When Marilyne Gagné opened her first clinic in Sherbrooke at age 30, she wasn't chasing industry domination; she just saw doctors struggling to manage the business side of medicine and knew she could help. What started as a single clinic with a hands-on founder answering phones has grown into Dermapure, Canada's largest network of premium aesthetic clinics, with 75+ locations and backing from L’Oréal. In this episode of the Growth Diaries podcast, host Sudheer Koneru sits down with Marilyne to discuss her journey from sales to skin, how "positive aging" became her brand philosophy, why empathy is her #1 hiring metric, and how leading with values helped her scale without losing her spark.

When Shabana Karim launched The Nail Spa in Dubai in 2002, she wasn't thinking about scale. She just wanted to create a better experience for women like herself. What began as a single-location nail spa quickly evolved into House of Enspa, a multi-brand beauty empire with nearly 20 luxury locations and over 500 staff. In this episode of the Growth Diaries podcast, host Sudheer Koneru speaks with Shabana about how she went from educator to entrepreneur at age 40, why empathy shaped her customer philosophy, and how she unknowingly scaled long before she knew the term.

In an industry often driven by quick wins and trendy treatments, Silver Mirror Facial Bar exemplifies the value of a long-term approach. The result? From a single location in New York, it has grown to a successful multi-market business. What's their secret? In this episode of the Growth Diaries podcast, host Sudheer Koneru is joined by Matt Maroone, Co-founder and CEO of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, to explore the company's successful facial bar concept that's revolutionizing skincare services.

What began as a modest clinic founded by his parents is now a 17+ location strong brand built on trust, tech, and tenacity. In this episode, Arpit Goel, CEO of Berkowits Hair & Skin Clinic, shares the inside story of the brand’s evolution—from its humble roots to becoming a go-to name in India’s fast-growing aesthetic market.Arpit discusses how he introduced newer treatments, invested in technology to streamline operations, and built a team focused on performance and empathy. He also opens up about franchise expansion, consumer trust in clinical results, and the future of AI in personalized skincare.

After a back injury left her in constant pain, Shane Evans set out to build the wellness experience she wished existed—affordable, consistent, and high-quality self-care. In this episode, the Co-founder & CEO of Heights Wellness Retreat (formerly Massage Heights) shares how she turned personal pain into a 100+ location brand. From launching a disruptive $49.99 membership model to leading through crises and rebranding, Shane’s story is a powerful lesson in purpose-driven growth. 

In this episode of Growth Diaries, Sudheer Koneru (CEO, Zenoti) dives into a conversation with Vanessa Yakobson, the visionary behind Blo Blow Dry Bar’s explosive growth. Vanessa opens up about her non-traditional path into beauty, the bold bets that paid off, and how staying obsessive about guest experience and consistency helped shape Blo into a household name. She discusses how franchising became the vehicle for scale, how brand values and culture are maintained across 100+ locations, and how tech enables elevated service delivery. Whether you're an aspiring founder, franchise owner, or brand leader—Vanessa’s story is packed with honest insights and actionable inspiration

How do you take a single gym concept and scale it into a 5,000+ location global franchise? In this episode of Growth Diaries, Dave Mortensen, Co-Founder of Anytime Fitness and Purpose Brands (previously Self Esteem Brands), shares his journey of disrupting the fitness industry with a 24/7 gym model and a relentless focus on culture, execution, and people-first leadership. Now leading Purpose Brands, Dave continues to help businesses grow with impact. He dives into the importance of purpose-driven leadership, scaling with the right values, and building a brand that stands the test of time.

Kyla Dufresne shares how she turned bartending tips into a beauty empire. She reveals her scrappy, grassroots marketing tactics, the power of community-driven growth, and how introducing laser hair removal transformed her business. Kyla also dives into franchising lessons, leadership insights, and the importance of brand culture in scaling a company.

Sisters Manda Mason and Lauren Vesler turned a gut feeling into The W Nail Bar, a thriving beauty brand built on clean beauty, employee care, and exceptional customer service. With no outside investors, they scaled their business while staying true to their values. In this episode of Growth Diaries, they share their journey of bootstrapping success, prioritizing people, and redefining the nail salon experience.

From stock markets to skincare, Molly Lyons took an unconventional path to entrepreneurship. In this episode, she shares how her personal struggle with acne led her to leave a corporate career, earn an MBA, and become an esthetician—against all odds. Molly launched Oasis Face Bar, a fresh take on skincare that ditches the traditional spa model for quick, high-quality facials in a fun, welcoming space. She opens up about the challenges of business ownership, navigating COVID-19, and why relationships are the core of her brand. Now, with 17+ locations, she’s empowering other women to take the leap into business ownership.

