For The Record

Episode 51 is live this week with a true pioneer and a mentor to SO many, the legendary Larry Blevins, PA-C!   In 𝙎𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙙, we sit down with @captaincosmetic, Founder & CEO of Village Institute of Plastic Surgery and co-founder of the American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine fellowship.   Larry is a retired Med Corp Captain in the US Army. It’s there that he finished PA school, served two tours in the trauma unit in Baghdad, then honed his aesthetic skills treating scars left in the aftermath of IED explosions.  He retired from the Army and headed into civilian life, opened @plasticsurgeryvip and it’s been a successful journey ever since!    Larry is a big believer in platform devices, and his knowledge of all things laser is astonishing. He’s an ASLMS Fellow and a true expert on not only the protocols and techniques but the business of selling treatments and generating major revenue quickly.    In addition to a thriving plastic surgery, injectable and laser practice, he’s giving back through the @affam.foundation Fellowship he started with Danny Soares, MD. Their program is a 6-month intensive with hands-on training, didactic learning, exams, and an in depth look at the inner workings of a successful practice. He’s also a fighter and an advocate for creating industry standards and giving new providers a pathway to obtaining the right skills to be successful without wasting time and money in the process.    In this episode, Larry shares:   His perspectives on breaking into aesthetics and gaining the right skills   The urgent need for providers to implement a set of standards to protect the industry  T The how-tos of selecting devices and making them profitable   What’s coming in the future that will change the industry    This episode is action packed and delivered by one of the most repeated minds in the industry. You will NOT want to miss it!   Learn More About Larry:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captaincosmetic/ Village Institute of Plastic Surgery: https://www.instagram.com/plasticsurgeryvip/  American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine: https://www.instagram.com/affam.foundation/  Village Institute of Plastic Surgery website: https://www.plasticsurgeryvip.com/ American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine: https://affam.org/

We’re going 𝙊𝙛𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙝 this week with 𝙋𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚, Founder, CEO & Injector at The Private Suite LA. Her career started in France as a perfumer, but then a desire to do something more impactful led her back to NYC to PA School. She set her initial sets on Plastic Surgery, but in the end, she chose a PA program that paved the way for her journey into Aesthetics. Through the course of a fellowship, she left for sunny LA to train with a reconstructive surgeon, and never looked back. In her 15 year career, she’s seen and done a lot in aesthetics from routinely working surgical cases to running medspas and large practices to today where she's settling into her role of 2 years, Founder & CEO. Cheyanne is building a bespoke brand that puts patient experience at the forefront, and her approach is rooted in the complete mind/body connection. She's been on the regenerative medicine scene for years, long before it was en vogue, and she's seen the positive outcome of this approach- so much so, she works closely with other Providers in areas like cellular medicine to bring those benefits to her patients. She's an advocate of treatments like red light therapy, exosomes, and polynucleotides, and biostimulators are the foundation of her injectable practice. 𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙙𝙚, 𝙋𝘼 𝘾𝙝𝙚𝙮𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙨: Her experiences as an early adopter of biostimulators, especially body indications Her perspective on scaling a bespoke brand and the challenges with hiring and adding locations Her approach to “aging younger” & avoiding the pitfalls of over correction Preparing your practice for the economic reality of 2023 Her mindset on investing in your skills and what she sees evolving as a busy GAIN Trainer & an avid learner PA Cheyanne has definitely taken a unique path into aesthetics, from a perfumery in France to enhancing beauty in LA. Her approach to injecting, global wellness, and brand building is the perfect crash course for those who dare to be different! Learn more about Cheyanne: https://www.instagram.com/theprivatesuitela/

