When Maryam Iqbal moved to West Yorkshire from London in 2017, she was determined to level up the quality of luxury treatments in the city.
Maryam, who moved to the UK from Pakistan when she was 17, grew up in a family that faced daily struggles due to poverty. Being the oldest of four children, Maryam had to grow up quickly and support the family, especially when her father was diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing treatment.
Maryam got married at the age of 18 and had her first child at 19, and a second child at 21. At an age when most people were still figuring out their life, Maryam was navigating adult responsibilities that didn’t leave much room for doubts or hesitation.
“With all its blessings and challenges my childhood and experiences shaped my character and gives me the grit and resilience for today,” Maryam said. “I have two beautiful children, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
35-year-old Maryam’s portfolio includes years of work as a front-line practitioner, which allowed her to see and understand issues faced by women from all walks of life. She noticed a pattern of daily life stress exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to higher levels of depression and anxiety.
“Working with people in such a personal environment comes with a huge amount of trust and I began to see a theme emerging with modern day life stress,” Maryam said.
Determined to improve the standard of care, she set up her first clinic in Bradford, Thornton Road. The Beauty Den was opened in 2019 with the expertise she had gained from working with a wide range of beauty and skin clinics in London.
After five years of running The Beauty Den, Maryam became familiar with the beauty and skin trends in West Yorkshire. Using this knowledge and her extensive experience, Maryam took the plunge and started Royal Onsen.
For Maryam Royal Onsen is so much more than a business; it is a passion and the “centre of my universe”. She had always dreamed of opening a spa, and her experience with The Beauty Den helped turn that dream into a reality.
“I firmly believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to invest in themselves,” Maryam said. “We want our guests to not only look good but also to feel good, from the inside out, and our mission is to provide our guests with an experience they will never forget.”
After much planning and preparation, the spa officially opened on 20 August 2023. Maryam faced several challenges during the early stages of opening a new business, which she sees as learning experiences. She had to work hard to secure the right talent and build the right team to help. To fund the creation of a luxury spa Maryam, along with her family, had to remove all equity from their family home and remortgage other properties.
“Like with every business there are challenges and opportunities. It is in moments like this you really must hold your nerve and that isn’t for everyone, but I have loved every moment of it.”
She is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and tranquil environment where one can retreat from the stress of daily life. She also aims to provide knowledge and education around health, beauty and wellbeing so that each person who visits can gain insight into how they can take better care of themselves both inside and out.
“For me Royal Onsen is more than a spa,” she said. “It is a place for healing where individuals can leave their problems at the door and indulge in some quality personal care.”
As a South Asian woman who has worked “in the community with the community” Maryam has made it her personal mission to break stereotypes and cultural norms. She is determined and dedicated to her goals, and plans on rolling out a chain of clinics and day spa’s that serve as sanctuaries for anyone looking to restore their inner equilibrium. She is committed to providing a luxurious, rejuvenating experience for each and every one of her guests.
“The best part about owning a spa is hearing the individual stories and feedback from our guests who can find peace and tranquillity in our walls, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated,” said Maryam. “That is the best feeling ever.”
