We’ve reached the end of 2022 and we know your business is gearing up to knock 2023 out of the park. Our team of experts have pulled together industry data from the past year and distilled down the spa and wellness industry’s top predictions into actionable insights that you can take advantage of to set your business up for success in 2023. Here are our top three spa predictions for 2023 and what you can do about them:

Take advantage of the experience economy.

The wellness industry as a whole was hit hard by the pandemic, as in-person treatments and experiences were essentially non-existent due to lockdowns and social distancing measures. According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), spa revenues were growing annually by 8.7% prior to 2020, but revenue shrank by 38.6% due to the pandemic. While our industry suffered under the pandemic, the good news is that the GWI projects that spa revenues will rise back up to pre-pandemic levels and will reach $151 billion in 2025.

So, what does this mean for the spa industry and how can you ride the revenue wave to keep your business on the right financial track? While the pandemic brought about many opportunities to optimize the digital patient and customer experiences, it left individuals craving authentic connection and in-person experiences. We quickly discovered that virtual offerings are a poor substitute for a physical presence and full immersion in these experiences.

This is good news for the spa and wellness industries, as we specialize in crafting peaceful and restorative environments for our customers and work on patients in-person so their bodies and minds can reap the benefits. Heading into 2023, your spa should focus on cultivating the best possible customer experience. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes and encourage your team members to follow the gold rule; ask yourself how you would want to be treated if you were booking a spa experience for yourself.

Throughout the next year, we will continue to discover just how valuable a good customer experience is, but rest assured it should be a top priority heading into 2023. According to a recent study, 86% of consumers will pay more for a great customer experience. Furthermore, clients may be willing to pay a premium anywhere between 13% and 18% for luxury and indulgence services. From social media to phone bookings, to the in-spa treatment, refine your client journey and allow customer experience to become a key differentiator for your business.

Prioritize high-quality products.

Throughout this year we saw the fallout from numerous product recalls, especially in the personal care item space. Most recently, Unilever was forced to issue a mass recall of numerous dry shampoo products due to the potential presence of Benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer; it is a carcinogen and make cause disruptions to our endocrine systems even in small doses.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Consumers are paying closer attention to what is in their personal care products and how it could affect their overall health, both positively and negatively. We’ve seen a bigger focus on clean beauty and personal care products over the last few years, and we predict that trend will continue to grow in 2023.

Prioritize high quality personal care items for your team to use during treatments and to sell to customers in your spa. Do your due diligence in researching just what exactly goes into the products you provide to clients. Support locally sourced manufacturers and brands that prioritize transparency and promote environmentally sound products.

One of our personal favorite brands is Privai. The company focused on product innovation as a core focus, developing results-driven, botanically inspired items. The brand purposefully pairs products from like-minded lifestyle brands to meet your clients’ needs. Privai’s products meet rigorous, high standards and are always:

• Paraben-free
• Naturally-inspired
• Vegetarian-friendly
• Cruelty-free and never test on animals
• Handcrafted & hand-poured in the USA

Cultivate a positive company culture.

According to a recent Mindbody report, company culture may be more important heading into 2023 than it has been in years past. As our teams return to our spas full time, they want to know that the space they’re in, and the team they’re working with is in a healthy and happy environment.

The pandemic gave employees the opportunity to define what they want out of work and allowed workers to dictate the environments they want to be a part of each day. We spend too much time at work to be chronically unhappy and navigate toxic cultures and behaviors.

Heading into 2023, demand for skilled and unskilled workers will still be high, meaning that employees will continue to control the job market. According to a recent study by FRANdata and IFA, nearly 90% of respondents noted that business owners are having trouble finding individuals to fill vacant positions on their teams.

Connect with your team members and express a curiosity around what you can do to make the workspace as welcoming and collaborative as possible. Be open to the ways that you can improve your business. Focusing on what you can do to retain good employees will ultimately be to your benefit. In a survey by the Association for Trade Development (ATD), businesses may spend upwards of $1,200 to train new team members.

No matter the direction you choose to take your spa business over the next year, consider taking advantage of these trends to deliver the best experience possible for your team and for your customers. We wish you an abundance of health heading into the new year and hope that 2023 brings success to your business!

Sources:

https://globalwellnessinstitute.org/press-room/statistics-and-facts/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2021/04/07/winning-in-the-experience-economy/?sh=628cb842224f

https://www.superoffice.com/blog/customer-experience-statistics/

https://www.pwc.com/us/en/advisory-services/publications/consumer-intelligence-series/pwc-consumer-intelligence-series-customer-experience.pdf

https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/unilever-issues-voluntary-us-recall-select-dry-shampoos-due-potential-presence-benzene

https://cen.acs.org/business/consumer-products/Benzeneagain-found-personal-care-products/100/i38

https://brand.mindbodyonline.com/m/7c98c85466ad37/original/Predictions-Report.pdf

https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2022-04/4-2022-Labor%20Challenges%20Report.pdf

https://www.td.org/insights/atd-releases-2016-state-of-the-industry-report

As a part of the wellness and healthcare communities, promoting a balanced lifestyle when it comes to physical and mental health should be at the center of everything we do. We encourage our clients to focus on healing their bodies and their minds, but, as a business owner, how often do you encourage your employees to prioritize their mental health?

