Illumination Consulting vs Physician Growth Partners

The short version

Illumination Consulting sells growth consulting, marketing and website work to med spas and other aesthetic businesses. Physician Growth Partners is a healthcare investment bank that advises on sell-side mergers and acquisitions, majority recapitalizations and full-sale transactions, with medical aesthetics as a sub-sector of its five healthcare sectors. They meet a med spa owner at different moments: one while you run and grow the business, the other when you consider selling it. Neither site publishes a price, plan list, setup fee, minimum term or cancellation terms, and only Physician Growth Partners names its leadership, founder Michael Kroin, and a founding year, 2018.

Pricing

Neither site publishes fees. Illumination Consulting's site does not state a pricing model, a starting price, a plan list or a setup fee. On cost, what it publishes is a free business consultation, valued at $285, and contact by phone.

Physician Growth Partners' site does not state a price or a free consultation either. Its contact page lists a phone number and an email address. To compare what either would cost you, you have to ask both for a written proposal.

Contract and cancellation

Neither site states a minimum term or a cancellation term. Illumination Consulting's site does not state how an engagement ends or what notice it requires. Physician Growth Partners' site does not state an engagement term either.

The only lengths of time either site publishes are Physician Growth Partners' three process phases: preparation at 6 to 8 weeks, marketing at 8 to 12 weeks and exclusivity at 10 to 12 weeks. That describes a process timeline, not a contract length. Ask both to state the term and the exit in the agreement.

Built for med spas

Illumination Consulting's FAQ says it specializes in med spas, dermatology clinics, plastic surgeons, wellness clinics and skincare brands. It publishes a med spa consulting page, and its med spa work covers launch strategy, treatment profitability and revenue strategy, patient retention and loyalty systems, and multi-location expansion planning. It says it works with startup and multi-location med spas and consults virtually across the United States. It names three clients: Aurelia Med Spa, Skinova Dermatology and PureForm Plastic Surgery.

Physician Growth Partners works across five healthcare sectors and reaches med spa owners through a medical aesthetics sub-sector page. It sells sell-side M&A advisory, majority recapitalizations and full-sale transactions, and says it has represented groups with revenue from $10 million to over $150 million. It names Glow Aesthetics Medical Spa, advised in its partnership with MD Esthetics, along with Fort Worth Plastic Surgery and Swann Dermatology.

Neither site states a measurable result for a named client, and neither publishes third-party reviews.

Which one to look at first

Look at Illumination Consulting first if you are running a med spa and want help growing it through consulting, marketing and website work, and start with its free consultation. Its site does not state a price or a term, so ask for both in writing.

Look at Physician Growth Partners first if you are weighing a sale or a majority recapitalization for a larger group and want an investment bank that works across five healthcare sectors. Its site does not state fees, so ask for the fee structure before you sign an engagement letter.

Neither site publishes support hours. Illumination Consulting lists a phone number; Physician Growth Partners lists a phone number and email. Compare both against the rest of the field in business consulting, and read How to Choose a Med Spa Consultant before you shortlist.