During an executive coaching session last week, a client expressed concern that she never catches up on the things she needs to do. She is always running behind. So I asked her to describe a typical day at the spa. We quickly realized her open door policy was out of control! Her entire day is filled with interruptions! Anyone can...

Are you watching the NBA Playoffs? I love watching basketball even though my team, The Orlando Magic, was eliminated. What I love most is watching coaches handle their team during the game. Watching their emotions and involvement, evaluating every move, making adjustments to their strategies, all their focus on defense/offense, when to take a timeout and regroup, and so on…...

Cell phones, Blackberries, iPhones…. it seems that everyone is so attached to them! No matter where I go, people are always preoccupied with them. Do you remember when we did not have all those devices? In the spa, we always remind our guests to turn off their cell phones in order to enjoy their experience. While I was at a...

Steps to a Great Performance I had the pleasure to attend the All County Band performance last weekend. What a great experience! I got to watch my son Charlie, who is 13, play the Tuba in the band with all his musically talented friends. We watched 7 th & 8th, 9 th & 10 th and the 11 th &...

Your first day on the job or your first week opening of your beauty business? It is an exciting, fabulous and a new time filled with expectations and joy. I went to visit a sweet college town with my husband on a business trip. We stayed at one of our favorite hotels a Hampton Inn in Gainesville, Florida. We like...

While visiting a client last week, I couldn’t help but notice a particular person on her team that fit the prototypical “Prima Donna” characteristics. It got me thinking about that label “ Prima Donna”. The term is commonly used today to describe someone who behaves in a demanding, often temperamental, fashion revealing an inflated view of themselves, their talent, and...

Is there truth to the “morning person” moniker? How do you know if you are a “morning person”, a “night owl,” or somewhere in between? Chances are that by this stage in your life, you probably have a good sense of this, and you probably recognize these same traits in your staff members. In the workplace, the morning person is...

My latest video blog entry, featuring tips on the hiring process to empower the spa owner or manager. I discuss the 4 step interview process. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hM6DhaefM8

With clients watching their pocketbooks closely, it is imperative for spa owners to do the same. This is the time to be aggressive in your marketing and detailed in your education and client service experiences. Invest in retail, networking, and sales dialogue training. These are the tools that can empower and alter your bottom line. It is not the time...

Earlier this week I attended the 6th annual NYSPA symposium in Rye Brook, NY. NYSPA is an excellent organization, whose mission is to serve as a resource for information, education and advocacy of New York state spa and wellness related businesses. This group who deliverson their promise with an information-packed symposium every year, led by the venerable Professor Mary Tabacchi...