Ep. 4. Beauty Meets Business: A Conversation with Kara McClanahan

The Power of Faith in Business: Insights from Eliza Stevens of Post Op Collective

In this episode of the Aesthetic Edit Podcast, Mary had the pleasure of speaking with Eliza Stevens, the CEO and founder of Post Op Collective. Mary and Eliza connected over coffee a few months ago, and Mary was eager to share Eliza’s inspiring journey in the aesthetics industry with the listeners. The conversation began with a discussion about the highs and lows of being a business owner, especially during busy seasons. Eliza shared her experiences of navigating challenges and how her faith has played a crucial role in her journey. Together, they explored the concept of spiritual warfare in business and how it can manifest during times of growth and success. Eliza emphasized the importance of having a strong team and the value of communication in leadership. The discussion also covered the idea of work-life balance versus work-life blend, highlighting the fluidity of managing personal and professional responsibilities. As the conversation transitioned into Eliza’s business, Post Op Collective, she explained their unique approach to post-operative care, particularly in the aesthetics and plastic surgery space. Eliza described how the company provides concierge-level support to patients, ensuring they feel cared for and informed during their recovery process. The episode also touched on the impact of social media on the aesthetics industry, discussing both its benefits and potential pitfalls. Eliza shared her thoughts on the importance of heart posture when considering aesthetic procedures and how confidence can significantly enhance one’s quality of life. Overall, this episode is a rich exploration of entrepreneurship, faith, and the evolving landscape of the aesthetics industry. Eliza’s insights and experiences offer valuable lessons for anyone navigating the challenges of business ownership while staying true to their values. Timestamps: 00:00 — Welcome + intro to the Aesthetic Edit Podcast00:00:12 - Meet Eliza: CEO of Post Op Collective 00:00:44 - The Highs and Lows of Entrepreneurship00:02:47 - The Importance of Faith in Leadership 00:09:44 - Lessons Learned in Business Ownership 00:16:08 - Transitioning from Nursing to Business00:32:36 - Understanding Post-Operative Care00:40:55 - The Impact of Social Media on Aesthetics About The Aesthetic Edit: Finally, an aesthetics industry podcast that goes there. 👀 Think Alex Cooper meets Lauryn Bosstick. This podcast is for the providers and partners of medical aesthetic practices across the world who want to use their expertise + influence to create a positive impact.  Our show is produced to encourage our guests to get real about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the aesthetics space. We plan to dive into their why, what they stand for, and social impact. We also discuss their “hot take” on the controversial topics impacting the aesthetics industry. Lastly, we explore how social media has influenced the success of their practice.  Mary Robb is the Founder & CEO of Social Practice, a social media agency that serves the medical aesthetics space. Savannah Barineau is the Operations Manager at Social Practice. This dynamic duo is passionate about utilizing storytelling as a way to empower their audience and inspire growth. This podcast is produced by Social Practice. Apply To Be A Guest: https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit [https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit] Hire Social Practice: https://social-practicetx.com/ [https://social-practicetx.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast]

Ep. 4. Beauty Meets Business: A Conversation with Kara McClanahan

In this episode of the Aesthetic Edit Podcast, Mary welcomes Kara McClanahan, a true leader in operational excellence with nearly 30 years of experience in the aesthetics world. We recorded this episode from my home, just days before the MedSpa Business Accelerator workshop—and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Kara’s journey into aesthetics started in an unexpected way. She originally went to beauty school to become a hairdresser but discovered along the way that her real passion lived on the business side of things. That path eventually led her to found Aesthetic Practice Partners, where she helps medical aesthetic practices build strong operational foundations and grow with strategy - not guesswork. We talk about why patient experience is everything in today’s market and why being intentional about each step - from the first touchpoint to follow-up care - can make all the difference. Kara shares why data should guide decision-making, not just intuition, and how mapping out your internal processes can reveal hidden opportunities for improvement. She also opens up about common mistakes practices make when they grow quickly, like skipping over operational structure, and how putting the right systems in place can actually free up owners to lead more confidently.This conversation is full of practical wisdom and genuine heart, and whether you’re just starting out or scaling your med spa, you’ll walk away with something valuable. Timestamps: * 00:00 — Welcome + intro to the Aesthetic Edit Podcast * 00:00:15 — Meet Kara McClanahan * 00:01:00 — The story behind Aesthetic Practice Partners * 00:02:45 — From beauty school to business leader * 00:05:15 — Why patient experience is your biggest differentiator * 00:07:30 — Making smarter decisions with data * 00:09:20 — The blind spots that hold practices back * 00:11:00 — Building strong systems for sustainable growth About The Aesthetic Edit: Finally, an aesthetics industry podcast that goes there. 👀 Think Alex Cooper meets Lauryn Bosstick. This podcast is for the providers and partners of medical aesthetic practices across the world who want to use their expertise + influence to create a positive impact.  Our show is produced to encourage our guests to get real about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the aesthetics space. We plan to dive into their why, what they stand for, and social impact. We also discuss their “hot take” on the controversial topics impacting the aesthetics industry. Lastly, we explore how social media has influenced the success of their practice.  Mary Robb is the Founder & CEO of Social Practice, a social media agency that serves the medical aesthetics space. Savannah Barineau is the Operations Manager at Social Practice. This dynamic duo is passionate about utilizing storytelling as a way to empower their audience and inspire growth. This podcast is produced by Social Practice. Apply To Be A Guest: ⁠https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit⁠ [https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit] Hire Social Practice: ⁠https://social-practicetx.com/⁠ [https://social-practicetx.com/]  Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/] TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast]

