‘Too many people mistake owning a business with owning a job’
An interview with Mir Joffrey, M.D., owner of Life Body Center in Schaumburg.
Q: Describe your business. What do you do?
A: Lift Body Center is a world class cosmetic surgery practice that specializes in minimally invasive liposuction and cosmetic breast surgery. Patients from throughout the country and even internationally visit our office every year for cosmetic procedures.
Q: What made you start your business?
A: I started my business with the idea of providing the highest level service in cosmetic surgery by specialization. We are not an office that does reconstructive, insurance based medicine. By specializing in cosmetic surgery, we are able to provide the highest quality of service through specialization.
Q: What has been the most difficult obstacle in running or starting a small business?
A: Keeping up with rapid growth. When we started four years ago, we were a small office with four employees, including me. Now, we have 15 employees and are very busy. We care deeply about customer service. You need to work hard to keep that small office feel even when you are really busy.
Q: What do you enjoy most about operating your business?
A: I enjoy working with my clients. Helping people get over their hang-ups is what I do. It’s great to help people feel better and more confident about themselves.
Q: Is this what you pictured yourself doing when you were young? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: No. As a kid I wanted to be a fisherman and then a professional hockey player. I grew up in Minnesota so that was every kid’s dream. When I got older, I actually wanted to be a brain surgeon and that’s what I started my surgical career doing. But it’s sometimes hard to tell what is the best fit for you when you are young and I wasn’t afraid to make changes in my life. Cosmetic surgery is a much better fit for me.
Q: What keeps you up at night?
A: Mostly my kids. I have two daughters who are 4 years old and 8 months old.
Q: If you could give one tip to a rookie business owner, what would it be?
A: Think of your exit strategy before doing anything. If you want to sell your business someday, don’t name it after yourself and try, as soon as possible, to make yourself replaceable. Too many people mistake owning a business for owning a job. Although you may start out being the primary engine of your business, you want to create systems that will eventually allow the business to run without your physical presence.
— Kim Mikus
Ÿ Every Monday we feature a small, suburban business. We want to hear about yours. Contact Kim Mikus at kmikus@dailyherald.com.
Lift Body Center
Address: 1321 Tower Road, Suite A, Schaumburg, 60173
Owners: Mir Joffrey, M.D.
Year business started: 2009
Web address: LiftLaserandBody.com