Med Spa Success Strategies

Ricky Shockley

Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast - where med spa & aesthetics practice owners come to discover strategies and tactics that help them better market and manage their practices so that they can grow, scale and have more financial freedom.

  1. 6d ago

    Med Spa Scaling: Content That Generates Growth, Leadership & Debt-Free Growth w/ Dr. Johnny Franco

    Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast, presented by Ricky Shockley of Med Spa Magic Marketing. If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleIn this episode, Ricky sits down with Dr. Johnny Franco, Founder of Austin Plastic Surgeon (https://www.austinplasticsurgeon.com/), to discuss what it really takes to grow and scale a modern aesthetics practice through authentic content, strong leadership, systems, and long-term business strategy.From building one of the most recognizable personal brands in aesthetics through social media to scaling a multi-provider practice without relying heavily on debt, Dr. Franco shares the exact philosophies, systems, and lessons that have helped him grow from a 3-person team to more than 80 employees across multiple locations.In this episode, we cover:✅ Why authentic, consistent content remains one of the most powerful growth drivers in aesthetics✅ The importance of personal branding, niche positioning, and building patient trust online✅ How to create content consistently, even with a busy schedule✅ Lessons from scaling a practice from 3 employees to 80+ team members✅ The realities of integrating med spa, wellness, weight loss, and plastic surgery services✅ Why practices need systems, SOPs, accountability, and process-driven growth✅ Leadership strategies for managing and coaching large provider teams✅ How AI, call tracking, and objective performance metrics improve staff development✅ Financial principles, device purchasing strategies, and avoiding costly mistakes✅ Why under-promising, over-delivering, and transparency create long-term patient loyalty✅ How practices can empower providers to build personal brands within a larger organization✅ Why sustainable growth comes from strong systems, not relying on “unicorn” injectorsIf you want to build a more recognizable brand, create content that actually generates growth, improve leadership and systems, and scale your med spa or aesthetics practice more sustainably, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can immediately apply to your business.About Dr. Johnny Franco of Austin Plastic Surgeon (https://www.austinplasticsurgeon.com/)Dr. Johnny Franco is a board-certified plastic surgeon and the founder of Austin Plastic Surgeon in Austin, Texas. Nationally recognized for his expertise in BBL surgery, Dr. Franco performs hundreds of procedures each year and trains fellow surgeons through the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.Known for his down-to-earth personality, transparent approach, and tech-forward practice philosophy, Dr. Franco has built one of the most recognizable brands in aesthetics through authentic social media content and patient education. His practice specializes in plastic surgery, med spa treatments, wellness, and weight loss services, serving patients locally and from across the country.Fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Franco completed his medical training at UT Medical Branch, plastic surgery training at St. Louis University, and additional fellowships in microsurgery, fat transfer, and aesthetic surgery in Taiwan, Belgium, and Miami.Learn more about Dr. Franco and Austin Plastic Surgeon:https://www.instagram.com/austinplasticsurgeon/https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-franco-a5762155/Ready to simplify your med spa operations and grow smarter? Visit https://glossgenius.com/ and use code STRATEGIES for 50% off your first 2 months of Gold or Platinum.Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    43 min
  2. May 26

    Med Spa Marketing Strategy: How to Balance Margin vs. Volume

    Ready to simplify your med spa operations and grow smarter? Visit https://glossgenius.com/ and use code STRATEGIES for 50% off your first 2 months of Gold or Platinum.Why do some med spa marketing strategies create massive profits per client but still fail to grow the business long term? And why do some practices fill their books but struggle with retention, profitability, and patient quality?In this episode, Ricky and Lauren break down one of the most important balancing acts in med spa marketing strategy: margin vs. volume. They discuss why focusing only on “butts in seats” can backfire, why over-optimizing for high-margin treatments can leave you with empty books, and how the best-performing med spas balance profitability, retention, patient quality, and long-term growth in increasingly competitive markets.This episode dives deep into customer acquisition cost, retention benchmarks, introductory offers, provider utilization, branding, consult quality, and the hidden network effects that volume creates for med spas trying to scale sustainably.You will learn:✅ Why volume still matters even when margins are strong✅ The hidden downside of over-optimizing for high-ticket treatments✅ Why “butts in seats” alone is not the right growth strategy✅ How retention creates long-term compounding revenue growth✅ The difference between profitable clients and profitable businesses✅ How Google reviews, referrals, and market share are driven by volume✅ Why overly aggressive offers can destroy retention✅ How to balance customer acquisition cost with patient quality✅ The concept of “effective customer acquisition cost” (ECAC)✅ Why some discount strategies create Groupon-style patients✅ How to calibrate promotions based on your med spa’s current capacity✅ Why foundational branding, reputation, and consult quality matter more than offers✅ The importance of rebooking systems and retention tracking✅ How top-performing practices use injectables to drive long-term growth✅ When it makes sense to prioritize volume vs. prioritize margin✅ Why provider personality and consultation skills heavily impact retention✅ Retention benchmarks med spas should aim for when running paid ads✅ The role branding and social proof play in reducing price sensitivityIf you are trying to grow your med spa, improve profitability, increase retention, or figure out why certain marketing strategies are not producing long-term growth, this episode will help you better understand the trade-offs between volume, margins, retention, and sustainable scaling.If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleFollow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    34 min
  3. May 22

