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As part of Canadian Small Business Week, we’re catching up with Olenka Lyle NP, co-founder of a thriving medical aesthetics clinic in St. Catharines – ClaraDerma+.
Olenka is happy to reflect on the journey of building her business alongside her partner, Alicia Yap. What began as a two-person operation, with Olenka’s mother volunteering herself at times, has blossomed into a bustling team dedicated to making aesthetic services accessible and welcoming.
Olenka and Alicia started the clinic seven years ago, driven not by a desire to escape traditional employment, but by a vision to address gaps they observed in the medical aesthetics industry. “We saw a lot of pretentiousness and exclusivity,” Lyle explained. “We wanted to create an environment that was inclusive and approachable.”
Both partners brought valuable experience to the table. While Alicia had already established a small independent practice, Lyle transitioned from a 12-year career in federal corrections, weighing the leap into entrepreneurship carefully. “For me, it was more intimidating. I had benefits and a pension, and entrepreneurship felt daunting,” she admitted. “But once I took the plunge, I wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner.”
The clinic has seen remarkable growth since its inception in October 2017. Initially managing all aspects of the business, from reception to patient treatment, Olenka and Alicia have since expanded their team significantly. “We started hiring because we realized we needed to focus on providing services rather than administrative tasks,” Lyle noted.
Aaron & Tara Photography
Today, the clinic boasts a diverse team, including nurses and medical aestheticians, with several employees celebrating five years with the company. Lyle emphasized the importance of being a living wage employer, particularly in an industry where women often face underpayment. “We knew we wanted to offer a living wage from the start,” she stated, as that number has grown since they opened up shop in 2017.
As the clinic continues to grow, Olenka highlights the critical balance between service and safety in medical aesthetics. “Consumers should feel protected,” she said, noting that all practitioners are certified or regulated healthcare professionals. “There are risks involved with treatments like injectables, and it’s our responsibility to ensure everyone in our clinic is skilled and knowledgeable.”
Reflecting on her journey, Lyle offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs: “Plan thoroughly, but don’t let self-doubt hold you back. If you have a business idea that fills a gap, go for it. You can do hard things.”
As the clinic marks its anniversary, Olenka and Alicia remain committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both staff and clients, proving that a strong partnership can lead to remarkable success in business. As for the relationship between the two, Olenka describes Alicia simply as “The best work-wife ever.”
(Written by: Matt Latour)
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