Sample Report
Pacific Glow MedSpa
Competitive Operations Intelligence — Demonstration
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pacificglow_96815 / sample2026pacificglow_96815 / sample2026The Honolulu aesthetics market is intensifying. We mapped 18 competing practices within a 15-mile radius of Pacific Glow MedSpa and segmented them into 6 strategic categories. The competitive landscape is defined by three forces: physician-led practices that command clinical authority, PE-backed national chains that bring corporate marketing budgets, and a growing cohort of Instagram-native boutique operators that are capturing younger demographics through social-first acquisition.
The most immediate threat is LaserAway Waikiki, located just 0.3 miles from Pacific Glow with a corporate marketing budget exceeding $50K/month nationally. However, your reputation moat is real: 284 reviews at 4.9 stars vs. their 156 at 4.6. The critical strategic gap is GLP-1/semaglutide weight management — 3 competitors have added this service, which generates $300-500/month per patient in recurring revenue, while Pacific Glow has not entered the category.
We also identified emerging talent pressure: Island Dermatology is offering $5,000 sign-on bonuses for nurse injectors, and LaserAway has 3 open positions with relocation packages. The hiring market signals expansion intent across multiple competitors. Below are the 8 sections of your Competitive Operations Intelligence report.
We segmented the 18 mapped competitors into 6 strategic categories based on ownership structure, clinical positioning, marketing approach, and target patient profile. Your position relative to each segment determines where competitive pressure originates.
Within 1 mile: 3 competitors (LaserAway 0.3mi, Island Derm 0.8mi, Royal Hawaiian 0.6mi) • 1-3 miles: 5 competitors • 3-5 miles: 4 competitors • 5-15 miles: 6 competitors (Kailua, Pearl City, Aiea markets)
Pacific Glow has the highest review volume and rating of any independent practice in Honolulu. Your primary competitive threats come from the Surgical/Physician-Led segment (clinical credibility advantage) and National Chains (marketing spend advantage). The Emerging segment is not yet a material threat but Aloha Med Spa’s growth trajectory bears monitoring.
Over the past 18 months, 3 new practices have entered the Honolulu market — all in the Emerging/Boutique segment. Zero new physician-led or established independent practices have opened. The barrier to entry is dropping as turnkey med spa consulting firms and equipment leasing make it easier for nurse practitioners to open independently.
Detailed competitive profiles of the 5 practices that pose the greatest competitive pressure to Pacific Glow, ranked by overall threat level.
| Competitor | Reviews | Rating | Distance | Segment | IG Followers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Glow (You) | 284 | 4.9 | — | Independent | 2,180 |
| Island Derm & Aesthetics | 312 | 4.8 | 0.8 mi | Physician-Led | 5,400 |
| Skin Rejuvenation Clinic | 198 | 4.7 | 1.4 mi | Independent | 3,100 |
| LaserAway Waikiki | 156 | 4.6 | 0.3 mi | National Chain | 3,800 |
| Aloha Med Spa | 89 | 5.0 | 2.1 mi | Boutique | 1,950 |
| Waikiki Skin Institute | 67 | 4.9 | 1.7 mi | Physician-Led | 890 |
312 Google reviews, 4.8 stars, 0.8 miles away. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. James Kealoha leads a 2-provider practice. They have the highest review volume in the market and the strongest RealSelf presence (42 reviews, 4.7 stars). Their medical authority gives them a credibility edge for complex procedures. Instagram: 5,400 followers with 4.2 posts/week and 24 Reels in the past 90 days. They run Google Ads intermittently and rank #1 organically for “med spa honolulu” and “filler honolulu.” Key vulnerability: their 4.8 rating is below yours, with recurring complaints about wait times and scheduling difficulty. Their reviews are evenly split between 2 providers (~40-45% each), indicating a healthier provider distribution than Pacific Glow.
198 Google reviews, 4.7 stars, 1.4 miles away. The longest-running med spa in Honolulu (12 years). Owner-operator Linda Hasegawa, NP. They are the most aggressive Google Ads spender among independents, estimated at $1,800-2,400/month. They rank #1 for “botox honolulu” and “coolsculpting hawaii.” Instagram: 3,100 followers. They were the first local independent to add GLP-1/semaglutide weight management (launched 8 months ago). They also offer a membership program ($249/month) with 340+ active members. Key vulnerability: their 4.7 rating is declining (was 4.8 six months ago) with recent complaints about “upselling” and “rushed appointments.” Review velocity is slowing: 5.2/month now vs. 7.8/month a year ago.
