They Quit Their Jobs to Build a Beer Spa | Oakwell's Founders

Jessica and Damien Zouaoui quit their corporate jobs and traveled through 25 countries in search of a business idea. A beer spa in Poland inspired them to build Oakwell Beer Spa in Colorado.

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, I sit down with the husband-and-wife founders to explore how they turned that discovery into a hospitality business—and how they're approaching franchising without losing the guest experience that makes Oakwell distinctive.

We talk about private spa suites, the self-pour taproom, zero-gravity massage chairs, and why they designed the business around services that don't depend on licensed massage therapists. We also discuss the systems behind their operations, what they look for in franchise partners, and the lessons they've learned about delegation, patience, marriage, and parenthood.

I also share what stood out during my own visit, from the privacy of the suites to the service and massage chairs.

What would be the hardest part of building a business with your partner: dividing responsibilities, delegating, or switching off? Share your thoughts in the comments.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Meet Jessica and Damien of Oakwell Beer Spa
00:46 Leaving corporate jobs and traveling the world
03:58 Adapting the beer spa idea for an American audience
06:43 Jet's visit: private suites and massage chairs
08:14 Building an experience that lasts beyond the novelty
12:40 Oakwell's vision and approach to staffing
16:30 Designing around common operating challenges
18:58 Systems, scale, and the decision to franchise
21:12 What the franchise candidate process looks like
26:06 Finding partners who care about hospitality
29:52 Working together as a married couple
33:41 Delegation and letting go of perfectionism
35:54 Learning patience as a founder and parent
37:53 Advice for their younger entrepreneurial selves
39:45 Where to connect with Oakwell

CONNECT WITH OAKWELL
Website and reservations: https://oakwell.com/
Franchise information: https://oakwellfranchise.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oakwellbeerspa/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakwellBeerSpa
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oakwellbeerspa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oakwell-beer-spa
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OakwellBeerSpa

LISTEN & FOLLOW
Website: https://personalsideofbusiness.com/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-personal-side-of-business-podcast/id1799743898
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6152EfS50PexWDYqPC7Ceq
Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/2e7d78b1-d51a-41ce-bae7-9f0ec7eb8942/the-personal-side-of-business-podcast
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PersonalSideofBusiness
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/personalsideofbusiness/
Jet on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jet-bunditwong-50937a4/

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#OakwellBeerSpa #Entrepreneurship #ThePersonalSideOfBusiness

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