Welcome back to For The Record, Season 6! In this deeply insightful episode, host Dr. Tiphany Hall sits down with Katie Martin, PA-C, Vice President of Clinical Operations at Holden Timeless Beauty (HTB), for a conversation that unpacks career reinvention, operational brilliance, and what it truly takes to scale a practice—with integrity and intention.
Katie’s journey from night shifts in the ER to leading clinical operations for one of California’s most respected multi-location aesthetic practices isn’t just about pivoting her career focus—it’s a testament to building something bold and beautiful during uncertain times. Together with Dr. Amanda Holden, Katie helped grow HTB during the height of COVID, proving that clarity of vision can outshine even the darkest circumstances.
Katie didn’t start out with her sights set on Aesthetics. But after years in emergency medicine—and a realization that she was no longer helping people in the way she’d hoped—she transitioned to aesthetics in search of “happy, healthy medicine.” That transition eventually evolved into a partnership with Dr. Holden, and after an eight-hour meeting in 2020, Katie signed on to help Dr. Holden build HTB full time.
Today, the practice spans four locations and is backed by Alpha Aesthetics Partners, a private equity platform that values brand autonomy and education just as much as profitability.
Mastering the Business of People
Katie offers an unfiltered look at the real challenges of growth: not finances or space—but people. From approving payroll without knowing how, to managing injector schedules and overseeing compliance, her story is one of relentless learning. Her team-building strategy hinges on a rigorous hiring process anchored in HTB’s core values, including a unique “core values interview” that requires candidates to present how they live those values daily.
Her motto? “Hire for culture, train for skill.”
Transparent Goals & Metrics
While some in the industry believe that sales metrics don’t belong in medicine, Katie offers a powerful counterpoint: call them goals, not quotas—and make them transparent. From weekly metrics to daily text messages, her team thrives in a culture of shared accountability, friendly competition, and peer mentorship. “When you make it about progress, not punishment, the ick factor disappears,” she explains.
Katie shares the importance of KPIs, revenue per hour, and patient conversion as tools to coach injectors and guide clinical training. She describes her elegant consultation strategy that begins with asking patients what they love about their face, a technique that builds trust and ensures holistic treatment plans. Her focus on consistency across providers ensures measurable outcomes and a superior patient experience—one consultation, one injector at a time.
The Alpha Effect
As one of the first partners in Alpha Aesthetics Partners, Katie offers a candid look into the world of PE-backed growth. The result? Better pricing power, more educational access, and stability for staff—all while preserving the identity of the HTB brand. With over 150 injectors connected through Alpha’s community and monthly master classes, Katie describes the partnership as “scaling with support, not losing who we are.”
Becoming a National Speaker
Katie’s journey to becoming a sought-after KOL wasn’t accidental. She set her sights on Galderma’s GAIN trainer program early on, made her intentions known, and backed it up with dedication—logging over 40 trainings in her first year alone. Her advice for aspiring trainers: “Be kind. Be consistent. And show up prepared.”
She’s now also a voice for Alastin and speaks regularly at conferences like Aesthetic Next, where she’ll return in 2025 to moderate panels and speak on compliance, MA-injector synergy, and regenerative medicine.
Connect with Katie:
Instagram: @katie.the.injector
Holden Timeless Beauty on IG: @holdentimelessbeauty
See her live at Aesthetic Next 7.0. Use her discount code Martin75.