True to Form

Host Audrey Neff sits down with Amanda Baldwin of Designs for Health—a recognized leader in the functional medicine and nutraceutical space. Together, they explore the powerful intersection of aesthetics and wellness, uncovering how practices can unlock new levels of treatment outcomes and business growth by integrating nutritional supplements. Audrey and Amanda dive into key strategies for 2025, including how to select professional-grade supplements, implement functional lab testing, and build comprehensive GLP-1 protocols that incorporate nutrition and gut health. They also share practical tips to enhance patient outcomes, drive retention, and stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. Whether you're new to nutraceuticals or looking to elevate your current offerings, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you thrive at the cutting edge of aesthetic medicine and wellness.

Join Audrey Neff as she welcomes back Olivia Salmen and Tracy Olson, to discuss the critical topic of training & career development in the medical aesthetics industry. Olivia Salmen, master injector and social media influencer, and Tracy Olson, owner of Youthtopia Med Spa and founder of the Aesthetic Injector Academy, share their insights on how to effectively transition into the aesthetics field and advance your craft. They highlight the importance of pre-training education, break down FDA-approved vs off-label applications, and the need for practitioners to be well-versed in not just anatomy and rheology, but also complication management. The three also touch on the role of social media, the significance of self-investment, and their shared excitement for the upcoming Aesthetic Extender Symposium to be held August 7-10th in Boca Raton, FL – and why every injector should put this must-attend event on their calendars in 2025.

Get ready for a raw and unfiltered conversation as Audrey Neff sits down with industry pioneer, Dr. Alexander Rivkin, to dissect the powerful influence of social media on consumer sentiment and perception. In a world flooded with emerging “beauty influencers” and misinformation, how can providers rise above the noise? Audrey and Dr. Rivkin tackle the challenges and opportunities presented by Instagram and TikTok, revealing strategies to not only combat false narratives but also leverage social platforms to educate patients and grow your business. Plus, Dr. Rivkin shares an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at his own social media strategy—how he carves out time, capitalizes on trending content, and stays unapologetically true to himself. 

Join Audrey Neff as she sits down with Katlin Cauffman, renowned aesthetic business consultant and founder of Diamond Accelerator, for a powerful conversation on boosting profitability and ensuring long-term success for medical spas in 2025. In this episode, they uncover the importance of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), dealing with toxic employees/injectors, retaining top talent, and seamlessly integrating aesthetic and wellness services. Discover game-changing insights on maximizing profits through before-and-after photos, flexible financing options, and effective upselling and cross-selling techniques. Packed with actionable strategies, this episode is your ultimate guide to optimizing business operations, enhancing systems, and empowering your team to thrive.

Join Audrey Neff as she sits down with Kara McClanahan, CEO of Aesthetic Practice Partners, for a deep dive into the top industry trends and success strategies for 2025. Kara unveils the most common start-up pitfalls, the power of strategic business planning, and the keys to crafting a standout brand identity. This episode goes beyond the basics—exploring expert pricing and consultation techniques, the booming field of regenerative medicine, and innovative ways to maximize revenue per appointment. Plus, discover how culture and a strong unique selling proposition can set your aesthetic practice apart in today's competitive market. Don't miss this insightful and game-changing conversation with two industry experts.

Audrey Neff kicks off 2025 with Vanessa Bird, The Aesthetic Consultant®️, bringing a fresh perspective to the table. In this exciting episode, Vanessa shares her journey in medical aesthetics from an extensive background in sales to becoming one of the world's leading consultants known for transforming practices through ethical sales strategies. She sheds light on some of the most common challenges practitioners face globally through her 15 years of experience working with clinics across the U.S., UK, Europe, Africa, Asia and The Middle East. The discussion revolves around expert insights for aesthetic providers in generating revenue, optimizing patient experiences, improving lead conversion, and successfully launching new treatments and devices. Tune in to hear insightful perspectives, real-world examples, and innovative strategies designed to boost your bottom line and set your practice up for success in 2025 & beyond.

Audrey Neff closes out Season 7 with Dr. Jennifer Levine, award-winning facial plastic surgeon who has been featured in Forbes, Elle, Vogue, WSJ, Bravo, Good Morning America, and many more popular media outlets. The pair dive head first into building a strong personal brand and the importance of finding your authentic voice on social media. Tune in to hear their expert pearls for leveraging Instagram as a powerful driver for your business – including how to perfect before & after photo posts, carving out the time to create content, building an education-first strategy, combating influencer misinformation, and the crucial importance of always staying “true to form."

