Welcome to the Curated Confidence, the space where beauty meets truth and confidence isn't just talked about, it's built. And no, not with a filter. I'm English Black, PA, med spa owner, aesthetic coach, and a woman who has walked through fire to stand in her power. If you're here, chances are you're not just chasing a glow up. You're craving a life that feels unapologetically your own. This podcast is about what it really takes to own your story, embody your worth, and express your beauty from the inside out. Not for perfection, not for applause, but because you're done abandoning yourself for everyone else. Each week, I'll bring you real talk, mindset shifts, and the kind of unapologetic truths that help you curate confidence, not just in the mirror, but in how you move through the world. You ready? Let's get into it. Today, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone who I deeply admire and deeply adore, Grace McLaurin, physician assistant, owner of Vitality Anti-Aging Center, and aesthetic consulting and training in Hickory, North Carolina. Grace is a true pioneer in aesthetics, a veteran injector, educator, business leader, who's helped shape the way so many of us practice today. For over two decades, she's been elevating not only patient outcomes, but also the confidence and competence of injectors across the country. What I love most about Grace is her blend of science, artistry, and heart. She is so authentic, you guys. She's built her business on integrity, education, and emotional intelligence long before those became industry buzzwords. In today's conversation, we'll explore what it really means to sustain excellence over time, the evolution of aesthetics, and how confidence in both patients and providers is something we build layer by layer. Grace, welcome I know, I know. We've known each other for a long time. I think maybe since the 2010s. Yeah. baby new injector and yeah when I came in your office in Chapel Hill to do a training so I know way back when yeah way back when so you've been in this industry since before aesthetics came what it is today what originally drew you in and what kept So I think what originally drew me, well, what originally drew me in as I was coming up upon my, gosh, I feel like a baby, my 10-year high school year. And then I thought, I need to do something, you know, or I guess it was, no, it was my 20 year. And so that was right, I was already doing some laser and some sclerotherapy and things, but that's what drew me into Botox, because that was the year Botox came out. And then I just realized, I felt like, We need to keep people healthy, but they need to look good, especially women. And I think we're seeing more men now, but it's just like we have a bad hair day and we just feel like, yuck. So I think the better you can feel on the outside and the healthier you are on the inside, it gives you that whole complete sense of well-being. And so that's really what the basis of my business is and what my drive was. And it's just been really exciting because, you know, I've been from college in days all the way through to where we are now and it's and so much more to Yeah, we have so much on the horizon. And then you look back. the days of collagen and when we only had one filler and then two fillers and just how much it's changed. And I love talking about like the internal wellness and then looking good on the outside as well. It's a little early for a question like this, but can you speak, I love talking about the idea that we all talk about confidence and worth being an inside job, but it's undeniable, the boost that we get from looking good. How do you negotiate that for your patients, for Absolutely. I mean, I think we want people to realize that they're one, they're more than what they look like on the outside, but they do get that boost. And I said, it makes me feel good to know that I'm making people feel better and helping them have the confidence that, you know, that they should have. And I think as women, and again, like I said, I'm seeing it more and more in men now too. Unfortunately, our world, and I think a lot of it's become a social media effect too, is a very superficial world. And we all hold ourselves to a standard that's, you know, very few of us can attain. But I think as long as we're, you know, taking care of ourselves and feeling our best, it inspires us to live healthier and be healthier. And so I think it's a, you Yeah, for sure. And I love how you talk about, you know, the standard that social and filters and all that is setting, but that, you know, what I like to tell people is that, you know, aesthetics, it's no different than choosing the brand of clothing that you wear, the car you drive, the makeup that you Well, and that's kind of what it is. I mean, you know. Right. And it makes you look better. You wake up with it in the morning and, you know, it's just like permanent makeup. I was back in the day when we were tattooing it on, not microblading it, like I know, isn't that crazy? My mother did permanent makeup. Yeah. And that was Erika in Charlotte. She was really good. Yeah. Yeah. And so, you know, after, you know, you're known for combining medical precision with true artistry. You know, how You know, some of it's easy to teach, some of it's hard to teach. One, I always tell people, if you don't have an artistic eye, I can't teach you that. I can teach you technique. I can teach you how to inject. I can teach you the medical aspects of things. I can teach you anatomy. But, you know, to be a truly great injector, I think sometimes you have to just have that you have to be born with an artistic eye. And it's an unfortunate thing because