I had the honor of having my dear friend Brian Hayes, founder and president of Orion Strategic Consulting, on The White Coat Entrepreneur podcast. If you haven’t listened to Part 1: The Aesthetic Edge - How to Scale Up Your Practice from a Seasoned Professional. I highly recommend starting there.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the topics of leadership and culture, exploring what it truly means to lead in the world of medicine. Leadership isn’t just about having a title; it’s about mindset, structure, and the responsibility that comes with guiding others.

“It’s not easy to make the shift from management to leadership,” Brian shared. “But the difference is everything. As a leader, you put the team first.”

Leadership challenges aren’t solved overnight. They begin with a mindset. Ask yourself:

• What kind of leader do I want to be?
• What impact do I want to have?
• What kind of culture do I want to create?

Think about the best leader you've had… and the worst.

That contrast often reveals the blueprint for the kind of leader we want to become.

This episode is filled with takeaways for physicians and business owners who want to lead with purpose, consistency, and heart. From hiring for culture to checking in with your team regularly, it's the small, intentional steps that create a supportive environment.

As Brian said, “It’s worth it putting the work in for great leaders. Good leaders will attract leaders.” Whether you're leading a team, running a practice, or just beginning your journey, this conversation will inspire you to lead with clarity and purpose. 

To learn more or get in touch with Brian Hayes, click the link below.

https://www.thehunterorion.com/about-us

I had the pleasure of interviewing Christin Trujillo, entrepreneur, finance expert, and author of Med Spa Profitability, a book I’ve personally read and highly recommend. 

Christin’s story is both inspiring and instructive. After years in the finance world, she launched her own business called Maven Financial Partners. She shares her journey from corporate finance to becoming a CFO for hire. Today, she works with medical spas and entrepreneurs across the country. Her mission is to help business owners get their operations in order, to scale smartly, and prepare for a future exit or sale.

As she mentioned, "any business worth having is worth planning your succession—otherwise, it’s a lifestyle.” That insight alone is worth sitting with, especially for those who are so focused on growth that they haven’t considered what comes next.

What I appreciated most in our conversation was her honesty. She doesn’t just offer highlights, she shares the real challenges, obstacles, and growing pains that come with scaling a business in medical aesthetics. Her advice is grounded in experience and her passion for helping others succeed. 

Whether you are just starting, in the middle of growing your practice, or thinking ahead to the future of your business, Christin brings clarity to the process and helps make financial strategy feel less overwhelming and more empowering.

To learn more or get in touch with Christin Trujillo, explore the links below:

Blog Post: https://www.dredwinwilliams.com/post/behind-the-numbers-how-to-grow-and-scale-your-medical-spa-from-a-cfo-s-perspective

About Christin: https://www.mavenfp.com/team/christin-trujillo

To purchase her book: https://www.amazon.com/Med-Spa-Profitability-Profitable-Doing/dp/B0DVCC9T9G

Contact Maven Financial Partners: https://www.mavenfp.com/contact-us

In this episode, I had a conversation with Dr. James Marotta, who is a dual board-certified facial plastic surgeon based in Long Island, NY.  He shares his journey from being a newly trained surgeon to starting his practice.

“It takes discipline and hard work, but I knew I wanted to go for it.”

With training from Columbia, SUNY Stony Brook, and Yale, Dr. Marotta brings many great points on entrepreneurship, resilience, and leadership. 

• Mistakes made, lessons learned, and the importance of hiring the right people
• "Five Stage Hiring Process" - how culture alignment is critical to scaling your practice 
• Insights on the med spa industry and skin rejuvenation markets
• The mindset shit from “perfection” to “progress” in the early stages of opening your practice 

Whether you're just starting to build your practice or looking to scale it, this episode is filled with insights on leadership, growth, and building from scratch.

Tune in now to discover what it takes. For more information on Dr. Marotta, click here:

https://marottamd.com/about-us/dr-james-marotta/

In this episode of The White Coat Entrepreneur, I had the honor and privilege of having a conversation with Daniel Davis, who is a managing partner at Thurston Group. He is a Marine Corps Veteran, and seasoned private equity professional with over 12 years of experience focused on growth equity investments in the healthcare sector. 

From his early days as an infantry officer serving three combat tours to leading investments in companies, such as Smile Doctors, U.S. Endo Partners, and more. Mr. Davis brings a strategic perspective to partnerships and private equity. 

Here are some key points discussed: 

• Understanding what private equity is within the industry 
• The Thurston “playbook” focuses on financials, operations, data-driven decisions, and analytics
• Emerging trends in the $19 billion med spa sector that continues to grow at a 15% annual growth rate per year
• Importance of using EBITDA to measure growth for partners and when it’s time to go to market
• Clinical excellence must remain at the forefront of healthcare
• The importance of adding value and having a clear “theme.” In our case, this is Alpha and the med spa industry 
• Why picking the right partner is the most critical decision 

“At the end of the day, it’s all about the partnership because that will continue to feed upon itself to get to where it should be. At Thurston Group, our strategy is to partner with the best.”

Tune in to this episode and discover how the right PE partner can help you scale with purpose, integrity, and impact.

More information on Daniel Davis: https://www.thurstongroup.com/bio/daniel-f.-davis

“Where deals fall through, is when there is a failure to integrate.”