This week, we sit down with Physician Associate and business owner, Sarah Balladares, PA-C for one wild ride! It all started with Sarah's original career post-marketing degree, Financial Planning. After 5 years helping medical professionals get a handle on their money, she decided it was time to leave her career and head off to medical school for a career in Plastic Surgery.  That was a short lived, as a few of her close physician friends talked her off the ledge, and offered up a career as a PA as viable alternative. That was all it took, and Sarah went back to school to take a year of prerequisites only to be waitlisted!  That didn't stop her, one of the many times she would persevere. She eventually got into PA school that year, and the rest is history...sort of! Sarah had her goal in mind- Aesthetics- and despite repeated interventions from her professors, she stayed the course. After PA school, Sarah embarked on a journey that would take her to Ohio where she still works periodically then to Louisiana. She got involved with a practice in hopes of owning it one day, but her curiosity was not welcomed, so she found herself in a tight spot. What to do to end this "fun employment?" Well, Smooth by Sarah was born! Through a bit of desperation and a lot of gumption, with $7000 in injectables, a chair, and a one room rental spot, she opened her own practice. Now, she goes back and for to Ohio, works at another medical spa in Metarie, LA and has her own clinic in Baton Rouge. She's a busy gal managing 3 practices and a packed schedule, and flying home to North Carolina to see her new(ish) husband and remodel a home! She's definitely on the go, but so many of her decisions have been ones that may have seemed crazy at the time, but looking back, it's exactly what needed to happen in that moment to arrive at the destination.  Now 3 years into owning Smooth by Sarah, she is continuing to innovate and evolve as a business owner and an injector, learning valuable lessons along the way. In this episode she shares: What fueled her decision to completely change careers and start over The impetus behind opening her practice, Smooth by Sarah, while also working in 2 locations The benefits of being an entrepreneur AND an employee The cautionary tales of going too big in the beginning Asking the tough questions, even if it hurts at the time And, so much more!!! This episode is FULL of laughs, southern charm, and Sarah’s fiery spirit. But it’s also a testament to just jumping in, trusting yourself, and realizing that whether you crawl, walk or run, you just have to keep moving forward. Find Sarah on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smoothbysarah/ Find Smooth by Sarah online: https://smoothbysarah.com/

This week we sit down with Entrepreneur, Master Injector & National Trainer for both Allergan & Galderma, 𝙈𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙋𝘼-𝘾. Meredith is the Founder of Skin CoLAB, a thriving aesthetic oasis in the heart of downtown Ada, Michigan. For 15 years and counting, Meredith has been in the Aesthetic industry, but in 2021, she opened her own Practice in the same town where she grew up! Skin CoLAB is the perfect representation of her vision- literally! She managed every aspect of the design and has carefully curated the ambience and the vibe to give Patients and Retail Shoppers the ultimate Skin CoLAB experience. From those strolling past her storefront in downtown Ada to those who have found their home in her treatment chair, they all are welcomed into what she calls a cross between Anthropologie & the Ritz Carlton!  She's a hard worker and always has been- something that is certainly a major contributor to her success. She's built a team that is focused on achieving goals, providing great patient care, and staying on top of the latest and greatest trends in the industry. But that forward thinking doesn't mean she jumps in with both feet. Meredith is quick to point out that she is often a wait-and-see kind of businesswoman. She doesn't always jump on the latest trend or the newest product, but prefers to stay in her lane, with her head down, working hard, and make her moves when it works for HER. She doesn't get caught up in the competition, so much so that she trains her competitors and freely gives of her knowledge to those around here. And, it's working! As a Presidential account with Galderma in a little more than a year in business, she and her team are busy focusing on doing everything they can to make Skin CoLAB the ideal destination for Patients. In this episode, she shares: ▪️Taking the leap, even when failure is an option, and being okay with learning as you go. ▪️Managing a full patient load and running a business (also while managing a team and being a mom of 3!). ▪️Building a brand and creating non-negotiable standards for Patient care, for Marketing, and for business operations. ▪️Delivering a holistic approach to Patient care that is built on trust, attention to detail and consistency. Learn more about Meredith on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sciencebeauty_pac_/ Learn more about Skin CoLAB on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skincolab_/ Learn more about Skin CoLAB on the Web: https://www.skincolab.com/

