ABOUT SPA SPACE
Get matched with the right therapist.
Enjoy your service at a luxury spa.
Relaxing should always be this easy.
The Backstory
“We were simply friends whose kids went to pre-school together. A mom’s night out led to solving our frustrations with the spa industry.”
Ilana Alberico
Founder, CEO
Folding towels was my first job at a spa. Intrigued, I became a massage therapist, then spa director. But felt I could do more. I went on to build ISM, a multi-million dollar spa management company with its own skin care line and consulting agency.
I’m a former TV journalist who moved on to managing teams from one startup to the next. Since having kids, I stayed home and managed my own team of three: a boy, girl, and road-warrior husband. My spa days were my escape.
Nathalie Malkoff
Founder, Director of Innovation
The idea started over drinks.
Nathalie lamented to Ilana about her issues in finding a good massage therapist who specializes in TMJ work. Plus, she hated having to find a new therapist when her favorite left the day spa.
Ilana faced her own frustrations in the spa industry alongside her business partner, Christina Stratton. They managed spas that were primarily dependent on hotel guest rather than the local community. That meant treatment roooms sat empty most of the day, despite having amazing amenities and services. Meanwhile at a day spa Ilana owned in Chicago, Spa Space, was fully booked. Why? Clients value skilled therapists and become loyal customers when they find one.
The opportunity to vastly improve the spa experience for customers, owners and our teams was evident.
The spa industry was notorious for being behind on adopting new technologies and Ilana knew it was ripe for disruption. She wanted to be the one to do it.
With the help of her business partner, Chistina Stratton, Ilana and Nathalie started developing Spa Space. Ilana managed business strategy, while Christina oversaw branding. Nathalie took on communications and became the customer advocate, ensuring that clients were our first priority.
But weeks before they even started testing, the world changed.
COVID-19 arrived. And it was ruthless to the spa industry .
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The Coronavirus had shut down ISM before she, or anyone else could. Ilana and Christina had the heartbreaking task of closing all of their spa locations. Hundreds of therapists and staff were laid off or furloughed.
She knew that if any of the spas ever re-opened, they would never be the same as the day they closed.
The catalyst in the crisis.
With the world shut down, the whole team went all in on Spa Space. The pandemic prompted a pivot.
Spa Space now needed to offer ALL spa services, not just massage.
Instead of launching in just one or two cities, it would be the backbone of ISM’s operation nation-wide.
The launch.
As we prepare to open our doors again, our team is taking this opportunity to transform operations and provide a safe, new way to spa.
We will emerge with a Commitment to Safety. Along with Standards of Service, it is a promise we make to all our guests and our therapists.
Finally, we are excited to bring you Spa Space. It is a tool that will match guests’ needs with specialized therapists at resort locations. It will allow more spas to open with fewer challenges, and still provide high quality service. Spa Space is a platform for therapists to get back to work, where they want and when they want.
Sign up now for early access. Your Spa Space is waiting.