Esthetician Spotlight: Ashlyn Freitas

What are some key experiences in your career that have shaped your approach to aesthetics and wellness? 

My leadership role at Equinox taught me to understand the deeper ‘why’ of each client, focusing on personal goals and well-being. Transitioning into medical aesthetics, I saw a huge disconnect in patient interaction, which felt impersonal. This led my partner and I to create TIEV, where we treat patients as individuals, empowering their imperfections, listening, giving them time to ask questions, and helping them invest in themselves. We are committed to honoring that moment in their life journey—effortlessly authentic, always prioritizing responsible medicine. 

TIEV Medspa’s mission is “You, but better.” How does this philosophy influence the treatments and services you offer? 

At TIEV, we embrace the notion that self-identity is everlasting, and we treat people with care, focusing on what makes them unique. Our treatments are rooted in science, safety, and inclusivity, ensuring every individual – with every skin type and skin color – receives treatments that help them look and feel their best. We prioritize the long-term well-being of our patients, staying clear of trends and focusing on what truly works, empowering their sense of self without overcomplicating their journey to wellness. 

What sets TIEV Medspa apart from other aesthetic destinations in the industry? 

Our consultation process and focus on the patient experience set us apart. We take the time to understand each individual’s goals, ensuring every treatment is both meaningful and effective. With our non-toxic candle lit rooms, soothing essential oils, warm towels, and mindful staff, we aim to create an environment that allows clients to feel present and fully cared for. At TIEV, we place equal emphasis on the treatment and the human experience—offering simple, yet profoundly impactful moments of care.  

Could you highlight some of the unique treatments or services at TIEV? 

At TIEV we are known for our multi-modality approach to aesthetics. A multi-modality approach is where a provider blends multiple, scientifically proven treatments to address the skin’s epidermal layer, dermal layer, muscle and more. This unique approach results in customized, naturally refined, holistic results. Full Glazing is a great example of this. With our Full Glazing we use hyaluronic filler tactfully and respectfully across the face, creating natural balance and harmony. This is a part of our commitment to responsible medicine: we prioritize the safest, most effective treatments to enhance our patients’ well-being, with results that truly speak for themselves. 

As a leader in scaling multi-million-dollar brands, what challenges have you faced, and how have you overcome them? 

A loaded question to say the least! How do you get a multi-million dollar operation, hundreds of team members to have a consistent result and process, while protecting the brand values and mitigating consumer outcomes? While also ensuring you are keeping growth and expansion in the forefront for brand longevity? The greatest challenge I have faced has been maintaining consistency in delivering results while protecting brand values during growth. At TIEV, we focus on simplicity—making complex processes digestible for both the team and the client. People want to be heard and understood. We listen to our team and clients, ensuring everyone feels heard and part of a larger vision, which allows us to grow without losing sight of our core mission of practicing responsible, patient-first medicine. 

What do you believe are the key elements of successful team management in the luxury aesthetics space? 

Be organized. Set time aside every single month to connect with every team member. Ensure to listen to their personal goals and align with the business goals, then come up with a plan together to get them closer to where they want to go. Your team wants to be a part of something that is bigger than them and means something of great substantial value. If we can feel accomplished while also feeling good about what we do, that is the magic. Then, when we connect daily whether in passing or a simple check in there is a common expectation towards excellence. As an owner I personally meet with every department every month, ads, branding, marketing, clinical, finance, etc so the communications, company goals, and expectations stay clear.  

You are known as a dedicated advocate for skin health and safety. How do you ensure these values are integrated into TIEV’s operations and client interactions? 

Safety and practicing responsible medicine are non-negotiable at TIEV. It is our #1 fundamental core value actually.  We empower patients with knowledge, ensuring they are part of the decision-making process while respecting their individuality. Beyond that, we ensure that our team undergoes rigorous training before treating patients, monthly continued education seminars and more, embodying our commitment to constant learning and refining our craft. We are obsessed with learning, we are always students.  It is our commitment to our values and to the patient, and it is deeply woven into our operations.  

