We were lucky to catch up with Apryl Witherspoon recently and have shared our conversation below.
Apryl, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
In the Aesthetics industry, unfortunately there are usually very few people in the room that look like me. The percentage of minority nurse injectors is very small, and the percentage of those that own a thriving Medical Aesthetics practice is even less. I make it a priority to attend as many trainings and conferences as possible, in order to network with other injectors as much as I can. Since opening my practice, my desire has always been to be a resource to providers of any skin tone, so they are also motivated to start their own career in Medical Aesthetics. I truly believe Representation matters, and all I ever strive to do is provide the best outcome for all of my patients, and encourage medical providers that look like me, to live out their dreams in the beauty industry. Trust me, patients are yearning for it!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the Owner & Founder of NWME Aesthetics in Carrollton, TX, and the Lead Nurse Practitioner Injector. We specialize in treating all skin tones and practice “skinclusivity” at all times. It is such an amazing feeling when a patient comes in to our practice specifically because the staff “looks like them”, or they feel you may “better understand their skin”. The industry has come a long way, but having a diverse practice and catering to all skin types is the goal. It may sound cliche, but I have built my brand around the Golden Rule to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We value educating our patients so they may be able to make an informed decision, and never to recommend services only for financial gain. If you do your best, and do right by people, everything else will fall into place. Don’t forget to follow us on social media platforms to check us out on Season 2, Ep. 1 of BET Her, and join our NWME VIP App! 2023 is our year of continuous expansion and we are excited to see the plan God has in store for us!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, the three qualities and areas of knowledge I feel were the most impactful is organization, grit and investing in yourself. As a business owner, you cannot afford to be disorganized, and every thing you do has to be intentional. You must set goals and strive every day to meet them, remain flexible, easily adaptable, and never stop learning. The best thing I could have done is invest in a business coach, and myself. The most successful people have a mentor, and practice until they have perfected their craft. I have made many mistakes over the years, but have been able to learn and grow from every experience. This is the reason I make time to provide mentorship, shadow opportunities and trainings for those interested in getting into the industry, in order to avoid many hardships along the way.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Let’s face it, life is hard and running a business if even harder. While it can be very rewarding, it can be very challenging when you either wear many hats, or in your growth phase of the business. It is important to take a break and do something to practice self care. I love to travel, so I may find peace as often as I can. I would recommend taking time for meditation, prayer and for yourself in the mornings before you start your day. It is equally important to have an end time to each day to avoid burn-out. In the office, delegate to trained staff as much as you can and prioritize tasks. There will always be items remaining on your “to do” list each day, but you have to be realistic with what is feasible, and most important.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nwmeaesthetics.com
- Instagram: NWME Aesthetics
- Facebook: NWME Aesthetics
- Yelp: NWME Aesthetics
