Silicon Valley, one truth reigns supreme: adaptability is the key to survival. Chris Kostantewicz, the founder of ck media, embodies that principle. Since 2018, Chris’s agency has been a steady player in the marketing space, scaling and optimizing campaigns for a variety of industries. But, much like in tech, markets change fast. By 2023, the economic landscape was shifting, and Chris—like any savvy engineer—realized he needed to pivot. It wasn’t just about riding the next wave; it was about future-proofing his business with a precision only AI could deliver.
Amid rising uncertainty, Chris made a crucial observation. Continuing to serve a broad swath of clients, without a sharp focus or clear edge, could limit his ability to innovate and grow sustainably. “I was starting to get a little discouraged,” Chris reflected, in a way that might resonate with any startup founder burning through runway. “I’d been doing this long enough to know that unless I zeroed in on a specific niche—one where AI and automation could really make a difference—I’d risk losing momentum.” That’s when the lightbulb moment hit: dermatology.
Data-Driven Diagnostics: The Move to a Specialized Niche
Chris’s decision to shift his focus toward dermatologists wasn’t random. Like a well-trained algorithm identifying patterns in large datasets, Chris had been analyzing market trends for years. With prior experience in med spas and plastic surgery, dermatology was a logical next step. The turning point came when he crossed paths with a celebrity dermatologist in Idaho. “That meeting was my inflection point,” he recalls, as any tech visionary might. “I knew this was the demographic I wanted to optimize for. Dermatologists are data-driven, precise, and easy to collaborate with—a perfect match for a scalable, AI-backed platform.”
What makes dermatology an ideal niche? Like machine learning models, dermatology thrives on data, precision, and trust. Chris quickly understood that in business, just like in software development, human relationships are the foundation of success. “It’s not just about transactions,” Chris emphasizes. “Behind every professional title is a human, and once you build trust—like a user trusting an app—you have a loyal customer.” He knew that creating a seamless, AI-enhanced customer experience was key.
From this, DermLeads was born—a platform as targeted and data-driven as any SaaS product, focused specifically on dermatologists and aesthetic dermatologists. DermLeads quickly gained traction, leveraging the power of network effects much like a tech platform. “We’ve doubled our network every month,” Chris notes, with the growth metrics to back it up. “When one doctor trusts your system, they spread the word. Like any strong network, the value compounds.”
AI and Network Effects: The Prescription for Scale
In any tech ecosystem, specialization enables optimization, and Chris’s focus on dermatology was a calculated decision. By narrowing his target audience, Chris was able to enhance his product offerings, bringing AI-based marketing automation to dermatologists. Think of it like refining a machine learning model: the more specialized the data, the more accurate the results. DermLeads quickly became the go-to platform for dermatologists looking to expand their practices, using AI to streamline their networking, marketing, and brand partnerships.
DermLeads operates within ck media’s broader infrastructure, but its ambitions are Silicon Valley-level. Chris envisions a future where DermLeads isn’t just a successful platform—it’s a leader in the intersection of healthcare and AI. “My ultimate goal,” Chris shares, “is to build a company that could eventually be sold for millions. Our proprietary system is essentially an AI-driven CRM for dermatologists, helping them grow their networks and enhance their practices in ways that haven’t been possible before.”
DermLeads: The AI-First Future of Dermatology
If there’s one thing Silicon Valley teaches, it’s that adaptability—driven by technology—defines success. Chris’s pivot toward dermatology is a masterclass in how to use AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making to gain an edge in an evolving market. DermLeads operates much like a startup scaling fast within a niche, using AI to build relationships, streamline communication, and optimize outcomes.
As Chris looks ahead, he’s confident that DermLeads is on the fast track to becoming a dominant player, not just in dermatology, but in AI-powered healthcare solutions. “It’s about creating systems that solve problems,” he explains. “When you have AI-driven tools that allow you to anticipate needs and deliver on those faster than the competition, you’re going to win.”
With DermLeads at full throttle and ck media providing the infrastructure, Chris Kostantewicz isn’t just positioning his business for growth—he’s leading a revolution at the intersection of AI, healthcare, and marketing. His approach isn’t just about staying relevant in the digital age; it’s about thriving and building something that could very well set the standard for healthcare marketing in the future.
