Founder Spotlight: Lara Clinic’s Journey to $1M While Building a Business Rooted in Trust

For Leslie Reap, success isn’t just about revenue—it’s about building a business that prioritizes people. As the founder of Lara Clinic, she’s taken a different approach to the MedSpa industry, ensuring that her practice is rooted in transparency, accessibility, and patient care. We had the opportunity to learn more about Leslie through the Fall 2023 cohort of the OKC Latino Accelerator, a program designed to connect entrepreneurs in Oklahoma City with the resources, mentorship, and community needed to scale their businesses to $1M in revenue. Looking back on her journey, Leslie shares how she navigated challenges, took strategic risks, and built a brand that resonates with a new generation of patients.

What inspired you to start your business?

When I was considering getting injectables in Oklahoma, there weren't any MedSpas that appealed to me as a millennial patient so I traveled out of state. Once I had experience in the industry as a provider, I made the decision to open my first practice in my hometown. Our practice focuses on wrinkle prevention and offers transparent pricing, making it more accessible than traditional MedSpas for millennial and now, Gen Z patients.

What advice would you give yourself in those early days of starting your business?

When I was starting, I heard small businesses can apply for small business loans, while that may be true, most large institutions will only grant business loans to more mature businesses. While it is beneficial to look into grants, be prepared to self-fund or seek investors depending on your industry.

Be prepared to take a risk on yourself.

How did your mindset evolve over the course of the Program?

The program helped me to see that I had the infrastructure to expand and be successful on a larger scale. Before the program, I looked at my business like it was small and now I look at it as something that can be more. Through the program, I was able to see my own potential.

Were there any specific connections in the program that helped you reach this milestone?

Connecting with other peers in the program was extremely beneficial. In networking and discussing my goals with them, I connected with another StitchCrew alumni who works in marketing and web development. I’ve seen a big spike in our patient acquisition since I began working with them.

What role has your background played in shaping your idea of building a business?

I think honesty and providing patients with concise and easy to follow information has always been a cornerstone of our practice and our brand ethos. I place a high value on transparency, accessibility, and education because of the lack of it I’ve seen in our country’s healthcare system as both patient and provider.

What does this milestone mean to you personally and for your business?

It means I’m chillin! But for real, it is a huge milestone and I’m incredibly proud.

Fewer than 5% of all small businesses make over a million in yearly revenue, so to hit that marker and have done so in our third year is hard to wrap my head around.

For our business, this milestone helps us feel more credible - I think it serves to reassure us (and potential investors) that we have a solid framework and are capable of taking more risks or expanding.

What advice would you share with other entrepreneurs on their journey to their first $1M?

I often read about “profits first” but I think that advice is somewhat antiquated in today’s world. People first. If you’re a good person, a good boss and good to your people (your team and consumer), then reaching your goals will be easier - and you’ll hopefully sleep better at night!

About Lara Clinic

Lara Clinic provides a modern experience in aesthetic injectables in Oklahoma City. We are a private, by appointment, medical-spa specializing in neurotoxins and dermal fillers. At Lara Clinic, your full experience is directly handled by a board certified physician assistant.

To visit Lara Clinic, book a consultation here.