I see people who really try and want, and they can still be good, but I think what separates people that just really get those really great results and you sit back and you wonder, gosh, how did they do that? It's that artistic eye. They just see those little subtle nuances It's true. I know. I love thinking about what we do. And I think it's one of the things that makes this one of the hardest businesses there is to scale because we can't come up. You know, Botox is one thing that's a little bit different. But with filler and everything, it's the hardest thing to scale because you can't give a one size fits all formula. No. Or you'll end up making people Yeah. And unfortunately, there are a lot of people out there who think, and I think that comes back from the very early days, you know, this just template injecting everybody. And that's the biggest thing I always stress in my trainings is that these aren't template treatments, you know, that every face is injected differently and you need to be able to look at that face. I mean, if somebody with a really, really small face brings me these humongous lip pictures and says, I want these, I'm like, no, that's not going to fit you. we have to be able to ascertain what will look best and be comfortable telling patients, you know, this just isn't going to be great. I had a patient who's been a patient forever. She's in her 70s and she brought me a picture of Lily Depp's cheeks. If you've ever seen them, they're like big apple cheeks. She's got that and they're beautiful on her, but she's what, 23, 24 years old. I'm like, Seriously, This would not look good. Just for context, Lily Dup, Johnny Dup's daughter. So, I mean, wow. I know, I know. I say that a lot because, I mean, we all admire like the Angelina Jolie lips of the world, but you put those on my face, I would look crazy. And I love to say that to people because the other, on the other side of the spectrum, we have tiny white lady lips. and genetically white women have the smallest ones, and it's very difficult to grow those, especially once we've lost so much fat. It's possible, but Very, very patient, and I think that that's one of the things that we've seen over time where people have learned, because I remember back in the day when they'd tell us to put two, three syringes in, and then they'd come back, and it's all around their mouth, and everybody had that duck lip, and you're trying I know. I know, I know, I know. It's amazing. What we even thought looked great 15 years ago, and now it's like, wow, look how far we've come, baby, you know? Yep, a long way. I know, so far, even just in the last few years, and then just imagine in three or four years, you know? I know. So for new injectors coming up, and after decades in aesthetics, what's one thing that you wish that they understood about building confidence, both in I think confidence comes with knowledge. And, you know, I always tell people who are coming up, this is not a go to one big seminar or go to one training. You know, training is something that's ongoing. And so if you want to build that confidence, you have to build your knowledge. And so I can't push training enough. And I think especially beginners need as much hands-on, one-on-one trainings. And the companies offer trainings and I train for all the companies. But they're not enough for you to learn how to be a great injector because everything's on label and we have to stick to more template-type injecting in those. And so you have to be willing to invest money. I still, to this day, spend probably $20,000 a year on my own training. And I'm on my way out. I'm not even up and coming or anything like that. Don't say that. It's true. I got told that by one of the company executives, Grace, you're not really up and coming anymore. And I said, well, I'm not dead. The nerve So training, I think, is the biggest thing. And don't beat yourself. We all, and I still have bad outcomes, you know, sometimes. And I look and I'm like, they've come back in two weeks. I'm like, what in the heck did you do? You know, but you can't, beat yourself up when something doesn't go. We're dealing with the human body. That's right. But understanding, I think confidence comes from knowing how to handle complications, bad outcomes, that you're going to know exactly how to step in and do it. Or you're going to have a phone, a friend, a call that can help walk you through how to deal with that. And that's where you're going Competence builds the confidence, right? Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. Well, and as owner of Vitality Anti-Aging Center and Aesthetic Consulting and Training, you've mentored so many providers. What do you believe separates good A little bit is just that artistic eye. I think too is the drive. I think that there are certain people I've had come through that think that this is like a get rich quick type. If you ever think you're going to get rich in this industry, it isn't going to happen. You have to love this specialty to really want to invest yourself in it. And so understanding that and understanding that it's slow progress. I mean, it's baby steps. You're not gonna go. I mean, I see people that I train and then six months later, I see their advertising that they're now, they're gonna be a trained, they come to my office to be trained. And you know, It's, you know, I didn't start training till I had been injecting at least eight or nine years. And I mean, it takes, and then I was not overly confident that there were no trainers out there, you know? And so you've got to be patient and you have to really, really Yeah, you do. And I love that you said that because I feel like