We had the good fortune of connecting with Vivienne Manuel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Vivienne, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I’ve been in the Spa Industry for over 10 years! Where I worked and who I worked for took over most of my time. I mainly had little to no social life,I worked all weekends and holidays. it was all about work! Now that I have The Serenity Studio, my work is my work and my life outside of that actually exists! I am able to create a healthy balance between my work life and my life in general.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Serenity Studio provides luxury style spa services. In the years I’ve been a provider, I am fortunate to have learned different techniques and modalities to perfect my services. What I love about having my own studio is that I can focus on my clients needs and they get 100% of my attention. I don’t feel the pressure of time or having to make sale goals at the end of the service, I think that sets myself apart from most traditional spas. When my guests come to the studio, they literally can sit down and hang out with me and relax in a safe little haven. The road to The Serenity Studio wasn’t always easy. The fear of being on my own was always in the back of my head. It was so easy to just work for someone else and have everything provided. I just show up to work and did my job. The pressures of always having to comply with corporate polices was a challenge. Protocols were forever changing and demands in the work place became more and more stressful. Although I was good at my job, I made every sale and upgraded every guest i had, I lost the true value and purpose of being a massage therapist. When I opened the studio, I wanted my guests to know I had their back….literally. I wanted them to come in feeling safe, and know they can depend and trust that I have their best interest in mind – ALWAYS. One lesson I’ve learned since opening my own practice is ” Love what you do!Everything else will follow through”. I am forever grateful to be doing what I love to do. Day in and day out, if I have a super crazy day or a day where its slow, I am grateful for all my guests and all the continuted support they show me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Pasadena is a beautiful city to visit! It literally feels so different from Los Angeles itself. One of my favorite places to visit is the Huntington Botanical Gardens. There you can easily travel to different gardens and get lost in its greenery. Another place to visit is The Langham Hotel. This place is absolutely beautiful, and the historic building and charm will have you forget you are in the middle of a thriving city. Lake Street in pasadena is a great way to spend the afternoon. Theres lots of shops to check out and restaurants to grab a meal. You cannot visit Pasadena and by pass Old Town. Old Town Pasadena is a staple for shops and restaurants and nightlife. A plus for me is driving through the city. I absolutely love the old houses on Oak Knoll! Just driving through the city and turning on to a street is relaxing in itself. The homes are beautiful and the old charm of some of the neighborhoods is worth the drive ( or walk).

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
All of what I do wouldn’t be possible without my family and friends! From the simple idea of opening up my own studio they have been so supportive from day one! They never fail to help promote or cheer me on! Even on bad days they always remind me of how this has been a life goal of mine and to never give up!

Website: www.theserenitystudio18.com
Instagram: @theserenitystudio

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