training and learning to manage complications;
- Her decision to partner with Alpha Aesthetics Partners.
The Academy for Injection Anatomy trains injectors to be safe, competent and legally compliant. Get an in-depth understanding of facial anatomy when you sign up for the upcoming AIA Advanced Cadaver Course or add hands-on clinical training to your conference agenda at Medical Spa Show 2025: https://www.medicalspashow.com/aia-cadaver-training.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Dr. Kate Dee, founder of Glow Medispa and author of Med Spa Mayhem: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Secrets of the Aesthetic Industry. They chat about her newly published book, the state of med spa oversight, and her goal to educate the public and affect change in the industry. Their conversation includes:
- Pivoting from radiologist to 10 years as a med spa founder and practitioner;
- Her mission to educate the public about what to look for in a med spa;
- Comparing the compliance processes of hospitals and medical spas;
- The controls, checks and balances that are lacking in the industry;
- Overviews of recent cases of adverse reactions and prosecution;
- The motivations of medical directors and the risk they take on;
- Concerns about aesthetic newcomers who don’t know the laws;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa Director of Education, Kirstie Jackson, speak with Erika Barry, NP-C, MSN, aka Injector Bunny of Moksha Aesthetics. They discuss the challenges small med spas face with recent updates to the Allē loyalty program and make suggestions that prioritize the patient experience and your practice’s values. Their conversation includes:
- How med spa professionals have responded to the rollout of these updates;
- The ways Barry is navigating and implementing the program in her practice;
- Speaking with patients who ask for a product or service you do not recommend;
- How focusing on patient outcomes can help you maintain high customer service;
- Barry’s decision to add an injector fee and how it can protect your providers’ finances;
- The commercialization of healthcare and implications for the future of aesthetics;
- Why building a foundation of community is so important.
For a breakdown of these changes, read the Allē Loyalty Program Update FAQ: https://americanmedspa.org/alle-loyalty-program
Music by Ghost Score
How do you maintain your independence when joining a private equity platform? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetics Partners. They discuss recent private equity activity and how Wheeler’s experience with his family’s aesthetic business has helped him become the leader of a medical spa platform backed by Thurston Group. Their conversation includes:
- The current M&A landscape and how Alpha Aesthetics Partners is positioned;
- Wheeler’s journey from pastor to aesthetic marketer to platform CEO;
- About his family aesthetic business and his reasons for founding Alpha;
- How they retain brand identity and clinical autonomy with their partners;
- Why they don’t approach selling as an exit strategy;
- Guidance on navigating acquisitions, key questions to ask, and more!
Listen to our conversation with Melissa Rogne of Chapter Aesthetic Studio.
Learn more about AmSpa’s Medical Spa Boot Camps and reserve your seat in the final events of 2024!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Courtney Walker, JD, co-founder and chief legal officer of Smiley Aesthetics in Nashville, Tennessee. They talk about her involvement in the AmSpa Tennessee State Chapter in this wide-ranging chat, which covers:
- Her motivation to join the Tennessee State Chapter;
- How Tennessee is ahead of the game in med spa regulations;
- The reason she went to law school and became an attorney;
- Being proactive about serving as a case study for state policy;
- Top 3 things she’s looking forward to in being a part of the state chapter;
- Her favorite skin care, aesthetic treatments, and more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Brad Crerar, PA-C, Co-founder and COO of CONTŌR Studio in New York. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Learning to run an efficient practice and starting CONTŌR;
- When and why he decided to become a member of AmSpa;
- What he's gained from AmSpa's Medical Spa Boot Camps and virtual education;
- The mission and vision of the practice;
- How they stand out in the Soho market;
- His favorite treatments and skin care routine;
- And much more!
There are two more opportunities for aesthetic business training in 2024, so reserve your spot at the AmSpa Medical Spa Boot Camps in Nashville or Orlando today! Learn more about the growing Society for Aesthetic PAs and its PA-specific resources by visiting americanmedspa.org/aestheticpas.
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa Chief Strategy Officer, Cathy Christensen, sits down with Dr. James Smartt, Co-founder and CEO of Pictoria Systems, and Samantha Pino, APRN-FNP, Founder of Face by SP. They discuss how the platform enhances patient communication through standardized photography, including how Jackie™ addresses three critical moments within the aesthetic client experience. Their conversation includes:
- Dr. Smartt’s inspiration for developing a tool that enhances communication with patients;
- Building a unique approach to standardized photography that ensures consistent results;
- How it addresses common challenges with HIPAA-compliant patient communication;
- Timing meaningful photo capture to guide patients on their treatment journey;
- How comparison images help patients visualize their results over time;
- The ways Jackie™ can help prepare practitioners to excel;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score
AmSpa recently launched State Chapters in California, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Utah. AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Florida state chapter co-chairs Michael Zanetti of Erasable Med Spa and Julie Davis-Hunter of Pure Vida Body & Mind Spa, and California chair Stacy Grissen, MSN, AGNP-C, of Aesthetically Pleasing Medical Spa. They discuss the reasons they got involved with AmSpa State Chapters, the challenges in their local communities and their plans to advance the industry in a positive way.
- How AmSpa state chapters aim to affect change at a state level;
- Why they volunteered to become leaders for AmSpa’s state chapters;
- How building good competition can be beneficial your practice;
- What makes the aesthetic environments in California and Florida challenging;
- The difficulties of navigating the aesthetic regulations state by state;
- Why organizing at the state level is not just helpful, but necessary;
- Strategic next steps for these chapters: resources, community and collaboration;
- And more!
Get yourself a seat at the table and help shape the direction of the industry by joining your state chapter. AmSpa Plus Members can sign up today by visiting https://americanmedspa.org/state-chapters.
Music by Ghost Score
How much longer will the popular weight loss medications be in shortage, and what happens in your med spa when they can no longer be compounded? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, is joined by Sam Pondrom, JD, associate at national healthcare law firm ByrdAdatto. They talk about the recent availability status updates for tirzepatide and semaglutide, and what changes medical spas can anticipate when the brand-name medications become fully available. Listen to hear more about:
- What the latest changes in the status of tirzepatide availability mean and don’t mean;
- How the FDA determines whether a drug is still in shortage;
- The patent exception during shortage that clears the way for compounding pharmacies;
- Patent and intellectual property protection: how to safely market medical weight loss solutions;
- What to expect when these medications are officially taken off the drug shortage list;
- The future conversations you will need to have with your patients.
Catch up on AmSpa’s coverage for the changing tirzepatide status and semaglutide usage in med spas.
Music by Ghost Score
What can you do to preserve the patient relationship after they experience an adverse reaction? This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Patrick Tighe, Co-founder, and Kandis Hughes, Chief Marketing Officer of Coverwell, to delve into a crucial aspect of medical aesthetics: managing credibility and adverse events in your practice. In this insightful discussion, they explore the complexities of risk management and the importance of proper handling of complications and adverse reactions. Their conversation includes:
- Personal stories that highlight the patient experience of adverse reactions;
- Proactive measures that aesthetic practitioners can take to minimize risks;
- Risk management strategies including proper protocols, consents and education;
- How hands-on care unites the patient and provider when handling adverse events;
- How Coverwell’s solution of extended service coverage protects medical spas;
- Techniques for preserving the credibility of your med spa and the industry;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week we revisit a conversation from the close of 2020. Brandon Robinson, owner of Skin Body Soul and investor in OrangeTwist, took over the podcast to interview Alex R. Thiersch, JD, AmSpa’s founder and CEO. Join us for a look back at the history of the American Med Spa Association as Thiersch reveals:
- How he first became interested in a legal career;
- The legal case that got him into medical aesthetics;
- The beginnings of AmSpa;
- The idea behind AmSpa’s Medical Spa & Aesthetic Boot Camps;
- How the Medical Spa Show came into being;
- How Covid-19 and lockdown changed the focus of the association;
- His outlook on the future of the industry post-pandemic.
Music by Ghost Score
Are you giving your patients the time and attention they need for optimal care? This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ken Winnard, MD, founder and CEO of OneLife Health & Performance in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. They discuss his focus on preventive medicine and how OneLife’s approach to wellness helps his patients restore their health in all aspects of their lives. Their conversation includes:
- Why he started a concierge wellness practice;
- How to get into medical aesthetics as a physician;
- The opportunity for med spas to lead in whole body health;
- How med spas evolved to include GLP-1s and medical weight loss;
- Taking the time to educate patients and build a foundation of trust;
- What goes into OneLife’s extensive consultation process;
- The overlap of aesthetics and wellness;
- What a safe med spa visit looks like;
- And much more!
Learn more about Dr. Winnard’s approach in The Way to Whole-body Wellness from AmSpa’s QP.
Music by Ghost Score
Can imaging tech empower your patients? This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Martin Kessler, Co-founder and COO of Shape, Inc., the makers of ShapeScale. They discuss the imaging technology behind their revolutionary 3D body scanning solution and how the invention is elevating medical weight loss clinics. Their conversation includes:
- The challenge of accurately tracking fitness progress;
- The development of ShapeScale’s body scanning solution;
- Creating photorealistic 3D avatars using precise measurements;
- How ShapeScale’s optical light imaging technology and AI work;
- Improving program adherence with recorded progress over time;
- Using this tech in med spas and medical weight loss clinics;
- How this service can enhance your consultations;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score
Could your community weather a hurricane? This week, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Evalyn Aguirre, RN, of Evolve Aesthetics in Houston. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Why she became an AmSpa member;
- Medical Spa Boot Camp takeaways she uses in her practice;
- Leaning on her community during hurricane season;
- Her favorite treatments and skincare;
- What she does for fun;
- And more!
Follow in Aguirre's footsteps and set your business up for long-term success by attending AmSpa's Medical Spa Boot Camp. Expand your network, learn the most important rules and regulations, and take home actionable business strategies when you join us in New York, September 20 - 22; Nashville, October 18 - 20; and Orlando, November 8 - 10. Reserve your spot today!
Music by Ghost Score
How do you choose a safe med spa in Miami? This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with double board-certified physician Linette Rivera, MD, founder of Glanz Aesthetics in Miami. They discuss what patients should know about medical spa regulations, safety and training; her experience transitioning to aesthetics as an endocrinologist; and how med spas can educate their patients and the wider community. Their conversation includes:
- What patients should know about med spa laws in their state;
- How the FDA and aesthetic regulations keep patients safe;
- The questions patients should ask their practitioners;
- Red flags in products, pricing and providers;
- Aesthetic training and responsible medical directors;
- The misconception of aesthetics in the medical community;
- And much more!
Read further insights from Dr. Rivera and fellow aesthetic practitioners on the AmSpa blog: https://americanmedspa.org/blog/what-to-look-for-in-a-safe-med-spa-visit
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa Membership Advocacy and Engagement Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Bri Collins, BSN, RN, founder of BCRN Aesthetics in Houston, Texas. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:
- How she became an AmSpa member;
- Advice she would give her younger self;
- Being a trainer and practitioner;
- Favorite treatments;
- Networking on IG;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week, AmSpa President and CSO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, top national aesthetic specialist, faculty for the Academy for Injection Anatomy, and founder of Refined Aesthetics. They discuss proactive techniques for preventing and managing aesthetic complications. Safa offers insight on the anatomy training you need to perform treatments safely, active listening as a patient safety tool, and the necessity of having a plan in place. Their conversation includes:
- The story of her first complication and how she has retained that patient;
- The intimacy of the facial anatomy you need to understand to inject;
- Building your network to share knowledge, experience and support;
- What to do when your patient experiences an adverse event;
- Three factors that help mitigate the risk of complication;
- Informed consent: your responsibility to educate patients;
- Essential anatomy education and technique training;
- What she keeps in her crash kit;
- And much more!
For more case examples and in-depth discussion on the most advanced techniques in complication prevention and reversal, tune in to the filler complications panel at the Academy for Injection Anatomy (AIA) Advanced Cadaver Courses in Houston, New York, Nashville and Orlando.
Listen to the medical malpractice episode referenced in this conversation: https://podcast.americanmedspa.org/e/avoiding-medical-malpractice-lawsuits-with-patient-advocate-law-firm-sukhmanyagoda/
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, we revisit our conversation with George Baxter-Holder, DNP, ARNP, CANS, renowned aesthetic trainer and chair of the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council (AASC). In this wide-ranging talk, he covers:
- The AASC looking at the practice guidelines with fresh eyes;
- The priorities when fine-tuning the practice guidelines;
- Determining the intent of practice guidelines;
- Looking at the practice guidelines as a position statement rather than a policy statement;
- Coming to a consensus on minimum standards for medical aesthetic practices;
- Trying to define “medical director,” including training and qualifications;
- The resiliency of medical spa industry during COVID-19;
- His involvement with the Academy for Injection Anatomy; and
- The benefits of getting a hands-on, 3D view of anatomy for injectors.
See here for more information on the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council.
See here for more information on the Academy for Injection Anatomy.
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Janie Futch, BSN, RN, and Martina Kolovich, MSN, NP-C, co-owners of Altera Aesthetix in Savannah, Georgia. They discuss how they grew their medical aesthetic practice from two girls in a living room to a rebranded franchise, including the investment they made in training, their approach to the Savannah market and their mission to empower women business owners. Their conversation includes:
- How they built their careers in aesthetics without sacrificing family time;
- The capital, time and patient volume invested in their first year of injectable training;
- Why the natural approach to treatment helps them retain patients;
- Their decision to rebrand from Refine Medical Aesthetics to Altera Aesthetix;
- How their franchise model ensures compliance with medical aesthetic regulations;
- Their excitement and goals for the future of AmSpa’s state chapters;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, director of medical spa partnerships at Podium. They talk about Podium’s new HIPAA compliant AI patient coordinator, discussing how it leverages technology to understand your brand, manage leads and communicate based on the long-term needs of your medical spa. Their conversation includes:
- Introducing Podium’s new 24/7 AI employee, Avery;
- How they train Avery to know every detail of your medical spa;
- Speed to lead: managing leads long-term and reengaging at set intervals;
- How Avery deescalates and empathizes when handling bad outcomes;
- Future plans to integrate with the leading aesthetic EMR systems;
- How Podium’s new relationship with AmSpa strengthens the industry;
- And more!
Listen back to hear more about Podium’s automated text marketing solutions in this previous episode: Using AI to Reach Your Leads Faster.
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Melissa Rogne, founder and president of Chapter Aesthetic Studio. AmSpa was welcomed into the Chicago headquarters of Chapter Aesthetic Studio and The Aspen Group for an inside tour to see first-hand Melissa’s professional growth and the rapid expansion of Chapter. They reflect on a conversation at the start of this partnership as they discuss how Melissa is recreating her beloved brand at a much larger scale, attracting consumers as they take the leap into aesthetic care, and building a brand that is synonymous with safety and trust. Their conversation includes:
- How they execute a 14-week timeline to open 10 locations in a year;
- Chapter University’s learning and development resources;
- Key markers for success and how she thinks about these differently;
- Learning to be successful as a leader within a corporate organization;
- Team dynamics, chemistry and creating team culture vs. star individuals;
- Removing barriers to care and building trust for aesthetic naïve patients;
- And much more!
Listen back to our conversation with Melissa in 2021, when her partnership with The Aspen Group first began: From Small-market Medical Spa to Acquisition to Expansion
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa Membership Engagement and Advocacy Specialist Michela Bailey, speaks with Carthy Craft, founder and owner, Esse MedSpa + Premier Permanent Makeup. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:
- How she became an AmSpa member;
- Favorite travel spots;
- Favorite treatments;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score
This week we present Cary Deuber, CRNFA, CANS, on site at Wynn Las Vegas during Medical Spa Show 2024. In her keynote presentation, Deuber shared her journey to aesthetics, explained the practice of observing and studying energies, and offered principles to guide fellow business leaders. Her keynote contains:
- Her first job and early mentorship;
- Giving people your energy and establishing trust;
- How she found her way to the medical field;
- The decision to open Lemmon Avenue;
- Three principles of leadership;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Annie Robertson Hockey, president and head of consulting at Skytale Group. They dive into Hockey’s entrepreneurship, her experience in management consulting, and her advice for aesthetic business owners preparing to scale and sell. Their conversation includes:
- When to start preparing for the selling process;
- Four areas to focus on to start getting ready to sell;
- Transitioning from a producer to a leader;
- Navigating regulations, risk and reputation;
- Finding opportunities for improvement;
- Customer retention vs. customer acquisition;
- And more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Paul Edwards, founder and CEO of CEDR HR Solutions. Drawing on Edwards’ more than 25 years of human resources expertise, they discuss recent regulation changes that could impact how your medical spa handles non-compete agreements, employee overtime and independent contractor status. They explain:
- Why lawsuits may affect the outlook of the FTC’s Non-compete Clause Rule;
- How non-solicitations, NDAs and non-competes create complications;
- Who should be classified as an exempt or non-exempt employee;
- Whether an injector should be classified as an independent contractor;
- What the penalties may be if you misclassify an employee;
- And more!