Below are 5 ways you can better support your employees in their mental health wellness journeys.

How mental health impacts your employees

On average, we spend a third of our day working, so the workplace can be a key place in which to implement mental health awareness and wellness strategies. Increases stress and poor mental health can affect your employees in the following ways:

• Poor communication skills with other coworkers
• Lack of engagement with their work
• Low job performance and productivity
• Low physical ability and function in day-to-day tasks

It is critical to your employees’ overall health, as well as your business’s longevity, to promote a working environment that focuses on mental health wellness and stress management.

Include mental health coverage as a part of your health care plans

Focusing on mental health in the workplace and providing resources to your employees may also lead to a reduction in healthcare costs for your business and your team members. Do your best to provide a comprehensive health care plan to your employee that includes quality mental health care coverage. Additionally, consider providing your employees with a health savings account (HSA) to help offset out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

The extra time and money spent on a quality mental health care plan for employees can be worth it: The WHO has found that for every $1 spent on treating common mental health concerns, there is a return of $4 in improved health and productivity. 

Establish an employee assistance program (EAP)

An employee assistance program (EAP), or a workplace wellness program can be useful tools in identifying at-risk employees and providing support in reducing and managing stress. Many EAPs have proven to be successful in positively affecting employees’ mental wellness and stress, particularly when they are coupled with mental and physical wellness invention techniques.

Open communication lines to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health resources

Many adults will deal with some sort of mental health issue at some point in their life. Providing an empathic and open environment that is supportive of employee betterment can help to reduce the stigma around mental health.

Encourage your managers to highlight your business’ mental health resources, not only when new team members are brought on, or only during open enrollment, but year-round. There are many resources available through health insurance companies and within our own communities.

Promote overall well-being

According to the CDC, mental illnesses such as depression may interfere with an individual’s ability to complete physical tasks up to 20% of the time and their cognitive performance up to 30% of the time. As spa and wellness professionals, these are critical skills your team needs to possess in order to provide quality care to your clients. 

Consider incorporating a meditation space dedicated to your employees to help them recharge and relax during the work day. Additionally, consider offering incentives to reinforce healthy workplace behaviors amongst your employees.

After a stressful past few years, prioritizing mental health is more important than ever. Let’s practice what we preach, and do what we can to promote healthy work environments for our teams.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/tools-resources/workplace-health/mental-health/index.html#:~:text=Mental%20illnesses%20such%20as%20depression,about%2035%25%20of%20the%20time

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/workplace-mental-health-5-ways-to-support-employee-wellness

One of the incredible things about massage therapy is that our team members have the opportunity to support our client through their wellness journeys. Those journeys look different for each client and we are honored to be a part of it.

This September we want to recognize our clients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – commonly known as PCOS. September is national PCOS Awareness Month, and we are excited to be a part of it in our own way. The goal of PCOS Awareness Month is to help improve the lives of those affected by the disorder  and to help them to overcome their symptoms in addition to preventing and reducing their risks for related diseases.

PCOS is a common hormonal and reproductive disorder that affects around one in every 10 women of reproductive age. While the signs and symptoms of PCOS can vary woman to woman, most individuals with PCOS may experience the following:

• Irregular or prolonged periods of menstrual bleeding.
• An excess of androgens, or male sex hormones.
• Enlarged, polycystic ovaries with follicles surrounding eggs. These follicles, or fluid, may cause the ovaries to function irregularly, resulting in a failure to regularly release eggs.

While more than half of PCOS cases are asymptomatic, those that are symptomatic can experience a wide array of challenges. PCOS can lead to various complications including:

• Digestive issues
• Pelvic inflammation
• Restricted blood flow
• Depression and anxiety
• Infertility. 

If you think you may be experiencing symptoms of PCOS, connect with your healthcare provider.

While there is currently no cure for PCOS, and the cause is generally unknown, there are lifestyle changes that can be made that may help to relieve symptoms, including incorporating targeted massage therapy into your schedule more regularly. We know that massage therapy has a multitude of health benefits–both physical and mental.

Massage therapy is a non-invasive and gentle treatment option for those with PCOS. Here are a few benefits of incorporating massage therapy into your PCOS journey:

Increased Circulation.

Massage therapy promotes lymphatic flow, and increases blood circulation to your reproductive system as well as the surrounding tissues and organs. Increased blood flow can help to lessen complications from PCOS including pelvic inflammation.

Additionally, you need oxygen rich blood in your muscles to heal. If you have damaged or tense muscles, massage therapy can increase blood flow to those muscles and promote the healing process.

