The Beauty Standard

In this episode of The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory chats with Dr. Jordan Plews of Elevai, a groundbreaking brand prioritizing Exosomes. They discuss the future of skincare, the rise of exosomes and stem cell research, and his revolutionary brand, Elevai! Dr. Plews has worked with Pfizer, Stanford, and more over the course of his career.

Summer is just around the corner! Now is the perfect time to embrace YOU. Achieve the modern natural look by saving on dermal filler, Botox, waxing, laser hair removal, microneedling, and more at Michigan’s #1 med spa. Visit our website at the bottom of this episode’s description for more information on our ongoing specials and how you can save on your favorite med spa services.

KNAPP: ⁠⁠⁠616-570-0228⁠⁠⁠

NORTHVILLE: 248-773-7349

DOWNTOWN GRAND RAPIDS: (616) 288-3329

In this episode of The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory chats with Urban You "Skin Guru" Jennie Berhenbrinker about all things CoolSculpting®: common treatment areas, when you can expect to see results, FAQs, and more.

It's Cool Month! Now - April 30th, BUY 4, GET 4! Each additional treatment is 50% off, plus the first 10 customers to book their Cool Month package will receive an $800 gift card! CALL IN TO BOOK:

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory chats with Kim Bode, President of 8Thirty Four consulting agency in Grand Rapids. They reminisce about their past collaborations, spill their self-care essentials, give advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs, and discuss why taking risks is essential if you want to redefine the standard in your industry.

Are you ready to invest in your self care? Celebrate Prepping Season at Urban You, Michigan’s Best Medical Spa! Prepping Season is the perfect time to start your CoolSculpting, Laser, Botox, or filler journey so you can get the results you desire before spring and summer roll around. Whether you want to have full lashes without mascara, a toned summer body, or get rid of unwanted hair before bikini season, Prepping Season is a great time to take your confidence into your own hands.

We have ongoing specials to celebrate Prepping Season that include savings on laser hair removal, CoolSculpting, BBL & MOXI, and more. Book your appointment online with our website or by downloading the FREE Urban You app. If you want to purchase a Prepping Season special, call in to your favorite UY location in Grand Rapids, Northville, or Rockford. 

Love the podcast? Rate us 5 stars and give us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Fill out our Google Form to receive a free gift from Urban You For Me, your one-stop-shop for luxury, medical grade skincare! Plus, use code UFMSOCIALS5 for $5 off your order!

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This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory sits down with President and Manager of MGS Consultants, Jeremiah Mankopf, and Lobbyist Vicki Baron. They dive into what lobbyists are, MGS Consultants’ work with Michigan Legislature, and 2024 goals of MISpa. 

This week on The Beauty Standard, MISpa President Nicole Gregory is joined by MISpa Vice President and MD, Kurt Ashack. The pair discuss the most common men’s medical aesthetic treatments, what causes someone to have a “sunken face” (and how to retroact it!), skin health, and the future of the med spa industry. 

To learn more about the treatments mentioned in this episode or which med spa treatments are most popular for men in 2024, book a free wellness consultation by visiting this episode's description. 2024 is the year of self care for yourself and inspiring your loved ones to do the same. Call your favorite Urban You location to purchase one of our Holiday Tiers to receive free facials, entries in our Saint Laurent designer bag giveaway, a free SkinMedica Mini Method Kit, and bonus dollars to use on your favorite services – on us! Want to pass the joy of confidence to a loved one? All tiers and their perks can be gifted!

Looking for that PERFECT gift for a loved one this holiday season? Ready to invest in your own self care in 2024? We've got the perfect solution for you! 

Introducing Urban You Holiday Tiers -- 8 unique packages full of bonus dollars to use on Botox, Filler, CoolSculpting, and all of your other favorite Urban You treatment, free express monthly facials with a UY Facial Membership, entries in our Saint Laurent Designer Bag Giveaway, and more!

Save up to $5,200! All Holiday Tier perks are giftable, making it the ultimate present for anyone in your life who deserves pampering (including yourself). To purchase or learn more about the perks of each Holiday Tier, click the button below or call into Urban You, the Best Medical Spa in Michigan!

Urban You: 616-207-1727

Love the podcast? Rate us 5 stars and give us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Fill out our Google Form to receive a free gift from Urban You For Me, your one-stop-shop for luxury, medical grade skincare! Plus, use code UFMSOCIALS5 for $5 off your order!

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This week on The Beauty Standard, we’re wrapping up 2023 by revisiting some of our favorite episodes featuring providers from Urban You, Michigan’s best medical spa. Ashley, Jennie, and Dre talk with Nicole Gregory about Laser, Botox, and Filler. To learn more about any treatment mentioned in this video or take the first step in your wellness journey, book a free wellness consultation by visiting this episode's description. 2024 is your year – invest in self care by purchasing one of our unique Holiday Tiers to receive free facials, entires in our Saint Laurent designer bag giveaway, a free SkinMedica Mini Method Kit, and bonus dollars to use on your favorite services – on us!

