We were lucky to catch up with Melinda Anna Farina recently and have shared our conversation below.
Melinda Anna, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
The biggest risk I’ve ever taken was launching Beauty Brokers Inc. in 2001. At the time, the idea of a plastic surgery consultancy simply didn’t exist—there were no university programs, no blueprint, and certainly no industry acceptance. I was creating an entirely new category in an industry that has traditionally been very closed off to outside innovation. Plastic surgery is a field dominated by surgeons who operate within a tight-knit, hierarchical system, and the idea of a consultant guiding patients and helping them navigate their options was met with tremendous resistance.
I had to carve out my own space, proving not just the necessity of my role but also the value of an advocate who puts patient safety and education first. The road was filled with obstacles—skepticism from surgeons, pushback from industry insiders, and even attempts to discredit my work. But I stayed committed, and over the past 25 years, Beauty Brokers Inc. has grown into a globally recognized and highly sought-after consultancy. The risk was enormous, but so was the reward—seeing patients make informed choices, avoid bad outcomes, and achieve results they love has made every challenge worth it.
Melinda Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
About Me & How I Got Started
I’m Melinda, the founder of Beauty Brokers Inc., a globally recognized plastic surgery consultancy that has been helping patients navigate the world of aesthetics since 2001. My journey into this industry started in 1993 in a cosmetic dentistry office, where I was first exposed to the nuances of aesthetic medicine. Over time, I saw a significant gap in the plastic surgery industry—patients were often making life-changing decisions without proper guidance, relying solely on marketing, social media, or a surgeon’s reputation rather than a deep understanding of what was truly best for them.
Recognizing the need for an independent, patient-focused advisory service, I launched Beauty Brokers Inc., despite there being no precedent for a role like mine. There was (and still is) no formal training or university program for plastic surgery consultants, meaning I had to forge my own path in an industry that was highly resistant to outside voices. But I knew that patients needed an advocate—someone who wasn’t trying to sell them a specific procedure but was instead dedicated to ensuring they got the best possible results safely.
What Beauty Brokers Inc. Does & What Sets Us Apart
Beauty Brokers Inc. is the leading independent plastic surgery consultancy, offering concierge-level guidance for individuals seeking plastic surgery, non-surgical aesthetic treatments, and cutting-edge wellness solutions. Our mission is simple: to educate, protect, and empower patients so they can make the most informed choices about their procedures.
Unlike clinics, medspas, or surgeon offices, we don’t perform procedures or push treatments—we provide unbiased, expert-level recommendations tailored to each patient’s needs. Our work involves:
✅ Surgeon Vetting & Referrals – I personally match patients with surgeons known for their artistry, ethics, and skill—ensuring the best possible aesthetic outcome.
✅ Procedure Planning & Education – We help patients understand what’s truly necessary (and what isn’t), cutting through the noise of social media and industry marketing.
✅ Post-Op Recovery Guidance – We guide patients through the often-overlooked healing process, providing expert support on scar management, skin health, and wellness to optimize results.
✅ Non-Surgical & Laser Treatment Consulting – We offer strategic advice on lasers, injectables, and non-invasive technologies, ensuring patients choose the right treatments for their goals.
✅ Global Reach, VIP-Level Service – Whether it’s a celebrity, an executive, or an everyday person, we provide high-touch, white-glove support to clients worldwide.
What truly sets Beauty Brokers apart is that we operate with complete independence. We’re not affiliated with any specific doctor, brand, or clinic, which means our recommendations are based purely on expertise, not financial incentives. Our entire business is built on trust, credibility, and the ability to predict great outcomes based on knowledge, experience, and real-world results.
What I’m Most Proud Of & What I Want People to Know
I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I pioneered this space in aesthetic medicine. When I started Beauty Brokers, plastic surgery was an industry that didn’t believe in patient advocacy, and many surgeons resisted the idea of a consultant like me being involved. But over time, the industry has evolved—many top surgeons now respect what I do, and countless patients have benefited from avoiding botched work, unnecessary surgeries, and dangerous trends.
What I want people to know is that aesthetic decisions should never be made lightly. Social media makes plastic surgery seem like a casual, trendy thing, but it’s serious medical treatment that requires expertise, planning, and the right surgeon for the right patient. I’ve seen far too many people get bad results because they followed hype instead of facts.
At Beauty Brokers, we exist to prevent that. We make sure patients make the best possible choices for their unique anatomy, lifestyle, and goals. If you’re considering a procedure, you deserve an advocate—someone who will protect your interests and help you achieve natural, beautiful, and safe results.
To potential clients: I’m here to help, and I will always give you the truth—even if it’s not what you want to hear. That’s the Beauty Brokers difference.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
Beyond training and knowledge, success in plastic surgery consulting requires a combination of intuition, integrity, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to anticipate both patient needs and industry trends. Here are some of the most important factors:
1. Unwavering Integrity & Trustworthiness
Patients come to me because they want honest, unbiased advice. In an industry where financial incentives often drive recommendations, maintaining integrity is everything. You have to be willing to tell people what’s truly best for them—even if that means advising against a procedure they were set on or turning down business from a surgeon who doesn’t meet your standards.
2. Strong Emotional Intelligence & Communication Skills
Plastic surgery is deeply personal. Clients aren’t just investing in a procedure—they’re often dealing with body insecurities, past trauma, or fear of making the wrong decision. Being able to read between the lines, understand their concerns, and communicate in a way that reassures while educating is crucial.
3. A Deep Understanding of Human Psychology
Aesthetic decisions are rarely just about looking better. Many people seek plastic surgery for reasons tied to self-esteem, relationships, career aspirations, or even social media pressure. You need to recognize when a patient is making a healthy, well-thought-out decision versus when they might be chasing an unrealistic ideal. Knowing when to advise caution, recommend therapy, or set realistic expectations is just as important as knowing which surgeon to send them to.
4. Ability to See the Big Picture
Trends come and go, but great results last a lifetime. You need the foresight to predict what will age well and help patients choose procedures that won’t leave them looking overdone or regretting their choices later.
5. Resilience & Thick Skin
The aesthetic industry is competitive and, at times, ruthless. Jealousy, misinformation, and professional resistance are common. When you challenge industry norms and advocate for patients, you will inevitably face pushback from people who don’t like their authority questioned. Staying focused on your mission—without getting caught up in negativity—is key to long-term success.
6. Strong Industry Relationships (But No Conflicts of Interest)
Building a respected network of top-tier surgeons, dermatologists, and aesthetic professionals is essential. However, maintaining independence from any one doctor or brand ensures your recommendations remain unbiased. Clients trust me because they know I have no financial ties influencing my guidance.
7. A Relentless Commitment to Staying Ahead
This field evolves constantly—new technologies, techniques, and trends emerge every year. You can’t rely on old knowledge; you have to keep learning, adapting, and innovating to provide the best possible advice to clients.
8. A Genuinely Passionate, Patient-First Approach
At the end of the day, success in this field isn’t just about knowledge or connections—it’s about genuinely caring about people’s outcomes. You have to be committed to protecting, educating, and advocating for patients, ensuring they receive not just good surgery, but the right surgery for them.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
I think I am exactly who and what I was meant to be. I enjoy being an advocate it brings me tremendous peace knowing that I am able to help and guide so many wonderful people.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebeautybrokers.com
- Instagram: @beautybrokerofficial
- Twitter: @beautybroker
Image Credits
JeRevele Photography
GOOP