Aesthetic Business Masters

What does it really take to build a business when everything seems to be going wrong? And how far would you go to keep your dream alive?

In this powerful and refreshingly honest episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we sit down with China Coyle, founder of Beauti Software, to uncover the extraordinary journey behind creating a technology company designed to transform the beauty and aesthetics industry.

From growing up off-grid in Far North Queensland to becoming a salon owner, business coach and eventually a tech entrepreneur, China's journey is anything but conventional.

What began as a bold vision to solve the frustrations salon and clinic owners face with outdated technology quickly became a test of resilience, courage and unwavering self-belief.

A software project expected to take seven months stretched into years. Development challenges, lost customers, mounting financial pressure and the responsibility of managing an investor's expectations pushed China to her limits. At one point, she and her partner made the extraordinary decision to sell an investment property to fund the next chapter of the business.

But China's story isn't simply about building software. It's about navigating uncertainty, making incredibly difficult decisions, protecting your wellbeing and finding the courage to start again when giving up might seem easier.

In this episode, we explore:

China's journey from salon owner and business coach to tech founder.

The hidden financial and emotional costs of entrepreneurship.

Why she and her partner risked their financial security to keep their vision alive.

The difficult decision to change development teams and eventually rebuild Beauti Software from scratch.

The importance of mindset, resilience and protecting your health during challenging business chapters.

Why salon owners deserve better technology, genuine support and systems that work together.

How AI could transform marketing, client retention and business management without replacing human connection.

The power of community, relationships and surrounding yourself with people who believe in your vision.

China also shares how her definition of success has evolved, why she believes integrity and mindset are everything, and the practical advice she offers business owners navigating their own difficult seasons.

This is an episode for every entrepreneur who has ever questioned whether the sacrifices are worth it, wondered if they should walk away, or needed a reminder that success isn't always a straight line.

Because sometimes the greatest achievement isn't reaching the destination. It's finding the courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Connect with China and Beauti Software:

Website: https://beautisoftware.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautisoftware/

Read China's founder story: https://www.aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/for-every-owner-who-was-told-the-tech-cant/

Follow The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast:

Website: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aestheticbusinessmasters/

If this episode resonates with you, share it with another business owner who might need to hear China's story.

What does it take to build a thriving specialist healthcare practice while maintaining exceptional patient care, a strong professional reputation and a genuine passion for medicine?

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we welcome Dr Raelia Lew, fertility specialist, gynaecologist, founder and Medical Director of Women's Health Melbourne, and Medical Director of Melbourne IVF.

Dr Lew shares her remarkable journey from a determined medical student with a passion for reproductive medicine to an accomplished specialist, researcher, business founder and healthcare leader.

What began as a small practice with just Dr Lew and one medical secretary has grown into a multidisciplinary women's healthcare destination, built around a clear vision: providing compassionate, collaborative and comprehensive care throughout the different stages of a woman's life.

Together, we explore the realities of building a reputation-led healthcare business, the importance of creating an outstanding patient experience, and the leadership lessons that come from balancing clinical responsibilities with the demands of business ownership.

Building a specialist practice from the ground up

Dr Lew takes us back to the early days of Women's Health Melbourne and shares how her long-term vision guided the evolution of the business. From navigating the complexities of establishing a medical practice to building a multidisciplinary team, she explains why having a clear direction from the beginning is so important.

Creating an exceptional patient experience

Discover how the physical clinic environment, thoughtful communication and genuine patient relationships contribute to a positive healthcare experience. Dr Lew explains why patients need to feel heard, understood and supported, particularly when navigating emotionally challenging fertility journeys.

Building trust, credibility and professional reputation

In specialist healthcare, reputation is everything. Dr Lew discusses the value of word-of-mouth recommendations, maintaining strong relationships with referring GPs and delivering consistently high standards of care.

The power of education and an authentic personal brand

With patients increasingly turning to Google, social media and artificial intelligence for health information, Dr Lew shares how healthcare professionals can communicate complex medical information clearly while maintaining clinical credibility.

We also discuss her long-running fertility podcast, Knocked Up, and how educational content can build familiarity, trust and connection with prospective patients before they even enter the clinic.

Leadership, team culture and growing beyond the clinical role

As a specialist practice grows, so do the responsibilities of its founder. Dr Lew shares her approach to developing leadership skills, selecting the right team members, fostering a positive workplace culture and learning how to prioritise competing demands.

