Massage studio Malisa is located in the business area of a small town called Kranj in Slovenia. In seven years since its opening, it gained reputation among customers who need therapeutic massages. It’s owner, Darja, is a massage instructor and licensed craniosacral therapist. She works together with her son, Luka, who is specialized in sport massage, and is certified in the Bown therapy.

Darja has always onboarded apprentices at her Studio. In order to get the right candidates for the placements, she cooperates with a vocational college at a nearby resort, Bled, specialized in tourism, catering and wellness education. Students at the college can enrol in extracurricular activities to gain massage qualification. Darja runs the practical part of the course, which enables her to identify the most talented students, which are then offered the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and experience in the wellness industry at the Massege Studio Malisa.

As a business owner, Darja is not concerned with the lack of financial incentives provided by the government for mentors of practical work as she believes this to be part of her social responsibility. However, she admits there are indirect benefits: Hosting students as apprentices keep her and her son on their toes with the need to keep their skills up-do-date and to continuously reflect on them. This has become a culture at her studio, which then translates in skills´ excellence and business growth