Qua Spa is one of the newest day spas and tea cafes in SOMA. It is located at SOMA Grand at 1162 Mission Street, San Francisco. As you walk through the door, you transcend into this “exotic sanctuary as you embark on your journey to physical and spiritual renewal and inner harmony!”
They started out as a foot spa when they first opened last year, but they have since added full-body massages including the Thai massage as well as manicure, pedicure and waxing. During their Media & Press Day on May 1, 2013, we spoke with the Spa Owner, Beverly Yip and here is our conversation:
UMUS: Why did you decide to open Qua Spa?
Bev Yip: QUA FOOT SPA was a dream come true. It’s the combination of 2 of my favorite things: Massage & Tea. After saving for the last 9 years from my first business, Especially Yours Chair Covers, it was time to invest my savings into my dream. Bob Ross once said, “You do your best work if you do a job that makes you happy”. To me, seeing QUA come to life makes me so happy and I can’t wait to watch it grow.
UMUS: What do you like most about being a spa owner?
Bev Yip: The smell of being in a spa everyday! Just Kidding… not really kidding. I love interacting with the clients and finding out how they heard about QUA Foot Spa and their experience. Everyone’s immediate reaction is how zen, relaxing and beautiful the spa looks. Everyday, I go to work, I’m still amazed and humble that this is all happening.
UMUS: What dos Qua mean?
Bev Yip: QUA rhymes with SPA! (duh!). Throughout the build-out of the QUA Foot Spa, I’ve related it with my favorite things,and secretly, it has a lot to do “me” personally. In Chinese, my last name (Yip) means leaves. Tea comes from Tea Leaves. QUA (the sound in Chinese) means “larger than life”. I am born in the zodiac sign of the Leo, which in most cases, us lions, have a personality that is “larger than life”. =)
UMUS: How did you choose SOMA Grand as the location?
Bev Yip: It found me! I drove by Mission Street one day and saw the For Lease sign. I contacted my commercial broker and the rest is history.
UMUS: How did you design the look and feel of Qua Spa, and what kind of vibe do you want your customers to experience when they walk in the door?
Bev Yip: When you first walk in, you will see a collection of Tea Pots and QUA Tea. As a child, my mom would serve us Chinese soup in Tea pots. (That replaced “Tea parties”). I was lucky enough to hire world renown, IWAMOTOSCOTT Architects who designed my vision of my dream: Tea & Massage. I want them to feel like they are out of San Francisco, and walked into a Tea Lounge meets Spa Heaven. QUA Foot Spa combines world-class comforts with a modern design for the ultimate journey towards self-rejuvenation. Hear the soothing sounds of the ocean waves overheard, lulling you to an intimate sense of calm, as you enjoy your choice of relaxing treatment.
UMUS: How does your spa different from the other day spas that are out there?
Bev Yip: We focus on all types of Massage such as Reflexology, Deep Tissue, Swedish, Sports Massage, Prenatal and Thai Massage, while combing the zen and smoothing, while achieving a relaxing sensations when you consume hot Tea. We always have at least 5 blends of tea, including Dragon Well Jasmine Pearls tea (my personal favorite) brewing at the spa. Before you get your massage, every client fills out an intake form, which is designed by our Certified Massage Therapist to ask questions and to interact with the clients, so that we can understand and fulfill their needs through massage. We guarantee to exceed your expectations each time you visit, providing an environment as warm and comfortable as your own home. All of our massage beds are equipped with heated comforters and the highest grade of linens.
UMUS: What do you do with a new client coming in to the spa for the first time?
Bev Yip: If they are interested, I’ll tell them the story of QUA Foot Spa. If they’re in a hurry and just want to relax, I respect their wishes. Most of the time, I am glowing about our famous Architects, as I can’t take any credit on the design of the spa. Besides winning the award of “World’s Coolest Office Design” in 2011, I am hopeful of future architect awards (wink!) for QUA Foot Spa.
UMUS: What is your signature treatment?
Bev Yip: Oh my! Our QUA Foot Spa Signature treatment is an experience begins with an aromatherapy foot soak of calming bath salts and herbal tea leaves, followed by a cooling, lavender or Lemongrass clay foot mask. Various massage techniques tailored to your specific needs and preferences are utilized by our skilled therapists to increase flexibility, stimulate circulation and loosen tight muscles. This all-encompassing, full-body massage is designed to invigorate you, and will leave your entire body feeling relaxed and balanced overall.
UMUS: Tell us how the spa works with your menu style brochure of options/packages. What services do you recommend?
Bev Yip: I always recommend my clients to get the 75 minutes to 90 minutes of massage. This is your “ME Time”. This is the time when you can relax and enter into your own world. After your massage, stay for another hour and get a QUA Signature Manicure & Pedicure. You will leave feeling refreshed, pampered and lastly, I always ask if my clients feel “taller” afterwards. Sometimes, they do! :)
The Thai Massage Room:
The Massage Area:
Here is the Tea Bar:
Spa Owner: Beverly Yip
UMUS: What type of clients do you have? And can they buy loose tea leaves at the Spa?
Bev Yip: Everyone is welcome at QUA Foot Spa! Yes, our QUA TEA is available for purchase by 4 oz. or 8 oz. We even have QUA Tea Strainers! They make great gifts!!
UMUS: What is your number one goal for your customers to achieve after visiting Qua Spa?
Bev Yip: To have them feel better than they felt before they came for their treatment, and have them book their next visit for us, hopefully soon again!
UMUS: What will make your customers come back time and time again?
Bev Yip: Our Massage Therapist are the best therapists we have ever had. I’m extremely proud of my team. We are a family at QUA Foot Spa.
And here is the staff at Qua Spa…
Top row from left to right: Christina, Geraldine, Rodney
2nd row from left to right: Saisha, Arnold, Joan
3rd row from left to right: David, Michelle, Nancy and Sandy (not pictured)
Amazing food by Schilling & Co. on the Media & Press Day:
Gorgeous and yummy dessert by Venus Wei of La Vie Douce Design:
Bev sharing her expertise on the different tea leaves that are available at QUA:
Bev with her cousin, Marisa:
From left to right: Bev, Jessica Yen of Apartment 34 and Christina:
Bev with her proud mom, Mrs. Yip:
Christina, Bev and Craig Scott (one of the architects of Qua Spa):
From left to right: Rachel Greenberg of 7×7, Bev, Kelli Ryder of Rue Magazine and Jessica Yen of Apartment 34:
From left to right: A guest of Jane Yin, Bev and Jane Yin of JSY Public Relations:
From left to right: Geraldine, Katherine McEachern of Rue Magazine, Bev and Kelli Ryder of Rue Magazine:
From left to right: Bev, Rachel Ward of San Francisco Magazine, Whitney Lynn of San Francisco Magazine, Christina and Geraldine:
The entire staff at Qua Spa with Bev:
Spa Owner Bev Yip (middle) with U Me Us Studios photographers, Darren Wong and Evonne Wong:
Final note from Bev Yip: QUA Foot Spa is open Tuesday – Sundays. We are available for private bridal showers or Bachelorette events, up to 25 people. My vision would not have been possible without the constant support of my parents. Thank you for reading! Proverbs 16:3
Here is the team behind the Media and Press Day:
Photography: Evonne & Darren Wong of U Me Us Studios
Dessert: Venus Wei of La Vie Douce Design
Catering: Schilling & Co.
Linens: Beverly Yip of Especially Yours Chair Covers
