The Great Friends Podcast

John Wheeler sits down with Harrison Cuker, founder of Recura AI, for a conversation on AI, entrepreneurship, med spa technology, and what it takes to build fast in a rapidly changing market. Harrison shares how Recura AI began as The Med Spa Receptionist, an AI answering service for med spas, and evolved into a broader platform for communication, CRM, analytics, patient engagement, and AI-powered workflow support.

The conversation explores how Harrison raised venture capital, scaled quickly, and eventually brought Recura AI into PatientNow. He explains why AI should not replace the best parts of human connection, but should instead remove the repetitive work that burns teams out and help staff focus on the moments that actually require care, judgment, and personal attention.

John and Harrison also discuss AI voice, patient reactivation, the future of EMRs, second-brain systems, personal productivity, founder grit, and the intensity behind building through major life challenges.

Thanks, Harrison, for showing what it looks like to build with speed, humility, resilience, and a deep belief in the future of AI-powered aesthetics.

LEARN MORE ABOUT HARRISON CUKER:

https://www.instagram.com/recuraai/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/harrisoncuker/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/recura-ai/

https://recura.ai/

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

John Wheeler sits down with Benjamin Hernandez of Skytale for a deep dive into the evolution of M&A in medical aesthetics, from the early consolidation rush of 2022 to the more disciplined market shaping deals today. Benjamin shares how Skytale became active in the space, why private equity became interested in med spas, and how the market shifted from fast land grabs to deeper diligence, stronger operators, and higher-quality assets.

The conversation breaks down the forces changing today's deal environment, including interest rates, leverage, EBITDA, provider risk, GLP-1 revenue, patient retention, employee retention, margins, market density, and the difference between selling a business and building a true partnership. John adds the Alpha perspective, explaining why great platforms need more than stacked EBITDA. They need integration, culture, same-store growth, strong data, and partners who still want to lead.

Thanks, Benjamin, for bringing clarity to the state of aesthetics M&A and what great practice owners should understand before thinking about scale, partnership, or valuation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BENJAMIN HERNANDEZ:

https://www.instagram.com/ben.skytale/

https://www.instagram.com/skytalegroupllc/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/g-benjamin-hernandez-385a586/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/skytale-group/

https://skytalegroup.com/our-team/

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

In this episode of Great Friends, John Wheeler sits down with Doug Cartwright, founder of Alchemy Sales Coaching and author of Holy Sh!t We're Alive, to explore how leaders and entrepreneurs can elevate their performance by mastering their inner state. Doug shares the framework of State, Story, Strategy—showing why energy and mindset drive results more than tactics ever will. From regulating emotions to reframing limiting narratives, he offers practical tools to help leaders stay calm, confident, and clear under pressure.

The conversation dives into objection handling, building trust with clients, and closing without force, while also highlighting how to manage systems instead of relying on moods. Doug's insights move beyond sales, offering a roadmap for leading with alignment and presence in every area of life.

Thanks, Doug, for inspiring leaders to sell, connect, and lead with clarity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DOUG:

https://www.alchemysalescoaching.com/

https://www.instagram.com/doug_cartwright

https://www.instagram.com/alchemysalescoaching

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

Phil Sitter returns to the show for a focused conversation on building teams that live their work and on leading through dark stretches of scale. He shares how RepeatMD evolves from product-first to people-first, arguing that as companies grow the equation becomes "90% people, 10% product." Phil defines exceptionalism as a personal standard that elevates culture, and he and host John unpack the role of a unified operating system, strategic anchors, and values that both attract and deter. He details a hiring playbook—pre-hire tests, paid case studies, third-party validators, and a 30-day bar—that raises the team's baseline while increasing ENPS, productivity, and product quality. The conversation previews RepeatMD V3 and its "automated revenue" theme, including SkinDrop and humanized AI treatment advisors that personalize recommendations and convert without adding work for clinics. Throughout, Phil models responsibility, clarity, and presence, showing how leaders transmute pain into meaning, alignment, and momentum.

LEARN MORE ABOUT PHIL:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philsitter

https://www.instagram.com/philsitter

https://repeatmd.com

https://www.instagram.com/repeat.md

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

In this Season 2 premiere, John sits down with executive coach and leadership expert Andrew Horn to explore the deeper work of becoming an authentic leader. Together, they dive into the power of personal integrity—living your values, speaking the truth, and honoring agreements—as the foundation for effective leadership and a fulfilled life. Andrew shares practical tools like the drama triangle, the empowerment dynamic, and the mindset shift from reactivity to responsibility, offering a roadmap for leaders to step fully into their highest potential.

