Andrew Dunne founded Confident Med Spa in November 2022, pivoting his career in dermatology to explore a developing opportunity in medical spa services. That market was growing in other parts of the country, and says he was detecting “tailwinds” for the industry in New England.
“It’s medical-grade skin care,” Dunne says. “Facials are the tip of the iceberg.” Confident Med Spa offers such services as injectable therapies, laser skin resurfacing, body contouring, weight-loss management, IV hydration and microneedling.
“We’re doing phenomenally well, seven months in,” Dunne says. The biggest hurdle for Confident Med Spa has been explaining what the business offers. It’s not a physician’s office, and not an aesthetician business, but something that combines elements of both.
“It’s exciting stuff,” Dunne says. “The challenge is educating the people to come in, and once they see the results, they’re very appreciative.”
Dunne sees the Epping location as the first of many that will grow throughout the region. “If we continue to see success, we’ll open new locations. But myself and my business partner, we’re really focused on three things,” Dunne says, referring to Confident Med Spa President Chelsea Laughton. “An exceptional experience for our customers, making sure it’s affordable for people—it’s definitely a luxury medicine but there’s no need to pay an arm and a leg for it —and finally, education.”
Dunne says he has no interest in leveraging debt in order to accelerate growth of Confident Med Spa, despite the risk that a competitor with a different philosophy could gobble up more of the marketplace faster, he says. Hiring the right staff, as an example, is a process that must be done carefully, he says.
“This is a very results-based industry, and word-of-mouth is a huge referral source,” Dunne says. “You’ve got to do it right or you won’t last long.”
Current Issue - April 2024