Black to Business
A
COVER STORY 4
A 2007 recipient of
charming Cape Cod sits
BBI’s Entrepreneur of
quietly behind a brick
the Year Award, and
building, away from the
noise of Lower Sackville’s main drag. The earth-toned colour scheme lends itself to comfort and relaxation. Beautifully framed paintings
a proud mother of two, Johnston prides herself on teaching her daughters that “they can do whatever they desire” –
and awards compliment the décor. Add to that a fireplace, furniture accents, infrared sauna, luxurious spa shower with multiple water jets… Clearly if Darla Johnston’s vision of owning her own laser hair removal clinic did not pan out, she could have made a successful go as an interior designer. Thankfully though for her clients, business at SLIC LASER is booming as usual. “For this quarter already I’m up $10,000,” beams Johnston. “I prayed for a job in Sackville. And God gave me a successful business.” Since opening her 500-squarefoot clinic nine years ago in Lower Sackville, Johnston has experienced steady sales growth – 20 percent from last year alone. In 2008 she purchased her current location which boasts seven rooms, two floors, and 2,400 square feet of comfort, quality care, and top notch customer service. And in addition to her signature services – which include laser hair removal, microdermabrasion, veins and sun spots – Johnston is now offering spa services, teeth whitening, and infrared sauna therapy. “I found myself sending (my clients) to other places to get treatments done,” says the Lasertrologist and Certified Laser Technician (C.L.T.).
So in an effort to make SLIC LASER a one-stop shop, Johnston now offers a full line of esthetic services – manicures, pedicures, facials, mudwraps, and more. Esthetician Katy Scott – a new employee of SLIC LASER – says it’s Johnston’s long-lasting result that sets SLIC LASER apart from its competition. “(As well as) Darla’s personality,” she adds. “She really draws people in with her professionalism and friendliness.” Johnston prides herself in offering permanent solutions and peace of mind to her clients. “This is the end of the line,” she says. “They’re anxious to get rid of something that bothers them. If you have excess hair, spider veins, or sun spots, these are permanent conditions until you have laser treatments to remove them. And this is where I come in.” “They’ve already tried everything else,” she adds. Which can be costly, considering the hundreds of dollars that women in particular spend annually on razors, waxing, cremes and other products whose results often last just days. “Now they want to make a $500 investment or more because they’ve
Winter 2011
already spent that year after year,” says Johnston. “It might seem like a big investment up front, but in the long run you’re saving money, and you’re saving time.” While most of Johnston’s clients are women, she has a 30 percent male clientele. In particular, she’s assisted many men affected by a condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae. “Just a fancy word for ingrown hair,” says Johnston. A common problem among black men in particular, Johnston says she has helped a lot of men with this condition. A 2007 recipient of BBI’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and a proud mother of two, Johnston prides herself on teaching her daughters that “they can do whatever they desire” – they even help out with the business, assisting Johnston with trade shows and working reception over the summer months. Johnston says owning her own business has been a blessing for her as a single mother. “The beauty of owning this business is that I can choose my own hours, and everything is done by appointment,” she says. “I don’t work weekends. And when Friday rolls around, it’s time for me to be home with my family.”
3 Pinehill Dr., Lwr Sackville, NS
Darla Johnston, Owner/CEO
902-865-1516 www.sliconline.com