Briggs Cook

Learn to adapt to all situations with patience and kindness.

 

Born in 1967 in Greensboro, North Carolina, Briggs Cook grew up as an adventurous spirit. He enjoyed outdoor activities such as mountain biking, golfing, camping and water skiing. All of these activities have stuck with him well into his adulthood. His curiosity and interest in people guided his life into the medical field.

After graduating Suma Cum Laude from Duke University in 1989, Briggs Cook knew he wanted to help people through medicine. Making lives easier, healthier, and more fulfilled satisfied his need to care for others. In 1995 Cook received his Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After his residency, Briggs Cook moved into the more traditional routes to serve patients, working at various hospitals and with various medical groups. Cook found himself longing to make more options available to his patients.

In 2013, Dr. Cook established his own business with Pure Facial Plastic Surgery and MedSpa located in Huntersville, North Carolina. This has allowed him to care for his patients in many new ways. This MedSpa has allowed him to care for his patient’s specific concerns with both surgery and non-surgical options with minimal or no recovery time needed.

Pure Facial Plastic Surgery & MedSpa provides a host of services to assist patients, such as Neck or traditional Facelifts, skin cancer repair, ear and ear lobe surgery and more. The MedSpa services offered include Pure skin care products (their own compounded line of products), dermaplaning, spa facials, Vanquish fat reduction, laser hair removal and much more.

The results achieved and attention to detail have led to happier patients, clients, and the opportunity to explore new technologies that are just becoming available sooner than would be available through more traditional routes.
This proud father of five continues to put his family first in everything he does. He takes great joy in sharing his adventurous sports with his wife and children. In his free time, he also advocates on behalf of families who are affected by PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Strep). His two twin 6 year-olds are affected by this disorder.

He and his wife Kia have built a community for parents who have children with PANDAS. They are working to promote awareness about symptoms that are often misdiagnosed, and to educate parents as well as the pediatric professionals.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

I have always dreamed of opening up my own practice. Throughout my education and at the beginning of my career, I learned a lot from senior doctors and the owners of various practices. As I progressed, I decided opening Pure would be a great way to share my knowledge with others and help the public gain self-confidence. Helping people is the most rewarding, whether it’s my employees or clients.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

Everyday differs depending on the needs of my clients. Typically I wake up early, around 6am and enjoy a delicious breakfast and time with my wife and children. Many times I will take my children to the bus stop or school and participate in activities at their school. After breakfast I head to the office and prepare for scheduled consultations and procedures. I make sure there aren’t too many appointments back to back, as it is crucial to take time with each client so they feel comfortable and leave my office fully educated on their options. I want them to be happy with my work, from the first appointment to the recovery. It can be a very sensitive, vulnerable time for some, and I do everything to help them.

How do you bring ideas to life?

In terms of how I created my business, I learned from the best health care professionals and built solid relationships with them. This allowed me to confidently go after my dreams with necessary support. As for how I deliver services to patients, I spend the time with my patients to discuss possible solutions. We address each individual situation, evaluate all known options, and decide accordingly. Two individuals may have the same issue, but if their lifestyles and end goals are different, the same procedure will not do the job. It’s all about listening to the client and doing what’s best for their unique situation.

What’s one trend that excites you?

I have noticed a trend of more acceptance in society for cosmetic surgery. People are realizing that it is not a requirement, but it is an option. Additionally, cosmetic surgery is no longer seen as a vain indulgence. It’s also seen as a valuable service for individuals suffering with health issues, such as sight issues due to sagging eyelid skin. Another more obvious trend in healthcare is the use of high-tech tools in surgery. This makes noninvasive surgery more possible which keeps recovery time low.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

My concern for my clients and patients. By putting their needs first, I am able to tailor a solution that will uniquely address their concerns or desires. This attention to detail with each client builds solid relationships which lead to word-of-mouth referrals.

Another habit is getting involved in the community. Giving back is one of the most rewarding things, especially when I can do it with my family and show my children the importance of doing things for others. My family is very involved in the PANDAS community as this mission is very close to home. The goal is to make sure that children are properly diagnosed. PANDAS has been commonly mistaken or misdiagnosed for symptoms of ADHD or OCD; consequently, treatments are ineffective. I think that as more light is shed on PANDAS, the more progress we will have.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would say not to take life too seriously. Learn to adapt to all situations with patience and kindness. Put family and friends first.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

More money and focus needs to be dedicated to PANDAS. I know a lot of families affected by this, and they would agree with me, but there are thousands of individuals who are suffering in silence. They don’t even know what PANDAS is or how to diagnose. We need more research, more awareness, and more support. Awareness of this disorder is key.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Build relationships with patients and clients. I want to provide them with comfort and confidence that they will be well cared for. Not only does this ensure I will meet their needs, it also means they will come back.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

I get a lot of referrals and recommendations. I also use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other forms of social media to get the word out. But ultimately, it is the recommendation and referrals from satisfied clients.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

There is a learning curve when it comes to hiring the right team of people who share the same vision. I want an environment that is relaxing and welcoming to anyone who comes into our offices. Over the years I have assembled what I believe to be the “right” team. My primary surgical technician and cosmetic consultant Tiffany has been with me and helped me for almost 18 years.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

My calendar and phone always keep me on time and on schedule with personal and client time.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I really enjoy the time that I spend with my family. No matter what money I spend, it is always the best when I can share it with them.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

Putting all of my appointments in my Google calendar is crucial for being productive and on time. It has saved me from missing important events and meetings! I get alerts 30 minutes in advance to my phone and computer. The Google Drive is also a great software that allows me to access important files everywhere.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

“Who Moved My Cheese” by Dr. Spencer Johnson. This is a motivational business book that advises business professionals how to react and adapt to the changing corporate environment.

What is your favorite quote?

“Develop a passion for learning, and you will never cease to grow” by Anthony D’Angelo

Key learnings:

• Attentive to clients
• Driven to succeed professionally
• Family Oriented

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