Behind the Needle

What happens when deep scientific research meets the aesthetics industry? MaryAnn Guerra, founder and CEO of Aesthetics Biomedical, joins me to share how she went from 20 years working at the National Institutes of Health to leading one of the most innovative companies in aesthetics today. We dive into the importance of strong scientific backing in aesthetics, and how the industry is shifting toward personalization. She also explains why FDA approvals, patient safety, and real clinical studies matter when it comes to developing treatments that actually deliver results! Plus, we explore how ultrasound technology is transforming RF microneedling!

Highlights

00:00 Meet MaryAnn Guerra, founder & CEO of Aesthetics Biomedical.

05:30 How Vivace Ultra became one of the most trusted RF microneedling devices.

09:00 What makes Vivace Legacy different from Vivace Ultra Vision?

12:00 How RF microneedling works & why needle depth matters for results.

18:15 The science behind SoMe Skincare and how it personalizes treatments.

24:15 Why personalized skincare can replace multiple skincare products.

29:30 How to scale a business while keeping science at the core.

31:45 What’s next for Aesthetics Biomedical in 2025 and beyond?

34:00 How data is helping providers increase revenue and optimize treatments.

40:45 Where to find Vivace Ultra and SoMe™ Skincare near you?

Resources + Links

Learn more about Aesthetics Biomedical HERE

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Mike: @mikelemieux

MedSpa Media: @medspa_media

Are you struggling to get your Med Spa team to consistently sell your high-ticket packages? You're not alone. In this episode, I sit down with Heather Terveen, the Med Spa CEO, to uncover her proven framework for creating treatment packages that practically sell themselves. Heather shares the psychology behind packaging services to eliminate decision fatigue for your clients, and boost your revenue. Listen in for actionable strategies to differentiate your offerings and make it a no-brainer for clients to invest in your best-in-class treatments. 

Highlights

00:00 - Who is Heather Terveen?

04:30 - What does it mean for a MedSpa to have a Signature Menu?

10:00 - How can you help team members sell more for you?

16:00 - How does Heather work clients through her process, Patient 365?

18:00 - What is the best way to design custom packages?

20:30 - How to sell WITHOUT selling.

24:45 - Why you should have annual consultations and always use before and after photos!

28:00 - How to build a MedSpa Membership that sells itself.

Resources + Links

Learn how to DOUBLE your Instagram Story views.

Work with Mike - Learn more about social media marketing and ads for your MedSpa.

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Mike: @mikelemieux

MedSpa Media: @medspa_media

Heather: @heatherterveen

Sami Hagen-Yahraes, Founder of Unblur, has built a Tucson-based skin studio that’s anything but ordinary. In this episode, Sami shares some seriously wild trial-and-error stories of learning her craft at her uncle's spa—from ripping off an entire eyebrow (yikes!) to botching chemical peels. Sami shares the biggest lessons she’s learned to refine her craft, educate her team, and perfect her client experience. We also talk about Sami’s process of creating her own skincare line, becoming laser-focused on what her brand stands for, and how choosing to go all-in on a specialty can sharpen your edge in the marketplace. Whether you’re dreaming up a new venture or rethinking an existing one, Sami’s candid journey will inspire you to embrace mistakes, lean into your unique niche, and create a business that’s truly one-of-a-kind.

Highlights

00:00 From DIY facials as a kid to creating a skincare line.

10:00 How early mentors and knowing what Sami DIDN’T want led her to aesthetics.

14:45 Lessons (and disasters) working at Sami’s uncle's Med Spa.

22:15 3 ways to determine who you want to serve and your own signature menu of services.

29:00 What issues were you seeing that led you to create your own skincare link?

31:30 Things to consider when expanding your business.

34:00 What is one thing you’d change about the aesthetics industry?

38:30 What has built your unshakeable confidence?

42:00 What hobbies do you have outside of work and horseback riding?

Resources + Links

Learn how to DOUBLE your Instagram Story views.

Work with Mike - Learn more about social media marketing and ads for your MedSpa.

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Mike: @mikelemieux

MedSpa Media: @medspa_media

Sami: @skincare_by_sam

Natalie Uden, owner of Oro Valley Aesthetics and Wellness, is here to share the biggest lessons she’s learned on her journey from working as a nurse practitioner to building a thriving aesthetics practice in Tucson, Arizona. We talk about balancing the demands of starting a business while working full-time, how to take the leap to being a full-time nurse injector, and how to overcome doubts to create a life where you control your schedule. Discover the keys to scaling your business responsibly, the value of ongoing education in aesthetics, and the transformative benefits of services like bioidentical hormone therapy and Sculptra. If you're looking for practical advice, inspiration, and a reminder to trust your unique path, this episode is for you!

Highlights

00:00 How did you make the leap from Oncology to aesthetics?