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory chats with Nikki Sunstrum, an internationally recognized public speaker and advocate of strategic online communications. Nikki leads the University of Michigan’s social communications office, was Michigan’s first statewide social media coordinator, and she’s raising 6 children on top of it all. 

Juggling statewide responsibilities and being a mom to 6 is no small feat. Nikki and Nicole talk candidly about being mothers to 5 & 6 children respectively as they open up about balancing home life with being businesswomen. They also dive into Tiktok marketing, how to use social media as a tool, and marketing yourself as a personal brand in your field. 

Get the most value out of your Urban You membership now through December 30th, 2023 with our exclusive Holiday Tiers and Facial Membership! To purchase a Holiday Tier, simply call your favorite Urban You location and tell our GECs which Tier you'd like to purchase. Simply deposit the corresponding dollar amount into your account, and watch the perks roll in.

New to the world of Aesthetics and looking to start your Wellness Journey with Urban You? Download the free UY App to schedule your appointments, access on demand content & exclusive deals, manage your membership plan, shop medical grade skincare, and more! Save 20% on medical grade skincare by shopping Urban You For Me as an Urban You member! Skincare is the best gift there is, and now is the perfect time to shop for your loved ones.

We've put together multiple gift guides to help you eliminate holiday stress.

Urban You: 616-207-1727

Love the podcast? Rate us 5 stars and give us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify. Fill out our Google Form to receive a free gift from Urban You For Me, your one-stop-shop for luxury, medical grade skincare! Plus, use code UFMSOCIALS5 for $5 off your order!

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Did you know that only 15% of medical spas in Michigan currently have Medical Directors? 

We’re proud to be a part of that minority thanks to Dr. Melissa Taylor, Urban You’s Medical Director at all 4 locations. Urban You always prioritizes education for our providers and guests alike. 

In this episode, Dr. Taylor and Nicole discuss Michigan’s pending LARA laws and how they can affect Med Spas across Michigan, as well as what to look for as a guest on the hunt for a new medical spa to get treated at. Whether you’re an Urban You guest, a listener of the podcast, or someone who works in a Med Spa, this episode will give you an inside scoop into the current state of the aesthetics industry.

Looking to start your Wellness Journey with Urban You? Download the free UY App to schedule your appointments, access on demand content & exclusive deals, manage your membership plan, shop medical grade skincare, and more!  Prepare for winter by celebrating National Botox Day on November 15th. Visit our Botox Day page to learn how you can get a FREE Botox gift card and be entered for a chance to win $25,000!

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer as you start holiday shopping? Shop gourmet popcorn, perfect for foodies and anyone who can’t turn down a tasty treat!

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory is joined by PopNotch Goods owner, Patrick Avila. Together they discuss everything from entrepreneurial tips, to the science behind making gourmet popcorn, to the brainstorming process for unique flavors like dill pickle and Michigan blueberry!

After Covid-19 affected his employment, Patrick and his wife were ready for a fulfilling, exciting career shift. Patrick took the skills and recipes he learned from a fellow popcorn chef and made PopNotch Goods official – now he’s the owner of Grand Rapids’ best gourmet popcorn shop. Tune in to learn more about the enchanting world of gourmet snack foods and how you can support local businesses this holiday season!

Looking to start your Wellness Journey with Urban You? Download the free UY App to schedule your appointments, access on demand content & exclusive deals, manage your membership plan, shop medical grade skincare, and more!  Prepare for winter with special pricing on Botox at the #1 Medical Spa in Michigan!

Are you interested in science-based products and the future of anti-aging skincare? This is the podcast for you!

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory is joined by (Plated) Skin Science CEO Alisa Lask. Together, they break down medical grade, science based products: the testing process, what sets them apart from other mainstream skincare, why Exosomes are the future of anti-aging, and more.

Alisa started her journey in the Aesthetics Industry over 12 years ago, working alongside multiple large brands before focusing on her own products. Her revolutionary Renewosome Technology is the key player in Plated’s formula, utilizing our bodies’ Exosomes derived from platelet’s to enhance the skin.

Looking to start your Wellness Journey with Urban You? Download the free UY App to schedule your appointments, access on demand content & exclusive deals, manage your membership plan, shop medical grade skincare, and more!  Prepare for fall with laser hair removal and CoolSculpting at the #1 Medical Spa in Michigan!

Are you a medical spa practice owner, marketer, or provider having trouble filling your books and gaining traction online? This is the podcast for you!

