Meet Lisa Sivak | Spa Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lisa Sivak and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lisa, what principle do you value most?
Compassion. In a service industry I believe compassion should come above all others. To fully serve, we should get to know the needs and wants of our guests. We need to ask questions to best understand another’s lifestyle which will assist in solving a need, want or problem for their experience in the spa and most importantly for their homecare maintenance. This is not only true for our clients but also as an owner/manager for my team. I value the goals and lives of my staff and with compassion ,together we can achieve great milestones.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I own The Upper Hand Spa in La Mesa. We specialize in Natural skincare, transformative pampering pedicures and more. We proudly offer Farmhouse Fresh, Glo, Biosculpture and Footlogix. We have natural, clean, vegan, organic and gluten free options and  all of our lines are cruelty free. I am proud and full of heart felt emotion to be creating a welcoming spa to serve and empower our guests and team members. A place of inclusivity. Visiting our spa is about feeling at home and being a part of our family. Everyone deserves the details.

I started in the Beauty industry in 1987 as an Esthetician then to also become a Manicurist in 1990. In my career I have been a salon employee, a manufacturer’s educator , an independent contractor, a salon manager, a booth rental salon owner and now an employee based spa owner. I have been licensed in Illinois, Indiana and California. I have enjoyed each stage and learned from the ups and downs of them all.

Covid shut downs and limitations brought me literally to my knees. I was depressed and didn’t have a way to fix what I thought was the end of my business. I stayed in my pajamas all day every day blank staring at the computer until one day I got an email for a free online class offered by Empowering You Salon Coaching. I took that first class in bed. They continued offering free classes online and I continued taking them. I started getting up, getting dressed as if I were going to work and my joy and purpose started to return.

I couldn’t go back to serving my clients as before but I put together home care spa kits . and with the support of my amazing clients I was able to pay my rent through the entire pandemic closure. I worked to improve the interior of the salon while we were forced to be closed. I am proud of what I held onto and accomplished during such a trying time.

We came back to a pretty new space to enjoy for a short time to then be closed down again. At least this time we could work outside if you did nails or just cut hair. So in over 100• heat I drug what I could outside and created the best experience I could for my clients each day until we were allowed to go back inside. What an emotional up and down Hell that was.

Even though I was proud of what I held onto, I realized during the extreme highs and lows of 2019 that I wasn’t living my dream. I wasn’t sure what that meant for me at the moment but then driving home from a friends house one day I stumbled upon the perfect space in the area I dreamt of and jumped off the cliff with pretty much just my faith.

I don’t have deep pockets , a savings account to fall back on or family to rescue me financially if I fail but what I do have is a dream and a desire to succeed. I closed my booth rental salon of 15 years and relocated with a new business model and a Huge dream.

I have 35 years of lessons that I’m using in my business today. I read every business book I can , intently listen to successes and lessons from other business owners and most importantly I have invested in coaching which keeps me from burying my head in the sand for too long . I’m learning every day and I know that will never change. I strive to be a quality leader, mentor and example for the future of this spa and the even bigger dreams I have swirling around in my head.

The lesson I have learned in business and in life is not to be held down by the past. Not to listen to limiting beliefs. You are what you decide you are. Take the leap, jump off the perverbial cliff, do it now. Nothing worth doing is easy and isn’t always fun but if you do the work it will pay off.


Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As a San Diego native You would think I’d take you immediately to the ocean but for me our mountains and deserts is what feeds my soul. A trip to Julian for apple pie and shopping and a drive to Palm Desert with a stop at the museum with the springs 😉. Maybe a ride on the tram up to Idyllwild. I’d definitely take them to all the places I’ve lived around San Diego but especially where I spent most of my older childhood and still live today, Jamul. We’d have a burger and a beer at my favorite hang out, Brody’s. We’d go to the zoo and the safari park because I can’t decide which is my favorite . A trip to Sea World, A day in Old Town with a stop at the Whaley House , Gotta stop to have a fresh tortilla. Take the trolley tour to Coronado.

Visit Balboa park and a museum or two

Now it’s time to head to the ocean . Can’t make one stop though . Must go to Mission for Belmont Park , PB for dinner at Saska’s and La Jolla Shores just because it’s stunning.

Now we can’t forget Pt Loma and a trip to The Lighthouse , and a meal down by the pier at Miguel’s or over at CLevel.

Most importantly we will head back East to La Mesa to enjoy the view from atop Mt Helix then for a pamper day at The Upper Hand Spa with lunch at Anthony’s and dinner at the Brig.

I love this town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are numerous wonderful people that have helped mold the “Me” I am today. I am grateful to so many. For this story I must give a shout out to my coach/mentor Kim Gibson with Empowering You Salon and Spa Coaching and Consulting. Kim and the entire team have pushed me beyond my wildest dreams and way out of my comfort zone. They have taught me that you first must know who you are, what your dreams are and then you reach for the stars.

Website: Www.Theupperhandspasalon@gmail.com

Instagram: @theupperhandspa

Facebook: The Upper Hand Spa Salon

Yelp: The Upper Hand Spa Salon