Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marc Rivera. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Marc, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
“Plastic Surgery” is no longer ‘plastic’ or exclusively accessible to the upper class or elite. Our clients are Board Certified Plastic Surgeons whose primary passion is helping patients feel better about themselves. Whether it’s a mother wanting to regain her pre-baby body and confidence or a weight loss patient looking to remove their excess skin; modern-day plastic surgery is empathetic and mainstream. The focus in our industry is confidence-driven and that’s personal to the patient’s story.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
We were the first social media agency in aesthetic medicine. Our name is Board Certified Media because we only take on board certified physicians as clients. There’s a monumental difference in training, schooling, certification and quality that a board certified plastic surgeon offers versus a cosmetic doctor. I wanted my business to be niched in the best in practice which is why our slogan is “Social Media for The Best in Practice”. We help our clients by managing their social media platforms, growing their following through honest organic and paid strategies, and the most valuable thing we do is generate new patient leads. In a social media world full of filters and medical misinformation, we really push the good guys ahead with high-end content and ads that unequivocally separate them from the noise and let their work speak for themselves.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
With the longevity and success of Board Certified Media, this is a common question. With our 10 year anniversary approaching, it’s unusual to have a business last this long without outside investment. The truth is; I have entertained it -especially during the covid peak- but never have. I have been approached with buy-out offers and partnership opportunities; but I’ve personally funded it since day one and still do. To me, business IS personal. The client relationships I build and the model I create speaks directly about me. Maybe I just haven’t found the right partner and that’s ok. In the beginning, there were years that I didn’t take a salary. There were years that my assistant was making a better salary than I was, but that’s growing pains and ultimately was an investment in itself.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
Covid really affected our clients and by Jenga, affected us. When elective surgeries were prohibited during Covid, our clients – many with their own surgical centers – were temporarily shut down and unable to operate. We reacted by pivoting and doing what we do best: getting creative. We gave our clients creative ideas to keep a pulse on their practices by offering emergency care and outpatient alternatives for folks who needed medical attention; but were otherwise hesitant to go to hospitals. It wasn’t revenue focused and it wasn’t for profit – it was about relationships. It was about doing the right thing for our clients and getting through it together.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.boardcertifiedmedia.com
- Instagram: @RiveraMarcos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/marcandresrivera