07/18/2026
Confidence Isn’t a Trait. It’s a Skill That Can Be Developed.
One of the greatest privileges of my career is not simply performing surgery—it’s helping people discover confidence they didn’t know they possessed.
This week, I had the honor of leading the Buckhead Business Association’s Thrive Series, Derivatives of Confidence, sponsored by ESJ Aesthetics.
The discussion brought together an outstanding panel of professionals from diverse backgrounds, each offering unique perspectives on how confidence influences leadership, communication, resilience, personal branding, and professional success.
A special thank you to our exceptional chairperson, Stacey Howell, whose leadership helped create an engaging, audience-driven conversation.
One message continued to surface throughout the evening:
Confidence isn’t something we’re born with. It’s something we build—through preparation, competence, resilience, and a willingness to grow.
As a plastic surgeon, I witness this every day.
The most meaningful transformations aren’t measured only by physical change—they’re reflected in how someone carries themselves after they rediscover confidence.
Whether you’re leading a company, presenting in a boardroom, interviewing for a new opportunity, or meeting a patient for the first time…
Confidence influences every interaction.
Thank you to the Buckhead Business Association, Georgia Banking Company, our distinguished panelists, and everyone who participated in such thoughtful discussion.
I look forward to continuing this conversation.
“Where confidence takes shape!”
— Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS, MBA
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
ESJ Aesthetics | Dunwoody, Georgia