06:45 Tips to prepare to make the leap to be a full-time nurse injector.

11:00 What led you to add hormone replacement therapy as a service?

13:15 Signs that you need to get your hormones tested.

22:45 How much have you spent on education and training in 2024?

24:00 What to look for in a mentor in the aesthetics industry.

29:00 Feel imposter syndrome as you’re starting and growing your business? You’re not alone.

33:00 Tips to run your business that they don’t teach in school.

34:15 What is your favorite treatment to receive?

37:30 What advice would you give your past self that was afraid to take the leap?

Resources + Links

Learn how to DOUBLE your Instagram Story views.

Work with Mike - Learn more about social media marketing and ads for your MedSpa.

Follow

Mike: @mikelemieux

MedSpa Media: @medspa_media

Natalie: @natalieuden_np

Jordan White, my friend and very first guest on the podcast, is back! When we talk about strategies to grow our businesses, it’s so important to come back to what we’re doing it all for. In this episode, Jordan shares incredible tips to help you get more referrals, develop a strong brand identity, and leverage social media and ads to attract new customers while nurturing relationships with existing clients. Along with tips that have taken Jordan from Nurse injector to now having multiple Med Spa locations, we also talk about how to be intentional with how you work and scale to keep the most important people and priorities in your life first. Of course, with all of my episodes there’s some humor mixed in there too, and you’ll learn why Jordan named his son after a rat. 

Highlights

00:00 What made you transition from an emergency flight nurse to becoming a nurse injector?

05:15 Why did you change your goal from scaling to 10 locations?

09:45 The different approaches you can take towards the same goal.

13:00 How do you take consistent action to actually make your goals happen?

17:00 What are the most important things Med Spa’s can do to grow your ideal clientele?

23:30 The benefits of leading with value by valuing yourself, your clients, and your team.

27:15 What can I do to incentivize and boost my referrals?

33:30 If I have $5k where should I spend that on marketing and advertising?

38:15 How to make the most of ads and 10x your investment.

43:00 The best way to create a consistent stand out brand amongst your competition.

46:00 Do you think it's worth what you’re sacrificing now to build what you’re building?

54:00 Is it possible to scale quickly and still have balance in your life?

Resources + Links

Check out the nutritional value + health benefits of lettuce HERE!

Learn how to DOUBLE your Instagram Story views.

Work with Mike - Learn more about social media marketing and ads for your MedSpa.

Follow

Mike: @mikelemieux

MedSpa Media: @medspa_media

Jordan: @the_murse_injector

Hailey Viterbo is here to help you elevate your aesthetics business, get your customers real results, and overcome imposter syndrome. In this episode, Founder of Blendid Skincare, Hailey Viterbo and I talk about a range of things that not only helped her make the leap and start her own practice, but has created a loyal customer base that have been coming to her consistently over the past 9+ years. We talk about why you should niche down, how to maintain a gold standard experience for every single treatment, and the power of giving the people what they want - posting what your audience wants to hear from you. Hailey has not only found what has worked for her to grow her brand online, but also shares important details that have helped her business explode because she has become an expert in helping her clients heal their acne with a holistic approach that gets her clients real results they rave about. 

00:00 - Why should you drink out of a glass bottle vs plastic water bottles?

04:15 - What is your biggest hack to show up on social media consistently?

06:00 - How do you decide what to post?

11:45 - Ways to not only grow your own audience but build the credibility of your team.

16:00 - How have you set up the environment of your practice to make your clients feel at home?

20:30 - The biggest things that helped Hailey when she first started her practice and went out on her own. 

26:15 - How niching down will add fuel to the growth of your business.

28:00 - How do you help your clients get rid of acne from the inside out?

35:00 - Tips for overcoming imposter syndrome.

37:15 - The power of treating each treatment like the best hour of their entire life.

38:45 - If you could only get 2 treatments for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

43:00 - If you could only choose 3 skincare products what would they be?

Ready for an inspiring journey from nurse to one of the most trusted injectors in Scottsdale? In today’s episode, I sit down with my good friend Marisa Dulin, who shares her remarkable rise from a cautious single mom with a passion for skincare to becoming co-owner of her own thriving med spa, Mode Esthetics and Wellness. Listen in for personalized touches Marisa does that keep clients coming back again and again. We also dive into her thoughts on balancing her personal life with her business and the evolving field of aesthetics. Get ready for heartfelt advice, valuable insights into running a thriving practice, and the power of connecting with clients beyond just treatments.

Hope you enjoy!

Highlights

00:00 - Who is Marisa Dulin?

02:10 - What did you learn from your Dad running Guido’s in Scottsdale?

04:37 - How did you become an injector?

07:00 - Should you go to school when your kids are little or wait until they’re older?

10:24 - What has changed about the way injectors are trained today?

13:06 - How did you grow your business without using social media consistently?

16:05 - The Mirror Method, how to know what your client really wants.

19:15 - What is the purpose of social media?

23:50 - How much personal life should you show on your professional social media page?

25:17 - The time she had a much larger man pass out on her during treatment.

29:15 - What made you start your own practice?

35:53 - What will her new practice look like?

37:20 - What treatments has she had done herself?

39:08 - What scares people about getting Botox?

40:55 - What’s the legacy you want to leave?

Meet Hannah Ida, a highly skilled nurse practitioner and aesthetic injector with over 15 years of experience in healthcare. Originally from Kansas, Hannah began her career at KU Med and St. Joseph Medical Center before transitioning into aesthetics in 2020. She specializes in correcting filler placement and enhancing areas like the lips and jawline, and her passion for continuous education has led her to advanced training with Allergan. Hannah also contributes as a trainer for new injectors, attending numerous trainings each year to ensure she provides the highest standard of care to her clients.

On today’s episode, Hannah shares her journey of starting over after leaving her Scottsdale business to re-establish Ida Esthetics in Kansas City. We talk about the emotional challenges of building a clientele from scratch, the importance of continuous learning in the esthetics industry, and the impact of social media in growing her practice. Plus, we dive into how networking with local businesses and word-of-mouth marketing played a key role in her success, as well as a pivotal conversation that inspired her to pursue her business independently.

Hope you enjoy!

0:00 - Introduction

1:37 - Transitioning business

6:28 - Building a new business from scratch

9:42 - Challenges and rewards of running a business

15:37 - Navigation the aesthetics industry

26:52 - Building a personal brand in a new area

35:01 - Networking and building relationships

43:20 - Overcoming self-doubt and embracing your success

48:33 - Future goals and aspirations

48:47 - Final thoughts and encouragement

Meet Callie, the passionate owner of SkinFix Studios in Scottsdale, Arizona. A licensed aesthetician and Certified Laser Technician, Callie specializes in treatments like Diamond Glow facials, SkinPen Microneedling, chemical peels, and laser therapy. She uses her knowledge of the most advanced pharmaceutical grade skincare science, combined with cutting edge technology, to create custom skin care plans that result in healthy, beautiful skin for every client.

On today’s episode, Callie shares how she went from giving pretend facials to her dad as a child to building a thriving skincare business with over 14 team members. Finding the right mentors early on in her career helped her confidently get her business started faster and she helps mentor her team in the same way. We talk about everything from creating a warm, welcoming environment focused on getting your clients results, to building a team culture where every single member of your team provides the same high quality experience that you do. Plus, we dive into how to manage your roles as a provider, boss, and business owner. 

Hope you enjoy! 

00:00 - How to find mentors in the beauty industry

04:15 - Starting out in the industry 

06:00 - Making the leap as a solopreneur to organically growing a team

09:45 - Tips for building a team culture that improves retention

11:30 - Managing your roles as a provider and business owner

14:45 - Callie’s passion for helping people transform their skin and their confidence

18:15 - Exciting things coming next at SkinFix

22:00 - How to work with Callie to get started in the industry or take your business to the next level

26:00 - What estheticians should do before starting their own business

28:45 - What's coming next in the facial aesthetics industry 

31:00 - Top products everyone should have in their skincare cabinet.

33:00 - Callie’s favorite treatments and future plans

Allie McAllister is a nurse practitioner and the co-founder of CULT Aesthetics Clinics, CULT Aesthetics Conferences, and Squeeze Skin. Based in Atlanta, Allie has been recognized as one of America's top 100 injectors for two years running. With over eight years of experience in aesthetic medicine, she’s known for her natural approach to anti-aging, focusing on enhancing what makes each person unique rather than making dramatic changes. As a national Galderma trainer, she’s passionate about educating others in the field and helping her clients feel confident and beautiful in their own skin. 

In today’s episode, Allie shares the inspiring story behind CULT Aesthetics, from its founding to the launch of its popular conference. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning from a provider to a business owner, touching on the complexities of managing multiple companies, building a strong team, and balancing her professional and personal life. Allie also highlights the importance of social media and marketing in setting her brand apart and shares key strategies for client retention and growing her business. She emphasizes the need to treat medical aesthetics as a true medical practice and outlines her vision for the future of CULT Aesthetics, focusing on mindful, quality-driven growth.

Hope you enjoy!

0:00 - Inception of CULT Aesthetics

2:01 - Expansion and Challenges

5:14 - Transition from Provider to Business Owner

10:21 - Team Dynamics and Leadership

13:58 - Social Media and Marketing

23:45 - Client Retention and Business Strategy

28:24 - Paint the Full Picture for Patients

36:02 - Industry Challenges and Future Plans

44:14 - Personal Reflections and Legacy