How do two young, Armenian-born, LA-raised sisters launch seven businesses? The latest of which—Arpèl Med Spa & Beauty Boutique, an ultra-luxurious oasis in Studio City—has opened and flourished during a worldwide pandemic. The answers reside in Dr. Helen Lusikyan and Arpi Lusikyan’s beliefs that nothing in life is impossible, and the Lusikyan sisters’ sincere desire to pave a path for the next generation of fearless female entrepreneurs.
Dr. Helen and Arpi are polymaths. Their story of sisterhood success has involved years of schooling, in the trenches business work, and the pursuit of diverse interests that enrich their perspectives. Together, these women are a fiercely savvy business duo who only go after entrepreneurial pursuits they feel passionate about. They’re also the best of friends—success is that much sweeter when you can share it with someone you love and respect.
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology and post-college schooling from UCLA, combined with professional development training at Harvard, Dr. Helen is a psychologist whose empathic, intuitive, and boldly progressive approach transforms lives. She possesses a degree in substance abuse and addiction counseling as well, and even started the youth outreach organization, “HELP” (Health Education Life Principals). In addition, Dr. Helen runs the family business preschool chain, Galaxy Kids Academy, and is currently the Associate Director at her mother’s flagship business, Galaxy Medical College. Aside from all her professional contributions, Dr. Helen also modeled and participated in several beauty pageants from the ages of 14 to 19.
Growing up a tomboy, Arpi didn’t wear makeup until she was 23. But currently, her passion and love for everything beauty and aesthetics is a driving factor at Arpèl Med Spa. She has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing, and a master’s in fine arts from the legendary New York Film Academy. A savvy self-starter with almost 15 years of experience in business, Arpi has worked at her mother’s business, Galaxy Medical College, since she was 16, and today, she is their Financial Aid Director. Furthermore, Arpi is also a screenwriter with five screenplays and one TV series written.
Born in Armenia, the girls moved to the U.S when Dr. Helen was two and half years old and Arpi, six months. Growing up with immigrant parents who worked tirelessly to provide for their families, the Lusikyan sisters saw firsthand what it takes to bootstrap your way to the top. Their parents had to reinvent themselves upon moving to America and their daughters watched them rise while negotiating a foreign culture and a different economy, all the while learning a new language.
Fearless and undaunted by excuses and obstacles, Dr. Helen and Arpi’s parents made the most of the opportunities available in their adopted home country. Both went on to own successful businesses, with their mother becoming a doctor and founding the highly regarded Galaxy Medical College.
Now, Dr. Helen and Arpi are committed to the widescreen vision of their beauty and wellness haven, Arpèl Med Spa & Beauty. They hope to grow this brand into a nationwide, multi-location medical spa business with an academy component—Arpèl: The Academy—where they plan to teach medical aesthetic techniques.
Outside of the grind, the Lusikyan sisters are loving mothers; Dr. Helen is devoted to her 6-year-old son, while Arpi cherishes her 9-month-old daughter and is currently expecting another baby girl.
I have always been very skeptical about aesthetic injections, such as fillers and toxins, because I have always feared that it changes people's look immensely. But after familiarizing myself with the practices of aesthetic injections, I have learned to appreciate the effect and the outcome of injectables. As a psychologist, I work with many beautiful people who struggle with self confidence; after establishing Arpel Med Spa, I have come to realize that a little enhancement of one's natural beauty contributes to a higher level of self confidence. Our goal at Arpel Med Spa is to consult every client prior to procedures to ensure that the procedures they desire will not only enhance their outer beauty, but also contribute to their inner self confidence.
My goal when establishing Arpel Med Spa was to help beautiful men and women feel even more confident in their own skin. Having dealt with self image issues myself, I understand how important it is to achieve the look you desire to feel the best you can about yourself. We are all beautiful in our own way - but beauty starts on the inside first. We must feel beautiful on the inside to radiate that on the outside. At Arpel Med Spa, we will enhance your natural beauty and help you feel your best!