156 Google reviews, 4.6 stars, 0.3 miles away. National chain with 300+ locations, backed by Ares Management (PE). Opened in Honolulu 18 months ago. Corporate marketing budget exceeds $50K/month nationally, with estimated $4,200-6,800/month local Google Ads spend. They bid aggressively on competitor brand names, including “Pacific Glow MedSpa.” Instagram: 3,800 followers (local account), 5+ posts/week, 30+ Reels in 90 days. They deploy intro pricing ($99 Botox events, $199 laser sessions) to capture first-time patients. Key vulnerability: lowest rating in the market at 4.6 stars. Recurring review themes: “high pressure upsells,” “different injector each visit,” “felt like a number.” Staff turnover appears high — 3 open positions currently posted.
89 Google reviews, 5.0 stars, 2.1 miles away. Boutique practice opened 14 months ago by NP Kaia Makana. The only 5.0-rated practice in the market with meaningful volume. Instagram-forward strategy: 1,950 IG followers + 4,200 TikTok followers (highest local TikTok presence). Posts 4.8x/week with high-quality before/after content. Their most viral TikTok (82K views) was a 20-second lip filler transformation. Review velocity: 6.4/month — on pace to reach 150+ reviews by year-end. Key vulnerability: extreme single-provider concentration (Kaia mentioned in 81% of reviews), limited service menu (no laser, no body contouring), and no membership program. Capacity-constrained to 1 treatment room.
67 Google reviews, 4.9 stars, 1.7 miles away. Dermatology-based practice led by Dr. Michelle Tanaka, board-certified dermatologist. Strong RealSelf presence (15 reviews, 4.8 stars). Lower Google review volume but exceptionally high quality (4.9 stars). They capture patients through insurance-covered dermatology visits and convert to cash-pay aesthetics. Instagram: 890 followers (under-invested in social). Their secret weapon: educational content on their blog drives organic search traffic — they rank for 14 long-tail keywords. Key vulnerability: slow growth, minimal marketing investment, limited aesthetic service menu. Not aggressively expanding.
Service offering comparison across Pacific Glow and the top 5 competitors. We identified which services each practice offers based on their website, Google Business Profile, and review mentions.
| Service | You | Island Derm | Skin Rejuv | LaserAway | Aloha | Waikiki SI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botox / Dysport | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dermal Fillers | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Laser Hair Removal | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| HALO Hybrid Fractional | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | — | ✓ |
| CoolSculpting / Body Contouring | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
| Medical-Grade Facials | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| PRP / Microneedling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chemical Peels | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| IV Therapy | ✓ | — | ✓ | — | — | — |
| GLP-1 / Semaglutide | — | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ |
| Membership Program | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | — |
3 of your top 5 competitors now offer GLP-1 weight management programs. This is the fastest-growing service category in aesthetics nationally (+340% YoY). Estimated revenue per GLP-1 patient: $300-500/month recurring. More importantly, GLP-1 patients create a downstream pipeline — as they lose weight, they frequently add body contouring, skin tightening, and facial rejuvenation. Skin Rejuvenation Clinic launched GLP-1 8 months ago and reports it as their fastest-growing revenue line. Pacific Glow is losing these patients and the downstream services they generate.
3 competitors offer monthly membership programs ($199-349/month). Skin Rejuvenation Clinic has 340+ active members generating $85K+/month in predictable recurring revenue. Members have 3.2x higher annual spend and 85% retention rates vs. non-members. Island Dermatology launched their membership 6 months ago and is at 180+ members. Pacific Glow does not offer a membership program.
Only 3 practices in Honolulu offer HALO (you, Island Derm, Waikiki SI). HALO searches in Hawaii have grown 85% YoY, driven by its appeal to skin types III-IV. Your reviews mention HALO results 34 times, all positive. This is a genuine competitive moat that should be more aggressively marketed.
Only 2 practices offer IV therapy (you and Skin Rejuvenation). In a tourism-heavy market like Waikiki, IV hydration/wellness is a high-demand, high-margin gateway service that introduces new patients to your practice. Your reviews mention IV therapy 12 times with keywords like “perfect before our flight home” and “post-vacation recovery.”
Private equity-backed chains are the single largest structural threat to independent med spas nationally. In Honolulu, the threat is moderate but escalating. PE firms have invested $4.2 billion in aesthetics since 2020.
