This One Might Hurt a Little…But Feelings Don't Pay the Bills
Tue Feb 03 2026
Criticism can sting, but it doesn’t have to shake your confidence.
Heather Hughes-Hardy opens up about her early struggles with taking feedback personally and how one mentor’s tough-love advice completely shifted her mindset.
Her go-to? Radical accountability—asking “What could I do better?” instead of “What did I do wrong?” She shares how this small shift builds resilience, keeps burnout at bay, and even helps you support teammates through their own tough moments.
From letting yourself process emotions without dwelling to guiding your staff through healthy feedback conversations, Heather’s approach is all about training your mindset like a muscle so you’re ready for whatever comes next.
GUEST
Heather Hughes Hardy
Aesthetics Sales Specialist
Heather’s passion for making aesthetic practices run smoothly has led her to find ways to improve efficiency, simplify things, and build great relationships within the wellness world. As she's grown in her career, she's developed a unique mix of business and management skills, along with a deep understanding of how things work in the aesthetics industry.
Follow Heather on Instagram @heatherhugheshardy or connect with Heather on LinkedIn
SHE DID WHAT?
Got a wild customer service story or a sticky patient situation to share? If your tale makes it into our "She did what?" segment, we'll send a thank you gift you'll actually love. Promise, no cheap swag here. Send us a message or voicemail at practicelandpodcast.com.
SUBSCRIBE
Are you one of us? Subscribe for new episode notifications and more at practicelandpodcast.com.
HOSTS
Blake Lucas, Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi
Blake oversees a dedicated team responsible for managing patient and provider inquiries, troubleshooting technical issues, and handling any unexpected challenges that come their way. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional service, he ensures that both patients and providers receive the support they need for a seamless experience.
Learn more about PatientFi
Andrea Watkins, VP of Practice Growth at Studio III Marketing
Andrea Watkins, Vice President of Practice Growth at Studio 3, coaches plastic surgery and aesthetics teams on patient acquisition, lead management, and practice efficiency to drive measurable growth. Formerly COO of a multi-million-dollar practice that nearly tripled revenue under her leadership, she now partners with over 100 practices nationwide—helping them capture and analyze data, streamline consultations and booking, and align staff training with business goals. With a directive yet approachable, non-salesy style, Andrea turns data into action, empowering practices to boost conversions, maximize marketing, and elevate the patient experience in a competitive market.
Learn more about Studio III Marketing and LeadLoop CRM for plastic surgery practices and medical spas.
Co-hosts: Andrea Watkins & Blake Lucas
Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis
Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart
Engineering: Cameron Laird, Spencer Clarkson
Theme music: Full Time Job, Mindme
Cover Art: Dan Childs
Practiceland is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io
More
Criticism can sting, but it doesn’t have to shake your confidence. Heather Hughes-Hardy opens up about her early struggles with taking feedback personally and how one mentor’s tough-love advice completely shifted her mindset. Her go-to? Radical accountability—asking “What could I do better?” instead of “What did I do wrong?” She shares how this small shift builds resilience, keeps burnout at bay, and even helps you support teammates through their own tough moments. From letting yourself process emotions without dwelling to guiding your staff through healthy feedback conversations, Heather’s approach is all about training your mindset like a muscle so you’re ready for whatever comes next. GUEST Heather Hughes Hardy Aesthetics Sales Specialist Heather’s passion for making aesthetic practices run smoothly has led her to find ways to improve efficiency, simplify things, and build great relationships within the wellness world. As she's grown in her career, she's developed a unique mix of business and management skills, along with a deep understanding of how things work in the aesthetics industry. Follow Heather on Instagram @heatherhugheshardy or connect with Heather on LinkedIn SHE DID WHAT? Got a wild customer service story or a sticky patient situation to share? If your tale makes it into our "She did what?" segment, we'll send a thank you gift you'll actually love. Promise, no cheap swag here. Send us a message or voicemail at practicelandpodcast.com. SUBSCRIBE Are you one of us? Subscribe for new episode notifications and more at practicelandpodcast.com. HOSTS Blake Lucas, Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi Blake oversees a dedicated team responsible for managing patient and provider inquiries, troubleshooting technical issues, and handling any unexpected challenges that come their way. With a strong focus on delivering exceptional service, he ensures that both patients and providers receive the support they need for a seamless experience. Learn more about PatientFi Andrea Watkins, VP of Practice Growth at Studio III Marketing Andrea Watkins, Vice President of Practice Growth at Studio 3, coaches plastic surgery and aesthetics teams on patient acquisition, lead management, and practice efficiency to drive measurable growth. Formerly COO of a multi-million-dollar practice that nearly tripled revenue under her leadership, she now partners with over 100 practices nationwide—helping them capture and analyze data, streamline consultations and booking, and align staff training with business goals. With a directive yet approachable, non-salesy style, Andrea turns data into action, empowering practices to boost conversions, maximize marketing, and elevate the patient experience in a competitive market. Learn more about Studio III Marketing and LeadLoop CRM for plastic surgery practices and medical spas. Co-hosts: Andrea Watkins & Blake Lucas Producer: Eva Sheie @ The Axis Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Cameron Laird, Spencer Clarkson Theme music: Full Time Job, Mindme Cover Art: Dan Childs Practiceland is a production of The Axis: theaxis.io