This episode invites listeners to rethink how they show up in their work, relationships, and everyday decisions.

Thanks, Andrew, for inspiring leaders to lead with courage and clarity!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDREW:

https://www.itsandrewhorn.com/

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

In the latest episode of "The Great Friends Podcast," John Wheeler reflects on an incredible 2024 with Bekah Wilkinson and Kevin Balzer. Together, they look back at Alpha Aesthetic Partners' rapid growth, including the launch of multiple new podcasts, supporting nearly $100 million in revenue across 26 locations, and building connections throughout the aesthetics industry. They share stories of lessons learned, unexpected challenges, and the personal and professional milestones that defined the year. With a heartfelt look at the journey so far, the team also discusses their vision for 2025, from Alpha's continued expansion to the evolution of the podcast and their shared goals for the future. This episode is full of insights, laughter, and inspiration as they toast to the year behind and gear up for what's ahead. FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

In this episode of "The Great Friends Podcast," John Wheeler is joined by Mitchell Outka, Director of Digital Marketing at Alpha, to share his journey from entrepreneurial ventures as a teenager to leading transformative digital strategies for Alpha's partners. Mitch reflects on his early successes, including a six-figure fidget spinner business at 17, and dives into the innovative campaigns that have driven exponential growth for practices like Esthetics Center. Together, they explore the power of understanding lifetime value, crafting compelling offers, and leveraging automation to maximize efficiency and results. This insightful conversation is packed with actionable takeaways on building winning marketing strategies while staying ahead in an ever-evolving digital landscape.

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

In the latest episode of "The Great Friends Podcast," John Wheeler sits down with Karin Durham, Chief Human Resources Officer at Alpha, to delve into the people-centric strategies that fuel Alpha's success. With a career spanning high-level HR roles at Jamba Juice, Forever 21, and Bare Minerals, Karin brings a wealth of knowledge on cultivating strong teams, navigating fast-paced growth, and crafting a culture that resonates with employees. Throughout the conversation, Karin emphasizes the importance of "knowing your people"—understanding who they are, what they need, and aligning these insights with the organization's goals. She also shares fascinating stories from her career, illustrating how the unique personalities of founders and leaders impact a company's direction and culture. Whether you're a business owner looking to strengthen your team or an HR professional seeking inspiration, this episode offers valuable takeaways on the art of building a resilient, people-first organization.

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

FOLLOW KARIN DURHAM:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/karindurham/

In the latest episode of "The Great Friends Podcast," host John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetic Partners, sits down with Michelle Doran, founder of RN Esthetics and one of Alpha's esteemed partners. With 12 years of experience, Michelle shares invaluable insights into building a thriving aesthetic practice, fostering a strong team culture, and delivering exceptional patient care. Listeners will hear about Michelle's unique approach to hiring and building a team that is as kind as it is hard-working. She discusses the importance of intuition in consultations, her love for cannula techniques, and the art of balancing clinical expertise with creativity in aesthetic treatments. Michelle also reflects on her growth as an injector and trainer, offering pearls of wisdom for new providers. This episode is packed with tips on how to cultivate a great team, provide personalized care, and grow a successful aesthetics business. Tune in to learn from Michelle's journey and her vision for the future!

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/

FOLLOW MICHELLE DORAN: https://www.instagram.com/michelle.rnesthetics/

In the latest episode of "The Great Friends Podcast," John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetic Partners, presents his talk from Aesthetic Next 6.0, "How to Run Your Business Like a Boss." In this episode, John shares valuable insights on building a successful med spa business, drawing from his own experiences and lessons learned over the years. Listeners will discover practical strategies for managing financials, including using the Profit First system, understanding key performance indicators (KPIs), and optimizing profit margins. John emphasizes the importance of knowing your numbers and leveraging financial statements like the P&L to ensure business growth and success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your med spa, this episode is packed with actionable advice and real-world takeaways to help you run your business like a boss. Tune in to learn how to strengthen your operations and financial management for long-term success.

FOLLOW JOHN WHEELER:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheelerjohn

https://www.instagram.com/johnwheeler.alpha

LEARN MORE AND JOIN THE ALPHA COMMUNITY:

https://www.partnerwithalpha.com/

FOLLOW ALPHA AESTHETICS PARTNERS:

https://www.instagram.com/partnerwithalpha/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpha-aesthetics-partners/