Geneviève Émond is the owner of Old Montreal’s ultra-luxe Bota Bota Spa. This floating spa combines luminance, tranquility, design and astonishing 360-degree views. Surrounded by enchanting decor, with Old Montreal as a magical backdrop, this innovative floating spa offers a variety of treatments plus the relaxing and energizing merits of the water circuit, a eucalyptus steam bath, outdoor whirlpool baths, relaxation areas, gourmet food and beautiful terraces…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
At Bota Bota, our everyday mission is to make our customers happy and help them relax.
Why did you start working at your company? What was the inspiration for this career route?
I have always been raised in an entrepreneurial atmosphere, so the entrepreneurial career path was kind of automatic for me. As for the spa business, it is a beautiful and exciting business in which I believed I could bring something new – not just fill in a gap that was in the market, but really creating something new that would be beneficial for Montreal. Looking at our result from our first two years of operations, I am proud of what we have accomplished, at the inter-nation exposure that was given to our project and, more than anything, I’m excited about what’s to come in the following years.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part is when I see customers leaving, with an air of lâcher-prise and a soft smile, laughing a bit at themselves because they are so relaxed they can’t really think stress!
The most challenging is managing the human resources: finding, training and retaining the right people who have in mind two priorities, which is making sure the customers are happy and satisfied while making the right decisions to secure the future of Bota Bota.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
On the short term, I would like to consolidate the business here, continue growing it by creating new spaces and experiences for our passengers. Eventually, I would love to see other Bota Bota locations in other great cities around the world. Is that in 2, 5 or ten years? Time will tell!
What does success look like to you?
To me, success looks like happiness. I don’t see success as something that can be measured, I see it more as a feeling that should first and foremost come from within, not just through the eyes of others. Being happy every day is success, and so is keeping one’s word.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
It is definitely the whole Bota Bota process. Everything before this, from my bachelor’s degree, my work in a cosmetic company and my MBA, led me to being able to go through with the project, from conception to construction to operating the business.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Don’t settle into something too comfortable, seek for innovative and challenging work environments that will help you grow as an individual and as a leader.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
We do support many charities when we can, but are not associated with one in particular. However, charities that support children, children education and parenting are the ones that are the most important to me because I believe childhood shapes one’s future, and I wish everybody had equal chances in live. One charity that is close to my heart is “Premiers Pas,” an organization that gives tools and support to parents who are struggling with their pre-school kids.
What to you is notable?
Notable is doing something that matters: joining a group, a cause, funding a project, participating in the education of the next generations. Something done not to be noticed, but to have a long lasting effect on society.