Aesthetics & Biz

Join host Felix Bertram as he sits down with Canadian aesthetic entrepreneurs and educators, Dan and Michele Julien, the dynamic duo behind Danesthetics Medical. Based in Ottawa, Canada, Dan and Michele have transformed their passion for aesthetics into a global online learning empire, amassing millions of views every month on YouTube and Patreon. Incredibly, their online ventures now generate more revenue than their clinic!

In this episode, the couple shares their journey to success and the pivotal moments that shaped their careers. From Dan's early drive to become a business owner to his unexpected entry into the world of aesthetics, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

Episode highlights:

• How Dan's childhood experiences and career as a Nurse Practitioner fuelled his courage to take risks.
• The story behind their YouTube success
• Tips on being genuine and charismatic on camera
• Working together as a couple
• YouTube vs Instagram vs TikTok vs Patreon
• I want to be the "Face of Canada"
• Choosing the "hard" path that offers the most reward
• Transparent talks on revenue streams from their online platforms
• The future of Danesthetics Medica
• Managing the balance between online growth and the clinic
• How AI could reshape the future of aesthetics

Follow Dan: https://www.instagram.com/danestheticsmedical

Follow Michele: https://www.instagram.com/michele_julien

Follow Felix: https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki: https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194

Join Felix Bertram for his latest in-depth conversation with Dr. Tiphany Hall, Chief Growth Officer at Aesthetic Record, the all-in-one EMR and practice management solution that powers over 9,000 locations and serves more than 1.5 million patients. Dr. Hall is also the Founder and CEO of Aesthetic Next, one of the largest and most successful conferences in the US, which in 2024 will host over 1,500 attendees across four action-packed days in Dallas, Texas.

In this episode, Dr. Hall shares her remarkable journey and expertise in the aesthetics industry, touching on everything from building a thriving software business to her resilience to building a major industry conference with a unique experience like no other.

Episode highlights include:

• Tiphany’s relentless work ethic
• How weight loss trends are influencing consumer behavior
• Tiphany’s top 5 essential tips for launching a successful medspa
• The pros and cons of running a training institute
• The future for Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and why becoming one can give you a competitive edge
• What Tiphany expects from conference speakers
• How to build a strong ersonal brand in Aesthetics
• Aesthetic Next, from a visionary idea to a leading industry event
• Key resources and logistical planning needed to run a large-scale conference successfully
• Working with Continuing Medical Education (CME)
• Critical factors for a successful industry conference
• What Tiphany believes Aesthetics will look like in the next 10-15 years

Follow Tiphany Hall:

https://www.instagram.com/drtiphanyhall/

Follow Felix Bertram:

https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram/

In this episode of AESTHETICS & BIZ, Felix picks up where he left off in 2018. On the verge of opening his flagship clinic, Felix conceived an ambitious idea: to create a luxurious dining space where his team could gather, connect, and maintain the unique, family-like culture as the business scaled. However, the road to realizing this vision was anything but smooth. With a six-month delay and an overspend of over 2 million CHF, Felix faced significant challenges.

In this captivating episode, discover how Felix navigated these obstacles and transformed a troubled start into an extraordinary success, culminating in the astonishing achievement of earning 2 Michelin stars in record time.

Episode highlights include:

• The stark realization that scaling a business requires a different approach than running a single-location clinic
• Key structures Felix implemented for successful growth: Leadership strategies, KPIs, and a robust Reporting System
• The inspiration behind Felix's innovative restaurant, “Skin’s”
• Lessons learned from the pitfalls of renovating a historically listed building
• How Felix managed budget overruns and timing crises during construction
• The challenging first months after Skin’s opened in July 2022
• The shocking moment when Skin’s was awarded 2 Michelin stars just four months later
• How record-breaking success can fuel even greater achievements

In this episode, Felix tells the inspiring story of how he created the largest and fastest-growing clinic in Switzerland. Talking through the challenges he experienced in childhood and a life-changing accident to the pillars he deems most important to building a flourishing business, join Felix as he takes you on his journey to success and what he believes can help you grow in your professional and personal life.

