We recently connected with Dr. Vanessa Barrow and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Barrow, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory of how you established your own practice.

The defining moment of me wanting to open my own practice was while I was practicing with a large company and after 3 months of being there I turned to my colleague and said “You know… I don’t feel like I’m making a difference here.” The response I received was ” What kind of difference are you trying to make? Just keep your head down and see patients” That’s when I knew… I did not want to be in a position where I couldn’t offer my patients every option to help them get back to living the lifestyle they wanted and deserved. I knew that opening my own practice, I would have the ability to offer innovative and alternative therapy. Medicine is ever-evolving and being able to offer the Future of Medicine to my patients is my reason why. I knew that what I was offering was unheard of… so the challenge of bringing awareness to the public has been the biggest hurdle and still continues to be. I created my own path and it was not an easy one…unpaved and full of obstacles and setbacks, however to this day, still the most rewarding decision I have ever made. My advice to young professionals would be to follow your heart. There will be a day when you realize why you decided to practice medicine and help people. It may look entirely different from what you are currently doing but, always remember that if we continue to do the same thing and don’t challenge, or question, or change your thinking, then there will never be growth. Patients deserve a health care provider that wants the opportunity to try any and everything to help them

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?

I chose the field of specializing in Foot and Ankle because of my background in Sports Medicine and Athletic Training from the University of Michigan. I was exposed to every type of foot and ankle injury in every sport. Additionally, I am a fitness enthusiast, avid runner and bikini competitor, It is important to me to lead by example. Patients can relate to a doctor that understands the lifestyle and what it feels like to be unable to live that life. I also appeal to patients who WANT to a doctor that practices what she preaches so they can start their own journey to health and fitness by addressing their foot and ankle pain.

I am most proud of being the standout in my field. Challenging what a doctor is supposed to look like. Challenging traditional therapy. I am most proud of changing the face of medicine creating my own path.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Covid severely impacted my practice. Although I have been practicing for over 15 years, my practice opened its doors in 2018. Just after our 2nd anniversary, COVID halted everything, I myself contracted it early in March 2020. I had to let go of my entire staff and close my doors until I recovered. I was able to open after a month, but business was at a stand still. My own symptoms lingered for over 9 months, but I took over running all positions to keep my doors open..from billing to booking appointments to all administrative and clerical work in addition to seeing patients and performing surgery. This moment only made me stronger, elevated me and thrive as a business owner and a doctor…knowing that I could handle any obstacle that came my way.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for building your brand is BEING your brand. It’s that simple. I am the brand of Sole Aesthetic. I promote fitness and fashion in health and medicine and that is what I live. It’s my passion and it’s evident everywhere I go. The name Dr. Barrow is now synonomous with The Hot Doc In Heels or Houston’s Fittest Doc. Patients come to see me based on this… based on knowing that they are seeing a doctor that runs or is in the gym or wears heels… They come to me and say “I looked you up and knew you were the doctor for me”. That is what makes this all worth it.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.soleaesthetictx.com
• Instagram: @soleaesthetictx
• Facebook: Sole Aesthetic
• Linkedin: Sole Aesthetic
• Twitter: Sole_Aesthetic
• Youtube: Sole Aesthetic
• Yelp: Sole Aesthetic

Image Credits
Images by: Ashkan Image Al Torres Photography