Innovation in fertility medicine and women's health

We explore emerging developments in reproductive medicine, including in vitro maturation of eggs, artificial intelligence, laboratory automation and evolving fertility preservation techniques.

Dr Lew also discusses the importance of realistic patient expectations, informed consent and carefully evaluating emerging treatments.

Balancing career ambition, motherhood and resilience

In a candid and personal conversation, Dr Lew reflects on the challenges she faced during specialist training, including returning to a job interview just seven days after giving birth.

Her experiences have shaped her approach to mentoring the next generation of medical professionals and supporting clinicians who are balancing career ambitions with family life.

Start with a clear vision. You don't need every detail mapped out from day one, but knowing what you want to build provides direction as your business evolves.

Invest in clinical excellence. Strong reputations are built by delivering consistently high-quality care and continually developing professional expertise.

Prioritise the patient experience. Every interaction, from the first phone call to the consultation environment, contributes to the overall perception of your practice.

Build a strong, supportive team. The right people and a positive workplace culture are fundamental to sustainable growth.

Lead with authenticity. Patients connect with healthcare professionals who communicate clearly, genuinely and compassionately.

Never stop learning. Clinical knowledge, business management and leadership skills all require ongoing investment.

Play the long game. Building a respected healthcare business takes patience, resilience, dedication and a commitment to your original vision.

Dr Raelia Lew is a CREI-certified fertility specialist, gynaecologist, researcher and healthcare leader. She is the founder and Medical Director of Women's Health Melbourne and Medical Director of Melbourne IVF.

With a passion for fertility education, reproductive medicine and empowering women to make informed healthcare decisions, Dr Lew is also the host of Knocked Up: All About Fertility and Women's Health, a podcast dedicated to making complex fertility and women's health topics accessible.

Dr Raelia Lew – Professional Profile

https://www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au/dr-raelia-lew

Women's Health Melbourne – Official Website

https://www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au/

Dr Raelia Lew – Melbourne IVF Profile

https://www.mivf.com.au/specialists/melbourne-ivf-doctors/dr-raelia-lew

Knocked Up: All About Fertility and Women's Health – Podcast Website

https://www.womenshealthmelbourne.com.au/podcast

Knocked Up – Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/knocked-up-all-about-fertility-and-womens-health/id1381363197

Dr Raelia Lew – Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/drraelialew/

Women's Health Melbourne – Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/womenshealthmelbourne/

Knocked Up Podcast – Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/knockeduppodcast/

Explore more inspiring conversations with Australia's leading healthcare professionals, clinic owners and business leaders.

Official Podcast Website

https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/aesthetic-business-masters/id1798895878

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/2C3d0EdqX2hewcuQ6ntjeS

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLANJ2L1Fh4mCvebJS0Vl805KyNBPhA8yz

Podbean

https://aestheticbusinessmasters.podbean.com/

Amazon Music

https://www.amazon.com.au/Aesthetic-Business-Masters/dp/B0DYNG36V1

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/aestheticbusinessmasters/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/aestheticbusinessmasterspodcast

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with a fellow healthcare professional or clinic owner.

Leave us a Google review:

https://g.page/r/CV4WjGUImNh-EBM/review

Your support helps us continue bringing you valuable insights and conversations with inspiring leaders across the healthcare and aesthetics industries.

This podcast provides general information only and does not constitute personalised medical advice. Fertility assessment and treatment options depend on individual circumstances. Please consult an appropriately qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.

Dr Raelia Lew is the founder of Women's Health Melbourne and Elkamey and has a commercial interest in those businesses.

Running a successful aesthetic clinic takes more than delivering exceptional patient outcomes. Behind every thriving business are efficient systems, streamlined processes and the ability to balance patient care with the everyday demands of running a clinic.

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we welcome Max Hayward, Co-Founder of Aesthetic Nurse Software (ANS), to explore the importance of smart clinic management and how technology can support aesthetic practitioners in building more efficient, organised and profitable businesses.

With over seven years of industry experience, Max has helped more than 5,000 aesthetic practitioners streamline their clinic operations through purpose-built software designed specifically for the medical aesthetics industry.

Founded in 2018 by nurse prescriber Jo Hayward, Aesthetic Nurse Software was developed to address the real challenges practitioners face when managing their clinics. Built by practitioners, for practitioners, ANS brings essential business functions, including appointment bookings, patient records, consent, payments and reporting, together in one intuitive platform.