    How Top Med Spas Thrive: Local Influencers, Dummy-Proof SOP's & Accountability w/ Traci Andreason

    Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast, presented by Ricky Shockley of Med Spa Magic Marketing. If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleIn this episode, Ricky sits down with Traci Andreason, Founder of Rise Rejuvenation Center (https://www.riserejuvenationcenter.com/) , to discuss what it really takes for med spas to thrive in today’s increasingly saturated aesthetics market.From building a luxury patient experience and creating “dummy-proof” SOPs to leveraging influencer marketing, protecting team culture, and implementing AI into daily operations, Traci shares the exact systems and philosophies that have helped her med spa earn hundreds of 5-star reviews while continuing to scale intentionally.This conversation dives deep into med spa leadership, accountability, patient retention, branding, hiring, culture, consultation strategy, and how to create a business that stands out without relying on discounts or constant promotions.In this episode, we cover:✅ How to create a 5-star patient experience that drives long-term loyalty✅ Why SOPs are essential for scaling consistency in a med spa✅ How to make systems and workflows “dummy-proof” for your team✅ The importance of accountability and leadership in med spa growth✅ How to train providers and front desk staff for a consistent patient experience✅ Why under-promising and over-delivering improves retention and trust✅ How wording and consultation language impacts patient confidence✅ Hiring strategies that protect med spa culture and team retention✅ Why Traci believes “if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no” when hiring✅ How to have difficult conversations and hold staff accountable✅ Using AI in a med spa for scheduling, lead follow-up, charting, and marketing✅ The role of influencer and ambassador marketing in med spa growth✅ Why micro-influencers often outperform larger creators for local businesses✅ How to build a magnetic med spa brand in a crowded market✅ Why discount-heavy marketing can hurt long-term retention and brand value✅ How strong branding creates better patients, providers, and team cultureIf you want to build a med spa with stronger systems, better team culture, loyal patients, and a brand that stands out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can immediately apply to your practice.About Traci Andreason of Rise Rejuvenation Center (https://www.riserejuvenationcenter.com/)Traci Andreason is the founder of Rise Rejuvenation Center, a board-certified nurse practitioner, advanced aesthetic injector, speaker, trainer, and CEO of Injector’s Guide, a learning platform for medical professionals. With a background in facial plastics, she specializes in injectable treatments, regenerative aesthetics, women’s health, and provider education while helping patients and practices achieve natural, confidence-boosting results.Rise Rejuvenation Center was also featured on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, showcasing Traci’s patient experience philosophy and aesthetic treatments featured on the series. https://www.riserejuvenationcenter.com/blog/secret-lives-of-mormon-wives/Learn more about Traci Andreason and Rise:https://www.instagram.com/traciandreason_np/https://www.instagram.com/riserejuvenationcenter/Injector's Guide Course: https://injectorsguide.co/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TraciAndreasonFollow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketingReady to simplify your med spa operations and grow smarter? Visit https://glossgenius.com/ and use code STRATEGIES for 50% off your first 2 months of Gold or Platinum.

