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Launching a medspa is no small feat, especially when you're transitioning from a background in primary care. For Cari Montoya, a nurse practitioner (FNP-C) with over a decade of experience in healthcare, the decision to start her own medspa was both exciting and intimidating. She knew she had the clinical skills, but building a successful medspa business required a whole new set of tools and knowledge. That’s where Moxie came in.
The Challenge: Stepping into a New Arena
Cari's journey in healthcare began in 2009 as a nursing assistant. By 2017, she was a nurse practitioner working in a bustling family practice. But when a corporate company bought out the business, she decided to take her love for patient care and explore the world of aesthetics. “I knew I had an end date with my previous employer and I didn’t want to work for anyone else, I wanted to start my own business.”
Cari faced a lot of hurdles on her journey to open a medspa.“I felt a lot of imposter syndrome,” she explained.
“Coming into the aesthetics space was a big mental hurdle, and it felt like a breakup with my previous job because I loved all my patients, it just wasn't the direction I wanted to go.”
Determined to break into the aesthetics industry, Cari began by investing in her education. “I literally hit the ground running,” she says. “I signed up for every training I could find and did a preceptorship with an experienced allergen and galderma trainer. I even started offering mobile Botox services to get hands-on experience.”
Despite her expertise, she knew the transition to a new space would bring challenges.
“I ran a boutique with my bestie and we sold it after five years, so I had a pretty good network, but coming into the aesthetics space, it’s a whole other beast,” she shared.
To build her medspa from the ground up, Cari needed a good team on her side.
The Solution: Finding the Right Support with Moxie
When it came time to launch her brick-and-mortar medspa, Cari knew she needed more than clinical training—she needed a partner who could help her navigate the complexities of building and running a medspa.
“Entering into the medspa world, I wanted someone to bounce ideas off of and to have a good support system,” Cari shared.
That’s when a friend introduced her to Moxie. Initially skeptical, Cari did her research and even reached out to a current Moxie client to get the inside scoop. “I was honestly really skeptical,” Cari admits. “I saw another medspa who had partnered with Moxie on their website and reached out to her on Instagram to ask if this was too good to be true. She told me it was the best thing ever, and that’s when I decided to go for it.”
Originally, Cari wondered if spending the money on Moxie was worth it. But what she found in Moxie was more than just a business support service—it was a comprehensive partner that offered everything she needed to succeed.
From training resources to essential Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ongoing mentorship, Moxie provided the structure and confidence boost Cari needed to move forward. She also knew she couldn’t do this on her own. With Moxie by her side, Cari launched her medspa, Beauty Luxe, with confidence.
“Moxie has been incredible. They provided the tools and system so I didn’t have to spend all the additional time figuring it all out on my own — Moxie had everything I needed right at my fingertips.”
The support from Moxie was exactly what Cari needed to turn her vision into reality.
“I quickly realized talking with Moxie and all they offer, that their fee is very minimal in the grand scope of things. I have everything I need in one system, all the support I need, everything at my fingertips. A year later, after so much growth, all I’ve learned, and seeing where my sales are, I feel like what they charge isn’t enough!”
The Results: Overcoming Doubts and Celebrating Wins
Today, Cari’s medspa is thriving. She recently celebrated her biggest month yet and she’s now booked out weeks in advance. “I just hired two new team members to help keep up with the demand,” she says. “Being booked out for two weeks is super cool and crazy.”
One of the most significant turning points for Cari was realizing just how far she had come.
“I had this moment where I was talking to my Moxie Provider Success Manager (PSM), and she told me, ‘You’re too booked—you don’t have any room to take on more clients.’ That’s when I realized, ‘Holy crap, I really did this!’”
The Impact of Moxie
For Cari, the impact of Moxie goes beyond just financial success. The integrated systems and support have allowed her to focus on what she loves most—caring for her clients, and getting time back to spend with her family —without getting bogged down by the administrative side of the business.
“When I was building my boutique, I spent so much time away from my family because I had to figure everything out on my own. With Moxie, so many things are already built in. It’s a huge relief to have everything in one system. I don’t feel like I have to sacrifice time with my family to make my business successful.”
As Cari looks to the future, she’s excited about the continued growth of her medspa and is eager to see where Moxie’s support will take her next.
Advice for Aspiring Medspa Owners
For those considering the leap into the medspa industry, Cari’s advice is simple:
“Just go for it. Stop overthinking and let Moxie do the overthinking for you. They’ve already put the tools in place to help you succeed—you just need to dive in and start working on your business.”
Cari also offers words of encouragement for those struggling with imposter syndrome: “If you’ve already made it this far, you’re not an imposter. This is your moment to shine, so run with it.”
Ready to Start Your Own Medspa Journey?
Inspired by Cari’s success? Whether you're just starting or looking to take your medspa to the next level, Moxie is here to help you achieve your goals. Book a call with our team today and see how we can turn your dream into reality.
