What does it really look like to go from provider… to operator… to owner?

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with returning guest Taylor Siemens, founder of Kairos Aesthetic Medicine, to discuss her transition from working as a clinician to managing multi-location med spas—and ultimately launching her own practice.

Taylor shares why she intentionally built Kairos differently than her previous ventures, what she learned from scaling quickly, and why she’s now prioritizing culture, patient experience, and sustainable growth over rapid expansion. Discussion points include:

• Taylor's growth and what led to the decision to start a new business
• Creating a patient-centered culture that drives loyalty and referrals
• How Kairos built strong word-of-mouth growth without paid ads
• The importance of authentic leadership and team alignment
• Why slow, intentional growth can be healthier than chasing rapid expansion
• Lessons Taylor learned from mentors, masterminds, and business biographies

What does it take to grow a medical aesthetics business with intention—and scale it without losing sight of your purpose?

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch sits down with WellLabs+ CEO Reetu Gupta to explore the mindset behind building a successful, values-driven aesthetic practice.

From early challenges to leading a growing organization, Reetu shares how shifting from operator to leader transformed not only her business, but her approach to culture, team development, and long-term growth. The conversation dives into the importance of purpose, the role of discomfort in personal and professional evolution, and why the most successful practices are built on more than just revenue—they’re built on people.

Discussion points include:

• Why purpose-driven businesses scale more sustainably
• How culture shapes patient experience and team performance
• Using discomfort as a signal for growth and opportunity
• Redefining success beyond revenue in the aesthetics industry
• Leadership strategies for building and empowering high-performing teams

It's time to rethink how we approach healthcare affordability.

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch welcomes back "The Godfather of CareCredit," Beto Casellas, Executive Vice President and CEO of Synchrony Health and Wellness. As the aesthetic industry shifts toward a holistic model of longevity and wellness, the question of affordability becomes paramount.

Beto discusses CareCredit's strategic collaboration with the Milken Institute, a non-partisan think tank, to research healthcare accessibility and financial literacy. They dive into the reality of American healthcare spending—noting that many consumers underestimate their costs by 1.5x—and introduce the concept of "Wealthspan," the financial stability required to support a long, healthy life. From new procedure calculators to fair financing principles, this conversation explores how transparency and planning can ensure patients get the care they need when they need it. Discussion points include:

• How CareCredit became partnered with the Milken Institute

• CareCredit's most recent statistics on patient costs and preparedness

• How longevity medicine has created a need for greater research into affordability

• A look at CareCredit's Procedure Calculator

• How to turn wellness from from an emergency expense into a regular budget item

• The principles and goals of CareCredit, Synchrony, and the Milken Institute moving forward

Innovation in aesthetics isn’t just about new treatments—it’s about improving precision, safety, and consistency in everyday procedures.

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch is joined by Julie Bass Kaplan and Dr. Rebecca Weiss, two highly respected injectors and educators, to discuss how new delivery technology is reshaping neuromodulator treatments.

They break down the real-world challenges of traditional injection methods—from inconsistent dosing to patient discomfort—and how systems like NavaClick by Lineage Biomedical are helping providers deliver more precise, repeatable results. Discussion points include:

• Why precision and consistency are critical in neurotoxin treatments
• Common pitfalls of traditional injection techniques (and how to avoid them)
• How technology can improve patient comfort and outcomes
• The role of standardization in advancing industry safety
• Why continuous education separates good injectors from great ones
• How better results lead to stronger patient retention and practice growth

Not all capital is created equal. After 10 years building a med spa from the ground up, the offers started coming in. One looked perfect — until it wasn't.

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch interviews Maegen Kennedy, MMS, PA-C, Founder of Windermere Medical Spa and Head of Clinical Development at AYA Skin. This is the unfiltered story of walking away from a private equity deal, spending two years getting crystal clear on what a real growth partnership looks like, and finally finding a company built to scale a legacy — not just extract one. If you're a med spa owner thinking about your next chapter, this conversation will change how you approach it. The discussion includes:

• How to Approach Business Growth with Strategy and Intentionality
• The Importance of Staying Customer-Focused while Scaling
• Why the First Deal Might Not Be the Best Deal
• Recognizing and Preserving Core Values while Pursuing a Partnership
• Trusting Your Instincts while Finding Your Right Fit

• Influx Marketing's history of specializing in marketing medical aesthetic
• Why they focus on understanding the patient journey
• Challenges and opportunities provided by developments in AI technology
• The development of Growth Stack and how it allows for more personalized outreach
• Business's need to stay competitive in a changing environment
• A preview of the Medical Spa Show and Influx's involvement in the program

What good is AI if it doesn't know how to put your data to use?

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Tiersch is joined by Dennis Steele, co-founder of Podium, to discuss the journey of building a tech giant rooted in the success of local businesses. From humble beginnings to becoming a vital tool for the aesthetic industry, Dennis shares insights into why staying close to the customer is the ultimate competitive advantage. The conversation dives into the evolution of the medical spa industry, the importance of streamlining the "in-store" experience, and how they design the Avery AI to bridge the gap between providers and patients. Whether you are a solo practitioner or scaling multiple locations, this episode offers a roadmap for using better communication to drive business growth. Discussion points include:

• The beginning of Podium
• Why the company works with med spas
• Designing for the single-location vs an enterprise
• The implementation of AI as an employee
• How Podium's new operating system connects AI with data and purpose

Where does innovation come from?

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch sits down with aesthetic industry luminary and renowned facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Steve Dayan. Dr. Dayan shares his unique perspective on the early days of the medical spa movement and how he helped pioneer the business and marketing tracks that are now staples of modern aesthetic conferences. They also preview Dr. Dayan's upcoming keynote presentation at the Medical Spa Show 2026. Discussion points include:

• The Creative Power of Necessity

• Industry Evolution

• The Social and Neurological Aspects of Beauty

• How the XOMD Skincare Brand Was Created

• Respecting History