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Lindsay Stilborn, The Recovery Spa, Kelowna

Kelowna
WeBC October 10, 2024

In 2014, Lindsay Stilborn’s life changed when her husband was hit by a pickup truck while riding his motorcycle. While he was lucky to survive, the treatment involved a handful of pain medications that left him feeling ‘off’. They started researching alternative therapies but were quickly frustrated by the limited options. 

“Watching someone you love go through being in pain and being able to do nothing was a very tough thing to see and you feel so absolutely helpless. As you go through it, you learn how many people that you interact with are dealing with the same thing, like chronic fatigue or chronic pain. It was really eye opening to me, and it became apparent very quickly that people needed healing.”

In 2019, the couple decided to launch a recovery space of their own, offering treatments to others facing chronic pain and recovery challenges. The Recovery Spa targets physical and mental well-being, reflecting a commitment to natural healing. A diverse range of services aid in pain relief and recovery, including infrared saunas for detox and passive cardio, compression therapy for lymphatic system support and joint mobility, and a nervous system reset device that promotes deep relaxation and stress reduction. 

Lindsay initially discovered WeBC after signing up to receive newsletters. She found herself drawn to the Peer Mentorship program for its structured approach and collaborative environment. She also appreciated the program’s blend of theoretical learning and practical insights from seasoned business owners. After joining the program, Lindsay was able to glean from the expertise of others, particularly benefiting from advice on financial management and cash flow, which was crucial for her service-based business. 

The mentorship program was instrumental in refining The Recovery Spa’s operations. The opportunity to collaborate with other business owners and receive external feedback helped her see her challenges from new angles. This experience enhanced her business skills but also reiterated the importance of community and shared knowledge in overcoming obstacles.

Client Q&A

Q: Tell us about The Recovery Spa.

A: At The Recovery Spa, we offer five different services. First is our infrared sauna, which focuses on pain relief, detoxification, and even provides a passive cardio workout for those recovering from surgery or lifestyle changes. 

Next, we have a compression therapy device that uses air pressure to help flush out your lymphatic system, where toxins are stored. It’s fantastic for joint mobility and is popular among people dealing with issues like tennis elbow, knee pain, or post-surgery swelling. 

We also offer a nervous system reset treatment. This addresses the two sides of our nervous system: fight or flight and rest and digestion. In just 30 minutes, you can achieve the equivalent of about four hours of rest.

Another popular service is our Biocharger, sometimes called the “human recharging station.” Just like we plug in our phones every night, we often forget to recharge our bodies. This device uses four different types of energy to boost the voltage in our cells, enhancing overall function. It can help with everything from anti-aging to autoimmune support and inflammation relief.

Finally, our most sought-after service is the whole body light pod. It uses red and infrared light to heal and repair cells, reduce inflammation, and improve mitochondrial function. It works wonders for those dealing with chronic pain, especially for people who haven’t found success with other treatments. 

All five of our units are in one shared space, creating a little community area where people can meet, hang out, or bring a friend for a compression therapy session.

Q: What made you want to join the WeBC Peer Growth Mentorship program?

A: There are so many new things in the business world that you need to keep up with. For us, being a small team means I’m very hands-on in the spa, I don’t always get the chance to step back and evaluate if there’s a better way to do things. I liked that this program would force me to set aside time each week to identify areas for improvement.

I also liked that each week had a specific focus and I could collaborate with other business owners about what they were experiencing. Depending on your situation, it can feel lonely in the business world, especially if you don’t have others around you who understand what you’re going through.

Q: Can you share any specific insights you gained from the program?

A: For me, tips about finances and cash flow helped us clarify things and measure our performance better. It can be a bit tougher in a service-based industry compared to selling products because it’s hard to pinpoint the true cost of operating a single session. We’ve been trying to fully flesh that out, and we gained some valuable insights from the program.

I think the collaboration was key; having the chance to talk things through and share ideas after each session helped. Getting feedback from others and having them ask questions forced us to think about things differently. 

“For anybody who’s looking at the Peer Mentorship Program, just do it. Even if you’re not interested in all of the topics, there will be something you’ll get out of it.”

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting their own business?

A: My biggest piece of advice is: don’t spend too much time overthinking it. I mean, obviously, think things through, but take action and start doing it. You’ll never start perfectly. 

There will always be things you’ll need to correct along the way, but you’ll learn so much more from actually doing it than from trying to make it perfect. Pull the trigger and go for it, it will fall into place.

Where to find The Recovery Spa

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About WeBC

WeBC is a not-for-profit that has been supporting women business owners across the province for over 25 years. Working with our regional partners, we’ve provided thousands of entrepreneurs with business loans and expertise, training, resources, and peer network support to help businesses grow and thrive.