Stimulate Your Endocrine System.

The endocrine system is made up of glands that produce hormones that control bodily functions, including our reproductive systems. Women with PCOS may suffer from disrupted endocrine systems. 

Through gently applied pressure, massage therapy can help to reduce levels of adrenaline and norepinephrine. These are hormones produced by the adrenal glands in your endocrine system which activate your fight or flight response. When these hormones are present in your body, muscles are tense and your heart rate increases, which can lead to anxiety, another complication of PCOS. 

Lower Stress Levels.

We know that massage therapy has been proven to combat stress and lessen the impact it has on our minds and our bodies. Reducing stress levels can make a significant impact in reducing the risks associated with PCOS.

Whether it’s as simple as taking some quiet time for yourself, or experiencing the applied pressure targeting key points of stress within your body, booking a spa experience can help to lower your overall stress levels, helping you to feel more at peace and in a posture of restoration.

Experience Relief.

No matter where you are in your wellness journey, our massage therapists are here to support you at any stage. Our team is ready to get you feeling rejuvenated and invigorated as you navigate your PCOS journey. 

Connect with your healthcare provider to discuss what your treatment plan options are to manage your symptoms of PCOS and to see if incorporating massage therapy could be a good option for you.

Call or visit us to learn more about the health benefits of massage therapy or us to book your next spa experience.

Sources: 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439

https://pcoschallenge.org/pcos-awareness-month/

The Metrics That Will Best Help You Analyze Your Spa’s Performance

It’s important to understand why spa KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) matter. As the old adage says: you manage what you measure. We need to clearly identify what metrics mean the most for our spas, then set goals, and actively monitor. If the results start to veer away from desired outcomes, then it’s time to take action to improve your business. Tracking the right KPIs gives you a more practical and meaningful way to measure success, so you can make the most of your time and money — two of your most precious assets.

Our vast experience within the spa industry has led us to believe the following KPIs are the best factors to measure, specifically for your spa business.

1. Hotel Guest Capture Rate For Treatments

A percentage calculated by the Total Spa Guests / Total Hotel Guests

This reveals how many of the guests in the hotel saw the value in visiting the spa. These hotel guests booked an appointment for a spa day and committed time on their trip to wellness and self-care. The higher this number, the more relevant your spa is to the hotel.

2. Revenue Per Treatment

An average calculated by the Total Revenue / Total Number Of Treatments

This describes the revenue each treatment is contributing to the total profit of your spa business. By learning more about this KPI, you can easily refine your menu to increase the overall profitability of your treatment offerings. 

3. Revenue Per Guest

An average calculated by the Total Revenue / Total Number Of Guests

This discloses the average spend per guest and helps determine the relevancy of your treatment offerings and retail inventory, as well as whether or not adding new treatments or retail products will result in new revenue.

4. Treatment Room Occupancy 

A percentage calculated by the Total Treatment Hours / Total Treatment Room Hours Available

This shows you the total usage of your treatment rooms and whether or not your spa is operating at full capacity.

5. Number Of Treatments Per Guest

An average calculated by the Total Treatments Sold / Total Amount Of Spa Guests

This brings to light how many treatments each guest books during their spa day, an important figure used to evaluate the average spend per guest to help identify opportunities for up-selling and cross-selling services.

6. Treatment Room RevPAR

An average calculated by the Total Number Of Treatment Rooms Available / Total Revenue

This provides a glimpse into the number of rooms booked at your spa and how much revenue is being generated from those bookings, allowing you to evaluate your overall revenue management strategy and how to maximize the revenue generated per room. If the RevPAR of your spa is increasing, it must mean your average booking rate or occupancy rate is increasing!

7. Payroll Cost 

An average calculated by the Service Providers’ Wages / Total Revenue

This uncovers the true cost of the payroll process to help identify any areas where you can reduce expenses, such as overtime paid out to employees.

8. Productivity 

A percentage calculated by the Total Number Of Employees / Total Revenue

This represents how busy service providers are during scheduled business hours. To improve productivity and reach your staff’s optimal output, ensure your team is well versed in your products, services, and specialties. This knowledge can help lead to a more productive team that can both answer client questions and steer them in the direction of their favorite products or services.

9. Retail Sales

An average calculated by the Retail Sales / Total Sales

This tells you how much product is being sold inside your spa, and therefore, whether or not you’re curating the right inventory for your clients, or if you need to train staff on efficient sales techniques and product knowledge, or if you should provide more incentives to sell.

10. Transient Guests vs. Local Guest Capture 

A percentage calculated by the Number of Non-Hotel Guests / Total Spa Guests

This measures the relevancy of your spa to guests who are not staying at the hotel. It can also indicate how irrelevant your spa is to the hotel guests.

Conclusion

KPIs are undoubtedly one of the most important management tools in your tool kit. Understanding what they are and how they affect the profitability and success of your spa operation is absolutely crucial.