Access more free educational resources for your aesthetic business at https://www.cedrsolutions.com/amspa/.
Music by Ghost Score.
Live from the 2024 Medical Spa Show in Las Vegas, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch, JD, shares fresh insights on the rapid growth of the industry and an exclusive preview of their upcoming State of the Industry Report.
Twelve years ago, Alex’s work as an attorney helping a solo medical spa owner led him to establish AmSpa to offer essential guidance on compliance and safety for others within the industry.
Since then, he and his team have introduced much-needed resources for med spa owners including boot camps and courses for business, legal, and safety training.
With legislative work happening behind the scenes in every state to develop rules and regulations, often without the input of those in the medical aesthetics industry, Alex emphasizes the importance of staying organized and having a seat at the table as new laws are introduced.
Host
Tyler Terry, Director of Sales, MedSpa at Nextech
Guest
Alex Thiersch, Founder and CEO of AmSpa
Presented by Nextech, Aesthetically Speaking delves into the world of aesthetic practices, where art meets science, and innovation transforms beauty. Learn more about Nextech’s industry-leading software for dermatology, medical spas, ophthalmology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery at https://www.nextech.com/.
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Shawna Chrisman, NP, CEO and founder of Destination Aesthetics, and Maegen Kennedy, PA-C, co-founder and clinical director of Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute. They speak about the current stage of their medical spas, dig into the details of scaling a business, and share insider tips to help new and growing medical spas reach their goals. Their conversation includes:
- What they’ve learned through expanding to multiple locations;
- How to prepare for expansion and train your employees;
- Strategies that have helped their med spas find success;
- Tracking and responding to the data in your practice;
- Which KPIs show you the health of your business;
- Advice for med spas starting out or looking to reach the next level;
- An original membership model and loyalty program;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Patrick O’Brien, JD, of AmSpa and Grace Lee, JD, of ByrdAdatto. The attorneys discuss the contents of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) final ruling on the Non-Compete Clause Rule, describing its potential impact on medical spas, the lawsuits challenging the rule and when it may go into effect. Their conversation includes:
- What non-competes are and what the new FTC rule would prohibit;
- Which workers are subject and the exception for senior executives;
- Whether this may impact medical directors and training investments;
- What changes you should or should not make as an employer; and
- The expected outlook of this rule.
To read their analyses about the FTC’s final rule against non-compete agreements, please view Lee’s article at ByrdAdatto, and O’Brien’s article on the AmSpa Now! Blog.
Music by Ghost Score.
In this episode, AmSpa’s Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and Cathy Christensen speak with Dr. Kay Durairaj, internationally renowned facial plastic surgeon and head and neck surgeon and founder of Beauty By Dr. Kay. They chat on site at Wynn Las Vegas during Medical Spa Show 2024 in a conversation that covers:
- The holistic wellness solutions energizing our industry;
- Reversing the age process with bioregenerative therapies;
- Recognition and rejuvenation at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference;
- The percentage of women owners and aesthetic patient demographics;
- Which classes she and her team attend at Medical Spa Show;
- About the Society for Aesthetic PAs and the aesthetic community;
- And much more!
Music by Ghost Score.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with storytelling expert and author Kindra Hall. They discuss her early experiences with storytelling, how she brought her storytelling expertise to businesses, and what attendees at Medical Spa Show 2024 will learn during her keynote presentation “Stories that Stick: The Irresistible Power of Storytelling.” Their conversation includes:
- The challenge and opportunity of storytelling in business;
- An overview of the actionable strategies she shares at Medical Spa Show;
- How she discovered her talent for storytelling;
- Finding and sharing the stories in organizations;
- The process of transitioning to her career as a professional storyteller;
- How the stories we tell ourselves influence our actions;
- About Hall’s books and upcoming launch;
- And much more!
Don’t miss Kindra’s keynote presentation on Friday, April 12 at Medical Spa Show 2024 as she kicks off the General Session. Register today to reserve your spot!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Mitra Silva, founder and CEO of Simour Design. They discuss the critical parts of lease negotiation that medical spa owners should master to achieve their profitability and aesthetic goals. Their conversation includes:
- Measuring for accurate square footage and construction cost analysis;
- Questions to ask yourself at the start of the real estate search;
- Avoiding the trap of too-good-to-be-true cost estimates;
- Evaluating your space for efficiency and profitability;
- Finding ADA and city regulations before building;
- Designing around your patient experience;
- Negotiating your tenant improvement allowance;
- And more!
This week, we revisit our conversation with Jay and Mara Shorr of Shorr Solutions. They reveal tips they give to startup medical spa practices. Listen in to hear strategies, and solutions to common med spa challenges. What are typical med spa pitfalls? How much capital do startups need? When should you buy a laser? Learn about this and much more! Also find out about the charitable foundation MSD Save Our Schools, and how you can help to address the challenges of gun violence in our schools.
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Dr. Annie DePasquale, founder of Collaborating Docs. They discuss why she started connecting nurse practitioners (NPs) with a network of collaborating physicians and the compliance at its foundation. Their conversation includes:
- The oversight required for many NPs to become entrepreneurs;
- Dr. Annie’s path from Teach for America to medical school;
- How it works to hire a collaborating physician;
- Compliance, legal guidance and malpractice insurance;
- The monthly fee for collaboration in aesthetic practices;
- Requirements for the collaborating physicians;
- And much more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Cameron Hemphill, CEO of Growth99. They discuss how to use automated tools and data-driven design decisions to convert the traffic from your secondary location: your medical spa’s website. Their conversation includes:
- Growth99’s new virtual consult technology;
- The website as your digital practice;
- Building a med spa website for today’s market;
- Integrating websites with CRM and practice tools;
- Common med spa website mistakes;
- Pros and cons of website chatbots;
- How to give your website a facelift;
- Functionality, design and much more!
Learn more from Hemphill and other medical aesthetic industry experts at Medical Spa Show 2024 in Las Vegas, April 11 – 14, 2024!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Lora Kassaros, practice manager and partner of Dermatique Laser and Skin; Brandon Mullen, BSN, RN-BC, practice manager of Aiyana Atelier Aesthetic and Wellness Studios; and Rebecca McAbee, practice manager and COO of Disappearing Act Medical Aesthetics and Jubilant Medical Aesthetics. They discuss practice management challenges in medical spas, the impact of mentorship and networking, and their plans for the new round table workshop at Medical Spa Show 2024. Their conversation includes:
- Understanding the role of a practice manager in a medical spa;
- The resources and relationships that fueled their learning;
- Strategic planning for your business goals;
- Knowing when and how to pivot;
- Retaining productive employees;
- And much more!
Don’t miss the Practice Management Round Table at Medical Spa Show 2024 on Sunday, April 14th: Collaborate with other med spa owners and practice managers in this dynamic round table setting where you, as a medical spa practice manager/owner, will dive into open discussions on these three crucial business topics. Register to attend MSS24 today!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Brian Poltonavage, CEO and managing director, and Brooke Bower, director of marketing research at Gordian Solutions Group. They discuss this year’s Medical Spa State of the Industry Report, how to use the data as an aesthetics benchmark, and what to look for in medical spa research. Their conversation includes:
- What elements make AmSpa’s report unique;
- Using analytics for business and operations benchmarking;
- How to take this info and incorporate it in your practice;
- Quality research and red flags that can indicate bias;
- How they collect and process data for AmSpa’s industry report;
- Shifting trends to watch in this new report;
- How they keep survey data anonymous;
- And more!
Take 15 minutes today to complete the 2024 State of the Industry Survey! If you complete the survey, you will: receive a free copy of the full survey results when the report is completed; receive a promo code to save $200 on an AmSpa Medical Spa Boot Camp or AIA Advanced Cadaver training; and be entered in a drawing to win one of TEN chances to attend the 2024 Medical Spa Show with a free registration, valued at $1,200.
This week, we revisit our conversation with Sarah Osmer, chief marketing officer, and Victoria Voorhees, head of marketing communications for SkinSpirit. They talk all about marketing for medical aesthetic practices, including the challenges and opportunities of medical aesthetic marketing, marketing strategies and PR, influencers, top marketing channels and more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ashley James, CEO of DermAesthetic Consulting and MedSpa Mobile Solutions. They discuss the mobile medical spa business model and its value from the angles of compliance and profitability. Their conversation includes:
- Her serial entrepreneurship in the medical aesthetics industry;
- What drew her to the mobile medical spa business after COVID hit;
- Designing business concepts for profitability and compliance;
- Types of businesses that profit most from going mobile;
- The logistics challenges for mobile medical spas;
- Your initial investment and expected KPIs;
- Marketing, retail and much more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Robin Ntoh, VP of Aesthetics at Nextech. They discuss the evolution of the aesthetics industry, solutions specific to the needs of medical spas, and what she’s excited about in the future of medical aesthetics. Their conversation includes:
- What aesthetics looked like as it expanded beyond plastic surgery;
- Tailoring software solutions to the needs of medical spas;
- How to differentiate your med spa from the competition;
- The trends of 2023 and anticipated trends for 2024;
- Strategies for and pain points of patient retention;
- Understanding Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z patients;
- And much more!
This week on the podcast, we revisit our conversation with Wendy Collier, renowned business coach for entrepreneurial women. She speaks about locking in to your meaning and drive (your “soul fuel”), as well as what it’s like to be an entrepreneur in the aesthetic space; how to develop the entrepreneurial mindset; and how to overcome fears in business.
This week, AmSpa Membership Development Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Sarah Balladares, PA-C, aesthetic injector and founder of Smooth Aesthetics. This lively chat covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Her “I did it” moment;
- What it takes to become a trainer;
- Aesthetic treatments and skincare;
- Conquering your moments of doubt;
- Travel tips and stress ball alternatives;
- Her path to physician assistant school;
- Asking for help when you need it;
- And much more!
(SPOILER ALERT: Contains plot details for the 2019 film Midsommar.)
This week, we revisit this shutdown-era conversation with Mary Beth Hagen, founder and CEO of TITAN Aesthetic Recruiting. She joins AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, to discuss aesthetic injector salaries, what makes a quality injector, and all things surrounding aesthetic recruiting and placement.
This week, AmSpa Membership Development Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Silvia Tuthill, DNP, ANP-C, co-owner of Tenth Avenue Aesthetics and Tenth Avenue Aesthetics Artistry and Institute. They chat about her career and involvement in medical aesthetics and
- When she decided she needed to become a member of AmSpa;
- Her growing business and involvement in the industry;
- Advice to reach the next level in medical aesthetics;
- Her favorite aesthetic treatments, skin care and hobbies;
- Who she follows for positive, engaging content;
- What she’s known for in her practice;
- And more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Nick Liguori, CPA, founder of Liguori Accounting. They discuss the bookkeeping challenges medical spas face and the steps you can take throughout the year to prepare for tax season. Their conversation includes:
- The different roles of accountants, bookkeepers and advisors;
- Common tax mistakes new business owners make;
- The way you have to think about and plan for taxes;
- Systems and assistance medical spa owners need to get their time back;
- How to handle MSOs from a tax standpoint;
- Key metrics your aesthetic practice should be tracking;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa Membership Development Coordinator, Michela Bailey, speaks with Vrinkley Pruna, MSN, NP, nurse injector and Co-Owner of Shape & Skin Medical Spa & Weight Loss. They delve further into Pruna’s experience in aesthetics, changes in weight loss medicine, and her life currently. Their conversation includes:
- What brought her to AmSpa
- Her favorite events and travel stories
- The boom in popularity of weight loss solutions
- Working with her family
- Opinions on locations and lifestyles
- Her skincare, treatments and hobbies
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week’s podcast was recorded live from AmSpa’s first annual Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference in Miami. Listen in as Carrie Strom, senior vice president of AbbVie and president of Global Allergan Aesthetics, chats with Sara Blakely, founder and executive chairwoman of SPANX. Following a brief introduction from Strom and AmSpa founder, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, this keynote conversation explores the founding of a household name, along with leadership insight on confidence, failure, purpose, mindset, and much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, we revisit our conversation with Taylor Siemens, NP-C, founder of Aesthetic Care NP and clinical director of Vitalyc Medspa. She joined us to speak about her commitment to training medical aesthetic practitioners, covering:
- The lack of training standards in medical aesthetics;
- The appetite for more training among injectors;
- The power of sharing knowledge with other aesthetic injectors;
- The benefits and limitations of training provided by injectable vendors;
- The reputation of medical spas among core doctors;
- The need to bring more NPs and PAs into the industry;
- Her upcoming aesthetic practitioner training app;
- And more!
This week, AmSpa founder, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Michael Olson, practice growth consultant at MyAdvice. They discuss the changes in marketing strategy that medical spas need to make as they grow. Their conversation includes:
- Marketing needs specific to the aesthetic industry;
- How partnerships with marketing firms should work;
- What to look for when choosing a digital marketing company;
- Changing your marketing strategy as your practice grows;
- How your online presence gets people in the door;
- Big changes that would require you to rethink your marketing;
- Marketing to retain your top providers;
- And more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Kent “Kye” Higdon, MD, FACS, board-certified plastic surgeon and Communications Commissioner of The Aesthetic Society. They discuss and contextualize the findings of the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery National Databank Statistics for 2022. Their conversation includes:
- What might be driving the demand for surgical and nonsurgical treatments;
- The evolving dynamic between plastic surgery practices and medical spas;
- How aesthetic patient demographics are shifting;
- Understanding price fluctuations in 2022;
- How 2023 is shaping up for aesthetic practices;
- And much more!
Get the full picture when you view the Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Statistics for 2022 and the 2022 Medical Spa State of the Industry Report.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Michael Byrd, JD, and Jay Reyero, JD, of national healthcare law firm ByrdAdatto. They discuss an incident at a Texas medical spa, the state medical board’s reaction, and the larger implications of compliance for medical spas and IV therapy. Their conversation includes:
- The tragic death of a Texas woman after visiting a medical spa;
- The lay of the land for these types of treatments;
- How state boards have commented on IV therapy;
- Legal basics to set up IV therapy in a medical spa;
- A dose of empathy for medical spa owners; and
- Potential outcomes as states react to this case.
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Albert Miles, vice president of Xite Realty. They discuss the timeline and process that medical spa owners can expect when they look for aesthetics real estate. Their conversation includes:
- The formal process behind real estate selection;
- Educating prospective medical spa owners;
- Targeting your ideal patient with data;
- Real estate location as advertising;
- Roadblocks and misconceptions;
- What goes into real estate costs;
- Cautions and advice for prospective owners;
- And much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Dani Sher, PA-C, founder of Sparkle Aesthetics. They discuss Sher’s comedy background and ultrasound in aesthetics. Their conversation includes:
- Her non-linear path to aesthetics;
- Bringing comedy to aesthetic medicine;
- Finding the everyday truths that exist in this world;
- How she brought ultrasound from the ER to facial aesthetics;
- Mitigating risk and the question of malpractice;
- How much training is needed to adopt ultrasound;
- Credentialing for facial ultrasound;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and Podium. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://www.podium.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, catches up with Ryan Rao, chief development officer, and Ryan Rose, CEO, of VIO Med Spa. They discuss medical spa trends on a national scale, the business benefits of wellness treatments and what newcomers learn before investing in medical spas. Their conversation includes:
- An update on location growth, sales trends and service lines;
- The process of introducing wellness treatment plans;
- How mental health intersects with medical aesthetics;
- What makes the learning curve steeper for new medical spa owners;
- Building a brand with a backbone of compliance;
- Dichotomies of leadership and developing culture within a medical spa;
- Perceptions and realities of franchising in the medical spa category;
- And much more!
