Cygalle Dias, founder of Cygalle Healing Spa, is an entrepreneur based in New York. Cygalle merged her passions business and a holistic luxury lifestyle by founding and creating the Cygalle Healing Spa, an innovative, eco-friendly wellbeing sanctuary that offers specialty treatments, spa management, design, and marketing. Launched in 2006, Cygalle Healing Spa quickly gained notoriety by pampering celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Helena Christensen, David Blaine and Rosario Dawson. The company also designed, launched and managed the world class destination spa at Casa de Campo. The team was crucial with elevating the spa's services and brand, to become a Leading Hotels of the World property. It is also the brand behind certified organic and natural skincare products. The company's philosophy is to promote a natural healing environment, whether at the Casa de Campo spa or at home via her line of products.
How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
At a young age, I was surrounded by highly intelligent, creative individuals who were entrepreneurs. Through my interactions with them, I learned that I could be successful if I had the ambition. And I had the ambition. I enjoy putting people together and making connections, and creating something meaningful when I put the right combination of people together. It is something that comes very naturally, and thanks to a great set of mentors, I was encouraged to follow my aspirations. I was lucky to have a wonderful family, who provided a solid foundation for the future; they are good, ethical, loving people who supported me and allowed me to freely pursue my dreams. I also believe that my travels impacted me greatly. I am fortunate to have traveled the globe and I was exposed to many different ways of thinking. I saw things differently, which led me to be the visionary and leader I am today.
How has your previous employment experience aided your position at Cygalle Healing Spa?
I was an entrepreneur at young age, but I held various positions until I could realize my dreams. Each job worked as a stepping stone to take me to the next level of my path. At 19, I worked for MTV, striving to be a VJ. I am a very social person and I knew that I wanted to interact with people and share information, but I am also very attuned to upcoming trends. So, while MTV provide a great background, it wasn't exactly where I wanted to stop. The next step for me was fashion, where I could put my eye for trends to use. A that point, everything started to really come together and soon I was dubbed as a marketing guru. From there I branched out to launch my own business, something I was deeply passionate in pursuing, and I was able to pull from my time as a personality, marketing expert, and trend spotter.
What have the highlights and challenges been during your tenure at Cygalle Healing Spa?
The highlights of Cygalle Healing Spa for me are when someone expresses to me that my services and products are truly beneficial and transformative, that is exhilarating for me. I have received accolades from celebrities, social influencers, and high profile individuals who are exposed to the best money can buy, and hearing their positive feedback lets me know that when anyone uses a Cygalle Healing Spa product or books a service, that they are receiving a premium experience. I want everyone to feel pampered, healthy, and beautiful. Confirmation that I am succeeding in delivering these things to my clients is the best feeling for me.
The biggest challenges are when it comes to the expanding to a new market. The holistic lifestyle isn't a new concept, but not everyone in business is fully versed in the idea. I have a very clear vision and expectation for the brand and won't compromise. Sometimes this causes delays or deals to fall through, but my vision is what has allowed me to build my brand and I move forward until I have the right people who share my vision.
What advice can you offer women who are seeking to have their own business?
Getting your message out there is the hardest part of owning a business. A great concept without a good marketing plan won't get you the traction you want. The formula I have found to be successful is to have a solid business plan, create a strong marketing strategy, be passionate, and persevere--don't give up! Those four things in combination are a very powerful force that leads to success. I am also a firm believer in conceptualization to make something a reality. Dream about it, make it real in your thoughts, and then make it real in life. You have to believe in your idea, no matter what anyone says. You have to be certain it will work. Any doubt will cause failure. Know what you want to accomplish, trust it will happen, and then do it without reservation.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
It is difficult, but you have to find time for yourself and loved ones. No matter how passionate you are about your business, find time to spend with people you love, take care of your health, and include a spiritual workout in your daily routine. Work will overrun your life if you let it. You have to create the balance; schedule time for spending with loved ones, and schedule time for yourself. It isn't easy, but success isn't measured just on what you accomplish, but also the relationships you cultivate and maintain. Put as much effort into having time with family and friends as you do for scheduling a meeting. In the long run, you will have a much happier life.
What do you think is the biggest issue for women in the workplace?
It certainly isn't as bad as it used to be, but there are still challenges and there are men who won't take you as seriously as they do their male counterparts. I do believe that in today's age, women have proven to be as equally as powerful and successful as man. Most female heads are respected, but many men still view women differently; some still inappropriately flirt, or are dismissive of your ideas. It isn't always fair, and as long as their misogynistic men, women will have challenges in the workplace. On the other hand, there are men who are respectful and value a women's expertise. It is important to align with those men. Women can also be very caddy with each other. It is important to find like-minded women and support other powerful women. Also, let women support you.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional and personal life?
My family and friends have been my biggest mentors. My father was an entrepreneur and provided me with business guidance, while my mother was a loyal loving wife and mother who showed me the importance of commitment and supporting people in their efforts. My friends were great sources of inspiration and support, and we all helped each other out.
Which other female leaders do you admire and why?
I have so many power women around me who are successful, ethical, philanthropic, healthy in mind and body, and I admire all of them. A few that come to mind are Lisa Silverstein, she shows incredible humility, although she has had a privileged upbringing. Lisa is an extremely hard worker and I admire that she puts so much effort into her work and has passion. Karen Erikson from Showroom 7, is passionate about her work. I have tremendous respect and admiration for her. Heidi Jo Markel Lerner from Electric Pictures is an inspiration; she is a hard worker and never gives up. She makes it happen and has had many successful projects in the film industry. I admire her dedication.
What do you want Cygalle Healing Spa to accomplish in the next year?
I think big for Cygalle Healing Spa. The immediate goal is open the new spa in New York City. From there I want to establish Cygalle Healing Spa locations in more cites. My most important goal is to pamper, heal, and educate people on how to be healthy, beautiful, and live longer. Through the new spas, I want to help transform people physically and mentally. Cygalle Healing Spa isn't about offering beauty treatments. The idea is to create "urban sanctuaries of wellness" in cities across the country, and offer unique treatments and transformative products.