it has become so common. I mean, because I was like a little turtle. I wasn't really active on social. And then when I did, I was like, where have I been? I'm like, is the way that I did this wrong? I'm like, should we be doing it this way? And then I'm like, Why is this person training? I think they're pretty new. And it's not that we can't teach what we know, but the complicated thing about medical aesthetics is you don't know what you don't know. And until you get the reps in of having dealt with the understanding that things are going to happen to you, because again, we're dealing with a human body, and until you grok that, it's almost like being a teenager. You think it's And I look back in retrospect, my first occlusion, we didn't even talk We didn't have highlinex or vitreous or anything like that. And, you know, she comes in and, you know, now that I know what I know, I always look back on her and I saw the little blanch and, you know, I intuitively when she came in the next morning, I put her on steroids and, you know, antihistamines and antibiotics and, you know, heat and all kinds of stuff. Had her see an oral facial surgeon that afternoon and he told her, it was back when we did dental blocks a lot, and he told her that she had a dental abscess and that when I got into the dental block, I released the abscess and she had cellulitis. And I was like, oh, sounds good to me. And to this day, that's what she still thinks she had, but I know differently You know, so I think you need to know how to recognize those things. And again, don't beat yourself up when they happen. Only beat yourself up if you don't know how to deal with it. I mean, that's one of the biggest things I stress to people. If you don't know how to handle your complication, don't ever stick a needle in somebody's face or at least have somebody nearby that can help you handle it. You are absolutely 100% irresponsible Yeah, I agree. I know. And I think it's so helpful. I think if you want to set yourself up for the most success, you are best off as a newer injector by working somewhere where you have a mentor that does the same thing, not just another provider. Somebody doing the same thing so that when things do happen, you've got that with you and you're going to learn more. You're going to learn better, right? I see people nowadays that are opening their businesses even before they've had a training. And I'm like, you know, One, that's not good for you because you're not going to have good results right at first. You're going to be lucky to have average results at best. And so I think you risk your money and it costs a lot of money to open a business. And so get the training. Get the work, work for somebody else. That's what I always say, that has somebody in the office that is doing what you're doing and has been doing it for more than a year. Yeah, maybe for a while. Yeah, if you can get in an office where you have a tenured injector, that is the best training you Best case scenario. Yeah. I wholeheartedly agree with that. It's just everybody's happier. I mean, and then, yeah, I just think it's fantastic. Well, speaking of running a business, running a successful practice and training company to business takes incredible discipline. What systems or philosophies have Oh, gosh, good people having a good strong team. I think that's one, you know, and having a really good team that's cohesive and taking care of those people is going to help your business more than anything. I have people that still that work with me that have been here from the beginning. So we're going to be 20 years old this year. And so that has been one of the biggest things. I think that's important. I think to don't, when you're starting out a business, don't think you can take all your money out of that business originally, because you need to be reinvesting, reinvesting. It's, you know, again, it's that people think this is a get rich quick scheme. And for, you know, for me, I think it's like get rich, never. And then it's just hard work, and you have to realize this is hard work. I mean, I remember days when I first started out sitting in the hallway after work, just crying, thinking I would pay somebody to come and take this, you know? Just, you know, here, just come take the debt. You can have it. I don't care. It's because it's a lot. It's gotten more and more because we have so many different modalities and things and trying to keep track of what's making money, what's not, who's making money, who's not. And the bigger you grow, the harder it is. And you just have to, and I'm not somebody that loves numbers, but I have to keep my, yeah, they're necessary. And, you know, I've had to, I've learned as I've gone along, But before I did it, if I were to, I mean, I wouldn't take anything for it, but I would think long and hard and be very careful how I structured a business if Yeah, I know. It's so true. You don't appreciate any of the real grit that goes into opening a business until you've done it, because it's like having a baby. You just can't relate to it until you've actually done it. And I remember thinking, Wow, I had no idea all this went into a company simply providing me with a job, you know, intense. Yeah. Tell me some of the things that have been most helpful to you in creating You know, we do a lot with, and this has been growing along. First of all, I lucked out just getting some good people at the beginning, but I have had some really good mentors along the way from the business aspect. I've been involved and I'm certified, a certified speaker with the Ziegler group. And then one of their head speakers has a mastermind that we go quarterly. to mastermind