Whether you're an established clinic owner or just starting your aesthetic business journey, this episode highlights the value of having the right systems in place to support sustainable growth, improve efficiency and allow you to focus on what matters most — delivering safe, high-quality patient care.

About Our Guest – Max Hayward

Max Hayward is the Co-Founder of Aesthetic Nurse Software (ANS), an all-in-one clinic management platform trusted by thousands of aesthetic professionals across the UK and beyond.

Passionate about creating practical solutions for the aesthetics industry, Max is dedicated to helping practitioners simplify business operations, work smarter and grow their clinics with confidence.

Connect with Aesthetic Nurse Software

Email: [email protected]

Visit: https://www.aestheticnursesoftware.com/ 

Connect with The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast

🌐 Website: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/aesthetic-business-masters/id1798895878

🎙️ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2C3d0EdqX2hewcuQ6ntjeS

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLANJ2L1Fh4mCvebJS0Vl805KyNBPhA8yz

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aestheticbusinessmasters/

Enjoyed this episode?

Follow The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, share this conversation with a fellow aesthetic professional and leave us a review to help more clinic owners discover insights and inspiration for building successful aesthetic businesses.

From Practitioner to CEO: Nurse SarahLouise on Building a Profitable Aesthetic Business

What does it really take to go from being a talented aesthetic practitioner to becoming the CEO of a profitable, sustainable business?

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we sit down with Sarah Donaldson — better known as Nurse SarahLouise — aesthetic entrepreneur, business mentor, industry educator and founder of SLA Medical and The Business Injection.

SarahLouise’s career spans more than 14 years across healthcare, medical aesthetics and business leadership. Originally trained as a Cosmetic Registered Nurse in Australia, she went on to develop extensive clinical expertise alongside advanced business and leadership education, including a Master’s in Medical Prescribing and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management. Her career has also included mentorship from internationally recognised leaders in aesthetics. Nurse SarahLouise Biography-2

But Sarah’s story isn’t simply one of clinical success.

She has experienced firsthand what it takes to move from practitioner to entrepreneur and CEO, building and scaling SLA Medical from a single-practitioner clinic into a highly successful aesthetic business. She then turned the systems, lessons and commercial strategies she developed along the way into The Business Injection, her business education and mentorship platform for aesthetic clinic owners. Nurse SarahLouise Biography-2

Today, Sarah’s focus is helping practitioners close one of the biggest gaps in the aesthetics industry: the gap between being exceptionally well trained clinically and actually knowing how to build a profitable business.

And that’s exactly what we unpack in this conversation.

We talk about why a clinic can be incredibly busy without necessarily being profitable, the numbers every clinic owner needs to understand, and the business skills practitioners often discover they need only after opening their doors.

Sarah also shares her approach to patient retention and sustainable growth — including why continually chasing new patients isn’t necessarily the answer and how clinics can build long-term patient relationships without compromising trust or making patients feel like they’re constantly being sold to. Aesthetic Business Masters Podc…

We then get into one of the biggest transitions a clinic owner can make: moving from practitioner to CEO.

When do you hire? When should you delegate? How do you build a team that can deliver without you being involved in every decision? And what happens when you realise the clinic you created has become completely dependent on you?

Sarah’s own business philosophy is increasingly centred around solving exactly this problem: putting the systems, structure and leadership in place that allow an aesthetic business to operate successfully without everything depending on its owner. The Business Injection

We also explore the person behind the businesses. Sarah speaks about leadership, entrepreneurship and navigating ambition alongside motherhood and family life — and why creating a successful business should ultimately give its owner more freedom, not less. Her supplied biography describes this balance between commercial success, family life and personal fulfilment as an important part of her approach to leadership and mentorship. Nurse SarahLouise Biography-2

Whether you’re a solo practitioner building your first clinic, running a busy business that isn’t delivering the profit you expected, or you’ve reached the point where you need the business to stop relying on you for everything, this is a conversation full of practical insights from someone who has lived that journey herself.

The Business Injection – Business Mentorship & Training:

SLA Medical:

Instagram – @nurse.sarahlouise:

LinkedIn – Nurse Sarah Louise:

YouTube – Nurse SarahLouise:

The Business Injection Training Community:

Sarah has also appeared on industry podcasts discussing the business behind aesthetics. One recent conversation is “How to Build a Sellable Aesthetic Clinic with Sarah Louise” on Beyond the Needle: The Aesthetics Business Podcast, where she discusses building a clinic that can function without being completely reliant on its founder.

