Taking Care with Zealous Medi Spa
The timing wasn’t perfect for Darcy Hannah, but owning her own business turned out to be the perfect fit.
She began as an entrepreneur in 2006, starting New Wave Body Image. In 2008, she moved the business to operate inside Zealous Medi Spa, an arrangement that worked well for both business owners.
When Hannah was on maternity leave four-and-a-half years ago, the owner of Zealous Medi Spa and Hannah’s long-time mentor decided to sell. At the time Hannah and the spa staff were disheartened. “Why would you leave us?” Hannah remembers asking, only to have the owner tell her: “Why don’t you buy it?”
“It wasn’t planned at all. I talked with my husband and he said, ‘You know what you’re doing,’” Knowing she had his support and with the confidence inspired by her mentor, Hannah made the leap.
Originally, she came in with a business partner, someone to take on more of the administrative roles Hannah, as someone who was more at ease in the client-facing part of the business, was less experienced with. “I realized it wasn’t as bad as I thought,” and she learned to take on the roles herself.
In addition to offering traditional spa services such as facials, manicures and pedicures, hair removal and massage, Zealous specializes in non-surgical technology to correct and diminish facial and body concerns. “No injectables, no incisions,” she said, using the Eurowave equipment and other techniques and treatment to tighten and tone. Zealous also offers a monitored ketosis weight loss program and a line of food products to support clients’ weight loss goals. Free 15-minute consultations provide a risk-free way for clients to share their concerns, and a chance for Hannah to match their needs with the right services for them.
Supporting clients is one of the most rewarding parts of her work, said Hannah. “I’ve had clients joke that they should be paying me a therapist’s wage.” A lot of things can come out when people feel safe and at ease, she said. “Nothing shocks me anymore,” and she and her employees abide by strict code of confidentiality. “It all stays here.”
The spa’s St. Boniface location at 390 Provencher employs a dozen staff members, including Hannah’s 18-year-old daughter, Hailey, a recent graduate from the esthetics program at Louis Riel School Division’s Arts and Technology Centre.
Hailey is the oldest of Hannah’s three children including a five-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter. “She worked here for years, and then said, ‘Mom, I want my own clients,’” said Hannah.
Having her family and work family around her makes Hannah feel good about what she is able to offer as a local business. “We take pride in our work, and we do it with integrity, honesty and loyalty. We want to make everyone’s experience the best.”
All photos by Claudine Gervias – Thumbnail photo of Darcy and daughter Hailey
