New Day Dawns On Welstar Local Business Woman Weathers Storm to Bask in the Sunshine of Her Dream
Local woman faced with many obstacles on the road to realize her dream to owning her own business.
Cape Cod, MA (PRWEB) July 5, 2006
Diagnosed with severe asthma and allergies at age eight, Welstar’s essential wellness spa owner Mahara Ashlie spent her childhood with the dark cloud of illness hanging over her. At 13, she had a fatal asthma attack and was resuscitated by hospital staff. In intensive care for several days, she had time to think. Mahara began to believe that a new day had dawned in her life for a reason.
Still very ill and hospitalized many times a year until age 25, Mahara finally started to understand her disease. “I began to get control over my disease,” she said. “I realized that my disease served a purpose in my life.”
Mahara discovered through reading John Harrison’s Love Your Disease that her illness was bringing her attention and nurturing. She wondered how she could find a healthier way to fill this void in her life. That’s when she started studying herbs and began therapy. She also made spiritual changes in her life, creating a multifaceted approach to becoming well.
However, the biggest change that helped Mahara clear the fog and see the light to wellness was transforming her attitude. “I had to learn a new way of thinking,” she said. “Sometimes (things) get overwhelming, but you have to take one step at a time. If you make one positive change, it’s a step in the right direction.”
During herbal and holistic studies, she began to formulate her own herbal products and natural skin care line. From these studies, the idea of a wellness center was born. While consulting with clients about their needs one-on-one, Mahara’s idea for a wellness center grew.
“I wanted to create a place to educate people to make themselves well,” she said. “I wanted them to feel nurtured and cared for.”
Two years ago, Mahara’s spouse suggested, after a particularly stressful time, that she get away for a weekend. Mahara wanted to find a spa where she could be nurtured, and couldn’t find anywhere that met her requirements. She eventually booked a spa in Boston, but was dissatisfied with her stay.
“I was disappointed with everything from the atmosphere to the service,” she said. “I realized I could do this (better).”
Soon Mahara had developed a business plan for her dream and started market research on day spas. Fate stepped in when a lawyer from Proctor & Gamble contacted her saying the company was interested in purchasing the trademark for her Essential Restoratives herbal product and skin care line. (Her company’s brand was subsequently changed to Welstar.) The sale, as well as her partnership with Brewster’s thriving health food store, Naked Earth, provided encouragement for her dream. This encouragement, along with funding from Mahara’s own personal equity and from private lenders who believed in her, allowed Welstar’s essential wellness spa to be born.
The road to realize her dream wasn’t smooth. Mahara has overcome several obstacles, from ADA compliance issues, as well as the contractor blues, to jumping hurdles to adhere to current commercial building codes. “Renovating a 100-year-old building is a challenge,” she said. “There have been struggles from the beginning, and many delays.”
Always positive, Mahara believes these delays happened for a reason. “A higher (power) controls timing,” she said. “They (delays) are an opportunity to step back and take a deep breath.”
Mahara points to the ADA compliance issues as another divine intervention. “At first I was (frustrated) with the delays,” she said. “But then I realized that I was meant to do this. There wasn’t anywhere else (day spa in the area) for people with disabilities to go.”
Now the only ADA-compliant day spa on the Lower Cape, Welstar is pleased to serve the disabled community.
Having also faced renovation issues from carpenter ant infestations to architectural committee approval, Mahara could feel negative or resentful, but she doesn’t.
“Every business owner in this area has gone through these struggles and can identify with these issues,” she said. “It took longer than we thought…and it hasn’t been easy…but I’ve gotten through this and it’s going quite well and I look forward to increasing wellness in the community.”
Mahara’s ultimate inspiration is helping others to be well.
“Seeing how essential oils and herbs help (people) is magical to me,” she said. “I love to see how (people) respond to natural remedies. It’s so rewarding.”
Set to open in July, Welstar’s goal is total well-being. Featuring the only in-house apothecary and therapeutic tea bar in New England, Welstar offers a wealth of services to enrich the body and foster self-care awareness, enhanced by handmade, all-natural and organic products. Concentrating on nourishment and restoration through positive, individualized services, Welstar provides a full range of treatments that honor the body as sacred and beautiful. Welstar is located at 42 South Orleans Road. For more information call 508- 240-1422 or toll-free at 1-800- 893-6008, or visit www. welstar. net.
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