New hands at work

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Nancy Raska, new owner of Design Masters, offers Joyce Smith, who sold the business after 24 years at the helm, a relaxing massage. Raska took over operation of the local spa and salon on April 1.

Raska, who has been leasing space at the local spa for her massage therapy business, recently purchased Design Masters from Joyce Smith, who has owned and operated the facility at 407 First Ave. E., Spencer for the past 24 years.

"I've honestly felt for some time that God was wanting me to do something else," Smith explained. "Nancy was telling me what her dreams and ideas were. I thought this was the time for us to talk seriously."

"I'm a massage therapist, so I wanted to get more into the spa part," Raska said, suggesting she would like to see an expansion of services in town to match the growing spa industry.

Raska has been working in the Design Masters facility for the past two years, offering her stone massage skills. Last September, she began handling customers on a full time basis at the site.

"My business was growing," said Raska, as to why her hours expanded.

"And so was mine," Smith added with a smile. "The first week Nancy began full time we started talking about ideas.

"The ideas she was talking about were exciting things happening in the day spa industry. I knew it wasn't my time to do them, but it was time for somebody to be doing them."

And on April 1, Raska took over ownership and will slowly begin implementing some of those ideas.

"Right now we're staying pretty much the same. We will increase the day spa services," said Raska. Those services will include body treatments, wraps, aroma therapy, scrubs and detoxifying.

"We're bringing in a self tanning booth and we'll still offer the air-brush tanning."

Raska suggested, "A lot of people don't know our whole image. We want to add a little bit of the spa atmosphere. We want to enhance day spa services and make this a destination spot."

Smith said, "I'm excited. Under Nancy's leadership, the team will continue to bring cutting edge service to clients of Design Masters."

As for Smith.

"I'm completely out. I'm tying up some loose ends but I'm done," she said.

So what's next?

"I have no idea," Smith admitted. "This summer I'll do as much as I can with the Christian Motorcycle Association and my family. From there on, we'll see what doors God opens."

* Design Masters employs a staff of 13 including 10 stylists/cosmotologists, one massage therapist, and two office personnel. It offers hair design and styling services, day spa treatments, as well as skin care and nail services. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Friday; and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday.