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In this episode of Marketing Tips for Doctors, host Dr. Barbara Hales sits down with Dr. Safoora Zaka, founder and CEO of Medical Aesthetics and Laser, to explore how physicians can successfully reinvent their careers by blending medical expertise with entrepreneurship. 

Dr. Zaka shares her powerful journey of transitioning from hospital medicine to launching her own aesthetics practice—revealing the mindset shifts, branding strategies, and patient-centered approach that helped her thrive outside the hospital walls. 

She also talks about the role of personal branding, storytelling, and social media in building trust with patients, why ethics and safety come first, and how passion—not burnout—should drive career pivots. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to build something meaningful beyond traditional medical practice—or how to connect your clinical skills with a modern business mindset—this episode is your blueprint for reinvention. 

 

Key Takeaway: 

“People come to you for your name, but they keep coming back because of how you made them feel.” – Dr. Safoora Zaka 

Connect with Dr. Safoora Zaka: 

🌐 Website: drzaka.com
📸 Instagram: @drsafoorazaka
💼 LinkedIn: Dr. Safoora Zaka
📘 Facebook: Goodbye Aging 

Connect with Barbara Hales: 

 

TRANSCRIPTION (218)

Welcome and Introduction 

Dr. Barbara Hales (00:02)
Welcome to another episode of Marketing Tips for Doctors. I’m your host, Dr. Barbara Hales, and today we have with us Dr. Safoora Zaka. Dr. Zaka is a board-certified internal medicine and obesity medicine physician, former hospitalist, and the founder of Medical Aesthetics and Laser in Walnut Creek, California. 

She’s also a faculty member and trainer for Allergan Medical Institute, blending her medical expertise with entrepreneurial insight to help others build purpose-driven careers. Welcome to the show, Dr. Zaka! 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (00:55)
Thank you so much, Barbara. I’m excited to be here. 

From Hospital Medicine to Aesthetics 

Dr. Barbara Hales (01:00)
You started your medical career as a hospitalist. How did that journey lead to aesthetics? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (01:05)
Growing up, becoming a doctor was all I ever wanted. My father and brothers were physicians, so medicine was our whole world. I loved the action of hospital medicine—taking care of critically ill patients and being on the front lines. But over time, I developed a passion for aesthetics. I realized I could still help people, but in a different way—by enhancing confidence and well-being. 

Transitioning Mindsets 

Dr. Barbara Hales (03:05)
That’s a big shift. What was the hardest part of making that transition? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (03:20)
The mindset change. Hospital medicine is about managing disease; aesthetics is about enhancing confidence. The language, approach, and patient expectations are completely different. But passion made the transition worth it. 

Finding Her Voice as a Founder 

Dr. Barbara Hales (04:28)
Before launching your own practice, what was your learning curve like? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (04:46)
I worked briefly in a spa, but it wasn’t the right fit. That experience gave me the confidence to build something that aligned with my own standards—focused on safety, quality, and patient experience. Within a few months, I opened my own practice. 

Branding and Patient Experience 

Dr. Barbara Hales (07:00)
Branding plays a big role in aesthetics. How did you approach it? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (07:15)
As a physician, I’d never worried about branding before. At Kaiser, patients just came to me. But with aesthetics, I had to build my own name. That meant learning the business side, focusing on patient experience, and making sure every patient feels valued. People may find you for your credentials, but they return because of how you made them feel. 

Knowing When to Say No 

Dr. Barbara Hales (09:00)
You’ve mentioned turning down procedures when they’re not needed. Why is that important? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (09:15)
Saying no is part of patient care. Safety always comes first. If someone wants a treatment they don’t need, I’ll be the first to tell them. That honesty builds long-term trust and protects their well-being. 

Building Through Marketing and Social Media 

Dr. Barbara Hales (14:00)
How did you market your practice early on? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (14:15)
I started small, working multiple jobs to support my business. I focused on building a website, using Google and SEO, and eventually turned to Instagram and TikTok. Social media wasn’t something I loved, but it worked—it helped people see my work and trust me. 

Advice for Physicians Ready to Reinvent 

Dr. Barbara Hales (20:00)
What would you say to a doctor thinking about a career shift? 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (20:15)
Don’t do it just because you’re burnt out. Do it because you’re passionate. Passion is what gets you through the challenges. Learn, grow, and build something that aligns with your purpose. 

Closing 

Dr. Barbara Hales (21:58)
This has been a powerful conversation about passion, reinvention, and patient care. Thank you, Dr. Safoora Zaka, for joining us today. 

Dr. Safoora Zaka (22:10)
Thank you so much, Barbara. It’s been a pleasure. 

Conclusion 

This has been another episode of Marketing Tips for Doctors. I’m your host, Dr. Barbara Hales. Until next time—take care and keep sharing your story with the world.