Backed by Ares Management. Their Waikiki location opened 18 months ago and has accumulated 156 Google reviews (8.7/month velocity — faster than your 8-10/month). Corporate marketing budget exceeds $50K/month nationally with estimated $4,200-6,800/month local Google Ads spend. Their playbook: intro pricing ($99 Botox events, $199 laser sessions), aggressive retargeting ads, membership model ($59/month base), and high staff throughput. They target ages 25-40 primarily. Impact on your market: they are capturing first-time aesthetic patients who may have otherwise discovered Pacific Glow through organic search. Their Google Ads bid on your brand name.
78 Google reviews at 4.3 stars. The lowest-rated aesthetic practice in the Honolulu market. Focused on body contouring (CoolSculpting) and laser, not injectables. Their narrow service menu and low rating make them a secondary threat. However, their corporate parent (L Catterton-backed) has deep pockets and could pivot strategy at any time. They have been running “buy 2 get 1 free” CoolSculpting promotions that undercut your body contouring pricing by 30-35%.
PE-backed by Gryphon Investors, SkinSpirit has opened in San Diego, Portland, and Seattle in the past 12 months. We identified Hawaii-specific signals: job postings mentioning “Pacific region expansion,” commercial real estate inquiries in Honolulu’s Ala Moana and Kailua areas, and a Hawaii state medical director recruitment listing. SkinSpirit is a more dangerous competitor than LaserAway because they position as premium, relationship-oriented — targeting your exact patient demographic (35-55, high HHI, quality-focused). If they enter Honolulu, they will compete directly with Pacific Glow’s value proposition.
Chains cannot replicate: (1) Sarah Kamaka’s 72% review attribution and personal patient relationships, (2) your 4.9-star reputation built over years, (3) provider continuity (chains rotate staff — LaserAway reviews cite “different injector each visit”), (4) Hawaii market knowledge and local community ties. These are real moats. But they only protect your existing patient base — you must also compete for new patient acquisition channels where chains outspend you 10-to-1.
Chain threat comparison:
| Chain | Locations | PE Backer | Honolulu Rating | Est. Local Ad Spend | Threat Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaserAway | 300+ | Ares Management | 4.6 | $4,200-6,800/mo | High |
| Ideal Image | 150+ | L Catterton | 4.3 | $1,200-2,000/mo | Moderate |
| SkinSpirit | 40+ | Gryphon Investors | Not yet in HI | — | High (incoming) |
Hawaii’s cost of living index is 192 (92% above national average). Combined with a limited local provider pool, this creates both a hiring challenge and a retention risk for every practice in the market.
Active job postings by competitor:
| Competitor | Open Positions | Roles | Notable Incentives |
|---|---|---|---|
| LaserAway Waikiki | 3 | NP, Aesthetic RN, Laser Tech | $7,500 sign-on (NP), relocation pkg |
| Island Derm & Aesthetics | 2 | Aesthetic NP, Medical Asst | $5,000 sign-on (NP), CE stipend |
| Skin Rejuvenation Clinic | 2 | Aesthetic RN, Front Desk | Production bonus structure |
| Aloha Med Spa | 1 | Patient Coordinator | Equity consideration for NP hires |
| Paradise Wellness | 2 | Aesthetician, RN | Flexible scheduling |
| Waikiki Skin Institute | 1 | Aesthetic RN | Medical benefits + CE funding |
Island Dermatology’s NP posting specifically mentions “experienced aesthetic injectors preferred” and offers a $5,000 sign-on bonus plus continuing education stipend. This posting is directly targeting providers like Sarah Kamaka. LaserAway’s $7,500 sign-on for NPs is even more aggressive. Given Sarah generates an estimated 65-75% of your revenue, this is the single highest-risk talent dynamic in your competitive environment.
Honolulu aesthetic salary benchmarks:
| Role | Honolulu Range | National Average | HI Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner (Aesthetic) | $135K - $165K + production | $110K - $140K | +18-23% |
| Aesthetic RN / Injector | $100K - $150K | $85K - $120K | +18-25% |
| Licensed Aesthetician | $55K - $75K | $42K - $60K | +25-31% |
| Laser Technician | $65K - $85K | $50K - $70K | +21-30% |
| Front Desk / Coordinator | $42K - $55K | $32K - $42K | +31% |
LaserAway’s 3 open positions (NP, RN, Laser Tech) signal capacity expansion — they are likely adding treatment rooms or extending hours. Island Derm hiring an NP suggests they are at or near capacity with their current 2-provider model. Aloha Med Spa’s coordinator hire signals transition from owner-only to team-based operations. All three are investing in growth.
Hawaii-trained aesthetic providers are highly valued on the mainland due to their experience with diverse skin types (Fitzpatrick III-VI). We’ve tracked 3 Honolulu aesthetic NPs relocating to California and Arizona in the past 18 months, where purchasing power is 30-40% higher. This is a structural headwind that makes retention paramount.
