Renée Altakrity on Building SQT Australia and the Rise of Bio Micro Needling

Welcome back to the Aesthetic Business Masters Podcast, where host Nicole Montgomery speaks with the innovators, educators and entrepreneurs shaping the future of the aesthetics industry. In this episode, Nicole is joined by Renée Altakrity, founder and master educator of SQT Australia, to talk about her journey from cosmetic tattooing into advanced skin treatments and education, the science and philosophy behind bio micro needling, and what it takes to build a business that genuinely supports practitioners rather than simply selling them product. Renée Altakrity is the founder and master educator of SQT Australia, a company providing clinics with bio micro needling technology, education and ongoing practitioner support. Renée's career began in cosmetic tattooing before expanding into advanced skin treatments and education. Drawing on a background spanning leadership, business management, project management, finance and human resources, she identified a gap in the industry for stronger education and genuine partnership with clinics — a gap that led to the creation of SQT Australia, now used by more than 650 clinics across the country. Topics Discussed Renée's journey from cosmetic tattooing into skin health and education How her own experience with acne shaped her approach to client care Frustrations with symptom-focused treatment in the wider skin health industry What SCT stands for and the meaning behind the brand What inspired the creation of SCT Australia The role of education in SCT Australia's model The challenges of introducing bio micro needling to the Australian market What bio micro needling is and how it differs from traditional micro needling What spicules are and how they are sourced The client experience, comfort levels and recovery window The skin concerns SCT Australia is most commonly used for How to tell genuine innovation apart from passing trends Gaps in industry education and ongoing practitioner support SCT Australia's onboarding process and phased training model Managing staff turnover and ongoing clinic support Balancing business leadership, education and motherhood Advice for practitioners considering starting their own business or brand Where Renée sees the aesthetics industry heading What success means to Renée personally A rapid-fire round and a preview of SCT Australia at Beauty Expo Key Learning Points Lasting client outcomes depend on client education and commitment, not just the treatment itself. A treatment protocol alone does not build a successful business — critical thinking and business management matter just as much. Genuine innovation is distinguished from trends by whether it is backed by evidence, delivers consistent results, and holds up over time. Ongoing support after initial training, not just the training itself, is often what determines whether practitioners succeed with a new treatment or system. This episode is a useful listen for clinic owners, practitioners and industry suppliers interested in how education-led business models are built, what genuinely differentiates a new treatment category from a passing trend, and how founders balance rapid business growth with the realities of family life. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share this conversation with your colleagues and industry friends. Learn more about SQT: https://www.sqtaustralia.com.au/  Listen now: Website: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.com.au/podcast/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2C3d0EdqX2hewcuQ6ntjeS Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/il/podcast/aesthetic-business-masters/id1798895878 Podbean: https://aestheticbusinessmasters.podbean.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLANJ2L1Fh4mCvebJS0Vl805KyNBPhA8yz Amazon Music: https://www.amazon.com.au/Aesthetic-Business-Masters/dp/B0DYNG36V1 Leave a review: https://g.page/r/CV4WjGUImNh-EBM/review