Episode 73: Let Go & Learn with Christopher Cotto, MS, PA-C

This week we’re sitting down with Tox Papi to talk all things male perspective, seizing every opportunity to learn, the power of networking, and staying humble along the way!

@toxpapi also known as Christopher Cotto, MS, PA-C spent the last several years as a Physician Associate specializing in Emergency Medicine, but as the pandemic came to a close, he felt a calling to move into a new specialty, one where he could focus on treating the patient holistically and build long-term relationships. Enter Aesthetics!

He’s an avid seeker of education, and he knew he needed to hone his skills before jumping into a new field. So in between his ER shifts, he was shadowing Larry Blevins, PA-C, and eventually applied and was accepted as a Fellow in the American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine- a rigorous 6-month fellowship that focuses not only on the procedural skills for all things Aesthetics but also business skills, clinic setup, optimizing workflow, and completing a research project with a goal of publishing.

 When you meet Puerto-Rican born, Orlando raised @toxpapi, he’s a larger-than-life guy! In a field that is dominated by women, Chris certainly stands out. But he’s found a way to use that to his advantage as a clinician and a business owner. In this episode we talk a lot about his patient population and the small details he’s put in place to make a big impact on their experience.  We discuss how his commitment to providing a thorough consultation continues to increase his conversion rate and build loyalty.  It’s apparent he loves his patients and the opportunity to spend time with them – he’s building relationships while he’s building revenue.

We also discuss his foray into sexual wellness. While it’s still only a fraction of his practice, he’s seen the impact it has on patients when you can treat not only their aesthetic concerns but also their sexual ones. As a result, his patient base continues to grow for these procedures week after week. It’s not only a profitable add-on, but as Chris mentions, those happy Patients are incredibly loyal, and they continue to refer and lead more patients to his practice.

One thing Chris does so well is finding the right room with the right people. He not only shadowed and completed a fellowship for months with no pay, but he’s consistently volunteering and assisting at events where he’s onstage and behind the scenes with well-known injectors. Why? He’s eager for an opportunity to learn. And, through his efforts, he’s scored an onstage lecture at AN 5.0, grown his network to include an enviable set of friends and mentors, earned opportunities to teach and train, and more. Is it difficult to take a step back and work for free after years as a practicing PA? Nah! Chris’ advice: let go of that negativity, get ready to learn, and just stay humble.

He's learned a lot of lessons about business along the way- some tougher to learn than others- including the dissolution of a partnership in his first med spa, Renew. Chris realized not long into the endeavor that partnerships are a tough road; someone is always doing more work than someone else, opinions don’t align, and splitting the money 4 ways doesn’t leave a lot for each person. He got out of the partnership, took the leap, and founded his own practice Aesthetic District Medspa so he can focus on doing things his way without the added stress of too many cooks in the kitchen. He provides us with a few watch outs for anyone looking to go the partnership route- and as everyone always says in hindsight- get it all in writing!

This is a fantastic episode for those who are eager to make the jump to aesthetics and those who are ready to go out on their own! In Chris’ own words, get ready to let go & learn!

Learn more about Chris at https://www.instagram.com/toxpapi/

Learn more about Aesthetic District Medspa at https://www.instagram.com/admedicalspa/ and https://admedicalspa.com/