Lasting Serenity at ikatan Spa
As we celebrate turning 10, we’re sharing the stories of some of the amazing businesses who’ve been our long-term supporters from our very first issue. Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer chats to Katrina Thorpe from ikatan Spa about enduring success, staying driven and passionate, and why she loves being part of the IN Noosa Magazine family.
What inspired you to start ikatan Spa?
When I worked for a big hotel chain on the Sunshine Coast, I listened to our guests’ desires, expectations and needs, and discovered some people weren’t fulfilled by their spa experience. This encouraged me to research where to establish a day spa and look at what I needed to create and offer in the wellness space. I met my soon-to-be husband Nicholas around the same time and shared my concept with him, which led to a joint marriage and business proposal over lunch. I took the business proposal and a raincheck on the marriage! We chose to be a Balinese-style day spa surrounded by nature because we love Bali – the tropical gardens, and the effective results achieved from the centuries-old, traditional Balinese wellness treatments. Basically, if you can’t find what you want, create it – so we did.
What did your first 10 years feel like?
Hardly anyone understood what ikatan Spa was about when we opened in 2002. It took a lot of commitment, hard work, passion, tears and fun along the way, which brought us many awards, plus media exposure from lifestyle TV shows such as Getaway – all in a time without social media.
How have you celebrated your milestones?
We celebrate milestones with our ‘ikatan family’ – we don’t like to call them staff as they are more like a big family of sisters, with us being their mum and dad. Nick and I like to also spend milestones in quiet reflection together, often in Bali, thinking about what we enjoy, what we don’t, recognising our achievements and planning where to go next with the business. You can’t see what needs to be done moving forward without seeing how far you’ve come, and I think that’s why we enjoy our milestones quietly together.
What are some things you wish you’d known when you started?
Don’t try to please everyone, because you won’t. Pick your lane and stick to it. Let people go, but look after your tribe. Deal with issues, demands and conflict as soon as possible because these things don’t fix themselves.
What makes ikatan Spa special?
ikatan Spa was designed to be ‘eco-friendly’ before it was even a word, let alone an actual way of running or setting up a business. We applied Feng Shui and Balinese auspicious principles to create a harmonious and prosperous property that also saves on running costs and works cohesively with nature.
What’s special about IN Noosa Magazine?
Passion, purpose, community, professionalism, friendship, quality and the bringing together of like-minded people to share where we live, what we do and what we offer to others as a collective brand in Noosa.
How do you stay driven and passionate?
We love what we do and see how much others love it too. When you see and feel the relaxed change in people after an ikatan Spa experience, it makes our consistent commitment worthwhile. Knowing that the global awards and accolades we achieve promote not only ikatan but also the Noosa area is inspiring. We also give ourselves credit for what we’ve achieved, which is something everyone should do.
What’s coming up for ikatan Spa?
After 22 years in business, we’ve been through the cycles of economic ups and downs and the surge of stressed people coming to ikatan for help. Looking after our ‘ikatan family’ and clientele is our focus at present because it’s what is needed from us. However, we continually evolve to the needs of our guests with different treatments, packages and seasonal specials.
What do you love most about being part of IN Noosa Magazine?
IN Noosa Magazine represents the ikatan Spa brand as an aligned publication. It’s the little things that make the big difference in a magazine – the things I noticed because I look for them – and it’s the reason we’ve been part of IN Noosa Magazine since the first publication. To see and read something tangible on paper, rather than a device, is restful. The feel of the pages, the quality printing, the thoughtful balance of the layout and the composition of the informative adverts and articles all reflect the Noosa lifestyle. In a time of device overload, a good magazine brings the precious relief of time well spent, allowing you to relax as you peruse the pages of a well-prepared and produced publication that provides a pause from the everyday while learning more about what’s on offer ‘IN Noosa’.
