Episode 01: Lice Clinics of America
Let’s face it - lice happens, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
In this episode of the Small Business Voice, host Jeanette Forni is joined by guest co-host Justin Duncan. The two catch up briefly — Jeanette shares the exciting news of a new grandson, and Justin reveals he's been working on a fictional trilogy in his spare time.
The featured guest is Amira Purto, owner and operator of Lice Clinics of America, with two Central Valley locations — 937 Coffee Road, Suite 800 in Modesto, and 1625 West March Lane, Suite 202 in Stockton.
In this episode of the Small Business Voice, host Jeanette Forni is joined by guest co-host Justin Duncan. The two catch up briefly — Jeanette shares the exciting news of a new grandson, and Justin reveals he's been working on a fictional trilogy in his spare time. Amira shares how her business began not with a business plan, but with a personal nightmare: her daughter was discovered to have lice at a dental office appointment. After weeks of stress, chemicals, and home remedies that didn't fully work, her daughter came home from sixth grade camp with lice again — and that was the turning point. Searching for a better solution, Amira discovered a clinic in Sacramento using an FDA-cleared device called the AirAllé, which dehydrates lice and eggs in a single one-hour treatment with no chemicals. She was so impressed that she contacted the franchise shortly after and decided to bring it to the Central Valley.
Throughout the conversation, Amira and Jeanette bust common lice myths — including the idea that lice spread through hats, hairbrushes, or pets (they don't — it's 98% head-to-head contact), that lice only affect kids with dirty hair (completely false), and that you need weeks of treatment (their process is done in one hour, with a 30-day guarantee). Amira also explains that 40% of people never even itch, meaning many cases go undetected for weeks.
The episode wraps up with a conversation about the realities of franchise ownership, the support system it provides, and the opportunity available for other entrepreneurs across California who may want to open their own Lice Clinics of America location.
Left to Right: Host Jeanette Lorentz-Forni, Co-Host Justin Duncan, and Guest Amira Purto with Lice Clinics of America