In this episode of Worth Your Salt, Jennifer Orechwa sits down with Alex Thiersch, founder and chairman of the American Med Spa Association (AmSpa), to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface of the booming aesthetics industry. While med spas continue to grow at a rapid pace, Alex reveals that the future of the med spa industry hinges on something many owners overlook: compliance, unified advocacy, and professional standards. From proposed legislation that could limit who can perform treatments to increasing scrutiny from regulators and the media, this conversation makes one thing clear — the next chapter of medical aesthetics will be shaped by those who choose to engage, elevate, and lead.

But this episode isn’t about fear — it’s about opportunity. Alex shares why med spa owners must move beyond operating in isolation and instead plug into community, education, and advocacy to protect what they’ve built. He explains how professionalism, collaboration, and a stronger national voice can safeguard the industry’s future while creating more profitable, sustainable businesses. If you care about the long-term success of your aesthetic practice, this conversation will challenge you to think bigger, act sooner, and step into your role in shaping the future of med spas.

Alex shares how AmSpa was built to elevate safety, compliance, and professionalism across the industry, why legal compliance is a growth strategy (not a limitation), and how upcoming legislation could dramatically impact med spa owners who aren’t plugged in. They dive deep into what makes the AmSpa Medical Spa Show unlike any other industry event, the power of community over competition, and Alex’s recent transition into the Chairman role—freeing him to focus on advocacy, industry-wide leadership, and protecting the future of medical aesthetics. This is a must-listen for any med spa owner who wants to grow with confidence and stay ahead of what’s coming next.

• What’s really happening behind the scenes in the med spa industry — including proposed legislation and regulatory shifts that could impact ownership, staffing models, and injectables.
• Why med spa compliance is the foundation of long-term growth — and how professionalism and unified standards protect both your patients and your profitability.
• The biggest operational and legal mistakes even successful med spa owners make — and how to avoid costly missteps before they threaten your business.
• How community, advocacy, and industry involvement shape the future of medical aesthetics — and what you can do now to protect and strengthen your practice.

Resources:

• Follow Alex on LinkedIn
• Join over 50k AmSpa followers on Instagram
• Attend the Medical Spa Show
• Join AmSpa as a Plus Member for 20% Off!

In this episode of Worth Your Salt, Jennifer Orechwa tackles one of the biggest challenges facing med spa owners and wellness practitioners today: standing out in a crowded, copy-and-paste marketplace. When every website, social post, and service menu starts to sound the same, it’s no wonder prospects hesitate, price-shop, or say, “I’ll think about it.” Jennifer breaks down why this sameness happens—and why blending in is the exact opposite of what today’s clients need from your brand.

Using the StoryBrand framework, Jennifer shows how true differentiation doesn’t come from new devices or trendy language, but from clearly telling a better story—one where your client is the hero and your practice is the trusted guide. You’ll learn how to connect with the internal motivations driving your clients’ decisions, uncover your practice’s unique “sparkle,” and communicate your value with clarity, empathy, and confidence so the right clients recognize you instantly.

• Why most med spa and wellness marketing sounds the same—and how that sameness is quietly costing you bookings
• How to use the StoryBrand framework to shift your messaging from “look at us” to “we understand you”
• How to identify and communicate your practice’s true differentiator (your “sparkle”) beyond services and devices
• Practical ways to bring your unique story to life across your website, social media, and in-person client experience

This week, Worth Your Salt host Jennifer Orechwa is getting into the things smart med spas know about smart money management with Shannon Simmons—founder of Fit For Profit, Certified Profit First Professional, and author of The Fiscal Fitness Playbook—to talk about the financial reality many wellness business owners quietly carry: a business that looks successful on the outside but still feels stressful, unpredictable, and underpaying behind the scenes. Shannon breaks down why this happens so often in gyms, studios, coaching practices, and wellness clinics, and she shares the mindset shift that has to come before any strategy will actually stick. If you’ve ever felt anxiety around cash flow, avoided looking at your numbers, or wondered why the money never seems to match the effort, this conversation will help you feel seen—and give you a clear way forward.