    50 min
  4. May 18

    Why Med Spas Aren't Growing Like They Used To - And What To Do About It

    Download the FREE “Shrinking Slice” Market Report & Action Guide Here: https://medspamagicmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/The_Shrinking_Slice-Client_Briefing.pdfWhy are so many med spas feeling stuck right now, even though the aesthetics industry keeps “growing”?In this episode, I break down one of the biggest realities med spa owners are facing in 2026: competition is exploding faster than demand. More med spas are fighting for the same patients, and many practices are feeling the pressure through rising acquisition costs, stagnant growth, lower retention, and tighter margins.I walk through the market data behind what is happening, why so many practices feel like they are working harder for the same results, and most importantly, what the top-performing med spas are doing differently to continue growing in a crowded market.This episode covers the exact shifts practices need to make if they want to stand out, increase retention, improve profitability, and grow their slice of the pie in a highly competitive landscape.You will learn:✅ Why the med spa market feels harder today than it did 5 years ago✅ The “shrinking slice” problem affecting med spas across the country✅ How increased competition is impacting growth and profitability✅ Why retention and rebooking matter more than ever✅ The biggest mistakes practices make with consults and patient relationships✅ How top-performing med spas increase average patient value✅ Why branding is no longer optional in aesthetics✅ How commoditization pushes practices into price competition✅ The importance of positioning providers, not just services✅ Why aggressive marketing and advertising are becoming necessary to growIf your med spa feels like growth has slowed down, your market feels saturated, or you are wondering why things feel harder despite strong marketing efforts, this episode will help you understand what is happening and how to adapt before your competitors do.If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleFollow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    18 min
  5. May 15

    Stop Selling, Start Educating: Med Spa Consults, Pricing, & Building Trust w/ Raquel Merlini

    Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast, presented by Ricky Shockley of Med Spa Magic Marketing. If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleIn this episode, Ricky sits down with returning guest Raquel Merlini, owner of R Skin Aesthetics (https://rskin.net/) , to discuss one of the biggest differentiators between thriving med spas and struggling ones: building trust through education, patient experience, and strong team culture.With more than 15 years in the aesthetics and plastics industry, Raquel shares her philosophy on consults, pricing, patient loyalty, provider training, leadership, and creating a med spa experience that keeps patients coming back for years.This conversation dives deep into how med spas can improve retention, avoid transactional selling, navigate staff turnover, create consistent patient experiences, and scale without sacrificing quality or culture.In this episode, we cover:✅ Why the best med spa consults focus on education instead of “selling”✅ How to build patient trust without sounding salesy✅ The consult framework Raquel uses to increase retention and long-term loyalty✅ How to present treatment plans without pressuring patients✅ The importance of “good, better, best” treatment planning in a med spa✅ Why customer experience starts long before the injector enters the room✅ How front desk staff directly impact med spa retention and reviews✅ Managing injector turnover and protecting med spa culture during growth✅ The balance between systems/processes and hiring the right people✅ How top-performing med spas maintain consistency across providers✅ The role vendor relationships and reps can play in med spa growth✅ Why natural-looking results and treatment philosophy matter for branding✅ How social media positioning helps attract the right med spa patients✅ Building a 5-star med spa experience that patients talk about and referIf you want to build a med spa that creates loyal patients, empowers providers, improves retention, and grows through trust instead of pressure, this episode is packed with practical insights you can immediately apply to your practice.About Raquel Merlini & R Skin Aesthetics (https://rskin.net/)Raquel Merlini is a registered nurse and Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist with more than 15 years of experience in the plastics and aesthetics industry. She is the founder of R Skin Aesthetics in Birmingham, Michigan, where she specializes in Botox, filler, laser resurfacing, and skincare while leading with a strong emphasis on integrity, education, and patient relationships.In addition to treating patients, Raquel mentors aspiring aesthetic providers, offers Botox training, and actively supports women through her Pay It Forward scholarship initiative for single mothers and women overcoming adversity.Learn more about Raquel and R Skin Aesthetics:https://www.instagram.com/rskinadmission/https://www.instagram.com/rskinaesthetics/https://www.instagram.com/rskinnurseraquel/https://www.tiktok.com/@rskinaestheticshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-m-14947b21/R Skin Google Reviews: https://tinyurl.com/3kpzx348Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    54 min
  6. May 13

    Wednesday Thoughts: Future-Proofing Your Med Spa - The Secret to Creating Actionable SOPs

    If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleIn a growing med spa, one of the biggest hidden bottlenecks is answering the same questions over and over again. Whether it’s handling patient objections, explaining profitability metrics, or training new team members, too many practices rely on one-to-one knowledge sharing instead of creating repeatable systems.In this episode, I break down why documenting your processes is one of the most overlooked ways to scale your med spa, improve consistency, and future-proof your business.You’ll learn:✅ Why undocumented knowledge creates inefficiency as your practice grows✅ How actionable SOPs can reduce repetitive training and team dependency✅ The difference between a “sloppy document” and a truly usable system✅ Why templates, frameworks, and walkthroughs make SOPs easier to execute✅ How documenting objection handling and communication improves consistency✅ Why scalable systems increase the long-term value of your businessMost med spas focus on automation and AI, but one of the most powerful ways to save time and scale successfully is to create systems your team can actually follow. The practices that grow sustainably are not the ones relying on memory, but the ones building repeatable, actionable processes that anyone on the team can execute consistently.Follow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    4 min
  7. May 4

