Sentimental Journey…
March 13th, 2008 • Posted by Stephany Toman • Permalink
So, my daughter is turning 16 tomorrow — an event that hasn't come soon enough for her (yes, she gets her driver's license within a week!) but a moment that has simply snuck up on me, arriving seemingly without warning and in a most unsettling manner. I know, I've had 16 years to get used to the idea, but I'm just getting over my son going away to college all the way across the country …I'm pretty sure I'm still not over that! (By the way, he's a happy, thriving, sophomore now, so apparently I'm just slow to adjust to big life changes…)
Yes, I'm reminiscing, looking at darling baby photos of my little girl and am remembering so many awesome moments along her life's path to this point. Yes, I'll probably tear up when I frost her chocolate layer cake this evening and write her Happy Birthday Melina! greeting in butter cream. What I do know, though, is that my girl is growing up to be one heckuva young woman, and the future looks incredibly bright for her. Memories are bittersweet at times, I'll give you that. A clear view forward, though, makes it all make sense, and every trial and tribulation figure into the bigger life journey.
As journeys go, the evolution of the spa industry qualifies in epic terms. The current services and treatments available reflect influences from all over the world, some intensely elemental and some highly scientific elements, sometimes a little of both. Techniques and protocols will inevitably continue along a path of change, with an eye to improving the recipient experience while maximizing the treatment benefits.
In your experience, what has changed the most in the last decade or so? What new methods have you adopted and why? Has there been a breakthrough in either treatments and/or products that has allowed you to go to the next level as a practitioner? Are you absolutely wild about incorporating the newest and greatest, or do you prefer the tried and true traditional?
Please share. Now I've got a cake to bake.
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March 13th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Our customers are more results driven than they used to be. Organic is a big thing in Colorado, but we have adopted new products that contain Tri-Peptides to answer the demand for our serious skin care clients. This new line has complimented our Soli-Tone LED Light Therapy Machine investment perfectly. The serious Tri-Peptide customers spend money on their skin care without blinking an eye — but you have to have the results too! With this investment we took a step closer to the medi-spa environment and our customers like the new technology. Customers like it when you invest in new things for your business too — they notice what you put back into it!
Having a great looking website with dynamic color, easy navigation, clear (and fun!) descriptions and the instant gift certificate program has been a great change for us. We spend more time conversing with our clients in the spa (selling products!) instead of trying to package and mail out gift certificates. Everyone likes the new SpaBoom website.
I tend to sit back a bit before jumping into all the new things. I ask "is this what my customers want or would like?" how can it benefit my customers? If we can incorporate something new and make a difference in their lives for the better — it goes on the menu. (If I have goofed — we pull non-sellers off the shelf and off the menu.)
I am currently thinking of a new summer offering along the lines of "Camp Cleopatra's" for my baby boomers who might have gone to camp — but my twist is to make it a "Spa Camp" where I provide earthy body treatments (mud) and hydrating / collagen building facials (swim class) then Jewel Toned Pedicures (arts and crafts) and lunch — some camp food like a boxed lunch? (Maybe a mimosa?) Still in the planning stages, but I have learned if you keep it fun then instead of getting one client for these types of offerings you can get 3 girlfriends coming in together!
Maybe I'll be surprised and get some 16 year olds. (No mimosas for them though!) You never know who responds to the advertising! (A big Happy Birthday to your daughter!)
Janet
March 14th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Janet,
Wow — you really are incorporating the elemental with the high-tech! That's great! You are an example of how the very special practitioners in the spa industry provide such a worthwhile, nurturing and measurably beneficial experience, but keep it fun as well!
Thank you for your response! (And so far Melina is having a very happy birthday!)