Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in skincare but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Courtney Aldridge & Vanessa Logan, Founders of LAD Labs Dermatology & Cosmetic Acupuncture, located in Tualatin, OR, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

LAD Labs Dermatology & Cosmetic Acupuncture is a women-owned holistic clinic offering healthy, safe, non-invasive skincare in Portland, OR. We are committed to helping our clients discover their inherent beauty. Our practitioners are expertly trained in practices dating back thousands of years to China’s Han Dynasty. At LAD Labs, we honor these traditional modalities along with integrating modern medical practices to create a truly unique and comprehensive approach to healing. Today we utilize the wisdom of Chinese Medicine to reverse the signs of aging, heal the skin, rejuvenate the body and mind, and leave our clients feeling refreshed and radiant.

We are an inclusive and safe space for anyone looking for answers regarding their overall health and the health of their skin. We offer a variety of modalities, including cosmetic acupuncture, microneedling, hair & brow restoration, nano infusion, cupping, and guasha facials, traditional acupuncture, scar therapy, acne treatment, herbal medicine, and more. We also cater to those looking for a relaxing spa-like experience. Most importantly, we want our clients to feel listened to, cared for, and supported.

Tell us about yourself

We are both Northwest natives, and after successful careers, we had both been feeling a desire for something more, something different that would really help people. We met in graduate school for Chinese Medicine and quickly realized our shared love for dermatology and skincare. We found that Chinese Medicine provided a path to transform the aging process by revitalizing the body from the inside. It also delivered remarkable results for clients who had seemingly tried everything. We didn’t see many practitioners in our field focusing solely on the skin and felt there was a strong need. Watching our clients finally see results after so many years of struggling is all the motivation we need to continue to grow as a company and as practitioners.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

We feel our biggest accomplishment so far has been the relationships we have built with our clientele and our community. It’s such a wonderful feeling to see people leave our clinic loving their skin and understanding their health in an approachable and manageable way.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

In the beginning, especially, it is hard to put so much work into growing your business before you really see the benefits. It is a labor of love and one that is not always successful. You have to constantly remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing. We both left successful careers, and that can be difficult on your family both financially and time-wise. Thankfully, we really love what we are doing!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Be patient with yourself and the company; it takes time to grow.
  2. Do things the right way from the start, don’t take shortcuts.
  3. Make sure you really trust the people you are working with and establish open and honest communication with them.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

It is helpful to surround yourself with people who really believe in you and what you are doing so that they can encourage you when you’re exhausted and feel like giving up.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ladlabsdermatology.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladlabsdermatology
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lad_labs/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3AKWyBP

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.

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