Listen to SarahLouise on Beyond the Needle

Website: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

What does it take to turn clinical experience into a trusted skincare and technology brand?

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, host Nicole Montgomery speaks with April Dunn RN, founder of Platinum by April and Nurses’ Choice, about her journey from working hospital night shifts to building an aesthetic clinic and launching an Australian LED light-therapy brand.

April shares how her experience as a registered nurse and aesthetic practitioner shaped the development of Nurses’ Choice. She explains why clinical credibility, patient education and practical treatment protocols are essential when introducing LED therapy into a clinic or home-care routine.

The conversation explores the science of photobiomodulation, including the roles of red, yellow, blue and near-infrared light. April breaks down how different wavelengths may be incorporated into treatment plans to support skin health, recovery and ongoing patient results.

Nicole and April also discuss the business opportunity LED therapy can offer aesthetic clinics. From improving the patient journey to creating an additional retail revenue stream, April explains how clinics can introduce at-home devices without relying on aggressive sales tactics.

For April, the key is education. When practitioners understand the technology, communicate its role clearly and recommend it as part of a considered treatment plan, patients are better equipped to remain consistent with their skin journey.

Nicole and April discuss:

LED devices are not all designed in the same way. Practitioners should understand the wavelengths, intended applications, protocols and safety considerations of a device before incorporating it into patient care.

Patients are more likely to remain consistent when they understand why a product has been recommended, how it supports their treatment plan and what results they can realistically expect.

An appropriate at-home LED routine can help patients remain engaged with their skin goals between appointments. It should complement professional care rather than replace a personalised clinical treatment plan.

April encourages practitioners to recommend products according to the patient’s needs. When a device has a clear role in the treatment plan, the conversation becomes focused on outcomes rather than selling.

Clinic owners should ensure their team understands how the technology works, who it may be suitable for and how to communicate its benefits responsibly. Consistent education helps create a better patient experience.

April’s journey demonstrates how practitioners can use their clinical knowledge to identify unmet needs, develop products, educate others and build complementary revenue streams.

April Dunn is a registered nurse, aesthetic practitioner and entrepreneur. She is the founder of Platinum by April, an aesthetic skin clinic in Canberra, and Nurses’ Choice, an Australian skincare and LED light-therapy brand.

Through her clinical work and business ventures, April focuses on patient safety, ethical practice, natural-looking results and accessible skin technology. Her experience spans patient care, aesthetic treatments, team leadership, product development and practitioner education.

Nurses’ Choice:

Nurses’ Choice on Instagram:

Platinum by April:

Platinum by April on Instagram:

April Dunn on Instagram:

Podbean — From Night Shifts to LED Success: April Dunn’s Nurses’ Choice Journey:

You can also follow and listen to The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast here:

Podcast website:

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

YouTube:

Podbean:

Amazon Music:

Instagram:

Facebook:

Follow or subscribe to The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast so you never miss an episode.

You can also support the podcast by leaving a review:

Leave a Google review:

Review resources:

Share the episode with a clinic owner, aesthetic practitioner or nurse who is interested in LED therapy, patient education and building opportunities beyond the treatment room.

This podcast is intended for general education and information only. It does not replace individual medical advice, clinical assessment, manufacturer instructions or professional training.

What happens to your clinic when a potential patient sends an enquiry at 8pm, messages you on Instagram, or calls while your reception team is already busy?

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we sit down with Ramey Shehata, Head of Partnerships at Podium, to explore how AI and smarter communication technology are changing the way aesthetic and healthcare businesses attract, communicate with and convert patients.

Ramey has been part of Podium’s Australian journey for more than six years, working closely with local businesses to modernise the way they communicate with customers. During that time, Podium has evolved from a platform known for online reviews, lead capture and messaging into a comprehensive AI-powered communication platform.

For aesthetic clinics, the opportunity is particularly exciting.

Today’s patients expect convenience, speed and personalised communication — whether they’re discovering a clinic online, asking a question after hours, responding to a social media post or deciding whether to book a consultation.

And when a clinic is slow to respond, that potential patient may simply move on.

Ramey joins us to unpack what this shift means for aesthetic business owners and how AI can support the patient journey without losing the personal experience that is so important in healthcare and aesthetics.

We explore:

Why speed-to-lead has become such an important part of patient conversion.

Where aesthetic clinics may be unintentionally losing valuable enquiries.

How AI can help clinics respond to potential patients outside normal business hours.

The role automation can play in reducing repetitive front-desk administration.

