Injecting Innovation With JECT’S Founder Gabby Garritano
In the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of medical aesthetics, standing out requires a unique blend of vision, expertise, and dedication to patient care. JECT, a premier medical aesthetics business in the U.S., embodies these qualities. Founded in 2019, JECT has rapidly become a leading name in the industry, known for its modernised approach and commitment to safety and efficacy.
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with the visionary behind JECT, Gabby Garritano, a board-certified Physician Assistant with a robust background in plastic surgery and an advocate for integrating medical aesthetics into overall health and well-being. Driven by personal experiences and a keen understanding of market gaps, she has built JECT into a brand synonymous with excellence, innovation, and personalized patient care. From her early days working with top plastic surgeons to her current role as a thought leader and industry influencer, she brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the table.
Could you share a bit about your background and training as a board-certified Physician Assistant, and how it has influenced your approach to medical aesthetics?
I started working in plastic surgery 15 yrs ago when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. When I moved to NYC for grad school I started working with some of the top plastic surgeons on the Upper East Side. After a few years of working, I realized there was very little focus on the overall patient care experience. Additionally, we weren’t open in the evenings or weekends, our prices were very expensive, and we had no online booking system.
I founded JECT in 2019 with a vision of creating a modernised and approachable medical aesthetic experience. Considered a thought leader in preventative aesthetics, my highly specialised background and training gives me a distinct and unique perspective that has been instrumental in the development, growth, and success of JECT.
I am an advocate for active involvement within today’s evolving medical aesthetics landscape, I serve on the advisory board for several of our pharmaceutical companies and I am an Allergan Medical Institute Trainer and a Medical Affairs Clinician for Evolus. I am a true advocate of medical aesthetics being part of a patient’s overall health and well-being. As JECT continues to grow, cultivating a positive and inspiring environment for medical professionals who are dedicated and passionate about the aesthetic industry will remain a high priority.
What inspired you to start JECT, and what gap in the market did you see that you aimed to fill?
When I founded JECT, there was no single service brand that focused on medical aesthetics. My dream was to become the premier medical aesthetics business in the US. At JECT, our patients are first priority and the safety and efficacy of our services are of utmost importance to us.
Could you walk us through the process of developing and growing JECT, from inception to where it is today?
When I look back at how JECT was started, it truly was by pure hustle and passion. I had to be an advocate for myself in order to grow my client base, but then over time my clients became advocates for me and that passion radiated without any effort. I am so fortunate to have a talent that I am extremely excited and passionate about. I know one thing we have done well, is understanding our customers. Getting an injectable is a very intimate experience whether it is your first-time getting Botox, fillers, or a medical skincare treatment. It has been so important for the JECT team to understand what every single client is experiencing when they walk through the door. The key to our success has been always putting our patients first, providing them with the best experience possible, and that we have an extremely special team who are so passionate about what we are doing. Watching JECT grow over the years has truly been the most rewarding experience and I am so grateful for the experience.
How do you differentiate JECT from other medical aesthetic practices, particularly in terms of its modernised and approachable experience?
We have a unique combination of effective services and medical grade skincare products, at JECT we say, active ingredients for visible results. We had a safe and educational approach to all of our services. Our clients have a desire to look natural and by using modern techniques we are able to achieve this while also considering preventive aesthetics. Our approach is very personalized for every single patient we see, and we try to address all of their concerns even if it is over several appointments. We have convenient night and weekend hours, and our location was selected by design––we know convenience is key. Our medical providers are experts in the aesthetics industry and aesthetics is what they do all day, everyday.
In what ways do you incorporate preventative aesthetics into the services offered at JECT, and why do you believe it’s important?
I know when I look my best, I feel my best; And when I feel my best, I am my best in all aspects of life. I try to look my best, mainly for myself even if it is from a zoom call from home. I truly believe modern beauty has changed. It isn’t necessarily about doing nice hair or makeup or possessing exceptional features that don’t look like you. Real beauty comes from within and having the confidence to be your best self. Being pretty isn’t about looking like some influencer or celebrity, it’s about looking smooth, natural, and healthy-looking. It’s about appreciating our own unique features while also thinking about preventive care and taking care of yourself. At JECT we say, “the new self-care standard.” In the end, my journey hasn’t only been about boosting collagen, but boosting confidence It was about being the best, my most radiant self. And it was about empowering others to do the same.
