Female Founders: Nurse Practitioner Charlotte Osler On the Five Things You Need To Thrive and Succeed as a Woman Founder
You must never stop learning. This is not a one-course-and-done-career. Before I did my initial foundations course and certification I was a model in a lip filler workshop. It was a great way to listen-in to some lessons as I sat for my treatment. The student who was doing my treatment said she’d been doing this for years, and I asked her why she was doing another course, if she already knew how to do it. She laughed and said you never stop learning! I didn’t realize this. There are so many techniques, areas of focus, new evidence and literature to keep on top of.
As a part of our series about Women Leaders in Business, we had the pleasure of interviewing Charlotte Osler
Charlotte is not your usual aesthetic practitioner: she is a romantic who adores British old-world style and Portuguese culture. Charlotte is an admirer of beauty and attention to detail in all aspects of her life, especially in her cosmetic work.
Her unique perspective comes from childhood years spent in the Canadian Arctic to now reaching big city heights of aesthetic excellence. Don’t expect a boring read; Charlotte brings warmth, fun and inspiration to every encounter.
Charlotte Osler is a Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specializing in aesthetic medicine. Combining cutting-edge technologies with the wisdom of nursing,Charlotte emphasizes deep listening and a holistic understanding of each individual’s beauty and needs. Her approach is artistic, guided by empathy and precision, dedicated to elevating your essence. Charlotte is not only an exceptional medic but also a compassionate practitioner dedicatedto the art of aesthetic medicine. Her practice stands out for its commitment to patient care and the transformative journey of beauty and confidence.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit more. Can you tell us a bit about your “backstory”? What led you to this particular career path?
Charlotte Osler can you tell us your career and business journey to date and how you got to where you are today?
I have a unique story: I went to nursing school in Iqaluit, Nunavut. I was raised in the Arctic and going back in my twenties fed my soul. I stayed, and my nursing career has since taken me all over Canada’s north and remote fly-in communities. Eventually, I moved to Toronto where I worked in sexual health, women’s health and primary care. Over time, I was enjoying my medical aesthetic practice more than other areas of care, and so I decided to dedicate my time and energy to becoming an expert in helping people find the beauty they’re seeking for themselves.
Meet our nurse practitioner Charlotte Osler who is a leading Toronto expert in medical aesthetics and skincare, serving those who want to feel in love with the way they look.
Charlotte is always effortlessly chic with an immaculate sense of style. Charlotte’s facial rejuvenating and sculpting packages are made of delicate and precise tweakments, creating a natural beautification to meet her clients’ goals. Charlotte is often called upon to help clients with tweakments to improve their confidence and to reinvigorate their self-love. After all, she says our biggest love affair is with ourselves.
Charlotte, for those that have not had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, you are often referred to in life and in business as an aesthete. This means a person who has a refined appreciation of beauty, especially art. A particular innate and classical taste for what is most exquisitely beautiful and captivating to the eyes and senses.
Would you agree with this and when in your childhood did this start? How does it appear in your every day working life?
I do agree with this! My father was a print maker, and has a long career as a set designer, and I’m convinced that I inherited my keen eye from him. My sister has it as well, she’s a fashion designer. In my family, we have always prized detail, elegance and time taken to pull together all aspects of a room, a party, or a moment. My father taught us that all the elements must work together so the final impression is naturally beautiful. I’ve taken those lessons and made them the cornerstone of my cosmetic aesthetic business. You’d be surprised how many people feel the experiences and teachings from their early years is what sets them apart as adults.
The treatments I provide can’t be done in a cookie cutter or recipe manner. Practitioners need to be able to note specifics about each clients unique anatomy, function, asymmetries, and importantly their natural existing beauty that often doesn’t need a thing.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I always have to give recognition and endless thanks to my parents. They have always encouraged me to continue post-secondary education and to build my own business. Once I made the leap, one specific person comes to mind, and that is my business strategist Sian Gunney. I met her as a client and learned of what she does, and I told her I needed her! Since then, she has been a supportive, motivating, driving force behind my success. I really don’t think I could have done it without her, and a few other noteworthy clients and mentors who have been really encouraging. I have found something that I really enjoy and am passionate about and good at.
Charlotte you are such a calm and grounded nurse who leads with empathy and has the most wonderful laugh who made us all feel very at home whilst interviewing you here today. In Greece you would also be called a philocalist “someone who finds and appreciates the beauty in all things.
How do you manage to find the beauty in all things in life and what tips could you give our readers here in Toronto on doing that? Tactics, tips, favourite spots to go to.
Try to take a beat when you think something is beautiful or pretty and note that feeling in your body. It’s brought you happiness and a little dopamine spike. Then seek out more of that. Try to make extra effort to do things that bring you joy. For me, this is as simple as fresh flowers, or even a single picked wildflower or seasonal green, placed in a vase at my bedside, or bathroom counter — places where I’ll see it. A nice hand soap is really important to me. Every time I wash my hands I feel joy in that experience. Quality fabrics in what I wear, and sleep in. Bed is such an important place! I’ve convinced many friends to switch to good quality bedding. My fave Toronto spots are anywhere with a cozy, ambient vibe. I do love the Distillery District for its historic architecture. I’m really drawn to detail and love some of these spots for their beauty and attention to detail: Bar Isabel, Biff’s, Le Select, the AGO, The Ace Hotel.
Nurse Practitioner Charlotte Osler leads at Formula fig on Ossington, a very cool brand for high tech facials and expert injectables all done in 30 mins. You work at Formula fig as a lead practitioner in aesthetic medicine from Tuesday to Thursday in the afternoons and Saturday. Then you also work at Flourish, a health clinic and beautiful space centered around helping women to achieve their peak level of physical and mental health. You’re there Monday to Thursday morning to early afternoon. Now we know where to find you in person — in two of the coolest spots. How can we connect with you online?
My Instagram is https://www.instagram.com/charlottemedicalaesthetic/ and my website is https://www.charlottemedicalaesthetic.com
According to this EY report, only about 20 percent of funded companies have women leaders and directors at the top! This reflects great historical progress, but it also shows that more work still has to be done to empower women to lead at the top of big companies as top employers In your opinion and experience what is currently holding back women and mothers from leading in companies?
I’m a single mum with a young son so I know how hard it is to have a full life at home, and a full life in business. There is no such thing as work-life balance when you are growing a business and growing a child. So many women have to bow out of their dreams and business goals to put their family first.
The gender bias we’ve been working hard to dispel in business still has a long way to go. Women are often considered emotional instead of powerful. But there are many ways to lead.
When we look at when most people reach their highest-earning years, and the peak of their career, this coincides with the same years women experience perimenopause or even menopause. My mother tipped me off to this recently and I’ve thought a lot about it. This hormonal event lasts many years. Our estrogen levels drop, and that has a direct effect on executive function, meaning we lose our words and we can’t remember things. More commonly, it’s called brain fog. Pair that with the other symptoms of perimenopause: hot flashes, joint pain, changing mood and mind. I can understand why many women take their foot of the gas in their professional lives, or choose not to level up, or even leave the workforce completely.
Can you help articulate a few things that can be done as individuals, as a society, or by the government, to help overcome those obstacles?
We need to understand — broadly as a society — that hormonal shifts are out of women’s control. And we need to support women in their professional goals despite this. In addition, let’s put daycares inside workplaces. And we need access to comprehensive health care so women can address concerns about their health early on. How many of us have pushed through an ailment because we’re busy, or to put someone else’s needs first? We need to make it easy to find and receive care, and we need to let each other know that it’s ok to stop and attend to our own bodies and children!
This might be intuitive to you as a woman founder but I think it will be helpful to spell this out. Can you share a few reasons why you would encourage and inspire more women and mothers to become directors in businesses?
Personally, I love the flexibility my business brings me as a single mother and a person with many interests outside of work. I make my own schedule. My earning power is in my own hands. Most importantly I choose who I work with and I build my own team. And I will never regret following my own passions and not putting my time and attention towards fulfilling someone else’s dreams.
What are the “myths” that you would like to dispel about being a medical aesthetic NURSE PRACTITIONER.
It’s important for people to know that it’s not just about vanity. My clients come to me for many reasons and they are all valid. I’m a healthcare professional first and my priority is my client’s health and wellness regardless of why they’ve walked into my treatment room.
This work requires an expert knowledge of facial anatomy, critical thinking and an artistic eye. It also demands a steady hand. The same skills I used to suture a laceration in an emergency room are used for injecting for facial rejuvenation. It’s the same hand with the same level of training and focus.
Is everyone cut out to work for themselves? What do you feel are the biggest skills to hone in self employment and in growing your own profile?