Listen to their previous conversation on franchise development and the launch of VIO Med Spa here: Franchise Development with VIO Med Spa: from Single Unit to National Name
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD, HansBiomed and Podium. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com; https://www.mintliftsummit.com/; and https://www.podium.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Sohee Jun, PhD, top leadership coach and bestselling author. They discuss the myth of balance, her journey into leadership coaching and her advice for overcoming challenges as a business leader. Their conversation includes:
- Why she’s allergic to the word “balance;”
- Integrating our priorities and thinking about our values;
- Her journey to organizational psychology and leadership coaching;
- What working with a leadership coach looks like and who her clients are;
- Advice for cultivating a team of leaders;
- Recognizing when to pivot and elevate your leadership style;
- The challenge of leading multigenerational teams;
- And much more!
Learn more from Dr. Jun during her closing keynote at the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference from November 1 – 3, 2023 in Miami.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD, HansBiomed and Podium. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com; https://www.mintliftsummit.com/; and https://www.podium.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Dr. Toby Makmel, cosmetic physician and Co-founder and Head Medical Advisor at Clinicminds. They discuss the aesthetic medicine use case for EHR, the ways his software adapts to the needs of providers across the globe, and how the business of medical aesthetics compares in the Netherlands. Their conversation includes:
- How Clinicminds expanded across countries, languages and time zones;
- Differences in software focus from Amsterdam to the U.S.;
- Aesthetics regulation and compliance landscapes in the U.S. and Amsterdam;
- The vital components of treatment registration;
- How medical spa EHR software updates with the changing landscape;
- Which medical professionals are entering cosmetic medicine in the Netherlands;
- Running a successful video consultation;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD, HansBiomed and Podium. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com; https://www.mintliftsummit.com/; and https://www.podium.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Erika Barry, NP-C, MSN, international trainer and founder of Moksha Aesthetics. They discuss aesthetic detective work, personal branding and the importance of a pause. Their conversation includes:
- Barry’s journey from hospital to cosmetic clinic and medical spas;
- What led her to Patreon and how she became @injectorbunny;
- Stepping back and assessing the clues in a patient’s face;
- Her talent for patience with employees, marketing and patients;
- Marketing tips and how you make someone feel;
- The distinction between your reputation and your personal brand;
- Giving yourself the time to make a decision;
- And much more!
Foster community with Barry and fellow aesthetic visionaries as you re-energize at AmSpa’s Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference November 1 – 3, 2023 in Miami.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and HansBiomed. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://www.mintliftsummit.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Shannon Blake, senior partner manager at Podium, and Cortney Hall, clinic director and COO at Imago Medical. They speak about the increasing usage of AI in medical spas and how AI is streamlining text marketing for medical aesthetics. Their conversation covers:
- Automating features to get your time back;
- How AI assistants answer patient questions;
- What differentiates text marketing from email;
- Taking emotion out of communication with generative AI;
- What’s next with AI in medical spa marketing;
- Maintaining the human element;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Nicci Levy, founder and CEO of Alchemy 43. They discuss how she built and defined a niche for Alchemy 43, best practices for her nationwide brand, and how becoming a mother has impacted her leadership. Their conversation covers:
- The story of Levy’s path to aesthetics and founding Alchemy 43;
- Advice for opening locations in new markets;
- Defining her brand’s focus on microtreatments;
- Supporting profit margins in an injectables-focused model;
- What the process of raising capital looks like and how to work with investors;
- The challenge of recruiting, training and retaining skilled injectors;
- Finding harmony between business leadership and family as a woman entrepreneur;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and Boulevard. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://get.joinblvd.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Paula Davis, JD, MAPP, founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute. They discuss the experience of burnout in the workplace, elements that contribute to this stress, and what leaders can do when they recognize burnout. Their conversation covers:
- How to handle the feelings associated with burnout;
- Sources of uncertainty and chronic stress in the workplace;
- The effects of a leader’s burnout on the team;
- The necessary process of introspection;
- Recognizing the line between stress and burnout;
- Davis’ mini checklist to recognize burnout;
- How to support recovery from stress and burnout;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and Boulevard. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://get.joinblvd.com/amspa/ to learn more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Liam Degnan, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Compliancy Group. They speak about HIPAA compliance in the medical spa space, where to start and how it benefits your business. Their conversation covers:
- How to mitigate your liability and make patients feel comfortable;
- The profitability of compliant businesses;
- Identifying risks and deficiencies in your workflows;
- Why your business needs personalized policies and forms;
- What training your employees need;
- Sources of trouble in your medical spa’s compliance;
- When you get fined and how to protect your business;
- And much more!
Read more about complying with HIPAA in AmSpa’s recent blog post.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and Boulevard. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://get.joinblvd.com/amspa/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Mitra Silva, founder of medical interior design firm Simour Design. They discuss how medical spas can utilize their vertical real estate to level up profitability, efficiency and the patient experience. Their conversation covers:
- Designing for your business workflow to maximize profitability and efficiency;
- Using every inch of real estate with vertical square footage;
- Allocating space based on your practice’s budgetary breakdown;
- Costs of renovation and ROI on spending for your space;
- Pain points for medical spa spaces;
- Applying psychology in intentional design;
- How lighting, location and decluttering engage your patients;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD and Boulevard. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com and https://get.joinblvd.com/amspa/ to learn more!
In this week's episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Kathy Taranto, managing partner at AesthetiCare Medspa and MINT Aesthetics. They discuss how her business has grown over time, the partnership that has built a network of medical aesthetic clinics across the country, and the practices that make her team successful. Their conversation includes:
- Her history in aesthetics, growth and expansion;
- Teaming up with Cosmetic Physician Partners;
- How to increase your buying power and why;
- What changed her mind about partnering and its impact on her business;
- Trends in patient behavior and economic fears;
- Finding the right team members and training them for success;
- How a medical spa can increase its repeat patients;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa President and COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Bryan Durocher, founder of Essentials Spa Consulting and Durocher Enterprises. They discuss how he got his start in the beauty industry and business education, finding the right mix of services for your medical spa, and the business strategy he shares with clients. Their conversation includes:
- The perspective he brings to his clients;
- What’s changed in the advice he shares today;
- Good practices of medical spa memberships;
- Having a plan for your services;
- Educating patients on the options available;
- Training and empowering your staff to convert;
- Industry growth, competition and predictions for the future;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Heather Hickman, VP of education at Dermalogica. They discuss the role of aestheticians in medical spas and what practices should look for in a skin care line. Their conversation includes:
- The value that aestheticians bring to medical spas;
- Skills that an aesthetician needs to be elevated in a medical spa field;
- An aesthetician’s role in safety and pre-treatment care;
- Dermalogica’s MediSpa Professional Accreditation program;
- What to look for in an ideal aesthetician for your medical spa;
- The trust factor for aesthetic patient relationships;
- What to look for when choosing a skin care line;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Bill Fukui, senior VP of business development at MedShark Digital. One of the most experienced medical and dental marketers, Fukui details the ways digital marketing has evolved since he first entered the field in 1995 and shares best practices for medical spa owners who want to get more leads from search traffic. Their conversation covers:
- The beginnings of the SEO model and adapting marketing practices;
- Challenges for practitioners trying to level the search playing field;
- How to strengthen your domain authority;
- What type of content to put on your website and where to source ideas;
- How to reach micromarkets using Google Map Pack;
- Using traffic data and timing to improve your marketing;
- Low-hanging fruit for medical spa advertising;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Dr. Brittny Williams Howell, board-certified vascular surgeon and CEO of Morph Med Spa in Ridgefield, Connecticut. They discuss medical weight loss programs, the effectiveness of weight loss solutions and the financial implications of working with a compound pharmacy vs. health insurance. Their conversation covers:
- Elements of a sustainable weight loss journey;
- Comparing the effectiveness of medication for weight loss;
- The science of GLP-1 and insulin for your metabolism;
- Public misconceptions about semaglutide;
- Why some medical spas work with compounding pharmacies;
- How she handles working with insurance;
- The future of medication for weight loss;
- And more!
Read more about the ongoing lawsuits filed by Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, at the AmSpa Now blog. Stay tuned for new updates on the subject as more info becomes available.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Patrick O’Brien, JD, of AmSpa and ByrdAdatto, to discuss the legal concerns with compounded semaglutide and its name-brand drugs. They talk about the basic legal implications of Ozempic and recent lawsuits, compounding pharmacy issues and general guidelines for navigating this area of the law. Their conversation includes:
- How compounding pharmacies began compounding semaglutide;
- Patent protections for the name-brand manufacturer;
- Semaglutide salts and FDA warnings about base ingredients;
- The recent lawsuits and the issues at play;
- Trademarks, advertising and claims;
- How your medical spa can stay compliant when offering compounded semaglutide;
- And more!
Read more about the ongoing lawsuits filed by Novo Nordisk, maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, at the AmSpa Now blog. Stay tuned for new updates on the subject as more info becomes available.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa COO, Cathy Christensen, is in conversation with Christin Trujillo and Jessica Nunn, co-partners of Maven Financial Partners. They discuss the benchmarks in medical spa financials, setting aesthetic practices up for success and their upcoming master class event. Their conversation includes:
- The story that financial data tells;
- Industry-wide trends from their benchmarking report, in context;
- The experts and reports you need on your side;
- How to know when you can raise prices, move to a bigger space or hire more people;
- What to expect at Advanced Practice Management Symposium: Medical Spa Finances;
- Using data analysis to course-correct and create a roadmap for where you want to go;
- And much more!
If your aesthetic practice has been open and successful for at least three years and you want gain a deeper understanding of your financial story with the experts at Maven Financial Partners, register at https://americanmedspa.org/medspafinances2023 to sign up for Advanced Practice Management Symposium: Medical Spa Finances on August 19 – 20, 2023. Space is limited, so register today to reserve your seat!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Taylor Siemens, NP-C, founder of Aesthetic Care NP and clinical director of Vitalyc Medspa. They discuss medical weight loss programs and protocols for offering semaglutide in your aesthetic practice. Their conversation includes:
- Semaglutide’s history and current usage;
- Controversy over supply and compounding;
- Determining whether someone is a candidate for the medication;
- Following FDA guidelines and designing a protocol;
- Health screening, follow-up and monitoring patients on this medication;
- Mechanism of action and potential side effects of semaglutide;
- “Ozempic face” and aesthetic packages;
- The economics of offering semaglutide in your medical spa;
- And more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Cameron Hemphill, founder and CEO of Growth99. They talk about the start-up, growth, mature and exit phases of medical aesthetics and how to effectively market your practice. Their conversation covers:
- Preparing for market situations to mitigate risk;
- Setting up a digital foundation when opening a medical aesthetic practice;
- Client retention recommendations for the growth phase;
- Where to invest in marketing for the aesthetic audience;
- Competing for search result visibility and the cost of lead generation;
- Giving up control and getting your time back in the mature phase;
- Recognizing which stage you’re in to continue your growth trajectory;
- The two types of businesses and the exit phase;
- And much more!
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Shawna Chrisman, NP, about her “case study” journey in aesthetics since founding Destination Aesthetics in 2011. They talk about her business' growth and where she’s going as a leading woman in aesthetics.
- Destination Aesthetics’ evolution and mission;
- Current trends within her patient spending;
- How to pivot and where to invest when you see a revenue decrease;
- Why she decided to scale her medical spa;
- The next stage in Chrisman’s career;
- Navigating that transition after partnering with private equity;
- Being present and her thoughts on “balance;”
- Excitement for the Women in Aesthetics Leadership Conference;
- And much more!
- Note: Episode may include explicit language.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Bree Black, co-founder of Job Snob. They discuss their specialized medical spa job board, recruitment in aesthetics, and more. Their conversation covers:
- The value of a database and job board for the aesthetic industry;
- Which roles are suited for concierge recruiting;
- Job Snob’s signature recruitment process;
- How to attract and retain the best talent;
- What’s important to medical spa employees;
- Turnover and the status of the job market;
- How Job Snob has grown to meet a need for hiring resources;
- Which health care practitioners are transitioning to aesthetics;
- And more!
AmSpa Members save 10% on job postings at https://americanmedspa.org/medical-spa-job-board. Check your welcome email or contact us for your exclusive promo code.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by RepeatMD. Visit https://www.repeatmd.com/ to learn more!
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Ryan Rao, chief development officer, and Ryan Rose, CEO, of VIO Med Spa. They discuss what drew them into medical aesthetics, how they launched the VIO Med Spa franchise, and what advantages franchising brings for owners. This conversation covers:
- How they evolved from a single unit med spa to launching a franchise;
- Creating a comprehensive guest experience;
- Challenges and bootstrapping during the pandemic;
- Generational differences in adopting medical spa treatments;
- Investment, returns and the unit economics of franchising;
- Why aesthetics lends itself to franchises;
- What they offer for training and development, vendor negotiation, marketing and branding;
- The learning curve, community support and how they protect franchises with compliance;
- How franchising works: investment, timeframe, site selection, templates, community impact;
- And much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa COO, Cathy Christensen, continues her conversation from an April 2023 primetime webinar with industry experts Beto Casellas of Synchrony; Paul Edwards of CEDR HR Solutions; Kaeli Lindholm of KLC Consulting; Lauren Olson, PA-C, of Radiance Medical Aesthetics & Wellness; Alex R. Thiersch, JD, of AmSpa; and Christin Trujillo of Maven Financial Partners. They discuss the present economic concerns and offer strategies to medical spa owners shoring up their businesses. In Part 2, they cover:
- Which key performance indicators (KPIs) medical spa owners should be tracking;
- How to take care of your team;
- Capturing market share in turbulent times;
- Value and price when patients have tighter budgets;
- Insight from business owners during the 2008 recession;
- Setting up your medical spa to thrive;
- Finding partners and resources to make smart business decisions;
- And more!
Visit AmSpa’s Webinar Library to watch the full webinar, view speaker information and explore the educational content of more than 180 recorded webinars.
In this discussion from an April 2023 webinar, AmSpa’s COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Beto Casellas of Synchrony; Paul Edwards of CEDR HR Solutions; Kaeli Lindholm of KLC Consulting; Lauren Olson, PA-C, of Radiance Medical Aesthetics & Wellness; Alex R. Thiersch, JD, of AmSpa; and Christin Trujillo of Maven Financial Partners. These industry experts discuss the present economic concerns and offer strategies to medical spa owners shoring up their businesses. In Part 1, they cover:
- How economists define a recession;
- What medical spa owners are seeing on the ground;
- Trends in aesthetic practice revenue and patient behavior;
- Tactics to financially strengthen your medical spa;
- The consumerism of health care and being transparent with patient costs;
- How well-engaged employees can help you succeed;
- Capitalizing on opportunity with expansions;
- And more!
Stay tuned for Part 2 to learn more about how they have weathered financial storms in the past and come away with strategies that can help you protect your business.
In this episode, AmSpa’s COO, Cathy Christensen, speaks with Paul Edwards, CEO and founder of CEDR HR Solutions. They discuss how businesses can recognize, resolve and prevent conflict in the workplace, drawing on Edwards’ over 30 years of experience as a manager and business owner. Their conversation covers:
- Understanding the baggage we have when giving feedback;
- How conflict can look at different stages of management;
- What kinds of conflict occur, with examples;
- The first steps to resolving conflict;
- Advice on multigenerational differences between employees;
- Using core values as a guiding principle for the business;
- Nurturing employee relationships to foster a better workplace;
- And more!
Read more about how to attack the conflict, not the people, with the help of CEDR HR Solutions’s Conflict Resolution Guide.
