Carmel Kinloch started Spabar when she felt the need to define, develop and execute her own business strategy ‘from the ground up’ after a successful career of over 20 years in senior management roles, in large companies such as British Airways, Qantas, Commonwealth Bank. Carmel’s original intent was to develop an SME that would give something back to its customers by improving their life in some way, shape or form and to apply the robustness of large company thinking to a small business operation.
In 2002, on returning from 4 years in London, Carmel found it difficult to locate a skin care centre that understood the needs of busy professional men and women. After researching a variety of business models, she identified an opportunity in the fast-growing health and wellbeing sector to build a network of skin care clinics that offered a premium level of service for time-poor executives who require a complete menu of beauty, spa and skin clinic treatments.
Integral to the strategy was implementing a guest service philosophy founded on 5 star hotels and fine dining restaurants; recruitment of a highly experienced management team and qualified, motivated therapists; development of exclusive treatment protocols and innovative performance management systems; and the use of advanced technologies with high-performance skin care ranges. These elements combined successfully deliver a positive experience for guests and also differentiate the business from its competitors. Carmel continued to develop her knowledge of the skin care industry, further defining the brand and evolving the business (first purchased in 2007) to launch the first Spabar location in August 2008 in Pitt St, Sydney CBD. In May 2009, the second Spabar location was secured near Wynyard in Sydney CBD (opposite the IVY).
In August 2009, Spabar celebrated their first birthday and was announced as finalist in the 2009 Sydney Business Awards in the retail beauty category – the only skin clinic, spa or beauty salon to attain this status in 2009. Distinctly different from the majority of skin clinics and beauty salons in Sydney, Spabar continues to innovate and develop new treatments with their corporate guests in mind, ensuring every treatment is customized to an individual’s needs.
