Today we’d like to introduce you to Haley Von Haven.
Hi Haley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a new PA, I started out in an orthopedic sports practice which gave me so many of the skills I needed to be where I am today. I was extremely lucky to end up in a competitive specialty right out of PA school and get the chance to scrub in to surgery 3 days per week. My clinic days were full of pre- ops and post- ops as well as joint injections. I gained extensive procedural competency, comfort talking about procedures, doing through informed consents, and managing surgical wounds healing. I was also wildly lucky to work with competitive athletes at all levels, including professional athletes. Some of the patients required a high level of hand holding and very warm bedside manner. All of this translated beautifully into aesthetics.
I actually did not ever plan on opening my own clinic, but after working at other clinics, I just realized that no one was doing things the way I wanted to do them. I not only wanted to be extremly compliant with all the regulations, but wanted a beautiful patient experience. I want the “above and beyond” feeling. I chose a historic building in downtown Ocala with a very warm feeling to break the mold of a “pretty white box” that can often feel sterile. The “you can’t sit with us” mean girl vibe was the anthesis of what I was striving for. I wanted patient greeted warmly by name, to feel comfortable to come in and sit down. I also want a work place where employees feel like they have some autonomy in decision making in a supportive environment where they can grow and flourish.
We have now been open alsomt two years and have taken slow, but steady growth steps. It has been such an incredible journey, and has let me develop in ways that I never had the chance to when I was strictly a provider.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish it was, and if you have anyone who tells you it was smooth, please give them my phone number so I can take a note- ha!
Of course there have been some challenges. As a first time business owner, there are uncertainties in setting up the entity, keeping up with ever changing regulations, seeing a full schedule of patients, developing the staff as well as myself, and trying to maintain some sort of work life balance. Beyond that, I have some great friends who own businesses, and when I hear about the cost of acquiring new equipment or general overhead costs, I am jealous! Not to pull back the curtain, but a new laser is typically several hundred thousand dollars and orders for injectables are regularly tens of thousands, weekly. It’s scary!
I have been so fortunate to have amazing women on my team who are so supportive, and to have a solid, loyal patient base that have made the scary times way more manageable.
We’ve been impressed with The Fix Aesthetic Clinic, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Fix is the go-to aesthetic clinic in Ocala providing top notch injectables, lasers, facials, and medical grade skincare to keep you looking your best.
We aim to partner with our patients on their long term aesthetic journey following evidence based guidelines, using top of the line devices and techniques so they may age with confidence.
We treat every patient in a way that our values are apparent. Our company hinges on excellence, integrity, connection, knowledge, gratitude, and generosity.
The Fix not only wants to help patients age confidently, we also aim to be involved in the local community, and give back to the city we love so much. So far we have paired every open house or event at The Fix with Kimberly’s Center for Child Protection which is an organization that supports neglected or abused children in our city. We have hosted a backpack and school supply drive as well as a toy drive for Christmas to name a few. We collected over 50 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, and when we did our toy drive we focused on teens. The staff at Kimberly’s Center let us know that babies and toddles were always well stocked, but teen gifts were lacking so our patients and staff really showed up and were able to gift lots a teens that would have had no presents on Christmas. We are always proud to give back to the city we are lucky to call home.
As an equestrian myself, we also partner with the World Equestrian center to sponsor events for the dressage and hunter/ jumper communities. If you visit the beautiful facility, look for us on the arena signs, and for our jump in the grand prix field! Every time I see our branding out there, it is a “pinch me” moment.
I also come from the stance that aesthetics is medicine first so I am passionate about skin cancer prevention and SPF education for all! I event wrote my PA school thesis on malignant melanoma and early detection. Seeing some of the younger riders, I always make a point to educated about SPF, getting yearly skin checks, and preventing skin cancer by taking care of their skin now.
Beyond those partnerships, our staff makes up special. Each person cares so much about patient outcomes and their experience. They go above and beyond to make every appointment comfortable, and smooth. Our injectors are leaders in the industry- they teach for injectable companies, attend conference around the world, publish in peer reviewed journals, and invest in one-on- one training with the best in the world to bring safety and experience to our town.
Our hope is every patient who enters the clinic is able to unwind and relax through their curated treatment with a highly skilled provider while achieving their aesthetic goals.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Be a nice human. People like to help kind people. I think showing. up prepared makes it easier for mentors to be helpful. If you show up with broad, time consuming questions, it is less likely to get a substance rich reply from your mentor. If you have a focused, detail-oriented question, you would be shocked where that can lead the conversation. I find people are happy to help if you show up prepared. Plus, a little bit of gratitude for their time and expertise goes a long way.
To find a mentor, attend conferences or trainings. There will always be some trainers or speakers that you connect with the most. Reach out to those people. The chemistry is better when you connect with their style of teaching.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefixocala.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefixaestheticclinic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Fix-Aesthetic-Clinic-61563734987019/
- Other: https://worldequestriancenter.com/news/world-equestrian-center-partners-with-the-fix-aesthetic-clinic-2/
