Today we’d like to introduce you to Olga Kovtun.
Hi Olga, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Certainly. My journey into small-business ownership has been both unexpected and profoundly rewarding.
If someone had told me in early January that I would begin February 1, 2026 as the owner of a wellness spa, I would not have believed it. Yet on February 1st, I officially became the owner of Salinair Salt Room Spa in Rochester Hills, Michigan. What began as a simple return visit with my children as a client, quickly evolved into a three-week process that resulted in acquiring the business, an opportunity I had never planned for, but one that felt meaningful and aligned from the moment it appeared.
I am grateful to my husband for his steady support and practical guidance throughout the decision-making process, and to Ana, the previous owner, whose kindness and mentorship made the transition both smooth and encouraging.
During this time, I also continue in my full-time job – and still do, remained active in Leadership Oakland, assisted with TEDxPontiac marketing team, host Business Networking for Good, volunteer with Creative Society USA, and keep up with a busy family schedule. It has been an intense season, but also an energizing one. So much learned in such a short time too.
Since taking ownership a little over two months ago, Salinair Salt Room Spa has undergone significant growth and revitalization.
We launched a popular $37 First Visit Special; introduced a full lineup of workshops, wellness events, breathwork, meditation, and community offerings; expanded into massage therapy inside our salt cave; strengthened memberships; and begun preparing to add facials, waxing, and threading to our services. And also adding private and group yoga sessions too!
We have also started hosting private events and are currently building a team of massage therapists, and wellness facilitators to support continued expansion.
From establishing Good Vibes Spa, LLC and opening our business accounts at Chief Financial Credit Union to welcoming our first customers and booking our first sessions — the early milestones came quickly. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, and Salinair Salt Room Spa is steadily becoming a vibrant hub for wellness and restorative experiences in the Rochester Hills area.
My path to ownership was not traditional, but it has been driven by curiosity, opportunity, and a strong desire to contribute to the health and well-being of others. Stepping into this role has reaffirmed the importance of saying yes to possibilities, even when they arrive unexpectedly. And truly, this is only the beginning of what we plan to build at Salinair Salt Room Spa.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. Taking over a business, especially unexpectedly, comes with its own set of challenges. When I became the owner of Salinair Salt Room Spa, I stepped into a space that already had history, clients, and a rhythm, and I had to learn that rhythm quickly while also honoring my own vision for growth.
One of the biggest struggles was balancing the transition while still working full-time. Overnight, I became responsible for operations, staffing, customer experience, marketing, finances, and everything in between. There were long days, late nights. I still feel like I need at least 4-5 more hours in my day! The to-do list never ends. I am excited to intoroduce more AI to help me manage my day and business operations too.
Another challenge was navigating change, introducing new services, updating booking and customer management systems, and refreshing the brand, while making sure clients still felt the comfort and familiarity they loved. Managing that balance required patience, communication, and trust.
But every struggle taught me something valuable: how to build a strong team, how to create systems that support the business, and how to stay grounded even when everything feels overwhelming. Those early challenges helped shape the confidence and clarity I have today as a business owner. I am very proud of the team I have working at Salinair Salt Room Spa – they are just amazing!
And looking back, the difficult moments weren’t setbacks, they were stepping stones and learning opportunities that made the journey more meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work spans marketing, communications, community leadership, and now wellness entrepreneurship — all grounded in a deep commitment to helping people and organizations tell their stories, build meaningful connections, and create positive impact.
Professionally, I serve as a Senior Marketing Specialist at HRPro, where I lead strategic marketing initiatives, brand communications, digital content, event support, and community engagement efforts. My expertise includes brand development, website design, lead generation, visual communication, customer experience, and multi-channel marketing strategy. In parallel, I own and operate the Salinair Salt Room Spa in Rochester Hills, Michigan, which I acquired on February 1, 2026. At Salinair Salt Room Spa, I focus on business growth, service expansion, and creating accessible wellness experiences for the community.
Beyond my formal roles, I am a speaker, community-builder, and media creator with a strong track record of contributing to regional and international platforms.
I am frequently invited to speak on topics such as marketing, audience-building, digital strategy, and community leadership. My recent engagements include:
– 20th Nonprofit Management Conference, Troy Chamber of Commerce — Speaker (2024 & 2025)
– Eventbrite 101: Build Your List & Tribe, Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce — Presenter (2025)
– Women in Business Working Center, Waterford, MI — Featured Speaker (2024–2025)
– Digital Summit Detroit — Two-Years Speaker
– Volunteer Speaker & Host, Creative Society nonprofit initiatives
I also lead Business Networking For Good through Creative Society nonprofit, a monthly volunteer-led gathering that connects professionals and nonprofits through purpose-driven networking.
Awards & Recognition
2025 Troy Chamber of Commerce – Community Impact Award Nominee
2026 Troy Chamber of Commerce – Woman of Action Award Nominee
I am deeply engaged in community service and civic leadership, including:
Marketing & Communications Director, TEDxPontiac 2026
Organizer of numerous Metro Detroit events, workshops, and community activations
Leadership Oakland, Class of XXXVI (2025–2026)
Active volunteer with Creative Society USA, including advocacy efforts throughout the United States
Professional Skills & Capabilities
What sets me apart is the combination of strategic marketing expertise, on-camera confidence, community leadership, and a genuine passion for elevating and connecting people. I bring together corporate experience, entrepreneurial drive, media production skills, and a strong commitment to service — all of which enable me to lead, communicate, and build with both clarity and heart.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I don’t believe in luck — at least not in the traditional sense. In my life and in business, I’ve found that what people often label as “luck” is usually the result of preparation, hard work, community, and personal responsibility coming together at the right moment.
Opportunities show up when you consistently show up. The more you invest in relationships, support others, stay committed, and follow through on your word, the more “lucky” you appear from the outside.
When I purchased Salinair Salt Room Spa, it wasn’t luck — it was the product of years spent building skills, nurturing a strong network, staying open to possibilities, and saying yes when the right opportunity aligned with my values. The same is true across my career in marketing, public speaking, community leadership, and volunteer work.
Of course, life isn’t without challenges. But even difficult moments have reinforced my belief that we always have agency — in how we respond, how we adapt, and how we move forward.
So while others may call it good luck or bad luck, I see it more clearly: It’s work, intention, community support, and personal responsibility that create momentum. And when all of those pieces come together, the results can feel a lot like luck — but they’re earned.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.salinair.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salinairsaltroom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halobreath
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgakovtun/
- Other: https://youtu.be/V2zXLa9RmgA?si=e9kh-HDC380bQ_8p
