This article is one in a series of interviews with expats in Stavanger. Its purpose is to share with everyone what your fellow expats are doing and also to help advertise the businesses/services/events that these expats are involved in. If you would like to or know of a business/enterprise to be interviewed, feel free to contact us!
Interview with Mary Larsen – owner of Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa in Sandnes. Mary is a qualified beauty therapist, massage therapist, makeup artist, and aromatherapist. She is also certified to practice other therapies such as LaStone® Therapy.
Can you please tell us about yourself?
I am Irish and I come from Cork in Ireland. I am 37 years old and I’ve worked as a beauty therapist and massage therapist for about 17 years. I went to college at 18 and was there for 2.5 years. I worked at a health spa called Ragdale Hall in England, where my job included treating high profile celebrities such as Mel Gibson.
I also worked for two six-star cruise ships (The Crystal Serenity and The Crystal Symphony). I was asked to be assistant manager of the spa there but I declined and came to Norway.
Why did you decline the job offer and move to Norway instead?
I fell in love with Norway.
What brought you to Norway?
My husband, Geir. I came to Norway in 2002 and I was going out with my husband at the time.
Where did you meet your husband?
We met in London, England. We both do karate. We had just gotten to know each other and started getting to know each other a bit more. It was in 2002 when I met him. We were meeting quite a lot within the year. Then we decided to take the chance and I came to live here. It was a big step but I took the chance, and it worked out. Next year will be our 10-year anniversary.
You live in Sandnes, but you’ve worked in Stavanger in the past?
Yes, I used to rent a room for work with another person in Stavanger. She used to work on nails while I did facials and massage. We were called Oxygen Plus. We tried opening a business together in Stavanger but it didn’t work out (due to building related challenges). My friend could not wait due to financial reasons so she moved back home and started working from home. So that is why I work here in Sandnes.
Tell us about Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa. How did you come up with the name?
My beauty salon is a small but cozy relaxing retreat. A friend came up with the name – every time she came for a treatment, she would say that she felt like she was in heaven afterwards and almost felt like she was floating on clouds. Hence the name, Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa.
I offer a wide range of treatments, from different massages to waxing, facials, spray tanning, and permanent makeup using Long-Time-Liner Contoured® Makeup. Everything is on my website for more detailed information. I also specialize in a lot of treatments for men, including waxing, sports massage and helping relieve back troubles.
Who are your customers?
About 50% of my clientele are men so it’s an equal spread between male and female clients. I also give massages to pregnant women, particularly women suffering from pelvic pain (bekkenløsning). The treatment is extremely effective in relaxing the muscles and relieving pelvic pain. It has a long-lasting effect. I also give baby massage. So the age range among my customers varies – for example the oldest person who comes to my clinic is 94 years old.
Is your work a 9am-5pm job? What happens during a regular work day?
I start at 9am and finish at about 3.30pm-4pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I don’t work many evenings because of family commitments, so most people come in the daytime. I also work two days a week at Hinna Fysioterapi.
My work at Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa varies, which is nice. Every day is wonderfully different – my work can range from massage to waxing to permanent makeup tattooing. My day is shaped by what people want. I am also a makeup artist so I do a lot work for weddings in the summer time, and spray tanning for special events such as proms.
What does your job entail?
I specialize in different kinds of massage, including Hot Stone Massage. This type of massage is a treatment that brings balance to the mind, body and soul. It also treats migraines, all types of sport injuries, and is the deepest massage you will get without pain. I have a lot of football players and cyclists who come to me for this type of massage.
I’ve learnt a lot from dealing with very high profile people in my career. It was very demanding work, but there is no difference with the quality of treatment I give any of my clients. Every client gets extremely good quality for a nice, low price when I treat them. I customize treatments for each
individual’s personal needs, including stress related problems and sleeping disorders.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like the variety and the fact that every single day I’m going to work. When I’m finished I am never tired because I find this kind of work energizing. When my son was two weeks old I came back to work
to give a massage to get my energy level up again. I love my work and everything that it entails.
I’ve been told that I do a very good job with eyebrow shaping. I enjoy all elements of my work. I really love doing LaStone® Therapy because I give more of myself with that treatment. I think it would be the massage that I love most.
Mary, you’re one of only a handful of therapists in Norway who are qualified to provide LaStone® Therapy to your clients. Tell us more about this type of treatment.
LaStone® Therapy is a method that helps establish balance. It removes physical and mental stress and muscle pain in the shoulders and neck. It is a therapy that the Native Americans used as a healing method for many, many years. It’s an alternative spiritual treatment.
I use both hot and cold stones to create balance in the body’s system. The hot stones are volcanic stones and help the person receiving the treatment to feel more grounded. I also work on the energy points and chakra points (force centers of spiritual energy). I use crystals as part of the treatment, and I also give a deep cleansing around the face, as well as a massage along the neck, shoulders and arms.
Clients who receive LaStone® Therapy come for the effect of the massage. Moreover, the stones that I use on the face help relieve sinuses, migraines and headaches, as well as loosen the pores. It is a therapy that works well and relieves stress.
What are the benefits and challenges of having your own business here?
The main benefit of having my own business is the flexibility, which is especially nice if you have a family. There were different challenges that I did not have control over with starting up my business, including the building problems involved when I tried to set up my business in Stavanger.
Do you prefer to use English or Norwegian at work?
I can understand quite a lot of Norwegian. I speak it and I should be better, but I’m working on it. It’s a difficult language but it’s working out. I have a lot of Norwegian clients and a lot of English-speaking clients. I communicate quite well with the clients who speak Norwegian.
What tips do you have for others wanting to start their own business in Norway?
Just make sure you do a lot of research of where you are and if you are doing something in this field, advertising is always very good. The best form of advertising is “jungle advertising” (word of mouth). Make sure that you socialize to get your name out there.
Mary also keeps updated with the different therapies in her field. She is currently doing a course on Angel Therapy. In addition, she gives angel readings upon request.
How do you find balancing your work and family in Norway?
I have a son who is four years old. At the beginning, balancing my family commitments was a big challenge with business, but now that he’s four and at daycare, it is easier. Work and family is balancing out well. I’ve never really taken a break from my career – I’m always doing something in my field.
Where is Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa and how can you be contacted?
Cloud 9 Health and Beauty Spa is located at Gamleveien 25, 4315, Sandnes. It is in the same building as the Lura Karateklubb (Lura Karate Club), run by my husband, Geir Larsen. You can check out my website for more information. Treatments are by appointment only so you can send a text message to my phone on 93 63 78 21 or email me.
Thank you Mary, for taking the time for this interview. It was really interesting to learn about the different treatments and therapies you offer in Sandnes!
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About Estelle Pettersen
Estelle is an Australian who has been living in Norway since June 2006. She is married to a Norwegian and has two children. She has worked in journalism, integrated marketing communications, and as a senior strategy consultant in both the public and private sectors. Estelle loves reading, writing, history, travelling and spending time with her family. She has written published material resulting from her studies (MBA) and her work. She wants to keep writing, learn new things, and improve her Norwegian skills.
1 comment
Prags
May 16, 2011
Hey Estelle nice article. Wish to get some treatmets now
))
Coincidently ur carreer profile matches to mine .