When I explain the math on profitability of spas to potential owners, I am often asked, "If Spas are not as profitable as others businesses, why would someone go into the spa business? And why are there so many spas popping up around the country? And why are YOU in this business?"

All great questions, and they deserve a more detailed answer than I am able to give you in this short column, but let me answer why I am in this business and how I suspect that many of you are in it for the same or similar reasons.

The short answer is "to help others" and "some driving force tells me that this is my life’s work!" For many of us, it is not about the money, even though we all need to turn a profit, it is an "OBSESSION", an obsession that is fed by the positive feedback that we receive on a regular basis. Although I never touch a client with my hands nor feel the flow of energy that passes between client and practitioner, it is responses that I get from readers or clients everyday, such as the two below, that touch my heart and inspire me to press on feeding my obsession:

Kerstin Bestmann from Cologne, Germany wondered if buying the book entitled, "The Reluctant Spa Director and the Mission Dream" would be worth the investment. She wrote to me: "During the first 38 pages I thought 'well, not too much about business, but what a nice chance to read a human story after all the professional reading.' But then I really got my money’s worth, extremely important information about 'what it's all about'. It sure is a sensitive, sensual, caring and pleasure business book with a lot of philosophy, history and meaning behind it. I figured out what you described as 'Business in general' is not for the faint of heart, and the spa business is even more difficult than most.' Great help, great book."

I met Tim Vergel de Dios from Orange County California at the recent Spa & Resort Expo in Los Angeles and sold him a book, he writes: "I wanted to compliment you on a very well written work. After reading many 'learn about a business' books, it was truly refreshing to finally find one that brings the reader through a real world scenario with all the trials that business and life brings. I found many parallels in the book and to my own situation. I feel you have succeeded in this work on many levels including, teaching, consulting, and entertaining. My hats off to you!"

Man, I LOVE my job! I may not touch people with my hands, but letters like these let me know that I have "helped others" and perhaps touched them in a different way. I am obsessed, I am obsessed with every aspect of this crazy spa business, I am obsessed with perfecting my craft and obsessed with helping others to create the most perfect Spa they are capable of.

I think Annette Bening said it best when recently asked how she balanced her home life and her career, she said "I think balance is over rated, in order to accomplish anything great in life it takes having an OBSESSION!"

Why don't you call me or write to me about your obsession, perhaps we can create something truly great together, or maybe we will go to group therapy together, either way we could call it a "Magnificent Obsession Session!"

Skip Williams, the author of “The Reluctant Spa Director and the Mission Dream”, is a recognized speaker and author in the spa arena, recently voted “Spa Person of the Year”, with over thirteen (13) years of experience in the Management, Financial Development & Operational fields, in the Spa and Hospitality Industry as Spa Director, Controller and Business project Consultant. He brings his previous years of analytical business experience in a broad variety of manufacturing, retail and service businesses to studying Resort Spas, Day Spas, Medical Spas, Wellness Centers, and Salons: their profitability, how they operate, and what makes them successful. Skip is also Vice President of Resources and Development.