Looking to green your spa, but worried about the expenses?
Our upcoming Green Scene ("Mayan Marvel," August 2010) contains lots of information about cost-efficient ways to incorporate eco-friendly supplies into your spa.
HereŐs a taste to get you started:
Make investments that have a proven return. John Vater, co-owner of Spa Adriana in Huntington, New York, says, "solar panels pay off, as long as you continue using them to save on energy costs."
Shop locally. When Vater and his wife Adriana recently remodeled their spa, they wanted to enrich their Mayan theme by building a faŤade with limestone from the Yuc‡tan Peninsula in Mexico. Instead, they found a local company that manufactures precut concrete. "That way our renovation doesn't have the environmental impact that would result from shipping and trucking materials all that distance," John says. "It saves a lot of money too."
What supplies, products and materials do you employ to increase your spa's sustainability? Send your ideas to Katie O'Reilly, associate editor, at koreilly@creativeage.com.
This month, the Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) calls on individuals nationwide to relax and rejuvenate through the power of touch. Sunday, July 18 through Saturday, July 24 is EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week. As in years past, ABMP members will hold grassroots events in communities throughout the country to spread the word about the value of professional massage.
In the event’s 16th year, the association is taking things a step further. ABMP recently offered the co-hosts of ABC-TV’s The View a complimentary massage therapy session, on air, at some point during the week. They made the same proposal to Joe Scarborough of NBC-TV’s Morning Joe. The association made these offers in an effort to dispel disrespectful comments about massage therapy that these shows recently aired. The commentary was mostly in light of Al Gore’s headline-making scandal involving a massage therapist in 2006, which was recently leaked to the media.
“There’s no better time than now to tell the world about the value of legitimate, professional massage therapy,” says ABMP president Les Sweeney. “It’s clear from recent events in the news that there are still a few folks out there–including some in the media—who aren’t clear about the code of conduct followed by massage therapists and the therapeutic value of professional massage therapy.”
The association aims to inform a large, televised audience that massage therapy is professional work that requires significant training, licensing and adherence to a strict code of ethics.
We’ll keep you posted on whether these networks will take the ABMP up on their offer. And if so, we’ll be sure to publish the days and times which they’ll be gracing the airwaves.
Is your spa doing anything to commemorate EveryBody Deserves a Massage Week? Tell us about it! Write to koreilly@creativeage.com.—Katie O’Reilly
Austin spas and salons rally together to support charity.
Abby Lewandowski knows there’s power in numbers. When she had the idea to stage a fashion and hair show to benefit charity, the owner of Urban Groove Salon in Austin reached out to the local spa/salon community for support.
“It’s a community that cares,” she says. “Everyone I contacted was game.”
The benefit, held last April, included hair and makeup styles from Vanity Salon, Breeze Salon & Day Spa, MaximumFX Salon Spa, Path Salon, Jackson Ruiz, Bodies by Anne and Urban Groove. Local fashion designers provided the clothing, and the community came out in droves. “We raised more than $1,000 in just one night,” Lewandowski says. “And the next one will be bigger.”
She plans to make Salon Industry Night a regular fixture in the Austin scene. The next event is slated for October and will benefit the Livestrong foundation. To show your support–or join in if you’re Austin-based–visit the Salon Industry Night Facebook page.
“We can all make a difference locally, to support our industry and causes close to our hearts,” Lewandowski says.
Spa owner Audrey Brown is a self-proclaimed “huge fan” of the popular CBS-TV reality scavenger hunt game show, The Amazing Race. And the No. 1 cause she champions is education initiatives for young children.
So when the Chesapeake Health Investment Program (CHIPS), a non-profit organization that provides support and educational services to families of kids aged prenatal through 6, asked if her business could be a stop on an Amazing Race segment to benefit the charity, she raised them one. Not only did Natural Elements Spa & Salon in Chesapeake, Virginia, play host to the 48 teams of four that were scrambling to complete that local obstacle course on race day, but Brown rallied her staff to form a spa team to participate in the whirlwind scavenger scramble.
“It sounded like such a good, fun time, and for the best cause,” she says. “It just made perfect sense.”
While the team worked to raise money by publicizing the event to spa guests, they were meanwhile brainstorming ways to turn Natural Elements into a memorable leg of the obstacle race.
“We finally settled on giving teams a choice between waxing all the hair off of each other’s arms or painting each others’ fingernails,” Brown says. Somewhat surprisingly, more than half took the waxing challenge.
By the end of the race on June 5, the Natural Elements team had racked up the highest combination of challenge points, bonus points and funds raised. The town mayor and several other city officials greeted the winning spa folks at the finish line. They presented the Natural Elements team with their award and showed gracious support for the outstanding efforts of the CHIPS organization.
The huge trophy is now proudly displayed in the spa’s reception area. How does your spa participate in community events and show support for meaningful causes? Send your adventures to koreilly@creativeage.com. –Katie O’Reilly
On the morning of June 15, about 700 people gathered outside of OPI Products headquarters in North Hollywood, California. Employees, their children, Los Angeles City controller Wendy Greuel and several Southern Californian nail enthusiasts were in attendance for the company’s fifth biannual computer and scholarship giveaway event.
