When Lisa Uggla founded Uggla Massage & Wellness, or Ugglapraktiken as it was then called, 35 years ago, it was to some extent the result of a chance event that went on to influence her life in many ways.
From Axelssons to the Globe
1987 was an important year when a lot changed. Lisa completed her training as a masseur at Axelssons and then realized a dream of a trip around the world
That trip came to an abrupt end when she contracted dengue fever in Jakarta and, after being hospitalized, had to fly home on a special plane. It was serious, but after a period of rehab she recovered and decided to celebrate with a 25th birthday party.
Lisa is also a trained animal keeper and worked as an extra at Skansen. Her Skansen colleague and elephant keeper Dan Köhl was at the party. As they stood talking and Lisa expressed her thoughts about what she would be working on next, Dan told her that someone had called Skansen and asked for a "pigeon assistant" (at that time there were both pigeons and elephants at Skansen). Lisa thought it could be a reasonably demanding job as she was not completely fit for work.
She visited the elephant stables to get a note with a number written on it. After much searching, they managed to find the little piece of paper that Lisa called. The number turned out to be for the production of The Brothers Lionheart at Göta Lejon in Stockholm - and a new world of possibilities opened up. They were looking for a pigeon manager and pigeon trainer. It was Lisa's "sliding door moment" when she got the job at the big theater production. The fact that a person who was also a massage expert suddenly appeared was popular with both actors and stage staff.
The job led to more assignments, including a tour of Sweden and a tour of Moscow, where Lisa took on many roles - stage technician, stage manager, pigeon trainer, extra and not least masseur.
“Det var kaotiskt men väldigt roligt,” minns Lisa.
Several of the actors then became Lisa's private clients. The lighting company Oscar Lighting became her very first corporate client. And also Skansen, for many years!
Establishment and Expansion
In 1989, the Globe was inaugurated. Lisa was quick to contact EMA Telstar (now Live Nation) and offer her massage services. This was the start of a long collaboration with massaging stage workers and artists.
In 1989, Lisa opened her first practice at Bjurholmsplan in Stockholm. She soon gained more corporate clients and started hiring sub-consultants to meet the demand, as her own hands were not enough.
Successes and Innovations
Lisa has always been a pioneer in her field. Back in 1997, the company launched its first website and started wellness activities.
“Det är viktigt att ligga i framkant med digitala lösningar, något vi fortsatt med tills idag med vårt bokningssystem och vår unika app. Vi var också tidiga med VR-meditation i samarbete med Katarina Gospic.”
The flagship practice on Magnus Ladulåsgatan opened in 2001. Since then, the premises have been rebuilt several times to meet the growing needs of companies and individuals.
Reflections and outlook
Lisa remembers the early years fondly. When she added more wellness-promoting treatments to Uggla's treatments and offerings, such as stretching and rubber band exercises, she was surprised by the impact. This was the starting point for the further development of the wellness offering, which today makes up half of the "Uggla Massage & Wellness" brand with services such as ergonomics, health lectures and yoga.
“Jag tänkte att kanske fler skulle göra sådant i framtiden, men jag trodde aldrig att det skulle bli så stort. I samband med att jag tog in min första underkonsult fick jag kommentaren att en dag kommer jag kanske inte att känna alla mina massörer för de är så många. Då var jag tveksam, men det visade sig ju stämma.”
She also remembers nostalgically how the piece of paper with a phone number came to change a lot.
“Den lappen ledde till uppdraget på Göta Lejon för producenten och entreprenören Staffan Götestam. Jag inspirerades av hans entreprenörskap och fick mängder av värdefulla kontakter. Hade det inte hänt, hade mitt liv förmodligen sett annorlunda ut.”
Looking ahead, Lisa sees further developments in technology and health.
“Den mänskliga beröringen kommer alltid vara viktig, men vi får se vad framtiden utvisar med digital teknik, AI och VR, massagerobotar och annat. Kanske kommer ´the human touch´att vara en lyx.”
With an eye to the future and a firm foundation in the relationships she has built over the years, Lisa looks forward to continuing to develop Uggla Massage & Wellness.