Mary de Souza, Founder of Stillwater Nature Spa
I remember sitting with Mary many years ago and she was talking about trying to create a way where she could live in Vancouver in the summers and Hawaii in the winters. It was a passion and drive that carried her throughout her whole career and is a hard idea to achieve but she had a vision and stayed true to it. Fast forward to the present, she is the founder of Stillwater Nature Spa. A beautiful spa focusing on massage therapy located near the ocean in Tofino. The best part about Stillwater? It is a unique glamping tent that allows you to fully immerse in nature and allow the body and the mind to truly relax. The second best part? Mary is able to stay true to her dream and work during the summers (work a ton!) and travel during the winters.
Read on to find out more about why she started Stillwater Nature Spa, what she loves most about being an entrepreneur, business women she admires and more.
How did the idea of Stillwater Nature Spa come to be?
I had been living in Tofino working at a spa and wanted to create a way that I could live there full time and in better conditions. The idea of starting my own spa started to creep into my mind.
I live across from the Tofino Botanical Gardens and there is a huge old growth forest. Nature is the place that I feel the most relaxed and at peace and I get the best ideas when I am outside hiking or running. It came to my mind that massage makes people feel better in their mind, body and soul and so does nature – why don’t we tie the two modalities together and create a whole unique wellness experience. From there, Stillwater Nature Spa was born and I started doing everything I could to make my dream a reality.
The idea to have a glamping tent – how did that idea come about?
It’s funny, I had the idea from seeing them online and did a ton of research trying to find the best quality tent. It’s actually a Canadian company and they sew them made to order.
You took so many initiatives in creating your business in every aspect.
I know, I went into a lot of debt to create the business but in the first year I recouped everything. The tent worked out so well because I don’t have to be locked in a brick and mortar store. I created the initiative myself to partner with an outdoor space that is mutually beneficial.
What has been the most challenging aspect of running your own business?
I enjoy wearing all the hats but it is also the most challenging. I do massages, reception, management, I do all the laundry for every experience – I literally am working all night sometimes in the summer!
My work life balance is skewed in the summer but I’m so excited as my business has evolved. I am now partnering with a hotel and I can work with them using their front desk staff for bookings and laundry facilities. They are now able to offer their guests a special experience and spa service. The outdoor concept works well for them since they don’t have place for a spa building. We are able to collaborate and work together to create a seamless experience for the guests.
I remember talking to you years ago and you wanted to have a job where you could work in the summers in BC and live in Hawaii in the winter. Was this always the plan?
Yes! The summers are high season and tourism is my main business. This concept allows me to embrace the sun chaser lifestyle. You can get what you want if you set your eyes on it – its been my obsession to create this lifestyle for myself.
How can women help inspire and support each other?
Be more uplifting and judge each other less. Sometimes women can have an underlying competitive aspect that takes away from your success.
Why can’t we be happy for each other and want to see each other thrive? People should look at other’s success and be inspired. If she can do it, I can do it. It shows you what’s possible.
Who is a business women you admire?
Lacey Phillips, founder of To Be Magnetic. She is so refined and is on to a new wave of things. She offers workshops on manifestation and inner work that shows you how to unblock patterns that are stopping you from living your best life. Her Podcast Expanded I listen to weekly.
Also, my mom. She has been hustling my whole life. Watching her in operate her real estate business definitely taught me many skills through osmosis.
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur.
It allows me to have a creative outlet. I feel like I always wanted to have a job that was creative and this allows me to tap into that by operating a spa in a different way.
I love the interior design aspect and the marketing aspect. I love that I can tie in my values for protecting the environment into my spa’s ethos. We get a lot of city folk coming to Stillwater and I believe the nature spa experience touches them and offers a reminder that environment is precious and we must protect it. We are now a member of One Percent for the Planet and are committed to giving back to the environment. We try are best to make eco conscious decisions.
I love that my business can be a reflection of my heart.
Have you always been able to take initiatives in your career? Has it always come naturally?
My first job was when I was 16. I would frequent a cafe for their amazing chai lattes. I told the owner how much I would love to work there on many occasions. One day she approached me and offered me a job!
That experience showed me that if you approach a business with passion and drive, (even if you have little to no experience), people will pick on that and take a chance on you. You can create opportunities out of nowhere, you just have to read in between the lines. Think outside the box.
Business owners really appreciate when people are passionate about their company. They’re open to train and teach you if you show gumption.
Learn More About Stillwater Nature Spa Here:
Website: Stillwater Nature Spa
Instagram: @stillwatertofino