KIM: A YEAR AGO TODAY

Looking forward to year ahead, we spoke to Kim Cochrane, Spa Development & Operations Manager at The Spa Collaborative about what she was doing this time last year and what she is excited about for 2021.

What were you focused on professionally this time last year?

Almost to the day, I was sitting down to plan my wants and needs for the year of 2020. Every year I use a vision board to manifest and organize my goals to keep me focused for the year ahead. This was a special one as I was embarking on a new job and moving to a new company.

What was exciting to you, what got you out of bed in the morning?

I’ve always thrived on the relationships with my clients, I was lucky enough to work with some phenomenal spa directors which made my job hugely enjoyable and rewarding. This time last year I had a great balance between travel and office time which meant my need for exploration was complimented with a bit of stability.

What challenges were you facing in your working day?

Honestly - Not enough hours in the day. Like most people in our industry, I had a huge workload spanning different time zones so trying to manage my travel, calls and deliverables was a challenge. The global nature of the job meant I was facing challenges that were out with my control, these contributed to my daily frustrations.

What do you miss from that period?

I miss travelling a great deal. The opportunity to have face to face meetings with clients that I had built a fantastic relationship with was such a motivating part of the job.

What are you glad you are not doing anymore?

This time last year I had just secured my role with The Spa Collaborative. I was happy and relieved that my job search was over, and I was moving to a company which fitted my values and offered me the type of role I had envisioned for my future.

Do you have any special memories from one year ago?

I clearly remember the moment I accepted the job at The Spa Collaborative, the excitement at embracing this new opportunity and the buzz of the company. I would be working with a group of women I was familiar with through previous roles and felt super positive about the collaborative nature of the role and business.

What were you looking forward to?

I was looking forward to having some time off to spend with family and friends and looking forward to beginning my career with The Spa Collaborative.

What are you excited about now?

I am excited to see what positives might come out of the Spa Industry after the Pandemic. Increased remote working, improved inclusion initiatives and a more innovative approach to business solutions in the Wellness Industry are topics which I feel will be impacted by our experience in the past year.

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