Pressed juices are popular for a reason – they’re full of superfoods that keep your body and mind feeling their best all day long. Elina Sofia Wang, founder of ESW Beauty, was determined to help her skin reach that same level of rejuvenation by using ingredients commonly found in pressed juice. ESW Beauty is on a mission to rejuvenate and nourish the skin with clean, sustainable, cruelty-free formulas. From post-workout starter packs to hangover recovery, ESW carries sheet masks that combat just about every situation or condition your skin could suffer from.

Elina’s passion for skincare and sustainability runs deep. Grab a drink, apply your favorite sheet mask, and join the fun in this week’s episode of The Beauty Standard!

When you think of Laser treatments, what comes to mind first? For many people, it’s laser hair removal. Laser hair removal is an incredible service that provides effective, long term results and even longer lasting confidence – but it’s not the only Laser service we offer at Urban You. In fact, we have a whole Laser menu! From laser hair removal, to BBL, to Moxi skin rejuvenation, to Forever Clear acne treatment, it seems like there’s a Laser service for just about every skin condition. This can be a bit overwhelming at times, we get it! 

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole is joined by Urban you’s newest Laser Specialist, Dre Van Beek. Dre Nicole and Dre sat down to discuss all things Laser at Urban You. Dre spent many years as an ER nurse before falling in love with laser therapy and all things aesthetics. In this episode, she gives The Beauty Standard listeners a closer look into the different types of Laser services offered at Urban You, including: BBL, Sciton, and Moxi, plus what to expect at your consultation & appointment! 

Whether you’re hoping to say goodbye to acne scars or aging skin, there’s a laser treatment for you! Tune in to have your FAQs answered and get your pre-booking jitters out of the way.

This week on The Beauty Standard Podcast, we’re revisiting everyone’s favorite topic – Acne. 

Acne can be stressful, hard to manage, and even painful at times. If mainstream products aren’t working for you, don’t give up! Urban You skin guru Jennie Berhenbrinker sat down with Nicole Gregory to tell all about Acne Bootcamp: a medical grade, multi-level program designed to help beat the most stubborn breakouts!

Nicole and Jennie talk tips, walk you through the Acne Bootcamp, and dive into the benefits of medical grade skincare in this episode. Put on your favorite face mask and tune in!

Finding the perfect business partner can feel like trying to win the lottery. For Tête-à-Tête founders Kira and Sharon Vidergauz, it couldn’t have been easier – they were bonded at the hip the day Kira was born. Sharon, a past cytopathologist, struggled to get what she wanted out of her skincare as she entered her sixties. Kira, her daughter, was a lawyer with a passion for skincare and the inability to use her everyday products as they interfered with her pregnancy. Together, the mother-daughter duo put their heads together to create Tête-à-Tête – a clean, safe, cruelty free product line for everyone. 

Tune into this week’s episode of The Beauty Standard to learn more about what it’s like running a business as a family and what sets Tête-à-Tête apart from other “clean” beauty brands.

Skincare isn’t just about products – it’s a ritual, passion, and a large part of cultures around the world. Rochelle Jacbos became the first pioneer for “clean” skincare when she modeled her products after the handmade skincare that dominates the Persian market. Naturally Serious focuses on clean, natural products that are backed by clinical studies. 

In this episode, Nicole and Rochelle chat about why clean skincare is a game changer for those with flaking, redness, texture, and other skin conditions. They also dive deep into the future of skincare and why transparency is essential when it comes to using products on the face. Put on your favorite mud mask and tune in!

Say goodbye to intimacy intimidation. If you’re trying to boost your confidence in the bedroom, it all starts with making sure you look and feel your absolute best. At the start of the pandemic, we were all inside our homes for the most part, either alone or with loved ones. Brittany made it a priority to help women at home feel more confident in their skin and their sex lives. Introducing BEIA – vegan, clean products that blur the line between skincare and sexual wellness. Join us as Brittany Lo tells all about how she found her confidence (and how you can find yours) with BEIA Beauty. Tune into the newest episode of The Beauty Standard podcast!

Do you suffer from dry patches, redness, acne, or other skin conditions even though you’ve tried just about every product on the skincare market?

Allie Egan used to share those same frustrations until fertility testing granted her an “a-ha” moment she wasn’t expecting. When her doctor started talking about the effects hormone imbalances could have on all areas of the body, Allie realized that they could be the culprit of her patchy skin. Her underactive thyroid was to blame, a revelation that she knew she had to share with other women with similar struggles. 

Out of that realization came Veracity – hormone based skincare. This week on The Beauty Standard, Allie dives deep into whole health sustainability, hormone based skincare, and all things Veracity

Get skincare into your skin, not on top of it.