    18 Meta Ads Fixes for Med Spas: Lower CPL, Fewer No-Shows, Better Leads

    Most med spas are running Meta ads, but very few are actually optimizing them the right way. The difference between average results and truly scalable performance usually is not a brand-new strategy. It is fixing the small inefficiencies that quietly drive up your cost per lead, increase no-shows, and lower overall patient quality.In this episode, I break down 18 of the most impactful Meta ads fixes we use internally to troubleshoot and improve performance across our med spa clients. From lowering CPL to improving conversion rates and attracting higher-quality patients, this is a practical, step-by-step framework you can use to identify exactly what is holding your campaigns back and how to fix it.You will learn:✅ The two fastest ways to increase booking volume when your schedule is not filling up✅ Why offer structure and pricing have a massive impact on your cost per lead✅ How audience size and geographic targeting can quietly drive up CPL✅ A simple reframe that can dramatically improve ad performance without changing the service✅ What to adjust in your creative (video vs graphic) to improve results✅ How to fix high no-show rates with better confirmation and nurture sequences✅ Why your website, reviews, and Instagram can make or break conversions✅ The importance of speed to lead and how it directly impacts booked appointments✅ Common sales mistakes that hurt conversion rates and how to correct them✅ When to narrow vs expand your targeting to improve lead quality✅ How to use social proof and automation to build trust and drive bookings✅ The tradeoff between lower CPL and higher-quality patients (and when to prioritize each)✅ Why some offers attract the wrong patients and how to adjust for better retention✅ How to improve in-office experience and rebooking to maximize long-term value✅ A repeatable checklist you can use to continuously optimize your Meta ads performanceIf your Meta ads are generating leads but not turning into consistent, profitable growth, this episode will give you the exact framework to diagnose the issue and fix it.Want the full Meta Ads Troubleshooting Checklist mentioned in this episode?Download it here: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/meta-troubleshootingIf you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleFollow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    21 min
  8. Apr 27

    Why Your Med Spa Ads Will Stop Working (And What to Do Instead)

    Most med spas rely heavily on ads and promotions to drive new patients… but over time, those same strategies become less effective, more expensive, and harder to scale. In this episode, I break down why your med spa ads will eventually stop working the way they used to, what’s actually happening behind the scenes when your results start to decline, and how to fix it by building a strategy that creates demand, lowers your costs over time, and positions your business as the go-to choice in your market.Direct response ads still work and they are an important part of growth. But if that’s all you rely on, you end up in what’s called the “doom loop” where you’re forced to constantly lower prices, increase spend, and compete harder just to maintain the same results.This episode will show you how to break out of that cycle and start building a brand that makes your ads more efficient, attracts better patients, and creates long-term momentum.You will learn:✅ Why direct response ads become less effective over time✅ What the “doom loop” is and how it impacts your growth✅ Why competing on price leads to lower quality patients and shrinking margins✅ The difference between demand capture vs demand creation✅ How brand building reduces your cost to acquire new patients✅ What it means to create a “market of one” in your local area✅ How to shift from 90% ads to a more balanced long-term strategy✅ A simple 90-day plan to start building brand and momentum✅ Why content, proof, and consistency drive better results over timeIf your ads are getting more expensive, your results feel inconsistent, or you’re relying too heavily on promotions to bring in new patients, this episode will help you understand why and give you a clear path forward.If you're ready to implement more efficient & effective marketing strategies for your practice, book your FREE strategy session & marketing plan: https://go.medspamagicmarketing.com/scheduleFollow us on social media: https://www.instagram.com/medspamagicmarketing/https://www.linkedin.com/company/med-spa-magic-marketing/https://www.facebook.com/MedSpaMagicMarketing/https://www.tiktok.com/@medspamagicmarketing

    22 min
4.8
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Med Spa Success Strategies Podcast - where med spa & aesthetics practice owners come to discover strategies and tactics that help them better market and manage their practices so that they can grow, scale and have more financial freedom.

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