A spa is a place devoted to overall well-being through a variety of professional services that encourage the renewal of mind, body, and spirit.
~International Spa Association
Who We Are
Poplar Creek Spa provides customized, eco-friendly, all-natural services designed to renew body, mind, and spirit.
We view a spa as a reset button. Indulgent? Not really. Self-care is a constructive stress management technique; an integral part of living a balanced, healthy lifestyle; and an essential element in being able to care for others. As the old saying goes, "You can’t pour from an empty vessel." We aim to invite renewal into the lives of each of our guests so that they may be better able to extend kindness and compassion to those around them. Whether you choose a massage, facial, acupuncture, or other spa service, we know you’ll leave the spa feeling renewed, better prepared to face the rest of your day.
Our original location was surrounded by poplar trees with a creek running by. Our name pays homage to that origin, as well as to our reverence for nature. Evolving out of that reverence for nature and the concept so eloquently put into words by Ram Dass, came a love of trees, and the deep desire to spread a message of acceptance - of ourselves and others. Beauty in all colors, shapes, and sizes. Appreciating you just the way you are.
When you go into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees… and some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens and some of them are – whatever. And you look at the tree, and you just – allow it. You appreciate it. You see why it is the way it is, you sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way, and you don’t get all emotional about it, you just allow it. You appreciate the tree.The minute you get near humans, you lose all that, and you’re constantly saying, “You’re too this,” or “I’m too this,” or – that judging mind comes in. And so I practice turning people into trees, which means appreciating them just the way they are. ~Ram Dass
Today, we operate out of the beautiful La Collina business park, convenient yet set apart and surrounded by nature. We strive to conduct business in such a way as to minimize our ecological footprint.
Internally, as a collaborative team, we seek to challenge the status quo in a compassionate manner, through continuous improvement and “how” thinking.
Click here to read what guests have said about our main location.
Click here to view our policies.
Also, we’re hiring! For more information about careers at Poplar Creek Spa, click here.
Meet Our Team
Emily Simmons, LMT, BCTMB, Owner
Education: LifeStream Massage School in Napa, California in 1997; Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN in 2003
Credentials: Licensed Massage Therapist, BS in Corporate/Community Wellness Management, Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork
Specialties: Swedish and deep tissue massage, cupping, Bamboo-fusion®
During her final years of college, Emily developed a desire to own her own business. She feels strongly about creating a positive, supportive, and fulfilling environment for her employees. While she still sees a couple of long-term massage clients (one since 2002!), Emily's focus has shifted over the years from honing her massage skills to honing her business and leadership skills. She still gives a great relaxation massage with a dash of deep tissue work, though, and enjoys doing Bamboo-fusion® massage.
Makeup credit: Rachel Fagan, LA
Sabrina Bland, Front Desk
Education: La Sierra University, 2006
Credentials: BA in Music
Sabrina joined our front desk team in January, 2023 and transitioned to Spa Manager in December, 2023.
After several years working with the local Girl Scout council, and then a few years focusing on being primary care-giver for her two young children, she is excited to transition to helping others pursue better health and physical vitality. As a side hustle, Sabrina offers coaching in social media marketing.
Cherish Waldrop-Sutherland, LMT, CNMT, Assistant Manager
Education: Miller-Motte Technical College in Chattanooga, TN in 2005
Credentials: Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist
Specialties: Swedish and deep tissue massage, prenatal, hot stones, reflexology, neuromuscular therapy, Raindrop Technique®, reiki I, cupping, Bamboo-fusion®, doula in training
Cherish joined our team in February, 2006. She especially loves doing relaxation massage, and sees her longtime regular clients two days per week. The other three days she assists with the development and management of our retail boutique. She became Assistant Manager in March, 2022.
Kirsten Mercer, LMT, CNMT
Education: Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN in 2005; Atlanta School of Massage, Atlanta, GA in 2006
Credentials: BS in Music, Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Neuromuscular Therapist
Specialties: Swedish and deep tissue massage, reflexology, neuromuscular therapy, neurokinetic therapy, cupping, and Bamboo-fusion® massage
Kirsten joined our team in July, 2011. She takes a therapeutic approach to her massage and seeks to uncover the root cause. She's likely to give you some assignments to do at home to help correct what's causing your musculoskeletal pain.
Makeup credit: Rachel Fagan, LA
Lauren Boyington, LMT
Education: Weimar College in Weimar, CA in 2012, Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN in 2012 and 2014
Credentials: Tennessee Licensed Massage Therapist, AA in Liberal Arts, AA in Education
Specialties: Swedish and deep tissue massage, hot stone, prenatal, Raindrop Technique®, cupping, Bamboo-fusion®
Lauren joined our team in November, 2013. Lauren is especially passionate about Raindrop Technique® and using essential oils. She's driven by a desire to help her clients improve their health. Besides doing massage, Lauren arranges our fresh flower bouquets and cares for our live indoor and outdoor plants.
Makeup credit: Rachel Fagan, LA
Aurora Martin, LMT
Education: Miller-Motte Technical College, Chattanooga, TN, 2013
Credentials: Licensed Massage Therapist
Specialties: Swedish & deep tissue massage
After finishing massage school in 2013, Aurora stayed on at Miller-Motte to teach and manage the student clinic. When Miller-Motte closed down their massage program, Aurora went to work at Massage Envy.
Aurora gives an excellent firm, deep tissue massage with a therapeutic focus. She joined our team in May, 2023.
Katie Murphy, LMT
Education: Chattanooga State, Chattanooga, TN in 2016
Credentials: Licensed Massage Therapist
Specialties: Swedish massage
After working for several years at a beauty counter and retail, Katie switched gears and went to massage school. She worked for a spa in Nashville, TN. When the owner decided to close the spa, Katie took over and ran her own business for several years. She and her husband and young son moved to Chattanooga, and she joined our team in May, 2023.
Aaliyah Davis, LA
Education: Brillare Beauty Institute
Credentials: Licensed Aesthetician
Specialties: facials, waxing
Aaliyah joined our aesthetics team in fall, 2022. She’s currently enrolled in nursing school at Cleveland State Community College, with the goal of practicing medical aesthetics as she advances in her career.
Lauryn Fowler, LA
Education: Chattanooga College
Credentials: Licensed Aesthetician
Specialties: facials, waxing
Lauryn joined our aesthetics team in August, 2023 and is being cross-trained at our front desk as well. She worked as a server for several years before deciding to pursue her passion in the skin care industry.
Kelly Brandt, Billing Specialist
Kelly joined our front desk team in fall, 2021 after several years experience in reception and office management at various companies. In 2023 she transitioned away from the front desk to handling our insurance billing.
Lisa Fagan, Laundry & Housekeeping
With experience in residential cleaning, Lisa joined our team in fall, 2022 to manage our laundry and housekeeping.