Meet
MATT WALSH
FOUNDER & CEO • SPLISH NATURALS
LIKE SO MANY AMERICANS , MATT WALSH ’ S LIFE CHANGED FOREVER AFTER 9 / 11 . Walsh had spent 13 years on the trading floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange and later started a company called “ Technology Solutions International ” that built institutional trading systems . His wife , Andrea , was an executive with OppenheimerFunds , headquartered in Tower 2 of the World Trade Center . She was supposed to be in the office on 9 / 11 , but her meeting was canceled . In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks , the Walsh family reevaluated their priorities .
“ It was an eye-opening reckoning to me and my wife that life is too short , which made us decide to exit Wall Street and do something else ,” Walsh says .
Unsure of what to do next , Matt and Andrea chose the spa industry because they always enjoyed getting treatments on their yearly anniversary trips . Their first foray was opening a spa in 2004 at the Keystone Ski Resort , which they later sold in 2008 . They also opened an eco-friendly hair and skin salon in 2007 before closing it in 2011 due to the recession . Walsh went on to share his skills as spa director for companies such as Vail Resorts and The Ritz- Carlton before becoming the founder and CEO of Splish Naturals in 2018 , which is his current role .
Walsh did plenty of research before his career change , shadowing several spa directors and confiding in friends and family . That ’ s the best advice he has for those who are considering something similar .
“ When making such a big change , it ’ s easy to convince yourself you are doing the right thing , and you don ’ t often think things through as thoroughly as you should ,” Walsh says .“ In the end , whatever change you make is your decision and therefore you have to go into it with your eyes wide open — with confidence , a bit of fearlessness , but also be humble in case you need to pivot . Don ’ t let pride get in your way of making the right decision , no matter what that decision is . Lastly , maintain a healthy level of commitment and never forget to have fun !”
Walsh and his wife got into spa to escape the craziness of Wall Street . Ironically , Walsh found spa to be the more stressful environment . He suddenly had to manage employees and adapt his personality to this new industry . But he adjusted and fell in love with the industry , which is why he never left .
“ What I get the most from this industry ,” Walsh says ,“ is building cohesive teams that are as passionate about the industry as I am , with many going on to own their own spas or become spa directors for other spa companies . It ’ s all about the people . It ’ s one of the last industries that touch is allowed , accepted , expected and necessary for so many reasons that go beyond that one-to-one relationship between therapist and guest . There ’ s something very special about human touch and human interactions and as we eventually come out of this pandemic , spa will take on a huge role in healing individuals both physically and spiritually .“ I have a healthy respect for everyone in this business . It ’ s not easy and maybe because of that , it ’ s incredibly rewarding .” n
62 PULSE ■ NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020