We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tara Rodriguez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tara, thanks for joining us today. Setting up an independent practice is a daunting endeavor. Can you talk to us about what it was like for you – what were some of the main steps, challenges, etc.

With over ten years of nursing experience spanning hospitals, in-home care, and administrative roles, I’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge. About seven years ago, I came across an article in our TBON newsletters about nurses administering “cosmetic injections,” and the prospect of becoming an injector occasionally crossed my mind.

It wasn’t until the pandemic hit in 2020, forcing the world into a standstill, that I had the opportunity to reassess my life’s purpose. That was the year I began taking courses and obtaining my certifications to practice Botox and fillers. However, a significant family event in early 2021 shifted my life’s trajectory. My father contracted COVID-19 and spent three months in ICU. As the only medical professional in the family, I was tasked with making tough decisions and ensuring he received the necessary care.

During this time, I was also a new mother, the Director of Nursing for a home health agency, and in the midst of my first semester of a Nurse Practitioner masters program. Surprisingly, I made the decision to quit — not only my job but also my school. I withdrew my baby from daycare to take care of him at home.

That significant shift in my life turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Spending time with my son opened my eyes and inspired me to demonstrate to him that he could achieve his dreams. I soon realized there was a niche for me in the aesthetic specialty.

I saw a uniformity in patients’ looks that I didn’t appreciate. As a makeup artist, I felt that lips were overly enlarged, cheeks were excessively filled, and people no longer resembled their authentic selves. Just like my makeup style, I preferred a simpler, enhanced look — something natural, refreshed, and lively.

But my vision extended beyond that. At every medspa where I interned, I encountered a woman hiding her treatments from her husband. This revelation fueled my passion to educate. I believed that by informing my patients, they could in turn educate their spouses, perhaps even encouraging them to participate. This sparked my desire to create a space where both men and women could strive to become their best selves.
Embarking upon my career in aesthetics was a challenge, primarily due to the timing. I found myself at the dawn of this specialty in San Antonio, a time when job opportunities were scarce.

The most daunting tasks revolved around understanding the laws and figuring out where to begin with establishing a medspa. The concept of “community over competition” was still in its infancy, barely reaching me during those early stages. Fortunately, the situation has greatly improved since then.

Though I was inundated with myriad questions at the onset of my career, my background in leadership, healthcare compliance, patient safety, and patient education instilled a sense of confidence in me. I was not only assured that I would find the answers but I was also convinced that I was on the right path.

Reflecting on my journey, I now realize that I should not have been hesitant about investing in my education earlier. Engaging in business classes can impart crucial knowledge on managing an enterprise. Moreover, continuing education is crucial for enhancing your skills as an injector to provide first-rate services to clients. Remember, investing in yourself is paramount!

If you’re considering a career in the aesthetic specialty, I couldn’t be more excited for you! However, I strongly believe that injections should only be administered by licensed medical professionals such as registered nurses or those with higher qualifications. This is crucial for ensuring patient safety, given the extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology required.

For those new to the field, especially nurses, I recommend gaining experience in a hospital setting for at least 1-3 years. This will equip you with the skills necessary to respond effectively to adverse situations.

If you’re eager to start your own practice, my advice is simple: never give up. Understand your unique qualities and the value you bring to your patients. Be honest, believe in yourself, and act accordingly. Strive to give your best not just for your own benefit but for the betterment of your patients. Your skill, knowledge, and compassion will have a profound impact on those you serve.

Remember, if your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough!

There’s always an answer to your questions. Don’t fear being a novice. There are no foolish questions if you’re genuinely interested in growth.

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?

For over a decade, I have been a committed registered nurse, holding a Bachelor’s degree in the Science of Nursing. My passion in life has always been to lend a helping hand and uplift others through my profession.

I am joyfully married to my high school sweetheart, Mario (DJ MARS). We’ve been together for over 15 years, and this August 2023 marks our 11th wedding anniversary. Our shared love for family, music, and travel keeps our bond strong. We’re blessed with a son, Sebastian. He is a handsome, adventurous, and animal-loving bundle of joy who motivates us to strive for excellence.