KPIs tell a story and paint a picture of the current situation whether positive or negative: they can highlight areas where you need to drive revenue, possibly with an additional promotion or offer; they can identify training issues within the team; and they can also bring to the fore areas of your business that are just not working and need to be changed.

Now more than ever, spas need to identify KPIs and set business goals for their employees as they improve and adapt for a thriving future. Spa KPIs are beacons for the team to aim towards  and can stretch the spa’s results well past the average. Are you ready to learn how we can help your spa grow into a booming success? Reach out to us and book a discovery call.

Discover Three Ways To Embrace Simplicity At Your Spa or Salon 

“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Chances are, you didn’t start your spa or salon business because you wanted to spend hours answering phone calls, marketing campaigns, and metrics reports each day.

You started your business to connect with people — and make them feel beautiful, confident, and to nurture their well-being. But more often than not, you find yourself obsessing over the never-ending to-do list that keeps revenue rolling in. Good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

As spa and salon owners, we understand that during a busy season, disorganized operations can get messy — fast. By eliminating unnecessary complexities from the guest experience and streamlining operations, spas and salons can maximize success. Sometimes the stress of juggling operations with endless multitasking demands can feel overwhelming. Whatever seems complex, transform it into the simplest form, however you can. We guarantee that simplified operations will create a stress-free atmosphere not only for your cherished clients, but for your staff as well. The burden of difficult spa and salon operations can ultimately result in poor customer service. When your team enjoys a chaos-free environment, they can showcase their skills. They offer better results with more personalized experiences through focus, attention, and care, which will enhance your client base and develop repeat business. The spa and salon environment should always feel calm; relaxation in a zen space is literally at the heart of what a client purchases when booking a service. It’s our duty to provide the ultimate R&R experience for our clients, and chaotic operations will undoubtedly take away from their spa day. In order to help people embrace self-care, your team needs to practice what they preach with tranquil energy. By providing opportunities to harness this energy, you’ll build a confident team of passionate spa and salon professionals, eager to share their wealth of knowledge with the world. Clients will benefit from life-changing services and return again and again.

A management system is one of the latest and most effective practices to simplify your spa and salon. Top beauty and wellness franchises choose SpaSpace to simplify operations so they can focus on growing their business, a membership-based booking and scheduling software system that serves spa professionals, clients, and facilities. SpaSpace’s software system has a patent-pending algorithm that matches a client’s specific needs and preferences to an expert professional.

An automation tool like SpaSpace takes charge of the maximum tasks of your facility to help you save time. Thus, enables staff to focus on their most prioritized tasks.

SpaSpace real-time staffing and services based on personalization give you operational efficiencies.

• Gain access to expert licensed and thoroughly vetted professionals.
• Experience online real-time reservations filled with the SpaSpace network allowing guests to book via phone app or front desk.
• Control your reservations through one interface .
• Increase your staffing levels and booking availability to drive more revenue.

Below, we’re revealing three powerful ways to simplify business operations for a high-performing spa in 2022 and beyond. 

Simplify the Scheduling Process

At the spa and salon, there is no shortage of tasks to tick off your to-do list each day. The good news is that innovative solutions exist that can help simplify business operations by automating many of these processes. And ultimately, this helps you focus on what matters most: delivering top-notch service to clients.

An automated scheduling processor like SpaSpace acts as the right hand of the spa and salon team. By reducing the heavy burden of unnecessary tasks, it empowers professionals to yield high productivity within their specialities.

A simplified, automated scheduling process enables guests to make appointments on their own time, and sets reminders and confirms reservations with clients, ultimately reducing the chances of no-shows. 

Not to mention, automating the scheduling process means your team can devote their time to the most important operations. It frees them from answering an entourage of calls each day, thus, creating a stress-free environment for the front desk team.

Automate & Personalize

To save time, money, labor, and empower your staff, an automated salon solution is the best companion. This technology will bring wonders to your salon business. The burden of your operations gets reduced with automated tools so you’re left with time to devote to strategizing more ways to uplift your business.

With this new found freedom, your team can pay attention to offering a personalized experience to clients. A custom service is every customer’s wish, the golden ticket for increasing retention rates. Also, personalization is the most leading marketing strategy many spas and salons are implementing to take their businesses to the next level.

With intelligent marketing solutions, your spa or salon can automate critical marketing efforts that enable you to simplify business operations. For instance, using predictive algorithms, solutions identify any potential gaps in your appointment calendar. Automated marketing technology can boost the frequency of customer visits by reaching out precisely when it makes the most sense for your customer and your business. By delivering highly personalized messages to your clients, you’ll be sure to develop more loyal relationships.

