In this episode, host Don Adeesha joins Kara McClanahan, VP of Operations for Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, to discuss why most aesthetic practice goals crumble by March. Kara introduces her "warts and all" operational audit, identifying the single most common blind spot owners ignore: staffing and performance management. She explains that this issue persists simply because it is uncomfortable to address, advocating for a "management by walkabout" approach where owners step out of the treatment room to truly understand the patient experience.

Kara breaks down her methodology for "stress testing" growth goals, arguing that a revenue target without operational reality is just a wish. She illustrates this with the example of a plastic surgeon aiming for $500,000 in monthly fees without the necessary operating room capacity. She details how to "back into the math" by calculating the exact number of leads, consults, and clinical hours required based on conversion rates to ensure targets are statistically viable before communicating them to the team.

Finally, Kara explores the Private Equity mindset, urging independent owners to adopt a non-emotional, analytical view of their business. She identifies the "silent metrics" that matter most, warning that payroll costs exceeding 30% of revenue signal a critical inefficiency. She concludes by advising on provider compensation, suggesting that incentives should drive behaviors like retention and reviews rather than just raw sales, aligning personal financial goals with the practice's long-term health.

In this episode, host Don Adeesha joins Tracey Mancuso, a certified medical laser safety officer and founder of Dermaroom, to define what a true "safety culture" looks like in a modern aesthetic practice. Tracey argues that safety is not merely about avoiding adverse events but is a comprehensive mindset that must begin from the very first patient phone call, warning against the rising danger of "buttonology" - where providers memorize device settings without understanding the underlying physics or tissue interaction.

Tracey breaks down the critical flaws in "patchwork learning" derived from abbreviated weekend courses, explaining why holding a certificate does not automatically make one a specialist. She details how DermaRoom helps practitioners bridge the gap between basic manufacturer training and mastery, while also highlighting the vital importance of screening patients for psychological readiness during consultations.

Finally, Tracey shares why turning away the wrong patient is a profitability strategy that protects the business from the high costs of bad reviews and complications. She outlines the necessity of robust medical directives and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure defensibility, urging owners to audit their training logs and commit to safety as the ultimate competitive advantage for 2026 and beyond.

In this episode, host Don Adeesha joins Sean Duncan, founder of Chief Proactive Advisors, to distinguish between tax preparation and tax planning. Sean argues that relying solely on historical filing is a costly error, sharing how reactive financial structuring can waste tens of thousands in unnecessary taxes.

Sean breaks down the math of entity selection, identifying the $50,000 net income threshold where switching to an S-Corp becomes viable. He highlights the hidden benefits of this structure, including ultra-low audit risk, and details a reasonable compensation methodology that satisfies the IRS without overpaying payroll taxes.

Finally, Sean shares his "Big Three A's" framework for year-end reductions: Accelerate expenses, acquire Assets, and leverage Altruism. He warns against panic-buying unnecessary vehicles and urges owners to treat their CPA as a strategic partner, conducting mid-year reviews to actively architect wealth.