Given Sarah’s 72% review attribution and estimated 65-75% revenue generation, her retention is an existential priority. Recommended protections: (1) formalize a non-compete or non-solicitation agreement if not already in place, (2) offer equity or profit-sharing tied to multi-year commitment, (3) sponsor her personal brand growth (conference speaking, IG features), (4) provide CE budget at or above the $5,000 Island Derm is offering to attract. The cost of losing Sarah far exceeds any retention investment.
Competitive pricing intelligence for the Honolulu market. Most med spas do not publicly publish prices, making this data a significant competitive advantage. Hawaii commands a 15-25% premium over national averages due to cost of living, limited provider supply, and high-income demographics.
| Service | Pacific Glow | Island Derm | Skin Rejuv | LaserAway | Market Avg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botox (per unit) | $18 | $20 | $16 | $14* | $16-22 |
| Juvederm Ultra (syringe) | $850 | $900 | $800 | $750 | $750-950 |
| HALO Hybrid Fractional | $1,500 | $1,600 | — | — | $1,200-1,800 |
| CoolSculpting (per area) | $950 | $1,000 | $900 | $850 | $800-1,200 |
| Chemical Peel (medical) | $350 | $400 | $300 | $275 | $250-450 |
| Microneedling + PRP | $700 | $750 | $650 | — | $550-850 |
| Laser Hair (6-session pkg) | $1,800 | $2,000 | $1,600 | $1,400 | $1,400-2,200 |
| GLP-1 Program (monthly) | — | $450 | $395 | — | $350-550 |
* LaserAway $14/unit is intro pricing (first visit); normalizes to $16-18/unit for returning patients.
Your pricing is positioned at the 60-70th percentile of the Honolulu market — above chains but below physician-led practices. This aligns well with your reputation tier (4.9 stars, independent, relationship-driven). You command a justified premium over LaserAway and wellness hybrids while remaining accessible compared to Island Derm and Waikiki SI.
LaserAway’s $99 Botox events and $199 laser sessions are loss leaders designed to acquire patients into their membership funnel. Once in the membership, patients normalize at market-rate pricing. Their strategy is effective for first-time patients who are price-shopping. Your defense: compete on quality and continuity, not price. Your reviews confirm patients pay your premium for Sarah’s expertise.
Only 4 of 18 competitors publish any pricing online. Most require a consultation for quotes. This opacity is an industry norm, but it also means that practices with competitive pricing intelligence can position themselves more strategically. This report gives Pacific Glow visibility that most competitors lack about each other.
Significant competitive movements detected in the past 12 months. This timeline tracks openings, closures, service expansions, promotions, and hiring activity across all 18 mapped competitors.
Listing appeared on LinkedIn for a “Medical Director — Pacific Region (HI)” at SkinSpirit. Requires board-certified physician with aesthetics experience. Salary listed at $250K-350K + equity. This is the strongest signal yet that SkinSpirit is entering the Hawaii market within 6-12 months.
Added “Medical Weight Loss” to their GBP categories and website. Instagram launch post received 340 likes (2x their average). They are the 3rd competitor to add this service in the Honolulu market. Pricing: $450/month for semaglutide + monthly check-ins.
A 20-second lip filler transformation Reel crossed 82,000 views on TikTok and 24,000 on Instagram. Aloha reported “fully booked for 3 weeks” in their Instagram stories following the post. This single piece of content generated more visibility than most practices achieve in a quarter.
Boutique practice in the Kaimuki neighborhood (3.2 miles from you). Single NP operator focused on lip filler and facial balancing. Instagram-first launch with 800 followers in first 6 weeks. Currently at 34 Google reviews, 5.0 stars. Limited service menu but capturing the 25-35 demographic.
Introduced a tiered membership: Silver ($199/mo), Gold ($299/mo), Platinum ($349/mo). Now at 340+ active members. Gold tier includes monthly facial + 10% off injectables. Platinum includes monthly treatment + 20% off all services + priority booking. This move significantly increased their patient retention and predictable revenue.
Independent wellness hybrid that had been operating for 3 years. Google listing marked “permanently closed.” They had 42 reviews at 4.1 stars. Review complaints cited inconsistent results and high staff turnover. Their closure freed approximately 800-1,200 annual patients who are now redistributing to other practices in the area.
Google Ads intelligence shows LaserAway began bidding on “Pacific Glow MedSpa,” “Island Dermatology,” and “Skin Rejuvenation Clinic” as keywords. When patients search for your practice by name, a LaserAway ad appears above your organic listing. This is a common chain tactic and is legal under Google’s trademark policy.