Our desire to show Sebastian that he can reach for the stars propelled us to steer our careers in a different direction. After earning my certifications in aesthetics, a significant family event led me to leave my corporate job and focus on my freelance makeup business. However, I realized that while I loved makeup, it wasn’t what I had dedicated so many years of study towards. This realization led me to seek a career that would align with my academic pursuits.

I noticed a market gap for a ‘less is more’ aesthetic, a more natural look, and also a need to educate men about treatments to combat signs of aging. I was drawn to the artistry of toxin and fillers, as it allowed me to sculpt faces, much like with makeup. I became motivated to prioritize education and safety for patients in our company.

Our services at MyBFF Aesthetics include advanced aesthetic procedures such as strategically placing toxins and fillers to enhance your unique aesthetic, skincare, microneedling (coming soon), and IV hydration. We go beyond correcting fine lines and wrinkles; we use a combination of toxin and filler for facial balancing to enhance your unique facial appearance. We take pride in revealing your best self and empowering you to face any life challenge with confidence through our non-surgical procedures.

What differentiates us from other med spas is our patient-centered care. We emphasize education and safety to ensure the best outcomes for every patient. I have been trained by nationally and globally renowned doctors and injectors, who are always just a call or message away. This network allows us to stay current with the latest clinical practices and ensures we receive support from the best in the field. We are one of the few med spas that prioritizes the word ‘No.’ If a product or procedure is not beneficial to you or doesn’t align with your aesthetic goals, we will not recommend it.

At MyBFF Aesthetics, we take pride in guiding your entire aesthetic journey. If you need a product or procedure that we don’t offer, we have established relationships with preferred practices to which we can refer you. We believe in community over competition and strive to provide our patients with the best care possible.

Our team at MyBFF Aesthetics, united by our core values, is one I am immensely proud of. We believe we are making a difference in the lives of others. Our brand is unique in our specialty. We have created a modern, welcoming environment where everyone can experience self-care like never before.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The most significant lesson I had to unlearn was the pursuit of perfection. Before I had my son, I was consumed by the need for everything to be perfect before making a decision or taking a step. I believed that maintaining control over everything was the only way to ensure things were done correctly. However, becoming a mother and embarking on my journey in this specialty led me to realize that perfection is an illusion. There is no perfect time or perfect life; these are constructs that don’t exist. What matters is the urgency of time and the necessity of action. Rapid decision-making becomes essential. Ultimately, everything is in God’s hands: His timing, His will, His way.

Now, at every crossroads, I focus on my vision, take a deep breath, ask for God’s guidance, and take action. I am reassured that God meets us halfway, positioning us in the right places at the right times, and bringing the right people into our lives. I’ve learned that good people need the assistance of other good people. I can’t do everything on my own, and I don’t always have the best solutions. This realization is liberating, as it encourages me to surround myself with the best people, and together, we can provide the best care for our patients.

This lesson is embodied in our practice, where we do not strive for unattainable perfection, akin to chasing the horizon. Instead, we embrace the fact that we are already perfectly imperfect, and it’s this uniqueness that makes us special. Our goal isn’t to change your unique look, but to enhance it.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Integrity and compassion serve as the cornerstone in the field of healthcare. Even with extensive knowledge and the ability to provide necessary care, without exceptional bedside manners, one can still fall short as a healthcare provider. Every facet of care, including aesthetics, requires healthcare professionals to pair their safe practices with a heart of gold.

In today’s society, where many are hyper-focused and critical of their own appearance, it’s crucial for us to cultivate a positive atmosphere and foster a nurturing experience for our patients. As aesthetic injectors, our role isn’t to point out what WE perceive needs enhancing in our patients’ appearances. Instead, our first priority is to listen to our patients and address their expressed concerns.

It’s this core principle of positivity and genuine compassion that holds the key to achieving the best outcomes for our patients. Embracing this approach not only ensures we provide the best care possible but also contributes to our patients’ overall well-being and satisfaction.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mybffaesthetics.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mybffaesthetics/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089917911172
• Other: https://linktr.ee/mybffaesthetics

Image Credits
Michael Flores; Jessica Poole