Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Ruiz.
Catalina, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in a family of 12 siblings, where my both parents were involved in the medical profession. I decided to become a Nurse Practitioner but always knew I wanted to find a way to go into business for myself and help people at the same time.
Funnily enough, I got started with laser hair removal because my younger sister Magdalena( #8 of 12 and resident hair remover of the family) had given it a try and couldn’t stop talking about the results. I decided to look into it and found that there was a definte need in Chicago and that it could provide the perfect opportunity for me to use my skills and start my own business.
After a few years of working part-time as a Family Nurse Practitioner and running Lapiel whenever I wasn’t at my other job, I decided to take the plunge and devote myself to growing my business and making it the kind of place where people can come in and know they are getting quality services, affordable prices and providers that genuinely care about their results.
Fast forward 14 years and we’ve grown beyond just Laser Hair Removal, employed many members of my family in various roles, moved into the building where my father practiced medicine for over 40 years and I couldn’t happier with the results!
Has it been a smooth road?
Balancing a full-time job, a start-up business, 2 kids, a husband, a dog, and Cubs traffic can take a lot out of a woman. I was actually taking appointments on my cell phone en route to delivering my first child. Being a working mom and a business owner at the same time requires that you sometimes spread yourself a little too thin.
I credit the success of Lapiel in large part to being a Nurse and attracting the type of clients who were looking for experience and training. We came about during one of the firsts major internet frenzies, where people took to yelp and yellow pages to find experienced providers. I was able to set myself apart because of my experience and find a way to somehow make it all work.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Lapiel Laser Center story. Tell us more about the business.
Lapiel is first and foremost a family run business. It’s my goal to make sure everyone who comes in is treated fairly, honestly and transparently. We are a full-service Med Spa with a boutique feel, we offer Laser Hair Removal, Botox, Laser Skin Rejuvenation, Skin Care and Organic Products. Each and every one of our treatments is fully customized and tailored to suit each individual client’s needs. I like to make sure we get to know our clients, help them set realistic expectations and achieve their goals.
Our whole staff, from the front desk to our team of Nurses, is committed to this idea of treating our patients like family. Another thing that really sets us apart is our ability to treat men and women of all skin types and concerns safely and effectively. Our treatments are all performed extremely experienced professionals who really care about our clients and take the time to focus on getting results. I would say I am most proud of the diversity in our amazing clientele.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Part of what I love about what I do making people feel more confident in their appearance. We are seeing a big shift in how people are approaching the aging process in a more proactive way. While SPF will always be my #1 anti-aging tip, we are seeing more and more people looking to take preventative steps, as well as corrective ones these days.
We are combing many methods here at Lapiel, from classic treatments like Botox to new ones like Laser Rejuvenation, to provide the best treatments for our clients. I also like to make sure our clients have access to the most reliable, effective products. Our entire staff is always trying and advocating for products that can truly help the way our skin ages. By combining different treatments and products I believe we can offer a more holistic approach to how we deal with aging.
The way people are coming to us is also undergoing a change. Word of mouth has always been our number one source for referrals and Social Media is simply amplifying that voice. Clients are better able to connect with our services, try new ones and share their own experiences with friends. It’s also serving to make services like Botox and Laser Hair Removal much more accessible to younger generations, all while removing some of the stigmas that involved with some aesthetic services. We also love how it has allowed us to connect with other local businesses and get to know our neighbors!
Contact Info:
- Address: 3454 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60657
- Website: www.feelinggoodmatters.com
- Phone: 773-248-4247
- Email: info@lapiellaser.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lapiellasercenter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LapielLaserCenter/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lapiel-laser-center-chicago
Image Credit:
Angela Garbot Photography
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