Two weeks after Sept. 11, Joseph Acebal and Richard Mikles opened their first Ideal Image location after both giving up successful chiropractic businesses. The laser hair removal industry was just starting. There was no proven model of success. But they believed that a business built on integrity and ingenuity could succeed.
Their business skills played an important role, along with their development of proprietary and industry-leading resources, in growing the business to 65 locations in 18 states since then. In fact, when many of their peers did not survive the recent economic downturn, Ideal Image Development Corp. tripled its size between 2008 and 2010, realized 20 percent same-store sales growth and continued to expand its team.
Until recently, two-thirds of the clinics were franchised. Today, Ideal Image owns two-thirds of the clinics, enabling it to more efficiently open new locations that are based on its proven business model.
Acebal and Mikles point to their team of talented and dedicated employees as an important element of their success. They have also created a culture of empowerment, accountability and teamwork that results in satisfied customers and employees. To provide for a direct line to management, Acebal and Mikles have created the Ideal Ethics program for employees to anonymously report any concerns.
One of their recent initiatives includes creating the International Aesthetic Laser Association as a regulatory body over the industry. There was no singular organization to oversee the industry, but thanks to the co-founders of Ideal Image, the IALA has brought together different industry participants and has actively worked to bring about national standards and regulations for laser hair removal.
The co-founders are a sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and provide funds to help priests build orphanages in Haiti and also give gift cards each Christmas to Tampa’s migrant workers.
How to reach: Ideal Image Development, (813) 286-8100 or www.idealimage.com