meetings with some of the greatest business people, you know, names that you've heard, Maxwell and Dave Ramsey and stuff like that. And I'm certified in personality testing, the DISC model of human behavior. We've worked really hard to try to figure out the types of personalities we want in each position because you can't put a really shy, quiet, introverted person at the front desk. We've tried, and they're uncomfortable, and they're not happy in their job, and nothing. So trying to find the right people for that position, and sometimes it takes a long time, and it's hard to find people that are good. And you're desperate and want somebody, and I'm like, you just have to be patient. And so your people are going to be what sets you up for success. And I think starting out, don't overhire, but also don't underhire either. I see people who are trying to be the office manager, the receptionist, the provider, all of that at once. And then it's just too scattered and too chaotic. And so you're gonna have to spend money to make money. And you can't expect to be making any money in It does, it really does. Yeah. Well, and you've seen trends, speaking of over the years, you've seen trends come and go. Oh my gosh. I know, I know. Where do you see the aesthetics industry headed? I know a lot of wellness and regenerative treatments. What excites You know, I think the regenerative is really fascinating. You know, I think that people are going to have to be somewhat patient as it develops. And we have things already that are regenerative that are approved. I think we have to be careful and protect ourselves. I think people jump on a lot of bandwagons very quickly and can put themselves at risk. Do I, can I be a bit of a cowboy and do I do things? Yes, I do sometimes, but I think you have to be very careful at your patient selection and you take things slowly. And just because every reps coming to the door telling you this is the latest, greatest, it's not always the latest, greatest. And I've seen plenty come tell me it's the latest, greatest, and we'll bring it in. And a year later, it's like the worst of the worst. what was I thinking you know and so we've made some of those mistakes and some have been costly mistakes right and so um but yeah I'm really excited about the regenerative and combining some of the functional medicine I think you know right now we're seeing a little bit of a lull in our specialty because I think we're we are going in this um paradigm shift of what we actually do and so we're I think it's going to really boost back up but and I've been through several lulls and backup and I can just see because of this shift in mindset that's going on is is why things are are a little slow for people right now and it will pick back up as long as you keep up with everything and just take it step by Take it deep. I love that. I love that. Yeah, and for context, I think it's pretty true. Wouldn't you say that all reps have the best products? Always. I've always said, and my ex-husband was a furniture rep, and I used to always say, back even before I was in this specialty, I said, you know, to be a good salesman, you have to be a good liar. You have to, because you have to walk in and tell everybody that your product is the best on the market. even knowing in your mind that it may not be, you Yeah, it's true. You've built long-term patient relationships that span decades. What is your approach to building loyalty and trust in a world where patients have Yes, I think you have to take time. I think you need to let patients know you truly care. And by truly caring, you need to listen to them and make sure they know that they're heard. You know, I think we get so caught up in, oh, I've got my next patient, my next patient. And we run in already with some kind of treatment plan in our head before we even talk to them. We have to look at them and connect with them. I always tell people the first consult, that's where you're going to make that you're either gonna win them or lose them there. And being accessible to them and understanding what's going on in their personal lives and asking questions and taking the time just to talk to them. And that's what we've done. And it's funny, because I'll sometimes answer the phone and it can be a patient and go, oh, hey, Grace, what are you doing? And they go in talking like I recognize their voice. Yeah, yeah, Well, you're so naturally, you're so naturally empathetic. I know that that role just comes naturally to you, but that's great to Well, I love people. And, you know, that's one of my favorite parts of the job is the relationships that we build. And, you know, I've been through I mean, literally in 20 years, I've been through people's childbirth through child rearing and children being born. I mean, I've seen so much. I've been through, you know, patients dying and, you know, it's a lot. And, you know, I've had patients who've had family members dying and they've called me to come be with them at the hospital at two o'clock in the morning. And, you know, that people care, you know, and trust you that much. I think that that's something that we should never take for granted. And that is a gift that people give us and to let us into their lives the way No, it's so true. It's so true. Boy, I love that. Call you to come to the hospital at 2 a.m. I have my ringer off at 2 a.m. Mine stays on. As a female leader in a rapidly changing industry, what advice do you have for women who are trying to find their voice, build Yeah, oh gosh, that's a hard one because we do get, you know, I think for a lot of women it's hard to stand up. I've always been the bossy one, so I always tell people, you