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory chats with Droplette founder Madhavi Gavini. After creating prototypes for a medical device, Madhavi's efforts led to the creation of Droplette, a revolutionary skincare tool that allows key ingredients like collagen and hyaluronic acid to fully absorb into the skin, something unachievable by only using your hands.

Her innovation, willingness to disrupt the beauty industry, and ability to use consumer feedback has risen Droplette to the top of the at-home skincare tool market.

Growing up, many of us learned that money is some secret, taboo topic that shouldn’t be discussed. With the possibility of a recession on the horizon, there’s no better time to break the stigma and have a real chat about how to create a savings plan that works for you.

This week on The Beauty Standard, financial advisor Rachel Kieras gives advice on how you can effectively save money while still prioritizing your hobbies, passions, and other joys in life. From how much you should put in an emergency fund to why financial security is a form of self care, we’re covering it all!

Saving is not sacrificing. We want you to feel confident and secure in your finances, grab a drink and tune in!

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Skincare is essential in keeping your skin healthy, nourished, and thriving. Some brands sacrifice the Earth’s abundance of powerful natural ingredients for non-sustainable, synthetic products that damage the planet and those who inhabit it. Thanks to trailblazing brands like Thrive Natural Care, you can enjoy rejuvenated skin that’s good for your body, the planet, and local farming communities.

Alex and his team found the resources they need in Costa Rica, including their (not so secret) weapon against sensitive and struggling skin — unique superplants, chosen for their superior skincare benefits and restorative role in local ecosystems. These potent superplants are farmed using a regenerative model that supercharges their skin benefits while restoring health to degraded ecosystems and improving the livelihood of rural farmers.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory chats with  Alex McIntosh about regenerative farming, sustainable skincare, and the unique superplants that power Thrive!

After finding relief through cryotherapy while undergoing breast cancer treatment, Alina Mehrle set out on a mission to make cooling treatments accessible. She found that not only was using cold skincare products a pleasant experience for the senses, it had rejuvenating and scientific benefits as well. Alina founded Ameon Skin and developed unique skin icing cubes, packed full of potent ingredients designed to relieve stress, reduce inflammation, and restore the balance of our skin's microbiome. 

Nicole Gregory and Alina chat about skin icing, the future of frozen skincare, Ameon Skin, and more in this ultra chill episode. 

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What better way to kick off Women’s History Month than by learning about an organization dedicated to empowering women? Her Best Life is a community of women - entrepreneurs, executives, business owners, and leaders who amplify each others' voices and ideas to create a compassionate, collaborative environment for like minded women. After traveling the world with 10 of her closest and most inspiring friends, Seychelle and the other founders of Her Best Life decided to spread their message of empowerment, resilience, and community to other strong willed women.

Topics Discussed:

• Her Best Life - how it came to be, its mission
• Finding your own personal superpower
• Why community amongst women in male dominated fields is essential for success
• Her Best Life plans for 2023
• Battling economic barriers for women in business

Connect with Seychelle and Her Best Life:

Finding a balance between work and downtime can feel impossible sometimes, and battling the feeling of overwhelm can be even more challenging. We all experience overwhelm, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it’s easy to fix. Thankfully, Dr. Bryana Gregory has a 5-step plan to squash overwhelm so you can live an effective, joyful life! After traditional doctors had trouble pinpointing that her own overwhelm was manifesting in physical symptoms, Bryana took her wellness into her own hands. She set out on a mission – create a 5-step plan that could help overcome her own overwhelm and help other overachieving women do the same. Pour yourself a drink, grab your favorite snack, and tune in to learn how YOU can find balance and live a joyful life!

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What does it take to own and operate the #1 medical spa in West Michigan? This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory hands over the interview reins as she gives listeners a glimpse into her mind, story, and extensive career in business. From feeling inspired by her mother’s entrepreneurial spirit as a young teenager, to working for multiple Fortune 500 companies, to expanding her immensely successful medical spa across Michigan, Nicole’s story of success and perseverance will leave anyone feeling inspired to finally start working towards their goal!

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Sometimes, the largest challenges come with even larger rewards. In GUIDE Beauty Founder Terri Bryant’s case, her Parkinson’s diagnosis temporarily stopped her from working as a makeup artist, but her solution was far greater than adapting to her traditional techniques and products. Her diagnosis brought a new perspective to the makeup industry, along with a vision of inclusivity and accessibility for everyone.

In this episode of The Beauty Standard, Nicole Gregory sits down with Terri to discuss GUIDE Beauty, a makeup brand with a mission of making artistry accessible for all skill sets and abilities. They go in depth about what it takes to design inclusive products, how to break down “norms”, and how to find the light in your toughest battles.

Rate The Beauty Standard 5 stars or leave us a review to receive a FREE GIFT from Urban You For Me! Send a screenshot of your review to thebeautystandard@theurbanyou.com to unlock your gift!

