Ms Narell McKenna grew up in Warrugul in country Victoria and originally chose a career in the police force. After 10 years as a police officer she decided on a change.

“I have always been passionate about natural therapies and alternative medicine,” says Narell, “ I decided I'd like to open my own guesthouse with health and spa facilities. I didn't want to start at the bottom of the industry and work my way up so I thought I should get some qualifications.” She chose the Blue Mountains Hotel School.

Narell did her second placement in London,working in telecommunications at the One Aldwych hotel and then in a health spa at the Aquilla. The experience confirmed her interest in the health spa field.

She graduated in autumn 2001 with an Australian Advanced Diploma in Hospitality Management and a Swiss Diploma in Hotel Management with commendation.
Narell then moved to Bondi with a close friend from the School. A few months later, in November 2001, she started as a receptionist with Zen: The Art of Body Maintenance, a well-known natural therapy and day spa centre located in Darlinghurst, Sydney. After only 3 months she was promoted to Centre Manager.

Two months later the General Manager, recognising Narell’s exceptional business and operational skills, promoted her to take over his job in charge of Zen’s two Sydney centres: one in Mosman and one in Darlinghurst.

Then in October 2002, Narell made a major decision. She established a partnership with an experienced spa consultant, Ms Deborah Mangum-Copelli, and purchased the Zen business for herself. Narell then closed down the Mosman branch and renovated the Darlinghurst premises

Only one year after graduation,Narell McKenna now owns and operates her own day spa centre seven days a week with 12 staff. Narell handles the day to day operations of the business while her partner looks after marketing. She says: “My training in hotel management made it easier for me to approach the local hotels, the Medusa and the Kirkton, to arrange packages for their clients to use Zen.”

“My time at the School gave me the confidence and the skills to manage my own business,” says Narelle, "I couldn't have said that before I started."