Many shops closed during the early days of COVID-19. And some entrepreneurs decided to move away from their businesses completely.
But there are also those who took over or immersed themselves in entrepreneurship after these closures. Tracy Welsh is one of those entrepreneurs. He jumped into a challenging industry during the pandemic boom taking over a Massage Heights business. Read her story in this week’s Small Business Spotlight magazine.
What does the business do
It offers massages and spa services.
Welsh told Small Business Trends: “We offer members and guests professional, affordable and quality massage, skin care and wellness services. We also offer a variety of high-end accessories such as hot stone therapy, massage hemp, foot healing exfoliants and skin care enhancements such as powerful masks, peels and enhancers.We also have a fully equipped retail section that includes a high-end line for skin care and products which members appreciate “.
Business niche
Offering a clean and pleasant environment.
Welsh says: “Our business is known for taking customer service to the next level. We pay close attention to detail, and we always make sure to ask and remember what’s going on in the lives of our guests and members. Many people don’t always have lots of human interaction during the day, so we make sure to provide comfort and familiar faces.And for those who don’t seek interaction and prefer to relax, we respect it and make sure everyone gets what they need from us.During the pandemic , we have prioritized disinfection and cleaning, as we want all our masseurs, guests and members to feel healthy and safe. “
How the business started
Relief after closures.
Welsh explains: “The business was originally opened by the previous owner, Angela, who built two Retreats, about 30 miles away, from scratch. I worked with Angela for years as a former retreat director, but I found at a crossroads when he announced that he would not reopen his retreats after state-ordered closures.That was when I made a leap of faith and bought the Cedar Rapids Retreat and absorbed the other member base. closing of the Retreat.
Biggest victory
Retain staff and members after the pandemic.
Welsh adds: “After 40 employees were displaced, we continued, and not even a year and a half later. With only a month on our belt, our entire city was closed after a terrestrial (right) hurricane, which it was a completely unexplored territory. We continued to face the unexpected and did whatever it took to stay open. “
The biggest risk
Take over during state-mandated closures.
Welsh says: “Signing a ten-year franchise agreement is quite a commitment, along with the transition from the director of Retreat to the owner of the franchise for the first time. When I bought the location, it wasn’t even legal to open at the time. And it was scary not to know when I could open it, especially during the pandemic.Despite having many unknowns with the added pandemic stress, what I did know was that there were many things I saw first hand as a retirement director that now I was able to change as owner and operator “.
Preferred part of running the business
Meet interesting people.
Welsh says: “Every day there is something new. While you can only anticipate so much, you can meet a lot of great people. I’ve learned a lot from the people who come, from the members to our masseurs and beauticians. We always grow, and one day is never the same. “
Preferred phrase
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” – Eleanor Roosevelt.
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Image: Massage Heights, Tracy Welsh