Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Pohle. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later

I graduated from nursing school in 2014 and spent the first seven years of my career working in the hospital setting, including the ER, ICU, and PACU. While I loved nursing, I always had a passion for aesthetics. After learning and becoming “certified” in aesthetic medicine, I started seeing aesthetic patients on my own time while continuing to work full-time night shift in the ICU.

As my aesthetic practice grew, I transitioned to the PACU for a more predictable day-shift schedule, but I still held onto my hospital job. I also went back to school for my Nurse Practitioner degree. Even after my business became successful enough to support me full-time, I stayed PRN for much longer than I needed to.

Looking back, the hospital had become my security blanket. It represented stability, benefits, and everything I had worked so hard for as a nurse.
I remember the moment I finally left. My manager asked me what I was doing and whether I really needed the job anymore. That conversation made me realize I was holding onto something familiar out of fear, not necessity. I submitted my two-week notice that day.

If I could go back, I would have started my business sooner and I definitely would have left the hospital sooner. At the time, I thought I was being responsible by keeping one foot in each world, but in reality, splitting my focus slowed my growth. Once I fully committed to my business, everything accelerated. My skill set grew, my patient base expanded, and opportunities appeared that I couldn’t have pursued while trying to balance two careers and NP school.

That said, I don’t regret the years I spent in critical care. The ER, ICU, and PACU gave me the clinical and critical thinking skills, confidence, and work ethic that have made me a better provider and business owner today. Those experiences shaped who I am and how I practice today.

Looking back, I wish I had trusted myself sooner. The security I thought I had in the hospital was actually something I was capable of creating on my own. Starting earlier wouldn’t have changed my passion or work ethic, but it would have allowed me to grow into entrepreneurship faster. Sometimes the biggest risk isn’t leaving, it’s staying comfortable for too long!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Of course! My name is Lauren Pohle, and I am a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, entrepreneur, and founder of Modern Med, a medical aesthetics and wellness practice in St. Louis, Missouri. I graduated from nursing school in 2014 and spent seven years working in critical care, including the ER, ICU, and PACU. While I loved patient care, I developed a passion for aesthetics and began building my practice while still working full-time in the hospital.

What started as seeing a few patients on the side eventually grew into a thriving business. Today, Modern Med offers aesthetic injectables, laser treatments, skincare, wellness services, and advanced training for medical professionals. My goal has always been to help people look and feel like the best version of themselves while maintaining natural, balanced results.

What sets me apart is that I have never been afraid to say no. In an industry that can sometimes prioritize sales over outcomes, I built my reputation on honesty, transparency, and doing what is right for the patient, even if that means turning down treatment. I truly believe that authenticity is what made me successful. I wasn’t chasing money; I was focused on delivering great results, building trust, and helping people feel more confident. The financial success followed because patients knew they could trust me, and would refer their friends and family.

I’m most proud that I had the courage to bet on myself and trust my vision, even when others doubted it. I chose not to let other people’s fear dictate my future. Entrepreneurship can be incredibly lonely, uncertain, and uncomfortable, and there were many moments when people questioned my decisions or told me I was making a mistake. Had I listened to the doubts, fears, and opinions around me, I never would have taken the leap, and I certainly would not be where I am today!

I’m also proud of everything I’ve taught myself along the way. Business isn’t something most of us are formally taught. From marketing and finance to leadership and operations, I learned through experience, mistakes, and a lot of hard work. Along the way, I’ve met incredible mentors, colleagues, employees, and patients who have helped shape both my business and who I am as a person. Building this business has been about far more than success or revenue. It has been a journey of resilience, growth, and becoming the person capable of leading something bigger than myself.

The biggest thing I want people to know about me and my brand is that we genuinely care. Modern Med was built on relationships, trust, and ethical patient care. Our mission has always been to provide natural but noticeable results while helping patients feel confident in their own skin. Everything else has grown from that foundation.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I started my business, I was 25 years old, living with my parents, and working full-time as a registered nurse making about $23 an hour. Fortunately, my parents taught me the value of saving money from a young age, so I had built up a solid savings account. Rather than taking out large loans or seeking outside investors, I invested my own savings into getting the business off the ground.

One of the smartest decisions I made was keeping my full-time nursing job while building my clientele. Having a steady income allowed me to take calculated risks without putting unnecessary financial pressure on the business. I didn’t feel the need to grow overnight or impress anyone with expensive equipment, a flashy office, or the latest devices.

Instead, I focused on keeping overhead low and becoming exceptionally good at one thing. I concentrated on the services I knew best, built trust with my patients, and reinvested profits back into the business as it grew. Every dollar I earned went toward improving the practice, expanding services, and creating a better experience for patients.

Looking back, I think a lot of entrepreneurs underestimate the power of starting small and staying disciplined. I wasn’t trying to look successful, I was trying to build something sustainable. That approach allowed me to grow organically, avoid unnecessary debt, and create a strong foundation that ultimately led to long-term success.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

Yes, diversification has been a big part of my business strategy. While Modern Med is my primary business, I have intentionally built multiple revenue streams over the years.

In addition to owning and operating Modern Med, I own the commercial real estate where my business operates. Owning the buildings has allowed me to build equity while also creating an additional income stream. I also generate passive income through a cell tower lease on one of my properties and an ATM located in the parking lot.

Beyond the medical spa, I founded Modern Med Academy, where I provide hands-on training and education for medical professionals looking to enter or advance in the aesthetics industry. Education has become a natural extension of my career because I enjoy mentoring others and sharing what I’ve learned throughout my journey.

I also launched LuMED, an activewear-inspired medical scrub brand designed for healthcare professionals. What started as an idea evolved into a full e-commerce business serving medical professionals across the country.

Over time, I’ve learned that building multiple streams of income creates stability and opens new opportunities for growth. While aesthetics remains my passion, I enjoy creating businesses and assets that can generate value independently. Each venture complements the others while allowing me to continue expanding as both a healthcare provider and entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @nurselaurenstl