This month marks Lana Joseph’s third year of running her own business, and in that time, she has experienced a level of success that the Marrero native never could have expected.
Noticing a clear need for hearing services in her home town, the audiologist opened the first location of High Level Speech and Hearing Center on Jefferson Highway in January 2016.
In its first year, her business took in $300,000 and served over 5,900 patients, approximately 5,000 of which were from Orleans Parish. Joseph said that quickly made her realize she needed a second location in New Orleans. In 2017, her revenue grew to $1.5 million, providing her with the momentum to take action.
On January 15 of this year, High Level Speech and Hearing opened its second location at 4219 Magnolia Street. Through both locations, two doctors of audiology and 12 speech therapists, the company served approximately 20,000 people this year, increasing revenue to around $2.3 million.
An estimated 40 million Americans have trouble speaking or hearing due to a communication disorder. For Joseph, one of the biggest ways she sees her company making an impact is with pediatric patients.
“A huge portion of our work is with children and we’ve really been focusing more on partnering with schools, especially in disadvantaged areas,” she said. “When problems go undiagnosed, they can create learning and self-esteem issues.”
Joseph learned the need for speech and hearing services at a young age. A speech disorder resulted in years of teasing until she was successfully diagnosed and treated in the seventh grade. Now, her company frequently partners with schools, daycare centers and nursing homes, bringing screenings to those who need them most.
Personally, Joseph had a big year as well, which included being named to Gambit’s “40 Under 40,” becoming a finalist in the 2018 Millennial Awards and inducted into the inaugural class of Next Up NOLA, a New Orleans-based talent research program. As a little icing on the cake, she also got to serve as rap superstar Drake’s audiologist at his concert in September.
Joseph’s real reward, however, she says lies with creating satisfied customers.
“All of the five-star reviews on Facebook, Google and HealthyHearing.com, that’s what we value,” she said. “That feels so good.”
