We recently connected with Gen Obolensky and have shared our conversation below.
Gen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
When I was 16 years old, I was hired to work at a spa to help with laundry, errands and general helping out. I immediately feel in love with the spa life. I loved the idea of making other feel their best and knew this was the career for me. As soon as I finished high school I went to beauty school to get my license. To this day, I still feel it’s my purpose to hold space for people, listen to them and of course pamper and beautify them.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
My name is Gen and I’ve been the owner of Botanica Day Spa since 2004.
My journey into the spa world begins in 1998 when I was first hired to work at a spa and immediately fell in love with the beauty and magic of the world. I loved the idea of making people feel good, their experience being the highlight of their week or even a birthday gift.
I’d describe our brand to be down to earth in that my team is very kind and approachable and also the style of the spa is earthy with wood floors, leather chairs, marble surfaces my naturally sourced features. Our building was once an orange packing facility back in the 1930’s when Clearwater had more orange groves.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
People Skills I feel that 80% my success has been in my ability to deal and get along with people. I genuinely like people and love doing what I can to make them look and feel amazing!
Listen to people to understand, not to respond. In my field, whether dealing with clients or the team, truly listening to understand has been one of my best tools. I feel like only through that mindset can you get in the other person’s shoes.
Always striving to be better. No matter how long I’ve been doing this, there’s still so much to learn. I think the biggest mistake is thinking that you know it all. I’m always looking for better ways to do something and asking – “how can we take this to the next level.” I relish in opportunities to learn a new technique or taking a class somewhere.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Delivering Happiness by the late Tony Hsieh (creator of Zappos)
I loved that the book pushes the idea that happiness and creativity can and should exist in the work place
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BotanicaDaySpa.com
- Instagram: @BotanicaDaySpa
- Facebook: Botanica Day Spa
Image Credits
In the Halloween image we also have not only some of the Spa team but other local female business we like to partner with – The Living Young Center, Femme Akoi + Trimm Studio
