Meet Megan Dempsey the founder, on what it took to get there.

“Everything we do is about empowering people,” explains Megan Dempsey, one of Auckland’s leading cosmetic medicine specialists, and the woman behind the boutique skin care practice, called Megan Dempsey THE CLINIC™. 

Megan Dempsey THE CLINIC is all about restoration, improving health, and leaving clients feeling confident and self-empowered. From supporting teenagers battling acne all the way through to the latest techniques in helping clients treat & minimise sun damage, pigmentation, or aging concerns such as volume loss, fine lines and wrinkles, this clinic has become known as one of Auckland best kept secrets in the industry. 

EO has been a pivotal part of Megan’s entrepreneurship journey – supporting her through the tough pandemic years, and helping her take a more strategic look at her business. Here’s what the last 10 years have meant for Megan, the clinic, and the lucky clients who have been empowered by the practice.

Where it all began

It was her natural affinity for people that first inspired Megan to pursue a nursing degree in Dunedin. After years working in some of the most well regarded clinical settings in both London and Auckland, Megan quickly realised her calling lay in direct patient care and treatment. So, she underwent further study in critical care to become a breast cancer nurse specialist working closely with multidisciplinary teams and plastic surgeons.

“I never would have believed I’d end up here as a business owner,” she reflects, “but it was really my passion for the work, and for seeing the impact of helping patients minimise scarring and helping with wound healing that pushed me forward. When you have this deep cellular understanding of the skin, it naturally leads towards improving skin health and cosmetic medicine.” 

THE CLINIC was founded with a focus on restorative practices; Megan’s mission was to create an environment focused entirely on helping people love the skin they live in. “There is a real need for trusted practitioners in our industry when it comes to the face - we wear it every day!” she says.

Growth and change over the years

Megan founded the clinic to deepen her relationship with patients, and to offer the best possible service to her community. But the first steps were nerve-wracking without a background in business management. Megan leaned on advice and support from her husband and those around her, including one of New Zealand’s top female plastic surgeons, who continues to be a wonderful sounding board and provide professional oversight for THE CLINIC.

Once the business opened, it quickly established a strong reputation in Auckland. Megan touts some of the most experienced cosmetic nurses in the country, and has an impressive track record of loyal customers.

However, the journey has not been without its challenges. The pandemic was a particularly tough period, forcing The Clinic to shut down for about a quarter of the year for three consecutive years. “You lose your sense of purpose,” Megan admits. This was around the time she joined EO New Zealand, finding a network of support and camaraderie at the right time to help her navigate through the uncertainty. “EO made me look at what I was currently doing, and figure out how I could pivot to survive throughout and after the pandemic,” she says. 

“I became aware that our business model meant 90 percent of our revenue came from direct patient service, which means we were very vulnerable to closures.” Her forum not only offered the personal support she needed at the time, but also encouraged her to think more strategically about how the business was positioned and ways to strengthen the practice.

This period of introspection led to significant changes in how Megan Dempsey THE CLINIC operates. Megan enhanced their online shop, making it more user-friendly and accessible. “We need to continually assess and monitor our online shopping,” she acknowledges, aiming to balance in-person assessments with a robust online presence.

Managing life alongside business

Running a business and supporting your family at home is a constant juggle all too familiar to Megan. With three boys, a husband, and a new puppy, her life is a constant whirlwind. “Work-life balance for me, doesn’t really exist,” she states frankly. “Some balls you can’t drop, but some you have to along the way. Learning to delegate is key.” 

She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries and recognising when it’s time to take a break. “Making sure I have time scheduled on the calendar to catch up with family and friends is important. I have to plan ahead to make sure this happens.”

A clear point of difference and products to support it

From the very beginning, Megan didn’t want her clinic to look like a typical skincare establishment. 

Megan and her team have a deep understanding of skin biology, meaning that every treatment is tailored to the individual, a far cry from cookie-cutter treatments. “We’re a boutique clinic – we spend the time to fully assess the skin before recommending anything, and we truly care about getting it right,” she explains.

At the core of every treatment is a focus on skin health and environmental protection. That’s what first inspired Megan to develop her own sunblock, called ULTIMATE BLOCK™, along with the fact that three close family members had received a diagnosis of melanoma.

“I knew then that I wanted to do something to make a difference, to change the way people think about and apply sunscreen, and not just in the Summer. I wanted to create something suited for daily use in place of a moisturiser that would help provide protection all year round, a sunscreen that actually worked and one that I could trust to recommend safely to clients.”

ULTIMATE BLOCK aligned with her philosophy of using physical, rather than chemical, barriers to shield the skin, which she believed is more effective at equally blocking both UVA & UVB sun rays (that can lead to premature aging of the skin). “There were at the time very few physical zinc based  sunscreens on the market that rubbed in nicely and helped to protect the skin against the wind as well as sun,” she notes. 

The next 10 years

Looking ahead, Megan is committed to becoming an educator in the world of skin health. She sees Megan Dempsey THE CLINIC becoming a leading voice for younger generations around how to naturally, effectively, and safely care for your skin. “It’s concerning how much misinformation is out there for our young ones. They are constantly being targeted on social media and so confused about what is good for their skin.”

“We do a lot of education around acne, scarring, and providing support around what to look for in products,” she shares, but the first step is so often guiding young people away from harsh treatments they’re picking up at a low cost. Megan also sees her future focused on growing better awareness around skin cancer and skin cancer prevention. 

As Megan Dempsey THE CLINIC celebrates its 10th year, it stands as a beacon of personalised, restorative and protective skin therapies, driven by a registered nurse who truly cares about getting it right. Alongside her business growth, she has EO to provide guidance, support, and a network that fully understands the challenges of being in her shoes as a successful entrepreneur.