This week, we revisit our conversation with Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, owner of Facialogy Medical. She took the leap into the world of aesthetics almost 20 years ago and hasn't looked back since. In this podcast, Warren shares her tips for success, including why she recommends an entire year of aesthetic training before you start injecting. They discuss:
- How Warren made her way into the aesthetics arena;
- Connecting with her patients as a participant in the field;
- The business model that helps patients feel prioritized instead of commoditized;
- How to control your expenses and prepare for patient safety as a solo practitioner;
- Her philosophy around sharing knowledge and networking with colleagues;
- How she gets business without self-promotion on social media;
- The importance of communicating realistic expectations with your aesthetic clients;
- And much more!
This week we revisit our conversation with Hally Pinaud, VP of product marketing at Podium. She spoke on all things marketing in the medical aesthetic space, covering:
- The power of online reputation management;
- How to arm small businesses to compete in the age of Amazon;
- The need to be innovative to market in the medical spa industry;
- Consumer research around local businesses;
- How small business owners feel about their prospects going forward in 2022;
- The consumer focus on ease of doing business, and what that specifically means for medical spas;
- The importance of being involved in your community;
- How text message marketing can be a game-changer for local businesses;
- And more!
In this Medical Spa Show edition of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight series, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist Michela Bailey sits down with Lindsay Perkins, FNP-C, APRN, MSN, of Spa Trouvé; Cameron Moskos, PA-C and her team from Cameo Facial Aesthetics; and Ally Rucker, NP, of Spa Trouvé. Bailey hears about their Vegas and MSS experiences, covering:
- Their travel skin care lineup;
- The people, support and empowerment at MSS;
- Dinner reservations and entertainment in Vegas;
- Free samples and noteworthy booths at the Expo Hall;
- Favorite education tracks and the compliance factor;
- This year’s Opening Night Party;
- And much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this Medical Spa Show edition of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight series, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist Michela Bailey sits down with Roxanne White, NP-C, MSN, of Radiance by Roxanne; Kat Lofley, DNP, APRN, CNM, WHNP-BC, of Renewal Aesthetics and Sexual Wellness; and Vrinkley Pruna, MSN, NP, of Shape & Skin Medical Spa and Weight Loss. Bailey learns about their MSS experiences, including:
- Why they keep coming back to MSS;
- Their Vegas club and food preferences;
- The experience of two first-time faculty;
- Learning and new education tracks;
- Their favorite vendors on the show floor;
- Seeing the bigger picture;
- And more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this Medical Spa Show edition of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight series, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist Michela Bailey sits down with Brandon Mullen, BSN, RN-BC, of Aiyana Atelier, Neekan Rivera, PA, of Aere Aesthetic, and Brandy Thompson, APRN-BC, of Prescription Beauty Medical Aesthetics. Bailey learns about their MSS experience, plus:
- Their dedication to skin care while traveling;
- How they spend their time in Vegas;
- What keeps them coming back to Medical Spa Show;
- Standout vendors in the Expo Hall;
- How fast the industry is growing;
- And more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, checks in with Dr. Kay Durairaj, internationally renowned facial plastic surgeon and founder of Beauty By Dr. Kay, on site at Wynn Las Vegas during Medical Spa Show 2023. Their conversation covers:
- Building the foundation of the face with biostimulators;
- Her favorite parts of the conference;
- Takeaways from the diversity in aesthetics panel;
- Her thoughts on an accreditation system for injectors;
- The reality of adverse events and how to prepare for them;
- Her passions and future exit plan;
- Countering red flags in the industry;
- And much more!
Leading up to Medical Spa Show 2023, we met up with some of our talented presenters! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to catch each of these lightning round preview episodes.
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with George Baxter-Holder, DNP, ARNP, CANS, and Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, original faculty of AIA Foundations of Injection Anatomy and Practice. They discuss the course and giving back to the industry as aesthetic trainers. This conversation covers:
- How they have supported their educational growth in aesthetics;
- The importance of credentialing yourself and continuing to learn;
- Giving new injectors a foundation in safety and excellence;
- What makes the AIA Foundations course stand out;
- How the fundamentals of aesthetics help attendees determine their career trajectory;
- Learning from the mistakes of others;
- Demystifying the glamour of running an aesthetic business;
- And more!
Baxter-Holder and Warren will be presenting Foundations of Injection Anatomy at Medical Spa Show on Friday, February 3, 2023 at Wynn Las Vegas. Check out the 2023 course dates for AIA Foundations of Injection Anatomy and Practice at https://americanmedspa.org/aiafoundations.
This episode of Medical Spa Insider is sponsored by AestheticsPro. Visit aestheticspro.com/amspa to learn more!
Leading up to Medical Spa Show 2023, we met up with some of our talented presenters! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to catch each of these lightning round preview episodes.
In this episode, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with RepeatMD co-founders Christopher Chomenko and Philipp Sitter. They speak about what inflation means to medical spas and what they can do about it, along with strategies for patient retention. Their conversation covers:
- Inflation as part of the cyclical economic life cycle;
- How Gen Z and Millennial spending habits continue to support aesthetics;
- Why now is the time to know your numbers;
- How to keep your employees motivated in tough times;
- The value of recurring revenue;
- How patient financing gives clients access to their desired outcomes;
- Using loyalty and referral programs to introduce patients to new services;
- And much more!
Leading up to Medical Spa Show 2023, we met up with some of our talented presenters! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to catch each of these lightning round preview episodes.
In this episode, AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Benjamin Hernandez, managing partner of Skytale Group. They discuss the idea behind and evolution of the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Summit at Medical Spa Show, trends in the market and what attendees will learn about sell-side M&A. They discuss:
- What an M&A process looks like;
- How the market is getting more consolidated and sophisticated;
- New additions to the program and what their expertise brings;
- What surprises him about developments in the market;
- What private equity platforms are and how they are impacting the market;
- The purchasing activity of big and (relatively) smaller private equity funds;
- Shifting buyer expectations in a mom-and-pop industry;
- What drives medical spa owners to sell and characteristics of their businesses;
- Expected valuations in a recession-resistant business;
- And more!
Attendees can look forward to hearing more about the medical spa mergers and acquisitions process from Hernandez, his colleagues at Skytale Group, lawyers, CEOs, investor groups and more during the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Summit on February 2, 2023, at Medical Spa Show 2023.
Leading up to Medical Spa Show 2023, we met up with some of our talented presenters! Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform to catch each of these lightning round preview episodes.
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Erin Hennessey, APRN, DNP, owner of Blush Aesthetics and course chair of Turning Your Practice Up to 11: Energy Device Master Class at Medical Spa Show 2023. She speaks about the impetus for putting on this course, introduces its expert instructors and discusses the value of energy device training for new and existing practices. Their conversation covers:
- Her history in nursing, cosmetic injectables and laser energy devices;
- Building and growing practices with laser devices;
- Empowering providers with the background knowledge to ask the right questions;
- Learning from the experience of other aesthetic providers;
- What you can expect to learn from the energy device master class;
- Utilizing the devices you have and determining what you need;
- And more!
Learn from Hennessey; Loretta Zanetti, ARNP; Daryl Mossburg, RN; and Jordan White, ACNP-S, BSN, RN, CNI, during Turning Your Practice Up to 11: Energy Device Master Class on February 2, 2023 at Medical Spa Show. If you're looking to enhance your clinical skills, make sure to sign up ASAP while seats are still available!
In this week’s episode we’re flashing back to our chat with Jeffrey Segal, founder of eMerit, as he unpacks the risks and opportunities of reputation management in the aesthetics space. Is there a strong correlation between online reviews and the efficacy of medical spas? Find out how you can best prepare your practice for negative reviews.
Jeffrey J. Segal, MD, JD, is a neurosurgeon turned serial entrepreneur turned attorney at ByrdAdatto who has literally been in both business and medicine. Segal was a neurosurgeon in private practice before beginning the second phase of his career as a serial entrepreneur in the healthcare field. He then founded or co-founded four separate health care startups. Segal lives and breathes healthcare and understands it viscerally.
This week, we revisit our conversation with financial consultant Jessica Nunn. She dives into the ins and outs of finances in the medical aesthetic space. In this wide-ranging discussion, she covers:
- How data can help predict the future of your practice;
- Knowing your numbers in order to be proactive instead of reactive;
- Things you need to think about when starting up a new medical aesthetic practice;
- What to focus on when growing and scaling your practice;
- Ways to improve practices that are already doing well;
- Common financial mistakes that business owners make;
- Basic financial reports business owners need to understand;
- And more!
Skytale Group is hosting a Medical Spa Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) Summit on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Medical Spa Show. Register now to reserve your space!
Nunn will present Financials 101 within The Business of Medical Spas education track at Medical Spa Show 2023 on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Wynn Las Vegas. Attend this session to learn the best ways to review your profit and loss statement and balance sheet, identify where your money is going in your medical spa and assess the financial health of your practice so you can make better decisions and make more money.
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Steven F. Weiner, MD, board-certified Head and Neck surgeon and founder of Sonosthetics and The Aesthetic Clinique. They discuss how ultrasound came to aesthetics, when and why to use it in your medical spa, and how you can learn this technology for the benefit of your patients. Their conversation covers:
- How Dr. Weiner first learned about incorporating ultrasound in aesthetics;
- Dialing in with ultrasound guidance;
- The value of ultrasound for complications, anatomy and injection techniques;
- How and where to use ultrasound in everyday practice;
- How an inside look reveals discrepancies from textbook anatomy;
- Patient response to ultrasound use;
- The two complications that make ultrasound use essential;
- How to become comfortable reading ultrasound;
- What to expect from his Ultrasound Fundamentals course;
- And more!
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Patrick Urban, President of Merz Aesthetics North America. They take a macro look at the industry and discuss the first findings of new aggregate point-of-sale data, along with the impact of Gen Z and Millennials in medical spas, the patient journey, and the role of biostimulatory products. Their conversation covers:
-The advantages of being a privately-held company;
-How loyalty programs are supporting both practitioners and patients in tough economic times;
-Their pro-growth strategy across the industry;
-The shift in the demographic makeup of the medical spa patient population;
-How individuals are empowered to come forward and talk about treatments, clean ingredients, and sustainability;
-Upselling opportunities to build long-term trust relationships with patients;
-Retaining patients with your talent, experience, and expertise;
-How biostimulatory products are contributing to the market;
-And much more!
This week, we revisit our conversation with triple-board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, when she joined us to talk about her journey into medical aesthetics. In this wide-ranging conversation, she delves into the importance of trusting your gut when deciding your next move and how cohesive community can benefit everyone in the industry.
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Loretta Nguyen Zanetti, APRN, of Erasable Inc. Medical Spa & Aesthetic Institute. Zanetti and co-owner Kristen Capo, APRN, and their physician partners, Andrew Walter, MD, and Nadia Pile, MD, lead the talented staff at their Tampa, Florida facility. They talk about the energy device industry, covering topics such as:
- The lack of education for energy-based devices and why it might be behind;
- How she got started in laser tattoo removal and built her business;
- The way she grew her practice, one device at a time;
- How she kept costs low when she first opened;
- The timeline to profit with aesthetic devices;
- How she found her market and chose a business location, and much more!
Learn from Zanetti through advanced didactic education and live hands-on demonstrations during the Energy Device Master Class at Medical Spa Show 2023, on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Wynn Las Vegas. View the agenda and register your team today at https://www.medicalspashow.com/.
In this week’s episode, we revisit our conversation with board-certified plastic surgeon and internationally recognized facial anatomist Christopher C. Surek, DO, FACS. He talks about how the Academy for Injection Anatomy goes above and beyond to hone injectors’ knowledge of anatomy, skill with injectable treatments and ability to manage complications. He covers:
- Developing his passion for head and neck anatomy;
- His perspective as an injector, plastic surgeon and anatomist;
- The benefits of cadaveric dissection injectable training;
- Developing new ways to view and understand anatomy;
- How the hands-on course helps to understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the face;
- A quick breakdown of facial layers and his approach to teaching; and
- How use of ultrasound can lead to better injectable results.
This week we revisit our conversation with Christie Hutchinson, RN, MBA, of QCC Healthcare Consultants. She talks about OSHA and answers a number of compliance questions, including:
- What is OSHA?
- Where do majority of OSHA complaints come from?
- What are the most common OSHA violations?
- What are minimum compliance standards for light-emitting devices?
- What do you do in case of an OSHA investigation?
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s membership relationship development specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Lily Nizam, PA-C, CPCP, of Alabama Surgical Arts. Their conversation covers some of the nitty-gritty details of working in the aesthetic industry, including:
- Applying the knowledge she gains from conferences;
- The skin care products she’s using;
- Her hobbies outside of the practice;
- Her relationship with needles;
- Inviting positive energy into her life;
- And much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Skya Jones, MedSpa Education Manager, Boulevard. They discuss what medical spas can do to prioritize patient experience. Their conversation covers:
- Her spa management background and changes she made to boost business;
- How software companies have entered the medical spa vertical;
- Creating a streamlined client experience;
- The importance of prebooking and marketing for repeat patients;
- The crossover between salons and medical spas;
- What’s missing in aesthetic software;
- How and why to invest in your front desk team;
- And much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jill Behm, General Manager, CareCredit Specialty – Cosmetic and Spa, in a conversation on patient financing in aesthetics. They cover:
- What makes aesthetic practices uniquely suited to patient financing;
- The importance of repeat patients in medical spas and the impact of financing on the average ticket;
- How to insert financing and payment options throughout the patient’s decision timeline;
- The process of incorporating CareCredit into an aesthetic practice;
- How deferred interest promotions help your patients avoid extra costs;
- The industry response from extending enrollment to nurse practitioners in states that allow independent practice;
- The benefits of having a patient financing option when an economic downturn comes;
- And much more!
In this episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Michael S. Byrd, JD, and Bradford E. Adatto, JD, of national business and health care law firm ByrdAdatto. They discuss the latest in aesthetics compliance concerns and what medical spas should know about IV therapy compliance. They cover:
- What’s on their radar for 2022 compliance issues in aesthetics: private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and the idea of integrated health care;
- How the corporate practice of medicine and scope of practice regulations compare for IV bars vs. traditional medical settings;
- Standing orders and who can use independent medical judgment to make IV therapy treatment determinations;
- How nursing boards view administering IVs;
- What the risks are for noncompliance in IV therapy;
- Delegation and good faith exams in IV bars;
- How pharmacy boards regulate licensing and compounding IV medication;
- What the enforcement atmosphere is at the moment, and more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, and AmSpa Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, team up to speak with Michele Pelafas, Founder and Artistic Director of Michele Pelafas, Inc. After a tour of Pelafas’ Chicago area design studio + salon equipment showroom, they sat down to talk about interior design for beauty. Their conversation covers:
- Finding the clinical, spa and beauty connection;
- How her team identifies what the client wants;
- Reflecting brand identity into medical spa design;
- The phases of the design process;
- How Pelafas came to fill the holes in the market;
- Making business decisions that align with purpose and vision;
- How startups should prepare for interior design;
- What’s next for her business, and much more!
This week, AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jonathan Kaplan, MD, MPH, a board-certified plastic surgeon based in San Francisco and Founder and CEO of BuildMyHealth, a price transparency/lead generation platform. They speak about the No Surprises Act and how it impacts medical spas. Their conversation covers:
- Dr. Kaplan’s history with price transparency and the resources he developed for providers;
- The three recent legislation efforts governing price transparency;
- How medical aesthetics is affected by new measures against surprise bills;
- What you need to include in a good faith estimate;
- Why medical spas should care about complying with the No Surprises Act;
- Who is required to get a good faith estimate;
- Why it’s taken so long to get medical practices to share their pricing;
- And more!
In this episode, AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Travis Mahan, EVP Global Sales & Marketing, Advalight EPS; President, Advalight Corp. Mahan joins us to share his insight on laser devices after more than 20 years in the industry. Their conversation covers:
- What equipment a startup practice might consider;
- Metrics to determine return on investment for a laser in your practice;
- Aligning your device purchase with your business plan;
- What medical spas should ask laser reps before purchasing a device;
- Understanding the reality of purchasing and operating the device;
- Red flags when working with sales reps and device companies;
- How to calculate your treatment price;
- And much more!
