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The Hospitality MentorAuthor: Steve Turk
Join me, Steve Turk, on the Hospitality Mentor podcast as we dive into the personal stories of some of the world's best Hospitality Professionals. We follow the journey of their ups, downs and wild turns and find out what it truly takes to make it in the amazing world of hospitality. Language: en Genres: Business, Management, Places & Travel, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Oakwell Beer Spa Founders Jessica & Damien Zouaoui on Building a Social Wellness Day Spa
Episode 172
Sunday, 22 March, 2026
Host Steve Turk interviews Jessica and Damien Zouaoui, founders of Oakwell Beer Spa in Denver, a social wellness concept combining a craft beer and wine self-pour taproom with four private spa suites featuring infrared saunas, rain showers, and hydrotherapy tubs infused with hops, malt, and herbs, plus optional zero-gravity robotic massage chairs and room-service refills.They share their hospitality backgrounds, leaving corporate jobs in New York City, and traveling to 25 countries to find a scalable U.S. concept after discovering a beer spa in Poland in 2018.They detail market research that led to Denver, funding challenges solved through Denver’s economic development loan program and a nonprofit SBA lender, difficulty securing a lease, and a DIY buildout using auctions during COVID. Oakwell opened February 26, 2021, emphasizing five-star yet non-stuffy service, adding non-alcoholic options, and aiming to franchise within a year.00:00 Podcast Welcome00:33 Sponsor Lodgify01:38 Meet Oakwell Founders02:10 Beer Spa Explained02:36 Suites And Addons04:22 First Hospitality Jobs05:44 Quitting Corporate Life07:20 World Trip For Ideas10:18 Discovering Beer Spa12:34 Why It Clicked14:49 From Idea To Plan17:09 Funding And Finding Space20:29 Landing the Space20:52 SBA Loan Reality21:35 From Church to Spa22:39 DIY Build and Auctions25:18 Opening Day Playbook26:58 Michelin Casual Service29:35 Touchless Spa Model33:09 Wellness and Moderation36:15 Franchise Plans Ahead37:28 Leap of Faith Advice39:09 Wrap Up and Sponsor
