SkinHealth Systems

My experience in R&D engineering has shaped my approach by pushing me to look at every project holistically. In a lot of R&D departments, teams tend to be strong in Research OR Development, rarely both. If you focus on development without research, there is a real chance your engineers won't fully understand what they are building, even with the best user needs spelled out for them. On the flip side, if you do research without development, you may miss the engineering constraints that matter and end up chasing the latest published manuscript without asking why it hasn't been commercialized yet. There is usually a reason. Working cross-functionally is also essential to actually getting products to market. R&D can't do it alone. It takes a village of experts, especially in the medtech space.

Aesthetics Wellness and AI Are Converging

Deeper diagnostics, on-demand feedback, and AI are driving a lot of the conversation right now. The aesthetic consumer is getting smarter and more informed. More providers are becoming influencers, social platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels are accelerating education, and non-physician providers are increasingly knowledgeable and passing that knowledge directly to their patients. What we are also seeing is a real demand for the blend of aesthetics and wellness. A patient may come in for a facial, receive a GLP-1 injection, and finish with red light therapy, all in one visit. Some providers are expanding into cryo rooms, oxygen chambers, and other advanced wellness offerings to build true full-span anti-aging clinics.

I believe having a firm understanding of the market is what drives smarter engineering tradeoffs and, honestly, what unlocks real creativity in product design. When your R&D team understands the market the way your marketing team does, everyone starts speaking the same language. The collaboration becomes natural rather than forced, and that alignment is what actually accelerates a product to market.

"When your R&D team understands the market the way your marketing team does, everyone starts speaking the same language."

Build a Team That Moves With Purpose

Building a real brain trust with your team matters more than most people realize. I have worked with several teams where, if I am being honest, I sometimes question whether I am actually managing them in a traditional sense. That is a good thing. When your team genuinely understands the project goal and their role within it, you don't need to force much. We are all on the same ship trying to reach the next island. They should want to get there too, because it benefits the company and their own careers.

From an innovation standpoint, always push your team to distinguish between high-impact and low-impact work. You can get a lot done and still not move the needle. R&D should always be asking: will this actually show up in the revenue? Never move just to move. Move with purpose.

Finish What You Start and Own It

Continuously learn. Don't spend 30 years at a desk assuming tenure earns you a seat at the top. Every space is changing, especially with AI. We can move faster now, make more informed decisions, and test more ideas in less time. Becoming a true expert in a category shouldn't even take a decade anymore.

Say your ideas with confidence and actually own your deliverables. Those two habits alone will take you far and may lead you into entrepreneurship or make you a standout intrapreneur within an organization. Also, don't chase money. If you are genuinely good, compensation follows. And finish what you start. It can be tempting to jump ship mid-project for a slight pay bump, but you will never be able to say you actually completed anything. Finishing matters.