Episode highlights include:

• Felix's childhood and troubles at school
• The importance of driving momentum through tiny results
• How Felix fell into acting and working with a 2x Oscar winner
• Felix's life-changing accident that led him to medicine
• Botox for pocket money at med school
• The importance of stand-out branding in healthcare
• Creating an extraordinary customer experience
• Taking time out for self-reflection

Follow Felix:

https://instagram.com/drfelixbertram

“The scariest thing is the word “solo”."

In this episode, Felix Bertram speaks with PA Jessica Cvetic, founder of Citrus Aesthetics in San Diego, CA, who talks through highs and lows of her first year opening and running her own medspa by herself.

If you’re thinking about opening your own practice or finding solo entrepreneurship a challenge, then listen to how Jessica navigated her first 12 months, and what helped Jessica through the sleepless nights and self-doubt to have a successful first year.

Episode highlights include:

• The sacrifice and commitment to set up a solo medspa
• Invest in learning from Experts: “You will be best… if you realise everything you don’t know”
• Jessica’s story of how she started in Aesthetics and what led her to open Citrus
• Her experience with Moxie (a business consultancy provider that helps owners open and grow medspas)
• The early challenges of having to manage all tasks with running your own business
• Jessica’s 5 key steps to successfully open your own medspa
• Balancing targets with a patient-centric mindset
• Pros & cons of owning your own skincare brand
• Importance of applying value for your time
• Jessica’s recommendation to be “cautious” – keep costs low
• Her cash-flow in the first 12 months
• The need for a support network of injectors around you
• Jessica’s purpose for the future: Education
• The positive impact of Joy and Meaningful Relationships on skin appearance

Follow Jessica:

https://www.instagram.com/citrus.aesthetics_

Follow Felix:

https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram

Join Felix in this one-off solo episode as he takes us through his experience at the exclusive invite-only retreat to Necker Island hosted by Sir Richard Branson in May 2024.

Learn what makes Richard Branson such a successful and special entrepreneur, and the key things Felix wants to implement after spending 4 days with one of the world's most successful and high-profile entrepreneurs ever.

Episode highlights include:

• Spirit of "Everything is Possible" - Felix's personal record swim to Mosquito Island
• Importance of creating a company culture of connection, belonging and being heard
• "Don't work in the company, work outside the company". Being in a role that plays on your strengths as a leader, not in the day-to-day operations
• What to expect on Necker Island - animals, colourful flowers, easy luxury and FUN
• Importance of small talk & remembering staff and patients' personal details
• "Do what you think is the right thing". Richard's deep commitment to making the world a better place
• Nurturing your employees and fast decision-making via the culture of the "cheeky start-up"
• How each day at the retreat was structured
• Letters from influential global shakers casually hung up in the kitchen
• "Listen, don't talk". Richard's secret weapon - his notebook where he writes all his ideas that came from listening to people.
• Richard's Branding Genius. Naming his planes, creating an extraordinary personal experience when using his services
• "Small things are big things." Details count. (eg. Virgin Cruises sell packs of 3 socks in case one goes missing in the laundry... or that all the tables are built so you can dance on them)
• Virgin's Recruitment Application Process: The 3-minute video and the importance of putting candidates in every-day situations to see their real side
• The importance of asking the right questions
• Richard's message for every human

In this first episode of 2024, Dr. Felix Bertram welcomes Dr. Neha and Marko Sarcevic, co-founders of one of Europe’s leading clinics: ShapeBy based in Sweden. The married couple and business partners set up ShapeBy with a vision to modernize the aesthetic medicine industry by making treatments safe, natural, fulfilling and socially acceptable. With two locations in Stockholm and Gottenburg, they discuss with Felix how they looked to the tech industry to successfully implement their signature Boomerang subscription, resulting in increased patient loyalty and intention, whilst also creating a unique experience and community. 

