Meet Lori Hruska

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lori Hruska a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lori, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose in one of the hardest seasons of my life. After my divorce, I was a single mom with twins, staring at a future I wasn’t sure how to navigate. I had to find a way to create stability for my kids and independence for myself. That’s when I discovered laser aesthetics.

I didn’t have an easy start… there were licensing setbacks, slow days where I earned nothing, and the constant pressure of keeping the lights on while raising two kids on my own. But something happened in those early days that shaped my purpose: I realized my work wasn’t just about beauty treatments. Every client who walked through my door had a story, a struggle, or a moment they were facing. My role became about helping them feel more confident, seen, and valued.

When COVID hit and I lost most of my staff, I had to dig into my savings and push harder than ever. It would have been easier to give up, but my kids were watching and I wanted them to see what perseverance looks like. That’s when my purpose crystallized: to show my children and my community that you can rebuild, even from scratch, and create something that not only supports your family but also uplifts others.

Today, my business, 5280 Laser Aesthetics, thrives because it’s built on that purpose. My motto, “Real solutions for real people,” isn’t just marketing, it’s my promise.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Lori Hruska, owner of 5280 Laser Aesthetics in Thornton, Colorado. I built this business from the ground up in 2016 as a single mother raising twins, determined to create a stable future for my family while helping others feel confident in their own skin.

At 5280 Laser Aesthetics, we specialize in providing “Real solutions for real people.” That means offering professional, personalized treatments that genuinely address each client’s needs. From advanced laser services to skin rejuvenation, every session is tailored to leave clients feeling better about themselves… inside and out.

What makes my business special is the care behind every service. My clients aren’t just appointments; they’re people with stories, goals, and challenges. I want each one to walk away not only looking better but feeling more confident.

We’re currently focused on expanding our offerings with new, cutting-edge equipment and treatments. With the right resources, we can bring in technology that allows us to serve more clients in our community and achieve even greater results. I’m also passionate about showing other women… especially single mothers… that it’s possible to build something from scratch, overcome setbacks, and create a thriving business that makes a difference.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience

Owning a business, especially as a single mother, means you will face setbacks. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t just bouncing back; it’s pushing forward even when it feels like you’re starting from zero. My advice: treat every challenge as temporary and focus on the next small step you can take.

2. Relationship Building

My business thrives because I truly connect with my clients. People want to feel seen and valued, and those relationships create trust and loyalty. For anyone starting out, invest in listening more than you speak. Your clients will tell you exactly what they need if you’re paying attention.

3. Adaptability

From licensing setbacks to losing staff during COVID, I’ve had to adjust my plans more times than I can count. The ability to pivot quickly can keep your business alive when things change unexpectedly. My advice: don’t get so attached to one plan that you can’t see a better opportunity when it comes along.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?

The biggest challenge I’m facing right now is growth while carrying the weight of doing it all on my own. In the aesthetics industry, technology moves fast, new machines, treatments, and methods appear almost overnight. I want my clients to have access to the very best, but the cost of staying ahead can feel like standing at the base of a mountain with no rope.

As a single mother of twins, every decision I make has to balance the needs of my family with the needs of my business. There have been nights I’ve stared at the ceiling wondering how I’m going to afford the next upgrade or keep up with competitors who have bigger budgets and more resources. But giving up isn’t an option, not when my kids are watching.

I’m overcoming this challenge by chasing every opportunity for funding, applying for grants, and forming strategic relationships that open doors I couldn’t open alone. I’m intentional about every investment, making sure each dollar put back into the business translates into real results for my clients.

This business isn’t just my livelihood, it’s proof that you can start from scratch, fight through the storms, and build something that matters. And I’m not done climbing.

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