Detroit mom opens spa on wheels

DETROIT (AP) — The 26-foot-long purple RV parked outside a hotel in Detroit stands out on its own, but what's offered inside is a whole different world: a variety of massages, stone therapy, facials, manicures, and more. It's a spa on wheels, the first in Michigan and the brainchild of a single mom who, when confronted by the pandemic, continued to offer community members self-care services. Brandy Ali, owner and founder of Spa Land Mobile Spa, has made it her mission for almost three years to serve as many clients in need as possible in metro Detroit. Now, she is looking to move her business onto wheels in a luxury mobile spa that launched recently. "My mission is to serve as many people as I can all over metro Detroit and all the 50 states as well," Ali said. "A lot of people have been under a lot of stress and they haven't gotten a massage in a while. ... So I figured with this RV, it'd be perfect to just pull up to people." Ali has operated out of The Inn At 97 Winder, a boutique luxury hotel in Detroit, for over three years. She has also traveled to customers around metro Detroit with her equipment to provide them with the services they need. With services such as deep tissue and Swedish massages, hot stones, reflexology and prenatal therapy, the prices range from $80 to $160. "Since the pandemic, we got kind of creative," Ali said. "Now we have a chef, aesthetician, nail tech and massage therapist. Whatever else you want, we make it possible for you." A friend and regular customer, Brandie Bailey, said Ali has been her massage therapist for many years now. Ali travels to Bailey's home to provide her with her favorite services — the deep tissue massage and hot stones. Bailey said she has recommended Ali to many of her friends and has even had her teenage son, who is an athlete, get massages from her. "I love her massages, I think she's the best, hands-down," Bailey said. "I get her massages once a month, but if I have time and it's within budget, I would definitely do it twice a month." To keep the team and clients safe from COVID-19, the spa uses a temperature monitor on clients, asks them questions related to exposure, and has them fill out a protocol sheet before entering. Erin Wells Hill, the driver of the mobile spa, said being able to take self-care to people in a mobile form is necessary during COVID-19. "Driving the RV is really something that I'm excited about because I'm a driver anyway, I've been driving for 10 years," Hill said. "With the RV, I'm sure it's going to be a really big deal because people can't get out, so we bring (self-care services) over to you." Ali attended Irene's Myomassology Institute, graduated from Everest Institute as a certified massage therapist in 2005, and has obtained a health science degree. "Detroit needs a lot of healing," Hill said. "This is what (Ali) does. She's healing people with her hands. She has gifted hands. ... She is a really amazing massage therapist." James Hicks, known as Sir James, is the hairstylist at the spa. Throughout the pandemic, he has been providing people with haircuts, shampoos, conditioners and more. "I am a makeover artist that specializes in natural hair," Sir James said. "We want to try to get people back to their natural hair and getting more services that are local. Being able to go to people makes it easier, because people aren't coming out and going into salons or anything right now." Crystal Wilson is an esthetician who specializes in facials at the spa. She also has her own skin care line called Crystal Clyear Skin Care, which is sold at the spa and Walmart for $65 a box. "It comes with the vitamin C gel cleanser, cucumber toner, exfoliant and mask," Wilson said. "They're vegan and paraben-free." Wilson said Ali believes in teamwork and treats the team like family. "(Ali) likes to hire young entrepreneurs, so she really gave all of us a chance," Wilson said. "This is awesome. This is her dream and I'm so proud of her. I'm so excited to be a part of this."