Dr. Johnny Franco joins Kat Taranto to share what it truly takes to scale a modern aesthetic practice, from subleasing a 600-square-foot office to leading three locations and 90 employees. They discuss the systems and financial discipline required for sustainable growth, why structured operations outperform chaos, and how hiring a CFO clarified profitability. The conversation also explores the role of artificial intelligence in today’s clinics, including how AI can support marketing, patient communication, and operational efficiency when built on strong underlying systems. This episode offers a clear look at scaling with structure, margin awareness, and long-term strategy.

Talking Points

• Start lean, preserve capital, and use AI strategically to stay flexible for growth
• Set real budgets early and use AI tools to control marketing and operational spend
• Hire a full-time marketing lead and leverage AI to scale visibility and execution
• Build SOPs for every patient touchpoint before scaling or automating with AI
• Hire slow but fire fast to protect culture and performance
• Avoid one-off schedule exceptions that fracture team equity
• Use working interviews to test cultural and operational fit
• Teach-me interviews reveal true leadership and executive capability
• Social media consistency outweighs perfection in content strategy
• CRM systems prevent wasted leads and maximize marketing ROI
• Structured team meetings create clarity and reduce internal friction
• Revenue means nothing without margin awareness and financial oversight
• A CFO mindset shifts focus from growth volume to profitability
• Med spa, surgery, and wellness are converging into one continuum

Download episode resource here

Our Sponsors

Episode Sponsors:

MINT Aesthetics

Link from this Episode:

Austin Plastic Surgeon

In this episode of Making a (Multi) Million Dollar Medspa, Kathy sits down with AesthetiCare General Manager Tracie Duke to unpack the real-world playbook for opening and scaling new medspa locations. They walk through how to think about staffing models for 3- and 5-person clinics, when to hire (and train) your team before opening, and how to protect payroll while still delivering a five-star client experience. The conversation also dives into site selection strategy, buildout budgeting, equipment must-haves, and room design details that directly impact efficiency, culture, and long-term profitability across multiple locations.

Talking Points

• Translating retail cosmetics experience into medspa operations, sales, and customer service.
• Staffing models for 3‑ and 5‑person clinics, including the role of a working manager.
• The “for every two 80%-booked providers, you need one support staff” staffing rule.
• Why you should hire and train at least 90 days before opening a new location.
• Using your main clinic to transfer culture and ensure a consistent client experience across all locations.
• How to choose a location: growth areas, cost per square foot, privacy, and B2B neighbors.
• Where to spend vs. save in the build‑out (lobby and front desk, treatment beds, simpler treatment rooms).
• Non‑negotiable equipment to open with: core laser platform, HydraFacial, medical microderm + LED, and VISIA imaging.
• Budget tips: spreadsheets, tracking invoices, saving on furniture and finishes so you can invest in equipment.
• Designing lobby, consult, numbing, and treatment rooms for flow, storage, comfort, and long‑term efficiency.

Download episode resource here

Our Sponsors

Episode Sponsors:

Omni Bioceuticals

In this episode of Making a (Multi) Million Dollar Medspa, Kathy is joined by her husband and business partner, Matt Taranto to break down why training and team development are non-negotiable for sustainable medspa growth. They discuss how treating education as a long-term investment — not an expense — leads to stronger culture, better retention, and higher provider performance. The conversation reinforces a core truth of top-performing clinics: the best-trained teams don’t just deliver better outcomes — they attract talent, earn client trust, and scale smarter.

• Why training drives retention, not just skill development
• Treating education as a long-term business investment
• Protecting training investments without damaging culture
• Identifying hiring red flags
• Using KPIs to guide individualized education plans
• Eliminating territorial behavior to strengthen teams
• Leveraging slower months for focused skill-building
• Reinforcing learning through ongoing accountability
• Positioning ongoing training as a market differentiator

Click here for your downloadable resource.

Ad Links:

MINT Aesthetics

Online E-courses

In-Person Training

In this episode, Kathy shares how AesthetiCare Medspa uses small, strategic events to drive new business, meaningful consultations, and real revenue. From proven metrics and what the night actually looks like to follow-up, team involvement, and long-term commitment, this conversation outlines how events can become a repeatable, high-impact growth strategy when done consistently and with intention.

Our Small Event 2025 Numbers

• Number of events: 48
• Consultations booked: 564
• Average client spend: $3500 annually
• Potential new revenue at average spend is $1.9M

• AesthetiCare’s real metrics from small, in-clinic events
• How Client Parties and GNOs actually work
• Why hosting benefits both the clinic and the host
• What a successful event night looks like
• Using skincare partners to elevate giveaways
• Who from your team should attend and why
• The importance of consistent follow-up
• Tracking performance and improving each event
• Why committing to events for a full year matters

Click here for your downloadable resource.

Wellness training is coming to MINT! Follow us on Instagram or email us at info@mintaesthetics.com to get updates as our training programs and new content are released.

