Can you picture yourself working with your mom, every day, for years? Together with their mom, Pamela Manka, the sisters Breelynn Bailey and Shannaleigh Huish, own the Akasha Day Spa & Salon. And they have a party. They say it's like working with your best friend.

Before starting the Akasha Spa seven years ago, Breelynn and Pamela managed a construction business together. When Shannaleigh got her training in esthetics in L.A., they decided to get into the beauty and wellness business themselves and start their own spa. "The second time around," laughs Breelynn, "you learn."

In this business group, cooperating and sharing responsibilities are vital. Before moving to North Carolina, Shannaleigh had overseen skin care at Akasha. Breelynn specializes in massage therapy and nails, and Pam oversees and entertains the employees and clients. Together, they are a team.

Surprisingly, Akasha's location on 331 East 400 South wasn't always a center for wellness. Before the family purchased the building, it was actually used as a tire shop. A lot of remodeling later, the shop was transformed.

Now, unique corridors with stones leading the way, cozy pedicure seats, candle-lit and scented massage rooms, sauna and steam room occupy the space. In their boutique, one can find anything from stylish and funky accessories to spa products and make-up. On warmer days, the former garage door to the hair salon is opened, letting clients enjoy the sunlight and fresh air.

The Akasha family loves to see the rewards of the spa — they observe clients come in and leave completely changed. Looking back from their previous business, they say they enjoy the different, fun new atmosphere and services.

As with every business, partners don't always agree on everything. Working with family as a team, can be especially challenging to keep your cool. Pamela says sometimes she feels a little ganged-up on by her daughters. Howev r, cooperation and hard work have greatly improved their communication.

Even after business hours, Breelynn and Pamela talk for hours on the phone. "Our husbands don't get it, they tease [that] the doctor forgot to cut our umbilical cord," Breelynn says. But it works for them and they love it.

"My life would be so much less fun if I didn't see my mom every day," says Breelynn. "I get to laugh a billion times more by working with my mom."

When asked about her greatest success, Pamela answers that being able to see her daughter every day is joy enough. By working together as family, Pamela knows that they have the same agenda for their business. "We want to succeed and we know we're in this together."