In Episode 47, we sit down with Revision Skincare Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Chris Murray.  Chris has been in the industry for 17 years, and in that time he’s worn many hats. From injectable Sales Rep to Regional Sales Manager at Medicis and Galderma to his transition to skincare 4 years ago, one thing has remained constant…his desire to partner with customers and to bring science, business and relationships to the table. During his time at Revision, he’s been integral in two big launches: Revox Line Relaxer and the new DEJ Daily Boosting Serum. He also spearheaded this year’s partnership with RVL Pharmaceuticals featuring Upneeq, and after the success of those program, he has more on the horizon. It’s evident in our discussion that he is exactly the kind of partner you’d want- one that wants what’s best for the industry, the customer and the business. And he’s eager to invest his time and resources to make it happen. His strong desire to work together with Practices and go beyond a great product portfolio and sound science led to the inaugural Elite Retreat in June 2022. He brought the top 25 customers together to talk business, social, exit plans, and surprisingly, NOT skincare! He wanted to add value in a new, novel way, and it was a giant success leading to the second annual event happening in July 2023. In this episode, Chris and Tiphany discuss: ✔️The evolution of the industry and the increasing importance of skincare for outcomes and the bottom line. ✔️The keys to successfully partnering whether it’s in your Practice or with industry. ✔️Accelerating business growth with a solid 360-degree messaging strategy. ✔️How to separate yourself from the competition as both a Practice & a Provider Chris has been involved in the industry on all sides, and he’s sharing a full hour of nonstop knowledge that you simply can’t miss. He’s an expert on leveraging your network, driving the bottom line and influencing the industry, and he’s sharing it all on this week’s For The Record! Learn more about Revision Skincare: https://revisionskincare.com/ Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/murrcme/

This week we shift our focus to discuss the legal side of things with entrepreneur, business advisor and attorney, Justin Marti, Esq. Justin is the Founder of Marti Law Firm, a Connecticut-based firm that has carved out a niche in Dental & Aesthetics helping Practices to get started, keep growing, and if desired, plan their exit. Justin is not just an Attorney. At 25, he began his entrepreneurial journey with a dental practice, that turned into 45 locations, and eventually, a successful exit. In that time, he decided to go to law school primarily as a benefit to him as reviewed all the legal contracts and paperwork he was immersed in as an owner of a very large DSO. He didn’t really have a dream to one day actually practice law, but here we are! He’s taken his experiences as an entrepreneur and combined them with his legal prowess to form  Marti Law Group. He's quick to point out that he’s got an incredible team of stellar attorneys to surround him, and that their team stays in their lane- the focus on the things Practices need most. Whether its creating contracts for newly formed medspas to those ready to exit, working with vendors on negotiations, creating Provider agreements, Medical Director agreements and more, they provide an affordable, high-touch relationship for their clients. Borrowing from the industries they serve, Marti has a tiered membership program that allows Practices to be in ongoing contact with their legal advisors without breaking the bank. In this episode, we talk about the realities of the ever-evolving legal climate in the medspa industry and the importance of finding a legal team who can worry about the compliance aspect, so Practice owners don’t have to. We also discuss the benefit of having a legal advisor on your team- especially one who knows a lot about business- to help find opportunities to negotiate for better prices, better contract terms, and to come alongside an owner as they grow and eventually exit. We also explore how Justin is growing a successful business once again in his second act. What are the fundamental or foundational things that he knows are the tried-and-true ways to perpetuate success no matter what business you’re in? It's a great episode that proves a good attorney is a competitive advantage, and one with as much business success as Justin is definitely hard to come by. His team offers a free consultation to help assess where they can add value to a Practice and what opportunities for improvement exist for an owner. Follow the links below to learn more about Justin & Marti Law Group. Visit Marti Law Group on the Web: https://www.martilawgroup.com/ Visit Marti Law Group on IG: https://www.instagram.com/_martilawgroup/ Visit My Model Docs: https://www.mymodeldocs.com Visit My Model Docs on IG: https://www.instagram.com/mymodeldocs/Reach out to Justin: Justin@martilawgroup.com

