We were lucky to catch up with Queen LaLa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Queen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The idea was birthed during the tumultuous year of 2020. Political unrest, social justice protests, and a worldwide pandemic, left me feeling highly anxious and stressed. I was unable to access the one place I used to go to seek rejuvenation, the spa. I was also unable to gather with friends, which were the two things that kept me balanced, relaxed, and rejuvenated. While zooming with two of my dear friends to catch up and connect, we reminisced about our spa days and how much we were looking forward to spending a day at the spa again when the pandemic was over. At that time, we had no idea when it would be over and it already seemed like an eternity spent at home. It was then that I got the idea to create a spa day for these ladies that we could enjoy together. I didn’t know at the time that it would evolve into a business and passion.

Our spa days involved enjoying the spa amenities mostly at resort hotels. We would each pick a service or sometimes just pay for a pass to spend the day using the amenities. The steam room was our favorite and we would go in an out, spending time just steaming and talking. We did that repeatedly all day and it was our connection and self-care space. We loved how the steam made us feel, relaxed yet rejuvenated. Our skin was silky smooth and detoxified at the end of the day and we left feeling amazing and radiant. I was determined to recreate that experience because we all needed it so much.

I took the challenge seriously and picked out the den in my home as the perfect spot. I went all out with decorations, food, face masks, nail polish, robes, etc. I had the ambiance and the fixings for a relaxing and socially distanced home spa day. One thing was missing though, the steam room. How could we have a spa day without the very thing that our experience centered around? I began to search on google, home steam rooms, DIY steam rooms, personal steam rooms with no real luck. Then, an unexpected find on Facebook Marketplace excited me to no end. I was able to purchase a steam capsule for next to nothing. The guy just didn’t want it anymore but said it worked perfectly. I was willing to take a chance. I brought it home, cleaned it up, and Oh My God! It was amazing and the perfect surprise to make the spa day amazing. I put together a spa services flyer and invite and “Spa Quarentina” was ready to go. Needless to say, the day was a success, we were able to do everything we had done but in a personalized and private space just for us. The ladies were so appreciative and raved about the attention to detail and personalized experience. They raved so much that they wanted more, and other friends began to ask about “The Spa” and when it would be “open” again.

So of course, I did it again. Again, it was a success and this time I added a few homemade lotions and scrubs for the ladies to use and take home as gifts. The products were received with an overwhelmingly positive response. I had been making lotion for myself and my family for years. It was hard to find something that truly moisturized and polished our skin and kept it that way all day. Having a wide range of hues in my family, I was always searching for something for all of us, especially my chocolate skinned daughter who’s skin was always dry by mid day using the commercial high priced fragranced products. I even gave the lotion away as gifts during the holiday season. People would ask for more, but it was never something I really invested time with at that point. However, now I had nothing but time so why not?

This is where I started thinking about creating a permanent space. It took so much time decorating and taking down everything for each day and if I was going to be stuck at home for a while, why not just make it a permanent fixture. Even once we returned face-to-face, wouldn’t it be amazing to have a self-care space at home? So, what would a permanent space be like? What does it require? How can it be utilized? What do I need? Spa Quarentina was for the quarantine but “The Rose Gold Spa” would be permanent. At this point, I was still planning for myself and my friends. I wanted it to be so over the top that it put Spa Quarentina to shame. I chose Rose Gold because pink is my favorite color and I loved the color rose gold as a beautiful fusion of pink and gold. It was perfect, and I used all that as my inspiration. My husband used the den as his “Man Cave” but had been allowed me to “lease his space” so to speak for spa days. If he could have a spot for himself then so could I, so I commandeered a large spare bedroom that we used for guests and never looked back.

I made the space what I wanted for myself and the ladies I loved. I invested in some decorative accessories, but I also used many things I already had and customized to align with the theme. My husband assisted with shelving and loading in my furniture finds from our storage shed and thrift stores. My family couldn’t quite see my vision and often made jokes about the collection of random stuff all over the room, in my car, and arriving in the mail. I used the shelving to showcase my lotions and scrubs. I used restaurant deli containers with labels I created on printable paper. Over the course of about two weeks, I transformed the space into something awe inspiring and it was finally ready to “open”.