This week, AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Leslie Tracey, Founder and Principal of Tracey Donavan Insurance & Retirement Services. They discuss how she brings a women first approach to business and the importance of planning for risk. Their conversation covers:
- Teaching owners to protect themselves, their businesses and their people;
- Where to focus during the three phases of business;
- The importance of defining your vision for your business;
- How to build regimens and commit to routines;
- The responsibility medical providers carry for the practice;
- How to plan for risk;
- What to look for in a financial advisor;
- And much more!
This week we revisit our conversation with Erin Hennessey, APRN, when she stopped by to talk about all facets of energy-based skin treatment. In this wide-ranging discussion, she covered:
- Her path from energy-based treatments for burn injuries to scar treatment to skin rejuvenation;
- The importance of listening to what the patient wants to improve first;
- Steps to take before opening your own practice;
- Ways she gets patients to adopt energy-based treatments;
- The importance of social media in marketing energy-based treatments;
- How to decide when to add devices to your practice;
- What to consider when choosing which device to add;
- Ablative vs. non-ablative lasers and legislative trends with regard to supervision; and
- Who should be able to provide laser treatments.
This week we revisit our conversation with Michael S. Byrd, JD and Brad E. Adatto, JD of ByrdAdatto when they took a deep dive into the legal issues regarding medical spa ownership and the specifics of the corporate practice of medicine. They covered questions like:
- What is the corporate practice of medicine?
- Why does the corporate practice of medicine matter?
- Who can legally own a medical spa?
- What are the risks of not following the corporate practice of medicine?
- What is a Management Services Organization (MSO)?
- What is driving regulatory focus on MSOs in California?
- How does the corporate practice of medicine affect medical spas in Texas?
- And more!
In the first anniversary episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Membership Spotlight series, AmSpa’s membership relationship development specialist, Michela Bailey, reunites with her first podcast guest, Jackie Spagnuolo, MSN, NP, of Beauty Nurse NYC. Their conversation covers Spagnuolo’s history with AmSpa and what she’s been up to in the past year, including:
-How she heard about AmSpa and why she decided to join;
-Opening her mobile IV therapy business;
-Why she teaches an introduction to aesthetic injectables;
-What she does for fun outside of her business ventures;
-Her favorite treatments and skin care at the moment;
-And much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this week’s podcast, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Brooke Bower, director of marketing research for Gordian Solutions Group. They discuss the making of the 2022 Medical Spa State of the Industry Report and its results, including:
- Filling the gap in market research for medical spas;
- The great majority of single-owner “mom-and-pop” medical spas;
- How the report was put together;
- The findings that stood out to her;
- Which results changed since the start of the pandemic; and
- Medical spa growth, revenue, patient volume, expenditures, margins, patient demographics and more.
This week, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Michael Kelleher, MMS, PA-C, founder and sole provider of (R)Evolution by MKAesthetics, a cosmetic injectable practice in Decatur, Georgia. Their discussion covers his journey in aesthetics and the following:
- His approach to his work;
- How he runs his business with the help of technology;
- Marketing in an untapped market;
- How he got introduced to aesthetics; and
- What it takes to succeed in this rewarding industry.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jennifer Walden, MD, FACS, president of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). Dr. Walden also has a thriving aesthetic surgery practice and multiple medical spas in Texas and New York. She joins Alex in a conversation that covers:
- Her journey to becoming the first female plastic surgeon president of ASAPS;
- How she built and expanded her practices as her family grew;
- Her early adoption of social media to brand her business;
- The business support she has received in her career;
- How the aesthetic industry has expanded to include non-core and non-physicians;
- The importance of having a knowledgeable medical director; and
- How ASAPS is enhancing internal and external relationships.
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s membership relationship development specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with La-Tasha Walker, RN, owner of La-Mon'e Aesthetics Spa. Their conversation covers some of the nitty-gritty details of working in the aesthetic industry, including:
- Her journey from cosmetologist to nurse;
- How she got started with body countering treatments;
- The importance of self-care and a skin routine;
- Her favorite providers;
- What’s currently keeping her entertained;
- And much, much more!
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with two members of Operation Mend, a charity operation out of UCLA that provides advanced treatment to post-9/11 military members, veterans and their families. Executive director Jo Sornborger, PsyD, and Christopher Crisera, MD, plastic surgeon and founder of the program, both join Alex in a conversation that covers:
- The origins of Operation Mend and the importance of their work with veterans;
- The intersection between mental health needs and reconstructive surgery;
- How involving caregivers in the program led to better outcomes;
- How needs are assessed;
- Why there is so much difficulty in getting treatment for veterans;
- How trauma can affect the entire family unit;
- The personal impact from working with Operation Mend; and
- How listeners can become involved in their mission.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Addie Gundry, founder and CEO of Pluie, a company that produces self-sanitizing baby changing stations. Alex and Addie discuss her journey from “regular mom” to entrepreneur business-owner, covering topics such as:
- How she arrived at the idea for Pluie's primary product;
- How little changes make a big impact on customer experience;
- The obstacles to bringing a new product to market;
- The impact of COVID on the business plan;
- The fundraising process;
- Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship;
- And much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Dr. Samuel Augustus, managing partner at WMPG Protection Group, and Ed Kuhn, licensed agent with WMPG Protection Group. Alex, Dr. Augustus and Ed take a deep dive into all things medical spa insurance, covering topics such as:
- Consent forms and their connection to liability;
- The reasons for recent increases in premiums;
- The kinds of claims medical spas are facing;
- Causes for denied coverage;
- The importance of a business plan;
- Why the vendors you use matter;
- The specific coverage needs for training centers; and
- What start-ups should expect to spend for coverage.
Note: Episode may include explicit language.
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s membership relationship development specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Jill Hawkins, aesthetic experience director at Donaldson Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Solutions in Dublin, Ohio. Their conversation covers some of the nitty-gritty details of working in the aesthetic industry, including:
- How she heard about AmSpa and why she decided to join;
- Her journey from salon to medical spa;
- Who she is inspired by on social media;
- The importance of self-care and a skin routine;
- Her favorite providers;
- And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Jen Handler, founder of MedModel. Alex and Jen discuss the business model behind her app, covering topics like:
- What need does MedModel fill?;
- Jen’s background in aesthetic sales;
- How the app filters models to ensure good matches;
- What it’s like to create an app from scratch; and
- How models can be converted into patients.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Sara Trammell, MD, owner of The Beauty Bus, and Chris Kappes, account executive with Craftsmen Industries. Alex, Chris and Dr. Sara discuss all aspects of owning and operating a mobile medical spa, including:
- How Dr. Sara built her mobile business;
- Craftsmen’s previous enterprises in the mobilization market;
- How mobile options can facilitate entrepreneurship;
- The obstacles to being mobile;
- The importance of customer experience and convenience; and
- The branding benefits of a mobile medical spa.
This week we revisit our conversation with Nicole Chiaramonte when she joined us to talk about the world of medical spa ownership. She touched on topics pertinent to both new owners and medical spa professionals looking to make their exit, including:
- How she grew to 14 locations in nine states;
- How her philosophy of “profits with integrity” has led to her success;
- What she looks for in a partner when investing in a medical spa;
- How much medical spas are worth in the market right now;
- What is driving private equity investor interest in the industry;
- How owners should approach their exit plan;
- Advice to help get ready to sell;
- The importance of compensating appropriately;
- And more!
Note: Episode includes explicit language. In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, speaks with Cameron Moskos, PA-C, owner of Cameo Facial Aesthetics in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Their down and dirty convo covers:
- What it’s like to be a PA owner;
- What Cameron’s “tribe” looks like;
- What aesthetic treatments she’s had;
- The importance of self-care and a skin routine;
- Her favorite providers;
- And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, continues his conversation with Dominic Mazzone, entrepreneur extraordinaire and CEO of Med Spa Partners, a medical spa management company based in Canada. Alex and Dominic delve further into the MSO structure and other business-related issues, covering topics such as:
- How to pick a good partner for your business;
- The separation of profit and medicine;
- What happens after acquisition;
- How to identify the problems plaguing your business;
- The emergence of hormone replacement therapy and women’s health in the medical spa space; and
- The importance of succession plans.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Alain Gazaui, president of SpaKinect, a telehealth company devoted aesthetics. Alex and Alain discuss the changing digital landscape as it relates to medical spas, covering topics such as:
-
- Maintaining compliance with telehealth;
- The importance of good-faith exams;
- What attracted Alain to the aesthetics industry;
- How to create human connections virtually;
- The importance of patience vs. speed when it comes to adapting technology;
- The “flywheel” concept and its application in customer experience;
- And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, is joined by Shannon King, BSN, RN, and Christal Parker, MSN, FNP-C. Alex, Shannon and Christal engage in an overdue discussion of diversity in aesthetics, covering topics that include:
- Shannon and Christal’s individual journeys into aesthetics;
- The barriers to entry and growth that exist in the industry;
- How issues of gender, race, sexuality and ethnicity all intersect and impact diversity in aesthetics;
- Why representation and education matter, not just for patients but also for providers;
- How client experience is negatively impacted by a lack of diversity in marketing;
- Tolerance vs. acceptance;
- How additional conversations on the importance of diversity can be initiated and fostered;
- And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Pat Altavilla, CEO of Suneva Medical Inc while attending The Aesthetic Meeting 2022, in San Diego. They cover topics such as:
- Pat’s more than 30 years in the industry;
- What it’s like to roll out new products during the pandemic;
- Regenerative aesthetics;
- The products and procedures that Pat is most excited about; and
- How attitudes towards aesthetics have changed.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, speaks with Dominic Mazzone, entrepreneur extraordinaire and CEO of Med Spa Partners, a medical spa management company based in Canada. Alex and Dominic speak in depth about the business side of running a medical spa, covering topics such as:
- Dominic’s business experience and what eventually drew him to the aesthetics industry;
- What a partnership with a management company entails;
- What makes medical spas attractive for acquisition;
- The importance of patient retention;
- Differences between Canadian and American medical spas; and
- How the business acumen in the industry can be improved.
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, talks with Courtney Anderson, founder and CEO of Spa Trouve. They get into the nitty-gritty of running a medical spa, covering topics like:
- Courtney’s scrappy start when opening her first medical spa;
- How she manages five locations today;
- Which aesthetic treatments she’s had;
- Her current self-care and skin routines;
- Her favorite providers;
- And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO, Alex R. Thiersch, JD, catches up with Gretchen Frieling, MD, dermatopathologist and owner of GFace MD in Boston. Alex and Dr. Frieling talk in-depth about her experience in the aesthetic industry, covering topics such as:
- Pathology and its intersection with aesthetic medicine;
- The importance of cadaver labs;
- Competition in the industry;
- How to grow without compromising quality;
- Her approach to patient education;
- The importance of skin care; and
- What she thinks the future holds for the medical aesthetics industry.
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, talks with Amanda Satterwhite, MD, owner of Highwater Aesthetics in Edmond, Oklahoma. Their down and dirty convo covers:
-
Dr. Satterwhite’s journey from emergency medicine to aesthetics;
-
How she opened a medical spa from scratch;
-
What aesthetic treatments she’s had;
-
The importance of self-care and a skin routine;
-
Her favorite providers;
-
And much, much more!
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, gets a lesson in listening with Christine Miles, founder and CEO of EQuipt. Christine covers many of the subjects from her new book, What Is It Costing You Not to Listen, as well as other topics, including:
-
Emotional intelligence and why is it important in running a business;
-
Listening training;
-
Transformational listening and the roadblocks to achieving it;
-
How to become a trusted advisor to your clients;
-
Saying “no” with empathy;
-
The six questions that will make you a better listener; and
-
How to deal with clients who don’t listen.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, talks with Lora Kassaros, who has served as practice manager for Dermatique Laser and Skin in Geneva, Illinois, for more than 12 years. Alex and Lora talk in-depth about the realities of managing a medical spa, covering topics such as:
-
Improving patient communication;
-
Why practitioners often struggle to run a business;
-
Creating a brand message;
-
Sourcing patients and how to keep them;
-
Charging your worth and avoiding the allure of discounts;
-
Using data to improve practice metrics; and
-
Empowering women in the industry.
In this week’s episode, AmSpa CEO Alex R. Thiersch, JD, takes a deep dive into skin care with Max Stock, CEO and founder of Epicutis, and Lisa Johnson, senior vice president of global sales and corporate development at Epicutis. Their conversation covers a wide range of topics, including:
-
Focusing on the treatment of health vs. age;
-
The differences in skin care culture in Asia, Europe and the U.S.;
-
Consumer knowledge and how it impacts skin care choices;
-
How Epicutis maintains an ethos of “clean and transparent”;
-
Why clinicians should learn to sell retail skin care; and
-
The importance of skin care in patient outcomes.
Medical Spa Show 2022 featured many hot-topic panels, including this All-star Injector’s Panel. Moderated by Alex and featuring some of the top injectors in the industry, this panel covers some of the most pressing issues facing aesthetic practices today. You’ll hear panelists George Baxter-Holder, ARNP, DNP, CANS, of SkinSpirit; Lori Robertson, MSN, FNP-C, of The Aesthetic Immersion; Sarah Safa, MS, PA-C, of Refined Aesthetics; Jacob Sanchez, MSN, CRNA, of Get Refreshed; and Hermine Warren, DNP, APRN, CANS, of Facialogy, discuss:
- What inspires them as aesthetic injectors;
- What they see others in the industry doing that worries them;
- The ethics and intricacies of promoting on Instagram and TikTok;
- How advertisements affect the quality of client that comes through the door;
- How to say no, and why it can be the most important thing you do;
- How to spot red flags in clients, and what to do if you miss them;
- And much more!
Watch this panel and dozens of other educational sessions recorded at Medical Spa Show 2022 with the Virtual Education After Party, on sale until March 19. Visit https://www.medicalspashow.com/virtualeducation.
On this week’s episode, AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, is joined by Cameron Hemphill, CEO of Growth99, in a conversation on online marketing and the future of patient conversion. In this episode, they cover:
-
The evolving aesthetic market in Utah;
-
How the business side of aesthetics is being standardized;
-
How successful medical spas manage their digital marketing;
-
Managing your practice like a business and why that is important;
-
Understanding a buyer’s online journey in order to convert them into paying clients;
-
AI chat bots and their utility;
-
Networking and business growth discussions at Medical Spa Show 2022; and
-
The future technologies that will impact the aesthetics industry.
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch is joined by Jeff Segal, MD, JD, of Medical Justice to talk about the practice of review-gating. Their conversation covers:
- The definition of review-gating and its reputation in the industry;
- The FTC’s stance and potential legal consequences to utilizing review gating; and
- Reputation management and its ethics.
In another episode of Medical Spa Insider’s Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, talks with Susan Lynch, PA-C, owner of Sarasota Premier Aesthetics. They cover:
- Her journey from PA school to assisting pediatric surgery to being her own boss;
- Opening a business in the middle of the pandemic;
- What treatments are bringing her clients back;
- Stem cell skin care and what she personally uses in her 40s;
- The importance of CME and staying up to date on the latest aesthetic science;
- How to focus on quality of care rather than quantity of clients;
- And more!
This week, AmSpa founder and CEO Alex Thiersch checks in with Dr. Kay Durairaj on site at Wynn Las Vegas during Medical Spa Show 2022. Their wide-ranging conversation covers:
- The role of male patients now and in the future;
- The time investment that it takes to be successful;
- Important things to remember about showing up on Instagram;
- The importance of training for aesthetic injectors;
- How natural aging can coexist with medical aesthetics;
- Possibilities for the growth of stem cell treatments in the U.S.;
- And more!
In another episode of the Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, talks with Kelsey Spector, LE, also known as @MySkinDealer. They cover:
- Her choice to become an aesthetician in a medical spa rather than a day spa;
- The origin of the My Skin Dealer brand;
- Representing her business as a brand instead of just herself, and separating her personal Instagram from her business;
- Treatments she gets as a young medical aesthetics practitioner;
- The importance of skin care in an aesthetics regimen for boosting results;
- The skin care routine of a skin care specialist;
- The importance of mental health and general wellness;
- And more!
