MAGGIE KIM

March 19, 2008 2:02 am

DESCRIBE YOUR BUSINESSES: Rejuvalase offers a variety of laser and skin-care services. We are best-known for our laser hair removal, but also offer aesthetic services including vein reduction, chemical peels, microderm-abrasion, Botox and Restylane. Rejuvalase is under the supervision of a medical director, and all procedures are performed by licensed nurses and/or aestheticians. Northern Virginia Laser Training is Virginia's only state-approved school devoted to laser aesthetics. While we encourage those with backgrounds in aesthetics and/or medicine to enroll, our program is open to anyone. Our school offers primary certification for laser hair removal only, and our advanced certifi-cation is also for vein reduction and photorejuvenation. We also offer training certificates in microdermabrasion.

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree from George Mason University; master's in education from University of Virginia; certified laser specialist.

FAMILY: Married with two boys: 5 and 2.

CAREER HISTORY: Was a special education teacher for six years. Have owned and operated Rejuvalase MedSpa for a year, and recently opened Northern Virginia Laser Training.

FIRST JOB/WORST JOB: A cashier at Roy Rogers.

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Alexandria.

HOW DID YOU END UP OWNING YOUR BUSINESSES? I was a nursing major in college. While I ended up in education, part of me continued to want to work in science and/or medicine. It wasn't until after my second child that I discovered laser hair removal and decided to pursue it as a business. After my second child, my hormones had left me managing several annoying chin hairs. After months of constant plucking, I decided to consult a local laser hair removal business. I continued reading up on laser hair removal and became absolutely en-thralled. It wasn't long before I decided I wanted to bring this service to Stafford. I flew out to Colorado to train and apprentice as a laser specialist. Once I returned home, I organized our financials, sought approval for our loan and began networking to get our name out there and meet other successful business owners. In March 2007, we opened Rejuvalase. Our most recent venture has been opening a school that offers the hands-on training and textbook knowledge needed to perform these procedures safely and effectively. Our school opened last fall.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS? First and foremost, it's capital. You absolutely cannot run a business without it. Once you've got it running, keeping it successful means loving what you do and keeping your employees content. My work is my passion; besides home, there's no place I'd rather be. I'm incredibly lucky to have found my calling. One of my biggest responsibilities is keeping my employees happy. A company is only as good as its employees.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB NOW? The clients. I spend most of my time socializing with some very intriguing individuals.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WOULD CHANGE ABOUT YOUR JOB? The cost of laser consumables.

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? My children. My hope is to position our business so that I can be home a bit more for them.

WHO IS THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL BUSINESS LEADER YOU KNOW? Mark Miller at Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Stafford. Talk about passion and a love of what he does. This man inspires thousands of people each week to go out and live better lives. He took a church of about 50 and turned it into one that now has thousands of members.

WHAT'S THE BEST BUSINESS LESSON YOU'VE LEARNED? To be grateful for work.

WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS? I've thought about eventually opening a full-fledged aesthetics school, but if I do, it won't be for a while. I think that I'm really pretty much where I want to be. I would like for our businesses to continue growing and gaining, but I currently have no plans to expand or open other locations.

ON THE NET: Northernvirginialasertraining.com and Rejuvalase.com

--Bill Freehling