Meet Our Team

Karen is a true California girl. She grew up in the Bay Area and moved to San Diego in 1992. She met her husband shortly after and the rest, as they say, is history. Her and Stephen have a son, Zenden, and an adorable dog, Loki.

After attending San Diego State University, Karen worked as a computer programmer until completely switching gears in 1999. She went to school to become an esthetician and shortly after, studied massage at IPSB where she received her massage license.

Her career as an esthetician and massage therapist started out in 2000 working in various spa environments and doing house calls.  She also worked closely with an acupuncturist for six years and did chair massage at the Charger games.  During that time she was able to build her own clientele and since 2008 was able to sustain her solo business on her own in her private studio in North Park.

After working on her own for several years, Karen started the process of expanding her business in 2016 and was able to open her doors in her new spa in Mission Hills in September 2018.

Karen and her family love to play board games and go camping. They also attend Comic-Con every summer.

Miriam studied at Marinello Beauty Schools and was recruited as a student to work at the Kin Spa at the Hyatt to start her career as an esthetician.

Miriam loves being able to respond to her client’s needs and helping them reconnect while helping them with their skincare needs.

When not working, Miriam enjoys spending time with family, reading and writing poetry, and taking her maltipoo, Perita, for walks.

Deb grew up in Eugene, Oregon – Go Ducks! After earning her B.S. in Environmental Science from Santa Clara University, she followed her passion for skincare and attended Paul Mitchell the School San Diego to become a licensed esthetician. She has been part of the Firefly Spa team since 2022 and especially loves providing facials with dermaplaning and spray tans.

Outside of the spa, Deb enjoys reading, running, crafting, and traveling. In San Diego, you’ll often find her exploring Balboa Park, trying new coffee shops, or catching a comedy show. Fun fact: she’s a proud cat mom to three cats—Nigel, Yzma, and Winston!

Originally from the Bay Area, Carly earned a B.S. in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine from Pacific College of Health and Science.

Carly is passionate about supporting long-term healing and recovery. Rather than focusing on surface-level symptoms, she takes the time to identify and treat the root cause of discomfort. Her treatments are grounded in both traditional Chinese medicine and a deep understanding of body mechanics and movement.

Outside of work, Carly enjoys cooking, exploring the outdoors, and spending time in nature.

Annette is originally from British Columbia and has spend over 20 years working at spas and with private clients through her practice as a massage therapist. She studied at IPSB in San Diego and truly loves connecting with people and helping them on their wellness journey.

When she’s not at work, Annette prefers to be active and loves trail running, hiking, working out, and gardening.

Gabriel is a San Diego native with over seven years of experience in massage therapy and wellness. After completing his Massage Therapy & Holistic Health Practice training at Brightwood College, he developed a passion for creating customized treatments that combine deep tissue, sports massage, trigger point/acupressure, and therapeutic techniques such as aromatherapy and heat therapy. Gabriel enjoys helping clients better understand their physical health and creating effective treatment plans tailored to their needs.

Outside of the spa, he loves live music, sporting events, exploring the outdoors, and discovering new San Diego eateries. He’s also a big fan of coastal sunsets and considers himself a music and nature enthusiast.  

Holly is from Riverside County but considers San Diego home. She attended the International Professional School of Bodywork.

She loves going to the zoo and spending time with her husband, and their dog, Leroy.

A San Diego native, Dominique earned her Massage Therapy certification from Healing Hands School of Holistic Health and Massage, where she built the strong foundation that supports her intuitive, client-centered approach to healing. 

Using a blend of Swedish, deep tissue, Tui Na, trigger point therapy, and craniosacral techniques, her goal is to relieve tension, restore balance, and help you leave feeling relaxed, renewed, and more connected to your body.

Outside of the treatment room, Dominique enjoys music, arts and crafts, cooking, and spending quality time with friends and family.

Chalise is a licensed massage therapist who studied massage at Fullerton College. She enjoys all aspects of massage, from the slow, relaxing flow of Swedish and lymphatic drainage to the focused, therapeutic benefits of deep tissue massage.

Outside of the spa, Chalise loves expressing her creativity through drawing and painting.

Hollie May is dedicated to helping people better understand their bodies and improve their overall quality of life. Through her work as a massage therapist, she strives to support each client’s journey toward feeling stronger, healthier, and more at ease.

Outside of the treatment room, Hollie May is a dancer, film photographer, and avid rock climber. At home, she enjoys relaxing with her cats and watching horror movies. She also loves exploring San Diego’s food scene, playing pool at her favorite dive bar, and catching live shows whenever she can.

Chance is a San Diego native who earned her Massage Therapy Certification from the School of Healing Arts and has continued her education through the International College of Holistic Studies. She specializes in therapeutic, nervous-system-focused bodywork that blends relaxation with intentional, results-oriented care. Chance is particularly passionate about deep fascia release techniques that help relieve chronic tension, improve mobility, and create greater ease within the body. Her goal is to help clients slow down, reconnect with themselves, and leave each session feeling both physically renewed and mentally grounded.

Outside of the treatment room, Chance enjoys dancing, music, and the arts, and loves spending time outdoors soaking up the San Diego sunshine. A fun fact: she sings with the San Diego Women’s Choir.

Sarah trained at Bellus Academy, where she studied both massage therapy and esthetics. She loves being able to combine relaxation with results, creating experiences that leave clients feeling renewed in their bodies and confident in their skin. For her, that transformation is the best part of the work.

Although she once dreamed of becoming a hairstylist, Sarah discovered her true passion in massage and esthetics while in school. The path felt natural, and she has been dedicated to helping people feel comfortable and radiant ever since.

Outside of Firefly, Sarah enjoys spending time outdoors. Hiking, camping, and sharing good food under the trees are some of her favorite ways to recharge. She also loves exploring San Diego’s food scene and discovering new restaurants with friends.