Karishma Lakhani Is Redefining the Med Spa Experience

The aesthetics industry is filled with women. Women as patients, women as providers, women as experts. But when it comes to ownership and leadership, the landscape often shifts. The people calling the shots are still overwhelmingly, men.

Karishma is working to change that.

As the founder of Kontour Medical Spa, she’s built a thriving practice rooted in safety, connection, and empowerment, where women feel truly seen, heard, and cared for. While the brand was born from a desire to champion women, Kontour is proudly an inclusive space, where people of all genders are welcomed and treated with the same expertise and respect.

We sat down with Karishma to learn more about how her professional experience, identity, and refusal to accept the status quo played powerful roles in her journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur. 

From Clinician to CEO

Karishma’s journey into entrepreneurship began long before she entered the world of aesthetic medicine or held a syringe in her hand. It traces back to her childhood in Georgia, where she grew up as the daughter of Indian immigrants, learning to navigate a new world and discovering the resilience, curiosity, and ambition that would later define her path.

“My parents didn’t speak English when we moved to the U.S. I was the translator for doctor’s appointments, school meetings, and insurance paperwork. I learned early how confusing and intimidating healthcare could be, and how important it was to have someone advocate for you.”

She didn’t see people who looked like her in those rooms, no providers who shared her background, no one who reflected her family’s experience. That absence stayed with her and eventually became the fuel for something bigger.

Karishma went on to become a board-certified Physician Associate. She trained at George Washington University and specialized in ENT and facial plastic surgery. She then spent years developing her skills as an injector, drawn to the unique blend of science, artistry, and human connection that defines aesthetic medicine.

But something was missing.

“Most of the patients were women. Many of the providers were women. But the business owners? The people in power? Almost all men.”

She kept hearing the same thing from patients: I don’t feel seen. I don’t feel heard.

Karishma knew it was time for something different. 

“When I told people I was going to open my own practice, many powerful voices in the industry told me I’d fail. That ownership was for the experienced male entrepreneurs; that being a good injector didn’t mean I could run a business.”

Instead of discouraging her, those doubts lit a fire. So she teamed up with her husband, RJ, a CPA with a background in healthcare accounting, to launch Kontour Medical Spa.

Wearing Every Hat and Knowing When to Take One Off

Karishma’s role at Kontour has included everything from aesthetic injector to handyman to social media manager. In the early days, she saw patients seven days a week and brainstormed business strategy late into the night. “Close the doors, flip the sign, and clock out at 5 p.m.? That wasn’t a thing,” she laughs.

Over time, she’s learned that boundaries and self-care aren’t just luxuries but necessary for sustainable growth. These days, she carves out Thursdays as dedicated admin days to handle everything from medical charting to marketing meetings. It’s a small but powerful shift that allows her to move between working in and on the business.

“To be a great leader and visionary, you can’t get tied up in the day-to-day. I love injecting, but I also have to focus on what’s next. That means staying organized, protecting my energy, and making time to feed my soul.”

Building the Right Team, The Right Way

Growing a business is hard. Growing a team that shares your values is even harder. Karishma leads a small but mighty staff, including a licensed medical aesthetician, three patient care coordinators, and RJ as her multi-hat-wearing CFO.

Her approach to hiring? Be intentional.

“The best advice I’ve received is ‘hire slow, fire fast.’ Not everyone will be the perfect fit, and that’s okay. Culture matters.”

She emphasizes that trust is earned over time; her team has proven they’re more than capable. “They represent me and the brand before I even walk into the room,” she says. “And that means everything.”

Rooted in Community, Built on Connection

Kontour’s growth wasn’t fueled by flashy marketing campaigns or influencer partnerships. From the start, Karishma and RJ took a more intentional approach, leveraging their expertise, focusing on meaningful relationships, and letting results speak for themselves. They built their brand the way they built everything else: thoughtfully, strategically, and with purpose.

They created their own ads in Canva, ran social media campaigns themselves, and personally introduced Kontour to the local community. Karishma walked into local fitness studios, boutiques, and coffee shops to shake hands, build relationships, and find opportunities to collaborate.

“I don’t believe in competition,” she says. “I believe in community and collaboration. When you support others, they support you back.”

Today, Kontour continues to partner with small businesses, support local schools, and participate in women’s empowerment events. They’ve donated services, hosted giveaways, and used their platform to elevate others while remaining deeply grateful to the community that helped them grow.

Redefining Beauty and Leadership

Trends in the aesthetics industry come and go, but Karishma stays grounded in one principle: medicine first, always.

“This isn’t a nail salon. My patients don’t walk in and order lip filler. I assess what they need, not what they think they want. And sometimes, that means saying no.”

Karishma takes immense pride in patient safety, honest consultations, and delivering natural, confidence-boosting results. She isn’t chasing social media clout. She’s focused on long-term relationships, long-term results, and long-term leadership.

And that leadership doesn’t end in the treatment room. In addition to treating patients, Karishma also trains aspiring and experienced injectors, sharing her knowledge, expertise, and commitment to safety and precision. As her practice grows, she hopes to dedicate even more time to education, teaching head and neck anatomy, and developing high-quality training resources focusing on safety and skill for the next generation of aesthetic professionals. 

“There’s so much gatekeeping in this field. We need less of that and more of mentorship, guidance, and collaboration. Empowered women empower women.”

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Karishma knows firsthand that turning passion into a thriving business requires more than skill; it takes preparation, drive, and relentless belief in one's purpose.

Here’s her advice for those just starting out:

• Be prepared. Passion is powerful, but it won’t replace a solid business plan.

• Find your people. Mentors, partners, and teammates will make or break your success.

• Create boundaries. Make space for rest so you can come back stronger.

• Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need to look like the person next to you to lead.

• Stay patient. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening.

  
  

“I didn’t grow up seeing people who looked like me in leadership. Now, I want to be that person for someone else.”

Looking Ahead

So what’s next for Karishma and Kontour? Growth, yes. But not just for the sake of scaling.

Karishma wants to expand mindfully, continue innovating in patient care, and ultimately shape the next generation of safe, ethical, and educated healthcare professionals.

“I want Kontour to be more than just a trusted destination for patients. I want it to be a place where aspiring and experienced healthcare professionals, from injectors to aestheticians, can grow, learn, and elevate their skills. Beyond that, I’m passionate about mentoring young women who’ve been told they can’t do it all, or that leadership and business are for men, not women. I’m here to prove that leadership and success are absolutely within reach with grit, determination, and hard work.”

A quick but exciting update!

Kontour’s growth story continues! The med-spa is thriving and is preparing to expand its team with a second injector, allowing it to serve even more patients. It's inspiring to see such steady success and momentum from a business that’s just getting started. Karishma, FemFoundry is cheering for you!!