You’ll also learn Shannon’s practical approach to building a “fiscally fit” business: spotting the hidden leaks that quietly drain profit, protecting margins with simple cash-management systems, and using small, intentional adjustments to create real financial breathing room. Most importantly, Shannon shows listeners how to build a business that funds the owner’s ideal lifestyle instead of consuming it—without spreadsheets, overwhelm, or working harder. By the end of the episode, you’ll walk away with actionable next steps you can implement right away, plus a clear invitation to connect with Shannon for deeper support if you’re ready to put a real plan in place.

• Why so many wellness businesses struggle financially—even when they’re busy—and how to shift your relationship with money so you can lead with confidence
• The most common “hidden money leaks” in med spas, gyms, studios, and wellness practices, and how to start fixing them without harming the client experience
• How small, strategic changes to pricing, expenses, and cash flow can dramatically improve profitability
• Simple systems that help you get paid first, reduce financial stress, and prevent burnout
• Practical first steps you can take right now to build a wellness business that truly supports your lifestyle.

• Resources:

  • Book your Clarity Call with Shannon here
  • Get your own copy of the Fiscal Fitness Playbook here
  • Email Shannon here
  • Visit the Fit For Profit website here

Welcome to Season Four of Worth Your Salt! In this episode, Jennifer Orechwa guides med spa owners and wellness practitioners through a grounded, practical way to plan their marketing for 2026—without getting pulled into fear, hype, or overwhelm. Reflecting on the uncertainty and heaviness of 2025, Jennifer reframes the moment as an opportunity to regain clarity, reconnect with purpose, and make confident decisions rooted in strategy rather than reaction. She addresses the growing noise in the wellness marketing space, encouraging listeners to slow down, be discerning about who they listen to, and focus on building a business for the right reasons—service, impact, and long-term sustainability.

Throughout the episode, Jennifer walks listeners through a clear, step-by-step approach to building a marketing system that works together: setting realistic goals, reverse-engineering lead and revenue targets, removing friction from the customer journey, and using automation and measurement to scale with confidence. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity, community, and real human connection—both online and in person—highlighting live events and local engagement as powerful, often-overlooked growth drivers. The episode closes with an energizing reminder that the wellness industry is more needed than ever, and that 2026 is a moment to lead with intention, show up fully, and build a marketing plan that supports both business growth and personal fulfillment.

• A clear framework for building a 2026 marketing plan that starts with goals, not tactics, so every decision connects directly to revenue and growth.
• A practical way to reverse-engineer their lead targets, marketing budget, and priorities—removing guesswork and replacing it with clarity and confidence.
• A deeper understanding of what actually drives results in today’s wellness market, including how to reduce friction, improve conversion, and use automation wisely.
• A focused set of next steps to simplify their marketing, cut through industry noise, and build a sustainable system that supports long-term growth without burnout.

In this episode of Worth Your Salt, Jennifer sits down with John Sanders, founder of RevKey and one of the leading Google Ads strategists for therapists. John pulls back the curtain on why so many private practices waste money on digital marketing—and what a truly ethical, effective Google Ads strategy looks like in the mental health world. With his signature no-BS style, John explains why clicks don’t equal clients, how to protect your practice in a HIPAA-sensitive advertising environment, and what therapists should really be looking for when evaluating their marketing efforts.

After laying the foundation for what makes Google Ads work (and why most campaigns fail), John walks listeners through practical, approachable steps they can take to improve their own advertising—even if they’re managing it solo. From tightening up targeting to building a website that actually converts, John shows how therapists can stop guessing, start measuring what matters, and confidently put their marketing dollars to work. It’s an honest, empowering conversation for any practitioner ready to grow their practice without wasting time, money, or energy.

• Why therapists often waste money on Google Ads—and how to avoid the most common traps.
• How to spot red flags in your current marketing strategy or agency relationship.
• Simple, actionable steps you can take today to improve your Google Ads performance.
• The ethical, data-driven approach that helps therapists attract real clients, not just clicks.

