Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Prybyla.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Natasha. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Well, Sloco came into existence about ten years ago when I realized that traditional spa settings were missing the boat on the therapeutic aspects of massage. Spas were all about relaxation style massages and fancy facilities… You had to go to a private practitioner if you actually wanted bodywork done. I was one of those practitioners that was tucked away in a chiropractor’s office, until about five years ago that we decided it was time to bring the therapeutic approach into a spa setting. We consider ourselves a leader in the spa industry when it comes to using our business to do good. We’re really proud to be the first day spa in the world to become a Certified B-Corp! We’re also a proud member of 1% for the Planet and an early adopter of WeVow.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Ha! I’ve come to learn that growth comes from being uncomfortable and overcoming hurdles. Being a small business owner definitely has many challenges! You have to wear so many different hats, especially in the beginning. When I first started the business, I not only performed services but also worked the front desk, did our marketing and design work in addition to bookkeeping and handling day-to-day operations. Trying to be a master at everything is very time consuming, and you definitely have to be comfortable with making mistakes just so you can learn what to do differently next time. It has definitely been a learning process, for sure.
Sloco Massage + Wellness Spa – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
For starters, we’re really excited that we’re a favorite among students. We won [Cal] Poly Picks “Best Place for Massage” in San Luis Obispo! When I went to Cal Poly, self-care wasn’t something talked about very often, and the university has made an effort to make it part of campus culture, which is pretty awesome!
I think the thing that sets us apart is that we’re all about guilt-free self-care. So often, we hear that people feel guilty coming in for a massage because we’re so trained to think it is a luxury. Really though, self-care is a crucial part of our wellbeing and preventative care is just as important as addressing those little issues that we often ignore until they become debilitating.
Our goal at Sloco is to provide our guests with the opportunity to feel good about investing in themselves. We believe that you vote with your dollar… When people come to Sloco, they’re supporting a locally owned and operated business that cares for its employees (with a living wage, monthly spa services, holistic healthcare); a place that carefully chooses products based on their ingredients, packaging and business practices; and that prioritizes personal and environmental wellness through chemical-free cleaning products, resource conservation and waste diversion.
We’re constantly adding modalities to help our guests improve their health. Our latest addition is cryotherapy, which is a cold immersion therapy that reduces inflammation in the body to help address complaints like chronic pain, depression and fatigue. We just added the service this month (August 2019), and the results our guests have seen have been mind-blowing. We’ve literally have had guests hobble in and walk out.
We also have the only full-spectrum infrared sauna in our area, which can help people unwind, detox and loosen up in a private setting.
Our waxing services feature a biodegradable, strip-free wax that breaks down into compost in less than 90 days.
All of our skincare products are truly non-toxic. We just partnered with Laurel Whole Plant Organics, based out of Northern California, which is a line that uses all organic (and often biodynamic) ingredients from farms that treat their workers well and have mindful farming practices.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is very different from how I think our society perceives successful people. I was lucky enough to have found my passion for massage at the age of 20, which eventually led to the discovery of my love of entrepreneurship. I get to take my ideas and make them come to life. To top it off, I still love what I do every day and my husband and I get to work together to make those visions a reality. To me, that’s a success.
Pricing:
- Cryotherapy – $70
- Personalized Massage or Organic Facial – $105 (60 min.)
- Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna Session – $45-55
Contact Info:
- Address: 1957 Santa Barbara Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 - Website: https://slocomassage.com
- Phone: (805) 439-2515
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @slocomassage
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/slocomassage
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/slocomassage
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/sloco-massage-wellness-spa-san-luis-obispo
Image Credit:
Michelle Roller & Jamie Foxen, The Simple Rae, Soren Dickens & Brett Foreman, Kick It Points
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