Audrey Neff and Dr. Gretchen Frieling return for an enlightening part-two discussion on True to Form. The conversation picks up where the last episode left off, as Dr. Frieling unpacks her unconventional approach of training injectors, offering insights into her unique hiring practices that prioritize personality, ethical standards, and leadership opportunities beyond injecting. Tune in to also hear expert insights on scaling to multiple locations, practical strategies for improving patient experiences, consultation techniques, launching a private-label skincare line, and more, all while navigating the evolving landscape of medical aesthetics.

Audrey Neff speaks with Dr. Gretchen Frieling (“Dr. G”), an internationally recognized, Harvard-trained, triple board-certified Dermatopathologist, and the founder and owner of GFaceMD, a multimillion dollar medical aesthetic practice. Tune into this insightful conversation as Audrey and Dr. G discuss perseverance, the power of creative entrepreneurship, leveraging social media, fostering team empowerment, and the art of balancing personal ambition with professional growth.

Audrey Neff speaks with Coverwell CEO, Patrick Tighe, and CMO, Kandis Hughes, to discuss maintaining integrity and ensuring patient safety in the medical aesthetics industry. Throughout the episode, the three delve into the prevalence and nature of adverse events within the elective medical field, highlighting the often unforeseen complications and the gap in patient care that needs addressing. This candid discussion underscores the significance of setting patient expectations, informed consent, proper education, thorough screening processes, and the essential defensive measures practices should adopt—emphasizing the role of businesses like Coverwell in providing a safety net for both practitioners and patients. 

Audrey Neff sits down with Olivia Salmen, advanced aesthetic nurse injector, national trainer, and “Best Injector of Nashville” by Nashville Scene. From excelling at the consultation, navigating patient objections, improving your before & after photo process, public speaking, and more, this episode unpacks it all when it comes to mastering the art of selling yourself…whether it's in the audience of patients or peers. With 135K followers on Instagram and 187K on TikTok, Olivia also breaks down her insights to social media success, including lessons learned along the way and expert tips for building your brand online. Having both broken into the medical aesthetics field at the ages of 22, Audrey and Olivia dive into their personal experiences over the last nine years around building credibility and trust as some of the industry's younger speakers/trainers, plus share their advice to fellow ambitious aesthetic professionals. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation, packed with practical advice, industry secrets, and forward-looking trends.

Audrey Neff welcomes back Dr. Sheila Barbarino for a dynamic part two episode to continue their riveting conversation around building an influential brand in aesthetic medicine, including their personal advice around being a forever student & always having a collaborative mindset. The pair also dive into their valuable insights into our rapidly evolving industry, from private equity roll-ups to trends and future predictions. As a renowned cosmetic surgeon with over 15K followers on Instagram, Dr. Barbarino also shares her unique strategy behind building a strong social media presence, giving listeners a peek into her humorous and authentic approach to content creation. 

In this exclusive two-part episode, Audrey Neff hosts Dr. Sheila Barbarino, global speaker & world-renowned plastic surgeon, for an insightful episode detailing her impressive career in aesthetics and her biggest tips & challenges of managing and scaling a two-location practice. Key discussion topics include building a strong team culture, determining your unique approach to patient care, navigating industry changes, becoming a key opinion leader (KOL), and the unparalleled power of networking. Stay tuned for part two of this episode, where Dr. Sheila Barbarino and Audrey Neff continue their riveting conversation on the evolving landscape of the aesthetics industry, social media strategies, and more.

In this special release of True to Form, host Audrey Neff chats with industry veteran, Francis X. Acunzo, President of Princeton Medspa Partners and CEO of Acara Partners, who returns for his third appearance on the show. Known for his significant contributions to the medical aesthetics industry, Fran shares a profoundly personal story, detailing his recent health challenges, including a brain tumor surgery that led to temporary facial and vocal cord paralysis. Audrey and Fran reflect on their respective medical journeys, emphasizing the critical importance of being proactive, the power of positivity, and controlling mindset in overcoming life's severe obstacles. Fran's narrative is not just one of resilience but also of forward momentum, as he also transitions into an exciting business update for the continued growth of Acara Partners and Princeton Medspa Partners, which just completed a successful funding round of $120 million aimed at their acquisition and expansion strategy. The episode is a testament to the blend of personal strength and professional prowess, making it a must-listen for anyone in the medical aesthetics field.  

