We were lucky to catch up with Alicia Long recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alicia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

When you take the time to reflect on life’s choices and identity the defining moments, it makes you realize the risks you had to take to in order for the outcomes to turn out the way it did. I believe my first major leap of faith I took was in myself. My aesthetic career started before this major moment but the decision to take a job where my lively hood was completely based on performance. IT was an EAT WHAT YOU KILL type of situation. The platform was set up for success, but it was on me to make sure I was successful. My husband and I had made things work for our family durning nursing school on a tight budget and faith, so we knew could do it if things were rough. His support and our strength made it possible to jump headfirst into somethings that would launch my entire future.
I grew my practice and clientele over the next 6 years and was able to save and invests in my own building, my own team and my own practice which now turned into C2 Aesthetics!!

Alicia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I truly feel like the aesthetic industry found me not the other way around. I was always wanted to do trauma nursing and I was somewhat of a tom boy, so beauty was not on my radar for most of my younger years. When I took a job in the OR with a cosmetic surgeon and learned how to do Botox my love story with aesthetics began. I feel in love with the art and science of the industry. For me, it was not about just treating wrinkles or filling lips, it was deeper than that. I have the passion and ability to connect with people and this industry is all about loyalty. If I can make an impact on how someone feels about themselves then they can gain more confidence and do greater things, we are fulfilled. Our mentality at C2 is service over sales. We are put here to serve others the best we can and making meaningful moments for people whom we have the privilege to treat.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I believe that being a part of athletics and sports my entire life has prepared me for leading a team and being a part of a success practice. Playing at a high level and being placed in a captain position for a lot of those team taught me about team morale, leadership and perseverance. I found that your actions go much further than your words, leading by example is key. It’s not about finding the people you want to work in your practice it’s about creating an origination that the people you want are looking for.
I spend time on team building and make sure everyone knows how to communicate effectively with each other.
I have committed to showing up for my team with the best version of myself and setting values that are clear and consistent. Consistency compounds and that gives a foundation to build on.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

People either share their best experiences or their worst experiences, nothing in between. The only option for me is to be the very best for every person I interact with. I did not have a social presence or marketing tools when I started my aesthetic career. Building your reputation takes time and consistency. I committed to excellence from a young age because that is what was expected of me from my dad with sports. This molded my mindset for my career path. Coming in everyday serving my patients and going home every night continuing my education and learning. One of my core values is “growth mentality”. I have to continue to grow and learning so I can deliver the more effective and safe outcomes for my patients and now my team. My reputation grew because people knew I was authentic, knowledgeable and caring. People talk about how you make them feel and that just snowballed. I don’t take that for granted and will continue to use my reputation to build a new platform for C2 and the team in it.

Contact Info:

• Website: c2medpsa.com
• Instagram: @C2aesthetics
• Facebook: C2 Aesthetics-Alicia Long, RN MEP-C

Image Credits
Krystal and Mark @Krystaleveweddings.com Krystal eve photography Martichproductions