Kristen Teo is a Chartered Accountant turned wellness entrepreneur, with a background in finance and a deep personal interest in skincare and wellness, Kristen launched Spa Nomad NZ — a mobile and hotel spa service — followed by co-founding Numa Skin and Body Club, New Zealand’s first membership-based wellness club combining skincare and holistic treatments. Her mission is to make self-care an empowering and consistent ritual for every individual.

1. Tell us about the birth of Spa Nomad and how the idea came about.

Spa Nomad started with a very simple idea: what if spa-quality treatments could come to you — wherever you are? My sister XT and I launched it in Singapore, offering mobile services for busy professionals and families who didn’t have time to go to a spa. We quickly realised there was a strong demand for this personalised and convenient service. When I returned to New Zealand, I brought the concept with me, and it evolved into a full-fledged business — now partnered with over 20 hotels nationwide.

2. You’ve built something truly special with Spa Nomad NZ. What were some key milestones that helped you scale the brand?

One major turning point was collaborating with luxury hotels. It gave us credibility and a strong platform to grow. Another was curating a highly trained team of therapists — our emphasis on consistency and quality has always set us apart. From mobile services to hotel partnerships and eventually physical spa locations, it’s been a steady but meaningful expansion.

3. Now you’re the Co-founder of Numa Skin and Body Club — New Zealand’s first wellness club of its kind. What’s the vision behind it?

Numa was born from a desire to create more than just a place for treatments. We wanted to build a sanctuary that empowers people to invest in their skin and wellbeing, long term. It’s a membership-based face gym and wellness space that combines advanced skincare with infrared saunas, cold plunges, and LED light therapy. We’re not here for quick fixes ,we’re here to help people glow from the inside out.

4. As a woman in business, what’s been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?

Honestly, it’s the people. From my team to our clients, I’ve had the privilege of working with some incredible humans. Seeing our clients regain confidence in their skin or watching my team grow in their roles .that’s what fills my cup. I also love being able to create safe, empowering spaces where wellness isn’t a luxury ,it’s a lifestyle.

5. What advice would you give to someone thinking of leaving their corporate career to follow a passion project?

Trust your gut. It’s scary, but there’s something powerful about betting on yourself. Don’t wait for the “perfect” time ,it doesn’t exist. Start small, stay consistent, and build something that’s true to you. My finance background gave me the foundation, but it was heart, resilience, and purpose that truly brought my vision to life.

6. Where and when did you launch Spa Nomad? Please feel free to remove anything if it is too long 🙂

My sister XT and I first launched in Singapore 7 years ago and shortly after I launched it in NZ right a few months before Covid in 2020.

When we first launched in 2019, we were offering a B2C mobile service. Then Covid hit and everything changed and we had to evolve very quickly. It was a massive challenge for us, a massive challenge. We hired full time staff 3 months in, all of the sudden we couldn’t work.

During those first  lock-downs it was really scary for us as a business initially but we also used that time and saw that there were opportunities for us as a young and nimble business focussed on mobile to pivot to meet a gap in the market where customers were reluctant to leave home and be around big crowds, we were able to provide them the solution and come to them in the comfort of their own homes.

We focussed on marketing our strengths, and communicated with our customers to put them at ease so they knew our health and safety procedures and hygiene practices were robust. Further we changed how we were operating to include B2B services and we partnered with hotels, without their own in-house spa services to provide their guests with treatments. And with that we spread into hotels, and now partner with some 20 hotels.

7. You’re business is based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. What services do you offer?

The core of Spa Nomad’s offerings lies in its on-demand, mobile spa services, offering a unique blend of wellness and beauty treatments allowing clients to experience wellness treatments from the comfort of their own homes, hotel rooms, or even outdoor locations.

• Facial Treatments
  Spa Nomad offers a wide range of facials, from traditional to result-driven advanced skin treatments, tailored to address each client’s specific skin needs. Popular options include the Holistic Facial, which combines natural ingredients with relaxation techniques, and more advanced facials like Dermapenning or Hollywood glow Fire and Ice facial to target acne, pigmentation, and aging concerns.
• Massage Therapy
  A diverse array of massages, including Swedish, Deep tissue, Hot Stone, Pregnancy massage are available. Our treatments give benefits such as stress relief, muscle relaxation, and improved circulation.
• Group Spa Packages
  Spa Nomad is well-known for its group offerings, catering to spa parties, corporate wellness events, bridal showers, and retreats. We’ve provided treatments for special celebrations and even on luxury yachts.

Perfect for our group spa parties which can be anything from  bridal showers, an afternoon with girlfriends, or weekends away with friends. Guests can receive treatments in a shared setting, adding a unique and relaxing activity to the event.

8. Benefits of a mobile beauty and wellness service?

We wanted a solution for our hectic lifestyle – a way to bring quality facial and massages to your doorstep, making wellness and self-care more accessible. Think of us as the Uber of beauty and wellness services.

We’ve found our services to be really popular for those needing more flexibility -especially with mum’s and busy professionals, who are extremely time-poor and juggling a dozen things at any given moment. We offer more flexible scheduling options, accommodating clients at times that fit their busy lives.

Convenience and Comfort: We make it easy – our team brings everything needed with them – massage tables, towels, massage oils and products needed for treatment, music to relax, etc. We come directly to our customers, allowing them to enjoy treatments in the comfort of their own homes, hotels, or chosen locations. This eliminates the need to travel, making it easier for busy individuals or those with mobility challenges to access high-quality wellness services.

Clients can relax fully in their own environment, which often enhances the overall experience. In-home treatments offer privacy that can be especially appealing for clients who prefer a one-on-one experience without other guests around.

Accessibility for Different Client Needs

Mobile services are especially beneficial for individuals who may find it difficult to visit a traditional spa, such as new parents, seniors, or people with mobility issues. Mobile therapists can provide care directly where the client is, making wellness more accessible to everyone.

By eliminating physical barriers, we can bring relaxation and self-care to a wider range of clients who may otherwise miss out on wellness treatments.

9. Any expansion plans?

We have BIG plans for The Spa Nomad and we are so excited to grow!

For our mobile side of business, we will be expanding to Queenstown and also looking into offering a wider range of wellness treatments by engaging Physiotherapists, Chiropractors and Osteopath.

We have opened our first Wellness Club in Wellington called Numa which is a sister company of Spa Nomad.