Mr. Ali Azizpour
1-Please let us know about yourself.
My name is Ali Azizpour, born in 1974, with Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering from university of Science and Technology together with 12 years of experience in teaching and working in educational fields, mostly universities- I am married and I have a daughter.
2-What is Thai Massage?
Thai massage is a combination of psychology, religion, art, and knowledge of anatomy. A skillful masseur uses all these factors to transfer his/her positive energy to the client and the client shall experiences a sense of joy, happiness and relaxation after the massage. In Thai massage, the masseur starts his/her work with "Compassion and Mercy", continues with "Love and Affection" and finishes with "Joy and Balance". Thai massage is now well-known all over the world and its benefits have been proven worldwide.
3-How do you know Thai Massage?
In my first trip to Thailand in 2006 with purpose of attending a workshop in AIT University in Bangkok, I became familiar with Thai Massage. Interest of the tourists as well as Thai Government's investment along with the private sector was very noticeable for me in this regard.
4-Please tell us about " your shop” - any name? Niloofar? How long have you been operating?
Our activities first started in 2008, in Hotel Flamingo in Kish Island, the permits of which took 5 months to finally obtain and we began by employing male Thai masseurs and after six months we were able to get the permit to employ Thai female masseurs.
5-Who is your customer and do you have any special treatment or offer to your customers?
At the moment we have customers from all different social levels and professions in both Kish and Tehran. However, due to unstable currency rate (USD) in Iran and high expenses of such services, the service fees are not affordable for a great section of the society and as the result, our customers are people who can financially afford these services. Our customers in Niloofar-e-Abi (meaning waterlily) are mostly diplomats residing in Iran and so far during 3 years, about 100,000 people have come to us in both Kish and Tehran. As for consultation, our trained and knowledgeable receptionists can give people advice on the suitable services in agreement with their needs.
6-How many branches are you currently running in Iran?
At the moment we run 3 branches in Kish Island: Dariush Grand Hotel, Marina Park and Ladies Beach, and Arya in Tehran which makes 4 branches all together in Kish and Tehran.
7-Do you have any plans for expanding your business?
Yes, of course. Due to great request from Tehran and other cities, in the near future we will expand our business in other provinces of Iran. I hope that by the end of June 2011 we can open a new branch on the beach of Oroumieh Lake, mainly to do with Mud Therapy, and two branches " Banafsheh" ( Violet) and " Hesse Khoob-e- Zendegi" ( Good Feeling of Life) will be opened in Zaferanieh St. and Argentina SQ. in Tehran. It is worth mentioning that "Niloofar-e-Abi" is of high standards and qualified to the membership of "ISPA" and "Asia Spa" and we hope to get these memberships by the end of July.
8-How many Thai Masseuses and Masseurs are working for your shops?
At the moment 20 masseurs in Kish Island and 15 in Tehran are operating and it will reach a total of 55 Thai masseurs by the end of June.
9-Any license required for operating massage parlour in Iran?
Yes, permits from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Kish Free Zone Organization, Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Physical Education Organization and Foreign Nationals Police are required.
10-As the pioneer, do you have any suggestion for followers in operating and managing Thai spa/ massage parlour in Iran?
My Suggestion and advice to people who are interested to enter the spa and massage industry is not to look at this profession just as a business and a way to make money, but to see it as a holy profession which deals with human's peace, health, soul and heart. Therefore, in order to succeed you need to love this business. Unprofessional, impatient and greedy people will ruin the business. The side effects of this critical business concerning immoral abuse in some countries should be taken very seriously.
11-Thank you very much for your time and we wish you success and prosperity.
In the end, I feel the need to thank deeply for the close and cordial assistance of my friends in the Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran, H.E. Ambassador, the Minister, the Consul, and all the local staff. There is no doubt that without their cooperation and assistance from the start until now, we would not have achieved this success in this challenging business.
Source : http://business.thaiembassy-tehran.org