In this week's episode, host Audrey Neff welcomes David Light, COO, and Autumn Piccolo, Co-Founder, of the American IV Association (AIVA) to discuss the current and future state of IV therapy in elective medicine. David and Autumn bring their wealth of experience in healthcare and business to the table, providing invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities that exist when adding IV therapy into an existing business model and/or starting and growing your own IV therapy practice. Tune in to hear the most common misconceptions about starting an IV therapy business, emphasizing the nationwide regulatory and compliance intricacies. David and Autumn highlight the pivotal role AIVA plays in creating one voice for the industry – offering crucial support and resources from business guidance, vendor selection, certification processes and more. The three also share their excitement about the upcoming VIBE Conference to be held in Boston, MA on September 8-9, which will provide cutting-edge clinical and business education for medical providers and practice owners in all stages of business in the rapidly growing world of IV therapy. 

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of True to Form, host Audrey Neff returns to discuss the power of mindset during the storms of life, with the incredible Dr. Amanda Holden, CEO of 5-location medical spa, Holden Timeless Beauty, and founding member of Alpha Aesthetics Partners. This episode marks Audrey's first podcast back, after recovering from a hemorrhagic stroke, and she invites Dr. Holden, who also faced a serious health scare this past year, to share her journey and insights. Throughout the conversation, Audrey and Amanda explore how mindset and gratitude play crucial roles in overcoming adversity. Dr. Holden shares her experience dealing with a severe spinal issue and subsequent surgery, offering listeners invaluable lessons on maintaining a positive outlook and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who push you to dream bigger than you ever thought possible. The pair also delve into their shared experiences of how the unwavering support from the medical aesthetics community helped them get through the darkest of times and to always remember that "you are the dreamer of your dream."

In this week's episode, host Audrey Neff dives into the intricacies of building and executing a successful weight loss program with Kevin Grass, owner and president of N of 1 Wellness. As the medical weight loss topic continues to disrupt the industry, tune into this engaging conversation to gain key takeaways around... -Individualized programs: How to customize weight loss plans vs. just offering generic treatments -The role of GLP-1 medications: While helpful, these medications should be seen as tools within a more comprehensive weight loss strategy -The impact of technology: The implementation of systems like PatientNow Essentials can streamline the entire process of managing weight loss programs, tracking patient data, and measuring key metrics in a patient's weight loss journey – leading to a more efficient, profitable practice -The longevity of weight management: The maintenance phase post weight loss and continuing healthy habits for life -Building a successful business: Trust your intuition, address market needs, and focus on building strong relationships with your clients

Host Audrey Neff brings on Kim Pezzetti, VP of Practice Development & Strategy, for Cartessa Aesthetics to break down all things related to branding and finding your competitive edge in medical aesthetics. The pair's discussion delves into common branding mistakes and challenges, along with practical approaches for determining your niche and harnessing grassroots marketing efforts within your local community. Kim also provides actionable takeaways around staff training, credentialing, social media, and the utmost importance of knowing your big ‘WHY.'

In this engaging episode, host Audrey Neff welcomes back Maegen Kennedy PA-C for a part two discussion. Maegen, owner of Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute, shares her insights on scaling her business from one to three locations by the end of summer 2024, as well as tips for choosing the right location & real estate. Other key discussion topics include: -Diving into her unique training and hiring protocol for new injectors -Why open communication and setting realistic goals are essential for patient satisfaction and managing expectations -Tips and tricks for having a bulletproof before & after photo process in your practice -The art of saying "no" to patients and how to master the conversation -The importance of having a confident, yet calm presence in the treatment room with patients -Her expert advice around cannula vs. needle, using ultrasound, and so much more..

Audrey Neff sits down with Maegen Kennedy, PA-C, owner of Windermere Medical Spa & Laser Institute, as well as one of AmSpa's Top 30 Most Distinguished Women of Medical Aesthetics, to kick off part one of this special two-part series. The pair unpack Maegen's inspiring journey in aesthetics and dive into an extensive list of critical topics, pertinent to all med spa owners, including: - Successes & failures of her membership program, which is now bringing in $150k MRR - Her unique approach to the consultation & how to avoid de-valuing yourself  - Creating elegant, sophisticated experiences for patients - How to raise prices while still growing your client base - Introducing new technology and devices into your practice - Building a loyal team that is aligned on the same vision - And so much more...

