Interview with Dr Mariangela Rivera, founder of The Ratio by Body Math
Find out how the pandemic inspired Dr Mariangela Rivera to launch The Ratio by Body Math, safe and effective body sculpting and fat transfer.
What’s your career background?
I am a board-certified general surgeon specially trained in head and neck and reconstructive surgery. I went to Yale medical school and performed my residency at the University of Nevada and a head and neck fellowship at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.
I have owned my private practice since 2020.
Where did the idea for your business come from?
During the pandemic, I started my own business after quitting my employed position in a private practice group. The pandemic was mentally tolling on my skill set and my emotions. I wanted a job where I could continue to use my surgical knowledge to enhance other lives. I found that with laser liposuction I could accomplish this and satisfy my creative side.
Who’s your target audience?
We focus on the everyday woman. We believe that loving your body should not be a luxury. We focus our marketing on women ages 30-60 who are looking to increase their confidence and improve their body, contour, and overall shape.
How do you spread the word about what you do?
Honestly, Word of mouth has been our best form of advertisement. Happy patients create more patients. Professionally, we utilize google ads and social media. We have recently built our own marketing and SEO team from members of the community we trust to share our vision.This has been a hallmark in our marketing.
We have gone out into the community to find brand ambassadors to share our story and our services with their following.
Lastly, we just talk about it to anyone who will listen. Any opportunity to share our story and what we can offer is not wasted on our practice.
What’s been your most successful marketing strategy?
Thus far the most successful marketing strategy has been word of mouth. We find that happy patients create more happy patients. This process takes consistency but it creates by far the most return.
Again, professionally, google ads has been our best investment for advertisements.
What’s been the biggest obstacle you’ve had to overcome?
We recently moved into our own space off Devine St. This move was very challenging. The move brought its own obstacles associated with it logistically finding a space that fit our needs and the financial burden a move can cause.
Other obstacles were found within the business itself during and after this move. We’ve had to essentially start the brand from scratch and regrow our following. Thankfully, we have seen progressive growth over the last eight months and we hope that we will continue to grow and expand.
And your proudest moment so far?
Although trying moving into our new space and outfitting this new office has been one of the proudest moments thus far. This is just a visual reminder that this business has been successful, and will continue to inspire new patients into going on a body positive journey with us.
This office is a visual reminder of growth for ourselves and our patients. Creating a safe body positive space to talk about cosmetic procedures is possible.
Why is work so important to you?
Being an entrepreneur has been a real challenge in ways that I never thought possible. As someone who has been dedicated to complex head and neck disease for a large portion of her career, this has been a real pivot, and has been challenging and ways I never anticipated. I think the learning experience has been very valuable, and that alone makes work important to me.
Who inspires you?
Brooke, my office manager, and CEO inspires me. This business would not have been possible without her hard work. We have both learned so much along the way, and I am constantly in awe of her dedication and work ethic.
How do you balance your work with your family?
Setting boundaries with respect to the business has been difficult. However, I’ve learned to turn the phone off and walk away when I get home. This is difficult in this business being a real 180 from cancer care. But I am focusing more on the mantra that “Home is for home” and this can wait.
What are your three top pieces of advice for someone wanting to do something similar?
- Save more money than you think you need. Expenses rack up quickly and it’s helpful to have a cash cushion before getting started.
- Surround yourself with people who share your vision, don’t feel bad about ditching those who don’t.
- Growth isn’t always measured in cash flow. It helps to take a step back sometimes and think about how far you’ve come along rather than focus on where you are at that moment.
Find out more about The Ratio by Body Math.
