We were lucky to catch up with Morgan Robart recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Morgan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

Starting my own spa as a freshly licensed Esthetician was a brazen move. One thing my 15+ years of tech experience taught me… my most valuable skill is my ability to solve problems, and that’s what starting a business it truly about! Solving a need for your clients, solving the puzzle of business planning, and solving the laundry crisis when the washing machine breaks. I may not have been the most experienced skin therapist, the most knowledgeable about backbar and equipment, but I trusted my ability to learn quickly, make smart decisions, and iterate with humility. I listened to my clients, I listened to my employees, and I learned as much as possible from the people around me. Being the “owner” or the boss doesn’t mean you need to know everything, it just means you’re willing to do the work to figure it out as you go.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Starting a spa in the wellness space is my second career, after a long winding road. Fifteen years ago, I started with an Engineering degree at a big company, moved into Sales & Strategy, then spent time at a series of startups doing every job anyone would let me try. That varied and rounded experience serves me well as an entrepreneur, where I can wear all the hats across marketing, staffing, operations, contract negotiation, etc. My most proud step in that journey is the 3 years I spent at home with my young children during Covid; it’s a time I will cherish forever and feel truly thankful for. That too taught me many lessons that I integrate into my daily work life, including a bit of much needed levity to help manage the weight of responsibility comes with owning a business.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner, Sofie, is essential to our success at the spa. I met her as a fellow student at the Aveda Institute of Arts & Sciences, where we were both studying to gain our Esthetics License. I remember she asked smart questions, finished every exam quickly and with high scores, and was very fastidious in her work. I immediately recognized her as someone who could be a great business partner, because she had the ability to think critically and solve hard problems. She’s one of the few people I feel I can truly depend on and trust entirely, which is so critical in a partner. I’m thankful for her everyday!

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

Our strategy started early, by looking at the competitive landscape. For us, the competing spas are primarily large franchises, or small single-room operations. The edge, we decided, was to be large enough to offer a full array of day spa services, but small enough to maintain a friendly, local neighborhood feel. As a result, we leased a space much larger than we originally intended, then built out the rooms slowly with products, equipment, and staff. We added Massage and Nails, despite not knowing much about those professions, but we did the work to learn everything about those services. The results paid off with constant feedback from our clients that they love having “a place in the neighborhood”, “supporting a women-owned small business”, and having a “one stop place” for their wellness services. Our initial strategy changed a lot from the original vision of a 1-2 room space for skincare services, and I am so glad we did the research and changed course.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://skinandsagespa.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinandsageseattle
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-robart-69ba4a23