Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Andersen.
Hi Christina, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Grand Rapids, and like a lot of people from small towns, I knew I wanted to explore more of the wider world. After college, I spent some time in Minneapolis and then moved with my husband to New York City. There, I worked in the private equity sector using my economics degree, but also took the opportunity to deepen a longtime interest in movement (I also have my degree in dance) by earning certifications in yoga and Pilates.
I always knew I’d come back home eventually, but what I didn’t fully realize was how much I would miss the offerings of big-city life. I never intended to teach—let alone run a business (or 3!)—but when I returned to Grand Rapids, I felt called to create some of the experiences I’d come to value in other places.
I started small: teaching dance to kids and yoga to adults at the Reif Center. One class turned into a full fitness studio, then a med spa, and eventually—after moving locations—a coffee shop that evolved into a full-service restaurant with both on- and off-site catering.
At the heart of all three businesses is the same mission: to bring to Grand Rapids the kinds of elevated experiences I’d want if I were choosing to move to a small town. It’s about creating a place where professionals, families, and young people—my own kids included, someday—can thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. We often do refer to our space as a “hidden gem”!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely—there have been plenty of struggles along the way.
Staffing has always been one of the biggest challenges. Our promise to carefully curate the best of the best means we need people with strong training, skill, and professionalism. But in a small town, those opportunities are limited. Either people leave to get certified, or we train them in-house—both of which require time, patience, and consistency.
Another ongoing challenge is our location. We’re tucked away on a large property in the middle of town, so we don’t benefit from walk-by or drive-by visibility. Most of our new guests find us because they were actively looking—often through word of mouth, not through traditional marketing channels. That discovery can feel like finding a hidden gem, but we wouldn’t mind being a little easier to find!
I also never expected to manage such a large team. Clear systems and communication are essential, and bringing on EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) with our incredible implementer, Meg Thoreson, helped us level up our operations across the board. It gave us structure, accountability, and a shared language that’s now part of our culture.
Of all our ventures, NoPo Kitchen has been the steepest learning curve. It’s the one industry I had no prior experience in—and the one with the most moving parts. I’ve been learning as I go.
It’s been humbling, and at the same time, very rewarding, too!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sukha Spaces (3 businesses): Center Studio, Center Spa, NoPo Kitchen & Catering?
Our mission has always been to elevate what’s available in Grand Rapids—to bring the kind of high-quality experiences you’d expect to find in a big city to a small northern Minnesota town. Across all of our businesses—Center Studio, Center Spa, and NoPo Kitchen & Catering—we are intentional and thoughtful about what we offer. Everything we do is carefully curated, and we take pride in offering only the best of the best. Our clients know that if we put something on the schedule, on the menu, or on the service list, it’s been researched, tested, and chosen with care.
I think what surprises a lot of people is that we exist at all—at this level—in such a small town. But the biggest compliment we get is when someone is “showing off” Grand Rapids to a visitor or someone considering moving here, and we’re the first stop. That’s something I’m really proud of. I also believe that our presence has encouraged other local businesses to raise their game—to offer more elevated experiences, to take design and service more seriously. I don’t say that competitively—I say it with gratitude. I really do believe we’ve helped raise the bar for what’s possible here.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about Grand Rapids is the access to nature. The lakes, the trails, the open roads, and the seasons. Plus, I love the down-to-earth attitude of all the people here. There’s a real sense of appreciation for what we have here; we don’t take it for granted.
What I like least? The distance from a major airport definitely makes travel in either direction more of a commitment, but that’s part of the package!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.center-mn.com | www.centerspa-mn.com | nopokitchen.com
- Instagram: @centerstudio.mn @centerspa.mn @nopokitchen.com
