

Medical Spa Insider
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 16, 2025 • 46min
Boosting Aesthetic and Healthy Aging Goals with Noninflammatory Chemical Peels
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.
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Apr 9, 2025 • 55min
Detecting and Correcting Asymmetries with Bobbi Bullock, NP-C
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.
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Apr 2, 2025 • 37min
Building the Med Spa Platform Private Equity Wants to Buy
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.
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Mar 28, 2025 • 28min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Cole, Williams, Dr. Rivkin, Rapp, Cirese, Hilton
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
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Mar 26, 2025 • 38min
Sclerotherapy: Adding Cosmetic Vein Treatment in Your Medical Spa
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!
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Mar 21, 2025 • 27min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Dr. Gretchen Frieling, Christal Parker, Blakelee Paige Smith, Rana Kennelly, Molly Bailey
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
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Mar 19, 2025 • 40min
How to Leverage AI to Transform Your Business as a Solopreneur
This week, Kiiyonna Jones, founder of Luxe Beauty and Wellness Boutique and a nurse practitioner with a PhD, shares her insights on leveraging AI for medical spa businesses. She reveals how AI tools like ChatGPT streamline tasks and enhance efficiency, allowing solopreneurs to reclaim precious time. Dr. Jones discusses the importance of data privacy, effective AI prompting techniques, and the potential for generative AI to transform the med spa industry. Her passion for empowering fellow entrepreneurs shines through as she emphasizes continuous learning in this technological age.

Mar 14, 2025 • 29min
MSS Speaker Highlight: Dr. Croley, Deuber, Baxter-Holder, Duke, Worth, Gregory
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
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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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