In Episode #45, we sit down with Elite Medspa Founder & Medical Director, 𝙅𝙤𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣, 𝙈𝘿, to learn more about her journey from a nearly 20 year career as an OBGyn to a top injector and successful entrepreneur. The minute you met Dr. Lieman, you know there’s something different about her. She’s got an abundant zest for life and an adventurous spirit that has been a catalyst for much of her success. In short, when she wants to do something, she just goes for it! In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨, we find it’s her ability to fail fast and fail forward, not take herself too seriously and be willing to grow and change as life demands it, as her secret to success. 🫶🏼 She opened Elite Medspa & Wellness Center in a suburb outside of Boston, and it’s her she’s found her passion. As a national speaker on sexual wellness, she’s merging her two worlds together, bringing in her expertise in Women’s health to her aesthetic clinic. She is also a GAIN trainer, a busy, busy injector and owner. But she holds space to keep her practice welcoming to Patients by creating a luxury environment that still feels like home. And for her employees, she’s cultivated a family environment that bodes well for retention. Oh, and she has three boys and a husband, and she’s extremely devoted those jobs as well! She’s a big hockey mom and considers her role as a mother to be the one that truly defines her most. But in her words, she’s an evolution of her collective experiences, both good and bad, and she’s forthcoming about where she’s gone wrong, where she’s gone right, and when she’s had to take a different approach. If you want a little perspective on life, business and the pursuit of happiness, this episode is one you simply can’t skip! Learn more about Dr. Lieman and Elite Medspa and Wellness Center: https://myelitemedspa.com/ Follow Dr. Lieman on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/drjoellelieman/ Follow Elite on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myelitemedspa/

This week we are focusing on the joys, triumphs, and realities of being a working mom in the busy field of Aesthetics. Our featured guest, Alexis Bowhay, PA-C. Alexis is a fellowship trained Aesthetic Injector at the Village Institute of Plastic Surgery where she’s building a busy injectable practice, and she’s taking it one day at a time. After starting her career in Cardiology, she decided to take another path and become an entrepreneur. She’s the owner of two fitness centers in the Orlando area where she’s built a successful health and fitness empire, but if you’ve met Alexis, you know she’s got the capacity to do more! Enter Aesthetics. She decided to pursue a different passion as an injector in Aesthetics, but she was self-aware enough to know that she wasn’t ready. She approached her now colleague Larry Blevins, PA-C with a request to shadow him day-to-day to hone her new craft. That turned into a frequent occurrence and eventually a fellowship. Alexis is the first graduate of the American Foundation of Aesthetic Medicine fellowship, a rigorous 6-month program led by Danny Soares, MD and Larry Blevins, PA-C that included at least 100 hours of supervised treatments, research, clinical evaluations, written exams and more. After completion, Alexis continued her career at Village Institute of Plastic Surgery with Dr. Soares and Larry, and she’s now building her own brand within VIP, and with her savvy business mind, she’s well on her way to carving out her own niche in the industry. But Alexis is far more than just an injector. She’s also a busy mom to a 15-month-old daughter and a wife. In this episode, we talk a lot about the reality of being career-focused while also being a devoted mother and spouse. Alexis calls out to the industry to talk about this more- to acknowledge the internal struggle so many face as they put their little ones to bed and pop open the laptop or make tough choices between time with their family or time at work. She credits her incredible support system and an understanding husband with allowing her to make it all work. What’s next for Alexis? The sky is the limit. She’s currently working on a research study and continuing to build her skills and her clientele. Her goal is to make an impact in Aesthetics by contributing to the knowledge base of injectors throughout the industry. She’s already an influencer in the Fitness world, so the celebrity side of it all doesn’t excite her nearly as much as clinical side. In the meantime, she’s focused on raising her daughter, being an invested wife, and juggling it all while making it look easy! Follow Alexis on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theorlandoinjector_/ Learn more about the American Foundation for Aesthetic Medicine: https://affam.org/ Learn more about the Village Institute of Plastic Surgery: https://www.instagram.com/plasticsurgeryvip/

