A New Life: A computer programmer brings the flotation tank to Ireland and launches a new career for himself. Sylvia Thompson reports.
As new business ideas go, it was a radical one but Cork-born Gerard McCarthy (36) was in no doubt that what many of the hard-working stressed-out businessmen and women of Celtic Tiger Ireland needed was time out 'to float'.
He first came across the floatation tank concept in Australia when taking time off to travel after over 12 years of working as a computer programmer in England, Germany and Luxembourg.
"I didn't try it out in Byron Bay, Australia but I was fascinated by the idea," he explains.
Having no experience in healthcare, he returned to Ireland to work on contract as a computer programmer. Then, in July 2001, he reached a point when he "desperately wanted to change".
"For the next year, I didn't work. I did a career guidance course and the occupational psychologist in the company suggested seven possible career paths for me - features writer, photographer, leisure centre manager, teacher, instructor/trainer, charity/voluntary organisation executive, garden centre assistant/supervisor/manager. When I saw leisure centre manager, that was it. I knew exactly what I wanted to do," he explains.
McCarthy decided to throw himself completely into his business, remortgaging his apartment in Milltown, Dublin and then later selling it after over a dozen financial institutions refused to finance his business.
He then took out a five-year lease on a suite of offices in the Beacon Court office complex in Sandyford, Co Dublin. And, in July 2003 , he opened Oasis Floatarium, Ireland's first dedicated floatation centre.
Floatation tanks have been fashionable on and off since the 1960s. The idea is that by floating on your back in about 10 inches of a highly concentrated solution of warm water and Epson salts, your body and mind relax completely. For the full experience, clients are advised to close the tank and listen to calm, soothing music or bathe in the stillness of the moment.
An hour's float will, according to its advocates, reduce stress, muscle tension, back pain, relieve anxiety, insomnia and improve concentration and creativity. McCarthy himself says that he finds his weekly float "deeply relaxing and invigorating".
What is perhaps most significant about Oasis Floatarium is that - set in the heart of one of Dublin's burgeoning business districts - its smart stylish design is firmly targeted at businesspeople. The difficulty for McCarthy so far is that many of the businesspeople have yet to move into their slick new offices.
Yet, with proximity to the Luas, new link roads to the M50 and Leopardstown nearing completion, the imminent opening of the Fitzpatrick Hotel and The Well, executive health centre already up and running, McCarthy is hopeful that business will soon be brisker.
And, like all the best entrepreneurs, McCarthy remains undeterred if financially under strain. "I took on a business adviser at the end of the first year which has taken some of the pressure off. I've modified my opening hours to suit the busy times. I now take Sundays off [I had been working seven days a week for the first year]. I've sub-let a space to a company that offers fitness tests for elite athletes. I am currently seeking another tenant [osteopaths are particularly welcome] and am now looking for a business partner because I want to pursue other business ideas."
And what about his former career as a computer programmer?
"When I did the career guidance course, it was clear that computer programming should never have been my career choice. But, I have to say when I applied my computer skills to developing my own website, it was one of the few times I enjoyed the work."