This week we welcome power couple and dynamic duo, Jessica Harper, RN and Ken Harper, the innovative forces behind DrippyNurseJess Med Boutique in Gilroy, California. Their remarkable journey from pandemic-induced burnout to med spa success is a testament to how authenticity, a strategic vision, and unwavering partnership can transform a desire for change into a thriving aesthetic practice.

At the height of the pandemic, Jessica found herself at a crossroads. As the Plastic Surgery Services Lead at Kaiser in Silicon Valley—ground zero for early COVID-19 cases—burnout led her to explore alternative paths in healthcare. What began as a venture into mobile IV therapy quickly evolved into something much bigger, thanks to the entrepreneurial vision she shared with her husband Ken, a seasoned digital marketing expert. Together, they have gone all in on their shared goal to create a thriving business and lasting legacy in Gilroy.

Ken flexed his marketing muscle early on with the brand DrippyNurseJess, a bold departure and memorable moniker for her new IV practice! Ken's brand-building expertise shaped this distinctive identity with intention: "We're not going to sell IV therapy," he explained. "We're going to sell your story and build a brand." And as she's branched into injectables, Jessica's DNJ brand is thriving!

Jessica's own experiences with dramatic weight loss and self-proclaimed imposter syndrome fuel her mission to create an environment that is accessible to all and a place that every client can feel like they belong.

Several fundamental principles drive their growing practice:

The Harper's also shared several practical insights for aspiring med spa owners who are trying to build their clinical expertise while also building their business:

The Harpers exemplify how combining clinical expertise with marketing savvy creates a formula for success. Their story reminds us that with the right partner, you can take on the world and win!

Connect with Jessica, Ken & DrippyNurseJess

Jessica: @drippynursejess

Ken: @kenharpersocialmedia

Website: drippynursejess.com

In this special Thanksgiving edition of For The Record, we're giving thanks for the transformative power of smart marketing—and for our guest, Sarah Denham, Director of LeadAR. As LeadAR celebrates its one-year anniversary, Sarah shares invaluable insights on how practices can revolutionize their approach to lead management and Patient relationships with the help of a powerful CRM.

Why This Episode Matters

Sarah and host Dr. Tiphany Hall dive deep into why managing existing leads is more crucial than generating new ones. As Sarah emphasizes: "If you're not managing your leads, you're not growing." This conversation offers a blueprint for turning existing inquiries into lifelong Patients—and marketing dollars into exponential growth.

Key Insights & Strategies:

1. The Truth About Lead Generation

2. Smart Communication Strategy

3. Automation That Builds Trust

4. Team Management & Accountability

5. AI Integration & Innovation

The Bottom Line

Whether you're running a solo practice or managing multiple locations, this episode provides a roadmap for transforming your marketing approach. By focusing on lead management rather than lead generation, practices can build stronger Patient relationships, improve conversion rates, and maximize their marketing ROI.

Use code FORTHERECORD through 12/2/2024 to save 100% on LeadAR’s setup fee! Learn more at www.myLeadAR.com or on Instagram at @AestheticRecord. Follow Sarah on IG at @Sarah_Denham

In this transformative episode of For The Record, Tiphany sits down with Dr. Christopher Rex, a trailblazing, double-board certified dermatologist and CEO of Peak Dermatology. He’s the son of Nigerian immigrants who left the US and returned to Nigeria throughout his childhood, but college brought him back stateside. He pursued Dermatology as a specialty and began his career serving the underserved. Fast forward a few years, and he’s transformed into a visionary leader who is redefining patient care with a thoughtful blend of dermatology, plastic surgery, medical aesthetics and functional medicine.

Episode Highlights:

• A Global Perspective: Dr. Rex’s inspiring journey, from growing up in Nigeria to pioneering a multidisciplinary approach to dermatology and aesthetics.

• A New Model of Care: How Peak Dermatology combines medical dermatology, aesthetic treatments, wellness services, and surgical care—all under one roof.

• Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: Dr. Rex’s mission to expand dermatology access to underserved communities and his unique partnerships to deliver care across Arizona and California.

• Money with Meaning: A refreshing take on cultivating a “healthy relationship with money” in the business of healthcare, emphasizing collaboration over competition.

• Skin Cancer Education: A masterclass on the ABCDEs of melanoma and the critical importance of early detection and routine skin checks.

• Revolutionary Treatments: Insights into cutting-edge innovations like superficial radiation therapy (SRT) for non-melanoma skin cancers and radiofrequency liposuction for body contouring.

• Growth with Integrity: Lessons on scaling a practice while preserving quality care, team satisfaction, and patient trust.

