Interview with Mr. Gaurav O (Cosmopolitan Contouring) By: Marjorie Appiagyei

By: Marjorie Appiagyei

Hello My name is Marjorie Appiagyei I am a current High School senior interested in entering the medical field. This summer I am working as a Marketing and Pre- Health intern under Improve Life PLLC a pscyatic clinic located in Reston Virgina where we have been assigned to interview local medical practice owners in the area. If possible we would love to learn more about your experience in the medical field and owning a small business.

Question. 1

Marjorie : What did your educational pathway look like and how did that lead you to working in aesthetic medicine?

Mr. Gaurav : So, it's interesting. I have an IT background, professional. I got into the med spa space about 15 years ago. And I've got two locations. I've got this location. I'm the owner. I've got another one. I'm Lorton.  And over the years, we have to hire an MD, so I have a medical doctor that works for me. And I have a nurse practitioner that works for me. In terms of level of education that's needed to enter this field, it varies from state to state. I'm not trying to confuse you guys, but you sort of have to follow the state regulations. So, in the state of Virginia, I'm allowed to operate what this is as long as I can hire an NP, two professionals to oversee my space, my patients, and I can run this. Now, I might not be able to do that in other states,

Marjorie: but in Virginia, you're allowed to.

Mr. Gaurav: Yes, Exactly!

Question 2

Marjorie : I will now ask the next question.

So, why do you think you chose med spa specifically? And what kind of pulled you into starting your own business?Because I know there's more corporate offices and things. Why didn't you stick with IT?  And why was it just med spa? Just a question. (1:45) 

Mr. Gaurav: Sure!

Mr. Gaurav :So, the med spa space, I kind of just stumbled on it. I actually had a vocational training school that I owned pre-COVID, where we taught healthcare and IT classes. So, we were partnered with the state of Virginia, we were partnered with Veterans Affairs, we were partnered with a lot of different military spouses.

And we used to train folks in healthcare, like dental, medical assisting, phlebotomy, how to draw blood, and IT professionals. So, I stumbled across the med spa space as a training to incorporate in my school.  But it just so turned out that it's better, instead of offering it as a training, to offer it as a service. If that makes sense. So, I stumbled across it, I learned it in 2011, and I just never looked back. 

Mr. Gaurav : So, to answer your question of why do this and why not corporate professional, I would say it's 95-97% of the world's population probably is working in the corporate world. Very few people that go out and become entrepreneurs. It's not easy. I like the challenge.

Question 3

Marjorie : Okay so I see you love learning what are some things you have learned while owning a medical aesthetic practice and how have these skills helped you run your business?

Mr. Gaurav:

So, part of what I've also done, when you see you come to this office, I have built this office. So, I also have a serious background in construction. So, I built this whole space.

I know all the county codes. I went to the county offices. I worked with all the engineers.

 I like to learn, because I have other commercial properties that I own.  I've developed land. I've developed buildings.

I love learning new stuff. I think it's very cool. I love hiring the right folks to work with me.

That way I can follow the rules and regulations, and then it's just a matter of execution. Execution is working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That is why I chose this field. That is why I do well in all of my fields

Marjorie: Alright Thank you very much for this interview! It was amazing to learn more about your profession and perspective of the medical field.

Mr. Gaurav: Of course!