Interview with Stacy Lauren-Kon LAc MSOM, Owner of Mend Family Acupuncture in Los Feliz

 

Interview with Stacy Lauren-Kon LAc MSOM, conducted by local REALTOR® Keith Kurlander

Summary

I am the Owner and Acupuncturist at Mend Family Acupuncture and Healthcare.

Mend Family Acupuncture and Healthcare

Describe your business.

Mend is a patient-centric Primary Care facility. We offer Acupuncture, Custom and Patented Herbal Formulas, and Physical Therapy for most chronic and acute conditions. My goal is to work with patients to achieve optimum health and wellness through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Functional Medicine. TCM has evolved over thousands of years and is one of the oldest continually practiced medicines in the world. Acupuncture is used to prevent and treat disease, relieve pain, balance mood, enhance athletic performance, increase fertility, and improve overall health and wellness. I strive to make TCM affordable and accessible to everyone in the community.

Mend Family Acupuncture and HealthcareMend Family Acupuncture and Healthcare

What made you decide to open this business?

After closing my Entertainment Advertising firm and taking 14 years off to raise my two kids I realized if I was to go back to work I had to do something that fed my soul as much as parenting did. My husband made a good living and I felt I had the luxury to go back to school and pursue something BIG and daring for myself. Going back to school was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Could not have done it without the support of my husband and kids.

What was it like when you first started?

Going back to work after so long was incredibly scary for me. My kids packed me a lunch box and bought me a new lab coat with my name on it! That day I walked into my office and had the opportunity to meet new people who were going through so much pain. Being able to offer them care and relief was exhilarating and truly made me forget my fear. That first day just flew by!

What has surprised you most when owning a business?

I share my office with another Dr. of Eastern Medicine and a Yoga studio. They are all women and I am shocked how much I enjoy being in the company of other professional women. We are a pretty awesome breed.

What would your customers say they love most about your business?

I think the level of personal care and attention is pretty special. I work with your Western Dr.'s and share information, spend a lot of time with my patients each session, and do a lot of follow up. Mend provides pretty comprehensive care and I think that is hard to come by today.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had working with a customer?

One of my first patients started weeping at the end of her treatment. I was horrified at first and asked if she was OK, she looked up and smiled and said, "I forgot what it felt like to be pain free!" It's pretty hard to top that.

Do you have any exciting plans for the future that you want customers to know about?

When Mend eventually expands I look forward to having a lab in-house so patients don't have to travel to an outside facility. More treatments rooms and a nice cushy waiting room will be nice, too.

What is something most people don't know about the business?

I think most people are still unaware of how much Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Functional Medicine has to offer people. TCM has been around for over 3,500 years and has protocols for pretty much every acute and chronic condition ranging from broken bones to cancer support. Western Medicine is fantastic, don't get me wrong! But Eastern Medicine keeps you from NEEDING the harsh western medications and procedures. TCM is all about WELLNESS not SICKNESS.

Do you find that people really don't know about acupuncture?

There's still a lot of misconception about what it really is, and what the health benefits are but most people are learning that it's a gentle procedure, not a Hellraiser movie.

Who are some of your business idols and role models? And why?

I am pretty lucky in that some of my professors from 7 years of school have stood by my side and have mentored me in this process even after graduation. I feel the need to pay it forward and do the same for others down the road.

What do you like most about being an entrepreneur?

I love that I make my own hours - I am still able to be a full-time mother and spend time with my family at the times that need me. I also love that I treat my patients according to my own high ethical standards and do not have to compromise my standard of care to reach a certain quota for a corporation.

Do you have any advice that you want to share with other entrepreneurs?

Have a clear vision, be true to it, find a mentor, and make measured decisions not based on fear.

What do you love about this neighborhood?

My husband and I bought a house in this neighborhood 17 years ago when we were new to LA and had never heard of Los Feliz -- or how to pronounce it. We originally were going to just flip the house and move away after a year. That was the plan. But we completely fell in love with the Franklin Hills and Los Feliz and cannot imagine ever leaving. We have raised our two kids here and our neighbors have become our family. When it was time for me to open up Mend I knew I wanted to stay n the hood and work within my own community. My love for Los Feliz is great and I am so grateful that I have deep roots in this community. I now look forward to giving back to the community and deepening my connection here.

What are your favorite places to go in the neighborhood?

There are so many! The restaurants here are crazy good. There is no reason to miss NY anymore. Love the bars, restaurants, eclectic shops and art galleries. I will say that my favorite date night with the husband is walking down to the Vista, seeing a movie in that gorgeous old theater, walking to Figaro for a coffee and a Napoleon, and then walking up the hill back home. It's pretty romantic.

What are your favorite things to do in the neighborhood?

The whole family has been into riding our bikes along the LA River and stopping at The Frog Spot afterwards. They have food, drinks, bocce and live bands. I LOVE living so close to the river and watching the transformation it is undergoing. I think it is one of the best aspects of our city.

Why do you think it's important for people to shop local?

Our neighborhood has so much personality. Most of LA is one big strip mall. Each neighborhood looks like the other. But Los Feliz has such an eclectic demographic and great vibe. It's like Greenwich Village back in the 80's. But to keep this personality alive we need to shop mindfully and encourage small family owned businesses to persevere these high rents and crazy times.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mendfamilyacupuncture

Website/Blog: http://www.mendfamilyacupuncture.com