Resources in this Episode:

Events: Big, Small, & Virtual E-courses

Ad Links:

MINT Aesthetics

Online E-courses

In-Person Training

IT'S THE SEASON FINALE!

In this season finale, Kathy Taranto sits down with Dr. Melinda Silva, a board-certified physician and owner of Silva MD in San Diego, to explore the philosophies, mindset shifts, and patient-care strategies that have made her a leader in the world of hormone replacement therapy.

Dr. Silva shares her personal journey from family medicine to aesthetics and how she built a practice rooted in empowerment, hormone health, and whole-patient transformation. From redefining confidence to building a team that aligns with your core values, Dr. Silva offers expert insights and heartfelt encouragement for providers working in the aesthetic and wellness space.

• How Dr. Silva’s personal health transformation reshaped her practice
• The ongoing gaps in women’s hormone health and care
• Her transition from family medicine into aesthetics and wellness
• Using bodybuilding as a tool for strength, wellness, and mindset
• Common myths about hormone replacement therapy
• Why providers should evaluate all hormones—not just a select few
• How to begin offering hormone services as a new provider
• The emotional side of aesthetics and supporting patients through aging
• How comprehensive medical training enhances patient outcomes
• Encouraging collaboration across the wellness and aesthetics industries
• The role of self-care and confidence in patient success
• The top peptides to consider introducing in your practice
• How kindness and compassion impact overall health and wellbeing

Wellness training is coming to MINT! Follow us on Instagram or email us at info@mintaesthetics.com to get updates as our training programs and new content are released.

Resources in this Episode:

Silva MD

Dr. Silva's Book: Aging Gracefully and Strong: ABCs of YOUthful Living

Episode #41 - Wellness, Weight Loss, & Hormone Therapy with Dr. Amy Carter

Ad Links:

MINT Aesthetics

Online E-courses

Renee John Uniforms

Tuesday Trainings at MINT

In this episode, Kathy Taranto sits down with Karen Cobb, Marketing Director at AesthetiCare Medspa, to discuss the planning, strategy, and execution behind one of the most successful events in the aesthetics industry—the End of Summer Party/Annual Open House.

Karen shares how this event has grown from small beginnings into a massive annual celebration, generating $3.7 million in revenue and 400+ new leads this year alone. From marketing and logistics to teamwork and follow-up, she walks through how the AesthetiCare team turns one week into a record-breaking success.

Talking Points

• The story behind AesthetiCare’s End of Summer Party
• What it takes to plan a large-scale event
• Marketing strategies that drive attendance and sales
• How the team prepares for success
• Post-event follow-up and lessons learned

Resources Mentioned

• AesthetiCare Medspa
• MINT Aesthetics
• Cosmetic Physician Partners (CPP)

Ad Links & Mentions

• Online E-courses
• Events: Big, Small & Virtual E-course
• Superstar Staffing E-course
• Tuesday Training
• Renee John Uniforms

Interested in sponsoring the Making A (Multi) Million Dollar Medspa Podcast? We are opening up our sponsorship opportunities to select companies for the 2026 seasons. To inquire and learn more, email us at tori@mintaesthetics.com.

In this episode, Kathy sits down with Robyn Jennett of Coachlight in Des Moines, Iowa to explore how intentional client care and clear communication create lasting results. From first consultations to long-term maintenance, she shares the strategies that drive client trust, treatment success, and steady growth within the practice—all while generating outstanding retail sales.

Talking Points:

• Featured treatments & services
• Sofwave as a standout treatment
• Introducing a new retail line
• Revision CMT for post-procedure care
• Setting intentional goals
• What drives Robyn’s success
• Aligning first product recs with skin goals
• Scheduling corrective check-ins
• Introducing retail during the consultation
• Managing client expectations
• Outlining requirements from the start
• Designing the maintenance phase
• Rebooking before the client leaves
• Focusing on providing genuine support

Resources:

Coachlight

Sofwave E-course

Retail Sales Online Training

Ad Links:

Online E-courses

Podcast Feedback

When you're looking to grow your clinic, there are two ways to make it happen: hire a new provider or offer a new technology/service. With limitations of space and payroll, a hire may not be the best option. In this episode, we share our best practices for onboarding new services to get the best return sooner!

Talking Points:

• AesthetiCare and our focus on results-driven treatments
• Grow through great team members and smart service additions
• Add devices that create new revenue, not compete with existing services
• Attend industry meetings and conferences
• Talk to reps and providers to learn about new tech
• Contact clinics already using the device for honest feedback
• Book demos when the full team can attend
• Create a clear pitch to get team buy-in
• Include marketing team in demos and early planning
• Train providers thoroughly with hands-on sessions
• Build a plan to collect quality before & after photos
• Keep website and messaging condition-focused (e.g., acne, skin laxity)
• Set internal contests and team goals for new services
• Celebrate early wins to build momentum
• Host virtual events to promote and educate clients on new treatments

Resources:

AesthetiCare Medspa

Incredible Marketing

AIG Virtual Events

Ad Links:

Online E-courses

Tuesday Training