Staten Island New Business: Fountain of Youth Rx Medical Spa in Annadale

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- After launching a successful medical spa in Westchester, Dr. David P. Suarez wanted to see if there was a market for such a business in his hometown of Staten Island.

"An opportunity came in Staten Island where my best friend from Tottenville High School, Larry Codner, (who owns Richmond Rehabilitation Center in New Dorp), had space in his office," said Suarez, a cosmetic surgeon who attended medical school at the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine at Midwestern University.
After renting space two days a week from Codner, he witnessed a strong demand among Staten Islanders "to stay young looking and healthy," so he sought out his own location and opened Fountain of Youth Rx Medical Spa in Annadale.
"There was a market here that I couldn't believe. In the six weeks I had my business open in Westchester I had four patients. In the same time period on Staten Island I had 20 patients, and my schedule was fully booked," he said. "Staten Island is very visual; there is a high importance placed on how people look here."

While the spa offers a range of non-surgical cosmetic services, Suarez completed his medical training with a specialty in cosmetic surgery, and completed over 1,200 cosmetic surgery procedures in Marion Hospital, in Marion, Ind.
"Our focus at Fountain of Youth Rx Medical Spa is to treat the whole person -- mind body and spirit," said Suarez. "We do everything that promotes health and beauty. When you come here, you leave your stress at the door."
Products and services:

Fountain of Youth Rx Medical Spa focuses on non-surgical enhancement procedures. Services include bio-identical hormone replacement therapy, "which uses natural hormones to replace the hormones that your body doesn't produce at those rates anymore to give you an anti-aging feel," he said.
Fountain of Youth Rx Medical Spa also offers physician-directed weight reduction, and all types of skin treatments.
"We offer a free skin rejuvenation evaluation. We treat pigmented legions, veins, photo or sun damage, wrinkles, acne and hair removal. We offer prescription medication, as well as home care treatments for the skin. We also do injectables, Botox, Dermafillers and more."
Among the other services offered are: laser hair removal, laser skin rejuvenation, microdermabrasion and skin tightening.

Growth strategy
To grow the business, Suarez has a strategic plan that consists of a lot of grassroots marketing. "Anyone who grew up on Staten Island or has a business on Staten Island wants to help each other out," he said. "There is also a huge need for this type of business on Staten Island. Just being in the area, and having a very viable office on Hylan Boulevard will help."
He also hopes to grow his client base through referrals, and will be offering specials to patients for referring new customers.