How businesses can bring conversations from channels such as SMS, website chat and social messaging into a more streamlined workflow.

Why collecting and managing online reviews remains an important part of building trust and reputation.

How AI-powered communication can help support appointment scheduling and patient follow-up.

The potential for technology to help reduce missed opportunities and no-shows.

Why implementing AI isn't necessarily about replacing your reception team — but giving your team better tools to manage growing patient expectations.

How the patient experience is evolving and what aesthetic businesses should be thinking about now.

Podium originally became known for helping local businesses generate and manage online reviews and communicate with customers through messaging.

The platform has since expanded significantly.

Today, Podium brings together tools including reviews, SMS messaging, website chat, social messaging, phone calls, payments, automations and customer conversations within one platform, alongside AI-powered tools designed to help businesses respond to and convert leads.

For busy aesthetic practices, that creates an interesting opportunity: allowing technology to handle more of the repetitive communication while the clinic team focuses its time and attention on the interactions where the human relationship matters most.

Ramey Shehata is Head of Partnerships at Podium and was one of the early team members involved in bringing the platform to Australia.

Over the past 6.5 years, he has worked closely with Australian businesses, including healthcare providers, helping them improve customer communication, lead conversion and digital engagement.

Having seen Podium evolve from its early focus on reviews, lead capture and messaging into an AI-powered communication platform, Ramey brings a practical perspective on how technology is changing the way businesses communicate with their customers.

His focus today includes helping businesses understand how AI and automation can support better customer experiences, greater operational efficiency and stronger commercial outcomes.

Podium is an AI-powered lead conversion and customer communication platform designed to help businesses attract leads, respond faster and turn more conversations into customers.

Its platform brings customer interactions together across channels including SMS, phone calls, website chat, social messaging and online reviews, alongside tools for payments, automation, integrations and AI-powered communication.

For healthcare and aesthetic businesses, these tools can help create a more responsive patient journey — from the first enquiry through to booking, communication and ongoing engagement.

Want to learn more about how Podium is helping businesses improve customer communication, lead conversion and the overall customer experience through AI and automation?

Website: https://www.podium.com.au/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Podium/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podium/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/podiumhq/

X: https://x.com/podiumhq

Explore Podium to learn more about its AI-powered communication tools, reviews, messaging, lead management and customer engagement solutions.

AI in an aesthetic clinic doesn't have to mean making the patient experience less personal.

Used strategically, it can mean responding faster, removing repetitive administration, keeping conversations moving and giving your team more time to focus on the moments that genuinely require human connection.

For clinic owners asking how AI could realistically fit into their business, this episode offers a practical place to start.

🎧 Listen to The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast

Website: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/aesthetic-business-masters/id1798895878

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2C3d0EdqX2hewcuQ6ntjeS

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLANJ2L1Fh4mCvebJS0Vl805KyNBPhA8yz

Podbean: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.podbean.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com.au/Aesthetic-Business-Masters/dp/B0DYNG36V1

Follow Aesthetic Business Masters on Instagram and Facebook for more conversations, insights and practical strategies for building a successful aesthetic business.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aestheticbusinessmasters/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aestheticbusinessmasterspodcast

#AestheticBusinessMasters #RameyShehata #Podium #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #AestheticBusiness #AestheticClinic #ClinicGrowth #PatientExperience #PatientJourney #MedicalAesthetics #PracticeManagement #ClinicMarketing #LeadConversion #CustomerExperience #HealthcareInnovation

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, Nurse Jodie Fisher shares how she transformed nearly four decades of nursing experience into a thriving aesthetic business on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Jodie takes us through her transition from traditional nursing into cosmetic medicine and the journey of founding Nurse Jodie Clinic. She discusses building a successful multi-location practice, developing a strong and supportive team, and creating a brand grounded in clinical excellence, integrity and personalised patient care.

The conversation also explores Jodie’s multimodality approach to treatment planning and how combining cosmetic, skin and beauty treatments can support more holistic client outcomes. She explains why sharing the full client journey—not simply the final result—has become an important part of building trust, educating patients and growing her business.

Listeners will also hear Jodie’s insights on mentorship, team culture, selecting the right devices and treatments, adapting to industry changes, and creating an elevated clinic experience that keeps patients engaged throughout their skin journey.

This episode is filled with practical guidance for nurses, clinicians and clinic owners who want to enter the aesthetic industry, strengthen their business or grow without compromising their clinical values.

