BY MEREDITH MILLER
THE BUSINESS JOURNAL

HIGH POINT — Few people enjoy going to work on their birthday.

While many people do not have the luxury of taking that day off, employees at Advanced Electrolysis and Laser Inc. are automatically excused and paid for the day. Plus, they get a small party when they return to the office.

It’s that kind of gesture that helped earn the company the top honor among employers with 50 or fewer employees in The Business Journal’s Best Places to Work program. Overall, employees scored Advanced Electrolysis a near perfect score of 99.13.

“We work hard and we play hard,” says owner and President Trudy Brown.

She adds that she cares a lot about how well her staff is trained to perform cosmetic procedures. One of the benefits she offers employees is continuing education, training sessions and certification fees are paid for by the company.

“I know a lot people don’t get enough training. Here they really promote that,” says Jennifer Boaz, an aesthetician and laser technician. “It’s great that they are able to provide that for us because they really believe in continuing education.”

Brown says investing in her staff’s education is a smart move because it creates a more knowledgeable staff and a promotes loyalty at the company.

“Everyone wants to have management that cares about them and wants to help take them to the next level,” she says. Brown founded the company in 1974, and she says having a staff that is excited to come to work is key to creating an inviting atmosphere.

“I can’t take a lot of credit,” she says. “It’s just easy when you have a good staff. when you have mature people who are focused on doing a good job.”

Office Manager Anita Silvestri has worked at the Advanced Electrolysis for about seven years. She says she could not imagine being happy anywhere else. Employees gave the company high marks for being creative and motivating because of the caring environment it fosters for staff members and clients alike.

“It’s more than just a job,” she says “I feel like we are all a family.”

Of course, not all incentives are part of a standard benefits package.

Silvestri says her favorite perk is that employees have the chance to test new cosmetic procedures on each other during the off-hours. She says access to the procedures has helped her change the way she looks and feels.

“It’s good for your self esteem,” Silvestri says.

MEREDITH MILLER worked as a summer intern with The Business Journal.

ADVANCED ELECTROLYSIS AND LASER CLINIC INC. Address: 801 N. Main St., Suite A, High Point 27262; 2105-B W. Cornwallis Drive, Greensboro 27408

Phone: (336) 841-4025

Description: Clinic for skin care and hair removal

Web site: www.advancedlasernc.com

Head of organization in Triad: Trudy Brown, founder and president

Year established in Triad: 1974

No. of full-time employees in Triad: 10

2005 revenue: Undisclosed

Incentives and rewards: Full health insurance, liability insurance, pays for employee license fee and continuing education, free uniforms, annual Christmas party for staff and spouses, complimentary beauty treatments, paid holidays and vacation time for full-time employees

What makes it a finalist? “We have an environment that people enjoy being a part of every day. We have a caring ‘family’ atmosphere for our employees that is professional, relaxed and positive. We help people reach their career goals, and we encourage opinions along with creative abilities.”

What employees say: “Awesome environment with creative and motivating opportunities. A true people place with concern and dedication to the employees and clients. High level of standards coupled with a desire to help people.”