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The future of medicine is already here, and it’s available now!

This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole is joined by Dr. Erica Armstrong, founder of Root Functional Medicine. Root is different from your average family practice – their highly skilled team of doctors and dieticians uses nutrition to treat hormonal imbalances and gut health at the root cause. From PCOS, to autoimmune conditions, to period problems, Root has the ability to relieve symptoms with natural supplements and balanced meals!

Nicole and Erica dive deep into why functional medicine is the future of gut health and hormone treatment. By the end of this episode, you’ll feel inspired to take your health & wellness by the reins and find the relief you deserve! Grab a probiotic drink and tune in!

Launch, Grow, Scale – according to APX Platform founder and Co-CEO Terri Ross, that’s the formula to any successful and long lasting business. This week on The Beauty Standard, Nicole chats with Terri about her journey from studying traditional medicine to becoming one of the most well known figures in the aesthetics industry, along with everything in between.

They provide an encouraging and matter of fact look into the 15 billion dollar medspa industry: why so many people are switching to “happy medicine”, the knowledge any aspiring entrepreneur needs to succeed, and what the future looks like for medspa owners in a post Covid, post recession world.

Nicole and Terri touch on the following topics during this episode:

• Terri Ross Consulting and APX Platform
• S.A.S.S (software as a service)
• Value vs Luxury
• The essential traits any entrepreneur needs before launching a business
• The boom of the medspa industry

Getting cosmetic work done for the first time can be intimidating. The nurses at The Urban You know this and want you to feel as comfortable and confident as possible before you change anything about your appearance! This week’s episode of The Beauty Standard is all about the step in between booking your appointment and having work done, also known as a Wellness Consultation.

Nicole chats with Paige Bongero and Sam Hendricks, 2 of The Urban You’s service providers. Paige and Sam discuss what a free Wellness Consultation includes, answer common consultation questions, and explain why they’re an essential step in building a trusting guest-nurse relationship.

Grab a latte or mimosa, we’re heading out to brunch! This week Nicole is joined by her two Urban You business partners, co-founder Barbra Homier and chief injectionist Terry Selgo. Over brunch, the three reflect on the last 5 years running The Urban You.

From building a cohesive team, to keeping business afloat during a pandemic, to looking toward the future, this episode gives you a peek behind the scenes at The Urban You you won’t find anywhere else! Learn the ins and outs of running one of the top 250 medical spas in the country, right here on The Beauty Standard!

Discussed in this Episode:

• How The Urban You came to be
• How Nicole approached Barbra and Terry with the idea of starting a medical spa together
• The importance of building a strong team with diverse mindsets
• What the future of the medical spa industry looks like
• Community and relationship building in the business world
• Navigating running a service-based business during a pandemic
• The peaks and valleys of the last five years

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Restart, Regrowth, Renewed outlook on life – after Deanna Radulescu escaped human trafficking and grieved the loss of her husband, she decided to put her own happiness first by doing all of those things.

Nicole Gregory sits down with Deanna to discuss how she found her voice and began living a life free of societal labels after overcoming the hardships thrown her way. Her impactful story of resilience, rejuvenation, and self-love is sure to leave you feeling empowered and grateful!

Topics covered in this episode:

• What it means to be “label-free”
• Overcoming hardships (grief, human trafficking, financial loss)
• Finding your voice as a woman
• How to monetize and grow your podcast
• Self love
• Skincare and preventative maintenance

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We’ve all heard celebrity success stories that sound too good to be true – being scouted by a talent agent on the street, a big-time producer randomly coming across your cover on YouTube, the list goes on. This begs the question: are these stories really all about luck, or was there unseen work behind the scenes?

In media personality Kim Carson’s case, it was a mix of both. This week on The Beauty Standard, Kim sits down with Nicole Gregory to delve into her journey from a 14 year old radio fan to nationally recognized host and author, having spoken to legendary musicians such as Carole King and Jonathan Cain. Her story of passion and perseverance involves graduating highschool at 16, holding her ground as the only woman trying to make a name for herself in a male dominated industry, and a travel mishap-turned-one in a million opportunity.

She discusses her personal struggles with grief, depression, and her 115 pound weight loss journey. Whether you’re searching for hope, inspiration, or an entertaining glimpse into the life of a media personality, this week’s episode is perfect for you!

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Gulé Sheikh is a former entrepreneur and CTO of EazyScripts, an E-Prescribing platform that prioritizes patient health outcomes, prescription efficiency, and provider-to-patient transparency in telehealth. After studying computer science in the 90s, she found her true passion – improving the U.S healthcare system and helping the people who depend on it.

