#United States #Brooklyn #Aesthetic Medicine #Female Entrepreneurs #Moxie

The Hard Work Behind Aesthetic Medicine

The field of aesthetic medicine is booming, characterized by high patient demand and busy schedules. However, a recent national survey conducted by Moxie, which included 628 aesthetic practice owners, reveals a stark contrast to the seemingly glamorous narrative often portrayed on social media.

Little Time Off for Hard Workers

According to the 2026 State of Aesthetic Business Report, the average aesthetic practice owner took only one day of vacation in the past year. Alarmingly, 60% of these owners managed to take just two days completely off, while a mere 7% took an entire week off. The data paints a picture of dedicated professionals sacrificing personal time for their careers.

Despite the drastic need for aesthetic treatments and the increase in revenue, the toll of managing such practices is significant. Dr. Sheila Barbarino, an influential voice in the field, emphasizes the interconnectedness of clinical excellence and effective business operations, advocating for a holistic approach to practice management. As she states, long-term success necessitates alignment between delivery of care, patient experience, and operational effectiveness.

Women Leading the Way

Notably, 70% of aesthetic practice owners are women, positioning this sector as one of the most female-led areas in healthcare entrepreneurship. However, limited resources often hinder the true potential for revenue generation in these businesses, creating an environment where growth can feel elusive. Kamau Massey, CEO of Moxie, underlines this issue, indicating that many practitioners are clinically proficient but struggle with operational challenges.

Hidden Challenges Undermined

The Moxie report highlighted critical findings about the pressures aesthetic practice owners face. Key insights include:

• - 100% of owners work unplanned after-hours, with over half engaging in this behavior three to four times weekly.
• - 95% reported experiencing at least one operational incident in the past year, such as a patient complaint or regulatory scrutiny.
• - 70% described running their practice as more stressful than anticipated, with a significant 73% noting increased day-to-day complexity over the past two years.

This hidden reality contradicts the appealing images portrayed online, hinting at an ongoing struggle behind the scenes that is rarely discussed.

The Financial Landscape

Interestingly, while many practices are flourishing financially, owners often lack a clear understanding of their business health. A surprising 68% indicated they sometimes felt their schedules were full, yet faced tighter-than-expected cash flow. Many owners have never received formal training in essential areas such as reading profit and loss statements, contributing to a troubling disconnect.

• - 71% remain uncertain about the actual health of their practice, despite acceptable revenue growth.
• - 51% conduct financial performance reviews only quarterly, with just 2% reviewing daily.

This lack of operational clarity can lead to a false sense of security among practice owners, obscuring potential issues that need addressing.

Clinically-Led Growth

The report posits that practices exhibiting operational discipline—characterized by techniques like profit and loss training and consistent financial checks—experience superior growth compared to their less disciplined counterparts. Practices that identify as “very sustainable” reported being 2.5 times more likely to experience high growth.

As Mandy Haug, CEO of The Vanity Bar, notes, Moxie’s support allowed her practice to gain clarity and improve operations, aligning business strategies with patient care more effectively.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

The findings remind us that success in the aesthetic field must extend beyond financial growth. It requires an equilibrium between operational efficiency and high standards of care. Moxie closes a $25 million Series C funding round, illustrating its commitment to supporting aesthetic practices achieve better operational stability while scaling with intention. As aesthetic practice owners navigate these complexities, ongoing assessment and adaptive strategies remain essential for sustainable success.

For those who wish to delve deeper into this critical report, Moxie will present full findings at the upcoming AmSpa Annual Conference at the Wynn, Las Vegas, April 9-12, 2026.