She’s an unstoppable industry maverick blazing new trails in the future of medicine. Under her leadership, Tutera Medical® was named the Best Hormone Practice in the state for eight years, and she has been named among the “Leading Businesswomen of Phoenix.”
Let’s meet this extraordinary woman and learn how she co-founded SottoPelle® with her husband, Dr. Gino Tutera, as she celebrates the company’s 30th anniversary and the 20th year for Tutera Medical®.
Describe your background and where you were born.
I’m from the Kansas City area. I got the entrepreneurial spirit from my father, who taught me about dedication and hard work at an early age. That is where I met my husband, who was practicing medicine as a board-certified ob-gyn. He began using bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) in 1979 to help prevent pregnancy loss.
When did you form the company and what were your initial roles?
In 1992, the Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, asked Dr. Tutera to help design and direct a birthing center. This is where he learned about hormone pellets and developed individual dosing along with a proprietary system. He is the true pioneer and the most likely the only reason people are using pellet therapy today.
I realized, while working in the office in 1996 and seeing all these happy patients coming in for their pellets, that there was something remarkable happening. I became the entrepreneur that I am today as the behind-the-scenes marketing person who helped build this company. Dr Tutera was the provider and the face of the company, giving lectures about pellet therapy and educating physicians.
When did you come to Arizona?
Our passion for helping people is what brought us to Arizona. We moved here in 2004 to serve patients who were flying to California from Phoenix for pellet therapy. My husband and I worked together for 25 years to expand pellet therapy to a new level, combining our vision, passion, and talents to enhance patients’ quality of life.
What were your thoughts on continuing the company after his passing?
Dr. Tutera passed in 2015 and, for a long while, I wasn’t sure if I was able to move forward with building the company and carrying on his legacy. As time went on and I became stronger, I knew it was important to continue what we had built for the sake of our staff and patients.
How have you increased the business?
I have grown the company both within the U.S. and internationally, training more providers online and on-site. I have also expanded the Bolster Beauty™ line, with wellness products created by Dr. Tutera, to include nutraceuticals and hair products.
What makes it successful?
Healthier and happier patients! We set the industry standard of how to do pellets the correct way, with the individual dosing method and a multi-patented dosing site. People trust SottoPelle® and know it’s the industry gold standard.
Why do you love what you do?
My satisfaction comes from reading over a thousand five-star reviews, hearing the providers praise our training course, and knowing how we have saved people’s lives and marriages.
When did you open the Chandler office? And how many offices do you have now?
We opened the Chandler office in 2012. We currently have four offices in Arizona.
Share what services you offer …
Our primary core is pellet therapy for menopause and andropause. We also offer spa services of Botox, fillers, Semaglutide, and vaginal rejuvenation.
How do you juggle running this company with everything else you do?
I feel like I am constantly working, but since I love what I do, it doesn’t feel like work. I have very long days running the company, interacting with the employees, and find myself working on my phone before and after hours. With everyone in different time zones, my day seems to stretch out as we are all in constant communication. I find time to work out, play pickleball, and take my dogs for walks. Gathering with friends for lunch and dinner helps round out the joy of my day. I also enjoy baking and just basking in the sun! I love my quiet time for inner reflection.
Do you give back?
We support the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Honestly, we give back with the work we do to help people enjoy healthier lives.
How do you hope you’re impacting people with the product?
I don’t have to hope—I know. We are seeing people change their lives by enjoying happier marriages and being happier themselves, too, with greater energy and vitality!
Hopes for the future?
Ongoing expansion! Dr. Tutera wanted as many providers as possible to have this knowledge so their patients could receive the best type of bioidentical therapy to help them age gracefully and prevent serious illnesses. My focus for the future is on this method’s positive impact on brain and mental health. We’re continuing to break new ground.
SottoPelleTherapy.com and TuteraMedical.com
