Medical Spa Insider

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  

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how medical spas attract and convert new patients—but most marketing strategies still focus on the very end of the buying journey. In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch speaks with Rick Brown, co-founder and CEO of MarketStorm, and Krista Stevenson, head of business development, about how their company and other AI tools are changing the way businesses identify and influence consumers long before they start searching. The discussion includes:   What the “Messy Middle” means for medical spa marketing Why most advertising budgets focus too late in the patient decision journey How AI can identify potential patients before they start searching The role of predictive data in modern marketing strategies Why brand awareness early in the decision process matters How med spas can expand beyond social media marketing      

How does a medical aesthetic practice scale to a nation-wide brand without sacrificing quality or values? In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, Alex Thiersch sits down with Jen Seisler, COO of SkinSpirit and George Baxter-Holder, VP of Talent Development, for a conversation about growth, training and leadership in medical aesthetics. Recorded at AmSpa’s new training center ahead of a hands-on cadaver lab with the Academy for Injection Anatomy, the discussion explores how SkinSpirit has grown from a single clinic in Palo Alto to more than 60 locations while maintaining a strong culture of safety, education and provider-first leadership. Discussion points include: Why cadaver anatomy training should become a minimum standard for injectors The provider-first strategy behind SkinSpirit’s expansion How culture and training reduce turnover in aesthetic practices Why responsible growth matters more than rapid scaling How corporate partnerships are helping legitimize medical aesthetics Why safety and trust remain the industry’s true North Star

In this episode of Compliance is Cool, AmSpa founder Alex Thiersch and General Counsel Patrick O'Brien dive deep into the legislative "flurry" currently sweeping through the medical spa industry. Focusing on Indiana's Senate Bill 282, the duo explores how a seemingly benign licensing bill evolved into a restrictive piece of legislation targeting both medical spas and compounding pharmacies. They pull back the curtain on the "Big Pharma" influence—specifically Eli Lilly’s presence in Indianapolis—and explain why the sudden push to track compounded GLP-1 medications has created a "death by paperwork" scenario for med spa owners. This episode serves as a wake-up call for the industry as similar legislative language begins to surface in states like Florida, Iowa, and Arizona. Discussion points include: An overview of the path Indiana SB 282 took from draft to law An explanation of the bill's provisions and how they would adversely affect medical providers The connection between SB 282 and big pharma's battle with compounding medications How Alex, Patrick, and their lobbyist worked with legislators to improve the bill and what it still includes The national trends that practitioners should stay aware of, and how AmSpa and its members can be proactive in leading the conversation