Brandyn Dunn, MD — Surgeon

Building an “Aloha Vibe” Practice in a Competitive Market

Dr. Brandyn Dunn, MD, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon redefining what it looks like for a new-generation surgeon to launch and grow a solo practice.

Based in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Dunn has spent the past two years building his private practice in one of the most competitive aesthetic markets in the country. Rather than competing on noise or volume, he leads with relationships, authenticity, and an unmistakable “Aloha” spirit rooted in his Hawaiian upbringing.

His approach blends surgical precision with warmth, education, and modern branding — proving that culture and clinical excellence can coexist.

But his journey into private practice was anything but conventional.

Practice Overview

Dr. Dunn is a solo facial plastic surgeon specializing in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures of the face.

His path includes:

• Born in Southern California and raised in Hawaii
• Residency training in Irvine, California
• Academic fellowship at the University of Kansas
• Experience within a large Southern California skin cancer group
• Transition to launching his own solo practice in Newport Beach

Early in his career, Dr. Dunn worked in a high-volume setting performing significant amounts of MOHS-related reconstruction. While technically rewarding, he found the pace limited his ability to provide the level of patient connection and continuity he valued.

After thoughtful guidance from colleagues at various stages of their careers, he made the decision to step out on his own.

He left his previous group amicably and still maintains access to their operating room — an example of strategic relationship-building over burned bridges.

An Aloha-Inspired Business Model

Dr. Dunn brings a distinct cultural influence into his practice.

Raised in Hawaii, he embraced the “Aloha” mindset — community, warmth, service, and authenticity — and infused it into his brand and patient experience.

Rather than relying solely on traditional marketing, he focuses on:

• Building genuine patient relationships
• Educational content shared through Instagram
• Transparency in explaining procedures
• Positioning himself as both surgeon and teacher

In an era where many new surgeons feel unprepared for the business side of medicine, Dr. Dunn proactively sought education through podcasts, mentorship, and peer conversations.

He openly shares how side hustles both helped and distracted him in the early stages of growth — lessons that shaped his discipline and focus as a practice owner.

Keys to His Early Success

Dr. Dunn attributes his momentum to:

• Seeking advice from surgeons 2 to 15 years ahead of him
• Being willing to pivot when volume compromised care
• Investing in personal branding and digital education
• Maintaining professional relationships during transitions
• Prioritizing patient experience over rapid expansion

His journey illustrates a broader truth about the new generation of surgeons: clinical skill alone is not enough. Business fluency, marketing awareness, and personal positioning matter more than ever.

Featured on Beauty and the Biz

Dr. Dunn joined Catherine Maley on Beauty and the Biz to discuss both his “Aloha Vibe” practice model and the pearls he has learned during his first two years in private practice.

These conversations explore:

• How a new surgeon competes in an ultra-competitive market
• What academic training often leaves out about business
• The realities of leaving a group to start solo
• The impact of social media and educational marketing
• Lessons learned in the first two years of ownership