We were lucky to catch up with Andrea Ridley recently and have shared our conversation below.
Andrea , appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?
Creativity is a life force for me. Without it, I struggle and often times feel stuck or as if I have plateaued in life. I find inspiration in beauty and in the small, intentional details of daily life, such as a well written page-turning book, the design of a fresh loaf of sourdough bread, a beautifully made matcha latte, the instant mood shift of the perfect nail polish color, the elegance of typeface, the print of wrapping paper, and a well designed space. The essence of my creativity stems from travel. I find that I am most productive on an airplane where I am able to shut things off and envision, dream, make lists, create (often times in my notes), and allow space to think, to imagine, to reset. The destination itself is what lights my soul on fire as it allows me to restore, but yet cultivate ideas into action. Immersing in the culture and taking away what I most loved from the trip and being able to incorporate that into some aspect of my life is what keeps the creativity flowing.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am the proud owner of udånder, a Scandinavian inspired steam and sauna spa with two locations in Oklahoma City. Rooted in simplicity, mindfulness, and holistic care, udånder offers private steam and sauna sessions, facials and massages- all customized to our clients needs, and ultimately striving to heal the body and skin. I am most proud of our diverse team. We have a team of incredibly talented therapists and a welcoming staff who want to make each experience at udånder a special one for our guests. udånder is a lifestyle brand, with curated retail selections that also support the mind, body and spirit.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Over the past fifteen years, I’ve built my career in the wellness industry, first as a movement instructor – teaching yoga, barre3 and pilates. I became a entreprenuer first through owning a barre3 studio in Oklahoma City and now as a spa owner blending wellness with hospitality. One of the greatest strengths I’ve cultivated along the way is the ability to build and lead diverse teams. I believe diversity is essential to any thriving business, and the collective energy of different perspectives has been vital to udånder’s growth and soul for the past decade. I also make it a priority to stay connected to evolving trends and brands in the wellness space to be able to offer these in a mindful way through our selection of retail offerings.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I love to collaborate! Collaboration brings me SO much joy! Everyone holds their own unique set of gifts and when these are meshed together in a mindful and productive way for the betterment of other beings, it is always a win! I personally love to collaborate with people who have a passion for mental health and wellness, a genuine curiosity to improve systems and those who have a love for support and healing. Compassion and empathy are a must! If interested in collaborating, please email me at [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.udander.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/udander
Image Credits
Choate House, Justin Miers
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