Credit card processing fees aren’t a hot topic in aesthetics, but these charges can add up very quickly in an industry with such big-ticket services. This week, Matt Rej, partner at Merchant Cost Consulting, pulls back the curtain of merchant fees and discusses how small business owners can reduce the costs of hidden or bundled fees to potentially save thousands of dollars per year. He covers:
- Reducing fees without making changes to software, credit card companies or banks;
- Potential fees hidden within common processors such as Clover and Square;
- The ability to renegotiate fees, even with integrated point-of-sale or other software systems;
- The rate medical aesthetics clinics should be paying for credit card processing;
- Some common bundled fees that can often be renegotiated;
- And much more!
As the medical spa industry continues its extraordinary growth, interest in investing in, buying and selling practices is also increasing. Attendees of Medical Spa Show 2022 will have the option to attend the Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) Summit, a full-day pre-show education seminar on mergers and acquisitions in the medical spa space presented by Skytale Group. The cost is included in the price of admission, but space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon and select this course during registration. Visit medicalspashow.com/preshow for more information.
In this podcast, we speak with Benjamin Hernandez of Skytale Group to learn about:
- The increasing interest in medical spas from large financial sponsors;
- How early to prepare and how to set yourself up for sale;
- What to do when you’re ready to sell;
- The buyer’s perspective vs seller’s perspective;
- What to know for a single practice looking to sell;
- What to know for a multi-location group looking to scale;
- And more!
This week, Hally Pinaud, VP of product marketing at Podium, stops by to talk all things marketing in the medical aesthetic space. She covers:
- The power of online reputation management;
- How to arm small businesses to compete in the age of Amazon;
- The need to be innovative to market in the medical spa industry;
- Consumer research around local businesses;
- How small business owners feel about their prospects going forward in 2022;
- The consumer focus on ease of doing business, and what that specifically means for medical spas;
- The importance of being involved in your community;
- How text message marketing can be a game-changer for local businesses;
- And more!
This week, Taylor Siemens, NP, clinical director of Vitalyc Medspa stops by to talk about her commitment to training medical aesthetic practitioners. She covers:
- The lack of training standards in medical aesthetics;
- The appetite for more training among injectors;
- The power of sharing knowledge with other aesthetic injectors;
- The benefits and limitations of training provided by injectable vendors;
- The reputation of medical spas among core doctors;
- The need to bring more NPs and PAs into the industry;
- Her upcoming aesthetic practitioner training app;
- And more!
This week, Mitra Silva, founder of medical interior design firm Simour Design, talks about the formula for designing a world-class medical aesthetic practice. We discuss:
- Keys to medical spas that have thrived during pandemic;
- The importance of thinking differently and being intentional in decisions;
- How to decide how much space you need in your initial build;
- The benefits of planning for multi-functional rooms;
- The high cost of not maximizing your space; and
- How technology can help visualize design ideas.
This week, Sara Osmer, chief marketing officer, and Victoria Voorhees, director of marketing communications for SkinSpirit, stop by the show to talk all about marketing for medical aesthetic practices. They cover:
- The importance of being true to the pillars of your business;
- Challenges and opportunities specific to marketing in medical aesthetics;
- How to balance promoting the brand vs. individual practitioners on Instagram;
- Marketing strategies for a multi-location, multi-state brand;
- The role PR plays in medical aesthetics;
- Influencer marketing in the medical spa industry;
- Common mistakes in medical spa marketing; and
- Which marketing channels are best for new practices.
In this episode of the Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist, Michela Bailey, sits down with Dallas Buchanan, MD, and Michelle Buchanan, APRN, of Vivify Plastic Surgery. They talk about:
· How long they have been in practice;
· The size of their team and how they built their practice;
· How they defined their company culture;
· The practice’s involvement in the local community;
· Their favorite skin care treatment and favorite device;
· And more!
This week, Jay Reyero, JD, of ByrdAdatto talks about the regulatory concerns surrounding Botox parties and other offsite events in medical aesthetics. He covers:
- Legal compliance trends he is currently seeing among medical spas;
- Compliance issues regarding IV hydration therapy;
- If standing orders can replace a good-faith exam for new patients;
- Whether Botox parties and other offsite events are legal;
- Regulations to think about when planning an offsite event;
- If a physician needs to be present for offsite events;
- The importance of establishing specific documented protocols for events;
- Whether it’s legal to have alcohol at on- or offsite events;
- And more!
This week, Kathy Taranto, partner at AesthetiCare MedSpa and MINT Aesthetics, talks about building an $8 million single-location medical spa, how AesthetiCare approached expansion, tips for new medical aesthetic professionals, the importance of training and more. She covers:
- Her journey into medical aesthetics;
- How her early experience defined how she viewed customer experience;
- Balancing a successful medical spa with a successful training center;
- Her desire to help people avoid common medical spa mistakes;
- Treatments and devices new practices should consider;
- How to choose the right device;
- The biggest lessons for medical professionals entering aesthetics;
- Tips for building a high-performing team and avoiding turnover; and
- How COVID has changed the medical aesthetics industry.
In this episode, RepeatMD CEO Phillip Sitter and VP of Sales Chris Chomenko talk about the ways rewards and membership programs can increase retention and patient adoption of new treatments. They cover:
- The value of rewards programs for small businesses;
- How to measure if a rewards program is working;
- The anatomy of a good rewards or membership program;
- How rewards programs can protect against increasing competition in the industry;
- The different value propositions of rewards programs and memberships;
- The psychological reasons membership programs can help medical aesthetic practices;
- The ways practices struggle with membership programs;
- And more!
This week, MaryAnn Guerra, CEO of Aesthetics Biomedical, stops by to talk about the importance of data, structure and process when it comes to doing the right thing for medical aesthetic patients. She covers:
- Her journey from government health care agencies to medical aesthetics;
- Clearing Vivace through FDA and bringing it to market;
- The role aesthetics play in the mental health of aging;
- The role regulations play in patient safety;
- How RF microneedling helps medical aesthetic patients;
- Technical specifications of RF microneedling devices;
- And more!
This week, Alexander Blinski, MD of Plump Cosmetics & Injectables stops by to talk about regulation in the medical spa industry, and the patient-safety concerns that usually drive them. He covers:
- If it’s even possible to fully saturate medical aesthetics market;
- The lack of enough aesthetic providers to meet consumer demand;
- Regulatory risks for medical spa practices;
- The laws regarding physician-ownership vs non-physician ownership;
- The risks of injecting in and around the nose;
- RN scope of practice;
- If medical professionals receive training about laws and regulations;
- And more!
In this episode of our Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist Michela Bailey sits down with Brandy Thompson, APRN-BC, of Prescription Beauty Medical Aesthetics. She talks about:
- Her decision to move from hospital cardiology nursing to full-time aesthetics;
- The ins and outs of the Kentucky aesthetic community;
- How she educated her patient base on medical aesthetics;
- Her skin care routine;
- Her favorite treatments;
- And more!
In this week's Medical Spa Insider we're flashing back to our chat with Felecia Hatcher, keynote speaker for Medical Spa Show 2021. She talks about her path to success, ranging from starting her own small business to working with some of the biggest brands in the world, and more!
We'll be releasing information on the agenda and speakers for Medical Spa Show 2022 very soon, so stay tuned to medicalspashow.com for more information!
On this week’s episode, Warren Danforth, owner of Spa 35 Med Spa, talks about medical spa regulation and safety. He discusses:
- The need for proactive research and guidelines to encourage practicing safety in medical spas;
- Whether the rules and regulations for cosmetic treatments should be different than traditional medicine;
- How to educate aesthetic practices on the rules and regulations so they are followed and enforced;
- How to determine and enforce operating standards when the aesthetic field doesn’t have board certification; and
- The importance of ongoing training and education of providers as the industry continues to grow and offer new treatments and services.
This week, Michael S. Byrd, JD and Brad E. Adatto, JD of ByrdAdatto take a deep dive into the legal issues regarding medical spa ownership and the specifics of the corporate practice of medicine. They cover questions like:
- What is the corporate practice of medicine?
- Why does the corporate practice of medicine matter?
- Who can legally own a medical spa?
- What are the risks of not following the corporate practice of medicine?
- What is a Management Services Organization (MSO)?
- What is driving regulatory focus on MSOs in California?
- How does the corporate practice of medicine affect medical spas in Texas?
- And more!
On this week’s episode, Melissa Mickelson and Jessica Stellwagen, co-founders of Bodify, talk about how they built a successful medical spa practice focusing on CoolSculpting alone. They discuss:
- Going into business with family;
- Why they chose to only offer CoolSculpting;
- How to build a patient base with one technology;
- The benefits of establishing an identity early;
- How to approach referrals to other medical aesthetic practices;
- Building patient retention through patient experience;
- The process of fundraising for the start-up;
- Overcoming fear to make decisions to grow the business;
- The need to constantly gain new patients with CoolSculpting;
- How to generate and nurture leads;
- And more!
This week, RepeatMD CEO Phillip Sitter and VP of Sales Chris Chomenko talk about how loyalty and rewards programs, paired with the proper technology, can level-up a medical aesthetic practice. They discuss:
- How loyalty/rewards programs can help introduce new treatments to existing customers;
- The importance of nurturing leads and building customer trust to boost retention;
- The structure of a successful medical spa rewards program;
- How loyalty/rewards programs can move past simple discount and point programs;
- Ways to move patients through a journey toward more high-margin treatments;
- The difficulty of scaling the patient experience; and
- The growth potential of the medical aesthetics industry.
In the first episode of our Member Spotlight miniseries, AmSpa’s Membership Relationship Development Specialist Michela Bailey sits down with Jackie Spagnuolo, MSN, NP, of Beauty Nurse NYC, to talk about her experiences as a nurse in New York during the COVID-19 outbreak. She talks about:
- First reactions to the pandemic in New York and patient reaction to the shutdown;
- Leaving her aesthetics practice during the shutdown to work as a frontline provider at a hospital;
- An average hospital shift during COVID-19 crisis;
- Maintaining her aesthetics practice during the shutdown with private-label products and digital consultations;
- The “adopt-a-health-care-professional” initiative;
- Methods of self-care to combat burnout;
- The increased demand for services during and after lockdown;
- And more!
Erin Hennessey, APRN, stops by this week to talk about all facets of energy-based skin treatment. In this wide-ranging discussion, she covers:
- Her path from energy-based treatments for burn injuries to scar treatment to skin rejuvenation;
- The importance of listening to what the patient wants to improve first;
- Steps to take before opening your own practice;
- Ways she gets patients to adopt energy-based treatments;
- The importance of social media in marketing energy-based treatments;
- How to decide when to add devices to your practice;
- What to consider when choosing which device to add;
- Ablative vs. non-ablative lasers and legislative trends with regard to supervision; and
- Who should be able to provide laser treatments.
On this week’s episode, Neela Sethi Young, MD, pediatrician and co-founder of Jaanuu, talks about how she branched out from practicing medicine into the world of medical fashion. The discussion covers:
- Her desire for more comfort and style in medical attire;
- The benefits of being expressive through clothing in professional settings;
- The need for designer clothes with performance levels of durability;
- How the meaning behind Jaanuu’s name guides the company’s focus;
- The roles clothes in a professional setting can play in mental health and positive self-image;
- The Jaanuu Cares and #AlwaysMind campaigns in relation to health care professionals and self-care;
- The importance of advocacy to Jaanuu’s mission;
- Lessons from COVID that changed the way Jaanuu operates;
- And more!
On this week’s episode, renowned dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD, discusses her experience as part of the clinical trial of the new filler Restylane Contour. She talks about:
- What makes Restylane Contour different;
- Methodology of the FDA clinical trial;
- Patient response to the product;
- Overcoming patient hesitation about fillers;
- Needle vs. cannula with Restylane Contour;
- Benefits of participating in clinical trials;
- Benefits of Restylane Contour for a practice; and
- Tips to introduce new products to patients.
In part two of this two-part series, Ben Hernandez of Skytale Group provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the sale of a medical aesthetic practice. He runs through what to expect if you’re approached by an investment company interested in purchasing your practice including:
- The typical timeline for a sale;
- What kind of information buyers are looking for initially;
- How to structure the deal;
- How long the owner may need to stay in the practice after the sale;
- Pitfalls to avoid when selling your practice;
- What to include in a Letter of Intent (LOI);
- Things to look for in an investment partner;
- And more!
In part one of this two-part series, Ben Hernandez of Skytale Group gives some insight into the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) side of medical aesthetics. In this episode, he reflects on the surge of outside financing looking to enter the industry, and he answers a host of questions, including:
- What are your options when you’re ready to sell?
- Why is the M&A market so hot in this industry?
- What is driving more established medical spas to sell?
- Why is the industry so attractive to buyers?
- What are buyers looking for in a medical aesthetics practice?
- How are medical spas valued and how much could owners get for their practice?
- How does building a strong leadership team increases a practice’s value?
What does the abbreviation “PA” mean to you? Grace McLauren, PA-C, has extensive experience in internal medicine and women’s health, as well as more than 20 years of experience as a PA in the aesthetics space. She joins us this week to talk about the recent AAPA House of Delegates vote to change the title of the profession from “physician assistant” to “physician associate.” She covers:
- North Carolina’s recovery from quarantine;
- The background for the name change from “physician assistant” to “physician associate”;
- The role of a PA in a medical practice;
- Why the AAPA voted to change the name;
- Response to the reactions from physician associations;
- Benefits of independent practice for PAs;
- Why practitioners shouldn’t be using the new designation yet;
- Requirements to become a PA; and
- The shortage of PAs in medical aesthetics.
This week, Kipper Doughty, co-founder of Job Snob—a medical aesthetic job board and recruiting agency—stops by to share her perspective on aesthetic recruiting, the current job market for injectors and tips for the hiring process. She covers:
- The lack of industry resources for hiring and staffing;
- Recruiting vs. job boards;
- What goes into medical aesthetic recruiting;
- The job market for injectors looking for placement;
- Experienced vs. new injectors;
- Pain points and solutions for the hiring process;
- What to look for when hiring injectors;
- Common compensation questions; and
- How to find candidates.
This week, Melissa Rogne talks about starting her single-location medical spa in Fargo, North Dakota, building it into an 11,000 square-foot, multi-million-dollar practice, and selling to a private equity group to become president of a new multi-state brand. She talks about:
- How she built huge volume in a small market by creating demand in her community;
- The importance of understanding what resonates in your market;
- The marketing strategies that worked best as she grew her practice;
- Her keys to rapid growth;
- Her approach when deciding to sell;
- Being contacted by private equity representatives at Medical Spa Show 2020;
- The process of the purchase of her practice; and
- Her plans moving forward as part of a new, multi-practice brand.
This week, Mary Beth Hagan of Titan Aesthetics stops by to talk about the shortage of qualified injectors in the medical aesthetics industry and tips for practices looking to find and retain new practitioners. She covers:
- Whether there are enough injectors in the industry to cover the growing demand for services;
- Various factors that are leading to increased demand;
- The challenges of finding experienced injectors;
- Three things new practices looking to hire should focus on;
- Three skills that mark a good aesthetic injector;
- Important steps to take when hiring and onboarding new injectors;
- How much you can compensate injectors while still being profitable;
- And more!
This week, Nicole Chiaramonte joins us to talk about the world of medical spa ownership. She touches on topics pertinent to both new owners and medical spa professionals looking to make their exit, including:
- How she grew to 14 locations in nine states;
- How her philosophy of “profits with integrity” has led to her success;
- What she looks for in a partner when investing in a medical spa;
- How much medical spas are worth in the market right now;
- What is driving private equity investor interest in the industry;
- How owners should approach their exit plan;
- Advice to help get ready to sell;
- The importance of compensating appropriately;
- And more!
