Aina Spa – Kamloops, BC
#yearofyou2018 – Female Feature November | Nicola Diepdael
TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS – AINA ORGANIC SPA
We are in the business of making people feel great in their own skin, whether that is through pain management, stress management or skin care. We are a full-service day spa with focus on treating the body holistically with a variety of Wellness services.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A BOSS BABE AND WORKING FOR YOURSELF?
Being able to provide a supportive environment for my team. We spend so much time at work, I think it should be a place that is fun, relaxing and provides an opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I also love hand picking my team so that we all have the same values and are able to feel more like a family than work mates.
HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN BEING A SUCCESSFUL FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR AND STILL HAVE BALANCE IN YOUR LIFE?
Balance was non-existent in the beginning. I had no idea what I was doing and hired all the wrong people, which meant I was often trying to do everything myself. I think learning how to hire the right people is the most beneficial thing an entrepreneur can do for themselves and their business. Once you have a great team behind you that you can trust it’s a lot easier to relax. Thinking about my team now makes me mist up because I can’t believe how capable and supportive they are!
HOW DO YOU HELP WOMEN OVERCOME THEIR INSECURITIES?
This is one of my favourite parts about owning a business. Working so closely with clients can be a very vulnerable place for the Therapist; we’re all in this industry because we love to make people happy. I think we all have insecurities about not living up to a client’s expectations. When I pass on great feedback from a client to a Therapist, their face lights up and I can see their self esteem grow. Coaching is also a big part of our culture, whether that is technical skills, interpersonal skills, or just home life stuff. I love providing support and watching a team member’s confidence sky rocket. 
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU DO FOR YOU, THAT MAKES YOUR HEART HAPPY?
There are lots of little things like yoga and meditation that make me feel great, but what really makes my heart sing is passing on knowledge to others. I am an absolute Wellness nut with a research addiction. I’ve also had many health struggles of my own, so when I can show someone a better way to live that will make them enjoy their life more, that is when I’m my happiest self.
WHAT’S SOMETHING YOU DO TO OVERCOME FEAR?
Try to be as prepared as possible, then close my eyes and jump! I’ve had social anxiety my whole life, so I’ve learned to push through even when something feels paralyzing.
IF YOU COULD GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF A PIECE OF ADVICE WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Not everyone is your friend. Don’t get me wrong, the world is full of so many wonderful people, but when I went into business I assumed everyone around me had good intentions, which was not the case. Being taken advantage of by those closest to me was a difficult lesson. It was hard for me to find that balance of letting people in while also guarding myself, but I’m so much happier now that I’ve figured it out. 
SAY ONE NICE THING TO YOUR BODY (OR TO YOURSELF):
Thank you to my body for putting up with the late nights, crap food and negative self talk. At the end of it all, it still loves me and carries me through the day. I’m so grateful for its resilience, and today I’m repaying the favour with lots of nourishing foods, positivity and relaxation!
Aina Organic Spa can be found online HERE
or at 145 Victoria Street Kamloops, BC