In Episode 43, We sit down with 𝐀𝐦𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐧, 𝐑𝐍, 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐒, 𝐂𝐏𝐒𝐍, the Chief Aesthetic Nurse and Director of Aesthetic Nursing at Mountcastle Medical Spa in Ashburn, VA. Over the last 13 years, she’s gone from doing pre/post ops and answering phones to building up a BUSY medical spa with 5 injectors, 3 aestheticians and 5 front desk staff  In a given day, her team sees over 100 patients, and it has to be a well-oiled machine to function, something she has worked hard to create- especially with the front desk who she credits as the backbone of the practice. From her recruiting process to her immersive onboarding program, she’s cultivated a staff that is as loyal to Mountcastle Medical Spa as she is with single digit turnover and several employees with more than a decade of service. On top of her day job, she’s a busy GAIN trainer and a NP student. She makes it look easy, but she’s quick to point out that none of it happened overnight. It was a learning journey that she’s still on every day. In this episode, she speaks to the pressure new injectors often face when comparing themselves to what they see on Instagram. Amy talks about her own struggle in the beginning to navigate her way to becoming a safe and effective injector before industry trainings and aesthetic conferences were the norm. Now, she makes it her mission to help others learn the basics and grow their skillset before treating beyond their capabilities. If you are someone who is currently running a big practice or you hope to one day, she’s got an incredible amount of knowledge shared through this episode, especially as it relates to people management and keeping your team engaged with high satisfaction and high productivity. She also speaks to her partnership with founder, Dr. Mountcastle, who she’s worked with closely over the last 13 years as they’ve build a powerhouse practice together. Amy shares what’s behind the curtain when it comes to making your way in the industry, building and maintaining a busy practice, finding time to fit it all in, and ensuring a healthy business partnership along the way. Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyaesthetics__/ Follow Mountcastle Medical Spa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mountcastlemedicalspa/ Explore Mountcastle Medical Spa: https://www.mountcastlemedicalspa.com/medical-spa-services/

Epside #42 features Rêvée Medical Aesthetics Founder, Medical Director and Aesthetic Injector, Lonny Green, MD. Before he was known as the @ninjainjector, he spent twenty years as a Urologic Surgeon! After he began to explore additional ways to help women on their quest for health and wellness, he quickly realized that to do what he wanted to do, it may mean he had to venture out alone, outside of Urology to the field of Aesthetics. What started out as a few days a week turned into what seems to be a true passion for Dr. Green- helping patients gain confidence, feel good in their own skin, and also receive high quality treatments from a well trained staff devoted to Patient needs.  Over the course of his time as the entrepreurial force behind Revee, he’s hired a dedicated and talented staff, and he takes their training very seriously. He speaks to how he onboards his injectors and aestheticians to guarantee his Patients are in safe, qualified hands. He’s quick to point out that he doesn’t just do filler and toxin. He delivers something so much more valuable: confidence. But in the midst of doing that, his team is also delivering for their community through philanthropic events and a “giving back” spirit. He’s not too caught up in traditional marketing channels, and instead, he lets his team’s investment in their community and word of mouth for happy Patients keep the chairs full! In this episode, he talks about his coming of age with Instagram and how he’s stickler for showing the raw and the real everyday on the Gram. In his own words, the best way to do social is to “Just Push The Button.” And it’s working! He’s also an avid learner and can be found at conferneces year round learning the last and greatest in Aesthetics. This year, he hopped on stage to share his own expertise and perspective as Faculty at Aesthetic Next 4.0, and he will be an AMI Trainer helping launch Volux in the US. What comes next for Dr, Green is a mix of training, growing his practice, and looking for opportunities to help injectors who are still struggling to perfect their technique. But most of all, he’s enjoying living the dream with a greatful heart for the new home he’s found here in aesthetics where he is continuing to evolve in his second act. Follow Dr. Green on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ninjainjector/ Follow Rêvée Medical Aesthetics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revee.aesthetics/ Visit  Rêvée Medical Aesthetics Website: https://www.myrevee.com/