We were lucky to catch up with Kelly Woodruff recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kelly , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.
In 2003, I moved to Florida from Madison, Wisconsin to make an industry leap into plastic surgery and aesthetics. The global aesthetic market was booming and the growing focus on physical appearance increased the demand for procedures. I interviewed and was hired as a Surgical Consultant by one of the most highly acclaimed plastic surgeons in the industry, He ran a double OR Suite with a large surgical team on top of traveling and Preceptorships all over the world. He was a mentor to many. I knew absolutely nothing about plastic surgery and I had some big shoes to fill. He had a reputation of being hard to work for. Tall and statuesque with piercing blue eyes that would burn a hole right through you. After early surgery he would change into his gucci suit to see patients and then put his scrubs back on for his next surgeries. He put 110% effort into every little thing he did. I learned to do the same. I saw the value in it. Surgeons are a different breed to work for. When you find that sweet spot on how to work well with them, the flood gates open. I was in charge of consulting with patients on which surgical options were best for them as well as scheduling their surgery and collecting payment. Essentially, I was the cash cow. He understood that for his practice to flourish, I needed to be highly trained and given all of the right tools in the toolbox. He basically needed to clone himself. He spent a great deal of time teaching and training me on his procedures and technique. I felt very empowered by all of this knowledge. I was his right hand. I became so good at reading him in his consults and the procedures he was going to suggest, that he let me go solo on the consultations. It allowed him to free up some time to focus on the rest of our surgical team. I watched and listened as he mentored and that same staff that was scared to death of him and always walked on eggshells was now a well oiled machine. He started to smile and laugh. Life was good. Then the recession hit in 2007. Everyone freaked out and started lowering their prices. Facelifts for $4,995? No thank you. I told him that we were not going down that road and to remain firm on pricing. It only devalues you and your craft and you cannot come back from it. He had created an empire and the time and effort he had put in mentoring our team was invaluable, We doubled our numbers for the next two years. I remained close with him until he retired. His leadership shaped me into the person I am today. My success is a direct result of all the pearls I gathered from him and is the necklace I wear proudly today.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As an accomplished Aesthetics professional, my passion for beauty and aesthetics first lead me to an executive role for one of the largest global cosmetic brands. At an early age I knew that aesthetic perceptions evoke positive emotions; beauty makes us happy! I wanted to help people feel and look their best while still working in the medical aspect of it. As a business leader for one of the most coveted brands, I was appointed to their beauty advisory board where I was able to dive deep into the science and research behind the company. I was promoted to a executive position which included moving to Florida. During this time I was approached by an investor looking to develop a medical spa concept as well as launch a line of skincare he had been working on for 3 years. I could barely contain the excitement! I immediately joined his team which included a plastic surgeon. While working along side some of the most eminent key players in the industry, I found professional success at a high level, creating and opening one of the first Medi-spa practices in the state. It made it’s first million in 8 months. With Lasers and injectable fillers on the rise and medical spa’s popping up I knew it was my calling and natural fit to transition into the consulting medical field for plastics and aesthetics.
With over 25 years’ experience in the medical industry, I have successfully opened and consulted a multitude of practices, which included joining as a partner with Artisan Face and Body in Dunedin, Florida. I have known my business partner Donna for many years and her experience and expertise is unsurpassed. It was a great fit partnering with her not only for her expertise as a provider but because she is HILARIOUS! I respect her and we have so much fun together. It is important when partnering in a business that you find YOUR person. She is my person. You can sink your ship quickly if there isn’t a mutual respect for each other and that no matter what, you are in this together and will do whatever it takes to make it successful. We both have that mentality and work ethic which will bring us continued success. I have helped multiple practices that were in the red and on the verge of closing their doors get back on their feet and become successful. In that journey I have always seen one common denominator…two business owners that are not on the same page.