Better Manage Your Inventory

Inventory management is also an integral part of the spa and salon business, yet it takes time and labor to successfully manage your stock. Always maintaining the correct amount of retail products is never an easy task, but these days you don’t need to worry about handling your stock manually. Fortunately, software solutions can improve how you track your inventory by automatically sending alerts when it’s time to reorder a product. This powerful solution helps you simplify business operations and maximize your sales by ordering the right products in the right quantities, while minimizing your inventory costs. It will brief you about low products, thus, keeping your shelves appropriately stocked — great for demand and for visual merchandising. You’ll save money in the long run because you’ll have a calculated idea of what products sell. This helps when buying for the retail space because you’ll cease to reorder products that didn’t sell.

Conclusion

Today, there are a wealth of innovative ways that spas and salons can simplify and run their businesses more efficiently. Lesson learned: it’s the simple things in life that matter. A return to the basics will allow us to focus on what’s meaningful in our professional worlds. By automating time-consuming tasks and processes, you and your team can instead focus on what you love most: helping people feel their best.So, are you ready to simplify business operations for your salon or spa in 2022? Reach out to us to book a discovery call.

One Day Can Change Your Whole Life

It’s that time of year again — Global Wellness Day is here and there’s no better holiday to embrace at the spa. In fact, wellness makes up the roots of our establishments. Today it’s fair to say that spas are at the forefront of the holistic health and wellness movement. People everywhere are discovering that the most effective approach to health is maintaining a balanced lifestyle — and our spas employ top professionals in this area of expertise. Spas are home to some of the latest pioneering treatments and research into nutrition, mindfulness, and well-being, offering perfectly tailored experiences for mind, body, and soul rejuvenation.

What is Global Wellness Day? Living well is almost the entire world’s shared dream, so this not-for-profit social project began in 2012 dedicating a special day to honor all that is precious and truly valuable to us. 

The purpose of Global Wellness Day on June 11th is to ask the universal question, “How can I live a healthier and better life?” A main objective is to raise awareness that wellness is not a luxury, but a necessity — and the right of every individual.

The main goals of the day are:

• To recognize the value of our lives
• To pause and think
• To be free from the stress of everyday life and bad habits
• To make peace with ourselves
• To raise awareness about living well and increase motivation, not just for the day, but for the remaining year

These actions are life-changing. Treat your body and mind well, treat the planet well, and treat your community well. Through this we can truly be well. As spa industry professionals, our life’s work has been formed around this very shared belief.

That’s why Global Wellness Day is a powerfully relevant holiday to celebrate in your spa. Read on to learn our favorite ways to integrate Global Wellness Day into your spa marketing initiatives this June. 

Five Ways Your Spa Can Celebrate Global Wellness Day

Host A Yoga, Meditation, Or Sound Bath Session

These ancient systems of healthy living improve physical conditions through the mind/body connection and breathing, and result in healthy skin and organs, balanced weight, and higher energy levels.

Through the consistent practice of linking the body and mind through breath, emotional health is also improved. Mindfulness and meditation are an intrinsic part of yoga philosophy. In yoga, your personal health is the sum of all your joy, enthusiasm, and love for yourself, your life, and those around you.

The benefits of yoga and meditation boost wellness in all areas of life, which is why hosting a session on Global Wellness Day will inspire your guests to live a healthy lifestyle. Rally your wellness community and organize a fun event to enjoy the multitude of yoga benefits together, and learn to hold the capacity to fully experience the world through cultivated awareness.

Complimentary Refreshments: Spa Water Or Wellness Mocktail

Spa water is a non-negotiable offering for your guests. Fun fact about the etymology of the word ‘spa’: it’s an acronym of the Latin phrase ‘Salus per Aquam’, meaning ‘health from water’. The ‘spa’ is also considered to be named after the Belgian village, Spa, where hot mineral springs were used by Roman soldiers to treat aching muscles and wounds from battle. History says it all: there lies an intrinsic connection between the spa and water. 

So what is spa water? Simply put: it’s filtered drinking water with a variety of fresh fruit fusions like lemon, orange, watermelon, mint, cucumber, basil, lavender, rosemary, lime, and strawberries, to name a few. So why is offering spa water a major perk for spa guests?

Water is the ultimate purifier, replenisher, and hydrator for all organs in our bodies. It aids in all functions of our body and helps to flush out toxins. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses of water every single day! Adding fresh fruits and herbs adds minerals and vitamins to water, increases the nutritional benefits, and makes it taste refreshing, slightly sweet, and delicious! It’s truly the perfect addition to a relaxing spa experience and establishes your spa as a leading wellness thinker through all the small details.

Since Global Wellness Day only happens once a year, why not take your healthy complimentary refreshments to the next level with a wellness mocktail?

Sparkling Blood Orange Mocktail

This healthy mocktail with blood orange juice, honey, vanilla, and sparkling water is a refreshing spritzer. It’s an easy mocktail — the perfect pretty, non-alcoholic drink for Global Wellness Day, delivering a bright ruby-red color packed full of more than a day’s supply of Vitamin C, boosting immunity and cell function. 