In this episode, Dr. Neha and Marko Sarcevic discuss topics such as:

• Focus on the entire patient journey and create a comfortable and welcoming environment.
• Implementing a subscription model successfully to increase patient visits and loyalty
• Build personal connections with patients and tailor treatments to their individual needs
• Emphasize the importance of team alignment and effective recruiting processes
• The human connection and building relationships with patients are crucial in the field of 
• Adapting to new technologies is essential in aesthetic medicine, as professionals need to find new ways to provide their services and expertise.

Follow ShapeBy: https://www.instagram.com/shapeby 

Follow Felix: https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram

Don’t be afraid of competition – it’s actually helpful. Recognising how you can benefit from competition but also when to remove them from your radar.

In this new episode Dr. Felix sits down with Chelsey Brown in person to talk how these two key insights into competition have helped her successfully build her aesthetics business.

Chelsey Brown is the CEO of The Cosmetic Clinic; a Cosmetic Medicine Clinic business with 3 locations and 18 employees based in Ontario, Canada. With many degrees and years working as a nurse in plastic surgery under her belt, Chelsey moved into aesthetics determined to lead the movement of nurses owning their own businesses in cosmetic medicine in Canada and beyond.

In this episode, Chelsey and Felix topics, such as:

• The aesthetics landscape in Canada
• How to recognise true competition
• Niche vs full range
• Rise of conglomerate chains
• Proximal or geographical marketing
• Competitive pricing
• Danger of discounting
• Importance of branding
• How to work well with competition

Follow Chelsey: https://www.instagram.com/nursechelseythecosmeticclinic/

Follow Felix: https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram/

Founder & CEO of The Spa Business Coach, Erin MacNeill, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience to this episode where her and Felix discuss many invaluable tips on how to start, grow and thrive in the aesthetics business world. Her experience turning luxury hotel spas around, recovering profitability and creating great teams pathed her way to becoming a consultant who now coaches MedSpa Owners to be CEO’s vs service providers who happen to have a business.

In this episode, Eric and Felix discuss topics, such as:

• Erin’s experience in medical aesthetics
• Get to know your numbers – all the numbers
• Knowing when to make the leap to being your own boss
• Importance of a SWOT analysis before opening a new business
• How to really understand your competition
• Financial metrics and profit margins for different services
• Critical factors to consider when expanding
• Erin’s recommended compensation models for new hires
• Importance of KPIs and leadership structure when scaling your clinic
• Investing in communication and interpersonal skills when going big
• How do you raise funds 
• Erin’s advice on devices

Follow Erin:

https://www.instagram.com/thespabusinesscoach/

Follow Felix:

https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram/

Patients come second, team lunches are the best money you will ever spend and how to uncover your “Why” AND your “Just Cause”.

In this new episode, Dr. Felix Bertram sits down with Dr. Lonny Green in person to talk about how these three things and more can help you create a world-class aesthetics team.

Dr. Lonny Green is the Medical Director at Rêvée Aesthetics; a MedSpa in Richmond, Virginia. Previously a urology surgeon for two decades, Lonny moved into aesthetics 8 years ago and hasn't looked back. He now manages a team of 15 people at his practice and is known in the aesthetics community as @ninjainjector.

In this conversation, Lonny and Felix discuss topics, such as:

• How critical it is to know your own “Why” and your Medspa's “Why”
• What is a “Just Cause” and why your Medspa absolutely must know it and live it
• What magic happens when your entire team believes in your “Just Cause”
• Why and how great leaders don't direct, they inspire 
• Lonny's hiring process , trusting your gut and a day with the team as a first step
• The steps to letting go of employees
• Felix's interview question he uses to understand personality traits
• Lonny's secrets to creating a world-class team
• Why Felix doesn't close the clinic for team-building events
• The culture change from family-style boutique medspa to multi-location clinic chain
• How many seconds you have to make a first impression
• Why, as a leader, patients come second
• *Lonny's journey to being vulnerable

Follow Lonny:

https://www.instagram.com/ninjainjector

Follow Felix:

https://www.instagram.com/drfelixbertram/

The Nordstrom Way by Robert Spector

https://www.amazon.com/Nordstrom-Way-Customer-Service-Excellence/dp/1118076672