Became the first independent med spa in Honolulu to offer GLP-1 weight management. Bundled with body contouring for a “Total Transformation” package. Their Google Ads now include “medical weight loss honolulu” keywords.
The closure of Waikiki Beauty Lounge (narrow service, low reviews) and the growth of Island Derm and Skin Rejuvenation (broad service, strong reviews) signals a market that is consolidating. Patients are gravitating toward practices that offer a complete aesthetic journey. Boutique specialists can survive on social media momentum, but long-term market share is flowing to full-service, high-reputation operators — like Pacific Glow.
Based on our competitive operations analysis, here are the 4 highest-impact strategic recommendations for Pacific Glow MedSpa, ranked by urgency and estimated ROI.
3 competitors are already in this category and capturing patients who could be yours. GLP-1 is the fastest-growing service in aesthetics (+340% YoY nationally). Each patient generates $300-500/month in recurring revenue and creates a downstream pipeline for body contouring, skin tightening, and facial services as they lose weight. Action plan: establish prescribing protocol with Dr. Nakamura (medical director), source compounded semaglutide or partner with a licensed pharmacy, build a dedicated landing page targeting “medical weight loss honolulu,” and launch with a 10-patient pilot. Revenue potential: $15K-25K/month within 6 months at 30-50 active patients, plus downstream aesthetic revenue from the same patients.
High Impact / Revenue GrowthSarah generates an estimated 65-75% of Pacific Glow’s revenue. Island Derm is offering $5,000 sign-on bonuses for NPs. LaserAway is offering $7,500. The cost of losing Sarah would be catastrophic — an estimated 40-55% revenue decline within 6 months based on industry attrition curves. Action plan: formalize a non-compete/non-solicitation agreement covering a 10-mile, 18-month radius, offer equity or profit-sharing tied to a 3-year commitment, match or exceed the $5,000 CE stipend offered by Island Derm, and publicly invest in her personal brand (conference speaking, IG features, press). Risk reduced: existential single-provider dependency.
High Impact / Risk ReductionSkin Rejuvenation Clinic has 340+ members generating $85K+/month in predictable recurring revenue. Island Derm launched their program 6 months ago and is at 180+ members. Membership patients spend 3.2x more annually and retain at 85% vs. 65% for non-members. Action plan: design 3 tiers (e.g., $199, $279, $349/month) with monthly treatment credits, percentage discounts on add-ons, and priority booking. Seed with existing loyal patients — your 284 reviews suggest a base of 400+ active patients, of which 15-25% would likely convert. Revenue potential: $40K-70K/month recurring within 12 months.
High Impact / Revenue GrowthSkinSpirit is the most strategically dangerous incoming threat because they target your exact demographic (35-55, high HHI, quality-focused) with a premium, relationship-oriented model — unlike LaserAway which competes on price. Action plan: set Google Alerts for “SkinSpirit Hawaii” and “SkinSpirit Honolulu,” monitor commercial real estate listings in Ala Moana and Kailua, strengthen your digital presence before they arrive (GBP optimization, social content), and consider proactive Google Ads for brand defense. If they open within 2 miles, implement a retention campaign for your highest-value patients (personal outreach, loyalty rewards, exclusive events).
Medium Impact / DefensiveImplementing all 4 recommendations positions Pacific Glow to capture $55K-95K in additional monthly revenue while reducing existential risk from provider dependency and incoming chain competition. The GLP-1 launch (#1) and membership program (#3) alone represent $55K-95K/month in potential revenue. The Sarah Kamaka retention package (#2) protects the 65-75% of existing revenue that depends on a single provider. Total implementation investment: $8,000-15,000 (primarily GLP-1 setup and membership platform).
Everything you just read was generated for a fictional practice. Imagine what we can uncover about your real competitors, their pricing, their hiring activity, and their strategic moves. Each report is custom-built using verified data — no templates, no generic advice.
Diana Chen — Market Intelligence Analyst
SAMPLE REPORT. This report was created with fictional data for demonstration purposes. All business names, review counts, pricing, hiring data, and competitive intelligence shown are illustrative. Your actual report will contain real, verified data specific to your market and competitors.
AesthetEdge reports use publicly available information including Google Maps, Google Business Profile, Yelp, Instagram, Indeed, LinkedIn, RealSelf, state licensing databases, and U.S. Census data. AesthetEdge is an independent market intelligence firm with no affiliation with any competitor or chain.