Detroit Mom’s Local Love series highlights local women and the businesses they have built. We love supporting small business! Today’s Local Love Spotlight belongs to Alison Demetrakeas, owner of Aesthetic Rx.
To start, we asked Alison to share a few fun facts about herself with us!
- “I’m the first person in my family to start a business, a leap that I’m really proud of.”
- “Before becoming a PA, I earned a bachelor’s in veterinary technology and worked as a veterinary nurse at MSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Placing IVs, central lines, and arterial lines on tiny patients definitely sharpened my precision and fine motor skills.”
- “My party trick? Multiple Nordic curls. Trust me, look it up. :)”
We asked her to share a little bit more about her business with us, too. Get to know Alison and her business, Aesthetic Rx, below!
How did you come up with the idea of your business, and how did you start?
“I didn’t start Aesthetic Rx because I wanted to “do injections.” I started it because I wanted a place where aesthetic medicine is practiced thoughtfully, skillfully, and with intention. My background in emergency medicine taught me to protect people first and move with precision. When I stepped into aesthetics, I realized the industry needed more of that mindset. Patients deserve more than a trendy treatment menu and before-and-after photos. They deserve education, transparency, and a plan that’s tailored to their anatomy, lifestyle, and goals.
“I love to learn. I’m constantly studying, questioning, and refining, because the safest and most beautiful outcomes come from deep understanding, not shortcuts. Aesthetic Rx was born from that philosophy: science-backed care, individualized prescriptions, and a commitment to doing what’s right, not just what’s popular. This practice exists for people who value subtle, impactful results, for people who want to age on their own terms, and for those who appreciate that true confidence comes from feeling like your best self and not chasing someone else’s features.
“That’s why I built this. Not a med spa that “does Botox,” but a space for informed, ethical aesthetic medicine and real human trust.
“Aesthetic Rx started in a single-room studio. I knew aesthetic medicine, but the business side? That part I learned on the fly. I treated patients, cleaned the floors, checked people in, and handled the books. It was small, hands-on, and built with heart. I posted on social media, treated friends and family, and crossed my fingers patients would find me. Not the most solid of marketing plans, but I didn’t have a playbook.”
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out?
“Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t change the mission or the hard work it took to get here. That foundation made Aesthetic Rx what it is. But I would have invested earlier in systems, mentorship, and support. It took me time to realize that structure and guidance aren’t just “nice to have”—they accelerate growth, protect culture, and let you take better care of patients and your team.”
What is the best business advice you’ve ever been given?
“Everything you want is on the other side of a difficult conversation. Leaders don’t avoid discomfort–they move toward it. And, hard conversations create alignment, protect culture, and unlock the next level.”
Have you faced adversity in business due to being a woman? How did you navigate that?
“In many industries, women face real barriers and I never take that lightly. But in aesthetic medicine, I’ve been fortunate. This field has so many incredible female founders and leaders paving the way, and I haven’t personally felt limited because I’m a woman.
“That said, I know the bigger picture: women still carry a lot more weight in society with expectations, standards, and pressures. So while my path in this space hasn’t felt gender-restricted, I stand with and celebrate the women who are breaking ceilings in every field.”
How do you persevere in challenging times?
“You don’t need every day to be easy, you just need to keep showing up. Growth rarely feels comfortable. Difficult seasons create discipline, clarity, and grit. Perseverance is how you earn the confidence to trust yourself on the other side.”
What impact do you want your business to have?
“Aesthetic Rx exists to help people feel more at home in their skin, not because they need to change but because they choose to. When people feel good in their own skin, they show up as the most confident version of themselves at work, at home, in their relationships, and in their lives. Confident people think bigger, lead with strength, and move through the world differently. When we elevate confidence responsibly, we do not just elevate appearances; we elevate lives. That ripple effect matters.”
What are the pros and cons of being a woman business owner in 2025?
“Being a woman business owner comes with a unique set of challenges and strengths. On the challenging side, women often carry a dual expectation: excel professionally while also managing many of the responsibilities of home and family life. We are expected to lead with strength, perform at a high level, nurture others, and still look youthful and natural doing it. The reality is that looking 30 at 50 is not natural, yet the pressure is to somehow achieve it effortlessly and without showing the work. It takes time, energy, and intention, and women are often given the least time and the most responsibility. And when something gives, we tend to feel guilt instead of giving ourselves grace.
“At the same time, there is so much progress and power in this moment. We are further along professionally than the women who came before us, and we benefit from their grit and groundwork. We have access to community, mentorship, and open conversations that did not exist a generation ago. There is a growing understanding that the expectations placed on women are often unrealistic, and that striving for excellence does not have to mean striving for perfection.
“Being a woman in business today means balancing ambition with grace, strength with vulnerability, and high standards with self-compassion. It is not always easy, but it is meaningful. And I am grateful to be building in an era where women are leading boldly, lifting each other up, and redefining what success looks like on our terms.”
What knowledge would you share with someone who wants to become an entrepreneur?
“Entrepreneurship is harder than you think. If you are doing it because you think you will work less or because social media makes it look glamorous, you will be disappointed. Most of the work is not glamorous. It is long days, learning as you go, solving problems you never expected, and showing up even when you are tired, unsure, or uncomfortable.
“Do it because you would rather take the hard path and create your own way than follow one that does not fit you. The work is heavy, but the growth, fulfillment, and impact make it worth it. If you are willing to lead yourself first, stay curious, stay disciplined, and embrace the hard parts instead of avoiding them, entrepreneurship can become the most meaningful and rewarding journey you ever choose.”
What do you do for personal and professional development?
“I take personal and professional development seriously. I read, I listen to audiobooks and leadership podcasts, [and] I train my body because discipline carries over, and physical strength is a superpower for mental strength. [And], I invest in mentorship. I have worked with several business advisors over the years. Needs change and the right mentor at the right time can shift everything. A reset or reality check from a coach in business can be just as valuable as one from a trainer in the gym.
“I also believe in doing more than talking. A lot of people chase motivation or hype. I focus on execution. Less noise, more action.
“A few resources I recommend:
• Book for starting entrepreneurs: The E-Myth
• Leadership podcast: Build with Leila Hormozi
• Health podcast: The Drive with Peter Attia
• Strength and discipline: one-on-one training at MECA in Novi
“Growth is not an accident. Learn, train, get coached, then go do the work.”
What mantra or quote do you live by?
“A mantra I live by is, ‘Nobody is coming to save you.’ Not in a harsh way, but in a personal-responsibility way. I chose to start a business. My friends and family did not sign up for that dream, I did. I am incredibly grateful for support, and help matters. Also, at the end of the day, the responsibility sits with me. Progress happens when I take ownership, make decisions, and move forward even when it is uncomfortable. That mindset keeps me accountable, grounded, and growing.”
What’s your favorite place in Detroit or Michigan?
“Just about any place by water. I love water and it’s so grounding. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful options in this state!”
Where can our readers find you on social media?
You can follow Aesthetic Rx on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website! You can follow Alison on Facebook and Instagram as well.
