She founded endota spa at just 26 and built it into a beauty empire. Here, Melanie Gleeson shares how she got started and the wisdom she’s learnt along the way.

My breakthrough career moment was …
I started endota spa because I wanted to make people feel better. I worked at a day spa in Melbourne in my early 20s where I witnessed the benefits of visiting a spa first-hand. Women would arrive stressed, with their shoulders raised. Then about an hour later, after their treatment, you could see the physical and emotional change in them – it was so positive and so powerful. From here I thought, I really want more people to experience this.

The top 5 most useful products in the spa are …
We have a lot of beautiful products that we couldn’t do without in spa. All of the items from our Organics range have been developed to capture the essence of Australian native plants and truly nurture the skin.

For body treatments, our customers and Therapists love the Arnica & Menthol Recovery scrub and the Clove and Mint Recovery balm. For facial treatments, our Triple Action Exfoliating cream and our amazing Multi-Vitamin Treatment oil top the list. Personally, I couldn’t do without our Coconut & Grapefruit Melting Body balm.

The product(s) most worth the investment are …
The most important thing worthy of ongoing investment is ourselves. I encourage women to make wellness a priority and to make it a healthy habit to care for themselves, rather than considering it a rare luxury or a treat. Investing in your own wellbeing means taking time to care for yourself on all levels—physical, emotional and spiritual. 

My biggest beauty trick / tip is …
Recognising the importance of taking time out for yourself and giving yourself space and the opportunity for mindfulness is essential to not just feeling beautiful, but feeling well. For me, yoga and meditation are important to restore physical and emotional balance. But from a beauty perspective nothing beats a regular light therapy session to boost collagen and really rejuvenate the skin!

Our New Age Light Therapy facial uses advancements in anti-ageing science to restore a more youthful appearance and offers a real defence against the ageing process. Light Therapy facials use high performance LED technology to penetrate the skin at a cellular level, stimulating collagen and elastin production – so not just a beauty trick but more of an anti-ageing necessity.

 My favourite career memory / highlight …
I feel an overwhelming sense of connection to the endota spa brand – it is my baby and an intrinsic part of who I am. There have been so many happy memories here but watching the business evolve from a young, entrepreneurial, fast-moving company to a more considered, corporate business without losing the essence of the brand has been a truly rewarding experience. Recognising the valuable contributions made by all members of our team and building a supportive network around me has enhanced the business and catapulted us to a new level. By far, the highlight of my career has been the growth and evolution of endota spa into the collaborative, professional and insightful brand that it is today.

My advice to people starting in the industry …
The wellness industry is growing at a staggering rate, and is now one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries. There are new people, new services and new segments entering the wellness industry all the time.

My advice to people starting in this industry, or any other industry is to set positive intentions and always do what you believe is right. Be accountable for the decisions you make and face your challenges head on.