PRESCOTT — Alexi Schommer, owner of Ooh Ahh Massage and Spa, was born and raised in Prescott.

"My dream was always to open something in Prescott, nowhere else, always something in Prescott," Schommer said.

Like most dreams, her path took her elsewhere in the beginning. She went to school at St. Paul College, originally wanting to pursue nursing.

"I always knew I wanted to help and work with people, so I thought ‘nursing’, but then I quickly found my calling was in massage," Schommer said.

Right out of college, Schommer worked at a few places to gain experience in massage. Once she became pregnant with her son Boston, now 4, she found Prescott Chiropractic — the same place where her dreams became a reality.

"Prescott was where I needed to be," Schommer said of being a young mom. "When I walked through Prescott Chiropractic the place was beautiful, and better yet, the people were amazing."

Schommer started at Prescott Chiropractic five years ago, in 2019. During her time there, she built a clientele and a support system. The space now housing Ooh Aah became available during COVID. During an annual meeting with the chiropractic team, Schommer brought up the idea of, "how cool would it be to have a spa in Prescott?”

Her colleagues agreed, and Schommer made it happen with their help and her son’s support.

"My son is my 'why,'" and he tells me ‘just do it Mom,’” she said.

Schommer opened Ooh Ahh in early November 2023.

"We had to do a complete demo and remodel which started in May of 2023,” she said. "The name 'Ooh Ahh' has been in my mind for a while Ooh Ahh — you think of fireworks going off, and it's beautiful and it catches your eye, but with that too 'Ooh Ahh' can also mean relaxing, so I think this being a beauty and wellness place ties in really well. We are a mix of a spa and rental suites for people to come in and advertise their business," Schommer said.

Ooh Ahh currently offers nails, waxing, lashes, hair, massage therapy, an infrared sauna and tanning. Schommer wanted the interior of her space to have a minimalist, modern and upscale aesthetic.

"It's not your at-home spa," Schommer said. "I definitely wanted something more luxurious.

Everybody we use is local, whether that be the contractors who built this or the artwork on the walls, they are local talent."

She added that the business carries CBD products from Hastings.

Schommer still works part time at Prescott Chiropractic and will continue to do so. Her work there is a completely different style of massage, as she does muscle work there.

"Here it is quiet, the room is dark. Over there it's more casual like 'how can I help you?'" she said. Schommer wants all her clients to "feel a difference" after getting a massage with her.

"I definitely want to help in their healing. I want to be a part of people's regular self-care,” she said. "It is life-changing for so many people, not just physically but emotionally and mentally.

"We are still looking for more providers in the beauty or wellness industry to be here and service this community," Schommer emphasized. "Ohh Ahh is super special because it's not a place where you need 20-plus years of experience to be eligible. This space is for everyone, whether you do have that experience or you are fresh out of school looking to start your own business, you are welcome to become renters."

Ooh Ahh has a total of nine room spaces, and three are still available.

"A lot of people ask me 'what's the ratio of guys and girls?' and I say '60/40.’ I am really proud of the guys that come in and take self-care seriously," Schommer said. "This is not just a place for women to look and feel beautiful, it's for guys, too."

Starting her own business has been completely worth it, but taking the leap took courage.

"This is the scariest thing I have ever done. It is comparable to being a single mom and having to sink or swim," Schommer said. But she added that she is in "such good hands with the support I have from this community, especially from Prescott Chiropractic. I am so blessed.”

Being pregnant with her second child right now, and having nieces, Schommer is “super excited to see what opportunities I can bring for them,’" she said.

Schommer has a message for entrepreneurs looking to find their dream: "Work extremely hard, know your purpose and fulfill that, because it will not happen overnight.”

Schommer knows the process of having vision and wrote it down. In 2018, she drew a picture of her dream spa and the different services she would offer.

"That vision was very similar to here," she said. "I was that young girl that 'dreamt' and I am still that young girl and my dreams came true," Schommer said.

A grand opening of the spa, located at 1380 North Acres Road, Suite C, is coming in May.

"There will be bouncy houses, food and Ooh Ahh merch," Schommer said.

The business's website is coming soon, but updates can currently be found on its Facebook page at Ooh Ahh Massage & Spa and Instagram at oohahh.massageandspa