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.
"It was chaotic but very fun," Lisa recalls.
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.
"It is important to be at the forefront of digital solutions, something we have continued to do until today with our booking system and our unique app. We were also an early adopter of VR meditation in collaboration with 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.
"I thought maybe more people would do this in the future, but I never thought it would be so big. When I took on my first sub-consultant, I was told that one day I might not know all my masseurs because there are so many of them. At the time I was hesitant, but it turned out to be true."
She also remembers nostalgically how the piece of paper with a phone number came to change a lot.
"That note led to the assignment at Göta Lejon for producer and entrepreneur Staffan Götestam. I was inspired by his entrepreneurship and made lots of valuable contacts. If it hadn't happened, my life would probably have been different."
Looking ahead, Lisa sees further developments in technology and health.
"The human touch will always be important, but we'll see what the future holds with digital technology, AI and VR, massage robots and more. Maybe 'the human touch' will be a luxury."
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.