Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in health & wellness but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Priti Shah, Director of Beautiful Canadian Laser and Skincare Clinic, located in Surrey, BC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I run a physician-led medical aesthetics clinic known as a medical spa, laser clinic, or skin clinic. However, we offer far more than lasers and skin services.
We do Botox® and dermal fillers, non-surgical fat removal, sweating treatments, surgical mole removal, and more. Our doctor oversees or performs treatments. This allows us to go beyond typical spa services to get significant results for our clients.
Tell us about yourself
My background is in medical sciences. I worked for eight years in a histology and cytology lab. I assisted with minor biopsies. Eventually, I was a lab supervisor and trainer.
In the early 90s, my husband and I decided we wanted to travel. He was a family doctor registered with the General Medical Council in the United Kingdom. We migrated to a small town in British Columbia, Canada (Port Hardy). He worked as the only physician within several kilometers for many people. I was busy getting my MBA at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. After that, I began managing a home healthcare company.
Eventually, my husband got into pain management, which naturally led to Botox® injections. Then, he got fascinated with lasers (people called him the ‘Yoda of lasers’ for a while!). We opened a medical aesthetics laser clinic; the rest is history, as they say.
A few years ago, we merged with a larger national company, FYI Doctors / ReNue. The company now oversees our clinic operations and several dozen others across Canada.
My motivation comes from seeing the happy customers we get to serve daily. People can think this industry is all about superficiality. But what we do can transform a person’s self-confidence. Imagine having a hyperhidrosis problem and then, after 1 - 2 treatments, never having to worry about wearing antiperspirant again.
Or not having to shave anymore or having your acne scars reduced… these issues affect people emotionally and psychologically. We can now treat them with fast technology that comes at a far more affordable price than plastic surgery.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I grew my husband’s small practice to one of the largest clinics in Canada. He went from injecting Botox® and offering laser hair removal to over 50 customized treatments, using more than 20 devices or products. Being approached to join the FYI Doctors / ReNue network was a huge compliment.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Lack of sleep! Ha! Even after more than 20 years in the business, my husband and I are no strangers to answering emails, taking phone calls, or doing work on the weekends.
While we have excellent management and supportive staff, sometimes a job calls for the boss and the boss alone. So we step up. That said, we enjoy what we do. And we have indeed built up a lot of freedom as well.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
For marketing, I would say focus on search engine optimization (SEO). While social media and advertising are important, not enough can be said about the importance of inbound marketing. When people know they want your product or service, they will be the easiest to convert into sales. If you help them in their research process, all the better.
Regarding offerings, I would say to bring on products and services that people demand. This requires research into your industry. We have always sought the latest and most remarkable technologies. We were the first to bring many medical aesthetic technologies to our region.
For example, consider our miraDry® sweating treatments. We also developed methods and procedures for treatments like tattoo removal and non-surgical facelifts. This caused us to be known for our services by word of mouth.
Thirdly, train, train, train. Having qualified staff is essential to your reputation. We will close the clinic for a day or pay staff overtime to train after hours. We can’t take any chances when it comes to the quality of service that we provide. Clients expect results without complications, which we intend to give them.
To accomplish this, our staff must be prepared to carry out treatments safely and effectively. Most of our many positive reviews talk about our lovely team.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.bclaserandskincare.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bclaserclinic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bclaserandskincare/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bclaser
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bc-laser-and-skincare-clinic/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
