Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy LeClair.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2008, I hit a bump in the road. I was experiencing an existential crisis and I could not find meaning on my current path. I had spent the several years prior dealing with a multitude of health issues. I was feeling very unfulfilled in my current career and I knew I needed a change. During my health struggles, I frequently turned to the spa for comfort. I remember the immense gratitude I felt during a massage treatment. I referred to my practitioners as earth angels. Some days I would be feeling so drained and achy, I would book a massage and oftentimes, tears would fall while my therapist was caring for me.
This was the secret shared between me and the carpet under my face cradle.
I decided to make a radical change and attend school for massage therapy and esthetics, leaving behind all of my past work experiences. I feel in love with everything spa and to me this was the most amazing profession on earth. I first started with the esthetics program and fell in love with skin care. I realized that you can give the most amazing, relaxing and healing treatment through a facial as well. In some cases, touching the face is so connecting and intimate. While I was in school, I remember watching the transformation of personalities change. I often discuss this radical shift with my team. Overworked, highly stressed people coming to the spa. At first glance, everything seems to exasperate them, checking in, filling out simple paperwork, and managing their cell phones. Frazzled and with a big to do list, everybody seems so high strung. I clearly remember being very intimidated by clients. I silently recited mantras and took a few deep breaths to ground myself before performing a service. The reward came at the end; these people were different. Their faces softer and not from the skin care products but the muscles relaxed, the tension eased. You can see they were different. It was the quickest transformation I’ve ever witnessed. The gratitude and the appreciation they would show you afterwards was such a bonus too. Although a great experience, this positive shift doesn’t happen after a big meal at a fancy restaurant or a day at the shopping mall. These shifts are experienced when somebody is touched with kind intention and the only focus is you. Add the aromas, soft music, beautiful surroundings and now…you have one of the kindest places on earth, the spa. To tell you I am in love with this would be such a great understatement.
In 2009, right out of school, I opened my own little 365 square foot spa sanctuary. I was so proud. It was adorable and just perfect for what I wanted to accomplish with my guests. This was a tough time to launch into this industry though. The recession was hard and my inexperience made building a business very challenging. It took a long time to build a clientele. I worked as an esthetician and found that was my specialty until 2013 when I decided to expand my business.
This was when the work really began for me. My biggest challenges and hardships would lie ahead.
Looking back, had I known how tough it would have been, I may have reconsidered this path. At this time, I welcomed a team of people to share in my vision. The expansion started with a few employees and over time grew to over 20. With limited leadership experience and a lot of people to care for, I was feeling very overwhelmed and inadequate. I made a ton of mistakes and with fear of failure acting as background noise, I burned a few bridges and made decisions without seeing the bigger picture.
But with a fierce determination, I learned everything I could about being a great leader, showing compassion and leading with kindness. It’s by far the skill that I am proudest of and it mirrors who I am. This is what I credit the success of the spa to. Our team is connected, we have outstanding customer compassion and we really care about giving an amazing experience.
Like I said, this industry is amazing and people are called to it both practitioners and guests who need extra healing in their lives. Feeling burned out, overworked, grief stricken and in desperate need of self-care? First instinct for many is to call and schedule a spa appointment. I hold that near and dear to my heart at all times. Our service to others is the highest priority and I understand that sacred role I have for the community. I won’t take it for granted.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had mentioned this already but my biggest challenges were becoming the role model that my team deserved. It took a lot of soul searching and personal work to rise to that challenge.
Please tell us about New Serenity Spa.
What sets us apart from others is our amazing customer service. The team at New Serenity Spa is just so dang nice, how did I get so lucky?! We are known for our Serenity Facial and Serenity Massage. These two services are our spas specialties and both are so amazing. We also feature the coolest backlit art work throughout the spa of Arizona’s most beautiful landscapes. Our out of town guests just love this unique feature. We pay attention to little details. Every room has a positive affirmation etched in the walls, we leave a positive affirmation card and chocolate on each table, each room has its own unique piece of art work. It’s not cookie cutter, it’s different in a really cool way.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have practiced more self-care. I tend to work myself to total exhaustion. I am a walking example of a person who needs to spa more often. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Address: 15609 N. Hayden Rd #138 Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
- Website: newserenityspa.com
- Phone: 4809986991
- Email: [email protected]
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-serenity-spa-facial-and-massage-in-scottsdale-scottsdale-3?osq=spa
Image Credit:
Miguel Corzo
Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
