May 8, 2017

Meet Ilva & Stela Sotiraj of STIL Salon and Spa in Gold Coast

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ilva & Stela Sotiraj.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Two sisters. Native Albanians. Fashion-forward since very young (thanks to our mom).

It didn’t happen overnight, but while working at various hospitality businesses (hotels, spas and restaurants) throughout our 20s, we realized we could do it better. Client service, cutting-edge products and everything in between. Everyone, including Ilva’s regular clients, constantly reinforced our desire and gave us the confidence needed to launch our own business. A friendly, high-end spa. STĪL (after the word for style in Albanian) is also a combination of the first two letters of our names (STELA and ILVA). We opened in April 2012, and most of the clients Ilva had come to know during more than a decade in the spa business made the jump without hesitation.

We try to build relationships. Clients don’t come just to get their nails or a facial done. It’s therapeutic to them. Most of them don’t say they’re going to get their nails done. They say, ‘I’m going to see Ilva.’ If they’ve had a stressful day, they can come here and unwind, and we’ll always be here welcoming them. Whatever the excuse, the wine/champagne flows and the pampering is granted. We want every time they come here to feel like the first time.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has not been a smooth road, and it never ends really (If you want to be and stay the best). Dropping everything, including our jobs, and focusing on opening STIL was easy. Banks, however, a nightmare. It took us about a year from the day we decided to open STIL to the day we opened our doors. We were refused loan after loan. No matter how amazing our business plan, professional life/history or credit was. No one wanted to take a chance on us. We decided to take another approach. Gathered all our savings and credit cards and made it happened on our own.

Not paying ourselves for the first 3 years or so was hard. Everything went back to the business.

Finding the right staff who had the same vision we did. To grow together, with us. VERY HARD. Everyone just looking for a paycheck.

Starting with a very spacious setting/place (2600sf) turned out to be a challenge at first. We were not able to utilize the whole place as we preferred. It is perfect now though.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the STIL Salon and Spa story. Tell us more about the business.
We are a small family owned business. We offer all spa services, but focus mostly on nail treatments and skin care. Nails are kinda our thing!

We think it is important to know WHY you are doing what you are doing. Not everyone has the desire to do something great or different. Both of us are passion driven people. Ilva is amazing at nails, and people & relationships. A social butterfly; and I am the one you go to if you need something done. I just knows how to play the chess pieces the right way. Steer everyone and everything on the right direction so this ship can keep sailing.

STIL is known for the attention to detail in every step of everything we do. We impress! Once people come to us, they are customers for life.

We are proud of us, and what we have achieved so far. We are not done yet though 😉 Sky is the limit. Proud of our devotion, patience and hard work. Proud of the fact employees like working for us 🙂

What we think sets us apart from others is consistency. Whether you visited us the first months of opening or 2/3 years later, you will receive the same excellent level of service.

Some places lose that. They get tired. I have seen it. They are on top of everything for the first year or two, and give up. Demands are so high, expectations even higher. They exhaust you.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have always been torn between luck and balance in life.

Am I lucky to have an amazing and brilliant sister as a partner? Absolutely. STIL would not have happened without her. But, the universe had to balance things out and make her the number one person who drives me crazy on a daily bases.

I am lucky enough to have my mom live with me and help me raise my son, but I have gained 30 pounds in the last 6 months due to her cooking. You see? Balance. 😀

Pricing:

We have an ongoing promotion on Tuesdays and Wednesday. Manicure/Pedicure combo is $60 (originally $78)
There is also our Spring Promotion currently running until 5/31/2017. 50% OFF all our Skin Care Services.

Contact Info: