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StarrCast

StarrCast

The StarrCast: Where Wellness Works
Hosted by Lisa Starr of Wynne Business, this podcast is your insider's guide to thriving in the world of wellness. Whether you're a seasoned spa director, wellness entrepreneur, or just launching your journey, each episode offers practical insights, proven tactics, and real stories from industry leaders. Stay ahead of the curve with expert interviews, trend breakdowns, and actionable strategies designed to help you grow a resilient, rewarding wellness career or business in today's ever-evolving landscape.

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  • 24 episodes
  • weekly
  • Avg 57 min
  • English

Episodes 24

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  • S9 · E24
    February 24 · 58 min

    How The Bodhi Spa Built a $10M Hydrotherapy Brand with Harmony Oschefski and Cedar Hwang

    What does it take to build a profitable hydrotherapy spa brand in three different markets and scale it to $10 million in annual revenue? In this episode, Harmony Oschefski and Cedar Hwang share how the bodhi spa grew from a bold idea sparked in Maui to a multi location wellness company rooted in contrast therapy, operational discipline, and community driven growth. We explore how sauna culture, cold plunge therapy, and a thoughtfully designed water journey can become the foundation of a scalable spa business model. This conversation goes beyond wellness trends and dives into infrastructure, financing, Department of Health compliance, maintenance systems, staffing strategy, and brand positioning in a rapidly growing wellness economy. What You'll Learn: How to design a hydrotherapy spa business model that balances water journey revenue with massage and facial services Why contrast therapy and cold plunge trends are only sustainable when supported by serious infrastructure and maintenance systems What it takes to secure SBA financing for a first time concept and how to successfully appeal a denial How to scale from one spa location to three while maintaining brand consistency and operational excellence Why weekly pool draining, state of the art filtration systems, and a dedicated maintenance manager protect long term profitability Episode Highlights: 03:12 – Growing up with sauna culture and cold plunges in Nova Scotia 11:48 – The Maui moment that sparked the bodhi spa business idea 18:27 – Getting denied for SBA financing and how they successfully appealed 26:04 – What a hydrotherapy water journey includes and why contrast therapy works 34:15 – Rebuilding the entire operating model during COVID to satisfy Department of Health requirements 41:22 – Scaling to Providence and Norwood and what changes with each new market 47:36 – Why weekly pool draining and a full time maintenance manager are non negotiable 53:18 – Reaching $10 million in revenue and building infrastructure for long term brand sustainability Meet the Guests: Harmony Oschefski is Co Owner and Managing Partner of the bodhi spa. With a background in life sciences and functional health, she brings a complementary wellness perspective to spa development and operational strategy. Cedar Hwang is Co Owner and Managing Partner of the bodhi spa and a former 12 meter yacht captain. Her leadership experience and operational discipline inform the systems, staffing, and execution behind the brand's growth. Together, they have built three bodhi spa locations across New England and employ nearly 100 team members. Tools, Frameworks, and Strategies Mentioned: The bodhi spa Water Journey hydrotherapy circuit Contrast therapy using sauna and cold plunge sequencing SBA financing and structured loan appeal strategy Dedicated maintenance management with weekly full system resets Infrastructure first scaling model with General Managers at each location State of the art filtration, HVAC, and pool monitoring systems Gender inclusive design and dual temperature cold plunge strategy Closing Insight: The bodhi spa's growth story shows that the wellness industry rewards both inspiration and precision. Sauna culture and cold plunge therapy may attract attention, but long term success depends on disciplined maintenance, regulatory compliance, staff training, and operational infrastructure. As Harmony shares in the episode, the goal was never just to open a spa. It was to build a company that could stand on its own. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Visit the bodhi spa at https://thebodhispa.com/Connect with the bodhi spa: https://www.instagram.com/thebodhispa/ Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

  • S9 · E23
    February 18 · 54 min

    From Stage Four Cancer to Global Wellness Leader: Ingo Schweder on the Future of Destination Wellness Resorts

    What does it take to turn a life-threatening diagnosis into a global wellness movement? In this powerful episode, Ingo Schweder shares how surviving stage four cancer shaped his vision for wellness, hospitality, longevity, and community-driven health. From launching the Mandarin Oriental Spa Division to building GOCO Hospitality and the Fivelements brand, this conversation explores why wellness is not a trend, but the foundation of the future hospitality economy. What You'll Learn: How a stage four cancer diagnosis became the catalyst for a global wellness hospitality career Why wellness is not a department, but a philosophy and a lifestyle What it takes to build and scale a global spa and wellness division from scratch The business case for wellness hospitality during crises like 9 11 and the pandemic Why longevity clinics, precision medicine, and community based wellness real estate are shaping the next chapter of the industry Episode Highlights: 03:15 – From journalist to hotelier to cancer survivor: the turning point that changed everything 11:40 – Creating a personal healing protocol using yoga, macrobiotic nutrition, meditation, and alternative medicine 19:55 – Launching the Mandarin Oriental Spa Division when no global spa model existed 29:10 – Founding GOCO Hospitality and identifying wellness as a standalone business segment 38:45 – Turning around Glen Ivy and why ownership changed the game 47:20 – The rise of Fivelements and the future of branded destination wellness resorts 54:30 – Why longevity, precision medicine, and biohacking are the next evolution of wellness Meet the Guest: Ingo Schweder is Founder and CEO of GOCO Hospitality and Managing Director of Horwath HTL Health & Wellness. With projects across five continents and more than 400 developments worldwide, he is widely recognized as a pioneer in wellness hospitality, destination spa development, and wellness real estate. Tools, Frameworks, and Concepts Mentioned Mandarin Oriental global spa division development GOCO Hospitality five pillar model: feasibility, concept and brand development, design and technical services, pre opening and training, and ongoing management Fivelements branded destination wellness resorts Wellness real estate and community driven development Longevity clinics and precision medicine integration within hospitality Closing Insight: "The world does not need more five star hotels. It needs five star human experiences." This episode is a reminder that wellness hospitality is not about amenities. It is about creating environments that improve health, extend vitality, and contribute meaningfully to society. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Connect with Ingo: linkedin.com/in/ingoschweder Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness

  • S9 · E22
    February 11 · 1 hr

    Bathhouse Design Secrets Every Wellness Founder Needs to Know with Ali McQuaid, Alberto Carrillo, and Don Genders

    Why does everyone suddenly want to open a bathhouse, and why is design the make or break factor? In this episode of StarrCast, we unpack the real drivers behind the bathhouse and social wellness boom and explore what it actually takes to design a space that is viable, code compliant, and built to last. Host Lisa Starr sits down with three global experts to break down bathhouse design from the inside out, covering infrastructure, flow, hygiene, materials, mechanical systems, and guest experience. This conversation is essential listening for anyone exploring social wellness, hydrothermal spaces, or large scale spa development. What You'll Lear: Why bathhouses and social wellness clubs are resurging in North America and globally The biggest design and infrastructure mistakes new bathhouse owners make How water, ventilation, mechanical systems, and waterproofing drive cost and feasibility What "flow" really means in bathhouse design and how it impacts revenue and safety How hygiene, maintenance, and guest perception influence long term success Episode Highlights: 03:14 – Why bathhouses are booming and what is actually driving demand 09:42 – Social wellness clubs vs traditional spas and why the distinction matters 16:30 – When to talk about budget and why early education is critical 24:18 – Water, drainage, ventilation, and mechanical systems you cannot ignore 34:06 – Hygiene, health codes, and how guests judge cleanliness instantly 44:21 – Designing for flow, capacity, and the full guest journey 53:10 – Quiet vs social spaces and how design shapes behavior Meet the Guests: Ali McQuaid Founder and Creative Director of Future Studio, a Toronto based interior design firm focused on forward thinking spaces that respond to evolving lifestyles and wellness needs. Alberto Carrillo Senior Associate at Meridian Design in New York City, specializing in architectural planning, code compliance, and complex wellness environments. Don Genders Founder and CEO of Design for Leisure, a global leader in designing award winning hydrothermal spa and social wellness environments. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned: Social wellness club design models Hydrothermal and bathing infrastructure planning Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing coordination for wet environments Capacity and egress analysis for bathhouse safety Long term maintenance and hygiene planning Closing Insight: "Design the purpose, not the code." This episode makes one thing clear. Successful bathhouses are not built on aesthetics alone. They are built on deep technical planning, realistic budgets, and a clear understanding of how people move, gather, and care for shared wellness spaces. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Connect with: Ali McQuaid: linkedin.com/in/ali-mcquaid-67b24316 Alberto Carrillo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/albertocarrillod/ Don Genders: linkedin.com/in/don-genders-7a97716 Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

  • S9 · E21
    February 4 · 1 hr 2 min

    Ari Peralta on How People-Centered Leadership is Shaping Wellness & Hospitality

    What does it really take to build trust-driven hospitality and wellness brands in a rapidly evolving global market? In this episode, we sit down with Ari Peralta to explore how cultural intelligence, human-centered leadership, and experiential design are shaping the future of wellness, hospitality, and guest experience. Listeners will gain insight into how values, people, and long-term vision drive sustainable growth in a competitive industry. What You'll Learn: How cultural awareness influences leadership and decision-making in global hospitality and wellness organizations Why human-centered design matters more than ever in guest experience and brand loyalty The role of purpose, empathy, and trust in building resilient teams and lasting businesses How experiential wellness is evolving to meet changing guest expectations Practical insights on aligning operations, culture, and vision for long term impact Episode Highlights: 03:45 – Why culture is the foundation of meaningful hospitality experiences 11:20 – How global perspective shapes leadership and team alignment 19:08 – The connection between wellness, trust, and guest loyalty 28:34 – Designing experiences that feel authentic and human 38:15 – What modern hospitality leaders need to understand about purpose and people 49:22 – Lessons learned from building and scaling wellness-focused organizations 58:40 – Final reflections on the future of hospitality and experiential wellness Meet the Guest: Ari Peralta is a hospitality and wellness leader known for integrating cultural intelligence, people-first leadership, and experiential design to create meaningful guest experiences and strong organizational cultures. Tools, Frameworks, or Strategies Mentioned Human-centered leadership models Cultural intelligence in global operations Experiential wellness design principles Trust based organizational culture frameworks Closing Insight: Great hospitality is never just about places or products. It is about people, purpose, and the experiences that stay with us long after we leave. Looking for expert advice in Spa Consulting, with live training and online learning? Spa Consulting: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-consulting Live Training: wynnebusiness.com/live-education Online Learning: wynnebusiness.com/spa-management-courses Other Links: Connect with Ari: https://www.instagram.com/mr_arigami/?hl=en Website: https://www.arigami.co.uk/whoweare Follow Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisastarrwynnebusiness, Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/at/podcast/starrcast/id1565223226 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00tW92ruuwangYoLxR9WDd Watch the StarrCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wynnebusiness Join us on Facebook: facebook.com/wynnebusiness/?ref=bookmarks Join us on Instagram: instagram.com/wynnebusiness

Showing 21–24 of 24 episodes