Next Level Practices

Max Baybak sits down with Josh Suchanek of Skytale Group for a conversation about one of the biggest challenges facing growing practices: marketing leadership. While many organizations have agencies, vendors, and internal coordinators helping execute marketing efforts, Josh explains why successful growth often depends on having someone responsible for aligning all of those moving pieces into a coh...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Erica Crawford welcomes Vahe Tirakyan of MD Logica for an unscripted conversation about the technologies changing the way practices market, communicate, and connect with patients. What starts as a discussion about ChatGPT quickly expands into a broader exploration of AI search, social media, online reputation, patient education, and the future of digita...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Max Baybak welcomes Dean Bakes, Co-Founder of Riviera, for a discussion about artificial intelligence, automation, and the future of practice operations. As healthcare businesses face increasing complexity, Dean shares his perspective on how AI can help practices move beyond traditional software tools and create more efficient systems for managing growt...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Max Baybak welcomes Ben Wolber, Founder and CEO of Illume, for a conversation about analytics, accountability, and operational excellence in aesthetic practices. As practices adopt more technology than ever before, Ben explains why visibility into business performance has become a critical competitive advantage. The discussion explores how practices can...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Max Baybak welcomes Izhak Musli for a conversation about retention, loyalty, and the future of patient engagement. As the founder of Get Kudos AI and a veteran of the healthcare technology space, Izhak has spent years helping practices understand their data, optimize operations, and improve patient experiences. In this episode, he shares why retention m...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Erica Crawford welcomes Dr. Jonathan Kaplan for a conversation about the technologies, treatments, and trends reshaping patient care. As both a practicing plastic surgeon and the founder of DrWell, Dr. Kaplan brings a unique perspective on the intersection of aesthetics, wellness, telehealth, and healthcare technology. Dr. Kaplan and Erica unpack the on...

Erica Crawford sits down with Dr. Kouros Azar, a Thousand Oaks plastic surgeon known for his expertise in facial rejuvenation, to discuss the intersection of specialization, innovation, and work-life balance. Together, they explore how intentional practice design can create better outcomes for both patients and providers. Dr. Azar shares how focusing on high-value procedures, prioritizing quality...

Recorded live at The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Max Baybak sits down with Spencer Lynch, Lead Social Ads Manager at Influx Marketing, to discuss the rapidly evolving world of Meta advertising and what aesthetic practices need to understand to stay ahead. From recent algorithm changes to the growing role of AI-driven ad delivery, Spencer explains why successful marketing still comes down to und...

Recorded live at The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Erica Crawford sits down with facial plastic surgeon Dr. Carey Campbell to discuss her recent transition from a large practice in Memphis to a growing aesthetic-focused practice in Philadelphia. Together, they explore the professional and personal considerations behind making a major career move and what it means to build a practice centered arou...

Live from The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Erica Crawford welcomes Philadelphia plastic surgeon Dr. Ran Stark for a conversation on specialization, practice growth, and the evolving landscape of aesthetic medicine.  Drawing from his own experience building a thriving practice, Dr. Stark explains how focusing on core strengths while strategically expanding through additional providers has created...

Recorded live at The Aesthetic Meet 2026 in Boston, Erica Crawford sits down with Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Dr. Armando Davila for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of aesthetics, wellness, and preventative healthcare. Together, they explore why the industry's biggest opportunity may not be the next trending treatment, but a fundamental shift toward proactive care and long-term...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Max Baybak sits down with Shannon Blake of Podium to discuss how the company is evolving its platform to meet the changing needs of modern practices. Shannon shares how Podium's new AI-powered agent can help practices automate communication, improve responsiveness, and create a more seamless patient experience. They also explore how these innovati...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Max Baybak sits down with Dr. Mark Tager to explore the intersection of communication, leadership, and patient trust in the aesthetics industry. Dr. Tager shares his perspective on how providers can strengthen patient relationships through more effective messaging, emotional intelligence, and a deeper understanding of the patient experience. They also...

