This Part 1 of our 2-Part Blog Series on Rising Supplier Costs will cover the importance of ‘reflecting’, not ‘absorbing’ price increases, as well as an introduction to setting standards for price increases in your business. Running a profitable spa business takes experience and know-how It’s very important that you watch that thin line between profit and loss like a hawk. As business costs rise, so must your prices. Let’s say your revenue has been increasing year over year, but...

I recently came across a really great blog written by Sally McKenzie of McKenzie Management ; a dental management solutions company. Her article on Bonus Plans really resonated with me, so I’ve decided to © SPAdapt her blog and target it to the global spa industry. I know many of you struggle with the whole team bonus model, and hopefully this piece will help you make decisions that are both sustainable and beneficial for everyone involved… There are many moving...

Servitude is an Attitude…Do you know how your spa rates? Ok, this list is a bit out there, but behind these comments you know there’s a lot of hidden truths… Here are the top 50 Things your clients NEVER want to hear: 1. Oh yes, now I remember you 2. That service was available for a limited time only 3. No, we’re booked solid 4. If you don’t see it we’re probably sold out 5. If we have it, it...

A question submitted to Spas2b: We are just doing our menu of services and have always thought we should book on the hour and complete the service in 50 minutes to still allow for clean up, etc. within the hour. I have heard that some spas are adding 15 minutes to their service booking times to be able to give a full 1 hour service and still allow for clean up and sales. Is this a good idea? Our Response:...

In-house signage will help you and your staff do your jobs even better. If you are opening or renovating a Spa, put signage on your task list…and in your budget. An effective signage program shouldn’t be an afterthought Signage is important from both a guest’s perspective and a business’s point of view. And it’s never too late…when you are ready to enhance your signage program, there are just three simple rules to remember: 1. Maintain the value of your messages...

Creating a memorable spa experience is the cornerstone of customer service, and “the experience a client has with your spa furniture and equipment represents the bulk of the client’s entire appointment,” says Kelly Metz-Matthews, communications director for Earthlite/Living Earth Crafts. “This makes their comfort, and thus the quality of that furniture or equipment, a huge factor in their overall spa experience.” Vince Legut, equipment sales manager for Pevonia International, points out that high-quality, well-maintained equipment is a reflection of the...

Lesson #1: Finances A beautiful spa without spreadsheets, is like a sports car without wheels... Misconception : "I'm not good at finances." Lesson : It's your fear, not your ability that's preventing you from knowing the truth. Benefit : You'll enjoy a bright financial future when you begin basing decisions on truths. It should be assumed that a spa owner/manager understands revenue vs. expenses, but I know that's a bad assumption. The process of familiarizing yourself with the numbers is...

This past weekend I was reminded on something that I simply had to share with you and bring to your attention too. I had a few clients visit I had not seen in years. They booked a makeup lesson for a pick me up. Two different clients two different times one said the reason she had not been by is due to illness. The other client had one loss after another in her family. She said she was going through...