• Resources:

  • Connect with John on LinkedIn
  • Visit RevKey’s website

In this episode of Worth Your Salt, you’ll meet Kayley Hamilton — a two-time Emmy Award-winning former Hollywood red-carpet reporter who left the glitz of the Oscars, Grammys and Emmys to focus on what she finds far more meaningful: helping purpose-driven wellness founders become visible, trusted thought-leaders in their industry. At UPLVL Agency, Kayley and her team cracked the code on what it takes to move from “expert behind the scenes” to “household name on the stage.” If you’ve ever felt invisible despite your expertise, this episode is your roadmap out of obscurity and into the spotlight.

By the end of our conversation you’ll not only understand why personal branding and visibility are game-changers for your wellness practice, but also begin to see how you can step into that role — confidently, authentically, and strategically.

• How to rewire your mindset so you’re ready for visibility (even if you’ve always been “the shy one”).
• The three-step “3E Confidence Method” (Expander → Experience → Embody) and how to apply it to your own journey.
• The five-step “Taylor Swift Method” to celebrity-level positioning for wellness entrepreneurs — how to stand out and be unforgettable.
• The “7/11/4 Psychology of Trust” — how to build deep connection and authority at scale (so you don’t have to rely solely on one-on-one sessions).
• Tune in and discover how to become the Taylor Swift of your industry — the go-to name, the trusted expert, the visible authority people seek out.

Resources:

• UPLVL Agency
• Kayley Hamilton Instagram
• Kayley Hamilton LinkedIn
• Kayley Hamilton TikTok

In this episode of Worth Your Salt, Jennifer sits down with her friend and collaborator, Melodie Moore—Founder of Business Tech Ninjas and creator of the Technologist™ role—to explore the deep-rooted challenges wellness practitioners face when technology becomes more of a burden than a solution. Melodie shares her transformative perspective that tech issues are rarely about the software itself—they’re about self-leadership and strategic clarity. Drawing from her experience scaling her own business past seven figures, she unpacks the reasons so many wellness practices struggle with tech chaos, offering insights on how to simplify systems and develop strong, sustainable foundations.

Melodie dives into the concept of the “technologist mindset,” emphasizing that successful tech integration requires more than tools—it demands thinking, leadership, and proactive systems design. Together, Jennifer and Melodie explore how practices can clear out “digital fog,” automate with intention, and build meaningful client relationships without sacrificing the personal touch. From streamlining workflows to embracing AI without losing authenticity, this episode is a must-listen for any wellness entrepreneur ready to scale with confidence and clarity.

• Why Tech Problems Are Leadership Problems: Faulty systems are often symptoms of unclear direction and poor delegation. Leading your tech begins with leading yourself.
• How Simplicity Drives Growth: Tech doesn’t need to be flashy—it needs to be functional. Remove unnecessary tools, streamline user journeys, and reduce manual steps to regain control and ease.
• AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: Start small—use AI to reduce time on tasks you already do. Think of it as a “bad intern” that needs guidance, not as a fully autonomous solution.
• Personalization Through Automation: Automate low-value tasks (like scheduling or email confirmations) so you can focus on high-value, human-centric experiences that truly connect with clients.

Resources:

• Visit the Business Tech Ninjas website

In this episode of Worth Your Salt, Jennifer sits down with Andy Janaitis, Founder and Chief Strategist at PPC Pitbulls, to tackle one of the most common struggles for wellness practitioners—paid advertising. If you’ve ever wondered when to move beyond referrals, how to avoid wasting money on ads, or whether ads even work for small practices, this conversation is for you. Andy’s calm, data-driven approach cuts through the hype and shows you how to create simple, trackable ad systems that actually deliver new patients and clients.

Together, Jennifer and Andy break down the essentials of getting started, how to choose the right platforms, and what every practice owner needs to know before investing a single dollar in paid campaigns. They also look ahead at the future of advertising—touching on privacy shifts, AI, and what small businesses can do now to stay ahead of the curve. If you’re ready to scale beyond word-of-mouth and take your growth strategy seriously, Andy’s guidance and insight will help you do it right.

• How to know when it’s time for your wellness practice to start using paid ads.
• The 5 essentials you need in place before spending money on advertising.
• Why copying big-brand ad strategies fails—and what to do instead.
• The future of paid ads, including AI and new trends wellness owners should watch.

Resources:

• Book A FREE Strategy Session with Andy here!
• Connect with PPC Pitbulls Here
• Follow PPC Pitbulls on YouTube for even more insight!