The Story of Looma
Our story begins in the mountains of Pusan, in South Korea. Here our family began the journey of discovering spa rituals present in the Korean culture for centuries.
America in the 1960’s and 80’s
Our family departed Korea to seek new opportunities and horizons in the US, settling in the New York / New Jersey area, and opening several businesses serving the local community. Our inspiration is Aunt Grace, who created her fashion business store in Manhattan in the 60’s leading the way as one of the first Asian woman entrepreneurs. She continued to write and speak on Korean radio and news for many years, and remains a beacon of inspiration for us.
Our family & Looma Spa through 90’s
My entrepreneurial mom started a few beauty salons in NJ area. It was her that seasoned my entrepreneurial journey, asking me to design her new spa space. I had finished my Art History degree at Northwestern in Chicago and completed a few years of consulting in New York. Inspired by many cultures (Korean, Thai) I imagined and created a new Spa experience to make spa rituals accessible to a wider audience.
Our family business as ‘mother and daughter’ had the mission to provide care, wellness and beauty across generations. Our name ‘Looma’ is inspired by ‘heirlooms’ of treasured values passed from one generation to another. Across our 15+ years of service we served many generations, seeing young ladies become wives and mothers, and mothers become grandmothers. We have been at the cornerstone of many life moments, bridal showers, pre-natal and post natal recovery, serving the elderly to maintain wellbeing, or supporting young ladies in days of pure beauty bliss.
Airlooma and the year 2020
Thank you for reading our family and my entrepreneurship story. I’m Soyie Kristie Kang, Founder and Co-owner of Looma Spa and Airlooma. In the past 18 years of entrepreneurship, one of my greatest joys has been to see families across generations coming together at the same time to receive care. To see our elder clients feel invigorated and well-taken care of, mothers to be comforted from the daily tiredness, and teenagers more confident in themselves. As I am looking forward to continue providing for you and your family via Looma Spa in person - I have just launched Airlooma, a new service to provide you the much needed care at-home, in the wake of Spring 2020. I look forward to a new decade of service, enabling people to take care of their wellbeing & wellness in home.