Leaders

UAE is famous for its ultra-modern lifestyle and is one of the most advanced digital economies in the world with technical development at its peak. However, after moving to Dubai in 1999, Salina Handa realized that there were limited spa facilities in the UAE where she felt truly comfortable and at ease. Understanding there was a gap in the market, Salina drew upon her educational qualifications alongside her childhood in the spa capital of the world - Thailand, to build a ‘boutique brand of wellness’. The abundant success from this allowed Salina to open a 2nd branch within 3 years - proving that people value the brand. Recently Salina was able to create a consulting arm, ‘THE SPA PEOPLE’, a multidimensional spa consultancy offering everything from short term guidance through to a full turnkey solution for businesses to enter the spa market.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Salina shares her motivation behind starting SENSASIA, her accom­plishments, and much more:

Give Us A Brief Overview Of Sensasia Consulting. What Are Some Important Features About Your Expertise As A Business Leader That You Want Us To Highlight Through The Article?

SENSASIA’s consultancy arm is called THE SPA PEOPLE. THE SPA PEOPLE is a multidimensional spa and wellness con­sultancy offering everything from short-term guidance and troubleshooting to existing operators, through to a full turn­key solution for businesses looking to enter the spa market, backed by SENSASIA expertise. THE SPA PEOPLE includes the launch team behind SENSASIA Spas – who have been living and loving the brand with the passion, tenacity and experi­ence of a proud parent since 2004. They are globally-trained and locally-honed masters in spa therapies, strategy, opera­tions and marketing, who have survived, redefined and reigned supreme within the volatile Middle East spa market.

Shed Some Light On Your Early Educational Journey And The Prior Industry Experience That You Bring To The Table. What Motivated You To Foray Into The Wellness Industry And Establish Sensasia Spa.

I graduated from Boston University with a business and marketing degree and moved to Dubai in 1999 for a role where I flourished in building brands and creat­ing concepts for firms. But I am from a very entrepre­neurial family, and had always wanted to run my own show. As a total spa junkie, I visited spas across the world in my 20s, and it was in actually in a colonial house in Vietnam I had my ‘lightbulb moment’ for SENSASIA. There were 2-3 clients per room and my therapist couldn’t speak a word of English, yet this was the most blissful Shiatsu massage and spa expe­rience I had EVER had.

It was then, as an extremely hard to please client, I realized that I knew how to create the completely flawless and immersive spa ‘journey’ that didn’t exist, and I believed women were looking for, in the UAE.I liked massages and spas, but never came across one I felt truly comfortable within as a young adult in the UAE. I felt that by combining the knowledge I gained from my time in the States and growing up in the spa capital of the world, Thailand, I could create a ‘boutique’ brand of wellness that people like me were searching for.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Sensasia Spas And The Spa People? What Are Some Of The Major Challenges That You Face As The Founder?

As the founder, I am involved in every stage of the process - from initial enquiry to sign off, but I also head up Marketing. Working as a department head whilst also being the owner has its own share of chal­lenges. Swapping hats to do it all and moving into different modes during the day is sometimes testing.

What Are Some Of The Major Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? What Has Been The Driving Force Behind Your Success As A Business Leader?

Our first SENSASIA award, which was given at the Viva Beauty Awards in 2007. It was validation that what I had created mattered, and was recognized by the industry.

Opening my second location (Palm Jumeirah), three years after the first (The Village, Jumeirah). I never intended to open more than one spa when I created SENSASIA and now I already have 6 spas.

The pandemic was a very humbling experience as a business owner. Desperation, the responsibility for people and their lives, strategizing possible solutions and honing in on what was important to me, and the sustainability of the business. The pandemic also sparked the creation of THE SPA PEOPLE, following the absolute flurry of requests for help and guidance I received from fellow wellness business owners as we navigated the impact of COVID-19.

How Do You Keep Yourself Abreast Of The Periodic Evolutions Occurring Within The Global Wellness Landscape And The Tech Landscape? What Is Your Vision For Sensasia And The Spa People’s Growth In The Near Future?

I have never grown bored of the spa and wellness in­dustry. The mind-body connection fascinates me, and therefore keeping up to date with research, develop­ments, launches, trials, and trends is a pleasure, not a chore. I learn so much from my network of business owners and experts, where we exchange our experi­ence and viewpoints regularly at events, conventions, and my role as a judge in the World Spa & Wellness Awards.

"As you stop worrying and accept things for what they are, you start executing at your best"

Even though I am not a trained aesthetician or a massage therapist, I think that has been critical to my success. I think it is important to know when you are capable, and when to hire people who can do things far better than you. I think this is something that many miss. In terms of future plans, THE SPA PEO­PLE will continue to operate and manage spas across the region, and we are ready to expand into neighbor­ing spaces.

Drawing From Your Experience As A Successful Business Leader, What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Who Also Aspire To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

The advice I would like to give to the budding entre­preneurs is to surround themselves with successful mentors while absorbing their hurdles and highs. Being an entrepreneur and leading a team is the best job in the world, so embrace it! Know that so many wish they could do it too. As you stop worrying and accept things for what they are, you start executing at your best. Don’t dwell on the lows, and make sure to celebrate successes. When things go wrong, see it as an opportunity and learn from your mistakes.

Salina Handa, Founder, The Spa People

After her graduation, Salina moved to Dubai in 1999 and was into building brands and creating concepts for firms. Sensing a need for an immersive Spa experience in UAE, she opened her wellness boutique brand, Sensasia, and already has opened 6 spas. During the pandemic, Salina also started the consulting arm of Sensasia, ‘THE SPA PEOPLE’, offering everything from short-term guidance through to a full turnkey solution for businesses to enter the spa market.