Entrepreneur of the week
Body Works for a better life
Diane by the Thalgo line display
A customer examines the selection of books
Customer Service counter in the large foyer
Massage therapy
Diane Donovan
Monday, May 23, 2005
Caring for the human body seemed to be written in the stars for Diane
Donovan. For many years she worked commercially in the food preparation
business in her home in Alberta but one day her long-time love for yoga would
take first place in her life.
It happened when she relocated to the Cayman Islands some eight years ago.
Speaking about the modality that has become well known throughout the world
for its physical, mental and spiritual benefits, Ms Donovan said, “Yoga is my
passion. I also love the business side of things and so I had always dreamed
of owning a Spa.”
During the ten years she spent as a Caterer in Canada, Ms Donovan had
visited the Cayman Islands six times.
“Even when I came to the Islands to spend a year, I thought at the time
that it would only be a type of hiatus for me. I found catering to be a
high-stress job and I travelled here with the intention of taking a break.
“However, during that first year I worked at Body Works when it was owned
by my former employers. The opportunity came two years after being here for me
to take over the business. My present business partner, Elizabeth Thompson,
and I, grasped at the opportunity because by then, I realised that my passion
for yoga had grown.
“It was not only the fact that I am a Massage Therapist and a Yoga
Instructor as well as the fact that I loved managing the business that made me
settle down to owning and managing Body Works. Equally as important was the
fact that I had fallen in love with the Cayman Islands,” she added.
Body Works is eight years old but the partners have owned it for six. In
the early years, the shop was located in a smaller area in the same Queens
Court shopping Plaza. However, just about a year after they bought it Ms
Donovan and Ms Thompson moved locations.
“Body Works is all about wellness. It is a Holistic Wellness Centre. Our
services include classes and therapy sessions in modalities such as stretch
therapy, Pilates, yoga and Body Rolling.
“A full-service spa centre with eight treatment rooms and a studio for
classes, we also offer Therapeutic Massages such as the Swedish Massage, Deep
Tissue, Sports and Neuromuscular Massages, Reflexology as well as other
massage modalities such as pre and post natal, acupressure and a number of
others. As well, we do teacher training here and we have a Master La Stone
therapist who does training in this area.
“We use only the Thalgo Marine line of products because we know our clients
will see the results from our use of the product. The product addresses a
range of body treatment needs.
“Body Works also performs a range of facials, body polishes and wraps, air
brush bronzing, waxing and other such services. Manicures and Pedicures are
offered by themselves, or in special spa packages.”
Ms Donovan, whose daughter is also one of the eight full-time therapists at
Body Works said: “What I love most about the business is creating a sanctuary
where people can come to feel better. Some eighty per cent of our clients are
local Caymanians or residents here on the Islands.
“We not only offer treatments but we retail books, candles and a whole
range of products for body treatment. Of course my first love will always be
yoga. Once you begin to practice yoga and see the difference in yourself, it
will not only be something you practice, it will become part of your life.”
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