Meet Jennica Klemann

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jennica Klemann. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jennica, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
A strong work ethic is such a hard thing to come by these days. I’m a second-generation Tucson business owner, so I was raised watching my dad and grandfather work hard EVERY day with their construction business. I also occasionally helped my dad, cleaning up around his job sites, and keeping him company while he worked. I learned from them that “a job worth doing, is worth doing well”, and “do it right the first time, or don’t do it at all”. Also, customer service was just as important as the quality of work or product you produce. Working with integrity, and building a solid personal and professional reputation is invaluable.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I recently retired from 25 years as a Massage Therapist so that I can focus on the businesses I own with my husband in Tucson. Spa Daze is a massage therapy studio that specializes in therapeutic bodywork, Aromatherapy, and grief recovery. We’re proud to celebrate our 12th anniversary this year and have won “Best of” in local massage/spa categories since 2014. Last year we launched StretchMed® Tucson, a partner-assisted one-on-one stretch studio in Downtown Tucson, so we’re excited to bring more flexibility and movement to our community with both businesses!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Great question! I think about this a lot. Number one is having a service industry background. I’ve worked in a variety of service-based industries and there was value in every aspect of each of them. Even when you have a bad day or a “bad boss”, you’re learning…what makes or breaks a customer or employee’s experience? You can apply this to your own business practices as an owner and employer!

I also “collected” jobs. If there was a job that seemed fun or a work culture I wanted to learn more about, I went to work there. I considered it paid training for skills that I didn’t have but knew I needed. There are real-life experiences that can’t be taught, even in the best schools and I sought them out.

And finally, self-awareness. When I started my business in 2011, I had no prior management or business experience and no formal education. I felt completely overwhelmed and underprepared. What I had to go on was the example my dad, my grandpa, and former employers set for me. However, I only knew what was expected of me, I didn’t know how to DO anything other than provide a great massage. So being observant of other local business owners that I admired, seeking guidance in areas that I needed help with from professionals I respected, a LOT of business “self-help” reading, and learning from my mistakes got me to where I am now.
And I wouldn’t change a thing.

Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
When I opened Spa Daze, we were coming out of a recession, and that had its challenges. Our current obstacle is opening StretchMed® Tucson coming out of a pandemic. What was “normal & predictable” before, is no longer. On one hand, it’s reassuring to know that it’s not just us…the same challenges we’re experiencing are being felt everywhere. On the other hand, you have to be REALLY creative, resilient, and also patient…which is extremely difficult when building a new business.

What’s different right now? Nothing a business owner hasn’t seen or felt before, but it’s just on a much bigger scale. So much seems uncertain. Staffing is a challenge, securing consistent clientele is a challenge, and being confident in making business decisions and taking chances is a never-ending challenge.

One thing we’re doing to overcome these challenges is education through our weekly newsletter, social media channels, and wellness events.
One hope that we have for our community as a result of the pandemic, is an appreciation for the importance of self-care. If you don’t have your health, you truly don’t have anything. You HAVE to take care of yourself. Hard stop. Period.
Seek the means to care for your physical and mental health. Think about what you are spending your money on that does not serve your body and put those funds into preventative maintenance and longevity.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All images were taken and are owned by myself, Jennica Kleman.

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