Some of our favorite takeaways include:

1. The Future is Integrated: Comprehensive care centers that combine medical, aesthetic, and wellness services are reshaping the patient experience.

2. Collaboration is Key: Creating partnerships between specialties can improve patient outcomes and redefine the business model of modern healthcare.

3. Preventative Care Matters: Medical spas and aesthetic clinics should integrate basic skin cancer education to better serve their patients.

4. Success Through Vision: Building a thriving practice depends on fostering a culture of shared goals, continuous learning, and mutual respect among team members.

Dr. Rex’s story is one of breaking barriers and rethinking what a dermatology practice can achieve. With Peak Dermatology, he’s not just building a business—he’s pioneering a movement toward more inclusive, patient-centered healthcare. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for inspiration to shake things up and dare to be different.

Learn more about Dr. Rex & Peak Dermatology

Web: https://peakdermcare.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/peakdermatology/

In this episode of For The Record, we sit down with Victoria Boyle, LE, an expert straddling both the clinical and content creation worlds. As the owner of Skin by You in Arizona, Victoria has mastered the delicate balance of treating Patients three days a week while building a powerful digital presence as a content creator with a popular Patreon channel, an engaging social media platform, and as an influencer for major brands like HydraFacial.

With seven years of aesthetic experience and two years as a Practice owner, Victoria brings invaluable insights into managing the modern demands of an aesthetic Practice. She shares her journey from starting at Massage Envy to becoming a sought-after content creator and successful Practice owner, offering a blueprint for others looking to follow in her footsteps.

Outside of her role in the treatment room, her passion is branding, photography and videography. She’s investing ample time in producing high-quality content that resonates with her audience, and it’s moving the needle in a big way. At only 2 years in, she's already a power player in her local market with a large following & strong Patient retention.

Some of the highlights we cover during E93 include:

• Strategic content creation without compromising Patient care

• The power of dedicated content days and efficient video production

• Building an authentic online presence while maintaining professional boundaries

• Advanced tools and techniques for professional content creation, including teleprompter tips

• Creating a seamless experience from social media to in-clinic visits

• The importance of empowering Patients to advocate for themselves

Victoria's approach to Patient care stands out with her signature "experience-focused" treatment style. She emphasizes the importance of:

• Building genuine connections before treatments begin

• Setting clear expectations and encouraging open communication

• Creating a comfortable environment for honest feedback

• Over-explaining procedures to ensure Patient comfort and understanding

• Maintaining professionalism while sharing select aspects of personal life

For Practitioners looking to enhance their content creation skills while running a successful Practice, Victoria offers comprehensive training through her Patreon community Optimize Esthetics, where she shares monthly videos on growing your aesthetic business.

What can you expect from her Patreon if you join?

• Video apps for professional video creation & editing

• Content batching strategies

• Upwork and Fiverr for outsourcing

• AI tools for content optimization

Connect with Victoria for more insights into building a last brand, creating top tier content & elevating your in-Practice experience:

• Instagram: @skinbyyouaz

• Patreon: Optimize Esthetics

Whether you're just starting your aesthetic Practice or looking to expand your digital presence, this episode is a survival guide for how to slay The Double Life and crush it in the clinic and with your content!

In this episode of For The Record, we’re joined by Mary Robb, CEO and Founder of Social Practice, to delve into the art and science of social media marketing in the always competitive, ever-evolving aesthetics industry. She started her career in traditional marketing prior to launching Social Practice in 2019, but she saw the writing on the wall- digital marketing, specifically social, was the key ingredient to building a strong brand.

This episode is a power hour full of SO many insightful tips and proven tactics to turn your social media efforts into business growth, but some of our favorite highlights include:

The Power of Storytelling

Mary believes that social media is fundamentally about storytelling—sharing your passion, expertise, and how you serve your patients. For aesthetic practices, social media has become essential for patient education, community building, and practice growth. But the challenge lies in balancing genuine content with strategic business objectives.

Crafting a Content Strategy

Mary advocates for a structured content strategy that keeps teams aligned and engaged. From content batching for efficiency to defining clear roles and KPIs for staff participation, she emphasizes the importance of making social media a team effort rather than relying on sporadic posts or trendy content alone (and a team of experts when it’s all too overwhelming!)

Engaging Patient Content

One of Mary’s standout insights is her approach to creating patient content, like before-and-after photos and testimonials. She shares practical strategies for obtaining consent and suggests hosting “social media days” with incentives for patients who are willing to share their stories. This approach not only generates authentic content but also fosters a closer community around the practice. Most importantly, it gives Patients the content they really want- information about procedures, outcomes, and what to expect!