Discover how Michael and Daniella Petro turned a passion for aesthetics and patient care into the thriving MD Esthetics brand. From their early days in a basement to becoming a trusted name in medspas, their story is one of innovation, resilience, and a commitment to helping people age gracefully. Learn how their use of the golden ratio, teamwork, and a patient-first approach has driven their success.

Explore the incredible rise of iCRYO, one of the fastest-growing wellness brands redefining health and recovery. In this episode, Kyle Jones, the driving force behind iCRYO, shares how he turned a single location into a global movement focused on enhancing healthspan. Hear about his devotion to authenticity, teamwork, and servant leadership, and discover the bold vision shaping wellness for the future. Perfect for entrepreneurs, wellness enthusiasts, or anyone seeking inspiration to create a significant impact.

Ben Crosbie shares the remarkable journey of THE DRIPBaR, a franchise that has expanded from 5 to over 100 locations in just two years. Ben discusses the strategic use of franchising to drive rapid growth, the innovative personalized IV therapies offered, and the importance of building strong systems and teams. He emphasizes the role of data in decision-making and the significance of pre-selling memberships to ensure business success. The episode highlights Ben's vision for the future, aiming for 1,500 to 3,000 locations globally, and his commitment to maintaining high standards of safety and professionalism in the wellness industry.

What does it take to transform a barbershop into a Texas icon? For Jayson Rapaport, co-founder of Birds Barbershop, it meant resilience, community, and a bold vision to make haircuts more than routine. Despite being turned down by 20 banks and opening to no customers, Jayson focused on empowering employees and fostering local connections. This commitment turned Birds into a cultural hub, earning praise from Elle magazine and winning Austin Chronicle’s “Best Haircut” award for nearly two decades. With inventive marketing and a “mile deep, inch wide” growth approach, Jayson shares how they overcame challenges like COVID-19 while staying true to their roots. This is a story of turning vision into a legacy.

Explore the fascinating story of Removery, a global leader in tattoo removal, and discover how the brand grew from humble beginnings to over 150 locations across the US, Canada, and Australia. Hear from Jo Kelton, COO of Removery, as he shares insights into their innovative use of technology, data-driven strategies, and the creation of the Removery Academy, which trains professionals for a completely new career field.

Join us as we sit down with Anthony Tjan, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of MiniLuxe, to explore his extraordinary journey of reshaping the beauty services industry. Anthony dives into how MiniLuxe pioneered fair wages, team equity, and purpose-driven business practices, all while harnessing innovation to transform traditional models. Discover the inspiring lessons behind blending purpose with profit, and rethink what it means to empower employees and clients alike.

 Join us as Jenny shares her remarkable story of founding Face-to-Face Spa, a franchise that has reshaped the skincare industry with its unique approach and dedication to excellence.Discover how Jenny's background in healthcare fueled her passion for skincare and led her to innovate and build a thriving business empire. She opens up about the challenges she faced along the way, from navigating the competitive beauty market to revolutionizing skincare franchising. Her story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering determination. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a skincare enthusiast, Jenny's journey offers invaluable insights and inspiration to drive your own ambitions. Don't miss out on this episode filled with wisdom, creativity, and motivation!

Van Council discusses building his successful salon chain, emphasizing employee development, customer service, and expansion strategies. He highlights continuous learning, specialization, and maintaining high standards. Van shares insights on creating a family-like culture that retains staff for decades and adapting to industry changes.

Zenoti CEO interviews Rachel Liverman, a third-generation esthetician whose journey is deeply rooted in her family's legacy. Her grandmother was a trailblazer in professional skincare, founding The Catherine Hinds Institute of Esthetics. Rachel’s journey in the beauty industry spans over a decade, climbing the ranks and honing her craft. Just nine months after launching her innovative business, Glowbar, the world was turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, Glowbar has emerged as a leader in skincare, offering customized 30-minute facials that cater to modern lifestyles. Since its inception in New York in 2019, the brand has rapidly expanded to nearly 20 locations, setting trends and redefining the beauty experience. Join us as Rachel shares her inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and how she has tailored every aspect of Glowbar to capitalize on emerging trends.

Meet Alissa Bayer, the inspiring founder of Milk + Honey—a brand born in Austin, Texas, back in 2006. What started as a modest 2,500-square-foot spa has blossomed into a flourishing chain with over 100 treatment rooms across 10 locations, and a reputable line of hyperclean beauty and wellness products available at top retailers like Whole Foods. Milk + Honey stands for more than just business success; it embodies a commitment to goodness, sincerity, and ethical practices. Under Alissa's guidance, it has become a beloved employer and a conscientious corporate citizen. Tune in to hear Alissa's story, her unwavering passion, and the principles that breathe life into Milk + Honey. Welcome to a brand that's as much about doing the right thing as it is about thriving in the competitive world of beauty and wellness.