Ep. 3: Morgan Kraut on Hustle, Heart, and Building MK Aesthetics

In this episode of The Aesthetic Edit Podcast, Mary welcomes the incredible Morgan Kraut, owner of MK Aesthetics in Minnesota - a med spa she’s grown to over $3 million in annual revenue in just a few short years. Morgan’s story is all about grit, heart, and the courage to follow your calling.Mary and Morgan first connected at a personal branding retreat hosted by Emily Ford, and what started as a chance meeting has grown into a genuine friendship rooted in shared purpose and passion. Morgan opens up about her journey from ER nurse to aesthetics, sharing how a simple lash appointment opened her eyes to an entirely new career path. After facing rejection after rejection, she finally landed her first injector role at Lifetime Fitness, where she built her client base from the ground up with hustle and creativity.From there, Morgan took the leap into entrepreneurship, launching MK Aesthetics just three and a half years ago. She reflects on the challenges of starting and scaling a business, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team, and how her leadership style has evolved as her practice has grown.The conversation also goes deeper into the personal side of entrepreneurship - learning to slow down, creating white space, and practicing self-awareness in order to lead well and avoid burnout. Morgan shares candidly about her fears, her faith, and her desire to build a personal brand that inspires others to step into their own power and purpose.This episode is filled with encouragement, hard-won lessons, and plenty of real talk about what it takes to succeed in aesthetics without losing yourself in the process. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to grow something meaningful from scratch, Morgan’s story will remind you what’s possible.Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction of Guest Morgan Kraut 00:02:00 – From ER Nurse to Aesthetics: Finding Her Passion 00:06:30 – Building MK Aesthetics & Growing a Team 00:12:00 – Lessons in Leadership & Avoiding Burnout 00:20:30 – Creating Balance, White Space & Self-Awareness 00:28:00 – Building a Personal Brand & Inspiring Others 00:35:00 – Closing Thoughts & EncouragementAbout The Aesthetic Edit:Finally, an aesthetics industry podcast that goes there. 👀 Think Alex Cooper meets Lauryn Bosstick. This podcast is for the providers and partners of medical aesthetic practices across the world who want to use their expertise + influence to create a positive impact. Our show is produced to encourage our guests to get real about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the aesthetics space. We plan to dive into their why, what they stand for, and social impact. We also discuss their “hot take” on the controversial topics impacting the aesthetics industry. Lastly, we explore how social media has influenced the success of their practice. Mary Robb is the Founder & CEO of Social Practice, a social media agency that serves the medical aesthetics space. Savannah Barineau is the Operations Manager at Social Practice. This dynamic duo is passionate about utilizing storytelling as a way to empower their audience and inspire growth. This podcast is produced by Social Practice.Apply To Be A Guest: https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-editHire Social Practice: https://social-practicetx.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast

Ep. 2: Christin Trujillo on Fractional CFOs, Navigating Entrepreneurship, & Unlocking Financial Success