Key Content Pillars for Success

Mary recommends organizing content around four primary pillars:

1. Educational Content - Highlight expertise and share treatment insights.

2. Patient Outcomes - Showcase real results through testimonials and procedural content.

3. Culture Content - Provide a glimpse behind the scenes, spotlighting team members and practice values.

4. Sales/Promotional Content - Promote special offers, memberships, and limited-time deals.

In Mary’s experience, balancing these pillars helps practices maintain engagement while driving conversions, blending authenticity with strategic goals.

Tools to Streamline Social Media

Mary introduces tools like Splice for video editing, Sprout Social for content scheduling, and ChatGPT for content ideation, making social media management more feasible for busy practices.

Building Community and Authentic Connections

Mary stresses the importance of engagement beyond just posting. She discusses collaborating with local businesses and micro-influencers, highlighting that authentic connections often yield better results than traditional ads. Transforming your online presence into real patient appointments is the ultimate goal, so be stay on top of what is driving results and do more of that!

This podcast is GREAT for those of us struggling with the daily grind of social media- What to post? What to write? What trends to follow? And on and on… and if or when it all becomes too much, connect with an expert like Mary and her team at Social Practice to help you get the results you need to turn your Posts into Profits!

Connect with Mary:

• Instagram: @maryelizabethrobb & @socialpracticeus

• Website: https://social-practicetx.com/

• Podcast: The Aesthetic Edit

Looking to elevate your practice’s social media presence? Social Practice offers free social media audits and discovery calls to help assess your strategy and identify growth opportunities.

In this episode of For The Record, we sit down with Chad Van Horn, PA-C, better known as "Needle Daddy," a Physician Associate based in Fort Lauderdale and owner of Icon Aesthetics and Wellness. Over the last 8 years, Chad has authentically created his unique brand to combine his larger-than-life personality with his artistic eye and exceptional clinical skills. His Needle Daddy persona spills over to his practice, Icon Aesthetics, and has helped it to rapidly grow with a big expansion on the way! How does he do it?

Chad's journey to aesthetics wasn't a straight path - following the 2007-2008 housing crash, he made the bold decision to transition from flooring sales to medicine. Initially pursuing PA school with dreams of orthopedics, he found his way into aesthetics through a small IV clinic where he demonstrated his natural talent for both patient care and business growth, scaling the practice from $15-25K to 10x that amount in just three years. Today, as the founder of his own practice, Icon Aesthetics, Chad has crafted a unique approach that sets him apart in the competitive South Florida market.

His practice maintains a 75/25 split between aesthetics and hormone/weight loss services, with an unwavering focus on quality over quantity. Unlike many in the industry, he's built his business without external funding or loans, forcing a strategic approach to growth and vendor partnerships. He’s got to be smart with his money- constantly watching his COGS, his profitability, and his cost to bring in and retain patients.

Throughout this episode, Chad shares several priceless insights:

1. The Power of Authenticity: As a self-described "card-carrying metrosexual," Chad encourages practitioners to double down on their personality quirks rather than trying to fit a conventional mold.

2. Patient Care Philosophy: His approach emphasizes genuine connections and honest conversations, even if it means recommending a plastic surgeon over injectables when appropriate.

3. Business Strategy: Operating from salon suites with plans to expand to a 1,500 sq ft facility, Chad discusses the importance of selective partnerships and strategic inventory management.

4. Industry Evolution: He shares his perspective on emerging trends, from regenerative aesthetics to the integration of wellness services, while advocating for more standardized practices and research in the field.

We dive deep into the challenges of scaling an aesthetics practice while maintaining quality and authenticity. Chad's insights on everything from patient relationships to vendor management offer valuable lessons for practitioners at all stages. His commitment to being "nothing if not a good time" while delivering excellent clinical results demonstrates that success in aesthetics doesn't require conforming to industry stereotypes.

As he prepares to expand into a larger facility featuring four treatment rooms and a stunning lobby, Chad remains focused on building a practice that reflects his unique brand. His vision includes expanding into the intersection of aesthetics and functional medicine, highlighting the growing convergence of these fields.

Whether you're a new practitioner trying to find your voice in the industry or an established provider looking to maintain authenticity while scaling, Chad's journey offers valuable insights into building a successful practice without compromising your values or personality.

Connect with Chad: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/needle_daddy/

Icon Aesthetics and Wellness: https://www.instagram.com/icon_wellness/

In this episode of For The Record, Jessica Hunter, CEO & Founder of Hunter Consulting, is in the hot seat to share her proven strategies to drive success in medical aesthetics practices. With over a decade of industry experience, starting with Allergan as a consultant before going at it alone, she's worked with Practices who have yet to open, those with 8 figures in annual revenue, and everything in between. While her approach is rooted in the data and the metrics, she definitely brings in the bigger picture- the mission, vision, values and heart of the Practice.

