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Green Tip of the Month

Mix & Mingle

It can be isolating just to associate with other green spa owners and enthusiasts. But there's a whole eco-friendly world out there, and even if much of it doesn't share the same infrastructure and focus that your business does, there's a lot to learn. Look in your area for seminars on environmentally sound practices and materials; you never know who you might meet and what unique expertise they can provide.

Plus, check out sustainable trade shows. Many of them are starting to showcase the personal care and beauty perspective. One such example is All Things Organic, which takes place in Chicago June 16-18. While it's staged by the Organic Trade Association (www.ota.com), the Day Spa Association (DSA, www.dayspaassociation.com) will also have a presence there. On Wednesday, June 17, Eric Light of the Strawberry Hill Group and a DSA advisory board member will host a session for spa owners looking to capture the eco-friendly market. DSA will also have a booth in the health and wellness section on the show floor—which will likely contain a number of interesting vendors for those who want to greeen their facilities.

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Finance: Hiring A Spa Consultant For A Design Project

 

Blueprint
©Photos.com

Is it your dream to open a spa or renovate an existing facility? Whether you’re a seasoned spa professional or an enthusiastic newbie, executing it requires a substantial amount of capital and even more planning.

To avoid costly mistakes, many potential and existing spa owners turn to consultants for guidance. “The right consultant can make a spa, and the wrong one can cost a spa owner a fortune,” says DAYSPA advisory board member Nancy Trent, who is president of the New York City-based public relations firm, Trent and Company (trentandcompany.com).

Good spa consultants conduct extensive market research. They study industry trends to determine whether your venture can become profitable—before you ever break ground. They also foresee design flaws that can save you a ton of money in the long run. “A spa consultant with hands-on experience can guide the owner on the right critical path from the beginning, which leads to a reduction in construction, equipment and pre-opening expenses,” says Hugh Jones, president of HUW Enterprises (huwenterprises.com) in Ormond Beach, Florida.

Here are some things to consider before you hire a spa consultant for your design project:

  • Check references.
    Get recommendations from architects, spa directors, interior designers and anyone else who has worked directly with the potential consultant. “Spa owners should not base their decision to enter into a contract on the spa consultant’s portfolio alone,” says spa consultant Mindy Terry, president of Creative Spa Concepts in Kennesaw, Georgia (creativespaconcepts.com). “Beautiful imagery is a good measurement of the abilities of an interior designer and architect, not a consultant.”
  • Consult first.
    The best time to hire a consultant is before you begin the design process. This way, the consultant can work directly with the architect to maximize space and function, and minimize fees incurred for costly mistakes. “Often companies will make the mistake of bringing a consultant on after the design process has started, only to find that costly changes to the plan are required to ensure the facility is designed properly,” says spa consultant Peter Anderson of the Santa Monica, California-based Anderson & Associates (anderspa.com).
  • Understand billing terms.
    Most spa consultants base their fees on scope of work, or they bill an hourly rate. For larger projects, they usually require an initial retainer, then charge a monthly fee for the duration, Jones explains. Some consultants will also charge for their travel and accommodation fees.
  • Research typical fees.
    There isn’t an established industry standard for spa consultant fees. Terry says consultants can charge anywhere from $80 per hour to $500 or more per hour. A consultant’s knowledge and experience should determine how much she charges for her services. “Consultants charging less than $150 per hour are not likely experienced,” she says. “At the same time, there are good firms that don't charge more than $250 per hour.”
 

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