Startup Story
Oghenetega Gbadagri is a well-being entrepreneur and the founder of Nigeria’s foremost on-demand Spa, The Mobile Spa, founded in 2017 and now a business employing 17 people. She is certified by the International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC UK), and she has certifications in various therapies including – Massage, Facials, Collagen Induction, Electrocautery and Advanced Skin Peel. Oghenetega is committed to helping people improve their skincare and well-being by making rejuvenating spa services easily accessible to them in their personal space.
LoA chatted to founder Oghenetega Gbadagri this month to learn more about her mobile on-demand spa business offering and her aspirations for the future.
What does your company do?
The Mobile Spa is a well-being startup company that uses technology to digitize bookings for on-demand spa services delivered across Lagos. We make rejuvenating spa and well-being services (Massages, Facials, Pedicures, Steam Bath etc.) accessible to people in their homes, offices or events, by connecting them to verified well-being professionals. We believe that customers should not encounter the stress of commuting between different locations in order to get rejuvenated with spa treatments, so we make high-quality spa services accessible and convenient. We transform clients’ spaces into a spa in a way that is minimally reversible without clogging their spaces or getting in their way.
“I spotted a need in the beauty therapy space, the need for high-quality on-demand spa services that are accessible and convenient.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I worked as an analyst in a consulting firm, but by the time I had my second child, I struggled so much to balance being a working mother and wife. Influenced by my high interest in beauty and skincare, I decided to take a course in beauty therapy. I started trying out treatments on my friends and family and it was well-received. I spotted a need in the beauty therapy space, the need for high-quality on-demand spa services that are accessible and convenient. I formally launched The Mobile Spa Lagos as a sole therapist in 2017, The Mobile Spa has grown from 1 therapist with 3 days turnaround time to over 15 therapists well equipped to deliver on-demand spa services across the various cities of Lagos within 3 hours of booking.
What makes your business, service or product special?
We offer a wide range of treatment options cutting across Massages, Face & Body treatments as offered at the Day & Med Spa. Our clients enjoy the same benefits of a spa treatment in the comfort of their space. We create memorable spa experiences wherever people want it by transforming their space and evoking the physical and psychological effects of getting rejuvenated. Our services have been customized for individuals, workplaces, pamper parties and all kinds of events. We have set up spas in the most unusual places – at the beach, parties, offices, conferences, fairs, rooftops, resorts and we have also been to movie sets. They are the go-to for on-demand spa services.
“We believe that customers should not encounter the stress of commuting to and fro different locations in order to get rejuvenated with spa treatments, so we make high-quality spa services accessible and convenient.”
Tell us a little about your team
Our team has a combined work and training experience of over 25 years in beauty therapy, skin esthetics, reflexology and massage therapy.The team is driven by our high value for resourcefulness, innovation and teamwork. We invest in continuous education and we are committed to helping our clients improve their overall wellbeing and performance.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Yes I do have an entrepreneurial background, my mum was an entrepreneur and at an early age of my life, I started to support her in her business. She did a lot of different business and before my university days, I worked as a sales rep for her in the business, and even as a marketer at some point. Even while I was at the university, I did different business, I sold stuff to my class mates at different points, just to get extra cash, back then in delta state. I would bring affordable stuff from Lagos and take them down to delta to sell to my course mates in school. So yes I do have some entrepreneurial background, and I can say that the post university and paid employment experience influenced my lifestyle and decision to start my own business when I needed to be more available for my family. Running a business and becoming a full-blown entrepreneur wasn't strange to me at the time I started, and that's all because of my past experience.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My vision is to make on-demand spa services accessible within 30 minutes of booking across Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.
“We create memorable spa experiences wherever people want it by transforming their space and evoking the physical and psychological effects of getting rejuvenated.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Creating solutions that makes high quality well-being therapies accessible to people.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
The one piece of advice that I can give women looking up to start-up, is START NOW, with whatever resource you have, just start. Focus on the things that you’re good at and outsource your weaknesses - If booking keeping, graphic design etc. are not your strength, don't get stuck on doing everything yourself. Find experts that offer these services for a small fee, it will help you focus on your core business and improve efficiency.
Contact or follow The Mobile Spa
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL themobilespa@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
If you want to build a successful business you have to identify a gap in the marketplace, innovate, create a solution for customers, and then build your brand reputation on the back of great service or product delivery. That is exactly what Oghenetega Gbadagri is doing with The Mobile Spa. She understands what customers need and want, from convenience to great service experiences, and she is offering both of them on demand. Success starts by knowing your customers, seeing the gap, and making it your own, and Oghenetega is delivering high quality spa experiences when and where her customers need and want them. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa