Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in beauty and cosmetics but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Samuel Hetz, Owner and Medical Director of Concept Medical, located in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Concept Medical is a full-service cosmetic medicine and medical skin clinic located in Ottawa, Ontario. We are considered one of the top clinics of our type in Ontario, providing physician-based treatments ranging from anti-aging and cosmetic options (i.e., Botox, CoolSculpting, filler, Ultherapy, laser hair removal, IPL, etc.) to medical services for conditions such as acne, scarring, rosacea, and skin cancer.

Tell us about yourself

An interest in combining medicine, creativity, flexibility, and business made cosmetics a perfect fit. Most of my day involves looking at patients' faces and helping them determine the most appropriate treatment options to meet their goals. It's the perfect blend of art and science. What motivates me each day is to try to provide a better patient experience than the day prior and to keep improving and excelling in my field.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Our key achievements have been centered around the development and growth of our business and our team, recognition of our expertise in the field both locally and nationally, as well as our community involvement both in small business and philanthropic involvement. This all culminated in me being awarded a Forty Under 40 Award this past year.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

With little to no prior business background, my greatest obstacle has been learning and navigating the operations of a small business. With the support of mentors, a business coach, courses, and a tremendous amount of independent learning, I have successfully grown our current business by double digits year after year.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be the hardest working person in the room.
  2. Invest in and enable your staff; they are an extension of you.
  3. Provide the best experience possible.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Following medical school at the University of Toronto (2013), I completed a family medicine residency at the University of Ottawa (2015). During my residency, I was awarded numerous awards (College of Family Physicians of Canada Family Medicine Leadership Award, College of Family Physicians of Canada Murray Stalker Award Nominee, and University of Ottawa Don Patten Award), and was the Chief Resident for the Family Medicine Program in 2014-2015.

I obtained the highest score on the Family Medicine licensing exam at the University of Ottawa Family Medicine program in 2015. I was then awarded a family medicine fellowship position in Dermatology and Office-Based Surgical Procedures, which I completed in 2016. In addition to the ownership of Concept Medical, I hold a lecturer position at the University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine. As part of my academic appointment, I regularly have residents and staff physicians learn directly from me at Concept Medical for 2–4-week placements. I hold a GP Focused Practice Designation in Dermatology, which is awarded by the Ontario Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care of Ontario. Finally, in April 2021, we launched our semi-annual Introduction to Cosmetic Injectables Mentorship Program.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://conceptmedical.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conceptmedicalottawa/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conceptmedicalottawa/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@conceptmedicalottawa

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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