know, I'm not bossy, I have great leadership skills. That's right. So dig out that inner boss and there's nothing wrong with being a strong bossy woman. And, you know, if you don't, that doesn't come naturally to you. I think, you know, taking some leadership courses back during COVID, I panicked thinking, oh my God, I need a plan B. And so at 56, I went back and got my doctorate in healthcare administration and leadership. So I think there's a lot of information out there for leadership. becoming a good leader and lead by example. I think that that's the biggest thing. There's not one thing in my office that I would ask somebody to do that I won't do myself. I mean, from cleaning a toilet to changing the toilet paper to, you know, whatever, you know, I'm not gonna ask anybody to do something that I wouldn't do myself or that I haven't done myself. And so Yeah, and have a standard. right? Yes, absolutely. Model the standard. And yeah, and you're while at the same time, you're fostering a sense of community by saying, hey, you And I think we also as the leaders to have to learn to set boundaries as well. You know, when I first started, I thought, oh, we can all be best friends and go out and have fun. And you'll find as you grow that you can be friendly and, you know, you still care about your team and love your team, but you have to be able to establish some boundaries or it will emotionally exhaust you. You'll have nothing left to give. And so that was a hard lesson for me to learn. And it came with some fallout, but you know, once you learn it and you learn to set those boundaries, so I always tell people early on, learn to set boundaries and, you know, don't For sure. What boundaries have you, did you find the hardest to I think some of the boundaries of saying no, like people wanting to, you know, after work, everybody go out and let's all be friends and let's get together here. And then all of a sudden, and I think there's certain people, I do have some friends that work for me that are my dearest friends, literally like sisters and Some people can understand that, and some people can't separate work and friendship. And I think that when you see that, you have to learn that those people are the ones that you just are going to have to say no to and be just as friendly and kind and loving at work. But it doesn't, you know, outside of work, if they need something, I'm glad to help them, but I'm not going to. We spend enough time I know, I know. And I love that, though, about the business and friendship, because, I mean, I've always been very careful to try to keep these things separate because of that potential entanglement. But, you know, and at the end of the day, though, you know, as business owners, we have to keep a sustainable business to continue to pay you to be here. And if we're not doing things to care for the business because we're such good friends, well, then the business can implode. and then you're And I'm doing them an incredible disservice. That's right. You know, I had somebody one time who said, well, you're always talking to them and you're never talking to me. And I said, well, I'll give you a little piece of advice. If I'm not talking to you, that's a very good thing. That's right. You're doing great. Everything's good. But, you know, I think people like to hear, you know, I try to reward people and, you know, but you'll have some employees that take more time than others. You know, and I think the other thing, setting boundaries, that you take time for yourself, for your family, you know, self-care for you. Don't, I see so many people who just, you know, and I see it especially in the training world, they get so excited to be trainers that they're leaving their family and they still have small kids and they're gone 80 nights a year doing trainings or whatever. And You know, this is a job, and this job isn't going to care about you at the end of your life. And don't ever sacrifice your family and your true friends for your It's not worth it. No, it's not. It never is. I mean, even in hindsight, in my youth, I mean, I can immediately relate to that. I mean, having my second kid, there was so much pressure to come back to work. And in hindsight, and I knew it at the moment, but I was, you know, I was acting out of fear. I don't want to lose my job. And, you know, and because there is, unfortunately, bias for us women and moms. And in hindsight, I was like, what was a couple of extra weeks to be out on maternity leave, you know? Right. Right. I still, at least in my heart, I didn't go back full-time, but still I was like, anyway, but hindsight Yeah, my kids were in high school when I opened this business and they'll tell you we lost our mom to vitality and I hear them say that now and I feel so guilty, you know, but they're pushing 40 and they'll still talk about that, you know, and And so, and I did, I worked seven days a week, and sometimes I was here until 10, 11 o'clock at night, and then I would go home, and then I'd get on the computer, and I'd be working, and I'd send out emails with specials at three o'clock in the morning, and didn't remember I did it, and I know. I've sent them out that late. I mean, my gosh, Grace, my time is like 930 at night, and I'm like misspelling wrong dates like I know. You know, learn to put that social media down. And I'm so glad we didn't have social media when I first started. When I first started, it was still the yellow pages and newspapers. You know, that's how we advertise. There wasn't all of this. and social media has just become a beast and and you can you can go down a rabbit hole really quick with that too so I think you have to learn that