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. blood orange juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 4 oz. lime sparkling water
• Blood orange slices for garnish

Serving size: 2

Instructions:

1. Squeeze the blood orange juice into a mason jar with a lid or cocktail shaker. Add the honey and vanilla extract to the unchilled juice. Shake. Add ice to cool it down.
2. Pour evenly into two ice-filled glasses. Top with lime sparkling water and a slice of blood orange on top. Cheers! Enjoy right away.

Organize A Raffle Contest To Win A Spa Treatment

To delight your current loyal guests and attract new visitors to your spa, you might consider hosting a raffle event for a spa treatment giveaway. 

So what is a raffle? A raffle is when your spa business offers your guests a special package of treatments, services, or retail products for a fraction of their value through the purchase of a ticket.

For example, you might package together a facial, massage, manicure, and pedicure, for a value of $385 and during your raffle event, you charge your clients only $2 per ticket for the chance to win. Both your new and regular clients purchase many tickets because they love your spa menu and it’s a fantastic value. For just $2 they could win a $385 spa package experience! Raffles have been used by many businesses, organizations, and non-profits for decades. It’s a great way to showcase your generosity as a business promoting wellness to your community.

Offer Complimentary Chair Massages

Complimentary chair massages for Global Wellness Day will encourage clients to try out different services for your spa business. It’s a great way to get clients in the door. Be sure to wow them with excellent service, listening skills, and a prompt follow up. Your clients’ appreciation will build loyalty over time. If you have an outdoor area, take this event outside for a tranquil massage environment.

Create a Display with Curated Wellness Products In Spa Boutique

Visual merchandising is the practice of displaying your product and organizing your store to drive sales, enhance your brand, and provide a stimulating and enjoyable shopping experience for customers. Global Wellness Day is the perfect reason to get creative in the retail area of your spa space and consider making a beautiful display of products, such as aromatherapy essential oils, candles, etc, that nurture the art of wellness at home. Entice customers with irresistible self-care products and to highlight new arrivals, limited-edition products, or gifts.

Happy Global Wellness Day! We wish you all a beautiful and healthy start to the summer season. Join us in the celebration of wellness on June 11th and beyond.

Introducing Our Next World-Class Spa Experience In Washington D.C.

We’re beyond excited to announce our next spa launch at Willard InterContinental, regarded as one of the most historic hotels in America, epitomizing luxury since opening in 1818 — only one block from the White House.

To say it’s an honor to create the next spa concept within this iconic hotel is an understatement — listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Willard InterContinental is a world-class destination known for its rich history and luxurious accommodations. Often referred to as the “Residence of Presidents,” this legendary property located in the heart of our nation’s capital has welcomed U.S. presidents, foreign dignitaries, and many celebrities alike.

The Willard is known for its significant moments in U.S. history for the last 200 years — it’s the hotel where Abraham Lincoln took residency before his inauguration and Martin Luther King Jr. finished his “I Have a Dream” speech. Many rooms feature picturesque views of the city’s most notable landmarks, including the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial.

Not to mention — it’s voted one of the “Top 50 Hotels in America for Weddings” by Brides Magazine, an unmatched setting for an extraordinary D.C. wedding. From intimate ceremonies to mid-size ballroom weddings and receptions, plan an unforgettable celebration with sumptuous cuisine, a legendary building, and impeccable service. And we all know, a spa day for the bridal party is an absolute must for the perfect wedding experience. We’re here to provide that blissful spa moment for the bride-to-be and her bridal party, just in time to unwind and relax before the ceremony and festivities begin. 

When it comes to R&R, nothing beats booking a decadent pamper at The Willard Spa, the ultimate zen environment for optimum relaxation in an exceptional hotel. Whether you’re looking for a city escape, a wellness weekend, or a day of pure indulgence, the spa at Willard InterContinental is for you. Choose from our curated menu crafted with the individual in mind with fully customizable healing treatments, in a space designed to escape the daily pressures of life and recharge your energy and spirit. Come in for a 50-minute facial after a long day or book that refreshing 80-minute deep tissue massage for some real you-time.

Don’t forget to explore the “Add-On” section of our menu, all incredible enhancements to our services such as Detoxifying Dry Body Brush Exfoliation, Corrective Peel, Exfoliating Foot Treatment, Hot Stones, Aromatherapy, Microcurrent or LED Therapy, to name a few. All you need to do is request one of these indulgences to enrich your spa experience to the next level.

Need an excuse to choose D.C. this season as your next travel destination? It’s one of the best times to visit with ideal weather and all the blooming cherry blossom trees. The atmosphere is bright and cheerful during the National Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration of the city’s pink cherry blossom trees. Other activities such as strolling through the National Mall, visiting all the monuments and museums, and enjoying the shopping scene in downtown’s city center are some visitor favorites. It’s no wonder spring is the perfect time to make monumental memories in the District.