Donna’s background, Anesthetist-turned-injector has led her to become the woman to see for her legendary aesthetic transformations and iconic techniques. Her following spans near and far for her celebrity treatments-and not because it’s a beautiful destination-because she delivers the goods. Recognized for her pioneering work, she has trained with some of the Elite and big names from the world of aesthetics including Dr. Anil Rajani, Dr. Tim Pierce, Dr. Kian Karami, Dr. Tom Van Ejik, Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera, Dr. Arthur Swift and Julie Horne. Not only has she clocked in some serious miles, she has managed to land her fair share of celebrity and global clientele. The unique background we both have is what separates us from the rest. You get the best of both worlds!
Patients come to us for just about everything but more commonly sagging jawlines, wrinkled skin, and drooping cheeks. There needs to be a conversation, and an in-depth consultation that allows us to identify their goals, the look they are trying to go for, whether it is subtle, or a complete transformation, and how long they would like the results to last. This step is crucial because we respect their investment.
We pride ourselves on using the latest science when it comes to our treatments with a focus on full facial balancing. Our top procedures include: SylFirm X rf microneedling, PRF Gel and liquid, Collagen induction therapy, Thread lifting, hair loss treatments, peptide and medical weight loss, Exosomes, and biostimulator fillers. They can enjoy an IV infusion while they are numbing for their treatment to elevate their experience with us.
Our goal is to optimize our patients and we truly believe that everyone should feel balanced from the inside out and have incorporated Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy, thyroid support and sexual health into our practice. This has been a real game changer for our patients and has changed lives. The true key is balance; you must find it to live your best life. Offering comprehensive lab testing in-house has been the key to the success of our Hormone Therapy business.
I am grateful for the years I have spent mentoring, consulting, and growing practices that continue to thrive and evolve. It makes my heart full to know that I made a real difference. I am most proud of Artisan Face and Body and the destined fate that brought Donna and I together, All of the years of hard work and dedication have joined our paths and led us right to where we are supposed to be, here together. This is where the magic happens. Artisan Face and Body will continue to grow and evolve in developing methods to take future aesthetic treatments to the next level.
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
Earn the respect of each employee and acknowledge their value or position in the company. Create structure that they can depend on. Be very clear about their job description and expectations out of the gate. Communicate effectively. Give them an incentive that they can earn in their performance and can increase as they grow with the company. Afterall, they are a large part of the puzzle to the success and growth. They will want to stay if they know they are valued and have opportunity for growth or advancement even if it is in the form of a bonus. You will create a stable team that performs. It is more expensive to replace an employee that was great but deserved more, than hire a new one that sucks and will take years to get to the level of the person you just lost. Weekly meetings are a must. Leaders know the way and show the way. Never act like you are above doing anything. Meeting with each employee for 10 minutes individually before the weekly meeting helps you stay in the loop, stay connected and in charge. It also gives you the opportunity to have that employee discuss something at the meeting that is relevant to their position, keeping everyone connected and playing on the same team. Always keep your cool and remember it’s not about you, it’s about unlocking the potential in the team you have built to be the next you.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
We have both been in this industry forever. We have created meaningful relationships. Everyone in this industry circles back around at some point and keeping those relationships is important. You need to be the type of energy that no matter where you go, you add value to the lives round you. Everyone will feel this and want to be around it. BE AUTHENTIC. No one likes generic. Putting yourself out there in every thing you touch and do will build your empire. Networking events, trainings, speaking engagements, magazines, women’s groups, men’s groups, social media, google ads, billboards, etc. Tapping into important events in your community, fundraising, donating, galas, associations, the sky is the limit in what you can tap into. Getting yourself out there ALL. THE. TIME. You are seen, you are remembered and the referrals start flooding in. Making it count with every client that walks through your door as if it was your last. It will bring you 10 more people. Five years can go by quickly, and if you stayed behind closed doors, someone else just took over your market share.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artisanfacebody.com
- Instagram: artisanfaceandbody
- Facebook: Artisan Face and Body
Image Credits
Jessica McKnight Photography