On the weekends, I like to escape to Lake Arrowhead, California, a scenic mountain resort community located about 90 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. As a youth, I spent a lot of time there skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, and I continue to enjoy its alpine charm as an adult.

Getting up the mountain is often an adventure in itself. The roads endlessly wind, the weather is unpredictable, and pea-soup fog often blankets the mountain and makes the trek somewhat treacherous. Of course, once you get to the top, the air is fresh and the 782-acre lake is breathtaking.

One weekend last fall, as my husband and I headed up the mountain, we noticed something different in the skyline. Hang gliders soared high above the treetops as the sun began to set—not two or three, but maybe two or three dozen. There were so many, in fact, several cars started pulling off the road to see what was going on.

Time stood still as we watched them. They effortlessly floated above the city in a silent winged waltz. Although a few ominous storm clouds began to gather nearby, they maintained their leisurely flight pattern. It was exhilarating to imagine what it felt like to be part of this intrepid team.

As we ring in the new year, the spa industry faces some winding roads and cloudy skies of its own. However, in my humble opinion, the opportunities still outweigh the obstacles. Perhaps it’s time to start a detox/cleansing program (see “Losing It�), train your estheticians on the latest advances in acne skincare treatments (see “In the Clear�) or reach out to the physically challenged community (see “Special Consideration�).

Whatever goals you set for yourself in 2009, DAYSPA and dayspamagazine.com renew our promise to help your business reach new heights. We also want to make sure your team soars above and beyond expectations.

Rhonda J. Wilson,
Executive Editor, DAYSPA

In today’s rollercoaster economy, we’re all experiencing financial challenges—professionally and personally. However, I remember that post-9/11 holiday gift certificate sales increased, while the economy, especially retail, took a hit. Day spas created a safe, comforting escape from the changing world around us.

Today’s fluctuating economy challenges our financial security, whereas 9/11 threatened our homeland security. People now want to feel like someone cares about them and that they have control over their lives. Day spas are in business to make people feel good, and we’re needed more than ever in troubled times.

The good news is that clients are still coming in—maybe not as often, but they continue to book appointments. A day spa visit offers the guest a truly personal experience. We provide “it’s all about you” service, so it’s no surprise that we’re able to maintain a more stable business in troubled times. A client may compromise home care, but she’ll rarely sacrifice the level of service she’s accustomed to.

But what about gift certificate sales this holiday season? I predict people will purchase them later than past seasons at lower dollar increments, but a higher volume will be sold nonetheless. The beauty of a gift certificate is that it allows the recipient the luxury of how she’s going to use it even if it differs from the intention of the giver, which makes them the perfect gift.

Keep in mind, people will wait until the last minute for any changes (good or bad) in the economy to plan their holiday budget. They’ll also be likely to give more small or less-expensive gifts.

I’ll take these thoughts into consideration when planning my holiday gift certificate marketing strategies. Please let us know your ideas for having a successful holiday season. Feel free to email them to Rhonda J. Wilson, DAYSPA executive editor, at rwilson@creativeage.com.

Frank  Shipman
Owner, TC Salon Spa
www.tcsalonspa.com
DAYSPA Advisory Board