Book a stay at Willard InterContinental for a unique blend of location, historic charm, and glamorous spaces that take you back to the gilded age of travel. Experience 5-star service, enjoy the ultimate spa day of complete relaxation, and savor masterfully handcrafted cocktails in the iconic Round Robin Bar, where the mint julep was created in 1830. To learn more about The Willard Spa’s opening date, keep your eye on www.ismspa.com for the official announcement!

The benefits of self-awareness — of tuning into and nourishing your body and mind — are profound. Self-care is not only vital for your physical and mental health, but the more we adopt a self-care practice, the more our confidence, creativity, and productivity increases. Not to mention, we also experience more joy, make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. 

It’s not uncommon for modern women to have a lot on their plates and it’s easy to get overwhelmed with responsibilities and obligations. Sometimes, a busy schedule can get in the way of taking care of yourself. That’s why this week we’re joining the country in honoring women’s health.

National Women’s Health Week is an annual event to raise awareness about steps women can take to improve their health and lifestyle. The campaign commences on Mother’s Day annually, this year taking place between May 9th to the 15th. The focus of the event is the importance for women to incorporate simple preventative and positive health behaviors into their everyday life.

By taking control of their wellness, women can thrive within our communities. Here, we share our best self-care tips for women, so you can start making health a priority now.

Tips On Manifesting Health In Your Life

Get Active

Movement is one of the most basic functions of the human body — and so healthy! Don’t let exercise become burdensome to you. By focusing on the goal as “movement” rather than “working out,” you can find ways to incorporate motion into your daily life in a way that feels good for you. The endorphins from exercise are truly addicting, so it’s not difficult to maintain a consistent routine, all you need to do is find the right activity that you actually enjoy. According to the CDC, any aerobic movement counts, as long as it’s done at a moderate or vigorous-intensity. A brisk walk on the beach, a jog on your favorite nature path (hello, spring sunshine!), biking, dancing, or a Pilates class are all examples of healthy exercise that will release endorphins, relieve stress, help emotions move through our bodies, and ultimately, strengthen our connection to our bodies.

Eat A Healthy and Balanced Diet

One of the best ways to incorporate self-care into your daily routine is to start with your plate. After all, we are what we eat, right? Nutrition is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. It’s the ultimate form of nourishment for the mind and body. The CDC states that a healthy eating plan includes colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and meats like poultry and fish, beans, nuts and seeds, low fat or fat free dairy, healthy fats such as avocado, and is low in salt, saturated and trans fats, and added sugars. Women also need folic acid in their diets for the daily creation of new cells and for healthy pregnancies. Also, always drink alcohol in moderation, up to 1 drink a day for women. Our digestive and nutritional health affects our brain, so a healthy diet can do wonders for both our bodies and minds. Smart eating habits will help you lead a healthier and happier life.

Prioritize Your Mental Health

Your mental health deserves the same care and attention as your physical health.

Tending to your mental health is all about recognizing your unique needs and developing practices and habits to honor them. It’s the remedy to stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout so it’s worth the practice and dedication. Most of the background chatter in our mind is negative. Catch yourself and create a distraction by redirecting your thoughts toward the things that you are grateful for and optimistic about. With time, the kinder voice within will have more power. The antidote to being stuck in a sea of repetitive thoughts is presence. That’s why meditating can be so helpful. It builds the muscle of concentration so that we can refocus the mind whenever needed. Remember to stop saying yes when you want to say no. Your time is a limited and valuable resource. Be intentional with your time. Also always ask for help when you need it. When life gets difficult, it’s a common tendency to retreat, which can lead to isolation. We aren’t meant to travel through hard times alone. It’s important to reach out for support from trusted loved ones and mental health practitioners.

Practice Healthy Behaviors

Daily decisions influence overall health. Research shows you can boost your ability to create and sustain a healthy lifestyle through small actions. Regular things you do, from brushing your teeth to having a few drinks every night, can quickly become habits. Repetitive behaviors can create habits that may be hard to change. Habits often become automatic; they happen without much thought. The first step to changing your behavior is to create an awareness around what you do regularly. Look for patterns in your behavior and what triggers the unhealthy habits you want to change. Make a plan that includes small, reasonable goals and specific actions you’ll take to move toward them. Consider what you think you’ll need to be successful. How can you change things around you to support your goals? You might need to stock up on healthy foods, remove temptations, or find a special spot to relax.

Set aside time for you! Let us treat you to complete relaxation with the best spa day ever during National Women’s Health Week and beyond.

Book now and experience the many health benefits of decompressing at the spa!

In The Spirit Of Mother’s Day, Learn More About The Benefits Of A Prenatal Massage Therapy Certification

Spring is in the air and Mother’s Day is right around the corner. We love this holiday at ISM Spa because we believe wholeheartedly that mothers are indispensable. We will always embrace any reason to honor mothers, so that we can show our appreciation for all the care they provide to the world. In the spirit of celebrating mothers, today we’d like to explore the benefits of specializing in the art of nurturing new mothers via prenatal massage therapy.

