26 Jan 2021

The novel corona virus outbreak has brought a lot of untold hardships for various businesses in the country, but not for Ms Barbara Gotlop, the owner of RITZY Spa and Nails.

Ms Gotlop says for her, the pandemic has been a blessing in disguise.

Having welcomed her first client on June 10, 2020, smack in the middle of the pandemic, she said the thought of operating a spa in such a turbulent time was terrifying, but then again, she could not ignore the perpetual desire to fulfil her lifelong dream.

Given the seemingly wrong timing of establishing a spa during tough economic times, she said she counted herself blessed because the pandemic had not had any intense impact on her operations.

However, she said she had to consistently reinvent her services to continue attracting and retaining clients.

Offering a unique beauty and wellness journey, tailored to meet a client’s needs, RITZY Spa and Nails boasts of luxurious African- inspired fixtures and spectacular offerings, which include signature spa massages, facials, as well as manicure and pedicure treatment services.

Staffed by a team of professional aesthetic enthusiasts, dedicated to relieving tension and beautifying clients, the tranquil spa atmosphere makes it the ideal way to while away a few hours.

Explaining the birth of her spa, Ms Gotlop said the idea of owning a business came to her naturally since she had always been fascinated with creating an enabling environment that enriched one’s soul.

She also mentioned that using various social media platforms and having a supportive network also boosted her client base.

Confessing to being a perfectionist, Ms Gotlop said she had always been intentional about her dreams and aspirations so much so that she started buying furniture for her spa two years prior to finding a location.

Among her challenges, she cites finding the ‘perfect’ employees, which she said was a daunting task, but in time, she was able to hire a team of four hardworking women whom she regards as colleagues.

“Since I do not have any experience in the spa industry, I had to look for personnel that were in line with my vision and willing to go the extra mile in offering exceptional service,” she explained.  

Ms Gotlop said she was happy with the warm reception that she had received from the public.

She said her future plans included opening a chain of spas that offering unsurpassed service and absolute serenity in different hotels throughout the country. ENDS