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“People in Austin want to look good, feel good, be good, and do good,” says Laurie Aroch, one of the founders of Viva Day Spa, along with Shannon Mouser and Maya Aroch. Before opening their first spa location in Austin, it was clear that they wouldn’t just be selling amazing massages and facials. Rather, they hoped to create a spa experience that was inviting, nurturing and unpretentious — with an uncompromising level of treatment quality. They also wanted to create a culture of caring that starts with supporting and nurturing their staff who, in turn, take care of their clients.
Viva Day Spa broke all the rules when they started their business in June 2005. Not only are they best friends, but Laurie and Maya are sisters. They also came from very different backgrounds: Shannon was a massage therapist. Laurie was a pharmacist, and Maya was a materials engineer.
Laurie and Shannon met in Austin in 1994, shortly after they moved from New York and Houston respectively. They became fast friends and began dreaming of opening a business together, along with Laurie’s sister, Maya. At that time, the spa scene in Austin was virtually non-existent which made for a rich opportunity. The perfect combination of idealism, passion, and chutzpah (with a touch of naivete) led them to take the leap into entrepreneurship. From logo design to painting interiors to unwavering encouragement and support support, friends and family also helped them bootstrap the opening of Viva Day Spa on 35th in 2005 on a $60,000 budget. Within 6 months, the spa generated its first profit — a whopping $19!
Since then, Viva Day Spa has grown to three locations and is widely recognized as one of the top spa destinations in Austin. With the opening of their second location at the Domain Northside shopping district in 2016, the Viva owners expanded their treatment offerings to include a curated menu of non-invasive med spa treatments. Their vision was to bring together the best of the spa and med spa worlds: nationally recognized medical aesthetics talent and expertise and the beautiful, relaxing spa experience Austin has known and loved for the past 14 years. Expansions at both their Viva Domain Northside and downtown Viva Lamar locations are a further commitment to that vision. At Viva, Austinites can receive the best massage, facial and nail care — along with med spa treatments like Botox, body contouring, laser hair removal, microneedling, skin tightening, and more — all under the same roof.
When Shannan Riemer of Riemer Residential sat down with Maya, Shannon, and Laurie, it was immediately evident that the culture of caring they’ve crafted alongside their 140 employees is felt by everyone who walks through their doors — including us. They are as warm, friendly, genuine, and open as the uniquely Austin business they’ve built. With the holidays upon us, Viva Day Spa is the perfect place to pick up a gift certificate for a loved one, or simply indulge in some self-care everyone needs this time of year. When you do,tell them Riemer Residential sent you for a 10% discount on any spa or med spa services any Monday-Thursday at any Viva Day Spa location.
Author: Amanda Messbauer