With the recent spate of bills in states across the country allowing more practice freedom for PAs we wanted to flash back to one of our Greatest Hit episodes with two of the industry’s power PA’s: Maegen Kennedy of Windermere Dental and Medical Spa and Lily Nizam of Alabama Surgical Arts. Hear how these PAs are navigating the medical spa world and finding success and opportunity around every corner.
Original air date: December 5, 2018
This week, Ryan Metcalf, SEO manager for DoctorLogic, talks about search engine optimization (SEO) and medical aesthetics practices. He shares some takeaways from the recent Google I/O conference as well as shedding light on topics such as:
- Common website red-flags Google may penalize;
- The complexities of blogging for SEO;
- The risks of duplicated content;
- How to structure web pages to rank higher in Google searches;
- The most common things businesses are not doing to optimize their SEO;
- The importance of Local Group searches and how to rank in them;
- Search lessons learned from COVID;
- And more!
This week, David Prokupek, CEO of Ideal Image, discusses how one of the biggest brands in medical spas weathered the COVID-19 shutdown and his outlook on the industry going forward. We cover:
- How Ideal Image was able to cope with COVID and come out successful;
- How strategies emerged to gather leads, even when the clinics were closed;
- The tremendous potential of medical aesthetics;
- Methods that they use to gain customers faster than the industry is growing;
- How launching a membership plan impacted their bottom line;
- Treatment areas with the biggest growth potential;
- Comparing the growth of medical aesthetics to other industry verticals;
- The most important KPIs for individual clinics;
- And more!
Dr. Kay Durairaj joins us live from the Medical Spa Show 2021 for a wide-ranging talk about the current state of medical aesthetics and the future of the industry. We discuss:
- The explosion of demand for medical aesthetic treatments;
- The lack of enough injectors to satisfy client demand;
- The scarcity of adequate training available to satisfy injector demand;
- The amount of training a new injector should have before considering themselves as qualified;
- The need for artistry in aesthetic medicine;
- How to get comfortable on social media;
- The need for consensus on proper safety guidelines;
- And more!
Carole Foos, CPA, of the OJM Group, has been advising medical practices about their tax situations for many years. On this week’s episode, she talks with us about:
- New tax laws to be aware of;
- New credits from 2020;
- The outlook on changes due to Biden tax proposals;
- If can you still apply for the Employee Retention Credit if you took a PPP loan;
- What to look for when looking for a business accountant;
- How to make the best use of your CPA;
- How can changing laws might affect your income;
- And more!
Text ampod to (844) 418-1212 to receive a free book on wealth management and planning from OJM Group.
This week, Patrick Urban, president at Merz Aesthetics, and Mary Trout, chief commercial officer of Candela Medical, join us to talk about the recent partnership the two companies have entered into and how they plan to serve medical aesthetic practices and their patients. They discuss:
· The state of the industry after the quarantines;
· The outlook for medical aesthetics going forward;
· What quarantine has taught us that will aid future growth;
· The power of building bridges and creating partnerships between companies;
· Packages developed between Merz and Candela to holistically address aesthetic patient needs;
· The trend of patients wanting more procedures per visit;
· The importance of training and support beyond the initial sale;
· And more!
In part two of this two-part series on overcoming medical spa disasters, Jessica Wright of Rejuvenate Austin talks about how, just as she was coming out of dealing with closures due to COVID-19, she was faced with the ice storm that crippled the state of Texas and shut down her practice once again. She talks about:
- The importance of having emergency closure protocols;
- How she prepared beforehand when closure seemed certain;
- The ways she adapted when the closure extended longer than anticipated;
- How to build a “disaster fund” and how much someone might need;
- The benefits of good hiring when disaster strikes;
- Her preferences when bringing on new injectors;
- And more!
COVID-19 had a huge impact on medical aesthetic practices across the country, forcing business owners to overcome unprecedented circumstances. For some, however, quarantine was not the only catastrophe to strike. In part one of this two-part series on overcoming disasters, Marria Pooya of Greenwich Medical Spa talks about a fire that devastated her flagship location, how she was able to adapt and move forward, and the keys to building a foundation that can withstand enormous, unforeseen challenges. She covers:
- How the lockdown affected her four-location business;
- The ways it managed to survive, restructure and move forward from quarantine;
- The fire that completely destroyed the company’s flagship location;
- Recovering from the loss of equipment, property and server data;
- The importance of having dependable leadership team during crisis;
- Meeting sales goals across multiple locations while maintaining patient care;
- How sticking to core values plays into resiliency, longevity and success;
- Her plans for growth and outlook on the future; and
- The most essential KPIs she looks at every day.
As the Medical Spa Show 2021 inches closer, take a quick listen back at one of the fun and interactive events from last year. Join AmSpa for a “podcast roulette” recorded with special guests “Botox Josh” Davis, RN BSN, owner of Whisper Wood; Kelly Gibbs, RN, BSN, CANS, founder of Beauty Co.; Shelby Miller, DNP, FNP-C, founder of RUMA Aesthetics; and Anil Rajani, MD, owner of RajaniMD. In this completely raw and unedited recording, our guests open up and get real about some of the sexy and not-so-sexy things about their daily lives.
WARNING: This is NOT the podcast to listen to in the car with your kiddos!
This week Steve Blanner, VP of sales for Wynn Las Vegas, joins Medical Spa Insider to talk about how quarantine affected Las Vegas and the safety steps Wynn Las Vegas is taking as tourism, gaming and live conferences resume. Listen in to hear about:
- How Wynn is working to maintain the iconic Las Vegas experience while maximizing guest safety;
- The safety measures in place around the property, in general and specifically for large live events;
- What might be different this year for live events compared to past years;
- If there are vaccination requirements to participate in live events in Las Vegas;
- The new onsite COVID-19 testing lab at Wynn Las Vegas;
- The onsite vaccination center at Wynn Las Vegas;
- And more!
The Wynn Last Vegas is hosting this year's Medical Spa Show. Visit www.medicalspashow.com for more information.
Catherine Maley, MBA, has been a part of the explosive growth of medical aesthetics for decades. This week’s Medical Spa Insider dives into her extensive knowledge of marketing and practice management to pin down the best practices for attracting and retaining patients in the modern medical aesthetic marketplace. Listen in to hear about:
- Common misconceptions about medical aesthetic marketing;
- The most common business needs for plastic surgeons that approach her for help;
- The challenges of having to be everything in order to compete in today’s world;
- What modern patients are looking for when they search for aesthetic services;
- The importance of consistency for customer service and the patient experience;
- How to cultivate a patient for life;
- And more!
Terri Ross of Terri Ross consulting returns this week to talk about how quarantine and COVID-19 affected her consulting business and caused her to pivot into one of the greatest opportunities she’s ever had. Find out about the important metrics you need to track in your business and how her new Aesthetic Practice Accelerator (APX) platform puts all of that information within easy reach. Listen in to hear:
- Takeaways Terri has learned from aggregated benchmark data from her customers and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons;
- The differences between practices that thrived through quarantine and those that didn’t;
- The importance of knowing profit per treatment and revenue per hour per provider;
- The dangers of the “mentality of discounting”; and;
- Life lessons she learned in 2020.
Stay all the way to the end for a promo code to save on her new APX platform.
This week, we’re checking back in with the nurse practitioner duo Alexa Nicholls Costa, NP, and Alexandra Rogers, NP, of LexRx. They talk about managing their quarantine year, maintaining and building their hyper-focused injectables-based brand and the importance of keeping their brand identity as they grow. Listen in to hear about:
- How they surpassed their year-over-year numbers in 2020, despite a four-month quarantine closure;
- The key to the success of their private label skin care line;
- The benefits of organic media vs. advertising and sponsored content;
- The market research they considered when they began considering new locations;
- The rationale behind the LexRx “Team House” in Nantucket;
- What they look for during the hiring process;
- How to maintain brand identity while expanding to multiple locations; and
- What they’ve learned as business owners in the two years since the last time they were on the podcast.
This week, Dr. Robin Patel, professor of microbiology and director of the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at the Mayo Clinic, returns to answer questions about the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccines rolling out across the country. She covers:
- Putting the vaccine into perspective: How impressive was speed of research?;
- Whether the rush to market sacrificed safety and research into side-effects;
- Reasons to take the vaccine;
- What effectiveness rates mean with regard to the various vaccines;
- How worried should we be about COVID-19 variants;
- If you can still transmit COVID-19 once vaccinated;
- If you should still get vaccinated if you’ve already contracted COVID;
- Whether other allergies give you higher risks with this vaccine; and
- If people should try to choose one vaccine over another.
This week, entrepreneur and motivational speaker Felecia Hatcher talks about her path to success, ranging from starting her own small business to working with some of the biggest brands in the world. She covers:
- Having the vision and courage to build something from nothing;
- The motivation required of successful entrepreneurs ;
- Moving past the urge to quit in the face of adversity;
- Understanding your value proposition;
- The importance of value-based pricing;
- How to make the shift from being a hustler to being a CEO;
- The power of understanding your target market;
- What problems are you solving for your customer; and
- Setting and defining your business goals and intentions.
This week, Jessica Nunn of Skytale Group dives into the ins and outs of finances in the medical aesthetic space. In this wide-ranging discussion, she covers:
- How data can help predict the future of your practice;
- Knowing your numbers in order to be proactive instead of reactive;
- Things you need to think about when starting up a new medical aesthetic practice;
- What to focus on when growing and scaling your practice;
- Ways to improve practices that are already doing well;
- Common financial mistakes that business owners make;
- Basic financial reports business owners need to understand;
- And more!
On this week’s episode, Christopher Surek, DO, talks about how the Academy for Injection Anatomy goes above and beyond to hone injectors’ knowledge of anatomy, skill with injectable treatments and ability to manage complications. He covers:
- Developing his passion for head and neck anatomy;
- His perspective as an injector, plastic surgeon and anatomist;
- The benefits of cadaveric dissection injectable training;
- Developing new ways to view and understand anatomy;
- How the hands-on course helps to understand the three-dimensional anatomy of the face;
- A quick breakdown of facial layers and his approach to teaching; and
- How use of ultrasound can lead to better injectable results.
This week, George Baxter-Holder, ARNP, DNP, CANS, and chair of the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council (AASC), joins us in a wide-ranging talk. He covers:
- The AASC looking at the practice guidelines with fresh eyes;
- The priorities when fine-tuning the practice guidelines;
- Determining the intent of practice guidelines;
- Looking at the practice guidelines as a position statement rather than a policy statement;
- Coming to a consensus on minimum standards for medical aesthetic practices;
- Trying to define “medical director,” including training and qualifications;
- The resiliency of medical spa industry during COVID-19;
- His involvement with the Academy for Injection Anatomy; and
- The benefits of getting a hands-on, 3D view of anatomy for injectors.
See here for more information on the AmSpa Aesthetic Safety Council.
See here for more information on the Academy for Injection Anatomy.
This week, AmSpa legal coordinator Patrick Armstrong O’Brien talks about legal trends he’s seeing in proposed bills that would affect medical aesthetics across the country. These include:
- What independent practice means;
- States increasingly moving toward independent practice for APRNs;
- Some states that are considering allowing PAs more independence;
- Trends regarding “cosmetic practice licenses” for minimally invasive procedures;
- The recent California LVN board investigation and what it may mean for aesthetic practices;
- And more!
This week, Cathy Christensen, COO of AmSpa, joins Alex to discuss the results of the AmSpa 2020 Medical Spa Industry Short Survey – COVID-19’s Impact. In this conversation they cover:
- The recent death of Dr. Paymon Simoni due to COVID-19;
- Medical aesthetic practices that had to permanently close;
- Medical aesthetic practices that had to permanently lay off team members;
- How federal aid impacted medical aesthetic practices;
- Revenues in 2020 compared to 2019;
- The relative resilience of the non-surgical medical aesthetics industry;
- How these numbers impact the outlook for the future;
- And more
View more information about the survey at americanmedspa.org.
View and download an infographic summary of the results here.
This week, Jessica Wright, MD, of Rejuvenate Austin, stops by to talk about her journey from practicing medicine at a busy urban trauma center to life in medical aesthetics. She talks about:
- Succeeding during the pandemic;
- Why she got into medicine;
- Why she got into aesthetics;
- Going from hospital surgeon to business owner;
- Balancing work and personal life;
- Advice for people looking to get into aesthetics;
- And more!
Alex Thiersch, JD, founder and CEO of AmSpa, is joined by Christin Trujillo of Skytale Group and Patrick O’Brien, JD, AmSpa’s legal coordinator, to discuss the new round of federal stimulus and assistance for COVID-19 relief. They will look into the individual programs and measures found in the bill and how they might affect your medical aesthetic practice.
Brandon Robinson, owner of Skin Body Soul and investor in OrangeTwist, takes over the podcast this week to interview Alex Thiersch, JD, AmSpa’s founder and CEO. As we close out a tumultuous 2020 and head into a new year join us for a look back at the history of the American Med Spa Association as Alex reveals:
- How he first became interested in a legal career;
- The legal case that got him into medical aesthetics;
- The beginnings of AmSpa;
- The idea behind AmSpa’s Medical Spa & Aesthetic Boot Camps;
- How the Medical Spa Show came into being;
- How Covid-19 and lockdown changed the focus of the association;
- His outlook on the future of the industry post-pandemic.
This week, we’re back with Christie Hutchinson, RN, MBA, talking all about OSHA. She answers a number of compliance questions, including:
- What is OSHA?
- Where do majority of OSHA complaints come from?
- What are the most common OSHA violations?
- What are minimum compliance standards for light-emitting devices?
- What do you do in case of an OSHA investigation?
This week, Christie Hutchinson, RN, MBA, does a deep dive on the nursing scope of practice in aesthetic medicine. She discusses:
- The initial consult and what counts as the practice of medicine;
- How standing orders affects what RNs can and can’t do;
- The importance of protecting your nursing license;
- Standard operating procedures and their place in medical spas; and
- Where you can find information on “who can do what” in a medical practice.
This week, Brandon Robinson, owner of Skin Body Soul and investor in OrangeTwist, talks about the business outlook for the medical spa industry during and potentially after the COVID-19 pandemic. He covers how investment interest in the industry has actually increased over the past several months and reveals his thought process as he expanded his business over the course of 2020. He talks about:
- Ways the pandemic has proven the business model of medical aesthetics;
- How the “stickiness” of the industry has become apparent to investors;
- Why and how he managed to expand during pandemic;
- Where opportunities can come from during and after lockdown;
- The importance of knowing your numbers, knowing your model and sticking to your guns;
- Protections you can build into lease agreements to give yourself confidence to take risks;
- Predictions for when industry will get back to full capacity; and
- His reflections on 2020.
AmSpa CEO Alex Thiersch and COO Cathy Christensen sat down with Terri Ross of Terri Ross Consulting to talk about what it’s like being a female entrepreneur in the aesthetics industry, and how medical aesthetic practices can scale their business to seven figures with simple sales training tools. Terri shares her tips on the benefit of performing longer consults, how you can invest back into your business, role-playing tips for your front desk staff and much more!
Many states are re-imposing restrictions on businesses, as the COVID-19 pandemic has surged in many parts of the country. Join AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, ByrdAdatto Partner, Renee Coover, JD, and AmSpa Legal Coordinator, Patrick O'Brien, JD, as they review and discuss the new restrictions in Illinois, California and elsewhere, and how they may impact your medical aesthetic practice.
As 2020 has gone on it seems stressors have only increased. This week we're reaching into the archives to help you manage an increasingly stressful world. Wendy Collier will offer things you can do each day to give you a break from feeling worried so you can be your more positive self. This includes a powerful daily practice you can do first thing each morning that will make a BIG difference in your entire day.
This week, board-certified plastic surgeon Robert Whitfield, MD, talks about his journey overcoming both professional and personal hardships due to COVID-19. The pandemic has affected Dr. Whitfield in both his practice and in personal life, as he lost his father to the illness during the lockdown. He touches on several aspects of dealing with this reality, including:
- A medical professional’s perspective on losing a family member to COVID;
- The difficulties of losing a loved one during lockdown;
- How other team members have also lost close family members;
- Preparing to re-open while dealing with personal loss;
- Dealing with “COVID fatigue” among patients and community members;
- Lessons learned from months of virtual consults;
- And more.