You’ve been featured in various media outlets, including The New York Times and TODAY Show. How have these opportunities impacted the growth and recognition of JECT?
These outlets have impacted JECT’s visibility which ultimately impacted our brand recognition across the country. I am extremely proud and grateful to have had these opportunities for my business. It was my dream to see JECT’s name in some of these media outlets and words cannot describe how incredible it is once it happens! There has been and will always be negative press about the aesthetics industry, and what my focus will continue to be on the safety and effectiveness of the aesthetics industry when you go to someone who is highly trained and specialised in the industry.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a female founder in the medical aesthetics industry, and how have you overcome them?
Aging gracefully is a well-known term, but its meaning is transforming in this rapidly changing world. There seemed to be this idea that once we hit a certain point in our lives, we should let ourselves go and give up all the maintenance we used to do to make us look and feel great. I’d argue that as we age, taking care of our physical appearance is extremely important, as many studies have shown how feeling good about your appearance has positive effects on lifestyle and mood. A significant amount of research focuses on the importance of maintaining physical activity, eating correctly, and sleeping regularly. So why at some point would we give up on our external appearance when we know it has a direct correlation of decreasing depression rates, increasing work productivity, and producing positive thoughts internally.
Our goal is to continue to maximize our potential in all aspects of life as we age. By using aesthetic services to help regulate our skin’s cell turnover, restore collagen and elastin, and improve sun damage. Botox injections can smoothen lines and wrinkles, as well as dermal fillers to restore volume loss balance to the face. This plan utilizes preventative measures while addressing immediate concerns.
With people living and working longer, wanting to maintain your looks is entirely logical. The most common mistake people make is to delay due to fears or taboos, therefore, not benefitting the most from what is available. It is my hope that by having this modern understanding of what “aging gracefully” means, you will look and feel as though you are one of those people fortunate to “naturally” look good for their age. And even for someone as “natural” looking as myself, I have had every treatment on JECT’s menu, more than once or twice!
How do you stay updated on the latest trends and advancements in the medical aesthetics field, and how do you incorporate them into JECT’s offerings?
I serve on the advisory board for several of our pharmaceutical companies and I am a clinical trainer for several of our pharmaceutical partners. Continuous relationships with our pharmaceutical partners allows me to stay on top of new injectable products on the horizon. Through JECT Academy, our internal training program, we held over 60 training sessions last year alone. Continuous training is imperative for myself and our clinicals to be the most advanced medical aesthetic providers in the country.
Can you share a memorable success story or moment from your journey with JECT that stands out to you?
Opening our Miami location in April 2024 was one of the most remarkable moments of my journey with JECT. From sourcing the location over a year ago, designing the space, building out the location, hiring and training the team, and finally seeing it all come together was one of the most amazing founder experiences imaginable.
Looking ahead, what are your goals and aspirations for the future of JECT, and how do you plan to continue evolving and innovating in the industry?
Every day I get to wake up and empower people to look and feel their best. The aesthetics industry is such a fun and innovative industry. The industry is booming and I feel so lucky to have started my business six years ago. The tailwinds of the industry are incredible. We are on the brink of immense growth and innovation in this space. Ultimately, the vision to be the go-to authority and brand for medical aesthetics in the US, and then globally.
What is your most popular treatment offered at JECT & why do you think it has such traction?
Wrinkle reducers >50% of the business. This treatment creates visible results that last 3+ months. It’s the best option for preventative aesthetics and the ability to achieve visible yet natural results.
What is something that we’d be surprised to learn about a treatment at JECT?
Because we lose 1% of collagen per year, it’s extremely important that we maintain our skin’s health with multiple services throughout the year to regenerate new collagen growth. A few great options to achieve collagen regeneration are through Sculptra injections, PRP/PRFM injections, and microneedling.