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stuart Smith, who has over 25 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, and mergers & acquisitions. Stuart brings strategic insights to the conversation for anyone considering private equity. Not only does he have a passion for helping business owners, but also being there as support to navigate complex transitions. 

Our conversation evolved on the growing role of private equity in the aesthetic space, and Stuart shares his framework: “Three Basic Food Groups” that every business owner should consider and be able to answer these questions below. 

1. Is the business ready for a transition? 
2. Do you have the right advisors? 
3. Can you handle the deal? 

Whether you’re thinking about scaling, selling, or partnering, this episode is a must-listen. Personally, I found Stuart as well as other colleagues to be extremely helpful during my own transition. I look forward to sharing this episode with you. 

For more information or to learn more, Stuart is available and can be reached via email. [email protected] 

"There are things you do in the beginning—short-term losses for long-term gain."

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Lindsey Pennington, who shares her inspiring journey of founding her practice in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2017. As a facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Pennington took the bold leap into entrepreneurship, building her business from the ground up.

Dr. Pennington wanted control over her patient experience, even making house calls early on to provide personalized care. She discusses the grit it takes to start a practice, including hiring mistakes and firing employees who didn’t align with her vision. “The credentials after their name don’t mean as much as the person.”

In addition to growing her clinic, Dr. Pennington leveraged social media to expand her reach, posting skincare routine videos with SkinCeuticals products on TikTok during the pandemic to boost her presence and engagement.

Starting a practice takes grit, there are no shortcuts. You have to put your boots on the ground and go for it. As someone who has done this, I can attest.

Tune in for a great episode full of valuable learning opportunities!

To learn more on Dr. Lindsay Pennington: https://penningtonfacialplastics.com/

In this episode, I interviewed one of my equity partners with Alpha, Michelle Doran, a Board-Certified Nurse Practitioner, co-founder of RN Esthetics, and National Trainer for Allergan Medical Aesthetics. From her early days as a surgical nurse to becoming a leader in the aesthetics industry, Michelle shares how she took a leap of faith, hustled her way to success, and built a thriving practice with three locations.

Michelle opens up about the learning curves she faced, the support that helped her along the way, and the invaluable lessons she’s learned about balancing patient care with running a business. Discover her unique approach to building patient loyalty without relying on discounts, fostering a strong team culture, and navigating the challenges of business ownership as a provider.

This episode is filled with actionable insights and inspiration. It's a must-listen for aesthetic providers and entrepreneurs looking to grow their practice and impact. As Michelle says, “You can’t grow a business if you’re not actually in the business.”

Tune in and get ready to be inspired - click the subscribe button and join the community of listeners!

In this inspiring episode of The White Coat Entrepreneur, I chat with Dr. Dana Fender, the co-founder of Smile Doctors. From humble beginnings to a staggering $2.4 billion valuation across more than 450 locations, Dr. Fender's journey showcases the power of ambition and strategic partnerships.

He reflects on the importance of gratitude and humility, sharing lessons learned during his rapid growth alongside Thurston Group. Dr. Fender emphasizes pushing beyond limits, stating, “Anything that pushes you further than you thought you could go—at whatever level that is”—is essential for success. Smile Doctors had a mission and a vision and that has always been “loving other people first and straightening teeth second."

You won’t want to miss this insightful conversation and discover how challenges can lead to transformative outcomes. I feel grateful to call Dr. Fender a friend of mine. Don’t miss out!

 For more information on Dr. Dana Fender: https://smiledoctors.com/about/

"You can't expect success to happen, you have to be persistent, and want it."

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Kian Karimi, MD, FACS, a renowned facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon and co-founder of the Los Angeles Multi-Specialty Cosmetic Academy. Dr. Karimi shares the motivational story of how he built his career from the ground up, and the invaluable lessons learned along the way.

The power of building genuine relationships is important. Dr. Karimi volunteered at a local hospital, which eventually sent him his very first facelift patient. His story is a testament to the importance of going the extra mile—small efforts can lead to big opportunities. 

Three key takeaways: Don't believe everyone, have a game plan, and go for it. 

Whether you're in the medical field or looking for inspiration, this episode provides insightful information on grit, and the road to building your empire.

For more information on Dr. Kian Karimi, click the link below.

https://www.drkian.com/profile

“I was one of the first non-doctor providers to step out and open my medical spa in Leesburg, Virginia. Some people doubted me, but I knew I could do it!” 

In this episode, I interviewed one of my equity partners with Alpha, Sarah Safa MS, PA-C, a Certified Physician Assistant, Aesthetic Specialist, Founder of RefinedAesthetics, LLC, located in Leesburg, Virginia, and co-owner of Radiance Salon and Medical Spa in Lansdowne, Virginia. 

She shared her expertise in the field and the inspiring story behind her rise to success, driven by her motivation and determination to make a positive impact in the industry. As an entrepreneur, it's normal to navigate through challenges. For someone who started their practice with minimal social media use, she knew her brand could only be built through word of mouth - “I learned by treating each patient at my office special, and intimately, they would refer their friends, but I had to make every single patient encounter count.” 

As business owners, we both believe it’s important to not only treat your patients in this matter but also make them feel like they are in a safe space. More recently, pop-up med spas have started to rise and we need to keep the bar high and continue to follow industry standards. 

Don't miss out on my upcoming episodes – click the subscribe button and join the community of listeners!