Marva Cooksey is an entrepreneur who understands the importance of pampering her customers. She is the owner of Next Man Up, a full-service men’s spa on the South Side of Chicago. She has been in business since 2019 and is consistently acquiring new clients because of her professionalism and her unique lane. Spas that cater to Black men are not plentiful and Cooksey has zeroed in on this market to provide services that keep men looking good and feeling good. Cooksey is also a licensed pharmacist and has held leadership positions at Loretto and Cook County hospitals in Chicago. She has parlayed all these skills into running successful business. Rolling out spoke with Cooksey about her business, what makes her unique, and what being successful means to her.
What inspires you to work at your highest level?
Seeing the results and the smiles on my clients’ faces is what inspires me to work at my highest level. Knowing that there is a man who leaves Next Man Up who has been serviced by someone who cares inspires me.
What separates what you do from others who offer the same service?
What makes Next Man Up stand apart from other spas is that we serve a niche. We serve men, especially Black men. There is not one other spa that caters to men on the South Side of Chicago that offer grooming services such as haircuts, manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, waxing, steam room, rain shower, liquor license, and a doctor of pharmacy at the helm. We also provide services that are designed for truck drivers and diabetics.
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