Needless to say, it was a huge success. Ladies loved the personalized experience and having time together in a safe space. The lotions and scrubs were also a success, and I would be encouraged to sell them online or asked how to order more. The ladies also seemed to appreciate and understand that there was an investment on my end to create this experience and started “Cash Apping” me money after their visits. It was then that I started considering taking the space to a wider audience and also reflecting on how much I enjoyed providing the experience.

From there I started creating a logo and looking into product labels. I also started researching packaging options and considering a presence on social media. I started small and only made my social media available to former guests. I was able to get feedback on posts and ideas by starting small. I then created a website, all this on my own as I didn’t want to lose money on something that wasn’t really making money yet. I researched other small business and tried other DIY spa essentials, Bath Bombs, Shower Fizzies, Bath Salts, etc. I perfected my logo, and labels, and website, trying to make sure the look and feel of them captured the essence of The Rose Gold Spa Experience. I added the products to the website and gave many away as gifts to get feedback and build clients. Soon I had friends asking for orders for gifts to give to others over the holiday season. I was busier than I could keep up with. I continued like this for about a year before my oldest daughter asked when I was going to actually make the business official since I clearly had a business and steady customers.

I had toyed with the idea but wasn’t ready to commit. I didn’t want to mess up what I had making it a real thing, if that makes sense? There was no real expectation the way it was and I liked it that way. I also couldn’t get past the idea of having people I did not know in my home. I couldn’t just open the space to the public. But, I really didn’t need to. I had friends and friends or friends keeping me busy and maybe I just needed another space that was open to all, while maintaining this space as the private, luxury experience it had been. So, that’s when I committed. I registered the business officially, expanded my reach with my website and custom products, maintained the private home space, and began searching for an RV to go mobile.

So, what I have now is The Rose Gold Experience. which provides products, services, and spaces that aid on relaxation, wellness, and rejuvenation. I purchased an RV I am currently renovating and am finalizing The Rollin’ Rose Gold Spa Experience, which provides the same relaxation and rejuvenation experience as the home location but is open to all. I hope to have that “rollin” by the holiday season. I’ve been a guest on several podcasts, participated in pop-up shops and private events, all while continuing to go at my own pace and remaining happy. Who knows what’s next? I can’t wait to see!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Queen LaLa, owner of The Rose Gold Spa Experience. I believe that everyone needs time for self-care and relaxation and therefore everyone deserves a spa day. The Rose Gold Spa Experience provides products, services, and spaces that aid in relaxation, wellness, and rejuvenation. Our private relaxation experiences are suited for small groups allowing for personalized and tailored events. We provide our clients time to reconnect with themselves and their friends and we teach easy and sustainable techniques to foster self-care and relaxation. With all the stressors of life it is imperative to take time to rejuvenate and replenish.

The Rose Gold Spa Boutique provides a signature and customizable product line so you can take a piece of The Rose Gold Spa Experience home with you or gift it to a friend. The Rose Gold Signature Collection is an exclusive line designed to envelop you in luxury and leave your skin silky smooth. The Rose Gold Queen LaLa Collection is a customizable line designed to enhance your senses and leave your skin silky smooth. Both are perfect for everyday use and exceptional quality. They include Moisturizing Body Polish, Hydrating Body Scrubs, and Sparkling Body Oil, just to name a few. All are created to keep even the darkest skin moisturized all day and leave an incredible glistening healthy shine. Selected scents are available to allow you to customize the fragrance you feel provides you with the most joy and relaxation.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Word of mouth has been the best source of clients. I sell an experience so there is no better source than a client who has had an amazing experience. Free samples have also been exception sources as well. Using a good product and wanting more creates long term customers. Those customers also gift products to others and share the products they use with friends and family.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I keep in touch with clients through a social media presence and personalized messages over social media. I also send coupons through social media and when shipping orders. I feature clients on social media posts and offer loyalty discounts. I ask for feedback on fragrances they would like in the future and how to better customize their experience. The best brand loyalty is a good product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://therosegoldspa.square.site
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therosegoldspa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRoseGoldSpa