Medical Spa Insider

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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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

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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!

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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/

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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

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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!

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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!

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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 of focus when you are 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!

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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/.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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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.)