The Power of the Ask
Discover the art of asking the right questions to own every room, be intentional in your pursuit, and build the best version of yourself.
It's time to stop waiting for permission and start asking for what you deserve. The “Power of the Ask” is your dose of no-nonsense guidance and actionable advice to master your finances, skyrocket your career, and find your inner strength.
Join the Savvy Ladies Lisa Zeiderman and Precious Williams as they equip you with the questions that unlock doors, shatter glass ceilings, and unlock your full potential. No more holding back, no more second-guessing. The “Power of the Ask” is your launchpad to a life where you own your power, ask for what you want, and take charge to get it. Ready to take the ask? Hit subscribe and let's get moving!
The Power of the Ask
Cultivating Confidence and Global Beauty Standards with Andi Assebian, MSN, AGNP-C
Entrepreneur, nurse practitioner and Manhattan medspa founder Andi Assebian, MSN, AGNP-C, joins the podcast to share her journey from the Ivory Coast to the heart of New York City’s aesthetic medicine scene. Drawing from her extensive background in physiology and perioperative nursing, Andi discusses how she built a practice that supports anatomy-driven beauty standards. She shares the stark reality of navigating the medical field as a woman of color and the determination required to scale a business while raising a family.
You’ll hear Andi discuss:
- The Global Mirror: How growing up in the Ivory Coast and living across France and Canada shaped her view of beauty as a tool for identity and community rather than a quest for perfection.
- Precision Under Pressure: Andi shares insights from her time as an operating room nurse, exploring how that high-stakes environment still dictates her meticulous approach to patient safety and treatment plans today.
- Anatomy-Driven Aesthetics: Why she travels the globe to learn techniques that focus on balance and harmony over simple volume, and why the best aesthetic work should remain undetectable.
- The Courage to Ask: How asking for support and networking allowed her to expand from a single room to a thriving Midtown Manhattan practice in just two years.
- Rapid Fire Favorites: From the French classic Coq au Vin to the skincare trend she wants everyone to stop immediately.
Important Links:
- Savvy Ladies (https://www.savvyladies.org/)
- Precious Williams' LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/precious-l-williams/)
- Lisa Zeiderman's LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisazeiderman/
Important Links for Andi:
- Andi Assebian, MSN, AGNP-C's Site: https://dermartisan.com/
About Andi Assebian, MSN, AGNP-C's:
Andi is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in medical aesthetics. She received her Bachelors in Physiology from University of Calgary, Nursing degree from Duke University, and Masters as a Nurse Practitioner from New York University.
She began her career in the operating room at Yale University hospital as a Perioperative Nurse and transitioned to NYC to work with world-class plastic surgeons and aesthetic practitioners. Andi founded Derm Artisan to share her passion and vision for a MedSpa – one built on an unwavering commitment to care, excellence and empowerment.
Andi has lived in France, Canada, U.S., the Ivory Coast. Her appreciation for different cultures, beauty standards, and people of all backgrounds is deeply reflected in the makeup of Derm Artisan. She is an avid learner and travels the globe to stay on top of the latest techniques and technologies. Andi currently lives in NYC with her husband and baby boy.
She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and is fluent in French a language that connects her to her roots and enriches the welcoming, multicultural spirit she brings into her practice each day.
00:06 – Welcome to the Podcast
Lisa Zeiderman:
Hi everyone, and welcome to The Power of the Ask podcast — where we help you get what you need, financially and personally. We’re so glad you’re here today. I’m Lisa Zeiderman, Managing Partner at Miller Zeiderman, and one of your co-hosts alongside my dear friend, Precious Williams. Hi, Precious!
00:25 – Guest Introduction
Precious L. Williams:
Hey Queen Lisa! Now y’all heard the Queen. My name is Precious Williams — killer pitch master and proud Founder and CEO of The Perfect Pitch Group.
This week, we’re excited to introduce you to Andi Assebian, a board-certified nurse practitioner with extensive experience in medical aesthetics.
Andi earned her bachelor’s degree in physiology from the University of Calgary, her nursing degree from Duke University, and her master’s as a nurse practitioner from New York University — yes, Queen!
She has lived in France, Canada, the United States, and the Ivory Coast. Her appreciation for diverse cultures, beauty standards, and people from all backgrounds is deeply reflected in her practice, Derm Artisan.
