Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernanda Ferreira.
Fernanda, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am married, a mom of two wonderful kids and I am a business owner that work full time because I love what I do. I was born and raised in Brazil. I always had passion in helping people wether was to heal pain or to make them beautiful. So I started going to physiotherapy school and massage school but still had the part about skincare that was missing, so I decided to go to beauty school as well. I dreamed of opening my own physiotherapy clinic and I worked towards achieving that goal but before I made that commitment I decided I had to travel overseas.
In 2006, I decided to travel to USA to learn English and explore a different culture. After spending some time in Texas, I came to California to visit and fell in love with LA, that is when I decided to move permanently to USA. So I decided to open a business in LA. I learned English and had to deal with some of bureaucracy of being in business in another country. I finally opened the doors of my so wanted business in the end of 2008. I was so proud and happy my dream was coming true; the only problem was I couldn’t have open in a worst year as the recession year. People were closing business or downsizing, it was so scary. We definitely faced a lot of obstacles but I kept following my dreams and my passion for healing people.
Looking back, I can say it was not easy but it was so worth it. I built this small business from the ground up and today Escape Day Spa is recognized for one of the top day spa on yelp in the area we serve. I brought many techniques from Brazil like lymphatic body shape and others. My key success is do what you love and you won’t work a day in your life.
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?
I had a lot struggles, I am from a different country, I had the language, culture and also a different way to do business to get used to it.
I also opened the business in the recession year. That first year was really hard for me but I kept my focus on and I kept going.
Escape Day Spa – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I do everything that we offer, from massages to skincare and waxing. I specialize in skincare and healing people. I am proud of have built my business from the ground up. What set me apart from the others is that we have very good service with a very reasonable price.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Most small businesses fail in their first 5 years. We have been open for 9 years and we have a large base of clientele that have been with us for years. Seen the clients that we have that come on weekly basis and refer their family and friends is the best compliment.
Pricing:
- $45 an hour massage
- Facials varies from $45 to $80
- Waxing from $10 to $45
Contact Info:
- Address: 11497 Jefferson Blvd., Culver City 90230
- Website: http://www.escapedayspala.com/
- Phone: 310-915-0900
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/escapedayspala/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/escape-day-spa-culver-city
Image Credit:
Escape Day Spa
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