Jessica provides a wealth of actionable insights, guiding you through nearly every aspect of Practice management, but some of our favorites include:

Jessica also highlights the importance of aligning your business decisions with your core values, ensuring that every step you take as a Practice Owner is purpose-driven. From leveraging automation in patient communication to creating compelling content that resonates, Jessica offers practical, hands-on advice that is relevant at every stage.

Whether you're launching a new practice or scaling an established one, this episode is packed with expert tips to help you lead with confidence and build a thriving, profitable business in the competitive medical aesthetics space.

Key Takeaways:

Tune in for this comprehensive masterclass in med spa management and discover how to elevate your practice to the next level!

Learn more about Jessica & Hunter Consulting

Instagram: ⁠@hunterconsulting_

Website: ⁠hunterconsultingservice.com⁠

In Episode 89, we sit down with Nune Stepanyan, DNP, FNP-C, CEO, Founder & Aesthetic Injector at The Stepanyan Clinic in Encino, CA. Nune began her career in Critical Care, and while she made the jump to Aesthetics many years ago, her traditional medical roots run deep! While she’s a rising star in the injectable world, she approaches her patients and her treatment philosophy with a clinical mindset; that means saying NO or referring out, spending more time on Patient education, and setting realistic expectations that may impact revenue today but result in a lot less headaches tomorrow!

In addition to her role as a CEO and a full-time injector at TSC, she’s also teaching and training others- a passion she found early on in academia. And she’s really good at it! She’s currently one of the headliners of the national Revanesse tour with Prollenium going city to city to share her techniques. She’s leading cadaver labs, doing in-practice training and consulting, and she made her Aesthetic Next debut this year in multiple talks. In every lecture, it’s clear that Nune is a truth teller. She’s authentic and unafraid to call out the parts of the industry that seem to jeopardize patient safety or optimal outcomes.

She’s also a master content creator and has a passion for using her platform to authentically educate, inform and excite others about aesthetic procedures. Tune into her IG any day of the week, and you can find her spilling at least a little tea about the realities of the aesthetics industry! But she credits her candor and real-talk approach to creating trust with her patients and allowing them to feel confident in her ability to deliver great results.

Some of Our Favorite Episode Highlights:

• Industry Culture: How Nune navigated and transformed challenging industry dynamics and a “mean girl” experience into a platform for authenticity and inclusivity

• Ethical Practice: The importance of saying "no" to inappropriate treatments, prioritizing patient well-being over profit, and erroring on the side of caution

• Social Media and Aesthetics: Balancing online presence with clinical excellence in the digital age. You really can do both at the same time!

• Safety First: Addressing the dangers of unlicensed procedures and DIY treatments and our obligation to keep bad actors out of our specialty

• Personal Experience: How her decision to forgo injectables and choose surgery at 35 took her consults to the next level

• Business Growth: Insights on expanding to a second clinic location while managing a busy schedule, the finances, and Instagram vs. Reality expectations

• Continuous Learning: The value of ongoing education and conference attendance for experienced practitioners to stay innovative and connected in a rapidly evolving specialty

• Patient Education: Creating transparent, informative content to build trust and expertise in the field but make it fun, trendy, and sometimes viral!

Nune shares her own journey through imposter syndrome, weight issues, mean girls and more, and she’s come through it all with her authentic self still intact and zero concern that she’s changing who she is to fit anyone’s narrative! Her commitment to ethics and patient safety are at the forefront as she navigates the complex world of medical aesthetics with grace, humor, and a dash of sass and brings us all along for the journey.

This episode will inspire you and provide a healthy dose of truth moments whether you’re an aspiring injector, established practitioner, and anyone finding their way in the evolving world of medical aesthetics. Tune in to hear Nune keep it real in an industry that can be anything but transparent. Warning: Side effects may include a few “hell yeah,” moments of shock, awe and pure entertainment, and a newfound respect for speaking the truth!

Learn more about Nune and The Stepanyan Clinic:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestepanyanclinic/?hl=en

Website: https://www.thestepanyanclinic.com/

In this episode of For The Record we dive into the dollars and cents of running a successful med spa, particularly managing finances effectively. We’re joined by Nick Liguori, CPA, and Dan Simard, Director of Business Development from Liguori Accounting, a New Hampshire-based, full-service accounting firm that exclusively serves the Aesthetic industry. We explore many of the common pitfalls Practice owners must watch out for when starting their business- things like, Can I keep my own books and save money? Why am I working so hard but making no money? Do I wait until I can pay cash to buy a device?