Ben Hernandez, the CEO and Managing Director of Skytale Group, talks with Audrey Neff about the past, current, and future outlook of mergers and acquisitions in the medical aesthetics field. As the challenging 2023 year for M&A concludes, Ben provides valuable insights for practice owners looking to sell and advice around beginning with the end in mind. This episode covers a wide array of essential topics including exit strategy, preparing your business for a potential sale, optimizing valuation, selecting the right partners and buyers, considerations with deal structure, and other crucial components to consider when growing, scaling, or selling your medical aesthetics practice in 2024 & beyond.

Audrey Neff kicks off Season 7 with an authentic conversation with Bita Ardakani-Akrawi PA-C, MPH, MEP-C, owner of Florida-based medical spa, Naples Skin Clinic. This episode takes a deep dive into some of the biggest do's and don'ts entrepreneurs can avoid when launching and growing a new aesthetics practice. Tune in to hear impactful advice around purchasing used lasers, capital device investments, real estate, grassroots marketing, and building an intention-led business.

In this episode, Audrey Neff speaks with Tim Sawyer, two-time Inc. 500 entrepreneur, motivational speaker, business advisor, and practice owner, on the advancements and innovations in the sexual wellness field, particularly those related to men's health.   As an advisor and investor in REGENmax® (which just received the only global patent for the reversal of ED) and a partner of Tru Male Medical, a men's-only health & wellness clinic in Oakbrook, IL, Tim breaks down the economics of offering sexual wellness treatments in your practice and the concept of "profit with purpose." In today's current state, with males continuing to represent a valuable addressable market in both wellness & aesthetics, incorporating sexual wellness in your practice not only can create an opportunity for higher returns, but more importantly, an opportunity to provide life-changing care for the 30+ million men across the U.S. who currently suffer from erectile dysfunction.

Francis X. Acunzo, President of Princeton Medspa Partners & CEO of Acara Partners, returns to discuss the current and future state of medical aesthetics with host Audrey Neff. This episode picks up where Part 1 earlier this season left off and covers all things relating to industry consolidation, partnering with invesment groups, private equity, advice when exiting your business, economic health & potential impacts, plus trends that will continue to mold the future of the $18B medical aesthetics industry.

In this week's episode, Audrey Neff brings on special guest, Yvonne Dellos, MSN, FNP-BC -- master injector, successful entrepreneur, industry KOL, national speaker, business coach, and founder of Medical Aesthetic Art Institute (MAAI). The pair dive into an insightful conversation around finding purpose, improving mindset, and exiting the comfort zone.    Yvonne also shares her inspiring journey of overcoming adversity and how it eventually drove her into medical aesthetics -- where she now dedicates her career to empowering injectors to not only advance their clinical skill set, but to uncover their true potential, create financial independence, and build successful businesses. 

 Krystie Lennox PA - industry trailblazer, founder of Lennox Aesthetics, and co-founder of the Aesthetic Extender Symposium - appears as this week's guest to dive into her M.O. behind developing one of the industry's most successful medical conferences tailored specifically for advancing aesthetic extenders' clinical skill sets & business acumen. Krystie also shares her start-up journey since opening the doors to her South Florida-based practice, Lennox Aesthetics, back in April 2023. Tune in to hear Krystie's journey, how she identified her niche, developing a "fresh approach to aesthetic medicine," how she retains patients, and so much more.

Kara Moncrief, International Speaker & Director of Clinical Communications for Sinclair North America, joins Audrey Neff to share her expert knowledge around the top three categories of skin aging and how identifying these can dramatically assist your consultation process when building value in long-term treatment plans & combination therapy approaches. Plus - the pair dive into several key topics surrounding capital device investments and discuss what men & Millennials are seeking in aesthetic medicine.

Katie Martin, PA-C -- VP of Clinical Operations at Holden Timeless Beauty, Galderma GAIN Trainer, and national speaker -- joins True to Form to break down HTB's unique interviewing & hiring process for providers based on their mission, vision, and core values. Not only that, Katie dives into how to master the non-surgical aesthetic consultation to build lasting relationships, instill patient confidence, achieve better outcomes, and drive lifetime value. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Patrick Tighe and Kimberly DeOrsey, Founder & President of CoverWell, join Audrey Neff on True to Form to discuss the driving factors behind launching the medical aesthetic industry's first pay-per-procedure insurance offering. Tune into this week's episode to hear a breakdown of how to effectively mitigate risk in your medical spa, adding extra safety nets for both your business and patients, plus how practices can protect themselves against damaging lawsuits related to aesthetic treatment complications.

