Are you using a hefty amount of plastic in your spa, salon, or independent massage business? Well, you aren’t alone. But you can do something about it. At this week’s Green Spa Network event in Arizona, plastic was a major topic of discussion. And I’m so inspired that I’ve decided to bring a few of the GSN’s suggestions right to you.
This morning I went through the Starbucks drive-thru to order my Venti Sugar-Free Hazelnut Latte at 140 degrees – yes, I am that girl – and something really pleasant happened. The car in front of me paid for my drink! When the barista told me I was free and clear to go, drink-in-hand, without coughing up a single penny, I almost gasped with delight. In my earlier commuting days in San Francisco, I had occasionally had another driver pay my way through a toll bridge, but no one had ever bought me a Starbucks at 6:30 a.m. when, grouchy and not-yet-functioning-at-max-capacity, a Starbucks latte was my equivalent of a gift from the gods.
We have probably all met massage therapists and spa professionals who dislike selling retail. They feel like sales isn’t necessarily the profession that they chose when they enrolled in school. And, really, who can blame them for feeling that way? To a certain extent, they are right. However, massage therapists and other spa professionals did knowingly enter the health and wellness industry. With that said, I’d like to encourage these professionals to look at retail in a new light. To my mind, retail isn’t just a way to increase your bottom line, it is a method by which you improve each client’s experience between visits.
I have run several marathons over the years and I can tell you at exactly what point I hit the wall: 21.5 miles. If you’ve ever hit that proverbial wall, you know exactly what I’m talking about. There is simply a point in any physical activity (especially intense, strenuous ones) when your body stops performing at max capacity. It says: Hey you! I’m Tired. Do you hear me? We’re done. Sometimes, in my case, it also says: Time for a Margarita! But, alas, that could just be me.
I write about massage table quality pretty regularly. I won’t bore you with all of those details – you can look up any one of many blogs I – amongst many others – have written on the subject. Today, I want to address one simple thing: warranties. You see, I’m of the mind that a good warranty is one of the absolute most important qualities your massage table can have. After all, even precision craftsmanship and durable materials can fail. While it is a rare occurrence, I want to know that the company who builds my product will stand behind it. So, let’s explore what makes a really good warranty:
You’ve probably been hibernating if you haven’t noticed all of the recent buzz about new “alternative” spa treatments. Among these notable treatments are several that include alternative types of music (i.e. pop and heavy metal). To be clear, these styles of music aren’t “alternative” per se (it’s 2012 after all), but they certainly aren’t often associated with massage.
Spring is in the air – literally! Tomorrow is the first day of spring. For me, at least, it couldn’t come soon enough. I’ve always loved spring. She brings a healthy dose of “freshness” and rejuvenation to the world around us. She wakes us up, gentle rays warming our very souls. In so very many ways, she serves as a reminder of the immeasurable beauty of life.
I was recently asked what actually makes true “quality.” I chalk it up to this: Quality never goes out of style. Trends come and go. Quality, on the other hand, is always quality. Like a slick black suit, a literary masterpiece, a pair of Louis Vuitton pumps, and – of course – a 1957 Chevy, quality transcends the ages. With that in mind, I’d like to explore what makes “quality” massage equipment.
Yup, you read the title correctly. According to “U.S. News and World Report,” the job of the massage therapist is currently in demand, credited as being one of the top ten jobs in the country. Are we pleased? You bet we are. So pleased, in fact, that I couldn’t help myself and felt the need to send a congratulatory “shout out” to all of you massage therapists out there. You’ve chosen a profession that not only shows projected growth over the next ten years, but you’ve chosen one that impacts health in a measurable way. Clearly, you’ve chosen wisely!
I recently had a conversation in which I was asked why so few table warmers get really hot. Admittedly, this wasn’t the first time I had had this very conversation. As such, I feel compelled to share my limited knowledge on the subject. So, why don’t they get really hot?