Medical Spa Insider

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch sits down with industry veteran Marco Valle, founder of Aesthetic Sales Hero and Slate Labs. Drawing from his extensive background in corporate aesthetic sales and marketing, Marco shares his unique philosophy on "ethical sales" and explains why providers must reframe consultations around patient-centric education rather than high-pressure tactics.   The conversation explores the balance between human connection and emerging technology. Marco breaks down why practices need to perform an "AI gut check" and details how his new company, Slate Labs, uses targeted AI tools to scale high-touch provider training. Rather than replacing authentic interaction, Marco explains how artificial intelligence can be harnessed to "build better humans," refine practice workflows, and ultimately improve the long-term lifetime value of elective care patients.  Discussion includes: 00:39 – Marco Valle's journey to aesthetic entrepreneurship  07:57 – Defining "ethical sales" in aesthetics 21:50 – The concepts driving Slate Labs 27:47 – Performing an "AI gut check"  34:21 – Strategies for long-term patient relationship management

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch sits down with Daniyal Azal, CEO and co-founder of Decoda Health. Daniyal shares how his team leveraged their background in Y Combinator to build a consolidated, AI-driven operating system designed specifically for elective care practices, including med spas, longevity clinics, and anti-aging centers. They discuss the pitfalls of relying on disconnected point solutions—from booking engines and standalone phone systems to separate EMRs—and why having full contextual visibility across patient conversations, lab results, and prescriptions is essential for personalized care. Discussion points include: 00:33 Decoda Health's Origin Story and Focus on Healthcare 05:56 Replacing Point Solutions with an All-in-One System 13:46 Leveraging AI as an Operational Force Multiplier 28:15 How Modern Med Spas are Utilizing AI  42:27 The Future of Healthcare

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, recorded live on the floor at Medical Spa Show 2026, Derek Hauk sits down with four prominent industry voices to examine the evolving state of the aesthetic industry. Michael Zanetti discusses the vital role of state chapters in lobbying for sensible hyper-local regulations and translating military leadership principles into practice management. Lisa Lefanty shares how conference networking blossomed into a long-distance peer partnership and why committing to professional organizations raises standards across the board. Barbara Krikorian Tryk, a 20+ year industry veteran and COO of Mystique Medical Spa, breaks down the absolute necessity of strict legal compliance, state-specific resources, and crisis-era peer collaboration. Finally, Vrinkley Pruna reflects on her seven-year career evolution, the responsibilities of chapter leaders in highly regulated states, and the power of finding a true professional family. 00:32 Michael Zanetti on Chapters and State Specific Challenges 10:26 Lisa Lefanty on how AmSpa helped her build a peer network  18:43 Barbara Krikorian Tryk on the Importance of Compliance and AmSpa Legal Updates 27:19 Vrinkley Pruna on how AmSpa has supported every step of her career

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch welcomes Dr. Terry Dubrow—board-certified plastic surgeon, star of Botched, and expert consultant for the California Medical Board. Together, they explore the rapidly evolving landscape of peptide therapy, med spa legal compliance, and the regulatory challenges practitioners face today. Dr. Dubrow breaks down the medical board’s stance on unapproved compounds, the critical importance of documentation, and how non-physician providers can safely navigate their scope of practice. Discussion points include: 05:21 — Regulatory Scrutiny 14:29 — The Importance of Documentation 20:05 — The Danger of Stacking Peptides and Experimentation 27:05 — What is Retatrutide and How Should Practitioners Approach It 35:21 — Scope of Practice and Responsible Procedures AmSpa Members can enjoy an additional 15 minutes of content from this session by logging into their user accounts and accessing their on-demand learning library!

In this episode of Medical Spa Insider, host Alex Thiersch connects with Lori Werner, founder of Medical Marketing Whiz, to discuss why personal, word-of-mouth referral networks remain the ultimate growth engine for medical spas—even in an era dominated by AI and digital ads. Lori breaks down how practice owners can leverage emerging AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT without losing the human element that builds long-term patient loyalty. She outlines actionable ways to cross-promote with local boutique businesses, establish provider referral networks, and turn happy patients into active practice ambassadors. Discussion includes 01:35 Navigating the AI Shift 06:44 The Case for Human Connection 18:54 Patient Referral Strategies 33:07 Unique Patient Outreach Ideas