Audrey Neff sits down with Dr. Amanda Holden -- Mom, wife, speaker, trainer, master injector, and owner of 5-location practice, Holden Timeless Beauty -- who shares gem after gem in this power-packed episode all around finding & reaching your true potential both in business and life. Tune in to hear the importance of having a growth mindset, finding your balance, removing negativity, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who are not just unconditional supporters of your ambitions & dreams, but people who are going -- or have already gone -- where you want to go.

Audrey Neff sits down with Managing Partner & Owner of L-Aesthetics & Longevity, Josh Iffla, to unpack his journey from corporate America to aesthetic medicine. Josh unveils the most critical KPI's (key performance indicators) practices should be tracking on a daily basis, effective strategies to increase revenue per appointment, why you need to hold your team accountable for hitting sales numbers, plus the pair dive into a detailed discussion around the retail skincare opportunity in aesthetics to elevate patient experiences and practice profitability. 

As a growing number of practices raise capital in the race to form nation-wide empires, the aesthetic landscape as we know it is changing. John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetic Partners, rejoins True to Form to discuss the paradigm shift the medical aesthetics industry is now experiencing as it moves into the consolidation stage of growth. John unpacks the driving factors behind starting Alpha Aesthetic Partners, a private equity backed med spa platform, and shares his expert advice to practice owners in leveraging this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in the new era of aesthetics.      

Audrey Neff sits down with Francis X. Acunzo, CEO of Acara Partners & President of Princeton Medspa Partners, to discuss the past, current, and future state of medical aesthetics. Having successfully launched over 180 medical spas across the U.S, Fran shares the top mistakes aesthetic practices make that hinder growth, opportunities for businesses looking to exit, and predictions on what the industry will see more of as it continues to evolve in 2023 & beyond.

Host Audrey Neff sits down with aesthetic industry OG, April Linden, in this week's episode of True to Form. April unpacks her 20-year journey in aesthetics and how it's led her to her current management role at La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre & Medical Spa as Director of Patient Experience. Tune in to hear April's bullet-proof tactics she has implemented in their San-Diego based practice to dramtically improve rebooking rates, patient retention, reviews, referrals & lead conversion.

Host Audrey Neff sits down with CEO of 3-location med spa & plastic surgery center, John Wheeler, in this no-filter first episode of 2023. John discusses his unique philosophy in how core values & a family-like culture have become the driving factors in the success of his multi-location practice, Esthetics Center. Tune in to hear his insightful tips around employee retention, motivating staff members, creating a 'culture of collaboration' plus the secrets behind Esthetic Center's impressive social media growth over the last few years.

Healthcare attorney & founder of the Florida Healthcare Law Firm, Jeff Cohen, discusses the emergence of IV therapy in the elective medical space. Jeff dives into the crucial need for regulatory compliance, proper business education, and the drivers behind why he started the American IV Association (AIVA) which is dedicated solely to providing this information to IV therapy providers and business owners nationwide.

Host Tim Sawyer chats with VP of Sales for Cherry Patient Financing, Andy Cahoy, to discuss effective ways to reduce barriers of entry for potential consumers seeking aesthetic treatments. Tune in to hear the benefits of offering avenues for patient financing to not only increase consultation conversions, but to also improve per-patient spend and practice profitability.

Host Tim Sawyer chats with returning guest Warren Danforth about the state of the economy and the current macroeconomic factors facing both consumers and practice owners. While demand for aesthetic treatments remains strong, the rising inflation, shortage of workers, and federal rate hikes are bringing a sense of uncertainty for the future. Tune into this episode to hear insight from successful medical spa owner, Warren Danforth, and what he predicts for the future of our economy, workforce development, and whether we are headed towards a repeat of 2008.

Kara Moncrief, Director of Clinical Communications at Viora, returns to the show to discuss trending Male & Millennial treatments to expand your practice, what men seek when looking for aesthetic procedures, and tips to gauge your patients' evolving treatment interests over time.

Join Tim Sawyer and Warren Danforth for Part 2 of the conversation that picks up where the last episode left off. Warren discusses the current state of consumer sentiment, the economic impact of inflation, the supply chain, and more in medical aesthetics -- plus how to avoid being a commodity with consistent brand messaging and communication.

One of #TrueToForm's most popular guests, Warren Danforth, returns to the show to discuss how to optimize practice efficiency during times of high growth. Warren unpacks how marketing & technology has evolved over the last decade, what providers can do to maximize success in today's current state, and the utmost importance of putting 'customer value' first.