Real-world experience shaped how I think about digital experiences.
My career began in Europe, training in esthetics, hospitality, and spa operations. Eventually I became a spa owner in the United States.
For 24 years, I owned and operated a boutique spa — client care, team leadership, operations, marketing, and every decision in between.
It was demanding work. It was also my greatest education.
My approach isn't rooted in trends or templates. It's shaped by more than 30 years in hospitality, wellness, and business ownership—where I learned that every interaction influences how people experience a business.
I'm Sharon Thönissen, founder of Held Space.
Where it started
I design websites for service-based businesses that want their digital presence to reflect the quality of the work they do.
Over the years, I noticed something I couldn't shake: businesses with exceptional services didn't always get exceptional results.
Not because the work lacked quality. Because the way the business was presented and experienced often didn't reflect the quality behind it.
That gap stayed with me. It's what led me into user experience, service design, digital strategy, and the psychology behind how people decide to trust someone — long before they ever become a client.