you know cut off times, putting that phone away. You'll drive yourself crazy. I think social media makes us feel bad about ourselves because we're always comparing ourselves to other people. And I think that's what's created this almost in our specialty. I really see it, this celebrity type mentality. And at the end of the day, we're medical providers. We're not celebrities. We are medical providers. Right, we are not performers and people can't judge themselves by some of the people who have become very commercial and, you know, kudos to them. I'm glad they can do it. But at the end of the day, I've got to take care of my business and my kids and my grandchildren and my dogs and be home. And No, I know. It's so true. And, you know, comparison is the thief of joy. Yes, it is. To your point, Madonna talked about the same thing. She's like, when asked about Britney Spears, she's like, I'm so glad I didn't grow up in the age of social media. I would have hated for my 20s and 30s to have been, you know, she was already on display enough. But to have that like a day to day thing, you know, it kind of robs you of being able to make mistakes without it being such a public thing. Exactly. And I think people are so scared of being held up to public ridicule. But, you know, I think that there's a time and place for everything. And at the end of the day, we always forefront in our mind. We have to remember we are medical providers. Yep, that's Professionals. Yes. So talking about training, what inspired you to open aesthetic consulting and training and how do you approach training Well, I I love training. I love teaching. I love helping people become the best that they can be. And so that's something that I've always just had a knack for and always enjoyed. I started training, gosh, back in like 2008, 2009, and then opened a set at consulting and training. And what we specialize in, You know, we do all levels of training from very, very beginner to very advanced and all of our courses are small hands on. I like to do one on one or one on two type trainings. We do do some visiting expert trainings we bring in experts from around the world literally and it's always very well-known experts and we'll have 16 to 20 in that class but they've been great classes. We do a cadaver class with Dr. Sadat every year that's in February and that's a phenomenal class. I think everybody should take a cadaver class as early as you can in your career because it's going to make sense to you after you take a cadaver class what you're actually doing. the dots. Yeah and you know we've we've done ultrasound classes, we've had Julie Hornan, we're getting we've had Shino Bay doing a regenerative class, we had Stephen Soar do a functional medicine class, Rebecca Gardell's coming from Sweden this month. So we try to offer those as well which a lot of people don't do. So that's that's kind of what sets us apart just keeping it small and and very focused on education. And then we continue to mentor you afterwards. You know, I always tell everybody once I've trained you, I feel like I'm kind of like your mother. And, you know, you can always call me. I give everybody I train my cell phone number, you know, reach out to me, text me if you have any problem. I'm happy to help you. Well, and you're such a gift because a lot of people say that, but you really mean it. I mean, I trained with you forever and a day ago. And I tell everyone that will listen, I'm like, Grace McLaurin is just such a phenomenal human. I mean, you are, you really are there for people. And you're such a great sounding I always try to think about what did I not have when I was, you know, coming along, and I didn't have training. They gave you a DVD and told you to watch it, and that was your training. That's right. There weren't many providers doing it, and if they were out there doing it, they were just as new as I was, or newer, and so we learned by trial and error, and trust me, there was a lot of error. I know. Along the way. And, you know, I always tell people when I train them, now what I'm showing you this year, I may tell you something totally different next year, because it's such a fluid specialty. Yeah, and science is like that. Yeah, absolutely. And you can't get stuck in your rut of what you were always doing 10 years ago, You better believe it. I know, and I love what you said earlier about how people didn't have complications. I remember the first one that I had. It was an inflammatory reaction, maybe a biofilm. We don't know. Somebody went and got a crown the next day. We didn't know to tell people not to go to the dentist. We didn't. It didn't matter. You know, you can do anything. Oh, you want to go And Dr. Naomi in Australia, the only information I could find was her blog back in like 2013, where she wrote an article on like the five cases in the world that she knew of that were like that. And that was the only information I had. And now, of course, she's like an Instagram person. And I was like, I still have your blog article printed out. She's like, Yeah, exactly. I mean, they would tell us you had a better chance of winning the lottery than getting an occlusion. I know. And so you just didn't worry about it. And we knew, nobody ever talked about anatomy. My goodness, you know, it was like anatomy didn't matter. And, you know, plane of injection or anything, we just, I mean, I'm sure I still have a bunch of patients walking around that have a lot of HA in their muscle. Yeah, We didn't know. No, we didn't. We really didn't. Yeah. Yeah. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. I know. People say it's the wild, wild west of aesthetics now. They have no idea. Oh, no. You know, I remember I got convinced by a rep to put radius in my lips back then. I know He's like, oh my gosh, people's lips. Yes, yes, it was horrible. It was horrible. I know. And to tell you, you don't know what you don't know. That's right. I bet their tissue looks really good now. Exactly. So aesthetics can be both deeply rewarding and emotionally demanding. Yeah. How do you stay grounded, inspired and You know, I think it's the good ones that, you know, and the relationships again, going back to relationship that really keep you grounded. And, and me staying focused on what I'm doing. You know, I try to turn off the noise. I'm, I'm not, I mean, I do some social, I have to, but it's not, I try to stay off of it as much as I can. I do my little post. I don't. look at everybody else's and try to compare. I think that that helps a lot. And just keep focused on what your purpose is. Why did you start your business? Know why you opened your business. I did some business consulting with somebody one time and I asked her, I said, so what's your why? Why did you, you know, why did you open your business? And she goes, I don't know, I mean, she didn't have a why. And so not having a why, you've got to have your goals and your purpose. And so before you even open that door, think So would you say your why is the relationships? Relationships and helping people just be the best that they can possibly be and feel better both physically and, you know, mentally. I know. Isn't that the truth? And no one, there's still so much stigma around perimenopause and menopause and all the changes that come along with that. Yeah. You know, when you're used to being told that you're lovely and pretty your whole life, it's tough to come out of this phase where the changes that we start to experience are I laugh. I've reached the age in my life I'll go into a bar and nobody offers to Oh my gosh, I know. I mean, I saw a funny spoof that was speaking about Saturday Night Live and stuff like that, where Amy Poehler was pregnant. She was pretend pregnant and all the guys in the bar were hitting on That's good. There's a lady going to social media, I love to watch her, and her name is Melinda something, but she has a thing about the We Don't Care Anymore Club. And it's for perimenopausal, menopausal, and postmenopausal women. And then she'll go through her little notes like, we don't care that we have to braid the hair on our legs. We can't see them anymore. We don't care that we're growing a beard because she just goes on. It's hilarious to watch her and you'll identify with everything she I know. It's a blessing and a curse. We've got to deal with the physical aspects, but there's some silver lining to it. Grace, this conversation was such a gift. Your wisdom, humility, and experience remind us that true confidence doesn't come from chasing trends. It comes from mastery, ethics, and a genuine love for people. You've paved a path for so many of us that walk today, and the impact of your work, from your patients to your trainees, will continue to ripple in this industry for years to come. Thank you for setting such a high standard, for leading with grace and conviction, no pun intended, and for reminding all of us that longevity and aesthetics isn't just about results, it's about the relationships, growth, and purpose. It's an honor having you on The Curated Aesthetics. Well, I'm humbled to have been invited. Thank you, thank you. You want to tell everybody where Yeah, they can find me on the dreaded social media at ACT underscore Aesthetic Training. That's generally that and DMing me through there is the best way to generally get us. If you're interested in our clinic, it's vitalityantiagingcenter.com. And then Yeah, and I highly recommend if you have not been to a training at ACT, ACT Aesthetic Training, I highly, highly, highly recommend. And this is not a plug. I have been there. I have done multiple trainings there, and they have all been phenomenal. There really isn't another special place like it. And just for context, you know, Hickory is not a big place. It's not. And she gets literally the best from all over our country and the world to come to this tiny town. The year I trained with Julie Horn, I think Yeah, we were the first place that she went. We were the first smaller training facility that Shino did. When Dr. Sadat came for his first one, apparently he was driving up the road, fussing, like, what are we doing going to Hickory? What's in Hickory, North Carolina? Now he raves about Hickory and tells everybody he loves Hickory. He would move to Hickory out of Beverly Hills. And some people feel like we're out in the boondocks, but we're really, I mean, it's a 50-minute drive from Charlotte, an hour from Greensboro. an hour from Asheville. So there's three airports that surround us. And there's a lot of things to do around here. If you wanted to come to a training and bring your family, there's plenty of things for your family to do while you're at the training. We're very close to the mountains, 50 minutes That's just awesome. It's an easy drive. Yeah. Thanks again so much. Thank you. Take care. Talk to you later. Bye-bye. Wait, wait, before you go, thank you so much for joining me on the Curated Confidence today. If this conversation sparked something within you, please don't keep that transformation to yourself. Share this episode with a friend, subscribe so you never miss a dose of Curated Confidence, and please leave us a quick review wherever you listen. It truly helps us reach more incredible women like you. Until next time, remember to keep showing up fully, stand tall in your truth, and masterfully curating your