What Is Prenatal Massage Therapy?

Pregnancy is one of life’s most amazing experiences for mothers-to-be, but it’s not without its share of physical and emotional stresses. From nervous tension to aches and pains, a number of ailments are common during pregnancy. One popular method for managing these maladies? Pregnancy massage.There’s nothing like a soothing prenatal massage to rub away all the pains and strains of growing new life, a technique involving deep bodywork designed to improve circulation, take some strain off muscles and joints, and generally re-energize expecting women. Prenatal massage offers many benefits aimed at alleviating pregnancy-related discomforts and helping women enjoy better overall wellness during this exciting, yet often overwhelming, time in life.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage can reduce stress hormones in the body and loosen sore muscles for pregnant women. Extra weight and changes in posture can stir up new aches and pains. Prenatal massage increases blood flow, eases trigger points, stimulates the feel-good hormone, serotonin, and keeps the lymphatic system working at peak efficiency. And it reconnects the mind with the body, a connection that’s crucial when undergoing so many body and lifestyle changes.

During pregnancy, consistent prenatal massage will not only help relax the body, but will also relieve:

• Stress and insomnia
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Neck and back pain
• Muscle cramping
• Sciatica
• Swelling in hands and feet
• Carpal tunnel pain
• Headaches and sinus congestion

But moms-to-be aren’t the only ones who benefit from pregnancy massage. By promoting the flow of both nutrient-rich oxygen and lymphatic fluid, this technique also supports the healthy growth of unborn babies, too.

Are you wondering whether studying pregnancy massage is right for you and your career as a massage therapist? The statistics say it all: there are currently 12 births per 1,000 people in the U.S. That’s a lot of potential pregnant clients! The world needs more massage therapists who specialize in this niche centered around helping women thrive during this significant time in their lives. Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy communities and what a joy to participate in the creation of a better, stronger world. Let’s take a closer look at the technique and why massage therapists should consider pursuing a prenatal practice.

The Prenatal Massage Technique

Now that you’ve decided to specialize in pregnancy massage, the first order of business is to make sure you are properly trained in the practice and establish your credentials as a certified professional. This means you have taken a live class with a qualified instructor, learned about the dynamic changes in anatomy and physiology during pregnancy and postpartum, practiced the appropriate modalities to support these changes, understand when not to treat, and have passed all the course requirements.

So what does the actual technique look like? Many different massage modalities are used during pregnancy massage, including everything from circulatory work to full body Swedish massage, but safety is always absolutely paramount. 

Coursework specifically in prenatal massage can help you learn massage techniques that factor in both biological and anatomical changes, so you can make each experience safe for both mother and child. We can’t stress enough the importance of specialized, appropriate training when it comes to working with expecting women and new mothers. Serious harm to mother and baby could result when a treatment is given by an untrained massage practitioner.

In particular, body mechanics are an important part of understanding safe prenatal massage. Proper training teaches correct adaptations for side-lying positions. As each client’s pregnancy grows, their body continues to transform. The right knowledge and education can ensure that your client will remain safe and comfortable during every stage of pregnancy. The goal is to develop a professional relationship with your pregnant client for return visits throughout her entire pregnancy journey. By offering pregnancy massage in your practice or specializing solely in this modality, you can help your clients enjoy their pregnancy and prepare their bodies for the hard work of delivery. By educating yourself through hands-on training and coursework, you’ll both reap the benefits.

How A Prenatal Specialization Will Benefit Your Massage Business

One message frequently given to massage therapists is to “find your niche.” For so many therapists, this can be one of the biggest challenges — defining their preferred target market. And often, massage therapists have a challenge building a successful business without defining their niche. Pregnancy massage-specific training is also an advantage from a business perspective. Why? Because even in cases where training is not legally required, it is highly recommended and preferred by most pregnant women. The right training certification can be an invaluable marketing tool in attracting new clients to your practice. As you develop your skills and understanding of prenatal clients, they will spread the word to others with similar pregnancy discomforts. Specialization can be a powerful marketing tool because word of mouth is built in when focusing on a specialty that speaks to clients. Learning pregnancy massage opens up many opportunities to massage therapists — both in terms of building their own practices and in the professional fulfillment that comes with helping women enjoy healthier, happier pregnancies. 

And don’t forget, Spa Space will spotlight your niche specialties to guests when booking through the app. As a Spa Space professional, your unique modalities are finally the star. It’s a powerful way to stand out in a network of talented massage therapists. Interested in learning more? Highlight your massage expertise and join the Spa Space community today. 

With all this talk about prenatal massage, now we’re really in the mood to celebrate women in all their maternal glory this Mother’s Day! What are we planning to gift our mothers in May? Isn’t it obvious — a luxurious spa day to pamper her well-being, of course!