The story so spa

In the year 2000, very few of us knew what a spa was. There were only a handful around Australia, and they were hallowed temples of luxury that were the preserve of the very wealthy.

Simultaneously, a more affluent, and subsequently overworked Australian population was seeking to de-stress and regroup in their leisure time.

Friends Melanie Gleeson and Belinda Fraser saw an opportunity to create a spa with universal appeal, and make spa treatments accessible to absolutely anyone; women and men, from business executives to students.

Their spas would be without pretention. They would have simple-but-stunning, modern interiors; be staffed by down to earth, friendly professional therapists; and dish up natural and organic, all Australian body treatments, facials and massages.

Leading industry lights

endota spa‘s business models have enabled day spas to open almost anywhere. There are endota spas on high streets, in capital cities and shopping centres, beside golf courses and wineries, on tropical islands and alpine resorts … and of course, in hotels and holiday destinations.

Behind each of these spas are over 100 endota spa franchisees. Attracted by endota’s striking marketing they benefit from endota’s best-in-industry business systems and can enjoy the lifestyle of owning a spa, without experiencing the mistakes that befall many first-time business owners.

Despite the economic downturn of the past year, they have also managed to increase their profits by 30 per cent across the board.

“Perhaps it’s because our spa treatments have always offered good value for money,” suggests Gleeson. “Our clients realise that they need the unwind time, the ‘me’ time. So they’ll sacrifice other things, but not their spa appointment.

“The spa visit is no longer an optional luxury, itÕs essential to personal wellbeing.”

The spa horizon

With all its success the endota team is still pushing to keep the Australian spa industry moving ahead of the international curve. There are 50 endota spas around Australia and last year, endota planted a new spa concept – the endota spa studio – at Chadstone Shopping Centre in Victoria.

The spa studio has only two treatment rooms, and offers quick skin fix stops in 20 minutes or less at a skinbar in the reception area of the spa.

Next on the list of endota spa things to do: opening endota spa studios and kiosks in shopping centres and David Jones department stores Australia-wide.