Wellness takes its true form in Dubai‘s leading multi-wellness destination, Blended Wellness. Built on the crucible of self-love and self-confidence, Blended is a space where spa days, salon services, fitness classes and more coexist.
Cosmo ME spoke with Blended Wellness‘ founder, Dominique Laird, to get to know the women behind the movement. We discuss how she came to build her dream purpose-driven wellness destination, bringing with it a new age of health and wellbeing services to the heart of the Middle East.
Via @dominiquelaird on Instagram
Get to know Dominique Laird, founder of Blended Wellness
Cosmo ME: What inspired you to start Blended Wellness, and how does your personal journey influence the mission of the company?
Dominique: Blended Wellness was conceptualised as a result of my own life-long struggle with self-worth and value, with a mission to redefine the meaning of ‘standards’ across the globe, celebrating the notion of one being, simply, enough.Â
By my early 20’s, I had developed an aggressive eating disorder. Pushing my body to extremes, my struggle with self-worth and value stemmed from other people’s expectations, with a constant need for approval leading me down a dark path of self-harm, extreme diets, and a lack of self-care. Relocating to Dubai in 2016 to join Solution Leisure Group as an Entertainment Manager, my role and new lifestyle enabled me to find myself again, choosing myself daily.
This enlightenment of self-celebration and choice was the evolution of Blended Wellness. Dubai’s multi-wellness destination, situated on the golden shores of Dukes Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, today, Blended Wellness is an innovative, all-encompassing collective of health, fitness, and beauty experiences. A place to find yourself, our unique experiences are carefully researched and devised to blend sophistication and quality services with authentic, honest, and genuine care and wellbeing, celebrating the notion of simply being enough. Pioneering a new way of thinking, our sanctuary of well-being is tailored to your unique needs and requirements of you. This is your journey.
Via @blendedwellnessdxb on Instagram
Cosmo ME: Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? If not, then what was your first dream?Â
Dominique: It wasn’t so much wanting to be an entrepreneur, as wanting to make a difference – to better the world in some way. Following my passion for creativity and arts, at 16 I moved to London to train in musical theater on a full scholarship. Dancing made me feel alive, without judgment. Classes lead to shows, castings lead to TV and theater.
Still wanting to feed my creative need on multiple levels, throughout my career as a performer, I became a professional hair and makeup artist, which gradually combined itself with avant-garde editorial creation and conceptual design for stage and catwalk. I was happily blending all my skills, building my portfolio with not only performance but with design and creative direction. Â
Via @blendedwellnessdxb on Instagram
Cosmo ME: How do you handle the stress that comes with being the founder of Blended Wellness, and what do you think sets the business apart from any other brand in Dubai?Â
Dominique: I think the foundation of the brand as a whole is what sets it apart. We practice what we preach. We listen to our customers. We want to create experiences for them – lifestyles, not just offer fitness, beauty, or spa services.
I think being the founder of the brand is my, honestly, the least of my stresses, purely with the above in mind! It is such a joy – such a complete pleasure to be able to bring such a calming, supportive, and fiercely collaborative space to life for our guests. I get up and move my body every morning, practicing gratitude whilst doing so. And, without fail, the opportunity to create so much good through Blended Wellness is almost always the front of mind for things I am proud of – I am grateful for.
Via @blendedwellnessdxb on Instagram
Cosmo ME: What do you see for the future of Blended Wellness, and how do you feel about how far the brand has come since its launch?Â
Dominique: I think it has organically evolved into something really special – a place that people genuinely relate to and find a connection in. I would love to see that continue to spread positivity across the world. As a multi-wellness destination, having everything under one roof can be difficult to navigate in terms of messaging, but it’s natural progression and placement in the market has seen us become such a loved space, especially for our spa, salon, and wellness initiatives, like pilates, yoga and meditation.Â
We’re very fortunate location-wise to be aligned with the stunning Ula and vibrant The 305 on West Beach, too, meaning we can deliver some unique experiences that incorporate our wellness, salon, spa, and fitness journeys with beach and pool access and hospitality offerings. It’s become a real social space.
Via @blendedwellnessdxb on Instagram
Cosmo ME: What advice would you give to your younger self who wants to pursue a career as a businesswoman?
Dominique: Say yes. To everything; experiences, travel, connections – finding what you love and making that your life is something so rare in this day and age. Any opportunity, no matter how big or small, is one worth taking.
Be kind to yourself, which is so much easier said than done. Dream big – so often I see people throw out mediocre ambitions, goals, or ideas. Not because they mean for them to be, but because they’re trying to be ‘real’.
Lead with love. Block out the noise, read between the lines, and put what and who you love first – yourself included.