This week, Hermine Warren, APRN, DNP, CANS, talks about some lessons she’s learned during the COVID-19 outbreak and gives a detailed analysis of AmSpa’s Guidelines for Non-surgical Medical Aesthetic Practices. Listen in to hear a discussion about:
- Processes and procedures learned during COVID-19 that will endure post-quarantine;
- Benefits of using cannulas for injectable procedures;
- The importance of standards and a standardization of rules;
- The need to clarify scope of practice for advanced licenses beyond just NP;
- The risks of publishing guidelines that may eventually become law;
- Whether the guidelines do enough to support RNs;
- The need for references and citations in the guidelines;
- And much more.
New York-based dermatologist Paul Frank, MD, caught COVID-19 in the early days of the outbreak. He joins AmSpa Founder Alex Thiersch, JD, to discuss his personal journey with the disease, how it affected his health, how it affected his practice and how he predicts it will affect the medical aesthetic industry. He talks about:
- How living through COVID-19 changed his perspective on business;
- The importance of focusing on the practice of medicine within the business of medicine;
- His outlook on the post-COVID-19 future of medical aesthetics;
- If millennials continue to drive growth as the economy slowly recovers; and
- Practicing profitably while maintaining legal compliance.
This week, Connie Brennan, RN, BSN, CANS, CPSN, CPC, talks about her lifetime journey of learning in medical aesthetics, focusing on her current goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. She talks about:
- The benefits of being an RN vs an NP;
- Reasons why and why not to take the leap;
- How to choose a school;
- Challenges of expanding aesthetic education;
- How to grow the ranks of aesthetic nurses;
- And more!
Heather Rypien, RN, CANS, was last on the podcast mere weeks before the nationwide COVID-19 shutdown. Check in on how the closure affected her practice, how she approached re-opening, and the lessons she learned from quarantine that she plans to implement in her practice going forward. Hear about:
- What patient flow has been like since re-opening;
- How customer behavior has changed;
- What precautions she is taking for her patients and her team; and
- Her outlook on the future.
This week, Paul Edwards stops by to demystify human resources (HR) and give you concrete examples of how building your practice with your team first can lead to success for your practice. Listen in to hear about:
- The COVID shutdown from an HR perspective;
- The strategies involved in growing employees into difference-makers;
- The importance of defining your company culture;
- How to approach revenue transparency as part of company culture;
- Interview questions to ask when finding a culture fit for your practice;
- Most common COVID-related HR questions; and
- The difference between law and rule-making, and caveats to many rules passed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This week, Kevin Harrington, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, talks about the ins and outs of injector training. He gives his views on how much training people should get before injecting for the first time, the value of manufacturer training courses, and things to look for when choosing a training course. Listen in to hear about:
- The importance of understanding the “why” behind medical procedures;
- How “certified” courses might not mean what you think;
- Why aesthetics should be considered its own medical specialty;
- What makes a good injector; and more!
On this week’s episode, listen in to gain some insight on the complex decisions that go into interpreting medical spa law. Alex welcomes Michael Byrd, JD, and Brad Adatto, JD, of the law firm ByrdAdatto to speak about:
- Challenges regarding regulators and legislators not fully understanding the industry;
- Challenges of laws being different in different states;
- Navigating “grey areas” in the law;
- Finding a balance between nursing board, medical board and legislature opinions;
- The most important aspects of compliance;
- Why it doesn’t matter if “everyone else is doing it”; and
- Why it’s less daunting than it seems to be legally compliant
This episode also includes a quick preview of Season 2 of the firm’s podcast, Legal 123s with ByrdAdatto.
This week we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes in the archive. Shelby Miller, DNP, FNP-C, founder of RUMA Aesthetics, known on Instagram as @Aesthetic_Injector, explains how you can replicate her journey by having the right intentions, finding the right mentor, and immersing yourself in education, training and networking with your peers. "The second you become overconfident, you become dangerous."
This week, Danielle Smith, NP,-C of smith & co gives us a glimpse under the hood of her business as a solo practitioner who focuses solely on injectables. She gives an in-depth description of how she bucks many business rules of thumb in order to maximize her efficiency and create a plan customized for her particular business model. Listen in to learn the answers to the following questions:
- How do you maximize the efficiency of your time?
- Why should you potentially say No to new business opportunities?
- How vital is administrative support, really?
- Do you really need to answer the phone immediately?
This week, Alex Blinski, MD, busts the myth that you can’t make money on injectables and talks about how his brand, Plump, was built with injectables at the center—not as a loss-leader. He also talks about business coming out of the COVID-19 closure, whether he thinks the spike in interest is sustainable, and lessons he’s learning from the pandemic that will inform his business going forward.
This week, Nicole Norris, MD, gives a soup-to-nuts rundown of how she built her practice from serving a town of 20,000 people to drawing patients from 50 miles away or more. She talks about the importance of knowing her demographics, and understanding the marketing channels that are most successful in her area. Key conversation points include:
- Making the jump from family medicine to medical aesthetics;
- Building personal relationships with patients;
- Advice to new medical spa owners;
- Small market success during COVID-19 and beyond;
- …and much more!
Though many medical spas were not able to survive the shutdowns due to COVID-19, other practices that were able to re-open experienced a spike in business due to pent-up demand. As we move forward, how can the industry build upon that interest? Glenn Morley and Elizabeth Holloway of BSM Consulting talk about how to best make use of data in a medical aesthetic practice and the numbers they’re seeing from practices around the world. They also dive into what the best leaders are doing to see their practices through these uncertain times, and how transparency with employees can be a key to success.
This week, triple-board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, talks about her journey into medical aesthetics. In this wide-ranging conversation, she delves into the importance of trusting your gut when deciding your next move and how cohesive community can benefit everyone in the industry.
George Baxter-Holder, ARNP, DNP, CANS, joins us this week to talk about his unconventional path toward a career in medical aesthetics. He also discusses how aesthetic treatments are about much more than what’s on the surface and answers some important questions about his interactions with his patients:
- How can you build a real, long-term relationship with your patients?
- How does understanding how your patients view themselves help you treat them?
- How can you help patients beyond the treatment room?
- How can all of this lead to better outcomes in your practice?
Listen in to find out.
Jackie Spagnuolo, RN, BSN, and Kelsey Spector, LE, chat with AmSpa’s social media team about what it takes to build a devoted following online. Aly Boeckh and Michela Bailey, AmSpa’s marketing gurus, join AmSpa Founder and CEO Alex Thiersch in asking these young influencers to share their insights on Instagram, TikTok, and being authentic and approachable in a digital world.
Rob and Carol Trow, co-founders of DermaConcepts, exclusive U.S. distributor of Environ Skin Care, talk about how they built their business with sustainable growth while fostering a family-like company culture. They offer advice on how they built their company over the last 25 years to both new and established entrepreneurs.
This episode covers:
- How they build and retain a high-performing team;
- How those philosophies improve customer loyalty; and
- The importance of long-term planning for the growth and success of a business.
Candela’s CCO, Mary Trout, and medical director, Konika Patel Schallen, MD, join us on this episode of Medical Spa Insider for a wide-ranging discussion. They cover how Candela has weathered the COVID-19 storm and touch on worldwide data they're collecting as practices return to business operations. They also cover general medical spa best-practices regarding treating patients and bringing devices into a medical spa.
- What has consumer demand been as practices re-open?
- How are medical spas practicing safely?
- What are common business mistakes that medical practitioners make when opening?
- How do you choose a device for your practice?
- What is "consultative selling" and how can it benefit your practice, both when choosing a vendor and when interacting with patients?
Robin Patel, MD, director of infectious disease research at the Mayo Clinic, returns to speak about the current state of COVID-19 in the U.S. She covers transmission risk and how we can mitigate the spread of the disease, and outlines what the medical landscape might look like in the months to come.
Additionally, Paul Edwards, CEO and cofounder of CEDR HR Solutions, talks about some of the practical realities of re-opening during COVID-19, such as:
- Protocols and procedures he sees in practices that maximize the health and safety of team members and patients;
- Where small business employees are commonly catching COVID-19;
- If employers can and should test employees for COVID-19;
- What to do if an employee tests positive;
- What to do if an employee doesn’t want to return to work;
- And more.
This week Steven Dayan, MD, FACS, speaks on the early days of medical aesthetic marketing and how he was able to pioneer many of the techniques that are commonplace today including establishing a web presence and authority marketing to the consumer. He also goes over his research regarding The Subliminal Difference – explaining how subtle changes can create dramatic results – and he talks about the nature of beauty vs attraction, and which one aesthetic providers should be most concerned about addressing.
Dr. Dayan is a professor and researcher has published over 130 articles in medical journals and 5 books. He is a NY Times and USA TODAY Best Selling Author. His accolades include the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation’s Leadership Award and “Top Doc” recognition by numerous organizations including Castle Connolly and U.S News & World Report.
He is a member of American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery (AAPFRS), American Society of Dermatologic Surgeons (ASDS) and serves on the Board of Directors for the Facial Plastic Surgery society as well as on the board of multiple medical journals including, Facial Plastic Surgery, Aesthetic Surgery Journal (ASJ), Cosmetic Dermatology and New Beauty Magazine. He is the current Co-editor of Modern Aesthetic Magazine and Web Editor of Facial Plastic Surgery Aesthetic Medicine.
He has authored 5 books, and is currently filming a 10 episode pilot series with Dr. Paul Nassif that is scheduled to air summer 2020. But it is in his role as an adjunct professor —teaching a popular undergraduate course: The Science of Beauty and Its Impact on Culture and Business – that his NYTimes Best Selling book Subliminally Exposed is based.
This week, Lori Robertson, MSN, FNP-C, talks about staking the success of her practice on the outcomes of her patients first. She goes over her focus on treatment efficacy and patient satisfaction over profits, and how she uses a team-based incentive structure to show appreciation without relying on commission for individual providers. She also talks about steps she’s taking to ensure the safety of her patients and her team as the country re-opens after COVID-19 shutdown, and how her patients have responded.
This week our panelists discuss new information about the PPP loan forgiveness application, and new interim rules introduced in the PPP Flexibility Act.
Panelists include:
- Alex Thiersch, JD, Founder and CEO, AmSpa
- Michael Byrd, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
- Ben Hernandez, Partner, Skytale Group
- Patrick O'Brien, Legal Coordinator, AmSpa
In this episode, Cameron Hemphill, CEO of Growth99, talks about techniques he sees that are allowing medical spa practices to both survive and thrive in the current climate. He talks about the importance of recurring revenue services and online sales, as well as how the innovative use of digital marketing can create market leaders today and in the future.
This episode’s guest is Mitra Silva, founder of medical interior design firm Simour Design. She covers how she takes patient experience, safety and comfort into account when designing medical aesthetic practices. Her specialized team of designers create intentional healing spaces within medical spas, surgical centers and all areas of health care.
Reunited and it feels so good! Join the incredible women from Medical Spa Show 2020’s All-Star Medical Spa Owners panel as they discuss their lessons learned and experiences during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as their thoughts, methods and tactics for re-opening. Hosted by AmSpa founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, JD, and featuring:
- Shawna Chrisman, ACNP, MS, BC, FCCS, Destination Aesthetics;
- Anna Churchill, Synergy Face & Body;
- Lynn Heublein, Skin Spirit;
- Melissa Rogne, Rejuv Medical Aesthetic Clinic.
Our panelists review the release of the SBA’s new loan forgiveness rules for the Paycheck Protection Program. Topics include re-hiring and paying employees, what costs can be forgivable, safe harbors, exceptions, and what questions still remain. They will also discuss the potential changes which may be coming in the House’s PPP fix bill as it heads to the Senate and how it could affect borrowers.
Panelists include: Alex Thiersch, JD, Founder and CEO, AmSpa Michael Byrd, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto Ben Hernandez, Partner, Skytale Group Patrick O'Brien, JD, Legal Coordinator, AmSpa
Gabe Lubin, founder and CEO of Cartessa Aesthetics, speaks about his motivations for building Cartessa and his philosophy on creating devices for medical spas. He talks about what to consider when buying capital equipment and how to make careful decisions about adding treatments to your practice to achieve long-term success.
The panel gives an overview of updates to the Paycheck Protection Program, including the release of the loan forgiveness application.
Panel:
Alex Thiersch, JD, CEO and Founder, AmSpa
Michael Byrd, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Brad Adatto, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Ben Hernandez, Partner, Skytale Group
Patrick O'Brien, JD, Legal Coordinator, AmSpa
Listen in as Jeff Segal, MD, JD, weighs in on coronavirus: what we know, how to stay safe and steps to take as states begin to re-open. How careful do we need to be in our homes and in our businesses, and how long might this situation continue?
Panelists—including experts from AmSpa, ByrdAdatto and Skytale Group—review new information from the last two weeks regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. They cover new guidance on loan forgiveness, the recent statements from the IRS about whether the PPP money is tax-deductible and other challenges with the fast-changing nature of the program.
Panelists:
Alex Thiersch, JD, Founder and CEO, AmSpa
Michael Byrd, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Brad Adatto, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Patrick O’Brien, JD, Legal Coordinator, AmSpa
Ben Hernandez, Partner, Skytale Group
Alex Thiersch, Founder and CEO of AmSpa, talks with Alisa Lask, VP and General Manager of Galderma. Listen in to hear:
- How is Galderma is dealing with this crisis from a general standpoint?
- How Galderma is helping its small business clients?
- What insights does Galderma have about the impact of the virus on the aesthetics market?
- What plans does Galderma have to stimulate the market once we can reopen?
- Will interest for aesthetics procedures will still be strong post-COVID-19?
- What message would Galderma like to send to medical spas during this time?
The governor has allowed Texas medical practices to re-open, but what does that mean for Texas medical spas? Alex Thiersch, JD, Michael Byrd, JD, and Brad Adatto, JD, run through additional challenges that medical aesthetic practices might face from a regulation and enforcement standpoint.
Learn from Sarah Hamilton and Ashley Stepp of Sarah Hamilton Face in Liberty Lake, Washington, how retail has made a big difference during this difficult time and how Millennial clients are the drivers of huge retail spends, as well as other tactics for success during the downturn.
In this special episode of Medical Spa Insider, join Alex Thiersch and panelists Christie Hutchinson, QCC Healthcare Consultants; Brad Adatto, Michael Byrd and Renee Coover, ByrdAdatto as they go over what medical spas need to begin the process of reopening their businesses.
Read AmSpa's re-opening checklist here.
Download AmSpa's re-opening toolkit here.
Mary Beth Hagen,Founder and CEO, of TITAN Aesthetic Recruiting chats with Alex Thiersch, Founder and CEO of AmSpa, about aesthetic injector salaries, what makes a quality injector, and all things surrounding aesthetic recruiting and placement.
This week's update on the Paycheck Protection Program discusses recent program updates. Additionally, the panelists talk about the program being refunded, provide some guidance on loan forgiveness, and touch on the states that are beginning to re-open for business.
Panelists:
Alex Thiersch, JD, CEO and Founder, American Med Spa Association
Patrick O'Brien, JD, Legal Coordinator, American Med Spa Association
Michael Byrd, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Brad Adatto, JD, Partner, ByrdAdatto
Ben Hernandez, Partner, Skytale Group
Beto Casellas, CEO of CareCredit, and Bill Reiner, chief security officer of Synchrony Financial, talk about the coronavirus outbreak and what it takes to lead a company during uncertain times. How do you react to crisis? What steps do you take to communicate with your team? What can you do to keep everyone safe, both now and as states begin to come out of shelter-in-place?
The CARES Stimulus bill and its PPP program is a fluid situation. This podcast will cover the new updates with the program since last week and will provide insight how to get the most support possible from the CARES Stimulus bill for your medical spa. Are people getting funds? What should you do now that funding has run out?
AmSpa's Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, JD, shares 8 tips that could be key to the success of your medical aesthetic practice. This episode includes full audio from the first section of AmSpa's new Virtual Boot Camp. Visit americanmedspa.org/virtualbootcamp for more information.