Pierre Courchesne

A great relationship with staff and clients. This isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

 

Dr. Pierre Courchesne is the Founder and Medical Director of Le Centre de Medecine & Chirurgie Esthetique, a medical practice specializing in aesthetic surgery. The practice has two locations in Quebec, Canada: Granby and Longueuil.

Born into a family a family of 14 children (he is the 10th), Pierre Courchesne knew he wanted to work in the medical field ever since he can remember. He worked his way through high school and post-secondary education to afford the courses, graduating in 1981 with all expenses paid. Afterwards, he began working in Emergency, where he realized he had a gift for stitching wounds.

After a few years in emergency, Dr. Pierre Courchesne decided to open up his own practice.Le Centre de Medecine & Chirurgie Esthetique officially opened to the public in 1992. His dedication to learning, improving, and being apart of the larger conversations in medicine have allowed Pierre to emerge as an innovative force in his field. With over 42,000 patients, Pierre’s career continues to thrive.

Where did the idea for your company come from?

At the time of its establishment, there was no other person offering this service in Longueuil. People had to go to the nearest large metropolitan city which is Montreal, even though there was plenty of demand in the Longueuil and Granby areas. This is mostly because private medical practices were largely frowned upon, as the medical system is a government service in Canada.

As for creating the name, I wanted something that was both practical and descriptive. One morning as I was doing the planning the name just came and it stuck.

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

I always get up at the same time, early in the morning. I read the news and finish up any patient related work that I could not finish from the night before. I also take this time to plan out my day and write some ideas down for the practice. I eat a healthy breakfast with some protein, coffee and fruits. Then I head off to the clinic where my list of patients awaits.

A typical day would have many skin lesions, lipoma extraction, varicose veins exams, and consultation for liposuction and hair transplants. Lately, half of our client base are receiving face rejuvenation and maintenance treatments. They ask me for a program to best take care of their skin and how to age beautifully. There is also the management of the center, since I am the medical director I need to manage surgeons, nurses, assistants, marketing plus all the legal issues with permits, accreditations and advanced training, which is an obligation as a doctor.
The productivity comes from having long time competent people who help me with all the tasks. My administrator assistant, medical assistants, a great accountant and now, of course a great provider of web services. We all work together to make things run smoothly.

How do you bring ideas to life?

First, I get exposure to topics and find inspiration for my practice by communicating with others in the field , as well as from traveling. I enjoy attending conferences around the world and seeing how other providers serve their clients. If you are able to separate the marketing side of it and just absorb the experience and scientific research then you will have a very enriching experience.

When I hear of a new practice or service, I research everything so I can fully understand it. I ask people to come and show me the techniques or new products, then I go through analysing the results and safety. Safety is always the number one thing for my clients and it will always be. Only once I feel comfortable with the product and understand how it will benefit my clients, do I offer it to clients who are looking for that look. Sometimes a client will ask for a service without realizing that another service will better benefit their look and health. I always want my clients to be educated and confident with the services they receive.

What’s one trend that excites you?

Well, like everyone else, I believe the stem cell therapies and treatments are quite exciting, not only for cosmetics reasons but also for life saving procedures. Using our own cells to repair and regenerate is the Holy Grail- I don’t know how fast and how far we will go with this but it is nothing short of amazing.

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

Building and maintaining excellent client relationships. This includes always being on time, respecting my clients, and supporting both clients and my team. I have a great team that is on top of everything. We deal with problematic issues as they arise so we can avoid further issues and constantly improve.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I would say to take the time to have fun, whether that be traveling or playing sports, and make sure to have a friend group outside of your field of work. These two items are important for a healthy work-life balance. I also would tell my younger self to be more active- I am in good shape but I can see the full benefits I could have received had I started exercising much earlier. Also learn Spanish- I regret not having this capacity developed. I missed a lot of family interactions since I married into a Spanish speaking family.

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

These opinions are too controversial so I rather tell you these over a cup of coffee.

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

A great relationship with staff and clients. This isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.

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

Staying at the top of the latest and most advanced products and techniques. I studied them well and even try them on myself to see if there are efficient and it is something my clients would feel great and feel a difference to help them achieve their goals.

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

I believe before I wanted to please my clients and make sure we achieve their goals, but I learned early on that you have to be aware that some people will never be happy and that you cannot please the clients at all costs. You have to be strict and sometimes you have to tell them that there is not much you can do to make them happy. It takes a little time to develop this sense since it is only by meeting hundreds, even thousands, of patients that you become very good at telling the clients you will never be able to help.

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

It is a service I was never able to find. Just like in business you have a person who is your right hand, homes also need somebody you can rely on and people are not trained to take care of homes. A service that looks after homes and the needs of the house to liberate people from the stress and burden of keeping up a safe, clean and organised home would be incredible. We all deserve a Mary Poppins. This is beyond house cleaning.

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

Well I think my ski helmet since I was taking too many chances by not wearing a proper ski helmet and it saved my life in a simple, silly manoeuvre I did on the slopes this winter.

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

I try to avoid software and web services as much as I can. The purpose of all those applications is doing everything yourself anytime. As a leader and director, it is an error to try and do everything yourself. It is very tempting but it is not a good life to live and eventually you will feel it in your quality of life and relations. They are also quite pernicious since there are no walls or office to separate them from your daily life, so you are on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I use them sometimes for entertainment, but even then it cuts into my outdoors time so I rarely use them. If I can avoid being online, I will!

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

Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza. Anything that makes us see ourselves like other see us can give us great perspective about our life and what kind of people we want to be.

What is your favorite quote?

That we may be granted serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; courage to change that which can be changed and wisdom to know the one from the other.

I always liked this quote and in times of difficulty, I always say it as a mantra.

Key Learnings:

• As a leader and director, it is an error to try and do everything yourself.
• Using our own cells to repair and regenerate is the Holy Grail
• Safety is always the number one thing for my clients and it will always be.

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