We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nadine Vatel a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nadine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Imagine driving over an hour to get to a spa. The drive was nice, traffic was light and my anticipation was high because I was looking forward to a relaxing day. Now, imagine driving almost two hours to get home after a spa treatment, the excitement is gone, traffic is horrific and the money you just paid for relaxation has vanished. This is the story of how Sensory Sentiments Massage and Wellness Spa came into fruition. I realized there were no luxury spas within Prince George’s County, Maryland. Ideas can come from anyone but I truly believe the best ideas come from necessity. Find a need then find a way to fulfill that need. It is a formula that has worked well for many entrepreneurs.

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.

One of the biggest problems I see in today’s society is that we don’t really see each other. Everything and everyone is moving so quickly that it’s hard to keep up. This is how Sensory Sentiments is different from our competitors. One of the first things I do when I meet someone is let them know I see them. You are seen and you are heard. As a wife and mother of two kids, I understand how demanding life can be. Someone always wants your attention and it’s hard to give the people you love your attention if you are personally drained.

My brand and business model is unique to the industry because our customers will know that we see and hear them from the moment they walk through our door. We care. We care about your day, your health, your family, and your interests. Sensory Sentiments is designed to give everyone the peace and comfort they deserve. Our private lounges, meditation rooms and treatment rooms are truly designed with our clients in mind.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Funding a new business venture is hard. As a minority owned business, I am constantly told there are numerous funds to help people like me get started in business. What no one tells you is that you will most likely need collateral to back any loans from a financial institution. I chose to go with a small community bank to fund my project because I wanted a lender who truly understood the needs of my community. The process was taxing at times but with good structure, organized financial records and a healthy credit score, I was able to qualify for the funding needed to begin my business.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Starting a business takes dedication and the willingness to learn new things. For example, I’m not well versed in commercial real-estate but I made sure I learned about commercial real estate prior to making an investment in a space. When operating a business, you can’t just sit back and leave everything up to “The Experts.” You have to turn yourself into the expert or at the very minimum, learn what you can so you can be knowledgeable in your decision making.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sensorysentiments.com
• Instagram: @sensorysentiments
• Facebook: Sensory Sentiments Massage & Wellness Spa
• Youtube: SensorySentiments