Recorded live at The Medical Spa Show in Las Vegas, we sat down with Facundo Formica, CEO of Symplast, to talk about how smart technology is reshaping the way aesthetic practices operate and grow.  From streamlining workflows to enhancing patient engagement, Facundo shares insights on what it really takes to run a modern, efficient practice. It’s an insightful listen for anyone looking to level up...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Max Baybak sits down with Terri Ross to discuss her ongoing impact as a leader and trusted voice in the aesthetics industry. Terri shares what she’s been working on, from advising and scaling high-performing practices to helping providers refine their business strategy, optimize operations, and drive sustainable growth. They also highlight Terri’s cont...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Erica Crawford sits down with Robin Dimond of Fifth & Cor to explore the power of public relations in the aesthetics industry. Robin breaks down how thoughtful PR strategies can elevate brand credibility, secure meaningful media placements, and position providers as trusted authorities in an increasingly competitive market. Robin and Erica touch on...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Max Baybak sits down with Frank Pierce of Medical Spa Supply to discuss the importance of planning, strategy, and connection when building or expanding an aesthetic practice. Frank shares how his team supports practices beyond just equipment, helping providers think through everything from device selection to patient experience and long-term growth. He...

Live at the Medical Spa Show 2026, Host Max Baybak sits down with Jared Rohrer of Aesthetic Conversion to dive into the world of strategic marketing for aesthetic practices.  Jared shares insights on building a strong brand presence, improving website conversion, leveraging paid media effectively, and creating marketing systems that drive consistent patient growth. We also get a glimpse into Jared...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Erica Crawford sits down with Dr. Johnny Franco of Austin Plastic Surgeon to explore how innovation, branding, and patient experience intersect in today’s aesthetic landscape. Dr. Franco shares his perspective on staying ahead in a competitive market while building a practice that truly resonates with patients. It's always an amazing conversation...

In this episode of Next Level Practices, host Erica Crawford sits down with Sam Pondrom of ByrdAdatto to unpack the critical role of legal compliance in the aesthetics industry. Sam shares practical insights on navigating complex regulations, avoiding common pitfalls, and building a practice that is both growth-focused and fully compliant. They also dive into the nuances of marketing compliance, e...

In this episode of Next Level Practices , host Erica Crawford sits down with John Wheeler, CEO of Alpha Aesthetics Partners, to unpack the company’s rapid rise and the strategy behind building a true “brand of brands.” From executing 18 acquisitions and expanding to 36 locations to prioritizing hyper-local identity over homogenized national models, John shares the tactical decisions that have fuel...

Chad Sawyer, COO of DrWell, joins us to unpack the rapid changes happening in wellness, weight management, and modern patient access. Chad explains how DrWell evolved from a GLP-1–focused platform into a full weight and wellness ecosystem offering more than 200 compounded medications. We get into how patients move along their “GLP-1 journey,” why providers want to offer more longevity and wellness...

Tyler Terry of NexTech joins us at The Aesthetic Meet in Austin to break down the trends he's seen that are reshaping the med spa and aesthetics space. From the rise of hybrid wellness–med spa models to the explosive demand for IV therapy and injectable add-ons, Tyler explains how practices are expanding their service lines and creating new cross-sell opportunities.  He also shares why wellne...

We sit down with Dr. Brent Robinson of Salt Lake City for our now annual catch-up at The Aesthetic Meet 2025. A lot has changed for him this year — including a transition into a larger, growth-minded practice — and we dig into what that shift has meant for his work and the patient experience. Dr. Robinson shares how joining a team with a strong social media presence opened his eyes to the real pow...

Dr. Horriat joins us on Next Level Practices at the Aesthetic Meeting 2025 in Austin to share her remarkable journey: from aesthetic surgery fellow to becoming the first female associate at the Bengtson Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Dr. Horriat shares how aligning with a practice that values natural, elegant, and sophisticated results has shaped her career, and how her identity as a young, female su...