Money talk doesn’t have to be scary. In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, Sam and Tara sit down with Stephanie Simkins, founder of Harper & Faye Financial, to talk all things numbers — from bookkeeping basics to scaling with confidence. Stephanie breaks down the biggest financial mistakes medspa owners make (hint: your bank balance isn’t your business health), how to actually use your numbers to make smart decisions, and what KPIs to track before expanding your team or opening t...

Networking isn’t just mingling — it’s marketing that works. In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, Sam Varner and Tara Dotson Riley of Bloom Theory Marketing chat with Heather Leopold, owner of DripBar Cinco Ranch, about how showing up, building connections, and collaborating strategically helped her grow a thriving medspa brand. You’ll learn: •How to turn networking into real business growth •Tips for confident 30-second intros •Why consistency + authenticity beat paid ads every tim...

This week on the Aesthetic AF Podcast, Sam and Tara chat with Dr. Katya Kulic, owner of Le Blanc Dentistry and Aesthetics in Houston, about what it’s really like to blend dentistry and aesthetics under one roof. Dr. Katya shares how her love for smiles and skin turned into a unique dual-practice concept — one that treats beauty from the inside out. She opens up about running two separate marketing strategies, finding the right team, and building trust with patients who value both health and c...

This week on the Aesthetic AF Podcast, Sam and Tara chat with Dr. Chanique Eby, owner of Face Value Med Spa, about her journey from labor & delivery nurse to med-spa founder. She opens up about starting with zero clients, learning to market authentically, finding confidence in her pricing, and facing the fear of leaving her full-time job. It’s an honest, inspiring convo about growth, balance, and building a business rooted in confidence and care. 00:00 – Intro & Welcome 01:00 – How ...

In this episode, your host Sam Varner sits down with Todd Stanley, Partner at Practice Real Estate Group, to uncover what every medspa owner should know before choosing, leasing, or expanding their space. Todd shares insider strategies from years in healthcare real estate—so you can stop guessing and start growing smarter. If you're a medspa owner ready to expand with confidence (and keep more profit in your pocket), this episode is packed with expert insights, practical advice, and the kind...

Building a Med Spa: The Entrepreneurial Journey of Deanna from Holos Med Spa In this episode, your hosts Tara Dotson Riley and Sam Varner sit down with DeAnna Maher, MSN, FNP-BC, CANS, owner of Holos Med Spa, to talk all things entrepreneurship, burnout, growth, and marketing in the aesthetics industry. DeAnna shares her real-world journey from working under a plastic surgeon to opening her own thriving practice — and the many lessons learned along the way. If you're a medspa owner, aesthetic...

Secrets to Hosting Six-Figure Medspa Events: Insights from Aesthetics Business Coach, Emily Kendel What if your next medspa event didn’t just “go well”… but actually brought in six figures? In this episode of Aesthetic AF, hosts Sam Varner and Tara Dotson Riley sit down with Emily Kendel, founder of the SPA Project and coach to med spa owners, to discuss the secrets behind hosting a six-figure sales event. Emily talks about the importance of momentum, intention, and strategic marketing ...

On this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, we’re joined by Michelle Marlowe, owner of Infusion Body & Skin, for a real conversation on what growth actually looks like when you’re building an aesthetic business that aligns with your life — not just the industry’s hustle mindset. 💡 From tackling women's wellness topics to redefining success on her own terms, Michelle shares the kind of insights that make you take a deep breath and say, "Ohhh… it’s not just me." 🔥 Whether you’re scaling up...

Medspa Compliance & Costly Mistakes with Healthcare Attorney Doris Dike The Aesthetic AF Podcast | Hosted by Tara Dotson Riley & Sam Varner This episode is a must-listen for any medspa owner, nurse, or aesthetic business leader looking to protect their business, reputation, and license. Tara and Sam sit down with Doris Dike, founder of Dike Law Group, PLLC, a healthcare attorney who works with providers and medspa owners across Texas. We dive deep into: Why copying what your fri...

The Power of Persistence: Growing a MedSpa with Social Media, Networking & Passion with Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku | Aesthetic AF Podcast [Ep 7] In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Jacinta Anyaoku, board-certified family medicine and obesity medicine physician, and the founder of Hibiscus Aesthetics & Wellness in Katy, Texas. Dr. Jacinta opens up about her transition from traditional primary care to building a thriving direct primary care practice and medspa—w...

Episode 6: Legal Must-Knows for MedSpas with Expert Attorney Danielle Stead Blanton | The Aesthetic AF Podcast In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, hosts Sam Varner and Tara Dotson Riley welcome Danielle Stead Blanton, founder and owner of DSB Legal and Strategic Advisors, to discuss the crucial legal and strategic elements of running a successful med spa. Danielle shares her expertise on various touch points, including the formation, operation, and scaling of med spas, and highlight...

From Nursing to Aesthetics: Mindi Mattheus on the Journey to Becoming an Injector In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, we visit Clean Skin Aesthetics with expert injector Mindi Mattheus. Mindi dives into her unconventional path from nursing to aesthetics, detailing how she navigated through various roles, from dermatology to plastic surgery, eventually mastering injectable treatments. She discusses the industry nuances, the importance of continual learning, and the challenges faced by...

5 Social Media Strategies for Medspa Success Your social media might be sending the wrong message about your medspa—and it could be costing you clients. In this episode of The Aesthetic AF Podcast, Tara and Sam break down the five biggest social media mistakes they see medspa owners making and how to fix them. From inconsistent posting to unprofessional before-and-afters, we cover how to align your online presence with the high-end experience you're delivering in person. Whether you're DIY-in...

The Power of Niching Down in Esthetics: Holistic Skincare, Business Growth & Marketing with Ashlee Black Episode Summary: In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, we’re joined by Ashlee Black, an experienced aesthetician who made the shift from medical aesthetics to holistic skincare. Ashlee shares her journey of discovering her niche, navigating imposter syndrome, and learning to market her business in a way that aligns with her values. We dive deep into what it really takes to buil...

In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, hosts Sam Varner and Tara Dotson Riley discuss the hidden costs of DIY in your MedSpa business. The conversation explores why new business owners often fall into the DIY trap, the importance of professional marketing, and essential strategies for quicker, more efficient success. Learn why investing in experts, from marketing to legal, can save you time, money, and stress. The episode also emphasizes thinking like a CEO from the start, building a st...

Finding Success in the MedSpa Industry with Brittany from Mind & Body Med Spa In this episode of the Aesthetic AF Podcast, hosts Sam Varner and Tara Dotson Riley welcome Brittany, the co-owner of Mind and Body Med Spa in Versailles, Kentucky. Brittany shares her journey into the aesthetic industry, how she and her business partner started their successful MedSpa, and the challenges they faced and overcame, including finding the right location and expanding their space. The conversation a...

Welcome to Aesthetic AF, the podcast designed to help medspa owners and aesthetic professionals scale, attract high-value clients, and boost profitability. Hosted by: 🎙 Sam Varner – A seasoned profit strategist with 16+ years in financial services, PR, and business coaching. Sam helps service-based business owners create sustainable, scalable, and wildly profitable companies. 🎙 Tara Dotson Riley – CEO of Tara Lynn Media (TLM), a marketing expert specializing in premium brand gro...