Stephanie McLean From Compliance to Confidence: Juv’ae Raises the Bar on Clinical Training, Business Mentoring and Self-Belief
With a united voice, Nicole Schmid-Sanele, Jacinta King, and Melissa Isaia led the 2025 Juv’ae Cosmetic Collective Conference (CC25) with a powerful daily message: you are what you think and believe.
Across three transformational days, this mindset-first approach became the foundation for an experience that merged self-belief, clinical precision, and business acumen, shaping not only how nurses practise but how they lead.
Held at the stunning Langham Hotel on the Gold Coast, Juv’ae’s CC25 was more than just a learning opportunity; it was an experience designed to equip nurses, clinic owners, and practitioners with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. From business fundamentals to advanced injectables and personal mindset shifts, every session challenged attendees to think differently about how they work, grow, and lead.
The Art of Facial Harmony: Expertise from Australia and Abroad
Elevating the clinical program at CC25 was an impressive lineup of medical professionals who brought a diverse range of insights and innovations to the stage. Among the expert presenters were Dr Kieren Bong, Dr Priyanka Chadha, Dr Cara MacDonald, Dr David Kosenko, Dr Bianca Viscomi, Dr Stephen Lowe, Dr Yi Chen, and Dr Jimmy Wang, each contributing their unique clinical perspectives and helping shape the future of safe, effective cosmetic medicine in Australia.
Two standout international speakers headlined the program with sessions that combined scientific depth with aesthetic artistry. Dr Kieren Bong captivated audiences with Beauty in Motion, a masterclass in restoring, enhancing, and harmonising facial features with every expression. His session celebrated the outstanding results achieved through the Teoxane RHA range for both anatomical precision and the emotional impact of natural beauty.
Following this, Dr Priyanka Chadha brought her signature energy and expertise to Firm and Lyft, a dynamic exploration of combination treatments. She offered practical strategies for nurses to elevate patient outcomes, blending medical knowledge with creative treatment planning that could be implemented immediately in clinical practice.
Together, these presentations not only advanced clinical technique but inspired delegates to think more deeply about the nuanced art, and raise the bar by using products that are clinically backed and grounded in evidence-based practice, supported by science and data.
Building Clinics, Confidence & Community
The “Beyond the Needle” panel with Chris Gardner, Danielle Ryan, Anne Lam, Lauren Clymo, Jamie Yerales, Dr Atiyeh Shahriari and Jacinta King offered real-world insights into what it takes to build a business that doesn’t burn you out. Jamie shared her own lessons from hustling to exhaustion, skipping breaks, ignoring injury, and eventually recognising that sustainability matters more than speed.
Anne Lam inspired attendees with her Korean training experiences, showing how staying ahead of global trends boosted her confidence in consulting on comprehensive treatment plans. Meanwhile, Lauren Clymo reminded us that holistic care begins with education, teaching patients about the ageing process and skin function to build long-term trust, not one-time sales.
When Quitting Crosses Your Mind
In a candid moment during the panel discussion, Lauren Clymo reflected on the challenges of navigating her business through COVID-19, admitting there were times she nearly walked away. What kept her going, she shared, was a clear sense of purpose, “I didn’t come this far just to come this far.” Her honesty resonated with the audience and reinforced a common theme echoed by the panel that setbacks are part of the entrepreneurial journey, and consistent, committed effort is what drives long-term success.
Hands-On Excellence: Learn Inject Experience
Juv’ae’s educational vision goes beyond theory. As the pioneers of the Learn Inject Experience Juv’ae believes every nurse deserves real, tactile learning. These practical workshops are at the heart of Juv’ae’s educational framework, giving nurses the confidence to apply what they learn and elevate their clinics with safe, refined techniques. Throughout the conference, delegates could engage in live injecting sessions, skill-building workshops, and roundtable mentoring, a hallmark of Juv’ae’s commitment to professional empowerment.
Mastering the Numbers Behind the Needle
Day 2 of the conference opened with a powerful session led by Jacinta King and Melissa Isaia, setting a purposeful tone for the day ahead. Their opening question cut to the core, “What kind of business owner are you? The avoider, the hustler, the passionate, or the strategic?” It was a thought-provoking prompt that encouraged honest reflection and laid the groundwork for deeper conversations around sustainability, growth, and intentional leadership.
In their session, Knowing Your Numbers, attendees were guided through the essential building blocks of a financially sustainable practice. From understanding gross margins to pinpointing break-even points and weekly revenue targets, the session offered a clear-eyed look at the financial fundamentals often overlooked in the aesthetics space.
Storytelling, Socials & Self-Belief
The final day of CC25 delivered a powerful blend of practical advice and personal transformation. Emily Heazelwood from Anti-Norm Studio took to the stage with a refreshingly honest take on content creation, one that challenged the crowd to move beyond filters and into authenticity. “Cringe is magnetic,” she emphasised, urging nurses to let go of perfectionism and embrace vulnerability online. With just three seconds to capture attention, Emily highlighted that content isn’t optional anymore; it’s the foundation of modern brand-building.
Adding to the emotional insights of the day, Olympic legend and dual-career powerhouse Dr Jana Pittman shared her deeply personal story of resilience, reinvention, and rising above self-doubt. Her talk unpacked the power of fear, not as something to avoid, but as something to use. Breaking it down as False Evidence Appearing Real, Pittman reframed fear as a signpost for growth. Drawing on her own setbacks, she reminded attendees that challenges don’t block the path; they shape it. Every struggle, she said, is equipping you for the success that’s still to come. This was a thread throughout the conference, with both Nicole and Melissa emphasising that pruning is for your growth. Delegates left with practical insights into clinical skills, financial strategy, patient-centric marketing, content creation, and compliance. But more than that, they walked away recharged, refocused, and ready to lead with clarity and purpose.
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