Today we’d like to introduce you to Julie Duncan.
Julie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Lucia, Founder of SPAFLASH and I met in 2003 when she took on a project as the Spa Director to completely transform the spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua Maui. We instantly bonded! We shared a passion for our families, being shopaholics, traveling and the island we had in common!
I met Lucia shortly after moving to Maui. After I graduated college, I packed my trunk and headed there without a job or knowing anyone. Meeting Lucia was such a gift! She became not only a mentor to me but family. The hotel general manager at the time thought I would be a good fit in the spa, and when Lucia took on the project, I couldn’t wait to work with her! Her vision to give that beautiful hotel a spa that told its story through the hands of the practitioners, aromas and the guest experience was so exciting! We pulled many all-nighters getting the spa ready and merchandizing the boutiques. It never felt like work – I truly believe in the saying that when you love what you do, you never work a day in your life!
When I left Maui to open The Spa at The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas, Lucia and I always stayed in touch knowing we would work together again in the future. We were able to see each other at spa conferences and my trips back to the islands or during her layovers in Dallas. We are both co-owners of Spaflash – Lucia focuses more on web development, and I as president, work more on the sales and event side of the business.
Spaflash has been in the works for a few years, and it was all about timing for both Lucia and me. After I had my third child, I decided to stay home and this was the perfect time for Lucia and I to pull the trigger and march forward with Spaflash.
We have been partnering with key accounts to create spa offerings for spa-goers to visit their location. We tell the “Spa Story” and share the benefits of going to their location. We recently collaborated with Open Booker (a new product from Book 4 Time) to directly connect the SPAFLASH customer to the spa website – to book the treatment we are promoting. No coupons, no commissions…We have also collaborated with Children’s Cancer Fund and had an evening event at a Dallas Spa and promoted the event on our site. SPAFLASH is a marketing partner to our spas – we do events, pop-ups, partner with other spa vendors to showcase the spa’s promotions.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It takes a team to build a successful startup and I have to remind myself daily that Rome wasn’t built in a day! I love the spa. I love for people to treat themselves and enjoy the benefits it brings but I understand time is limited in our life. Starting a consumer email list from scratch took a little longer than anticipated, but organically growing the list continues to be my top priority. It’s going well now that our Spa Goers are discovering such great opportunities at some of the best spas in Dallas. Sign up today if you haven’t!
SPAFLASH – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Spaflash works with spas, beauty locations and wellness studios to be a one-stop-shop for consumers who’d like to quickly/easily log on and find current spa events, deals and perks in their area. As a spa director for ten-plus years, I have also found that spas and salons can be some of Dallas’ best-kept secrets for shopping. For example, when I led a spa and offered retail perks such as holiday shopping for great gifts without having to fight mall crowds, getting this message out to locals was always a challenge. My dream is to support our area spa locations through Spaflash so that they can reveal their own hidden shopping treasures. Truly – if you are looking for a spa/salon/wellness experience, just visit the site and find the offerings in your area. That’s it: book and go!
As a longtime spa director, I was always trying to think outside the box as to how to introduce our truly exceptional spa massage therapists, estheticians, stylists and nail providers to locals and keep them returning to the spa through spa happy hours, pop-up events, seasonal treatments, and new treatment experiences on the spa menu.
From the consumer standpoint, we wanted the user to have a unique spa experience while also finding a deal, package or event nearby. As a spa director/owner/manager, I liked the idea that a site like this could give customers the nimbleness and ability to find a great spa offer and appointment time on a same-day basis — or to plan a special day farther into the future. We are selective with our spa partners to stay true to our customers – which means finding great locations and spa benefits. SPAFLASH is a one-stop-shop to find a spa near you!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
When I worked in spa operations as a Spa Director, the times that made my heart smile was when employees accomplished their personal goals through our work together. They were so excited that they bought their first house, car, or went on that dream vacation! It was my responsibility to get the spa out there in the community and make sure the spa was busy, driving in new customers and in turn it was the provider’s job to give a wonderful service so the clients came back. Knowing I was apart of the employee’s personal, career and life goals made me happy!
I also relished the simultaneous journey of watching their professional growth. In 2016, my youngest daughter was given a cancer diagnosis. This was the hardest time in my life, those are the worst words that a parent could imagine hearing. I needed a ton of support! At the time I had a team of supervisors at the spa that jumped in and handled everything that needed to be taken care of so I could focus on my Caroline. In the moment, I didn’t have the opportunity to express it to the team but reflecting back later and knowing that the supervisors were able to immediately jump in and manage every detail of the operation without “ramp- up” time or preparation is something I’m extremely proud of. I realize they had all been training each day in the spa to ultimately lead the spa and have a spa on their own to manage one day. Given their moment to shine, they all excelled.
Lastly, I am over the moon to be able to tie in Children’s Cancer Fund to SPAFLASH! I am on the Leadership Committee for Children’s Cancer Fund and it is my mission to raise more funds for research. My life changed forever in 2016 and it is my goal to help find organizations to connect with to create a brighter future for kids with cancer. I want to help other families that are faced with the same journey we walked on. Partnering with Spa Directors to create an event, spa package or bundle offering and finding a way to give back at the same time is so rewarding! The Adolophus Spa created a beautiful event that raised money and a package throughout the month to give back to CCF. The entire team and the guests had such a wonderful night and knowing that a portion of the proceeds goes back to a very worthy cause. The 2020 gala is around the corner and I am currently working on the Auction Committee and hoping to raise even more this year! I would absolutely be so humbled if you have something fabulous to contribute to the auction this year, please reach out to me!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.spaflash.com
- Phone: 469.442.5221
- Email: info@spaflash.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/spaflash
- Facebook: facebook.com/spaflash/
Image Credit:
Hotel Crescent Court
Adolphus Spa
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