In this episode of The Aesthetic Edit Podcast, Mary sits down with one of her favorite people in the industry (and in life!), Christin Trujillo, Co-Founder of Maven Financial Partners. Christin has a gift for taking the chaos of entrepreneurship and turning it into clear, actionable steps for growth. As a fractional CFO, she helps practice owners truly understand their numbers, make smart financial decisions, and create a vision that actually works in real life. Mary and Christin reflect on their six-year friendship (and four years of working together - like a marriage in the best way!). Christin shares how her career evolved from Skytale Group to launching Maven Financial Partners, and why her work fills such a crucial gap between bookkeepers and CPAs. Together, they unpack what a fractional CFO really does, who needs one, and why every practice owner should learn to focus on revenue first before getting lost in the weeds of expenses. The conversation goes beyond spreadsheets and strategy, too. Christin and Mary talk honestly about the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship - the loneliness, the chaos, and the importance of having people you can lean on. They also touch on the aesthetics industry today, with Christin sharing encouraging insights about why so many practices are still thriving despite economic uncertainty. And of course, no conversation would be complete without diving into social media. Mary and Christin discuss how authenticity, quality content, and consistency can make a real difference for practice owners - while also admitting the challenges that come with showing up online. This episode is equal parts practical and personal, and it’s packed with wisdom for anyone building a business in the aesthetics space. Whether you’re dreaming big, in the thick of the chaos, or just trying to make sense of your numbers, you’ll walk away feeling both equipped and encouraged. Timestamps: * 00:00:00 – Welcome & Introduction of Guest Christin Trujillo * 00:02:30 – From SkyTail Group to Maven Financial Partners * 00:06:30 – What a Fractional CFO Really Does * 00:10:30 – Financial Clarity & Focusing on Revenue * 00:16:30 – The Emotional Side of Entrepreneurship * 00:21:30 – Thriving in Today’s Aesthetics Industry * 00:27:00 – Social Media, Authenticity & Community * 00:35:00 – Closing Thoughts & Encouragement About The Aesthetic Edit: Finally, an aesthetics industry podcast that goes there. 👀 Think Alex Cooper meets Lauryn Bosstick. This podcast is for the providers and partners of medical aesthetic practices across the world who want to use their expertise + influence to create a positive impact.  Our show is produced to encourage our guests to get real about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the aesthetics space. We plan to dive into their why, what they stand for, and social impact. We also discuss their “hot take” on the controversial topics impacting the aesthetics industry. Lastly, we explore how social media has influenced the success of their practice.  Mary Robb is the Founder & CEO of Social Practice, a social media agency that serves the medical aesthetics space. Savannah Barineau is the Operations Manager at Social Practice. This dynamic duo is passionate about utilizing storytelling as a way to empower their audience and inspire growth. This podcast is produced by Social Practice. Apply To Be A Guest: https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit [https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit] Hire Social Practice: https://social-practicetx.com/ [https://social-practicetx.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast]

Ep. 1: Emily Ford on Building a Personal Brand, Owning Your Story, & Showing Up Authentically

Welcome back to The Aesthetic Edit podcast! Season two begins with a powerhouse guest, Emily Ford, Founder of Fordivine. By the age of 26, Emily had already built a nine-figure sales organization, grown a social media following of over one million, and become a sought-after global keynote speaker. Mary first connected with Emily earlier this year after coming across a video Emily shared on Instagram. Over the following months, Mary was drawn to Emily’s story, her message, and her authentic approach to personal branding. After watching Emily consistently show up with such transparency on her Instagram stories, Mary reached out with a DM that ultimately led to an invitation to Emily’s Personal Branding Retreat. From there, the two quickly discovered their shared passions, mission, and purpose—and a genuine connection was formed. In this episode, Emily opens up about her early years, just a few short years ago when she was a broke 23-year-old sleeping on a mattress on the floor and struggling to make ends meet. Through trial and error, she discovered the power of building a personal brand on social media, shifting from traditional sales tactics to leading with value and authenticity. The conversation dives into her current venture, Fordivine, where she helps individuals develop strong personal brands through intentional storytelling and consistent visibility. Emily unpacks common mistakes founders make—such as hiding behind their businesses instead of embracing their own stories—and encourages listeners to build trust and connection by showing up as their true selves. A major theme of the discussion is overcoming the fears that hold many, especially women, back from showing up online. Emily shares strategies for moving past the fear of judgment, refining messaging, and serving an audience with genuine content. She also emphasizes the importance of boundaries, protecting mental health, and aligning daily routines with natural energy flow to sustain both social media presence and entrepreneurial success. Packed with actionable tips and heartfelt encouragement, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to elevate their personal brand, amplify their voice, and create meaningful impact in the digital space. * 00:00:00 – Welcome to Season Two * 00:01:35 – From Struggles to Success * 00:03:00 – Building a Personal Brand with 4Divine * 00:05:30 – Empowering Women & Common Founder Mistakes * 00:07:50 – Overcoming Fear & Embracing Authenticity * 00:10:30 – Protecting Mental Health & Creating with Purpose * 00:17:00 – The Power of Discipline & Embracing Femininity * 00:23:00 – Closing Reflections About The Aesthetic Edit: Finally, an aesthetics industry podcast that goes there. 👀 Think Alex Cooper meets Lauryn Bosstick. This podcast is for the providers and partners of medical aesthetic practices across the world who want to use their expertise + influence to create a positive impact.  Our show is produced to encourage our guests to get real about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the aesthetics space. We plan to dive into their why, what they stand for, and social impact. We also discuss their “hot take” on the controversial topics impacting the aesthetics industry. Lastly, we explore how social media has influenced the success of their practice.  Mary Robb is the Founder & CEO of Social Practice, a social media agency that serves the medical aesthetics space. Savannah Barineau is the Operations Manager at Social Practice. This dynamic duo is passionate about utilizing storytelling as a way to empower their audience and inspire growth. This podcast is produced by Social Practice. Apply To Be A Guest: https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit [https://social-practicetx.com/the-aesthetic-edit] Hire Social Practice: https://social-practicetx.com/ [https://social-practicetx.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/theaestheticeditpodcast/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@theaestheticeditpodcast]