This week on The Beauty Standard, Gulé reflects on her 23 years of experience in the healthcare and technology fields. She tells all about her journey as a first-time female entrepreneur in a male dominated field, how she found investors who believed in her ideas, and why A.I may be the future of healthtech.

Nicole and Gulé discuss their shared interest in technology and experiences as strong female voices in their respective industries. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, interested in healthtech, or just love a good success story, this episode is sure to give you a boost in productivity!

Discussed in this Episode:

• Best resources for finding investors
• The complexities of the healthcare industry
• Patient and provider transparency
• Gulé’s experience as a first time entrepreneur
• Being a female entrepreneur in a male dominated industry
• A.I in healthtech
• EazyScripts and its purpose

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Amanda McIntosh of Take My Face Off has always been passionate about skincare. However, she grew tired of using a standard washcloth to clean her face every day. So she decided to dig into her curiosity and learn more about facial cleansing. After extensive research and searching for the perfect fabrics, the Mitty was born! These are ultra soft and effective at removing even the toughest makeup. Mittys have quickly become a popular choice for people who want an easy and convenient way to clean their face. Thanks to Amanda's passion and curiosity, we now have a better way to clean our faces!

Amanda wanted something better than over absorbant cotton to clean her face and environmentally friendly too. One thing that really motivated Amanda to make a product that no one else was was the way other products weren’t actually cleaning the skin. Other makeup removing mitts and cloths can trap bacteria, or the manufacturer encourages users to reuse without washing. This drove Amanda to create a product that was not only effective at removing makeup but also safe for the environment and gentle on the skin.

This week on The Beauty Standard Podcast, we're excited to welcome Amanda, the founder of Take My Face Off. Amanda is a true pioneer in the beauty industry, and her story is both inspiring and empowering. In our conversation, Amanda candidly shares her journey to create Mittys and how she's built a successful business while maintaining her values and integrity. Amanda is a passionate advocate for quality products and customer service, and her insights will leave a lasting impression on our listeners. Tune in this week for an enlightening conversation with a true leader in the beauty industry!

Discussed in this episode

• The development of Mittys
• Environmental impact of traditional makeup removing products
• How to use Mittys and why they are so effective
• Applying and removing makeup and skincare products
• Amanda’s next steps for Take My Face Off

Connect with Amanda

For Jac, being a nurse is about more than the traditional role we are familiar with. It's about building relationships and caring for her clients on a deeper level. That's why she decided to enter the field of aesthetics. For Jac, aesthetics is all about helping her clients feel their best. She knows that when we look and feel good, our confidence skyrockets. That's why she is passionate about empowering her clients to believe in themselves and thrive in all areas of wellness, beauty, and health. Jac truly believes that when we feel our best, we can accomplish anything.

Jac sits down with Nicole to discuss what the most popular requests are from clients today. Many clients come in wanting a sculpted, “snatched” look with a defined jawline. However, Jac explains that it is important to manage expectations with clients so that their goals are realistic and achievable. During an appointment, Jac begins by looking at the client’s anatomy in the mirror and discussing what can realistically be achieved. By setting realistic expectations from the beginning, Jac ensures that her clients are happy with their results and feel confident in their appearance.

In this episode, you will learn from Jac about how to get a natural chiseled look to the face with a combination of botox and filler. She explains that you need to plan ahead if you want to see results before an event. Jac discusses how long filler lasts and which products last the longest. Tune in for more tips on how to achieve this look!

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Medical compliance issues extend to the medical aesthetic and medical spa industry. In fact, as one of the fastest-growing industries with a shortage of qualified injectors, medical spas risk falling out of compliance. Nicole Gregory is joined by Alex Thiersch, the CEO of the American Med Spa Association, to talk about med spa compliance, the importance of education, tracking growth income, how to approach trends, and making your med spa more inclusive.

The medical spa industry is seeing consistent growth, but it is still dealing with the exact compliance issues it was fifteen years ago. Alex explains where the compliance issues stem from and why this is happening. As an attorney, Alex is pushing for a compliance benchmark where consumers will feel comfortable going to any med spa.

99% of medical spas follow the current regulations. It’s only a small handful of spas that aren’t compliant, and it tends to fall to the fact that they don’t know any better. Unless they’ve initially trained in plastic surgery or dermatology, most MDs, RNs, and Nurse Practitioners aren't aware that medical aesthetics is an industry they can not only succeed but thrive.

The only solution here is to push education; training courses are available from AmSpa, your local med spa, and at Urban You. We encourage you to explore the medical aesthetics industry, get some hands-on experience, and go further with it if you love it. Be part of the solution to the compliance issues due to lack of training in various aspects of the industry.

