Woodhouse Day Spa SMALL BUSINESS WINNER FEATURE By Kim Chatelain |
It may seem cruel and ironic that a business offering peace, comfort and rejuvenation was forced to shut down during the coronavirus crisis. Such was life for spas across the state. At Woodhouse Day Spa, staff members help guests escape from the stress in their lives. To do that, the employees must create a relaxing environment that guests notice the minute they walk through the door. At Woodhouse, a repeat Top Workplaces winner in the Small Companies division, that peaceful environment is achieved because employees are in tune with the needs of both one another and the guests. “Everyone sincerely asks each
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Top Workplaces New Orleans 2020
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other how we are from day to day,” said Jason Porche, a massage therapist who has been at Woodhouse for eight years. “We all celebrate victories together and hurt together when someone is in pain.” Woodhouse, which was founded in New Orleans in 2011, employs about 40 people who offer guests more than 70 spa services including massage, body treatments, facials, waxing and nail services. Employees say the spa is an outstanding place to work. “The camaraderie I feel with Woodhouse is so special,” massage therapist Erica Gonzales said. “Whether its holiday parties, crawfish boils, or baby showers,
spending time with my colleagues is truly enjoyable and makes me look forward to coming to work each day.” In mid-March, Woodhouse and other similar businesses were forced to shut down for more than two months as part of an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. General Manager Giselle McBee said she drove to Baton Rouge to help get answers regarding financial help for employees. The business was able to get a loan through the Paycheck Protection Program that helped hold the workforce together. “We are thankful that we were able to receive the PPP loan to keep our employees on payroll
