Meet our Staff
Assistant Spa Manager
Dana Neal
Hello! My name is Dana Neal and I would very much enjoy the opportunity to tell you a little about myself. I grew up in Janesville, Wisconsin just forty minutes south of Madison. My first encounter with the spa industry came when I was in high school. I played basketball and soccer and after a long season my parents would purchase a gift certificate for me to get a massage. I suffered from many knee injuries and overall aches and pains and massage always seemed to help with everything. After high school, I came to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Go Badgers)!
During my sophomore year I read a fabulous little ad in the student newspaper written by Kneaded Relief. They were looking for a receptionist and I thought that there could not be a better job for an overworked college student. I applied the next day for the position, and that was the beginning of my journey here at Kneaded Relief.
Two and a half years later I graduated with two Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Legal Studies, and I took on the role of Spa Coordinator. Also, on April 28, 2007, I married my best friend Dan, and I couldn’t be happier. Kneaded Relief has given me the opportunity to grow with it and I could not be more honored to be here today with all these amazing people who give so much of themselves to others. I hope that you enjoy your time here at Kneaded Relief and please stop back often to enjoy all the wonderful services here or just to say hi and talk about a Badger game!
Spa Coordinator
Meaghan Henry
My road to Kneaded Relief Day Spa was not a direct route. I have been working in customer service since I was just a young teenager. The job was always secondary to my schooling but as I grew up I truly began to value what I was doing. It’s so true that it is hard to find good customer service and I pride myself on providing the kind of service that leaves a customer smiling.
I grew up near Madison, in a little village called DeForest, and I couldn’t imagine growing up anywhere else. Madison is such a great place to live. There is always something going on over the weekend and shopping on State Street and going to the farmers market are probably my favorite things to do on a Saturday. I married my husband, Shane, here in Madison, and it was the perfect backdrop. The beauty of the city and the surrounding lakes really added to our already amazing day.
I attended University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in 2007. I always had a goal in mind when working toward my degree but it seemed that goal changed with every year that passed. Then my best friend began attending school for massage therapy and I received my first massage. I was hooked after that! The way she talked about her job made me envious so when it was time for a job change I looked for a position at a spa. I got so much more than that- I got a family. I started as a receptionist and spent almost a year as one before I was given a great opportunity to grow in my position. I was offered the Front Desk Manager position and I was thrilled. The staff here at Kneaded Relief is what makes this place what it is and what it has become. Each and every employee contributes something great to the spa and to the customer and I couldn’t be happier that I’m a part of this group!
Enjoy your services and I hope we leave you with a smile and the desire to come visit us again and again!
Department Managers
Melissa Hoefling
Esthetics Department Manager, WI Licensed Esthetician
Hello, welcome to Kneaded Relief. I am Melissa Hoefling. I have been with Kneaded Relief since 2000. I graduated from Martin’s College of Cosmetology in 1999, earning a License of Esthetics. I started working as an esthetician in my home town of Green Bay, Wisconsin. Then I decided it was time to step outside of my home town and experience Madison. Kneaded Relief has been the only spa I have worked at since I moved here. You may ask yourself, why? The reason is Kneaded Relief has a great team and a welcoming atmosphere.
Throughout the years, I have expanded my knowledge by taking classes at the Conservatory of Esthetics, now known as, the Bioelements Learning Center and by studying and discovering new information and techniques in my field of practice. In every treatment I provide, my goal is to teach the importance of skin care and to customize an everyday regimen for each individual’s specific needs. I also would like to help each individual relax, by finding their inner peace so they can leave the stress of everyday
life behind them.
I look forward to seeing you soon!
Lisa Sowieja
Nail Department Manager, WI Licensed Esthetician, WI Licensed Nail Technician
Hi, I’m Lisa Sowieja and I am a Manicurist and Esthetician for Kneaded Relief Day Spa. My interest in skin care was first born while working as a Surgical Technician for a Madison Dermatologist. In the years that I worked in Dermatology, I learned so much about skin and how to care for it. Being a woman in my forties, I especially wanted to know about how to hold back the hands of time. This, of course, starts with a good skin care regimen in our younger years, but it is never too late to begin to
properly care for our skin.
The knowledge I acquired in Dermatology sparked my interest, so I attended Martin’s College of Cosmetology in Madison and received my Esthetics degree. While working at another spa in Madison, I went back to school to get my Manicurist degree from Madison Nail Tech Academy. I wanted to be able to give my clients more of a full service experience and found that I loved doing nails as much as skin care.
I came to Kneaded Relief Day Spa, because I loved the calming atmosphere and wanted to work in such a wonderful environment. A spa experience, no matter what the service is, should be de-stressing and making the outside world disappear. My promise to my clients is to provide them with a total relaxing spa experience and teach them to care for their skin and nails.
