Colleen Papek reflects on her six-year journey at Milan Laser Hair Removal and looks forward to the company’s future as the new president.
When you talk to Colleen Papek about Milan Laser Hair Removal, it’s hard not to see her face light up. She loves to talk about what she refers to as Milan Magic.
“What we have is so special, and it’s so much more than just another job; it’s a passion,” Papek beams. “Our culture, motivation, and the dedication of our corporate employees and clinic teams are magic. We’re making a huge difference for many clients, and none of us take that lightly.”
Just six years ago, Papek worked as vice president and director of stores with Bonton Stores. But in 2018, she was captivated by the vision of Milan Laser Hair Removal’s co-founders, doctors Shikhar Saxena and Abe Schumacher.
“I remember asking myself, ‘Is this too good to be true?’” Papek recalls. “But it wasn’t. I knew I had to be part of this. Every day I’m so grateful to be on a team with highly motivated individuals who live out our core values.”
The South Omaha native studied business marketing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and then spent 25 years in sales and operations at multi-unit companies. At Milan Laser, Papek started as the Chief Operating Officer, where she implemented business strategies, established policies that promoted company culture, and set goals for performance and growth.
“I’m motivated by seeing results and making a positive impact not only for clients but also our employees,” says Papek. “Being part of Milan during its explosive growth, and seeing the impact on people’s lives has been truly exhilarating.”
Papek has been instrumental in leading Milan Laser’s explosive growth and nationwide expansion efforts, growing the team to more than 1,700 employees and 260+ clinics in 30 states. In 2022, Milan Laser celebrated their 10th anniversary and officially became the country’s largest laser hair removal provider.
“Being part of all our milestones over the years and seeing our team grow and evolve has been incredible,” Papek says. “We have a relentless focus on success, and we’ve become such a trusted name in the industry. As a result, we’ve emerged as the number one laser hair removal company in the country!”
In October 2022, Papek was appointed president. Part of her duties includes working with all departments to foster alignment around Milan Laser’s strategy and vision to become the world’s number one laser hair removal company. Working with senior leadership, Papek will help define company direction while focusing on short- and long-term goals, prioritizing initiatives that support Milan’s growth and stability.
Another passion of Papek’s is developing the future leaders of the organization.
“We believe strongly in internal growth at Milan, and it’s one of my driving forces,” says Papek. “Nurturing and developing individuals to take on leadership roles and drive the organization forward is something we are very proud of.”
Papek is incredibly excited about the future of Milan and honored to lead the organization into its second decade of success.
Milan Laser Hair Removal
17645 Wright Street
Omaha, NE 68130
402.812.5111
milanlaseromaha.com
This article originally appeared in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of B2B Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.
