I took action and now my business plan along with my financial projections are complete. This took some months but we all know great things take time. So, here we are, it was fall of 2021 and the next step was to begin searching for a location. There were several factors that were highly evaluated and considered to ensure the success of the spa. Those factors were:
- The size of the space needed to be big enough to fit my overall vision (at or around 3500 sq. ft.)
- Convenient location with easy access
- High traffic area near busy streets and visible
- Adequate parking for employees and guests
- Not too close in proximity to competition
- Near businesses that promote a healthy lifestyle (i.e. gym, cafe, workout studio, juice bar, etc.)
I searched, and searched, and searched! I looked online, visited many sites and even started to pursue one particular location. It was a brand new building, nothing inside (known as a white shell) meaning this would require a full buildout. Not my first choice but you never know if it’s the right one or not unless you try!
In the midst of pursuing that new space requiring complete buildout I received a call from a realtor that a pre-existing spa space I inquired about in November 2021 had become available. It’s important for me to point out that although I did reach out to her about this space it was never at the top of my list. And, to make it even more interesting, when I initially contacted her she said “this space is set to go under lease next week.” So, to be honest I moved on and never thought about it again after our conversation.
Eventually, I responded and said I would like to see the space. My family and I met her up there that same weekend on February 26, 2022. The very first thing I immediately noticed once I stepped foot in the door was a fixture behind the desk that had “Woodhouse Day Spa” engraved on it. Of ALL the things for me to see!!!! Now, if you’ve been keeping up you would understand the significance of this! But, just in case you haven’t, here’s a quick explanation as to why this sign stopped me dead in my tracks. For years (from 2011-2020) my dream and goal was to open a Woodhouse Spa. However, in 2020 God unexpectedly redirected my route and gave me specific instructions to start my own from the ground up! Yes, all me with no home office to call, no support, no proven business model. It was scary but I was obedient.
Seeing this “sign” was truly a full circle moment that I felt only a few would understand. For the life of me I couldn’t understand why the spa that was there previously never removed it. For years it hung behind the reception desk, you couldn’t miss it & I just couldn’t understand why they kept it hanging!! Maybe it was left there for me, for that very moment that God already knew would happen!
Needless to say, we moved forward. We had the business plan, the financial projections, and the space. I applied for an SBA loan to secure funding & it was quite stressful (just being honest)! After about a month-long process and after making it all the way to the underwriters desk my application was REJECTED!!! CRUSHED, DEVASTATED, DISAPPOINTED, DEFEATED, & CONFUSED…I felt all the feels! Just like that my dream was over, well, at least that’s how I felt in that moment and everything in me wanted to give up! To say I cried is an understatement and the thought of losing “my” location was heartbreaking! As a result of all of this, I felt like I needed to take a pause and that’s just what I did…
Come back next week and I’ll tell you just what happened next, during the pause and shortly thereafter! You won’t believe it!!!