OPI created a festive summer atmosphere for the occasion with lemonade, and pretzel and popcorn carts on site. Company cofounder and president George Schaeffer awarded 101 new Dell computer systems and 18 scholarships to local, school-aged children. Below, he shares more about the event and why he strongly supports education initiatives.
Universal Companies, one of the industry’s largest distributors of professional spa products, takes environmental responsibility seriously. To help spa owners do the same, it’s labeling its vast inventory of earth-friendly products with a new Green Leaf symbol. The icon indicates that products have undergone conscientious examination for sustainable attributes.
Universal Companies also offers customers access to a sustainability specialist, who can assist them take steps to further green their facilities. In addition, the company partners with the Green Spa Network, a community of spa professionals that offers a bundle of collaborative tools and resources.
To learn more about Universal Companies’ earth-friendly products, visit the company’s website.
The makers of Sex and the City 2 (SATC2) knew exactly what they were doing releasing the hyper-anticipated hit movie sequel last Memorial Day weekend. It meant people had free time to spare and sought fun ways to spend it. Monique Michaud found a way to not only seize holiday weekend marketing opportunities, but also get in on the SATC2 fervor for an added business boost.
As director of spa and retail operations, Michaud was brainstorming ways to entice guests to visit Spa of the Pines in Lake Arrowhead, California, during their extended weekend stays at its adjoining resort. She created several unique packages–all inspired by the film–and each reflected the personality of a beloved SATC character. Michaud even teamed up with the hotel bar to offer coupons for a complimentary drink, custom-suited to each spa package.
“The Carrie” ($155)–designed with fashionistas in mind–included a hairstyle, makeup application, classic pedicure and a Cosmo cocktail. “The Miranda” ($220)–created to service busy, wound-up guests–featured a decompressing Swedish massage, express facial and a tall glass of merlot. “The Charlotte” ($200) included a champagne facial, classic mani/pedi and a bubbly flute of champagne. “The Samantha” ($160) featured an aromatherapy body scrub, Brazilian wax and a Sex on the Beach martini. And the promo, called “A Taste of the City…” didn’t neglect male spa-goers. City men chose between “The Aiden” ($175)–a deep-tissue massage, reflexology treatment and mug of beer–and “Mr. Big” ($215)–a hot-stone massage, sports manicure and men’s hairstyle with a Manhattan cocktail.
Michaud, a “huge fan of the show,” said the idea came to her last-minute. “I was excited to see the movie, and I had this vision of a feather boa inside a large martini glass on our reception desk–and I just started writing,” she says.
Guests booked packages based on the their preferred treatments, though Michaud says that, “the ladies wanted to switch things around to get different drinks.” “The Miranda” and “The Aiden” were the big winners, but time will tell which character ultimately prevails. The spa extended the special until the end of June.
Michaud says she plans to look for more ways to incorporate pop culture into spa specials. “I only wish I’d come up with the idea earlier–I would’ve had the staff dress up and maybe added movie passes and a resort stay,” she adds. “I’d definitely do this again, but it’d have to be the right movie.”
Does your spa create promotions around popular movie releases and events? Tell us about it at koreilly@creativeage.com–Katie O’Reilly
The DAYSPA Video Channel turns you and your spa into superstars as it spotlights trends, triumphs and transformations.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Although we’re not broadcast journalists or film production pros, we recently launched the DAYSPA Video Channel. Think of it as reality TV meets the spa industry. My staff and I shoot interviews with business owners and managers, and spa tours, industry events and trade shows.
Sounds easy, but we actually had no idea what we were getting ourselves in to. One time, while filming an interview with the spa director at Bliss Spa in Hollywood, California, I unknowingly backed into a rock garden and got my heel stuck between two stones. As I felt myself falling backward, he stepped briefly off camera to catch me and then immediately moved back into the shot without pausing in his delivery. Nice save!
Another time, I shot a snack segment in the lobby of Belle Visage Spa in Studio City, California. As the receptionist proudly showed me the goodies she offers guests, I reached in front of the camera to remove the top of an elegant pastry stand—not anticipating the weight of the lead crystal cover. With the camera still rolling, I had to quickly figure out what to do with it before I dropped it. I somehow found a way to lodge it between my legs, and spent the rest of the segment trying to keep it from falling and shattering on the floor.
Although things haven’t always gone as planned, DAYSPA has now amassed an impressive collection of videos. They’re designed to inform, inspire and enlighten. Check them out here, and see if you can spot the blooper moments.
To help minimize snafus while planning upcoming promos, we’re also introducing a new semi-regular column. Marketing Savvy provides valuable advice on how to get the word out about your latest offerings. “Here Comes the Guide” shows you how to ramp up your group services for brides-to-be and wedding parties.
Summer brides want to look their best on the big day. In addition to facials, manis/pedis (see “Pretty Pedis”), waxing, and hair and makeup, many day spas now feature eyelash extension services on their menu. “Eyes on the Prize” provides step-by-step application guidelines for this growing trend.
