
Medical Spa Insider
AmSpa Founder and CEO, Alex Thiersch, takes an in-depth look at today's aesthetic entrepreneurs and what makes them successful.
Latest episodes

Mar 12, 2025 • 35min
Building a Future in Aesthetics with Randi Boyette, PhD
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
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Mar 7, 2025 • 28min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Kim Burke, Julie Bass Kaplan, Dr. Kiiyonna Jones, Dr. Josie Tenore, Audrey Neff
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
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Mar 5, 2025 • 47min
Understanding the Hidden Costs of Starting a Medical Spa
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
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Feb 28, 2025 • 25min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Erika Barry, Savanna Boda, Jacklyn Halpin, Rana Kennelly, Steven Sorr
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
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Feb 26, 2025 • 48min
300 Episodes Later: Celebrating Successes, Lessons, and What’s Next
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!
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Feb 21, 2025 • 23min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Dr. Kay Durairaj, Leslie Fletcher, Sahar Saghezchi, Grace McLaurin, Suzanne Munshower
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
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Feb 19, 2025 • 48min
Harnessing Creativity to Drive Innovation with Kyle Scheele
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.
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Feb 14, 2025 • 27min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Adam Haroun, Mary Smiley Ford, Carl Clarke, Kacie Avey
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
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Feb 12, 2025 • 37min
Greatest Hits: Healing Veterans Physically and Mentally
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.

Feb 7, 2025 • 26min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Jennifer Hartley, Amie Martin, Erica Crawford
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?
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