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Linda Brewer |
In Memorium:
Linda Brewer
Spa pioneer Linda Brewer passed away in February after a battle with ovarian cancer. An advisory board member of the Day Spa Association, Brewer made an unforgettable mark on the spa industry, helping to found the Look Good—Feel Better program for the American Cancer Society and more recently, the Uniquely-U Organization, a charity offering rehabilitative cosmetology services to people who’ve suffered from illness, injury or the effects of a natural disaster.
Over her 20-year career, Brewer, a resident of Jacksonville, FL, founded one of the first day spas in the state, and consulted in the development and operations of dozens of spas and resorts throughout the United States and Europe, as well as Southern-based medical spas. She served as spa director at top hotels and resorts, director of spa operations for a major recreation and leisure management firm, and authored skin- and nailcare laws that earned her the President’s Award from the Florida Cosmetology Association.
Brewer is survived by her mother, sister, brother, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Unique-U, Commonwealth Bank & Trust, 1404 Evergreen Road, Anchorage, KY, 40223.
 Love Calls
The Spa at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, has found a unique way to support troops who have risked their lives in Iraq and are recovering at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. Starting in February, for every spa certificate valued at $120 or more sold, the resort’s management is sending a 700-minute prepaid phone card in the purchaser’s name to the Family Assistance Center (FAC) at the hospital. This makes it easier for recovering soldiers to stay in close contact with their families, many of whom are living at military bases far away, as well as buddies still serving overseas. Says spa director Margaret Byrnes, “We are very pleased to be making this small gesture to the many men and women in uniform who have been wounded in the service of our country.”
Silver Salute: Universal Companies
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Marti Morenings, founder/CEO, Universal Companies |
This year marks the 25th year of business for Universal Companies (universalcompanies.com), provider of more than 5,000 spa products to more than 25,000 spa professionals. On this occasion, company founder and CEO Marti Morenings took some time to reflect on Universal’s history, its evolving mission and its plans for the future. “What an adventure it has been,” she writes.
“I can’t imagine being in any
other industry.”
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Universal Companies, Abingdon, VA |
Morenings tells how she and Dr. G.H. Morenings founded Universal Companies in 1982 with the purpose of marketing the doctor’s self-designed medical therapy unit. As the years passed, however, the company found itself moving slowly but surely into the esthetic market, carrying esthetic equipment and supplies, and working with the concept of a mail-order catalog for all its offerings. In 1995, the company distributed 15,000
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The 1996 Universal Companies catalog (top) was 24 pages long; the 2007 one runs about 400 pages.
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copies of its 24-page catalog. Today, the Universal Companies 2007 Resource Book enjoys a 100,000-copy distribution. Its headquarters in Abingdon, Virginia, is both an educational center and a showcase of company products, as well as a daily destination for more than 100 employees.
Looking forward, Universal seeks to expand on its mission “to deliver innovative spa solutions to maximize our customers’ success.” In so doing, the company will keep working to be an “ultimate source,” not only of products, furniture and equipment, but consulting and education, extending its classes and onsite training to make sure its customers excel.
“I want to thank all of our customers for their support through the years,” Morenings concludes. “Without you, it wouldn’t be possible for us to celebrate this 25th anniversary milestone.”
 May Gets Prettier
Online beauty resource PrettyCity (prettycity.com), partnering with Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, has declared May 2007 MedSpa Month, offering spa-goers discounted skincare services at medical spas across the country for the entire 31 days of May. Medical spas in major markets such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami have agreed to provide photofacials, laser hair removals, injectibles and other treatments at the nominal fee of $99 each. To participate, consumers can log on to MedSpaMonth.com and review a current list of spa locations in the program. Participating spas must qualify as true medical spas according to the definition established by the International Medical Spa Association (IMSA). For more information on qualifying visit internationalmedicalspaassociation.com.
New DSA Benefit
Beauty professionals without health insurance can now look to The Day Spa Association (DSA) for comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage, announced DSA founder Hannelore Leavy. Working in conjunction with multiline insurance agency CSS, the DSA is offering health insurance through major insurance carrier AIG. Coverage is available for full-time and part-time employees as well as independent contractors, and includes hospital and surgical coverage, intensive care benefits, doctor’s office visits, prescription drugs, lab and X-ray services, dental and vision benefits, and even accident and death coverage. To find out more contact the DSA at 201/865-2065 or visit dayspaassociation.com.
Supporting Massage
Taking their cue from overwhelmingly positive research on the benefits of massage, as well as its growing popularity, beauty manufacturers are finding new ways to support the art and business of this versatile treatment.
• Aveda (avedainstitutes.com) Institute Houston is implementing a new, three-month massage therapy program at its Woodlands location. The basic program covers the  Texas Department of State Health Services’ requirements; the advanced program enables students to also fulfill national requirements. Aveda’s philosophies on treatment and environment are incorporated into the educational package.
• BIOTONE (biotonespa.com) has partnered with the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation (COMTA) to create a Edu-Scholarship Fund providing BIOTONE-funded $500 scholarships to students at selected COMTA accredited schools once a year. “These scholarship awards will benefit massage therapy students who have shown promise in their studies,” says COMTA executive director Stephen Fridley. “We are very grateful to BIOTONE for their recognition of the commitment of COMTA institutions and programs to the quality of education provided to their students.”
ISPA Buddies Up
The International SPA Association (ISPA) is continuing to grow its resources and influence with two new partnerships:
• A strategic partnership between ISPA and ITEC France (cosmeeting.com), organizer of the International Beyond Beauty Paris trade show, will enable both bodies to develop a stronger connection amongst spa professionals on a global level. The groups will cooperate on an expansive consumer research project that will result in a combined data report of European, Asian and North American spa-goers, to be presented at both Beyond Beauty Paris in October and the ISPA conference in November. Says ISPA chairman Jim Root, “The experiences, connections and resources that will be achieved through this collaboration will inevitably lead to the sustainability of the spa profession.”
• ISPA has also joined forces with Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) to help educate consumers and businesses wishing to embrace environmentally positive choices on opportunities within the spa industry. The partnership will also enable ISPA members to connect with these businesses and individuals. LOHAS’ annual meeting in May will include the first-ever ISPA Pavilion. For more information
visit lohas.com.
New Nailcare Guidelines
 After releasing their guidelines for pedicures in July 2006, the International Nail Technicians Association (INTA) and the Nail Manufacturers Council (NMC) have completed their Guidelines for Cleaning and Disinfecting Manicuring and Enhancement Equipment. The guidelines include specific methods for handling such items as manicuring bowls, pushers, nippers, clippers, abrasive files and buffers, and disposables, as well as proper usages of products such as lotions, scrubs, paraffin wax, masks and oils to minimize the risks of contamination. The guidelines also include safe storage procedures and measures to take should unhealthy contact occur. For more information contact the INTA at 312/321-5161 or visit chicagomidwestbeautyshow.com.
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