Website:

Jodie’s Story:

Instagram – Nurse Jodie Clinic:

Instagram – Jodie Fisher:

Facebook:

Book a consultation:

What does it take to build an award-winning skin clinic that continues to thrive after more than 25 years?

In this episode of The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, we sit down with Carly Knowles, Founder and Principal Clinician of Bella Pelle Body Clinic, to explore the journey behind one of Australia's most respected skin clinics.

From humble beginnings in regional Victoria to becoming an industry leader in evidence-based skin treatments, Carly shares the lessons she's learned about leadership, clinical excellence, team culture, and making business decisions that stand the test of time.

Rather than chasing trends, Carly has built Bella Pelle on trust, education, and delivering exceptional patient outcomes—proving that sustainable success comes from putting people before hype.

How Carly built Bella Pelle into an award-winning clinic over more than two decades

Why education is the foundation of exceptional patient care

How to evaluate new aesthetic technologies without getting caught up in industry trends

The importance of evidence-based treatments and realistic patient expectations

Carly's consultation philosophy and why saying "no" can build greater trust

The leadership principles behind creating a high-performing clinic culture

Business lessons from over 25 years in the aesthetics industry

Advice for new clinic owners looking to build a sustainable business

Whether you're a clinic owner, dermal clinician, cosmetic nurse, or passionate about skin health, this conversation is packed with practical insights on building a business that lasts.

Carly Knowles is the Founder and Principal Clinician of Bella Pelle Body Clinic in Yarrawonga, Victoria. With more than 25 years of experience in the beauty, dermal and wellness industry, Carly has established Bella Pelle as one of Australia's leading skin clinics, recognised for its commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, education, and outstanding patient care.

Her philosophy is simple: combine advanced technology with clinical expertise to deliver personalised treatment plans that achieve healthy, long-term skin outcomes.

🌐 Website: https://www.bellapelle.com.au

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/bellapelle

https://www.instagram.com/carlyknowles

https://www.instagram.com/carly_skinguru

https://www.instagram.com/dewy.lewy.skincare

Discover more conversations with Australia's leading aesthetic business owners on The Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast:

🌐 https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/

Follow the podcast:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/aesthetic-business-masters/id1798895878

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2C3d0EdqX2hewcuQ6ntjeS

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLANJ2L1Fh4mCvebJS0Vl805KyNBPhA8yz

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another clinic owner or aesthetic professional. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations with the people shaping the future of aesthetics.

Tekah Loutsis began her career as a beauty therapist before transitioning into nursing, giving her a rare, dual understanding of skin health and aesthetic medicine. Today she leads TK Aesthetics & Skin across multiple locations, trains more than 100 cosmetic nurses annually through TK Aesthetics Education, and has helped launch over 20 aesthetic clinics nationally. In 2026 she introduced ELEVATE, Australia's first in-person Aesthetic Business Masterclass, alongside the industry's first Aesthetic Business Blueprint eBook.

Whether you're an aspiring cosmetic nurse, an established clinic owner, or looking to scale your aesthetics business, this episode offers practical, real-world insight from someone who has built — and continues to build — genuine success in this industry.

🎧 Listen now on your favourite podcast platform, or at https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/ 

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode

⭐ Leave a review to help more aesthetic professionals find the show

Welcome back to the Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, where host Nicole Montgomery speaks with the innovators, educators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the aesthetics industry.

In this episode, Nicole is joined by Renée Altakrity, founder and master educator of SQT Australia, to talk about her journey from cosmetic tattooing into advanced skin treatments and education, the science and philosophy behind bio micro needling, and what it takes to build a business that genuinely supports practitioners rather than simply selling them product.

Renée Altakrity is the founder and master educator of SQT Australia, a company providing clinics with bio micro needling technology, education and ongoing practitioner support. Renée's career began in cosmetic tattooing before expanding into advanced skin treatments and education. Drawing on a background spanning leadership, business management, project management, finance and human resources, she identified a gap in the industry for stronger education and genuine partnership with clinics — a gap that led to the creation of SQT Australia, now used by more than 650 clinics across the country.

This episode is a useful listen for clinic owners, practitioners and industry suppliers interested in how education-led business models are built, what genuinely differentiates a new treatment category from a passing trend, and how founders balance rapid business growth with the realities of family life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share this conversation with your colleagues and industry friends.

Learn more about SQT: https://www.sqtaustralia.com.au/ 

Listen now:

Leave a review: https://g.page/r/CV4WjGUImNh-EBM/review