In this episode, you will also learn about why medical aesthetic practitioners are at risk of losing their medical licenses, investment opportunities through private equity funds, and why it’s harder to consolidate medical spas (there are currently between 7500-8000 different brands of med spa across the world!), and the importance of marketing to BIPOC and transgender individuals.

Discussed in this episode:

●  The growth of medical aesthetics and med spas

●  Compliance issues impacting the industry

●  Solving compliance issues with education and training

●  How private equity is driving industry growth

●  Consolidating medical spas - dos and don’ts

●  How to become a qualified medical spa practitioner

●  How to know if a new trend is something you should pursue

●  The You Belong Here campaign for the inclusion of BIPOC and transgender people

Connect with American Med Spa

As the CEO and founder of In the Limelight Media, Clarissa Burt knows a thing or two about success. And for her, success starts with being comfortable in your skin. "The only business you need to have is being the best version of yourself," she says. That means embracing every aspect of who you are without apology. Clarissa is an award-winning actress, international media personality, producer, director, writer, author, public speaker, and supermodel. Her book, The Self-Esteem Regime, is the culmination of her decades of experience and is designed to help you build your self-esteem with four simple principles.

Confidence is not the same as self-esteem, but having self-esteem can help you be more confident! Here are four pillars of self-esteem that Clarissa enables you to work through: looking good, feeling good, being good, and the greater good. She breaks down what each of these pillars focuses on, but to sum it up: when you live a life of goodness, you feel good about it; therefore, when you feel good about your life, your self-esteem increases.

Another element of Clarissa's ideology is to practice gratitude every day. Living in a constant state of gratitude helps you live in the moment – appreciating what you have and where you are right now instead of being stuck in the past or worrying about the future.

In this episode, you will learn about Clarissa and the vital work she does through her book, The Self Esteem Regime. Discover the four pillars of self-esteem and how to start improving your self-esteem today.

Discussed in this episode:

● The Four Pillars of Self-Esteem

● Shadow work and mirror work

● Living in gratitude

● Shifting old paradigms

● The power of loyalty

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Jeannie Stith is on a mission to help you look your best. That's why she founded Color Guru, which provides color consultations for men and women of all ages! By analyzing your hair, skin tone, and or eye colors, you can be matched with an ideal complexion-perfecting color palette tailored to you. The best part? This is all done virtually!

While color analysis was popular in the past, it has died down in recent years, and it is difficult to find someone who can provide this service. However, Jeannie found a way to bring back color consultations, and here tell us how she modernized this concept!

Color Guru customers are asked to upload a minimum of five photos. After everything is analyzed, you will receive a customized color card along with an explanation of why specific colors were recommended for you. Color Guru also offers makeup and hair color consultations!

For those who want to go further, Color Guru offers Color, Shape, and Personal Style, an introductory styling course that teaches customers how to dress well. While Jeannie believes that color is the first step to dressing well, she also believes that fit and personal style is essential.

In this episode, you will learn all about Jeannie and the work she is doing at Color Guru. Learn how to match the colors that suit you the best and where to go to get started. Jeannie offers an incredible one-and-done, simplified service that will have you looking your best!

Discussed in this episode:

● Finding the ideal color palette for you

● Color, fit, and personal style

● The three seasons of color

● The future of Color Guru and more!

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Fabienne Lindholm is the Director of Global Learning and Development for Babor Beauty Group. She is also a keynote speaker and a navigation coach who helps others navigate a journey of past, present, and future experiences to develop the best versions of themselves. She is passionate about helping others build self-confidence and age gracefully.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory and Fabienne Lindholm discuss beautifying vs. anti-aging and why aging needs to be redefined. They also discuss why being full of yourself is a good thing, the importance of self-care, and the beauty industry’s and social media’s influence on confidence.

Discussed in this episode:

● Building self-confidence

● Why being full of yourself is a good thing

● Having awareness around confidence

● Using self-care and beauty to build confidence

● Recognizing emotional red flags

● The beauty industry’s influence on confidence

● What beauty is and what it isn’t

● Social media’s influence on confidence

● Beautifying vs. anti-aging

● Aging gracefully

● Redefining aging

● Why men should be invested in self-care

● Skincare for looking healthy

● Keeping wellness simple

● The importance of consistency

● And other topics...

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Roxanne Gould is an international Vogue fashion model who holds the second longest-running modeling career in the fashion industry worldwide. Roxanne started working in the industry at the age of three and has spent time modeling, styling, acting, teaching, coaching, and working in production. She owned a consulting business for 10 years where she taught women of all ages how to build self-confidence through modeling. Today, she models for top fashion and cosmetic brands around the world and is a Chopra Certified Well-Being Coach.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory and Roxanne Gould discuss how she has embraced aging, gray hair, and the importance of developing daily habits for well-being. Gould shares her holistic approach to finding happiness and developing a positive mindset.