We hope you have a blockbuster summer season. Tell us about it on Twitter or Facebook.
Skin 2 Skin Care raises money for skin cancer awareness.
May marks the beginning of summer, and the month the health and wellness community educates clients about Skin Cancer Awareness. To that end, Skin 2 Skin Care is partnering up with The World Skin Project to raise awareness on this prevalent disease—and donate funds to finding a cure.
“One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime,” says Skin 2 Skin Care founder Ken Simpson. “That’s why we want to give back to an organization that will help educate the public on the risks of sun exposure.”
Throughout the month, Skin 2 Skin Care will donate 10% of its website sales of its Organic Anti-Photoaging SPF 30 to the World Skin Project, an organization that works to reduce the occurrence of skin cancer through the promotion of early detection, prevention and awareness.
The organic SPF moisturizer contains zinc oxide and titamium dioxide to protect the dermis from sun damage and burns that lead to aging and certain cancers. It’s also infused with skin-calming agents such as green tea, aloe vera and jojoba oil. Choose from three shades–Light Tint, Tan and Dark Neutral—to match any skin tone.
New research shows that yoga can work on the waistline as well as the spirit.
A new study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, has found that the state of mind used while practicing yoga, can also work to keep people from overeating.
Alan Kristal, Ph.D., who initiated the study four years ago, hypothesized that there was a link between the meditative practices of yoga and mindful eating. He theorized that the Eastern exercise increases body awareness, and individuals who practice yoga on a daily basis have an enhanced sensitivity to their body’s needs. This attentiveness allows them to stop eating when their body has received sufficient nutrition.
The study cites stress, distractions while eating and advertising cues as the primary triggers for eating too much. Yoga students have a better success rate at eradicating these factors because they are in the habit of bringing awareness to each moment.
Many spas have already picked up on the benefits of offering yoga to their clients. Here are a few that make it a regular part of their wellness regimen:
Exhale MindBody Spa, with locations across the United States, combines an active approach to well-being. Along with spa services, the facility offers a variety of Core Fusion activities, including beginning to advanced yoga. Visitors practice the link between breath and movement in a tranquil atmosphere.
Nurture Day Spa and Yoga Studio in Hot Springs, Arkansas, offers an Introduction to Yoga class (60 min./$10) which is meant to be as educational as it is beneficial. The spa wishes to create a warm and welcoming environment with wood accents and natural brick walls, so that yoga beginners and experts have a comfortable haven from their hectic lives.
Corinthian Wellness Spa in Southlake, Texas, holds yoga classes and parties in its Harmony Room. The spa offers private (70 min./$85), semi-private (70min./$55) or small group classes (70 min./$35) for clients. The yoga practice room offers its own unique experience. The ceiling employs fiber-optic lighting to mimic a starry night, and large screens fill the room, with images of Hawaii, Bali and Lake Tahoe taking them away from it all.
Cocoon Urban Day Spa in San Francisco provides all levels of yoga classes to benefit each guest. The spa offers drop-in classes at all levels (60 min./$12). The staff works to give each client individual attention.
Adding yoga programs to your spa’s repertoire is just another way to communicate to your clients that their well-being is your top priority. –Stephanie Flores
With summer’s rays almost upon us, it’s the best time of year to fill your clients in on the do’s and don’ts of sun exposure.
Skin cancer may be one of the fastest growing diseases in recent years. The Skin Cancer Foundation reveals an estimated 350% increase in instances over the past 15 years.
Spa professionals—who are regularly in close contact with clients’ dermis—are in a unique position to promote skin cancer detection. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and there are a variety of resources to help you spread the word about this deadly, but largely preventable disease.
SpaFinder, a global spa resource, is teaming up with thousands of facilities to distribute photosensitive wristbands that change colors when exposed to harmful UVA and UVB rays. The bracelets are at the centerpiece of the SpaFinder Melanoma Initiative. It educates the public about the prevention and detection of melanoma, the most fatal form of skin cancer. The white wristbands feature a metal faceplate engraved with the Melanoma Initiative’s motto, “I Will Reflect.” The phrase reminds wearers to keep in mind these five melanoma prevention tips—included in the bracelet’s packing:
• Be sun and skin smart.
• Wear sunscreen year-round.
• Use a minimum SPF-15 sunscreen.
• Have an annual full-body mole check by a dermatologist.
• Share this important message with others.
Spa owners interested in distributing the wristbands can purchase them in quantities of 30 or more for $2 each. Proceeds go toward melanoma research and programs to raise awareness. SpaFinder has also partnered with facilities around the globe. It’s enlisting therapists and estheticians to encourage clients to apply sunscreen regularly and schedule yearly check-ups with a dermatologist.
For more information, please visit the company’s website.
To read about the latest advancements in sunscreen skin care, pick up the May issue of DAYSPA. —Katie O’Reilly
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Although we’re not broadcast journalists or film production pros, we recently launched the 
