LuxMed CEO Chris Hubble Shares Aesthetic Practice Exit Strategies on The Solo Edit Podcast

LuxMed CEO Chris Hubble recently shared insights on aesthetic business growth and exit strategies during his appearance on The Solo Edit Podcast. As the aesthetics industry continues to evolve, practice owners—from solo estheticians to multi-provider clinics—face both challenges and unprecedented opportunities. In this comprehensive podcast interview with Sarah Kinsler, Chris shared powerful insights that apply to anyone operating in the aesthetic space looking to grow, streamline, or eventually sell their clinic.

What You Need to Know: Preparing your aesthetic practice for growth or sale requires more than great treatments—it takes a business-minded approach. In a saturated and evolving market, buyers and partners look closely at financial transparency, client retention, and operational strength. Whether you’re planning to grow, partner, or exit, success starts with understanding your numbers, building a strong brand, and exploring your options early. Want to position your practice for long-term value? Get a valuation, track your metrics, and think like a business owner. Read on for the full breakdown of their informative podcast conversation.

Market Dynamics: Navigating a Saturated Aesthetic Industry

The post-COVID aesthetics market has grown increasingly competitive, with Hubble noting a significant shift in industry dynamics. While the field has become saturated with new providers—from independent estheticians to expanding medspas—opportunities remain for those who can differentiate their aesthetic brand and offer a strong client experience.

As Chris explained to The Solo Edit Podcast host, aesthetic business owners face significant challenges: “You’re going up against big groups with seemingly unlimited marketing budgets.” However, he emphasized that personalized service remains a powerful differentiator. “Not everybody wants to go to those big box groups. Clients want to have that individual relationship and know who they’re seeing every single time.”

He also pointed to opportunities for strategic growth or exit via partnerships with private equity firms that are increasingly investing in aesthetic medicine. “Private equity likes this space because it’s highly fragmented and has recurring revenue,” he explained. 

For solo providers and practice owners alike, this means there are more options than ever when considering the future of their business. 

Strategic Partnerships as a Growth Engine

A key takeaway from the discussion is the growing importance of partnerships for aesthetic practice owners of all sizes. Whether you’re a solo injector or managing a full-service medspa, aligning with larger organizations or networks can provide operational support, marketing power, and an eventual exit path, while allowing you to retain the personal client experience that defines your brand.

Rather than simply closing or retiring, owners now have the option to sell, merge, or partner with bigger entities, opening new opportunities for growth and financial success.

Practice Management Essentials: Beyond Treatment Rooms

One of the most critical messages Hubble emphasized was shifting the mindset from provider to business owner: “You’re a business owner first and an esthetician second.” For any aesthetic entrepreneur, mastering the business side is essential for sustainable growth. This mindset unlocks new opportunities for profitability, scale, and eventual transition.

Key management strategies discussed include:

  • Tracking financial metrics carefully
  • Understanding profit margins beyond top-line revenue
  • Managing expenses strategically
  • Developing consistent marketing approaches

Diversifying Revenue: Building a Resilient Practice

To build a stable and scalable aesthetics practice, Hubble suggests business owners focus on:

  • Anchoring the practice with core, high-quality services
  • Once your core offerings are solid, selectively adding popular or seasonal treatments to stay competitive and relevant
  • Introducing membership programs or subscription-based services
  • Optimizing retail and product strategies

Preparing for Future Opportunities

Whether you operate as a solo provider or manage a multi-room aesthetic clinic, exit strategy planning should begin well before you’re ready to sell or retire. Hubble recommended starting this process at least 3–5 years in advance to position your business for long-term success.

Key steps Hubble shared include:

  • Building a strong, consistent brand that resonates with your target clientele
  • Maintaining accurate, transparent financial records
  • Cultivating a loyal, recurring client base
  • Tracking essential KPIs such as client retention, revenue per provider, and overall profitability

For more information on valuations and preparing your aesthetic practice for a successful sale, check out our blog, Top Tips for Selling Your Aesthetics or Wellness Practice.”

Understanding the Value of Your Practice

A critical insight Hubble shared is the importance of truly understanding your business’s value—not just your current revenue, but the factors that make it attractive to buyers or partners. Getting a professional valuation doesn’t just provide a number; it’s a strategic tool for growth and planning.

Practice Valuation Essentials:

A thorough valuation relies on a comprehensive, data-driven assessment that includes:

  • Generating detailed profit and loss (P&L) statements
  • Tracking key performance indicators (KPIs)
  • Understanding operational metrics such as:
    • Patient volume (per day/week/month)
    • Average treatment cost
    • Lifetime client value
    • Profitability by service line

As Hubble noted, “Most people coming on board want to understand the health of the business, and the best way to do that is through a profit and loss statement.”

Valuation preparation strategies discussed include:

  • Use accounting software like QuickBooks to maintain accurate, up-to-date financial reports
  • Keep organized records of operational performance and service line data
  • Prioritize clean bookkeeping and financial transparency
  • Focus on profitability rather than just top-line revenue

If you don’t already have a bookkeeper or reliable financial tracking system in place, now is the time to start. Understanding your financial health is one of the most critical steps in preparing your business for growth, partnership opportunities, or an eventual exit.

Hubble also highlighted LuxMed’s complimentary valuation service, which is designed to help aesthetic business owners understand their current business value, uncover untapped growth opportunities, and receive actionable recommendations to increase their practice’s future valuation and prepare for a potential sale.

Advice for Aesthetic Business Owners Considering Their Options

For aesthetic practice owners evaluating the future of their business, whether they’re solo providers or managing a team, Hubble advised taking a thoughtful, strategic approach. He explained that often, the process of exploring your options helps clarify what doesn’t align with your goals before you discover what truly does. 

Providers should focus on building a strong brand identity, maintaining loyal client relationships, and understanding their financial metrics. The goal is to create a business that’s not just profitable, but potentially attractive to future partners or buyers.

Explore the Full Interview

Gain deeper insights into practice growth, exit planning, and the evolving aesthetics landscape by listening to the full episode of The Solo Edit Podcast featuring Chris Hubble.

Inspired by Chris’s Insights on The Solo Edit Podcast?

Whether you’re a solo provider, medspa owner, or multi-location aesthetic practice considering your future or ready to explore your exit options, our experts can help you navigate your next chapter. Contact LuxMed Transition Strategies today for your complimentary practice valuation and discover what your aesthetic practice is truly worth.