What has been your greatest challenge in business?
I’ve certainly had a few challenges. In 2012 we had just expanded the spa into a larger space when we experienced a fire and lost everything. We had to set up a temporary premise and it took about ten months before we were able to return to our spa. It was a challenge, but it taught me that we were more than the equipment and the beautiful environment. Our staff, the training, and the products we use were really what made us.
In 2014 my husband had a career ending accident. I ran the business from home for twelve months while I nursed him. It was a huge rehabilitation process. It took me physically away from the spa, but between the hospital and nursing him at home, everyday I sat on my phone running the business, organising ads, planning promotions, paying the bills, and talking to staff. This taught me I could successfully run my business from the outside.
Then in 2019 we had our flood and lost everything again. We had to move into another temporary location while the spa was rebuilt. We were back just in time for Christmas and then COVID hit in 2020.
There are ups and downs but each challenge has taught me something. The fire was a lot of work and I lost a lot of money, but it taught me that I could set up and create something elsewhere. The flood was the same. I’d been there and done that. COVID was easier, in a sense, because we just closed, and I got stuck into all the planning and spring cleaning that I never have time to do. We were very lucky in North Queensland and we only closed for six weeks before we could open again in a limited capacity. Since coming back we haven’t slowed down. We’re thriving.