We recently connected with Amber Patterson and have shared our conversation below.

Amber, appreciate you joining us today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

Family business just feels natural to me. Having homeschooled all 4 of our children we started several hobby businesses together including starting a farm that we raised dairy goats, angus cows, heritage pigs etc, which lead into a soap business and then continued on into making Artisian cheeses. Also, my husband began his career with his dad before he branched off into his own company which now our son currently is working towards managing the company.
So, it was a familiar path when my daughter and I decided to start a Day Spa as soon she graduated from esthetics school.

It works well when family is liked minded and you both have the same goals, but are gifted with different talents that help you achieve those goals. My daughter and I have personalities that are opposite of one another which creates a perfect harmony of balance.

The pitfalls of working with family is when you bring work home and there is no separation between work and home life. Sometimes things must be discussed and carried home but it is better to create a margin so the two do not blend together and home maintains a place of peace and rest.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a wife and a mother to 4 children. My husband and I chose early on that I would be a homemaker and homeschool our children. This decison allowed me to have time to not only invest in my family but also gave space to learn ways to relax and explore a creative side of me.
After 26 years of being a homemaker, our children started the natural progression of life of marrying and moving away. It felt like a perfect time my daughter and I to branch into a world that I have always loved. From my early 20’s I have always enjoyed visiting spa’s and my favorite part is the small touches that sometimes go over looked. When my daughter chose a career in esthetics; with her having a entrepreneur mindset blended with my love of hospitality it was a perfect idea to start a Day Spa in our small town.

My main role is making sure we maintain a level of relaxation that you could not get anywhere else. We have all the services and modalities you would receive traveling into a large city but offer all in the beautiful country setting of Monticello. Our goal is as soon as the client steps in the door they immediately forget their problems and stress. In a world full of fast pace, stress and decision making we want The Wellness Cottage to be that place where it all disappears while your here
I am extremely proud of the relationships we build with our clients and the level of services we provide. Being a small town we have been blessed with the support and encouragement from our community and as we have grown our goals is to maintain the level of hospitality for each client old or new. We want to make sure each person feels welcomed and leaves more refreshed than we they arrived.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I purchased The Wellness Cottage and building from a massage therapist who had been providing massages for regular clients for several years. Once we purchased the building my husband and I decided quickly that we wanted to turn the building into the first step of relaxation. We wanted the atmosphere to immediately make all lifes worries and concerns to just go away while here. After a total remodel and branding process, we continued to grow our clientele through word of mouth and social media and creating a website where we could actually stand out. After 2 years I felt it was needed to go to the next level and expand our services making sure we are keeping up with all the new discoveries and techniques of massage, facial etc. We grew adding a complete relaxing room which has been not only a place clients can unwind before and after their services but also allowed groups to enjoy spa days, mother and daughters, couples etc.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Word of mouth has been the best way to grow clientele. It can be intimidating walking into a place that is unknown. We strive to connect with clients and build relationships, making sure their experience is relaxing and refreshing. When clients leave rejuvenated they naturally want to tell their family and friends. Most of our new clients visit us after being referred from a previous client wonderful experience

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thewellnesscottageandspa.com
• Instagram: @thewellnesscottageandspa
• Facebook: Wellness Cottage and Spa