LAUREN: A YEAR AGO TODAY
Reflection time for us at The Spa Collaborative. We asked CEO Lauren Moloney to look back at this time last year and talk us through the good and the not so good.
What were you focused on this time last year?
This time last year we were working on two proof of concept test sites for one of the spa concepts we were working on. It takes a lot of planning, but it paid off as they were a great success. A nice way to round off the year.
We were also pitching for three major multi continent group spa concepts and won them! So, I would have had the bubbly on ice, however I was heavily pregnant at the time, so we celebrated with fancy tea and cakes instead (and a belly rub).
Finally, we were working on our 2020 strategy (I laugh saying that now…), its interesting to look back now at our plans and how we had to do a relatively immediate shift in priorities at the start of 2020.
What was exciting to you, what got you out of bed in the morning?
I loved the travel and felt a little bereft completing my last work trip before having my baby. I also loved working with the best-in-field brand and operations executives in the world. Of course, I still do, albeit remotely.
What challenges were you facing in your working day?
The magnified impact of jet lag at 7 months pregnant, the associated heartburn and recruiting the right person for our team for key projects in 2020. The heartburn remained into 2020, however the recruitment concerns eased with the arrival of our pre-opening aficionado,
What do you miss from that period?
As someone who has spent a large portion of my career travelling, I missed getting on a plane, visiting different places and culture, and getting a true sense of the properties we work with. I miss face to face meetings, the ease of communicating with someone over a coffee. The pleasure in variety and the spontaneity of working on site.
What are you glad you are not doing anymore?
In the same breath I would have to say travelling. For all its pleasures, standing still this year has been a welcome relief. My enjoyment of travelling did not extend to the mobile office. Working from airport lounges at 3am, trying to connect my laptop to internet in the back of a taxi, trying to manage my paperwork, laptop, phone and dinner on a aeroplane tray table is not something I am missing as yet.
I also can officially say that heels + pregnancy + travelling is not a good fit. I was happy to hang up the stilettos for a short time.
Do you have any special memories form one year ago at this time?
Before I put my passport on a sabbatical, I had a fabulous working session in Paris with one of our amazing partners. I reflect on this fondly as one of the last face to face meetings within the business and what a great memory to have.
What were you looking forward to?
2020 held the most incredible opportunities for me, not only had we signed up to work with three new fantastic world class hotel brands, but life was changing at The Spa Collaborative HQ. We were having a baby, moving to a new house, getting married after a random proposal from my now-husband. We were married 5 weeks after he proposed and shortly after the wedding, our baby arrived. The fortune that this all happened before lockdown meant that for all of the change we experienced, we enjoyed some element of stability this year.
What are you excited about now?
I am excited to see how we can continue with our ability to work remotely and manage our exciting new projects using the tools and skills that we have all learnt this year.
We didn’t take our foot off the peddle at The spa Collaborative and I am looking forward to seeing the outcome of the work we have completed during lockdown.
Of course, it goes without saying, that seeing our projects re-open will be wonderful. Engaging with the global teams and consolidating our efforts to make this new normal work for our spa’s and their employees will be a great step forward.
Sign up to The Spa Collaborative for the latest Spa industry news and insights along with resources and support for moving your spa business forward