She’s an avid learner, travels globally to stay ahead of the latest techniques and technologies, and currently lives in New York City with her husband and baby boy. She’s fluent in French — a language that connects her to her roots and enriches the multicultural spirit she brings to her work every day.
Andi, we’re so happy to have you.
02:03 – Andi’s Early Beauty Influences
Andi Assebian:
Thank you for having me. It’s truly my pleasure.
One of the earliest moments that shaped how I view beauty comes from my childhood in the Ivory Coast, at my grand-aunt’s home. She was married to a retired ambassador and hosted gatherings of powerful, accomplished women of all ages and skin tones.
They came together to share beauty rituals and self-care — skincare, makeup, techniques — but more than that, they celebrated one another with confidence and ease. That experience taught me early on that beauty isn’t about perfection. It’s about identity, confidence, and community.
Living across different cultures showed me how beauty standards shift — and that insight is foundational to Derm Artisan. Beauty is not one-size-fits-all. Our goal is to enhance what’s already there while honoring each person’s unique features and story.
04:53 – Confidence & Authenticity
Lisa Zeiderman:
I absolutely love that.
05:26 – A Personal Fun Fact
Precious L. Williams:
Queen Andy, is there something about you — not academic, not business — that people would be surprised or delighted to know?
Andi Assebian:
I wasn’t always confident, despite my academic and professional achievements. Being a woman of color with a French accent in this field — especially in New York City — wasn’t always easy.
There were moments when I questioned myself, but over time I learned to fully embrace who I am, how I speak, and where I come from. Now, I value authenticity more than anything. It feels more genuine — and empowering.
07:45 – Finding Aesthetic Medicine
Precious L. Williams:
Your academic journey spans physiology, nursing, and advanced practice. What inspired each step — and when did you know aesthetic medicine was your calling?
Andi Assebian:
Each step led me here. Physiology taught me to appreciate the complexity of the human body. Nursing taught me how to truly care for patients and build trust. Becoming an advanced practitioner gave me the autonomy I needed.
I realized aesthetic medicine was my calling when I saw how it blended science, artistry, and human connection. I’ll never forget a patient looking in the mirror after treatment and saying, “I finally feel like myself.” That moment confirmed I was exactly where I belonged.
09:32 – Lessons from Yale
Lisa Zeiderman:
Working in the operating room at Yale must have been intense. What did it teach you?
Andi Assebian:
It taught me that precision and accountability are non-negotiable. The OR demands calm, clarity, resilience, and compassion — especially when things change in seconds.
Those principles guide everything I do at Derm Artisan, from treatment planning to how I show up for my patients.
10:54 – Becoming an Entrepreneur
Precious L. Williams:
Was there a moment when you knew you wanted to build something of your own?
Andi Assebian:
Yes — when I had my son in 2022. Six months later, Derm Artisan was born. I wanted to serve patients authentically while also being present as a mother.
Starting my own practice allowed me to grow both as a clinician and as a parent. It wasn’t easy — but it was worth it.
13:50 – Global Innovation
Lisa Zeiderman:
What’s one insight you learned abroad that changed your practice?
Andi Assebian:
Anatomy-driven aesthetics. Providers in Europe and Asia focus on balance and harmony rather than just adding volume. That shifted my entire approach.
Great aesthetic work should be undetectable — a refreshed version of yourself.
17:00 – What’s Next
Precious L. Williams:
What’s next for Derm Artisan?
Andi Assebian:
We recently expanded to a larger Midtown East location with five treatment rooms and are growing our team.
My focus now is thoughtful growth — expanding across the U.S. and eventually into Africa, including the Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Kenya. My goal is to bring high-quality aesthetic care to diverse communities worldwide.
18:51 – Rapid Fire
- Beauty trend to stop? Over-exfoliating.
- Current skincare obsession? Cyspera for hyperpigmentation.
- Favorite meal? Coq au vin from France.
- Best advice received? Stay true to yourself — the right doors will open.
20:23 – Power of the Ask
Andi Assebian:
Asking is how women claim their worth — financially and beyond. It opens doors, builds networks, and creates opportunity. This podcast shows that when women ask boldly, real change happens.
22:25 – Closing
Precious L. Williams:
When we ask the right questions, we get better answers — and better lives.
Lisa Zeiderman:
To all the women building businesses — bet on yourself, and keep asking.