Question: Please give our readers an introduction to your business. Include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Answer: Skin Code LA is a premiere med spa located in the heart of Los Angeles. We offer state-of-the-art medical aesthetics services to our clients. Our staff, which includes trained nurses, dedicated from desk and booking staff, and doctor are all passionate about the care we provide.
Question: Please give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Answer: My name is Angie Aghamalian, co-founder and partner at Skin Code LA. I have a background of more than 10 years in business management at a plastic surgery center and med spas. I have a Management degree from Pepperdine University Graziadio School of Business.
Question: What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Answer: I’ve always felt I had a knack or a certain flair for business. Early in my career I worked as a consultant at a local med spa and working as an office manager for one of the top plastics surgeons in L.A. was monumental to my success. The next stage in my career was to be my own boss and open up my own practice. And here I am with Skin Code LA. I’m feeling my future is very bright and wide open.
Question: What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Answer:
1) Put in the work. Don’t cut corners. When you cut corners, you don’t learn all the good— and bad of things. I think it’s important to see things in full circle.
2) Educational foundation. There are call it best practices in business that you learn by going to school. Returning to school to get my degree at Pepperdine University allowed me to sharpen my business fundamentals.
3) Stay focused. Do your best to not side track yourself from your goals. It’s okay to sway a bit here and there but never get yourself off-track. Too many people get sidetracked and derail or delay their goals. We got one life. Own it. Get it done.
Question: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Answer:
1) Being able to take Risks, 2) Exuding Confidence, 3) the ability to communicate effectively— especially being a solid listener
Question: How many hours do you work a day on average?
Answer: There’s never a dull moment in my day. I work, on average, about 15 hours a day.
Question: To what do you most attribute your success?
Answer: For me, it’s being around successful, like-minded, positive people. It feed off of good energy and good people and that’s what keeps me going and wanting to be better in all aspects of my life.
Question: What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Answer: To be honest, it’s listening. That simple. Too many of us in business like to talk but the best communicators are not the talkers. They are the listeners. When we listen, whether its to customers, employees, partners or mentors, you learn the most. Another way to achieve long-term success is constantly staying ahead of the game. In the med spa industry, things move at a fast pace. So staying sharp and knowing more about trending treatments, equipment and more efficient ways of doing things is a big part of long-term success.
Question: Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Answer: Opening up multiple med spas across the California, maybe even in other states. I love this business and I want provide our services to any and everyone who feels they need it.
Question: Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Answer: I’m big into fashion, apparel and footwear. Talk about an industry that has to stay sharp and be on the cutting edge. I love how the fashion industry is in constant motion. Always finding ways to be better and brighter.
Question: How do you generate new ideas?
Answer: By listening and paying attention to details. It’s easy to see or hear things that are on the surface. The best ideas come about when you dig, focus and understand the why’s and how’s.
Question: What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Answer: Opening up my own med spa, Skin Code LA.
Question: What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Answer: For those that are entrepreneurs, there’s part of us that likes and embraces risk. Starting your own business and not being under the wing of someone else is not easy. It’s not for everybody— and that’s okay.