Discussed in this episode:

● Embracing age

● Accepting gray hair

● Secrets to beautiful gray hair

● Mental health issues during covid

● A holistic approach to finding happiness

● Being aware of emotions

● Generational changes in beliefs

● Gender equality

● The power of women

● Developing a positive mindset

● Daily practices for well-being

● And other topics...

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Clint Carnell is a visionary leader and serial entrepreneur, having led, founded, and taken public multiple companies in consumer health. Clint was the co-founder of OrangeTwist and is currently the CEO of InBrace. He has had a massive impact on brands such as BeautyHealth (Hydrafacial), Solta Medical, Charleston Renal Care, and Bausch + Lomb’s US Surgical business.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory and Clint Carnell discuss what it’s like being a man in a market that’s dominated by women, creating a brand and value system in a business, and shifting from a transaction focus to a journey focus.

Join Nicole and Clint on this episode of the Beauty Standard as Clint describes the similarities between Starbucks and OrangeTwist. Listen to learn how Clint designed his business so it meets all your senses, has an immersive experience for clients with consistent looks and feels that will definitely make them want more!

Connect with Clint Carnell:

There is a stigma around topics such as female urinary incontinence and having weak pelvic floor muscles. Because of this, it’s something that’s rarely talked about and there isn’t nearly enough education on this topic. In fact, some women don’t even know that the muscles exist or how to tone them.

Not many people know that pelvic floor muscle issues can happen to women in every age group, whether they have birthed children or not. Women may be reluctant to talk about these issues because they feel shame and like they are the only ones experiencing them. However, many women have pelvic floor muscle issues.

In today’s episode, Nicole Gregory speaks with MaryEllen Reider, who is the co-founder of Yarlap. The Yarlap is an award-winning and FDA-cleared medical device that does kegel exercise workouts for you. They discuss why it’s important not to self-diagnose pelvic floor muscle issues, how the Yarlap device is used, and its features.

Tune into episode 50 of the Beauty Standard podcast to learn more! 

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Michael Van Lenten is a self-professed laser nerd and has worked at Sciton, a medical and aesthetic laser technology company, for 13 years. Prior to that, he worked in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. He has extensive knowledge of laser treatments, including which treatment to use on which skin types, and best practices. Michael is a husband and the father of two young boys.

Younger people are beginning to seek out a “skintervention” and pre-juvenation services so that they can get on top of skin issues before they occur. Typically, patients want to have their face treated first, but with advancements in laser technology, larger areas of the body are able to be treated for pigmentation issues, dull skin, and red & brown spots. Patients will want the youthful appearance of their treated faces to match their bodies.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory and Michael Van Lenten discuss various myths surrounding laser treatments. Michael shares how treatments have gotten safer over the years while also providing bigger results with less downtime. He also explains which laser treatments should be used on various skin types. There is also a discussion about laser hair removal and its limitations.

Other Resources Mentioned:

Terri DeBoer has been a television meteorologist at the NBC affiliate in Grand Rapids, MI for nearly 30 years. While she reports on the weather with every changing season, she has also gone through the changing seasons of life as she and her husband raised three children together.

In fact, Terri describes the season of becoming an empty nester as one of the most challenging times of her life. She quickly went from having too much to do and not enough time in the day to having too much time and not enough to do. Terri quickly realized that despite having a successful career and a happy marriage, she still struggled with the change of identity that comes when a mother is no longer needed by her children.

In this episode, Nicole Gregory and Terri Deboer discuss the transition from being a busy mother to becoming an empty nester. They discuss Terri’s journey to finding her purpose again and learning to embrace her new life as an empty nester, all of which she documents in her book titled Brighter Skies Ahead: Forecasting a Full Life When You Empty the Nest.

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What does it mean to be truly alive? Nadine Artemis, creator of Living Libations, believes it's all about having a healthy connection to the natural world. For Nadine, this means incorporating botanical ingredients into every aspect of her life - from what she eats and drinks to the products she uses on her skin. In this interview, Nadine shares her expertise on aromatherapy, self-care, and why connecting with the earth is so important. She also offers up some advice on how we can all get more connected to nature and live a more holistic life. Listen in for tips from one of the industry's leading experts!

In this episode, you will learn how Nadine began experimenting with essential oils in college and started her first business. She tells us how she followed her dream of opening a store and did just that at 22 years old! Nadine discusses Living Libations, how she sources only the best ingredients, and some of her top-selling products.

Today is the start of women’s history month, and we are featuring a true inspiration! Nadine Artemis is an incredible entrepreneur, and her story should be an inspiration to all women. She has created a thriving business while staying true to herself, and she offers valuable advice for our listeners! So head to Apple Podcasts, follow us, and listen to this incredible episode now!

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