Sammy Gunner – Beauty Therapist & Supervisor at Q1 Spa

Former dance studio owner turned passionate spa therapist, Sammy, always loved the feeling of making others feel good, so much so she spent two weeks in a Chinese orphanage to help children with their pain and circulation.

Sammy now supervises one of the Gold Coast’s most popular day spas, Q1 Spa.

What did you study to be a beauty therapist?

Diploma of Beauty Therapy

What was your first job?

Singing Christmas Carols in shopping centres

When did you first know you wanted to become a beauty therapist?

I always liked to look after people and making them feel good. For a long time, I would read up on different treatments and perform them on my family. One day my sister in law said “why don’t you just do it” I enrolled the next week.

Explain a typical day at the spa

The day starts with setting up the rooms, then doing the reports from the previous day, taking phone calls, bookings, greeting guests, taking payments, recommending home care to guests, doing treatments, cleaning, prepare for the next day. Making sure everyone is happy and feeling great.

What’s the most interesting thing that’s happened to you in your career?

When I finished my study I got to go on a trip to China. Where I helped at an orphanage for disabled children for two weeks. The college I studied at (The French Beauty Academy) supplied me with creams and lotions etc for me to perform massage on the children to help with their circulation and pain. A lot of them were wheelchair bound and even though we couldn’t converse with each other there smiles melted my heart knowing it gave them some relief. Also, they supplied me with facial products to do treatments on the other volunteers. It was a life-changing experience that I will never forget!

Name the best and worst parts of your job

Best: Having the ability to change a persons’ day. When they come in we give them a whole experience and make them feel important and loved. I believe touch can heal many problems both mentally and physically and I can see the difference from when a person arrives to when they leave. It truly is the best gift.

Worst: All the cleaning!!! Spa treatments can be messy

What’s the most important career tip someone has given you?

“You only get out of something what you put in” (my Dad)

What do you wish someone had told you before starting in this career?

That retailing plays a huge part in this job. You really need to feel comfortable talking to your guests and telling them how they can continue the benefits of what you have done.

Name a career highlight

Being able to bring my mum into the Spa. I took her in telling her that I had to pick up my payslip before we could go off to lunch. I had my tunic in my bag and when I took her in I asked her to wait just in the serenity room while I went into the office…I went in the office put on my tunic and came out and told her how she was having a Day Spa treatment with me. She started crying and laughing all at once. My mum is a super wonderful woman who is always looking after everyone else and has never had anything like what we offer before. She also suffers chronic pain and illness but again never complains and is always smiling. This day meant so much to both of us and is a memory I will never forget. And I will be forever grateful to my team for allowing me to do this for my Mum.

What’s next for you?

To continue to build people up and realise their full potential and to keep spreading the love.

I’m currently also writing a musical with my husband.

Help others to look and feel their best just like Sammy! Explore our courses in Beauty Therapy and enquire today!