In 2017, Dr. Pierre Courchesne celebrated his 25th year anniversary of the launch of Le Centre de Médecine & Chirurgie Esthétique, (CMCE). He has served well over forty thousand patients to date from his locations in Longueuil and Granby, Canada. His thriving practice is one of Canada’s top centers specializing in Medicine & Aesthetic Surgery.
Over the years, Dr. Pierre Courchesne’s esteemed career has led him to be invited as a guest speaker before colleagues and peers to discuss his latest techniques in the field of aesthetic surgery. He was recognized by the International Association of HealthCare Professionals as one of the Leading Physicians of the World and Top Cosmetic Medicine & Surgery Specialist in Quebec, Canada, nominated by his peers and colleagues.
He looks with interest at the research of stem cell therapy, and the benefits that it can provide in rejuvenating skin, regenerating collagen, as well as elasticity in the skin. According to Dr. Courchesne, this is only the tip of the iceberg. There is so much more to discover for this promising therapy. When stem cell therapy is used for medical applications, it can have a variety of other benefits aside from the ones outlined earlier. The future of stem cell therapy will be slowly incorporated into the medical industry, once approved by Canadian regulatory entities and the college of physicians.
How did you get started in the business? What inspired you to do so?
For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a doctor. I worked my way through school and I was extremely happy that there were many positions available for doctors. I worked as an emergency physician directly after college. At the time, I recognized that I had a gift for stitching wounds. In fact, when I stitched wounds, there was very little scarring and as a result, wounds healed faster. At the time I launched my private practice, Longueuil and Granby did not have a private medical practice available. I wanted to offer a new service and a better way of being served.
How does your firm make money?
Much like an individual medical practice in the United States, we provide our services to our clients for either medical procedures, aesthetic goals, rejuvenation and maintenance treatments. All procedures come with a fee since they are not covered by the government medical system.
How long did it take for your firm to become profitable?
Le Centre de Médecine & Chirurgie Esthétique, (CMCE) within the first year. We serve clients primarily from Longueuil and Granby but they come from all over Canada.
When you first started out did you ever doubt that this would work for you? If so, how did you handle it?
I did not doubt that my practice would work. There was such a large population in Longueuil and Granby so I knew that there would be enough demand for a general private medicine and cosmetic practice. People had been required to go to metropolitan areas to have treatment. I could fulfill that demand locally.
How did you find your first customer?
When I first opened my clinic, I practiced general medicine. There were no other practices in Longueuil. I am not sure exactly how I found my first customer or patient, but I lived in this area a good part of my life. As such, I was well known and connected to the local community. In addition, I was open and friendly to the community, and the community responded well to having a general practitioner specialized in cosmetic procedures.
What is one marketing strategy other than referrals that you use to generate new business?
One strategy that I use is to devote my time to learning about state-of-the-art products as well as new techniques. I will use the products from time to time. In fact, I can give testimony as to how effective products perform. I can recommend them to my patients with confidence.
What is the toughest decision that you have had to make in the past few months?
It is very difficult when I am in consultation with a patient who has come to me for any given aesthetic procedure when I recognize that they are not a good candidate to have a procedure done. When I recognize such individuals, it is very tough for them to acknowledge the fact that I cannot help them. The reason why they are not good candidates is that I will never be able to meet their expectations. I have a profound statement for those individuals. “For those who come to buy a basket of happiness. I do not sell baskets of happiness. If the person is not well inside, no aesthetic procedure can give him inner peace. ”
What do you think makes you successful?
I think what makes me most successful is that I deeply care for the people that I serve. Every individual has a story like no other. I have the privilege of getting to know them and understanding what they would like to achieve. Then together we look at possible solutions to achieve their goals.
I also believe that what makes me successful is the team of staff that I am fortunate enough to have working with me. We have developed very strong relationships. I am always researching new products and techniques. I keep them on their toes and they are always up to the challenge.
What has been your most satisfying moment since opening your own firm?
There have been many, many satisfying moments that I have had since opening my practice. I have had the pleasure of assisting individuals to accomplish goals and surpass their expectations. I have been able to relieve persistent pain from varicose veins or perform a lipoma extraction. Getting patients a quick and efficient referral after their biopsies are positive for cancer and give them a supportive follow up in order to get the proper treatment fast is very satisfying. Some patients are very emotional when their faces find a younger appearance in a matter of minutes after injectables. All procedures bring me great satisfaction, every time that I can help clients to look better or feel better. It is why I enjoy doing what I do so much.
What is a recent purchase that you have made for your business?
We are very well established in our offices. For the most part, we just maintain our offices’ supplies and products.
What does the future hold for you and your firm? What are you most excited about?
We are excited about a new partnership with an excellent company that I admired very much for a long time. For now it is all confidential but negotiations are on the way.
What books have inspired would you recommend.
Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Joe Dispenza.