I believe everyone has the capacity to achieve whatever they put their mind to. The key is to surround yourself with cheerleaders who believe in you, build you up and motivate you. Delegate tasks to people with expertise who understand your vision.
You are stepping out and becoming more visible on your social media. Could you give us 3 visibility tactics and tips on managing imposter syndrome and overcoming the fear of being judged?
I don’t think we ever get over the imposter syndrome, so don’t look for a tip to solve that problem. Just quiet that self-talk as much as you can, and keep putting out content. Start slow and one by one it starts to build. You’ll feel more confident as it starts to come together. Soon, you’ll get some positive feedback and that will keep you moving.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Paint us the picture and take us there with you?
I’ll be in a leadership position overseeing multiple clinics. I see myself presenting at international conferences about injection techniques and troubleshooting complications. I see myself with a skincare line because my work under the skin looks best when the skin itself is taken care of. And finally, I see myself fulfilling my travel dreams with my son.
What do you think your greatest achievement to date is in business?
The thing I’m most proud of is taking this risk in the first place. I’ve done a lot of jobs that I enjoyed but I was not passionate about. There’s a big difference between enjoyment and passion. It was worth the work to take that jump and I am seeing it pay off in ways I didn’t even expect.
What do you love most about being Canadian?
I’m truly privileged to be Canadian. As the world around us is in turmoil, upset, war, genocide, I am growing aware of how lucky I am to have grown up in a peaceful nation and time. I’m proud of our healthcare system and human rights. I love our diversity and inclusion and acceptance and embrace of others. It’s so important that we keep these values steadfast. We are a young country that has its own historical atrocities of colonization, but I am proud of the political efforts of reconciliation, and I do hope that this continues to grow.
What do you love most about living and working in Toronto?
I love the luxuries available in Toronto. The great restaurant scene, access to amazing theatre, all the shops and brands I love, the anonymity of a big city, and the community vibe of each little community. I also really love driving down the DVP and across the Gardiner and seeing that skyline and CN Tower. I never tire of the CN tower. Either does my son! He’s 5 and was the CN tower for Halloween this year… it was pretty epic!
What are your “5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Started out as a Nurse Practitioner specializing in aesthetic medicine and why?
1 . You must never stop learning. This is not a one-course-and-done-career. Before I did my initial foundations course and certification I was a model in a lip filler workshop. It was a great way to listen-in to some lessons as I sat for my treatment. The student who was doing my treatment said she’d been doing this for years, and I asked her why she was doing another course, if she already knew how to do it. She laughed and said you never stop learning! I didn’t realize this. There are so many techniques, areas of focus, new evidence and literature to keep on top of.
2 . After doing a course, you have to figure out how to get clients. You’re becoming a business owner, be it small, or large. As a nurse, I knew nothing about business. I know now there are two streams: you can either work for someone else, or you can be independent and build your own brand and practice.
3. Product is expensive! I would buy one vial of botox and then use that profit to buy the next. And of course you only get lower prices on products when you buy a ton of it.
4 . Your fine motor skills are your biggest asset. Dexterity is key and an eye for detail is what will keep your clients coming back.
5 . Treating the forehead is one of the trickiest, nuanced areas to treat with botox. The muscle that lays over the entire forehead has a slightly different pattern in each person. If treated too low or too heavily a client’s brows feel quite heavy, and their eyelids can in turn feel heavy. I’m so surprised when clients tell me I’m the only practitioner they’ve had explain these things to them.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
Housing first — a universal housing program with adequate resources and support. Add universal access to food and groceries. I have endless empathy. We have to recognize that we are all raised with different privileges and circumstances that lead to certain outcomes. We must support everyone, every human. Otherwise, what are human rights?
We are very blessed that some very prominent names in Business, VC funding, Beauty, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this if we tag them.
I truly love learning. It would be such a gift to be able to sit and learn from leaders in this industry. There’s a few that I am hoping to train with in the next couple years. Namely, Rana Kennelly, Julie Bass Kaplan, Sebastian Cotofana, Lee Walker. These are the experts that I presently look up to. Last year I was lucky to train with Dr. Stephen Harris in natural lip filler technique and ultrasound guided treatment. Each year I train further and meet more wonderful leaders in this field. I really love it.
Thank you for these fantastic insights. We greatly appreciate the time you spent on this.
