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A Day In The Life Sample

By Alissa Bayer

Stress and Satisfaction at a Texas Spa

Pedicures are just part of the product line at a spa opened by this McCombs MBA. Here's a sample of a day in her work life

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I am the owner and founder of Milk + Honey, a busy day spa in downtown Austin, Tex. I opened the spa last year, after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin's McCombs School of Business).

One of the main reasons that I choose McCombs was to study entrepreneurship. I knew from the beginning that I wasn't interested in many of the large-company jobs that were coming through the career center. During my final semester, I began an independent study researching the spa industry—combining my love for spa experiences with a need that I felt was poorly met in the Austin market.

	Alissa Bayer Owner and Founder Milk + Honey Spa University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business Class of 2004

At McCombs, I was part of a unique program, the Venture Capital Fellows, which allowed me to work closely with a partner at a venture capital firm as well as the director of the Austin Technology Incubator. I learned a tremendous amount about what sets apart successful entrepreneurs from the aspiring, how to write an effective and compelling business plan, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right supporting cast. This real-world exposure, coupled with my classes at McCombs, was a fantastic combination.

Upon graduation, I began working on a formal business plan. I spent the next several months creating financial projections, researching the competition—which of course included lots of massage, facials, and pedicures—poor me!—and learning as much as I could about every aspect of spa operations.

A series of fortuitous events fell into place, including finding the perfect retail space, gaining generous support from friends and family, meeting an encouraging banker, and securing a sizeable line of credit on my home in San Francisco. After 18 months of grueling and exhilarating gestation, Milk + Honey Spa was born, and I'm having the time of my life.

Here's a look at my typical day:

5:30 a.m.—I'm up! This is my time to make coffee, prioritize my day, catch up on e-mail, do some bookkeeping, and walk the dog. It's great to get so much done before the sun rises!

8 a.m.—I arrive at the spa, run a few reports from the previous day's activities, and check in to see what is on the appointment book for the day. I tend to the pile of mail and free samples that accumulate on my desk.

9:30 a.m.—Off to yoga. It may seem a bit extreme to step away for two hours during the day, but yoga allows me to stay calm, focused, healthy, and ready for all of the challenges of running a new business. Besides, I accomplished so much this morning that I don't feel guilty at all...

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Bayer can be reached at alissa@milkandhoneyspa.com

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