With your background in private equity, how do you see the aesthetics industry evolving in the next few years? 

The aesthetics industry is shown to grow 15% CAGR by 2033 according to AMSPA with North America being the top in the Medspa space. It is a booming field, but with that growth I think there will be pros and cons. In the consumer market, there is a rising demand for minimally invasive procedures and an increasing awareness of anti-aging  and preventative treatments in younger generations than we’ve ever seen in the past. With more technological advancements in aesthetic space we are getting smarter with treatments that provide minimal down time – allowing you to take little to no time away from your everyday life.  

Conversely, as the market expands, there is a growing risk of inexperienced providers and business owners entering this space solely for financial gain, often without fully appreciating the gravity of their role. Ultimately, while this is elective medicine, it remains fundamentally a medical practice. This work demands the highest commitment to education, safety, and clinical precision, supported by a strong administrative team to ensure seamless and secure operations. 

My best advice is to always properly vet anywhere you go, there are plenty of incredible providers and businesses in this space, and we are proud to say we are one of them. 

Ultimately, this field offers an exciting and dynamic environment, now widely accepted compared to a decade ago. Influencer marketing has played a significant role in normalizing these everyday procedures, helping patients understand that these services are nothing to feel embarrassed or hesitant about. 

What advice would you give to aspiring estheticians or entrepreneurs looking to make their mark in the wellness and aesthetics industry? 

Be a sponge! Approach every opportunity with an open mind and a commitment to learning as much as you can, as early as you can. Surround yourself with people who are significantly more experienced; growth comes from being in rooms with those who are steps ahead. My journey wasn’t driven by innate talent alone—it was shaped by actively seeking out mentors and absorbing every piece of knowledge available. For instance, I learned to analyze a P&L statement at 20 because a mentor emphasized that talent without operational expertise falls short! 

Find your niche, and focus on mastering it rather than spreading yourself too thin across trends. Stay informed, conduct thorough research, and specialize in areas with proven results. Early on, I recognized my passion not only for learning in this field but also for teaching and empowering others to excel—even helping them to surpass my own achievements. I strive to keep people around me, both personally and professionally, who challenge and inspire me to grow. My advice: set aside ego, embrace continuous learning, and never hesitate to broaden your skill set. 

How do you maintain a balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being? 

I personally believe work-life balance is impossible – I really believe in work- life integration. There are times when I have to attend to the needs of the business and there are times when I attend to my life and family needs. Setting boundaries, working extremely efficiently, habit stacking, and being fairly “firm” to a schedule is crucial to making things function well.  Let’s be real, as mothers we can plan all day long, and sometimes unpredictability sets in. I am beyond privileged to have an excellent support system around me at TIEV where if I need to step away it is not detrimental to the business. I am beyond privileged to have an incredibly supportive and loving system at home, so if I need to attend to the needs at work my child is safe, loved and happy.  

Pouring into my own cup and prioritizing time for self-care is essential to my well-being. I’ve come to understand that when I neglect rest and the activities that nourish my soul, my clarity and ability to make sound, strategic decisions suffer. TIEV’s doors opened when I was just four months postpartum, yet I made sure to do activities that fueled me—whether it was getting my nails or hair done, going for walks, or spending time with my closest friends. True self-care is one of the most selfless acts, and while it was certainly easier before having children, I now make it a priority through careful planning and intention. 

This is the foundation of TIEV, taking a moment in time to enjoy something that is a compounding gift to your aesthetic journey. 

What exciting developments or expansions can clients expect from TIEV Medspa in the near future? 

You may be seeing TIEV LA and TIEV San Diego in the very near future. Stay tuned… 

How do you envision TIEV Medspa continuing to impact clients’ self-esteem and overall well-being moving forward? 

I foresee us further enhancing our consultation process by leveraging technological advancements and the latest research to remain at the forefront of medical innovation. Simultaneously, we are committed to continuously improving the patient experience and strengthening our relationships with clients. We are excited to pursue these goals as TIEV expands into new markets! 

Website: https://tiev.co/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tievmedspa/