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,” page 10), train your estheticians on the latest advances in acne skincare treatments (see “In the Clear,” page 38) or reach out to the physically challenged community (see “Special Consideration,” page 58).

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

I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner two years ago when I was eight months pregnant. I decided to try three new dishes from a gourmet cooking magazine, even though I lacked the two ovens needed and an ability to knead dough. Fortunately, several of my guests offered to bring their own signature holiday dishes and my husband, who’s a much better host than a cook, conceded to let us purchase a precooked turkey.

When my back started aching early that morning, I learned quickly that dinner would be a total flop unless I called for some help. My first SOS went to my best friend, an event planner, who stopped by and created a schedule for what needed to be baked and when. As the rest of our guests arrived, they asked what they could do to help. I let them mash the potatoes, load the dishwasher and cork the wine. Before too long, we were all sitting at the table, laughing and sharing a communal sense of accomplishment about the meal.

Putting good use to other people’s talents isn’t just a sign of graciousness, it’s a necessity for any successful business owner. “Our policy is that employees present two possible solutions every time they come to me with a problem,” says Tamara Friedman, DAYSPA Advisory Board member and owner of Tamara Spa (www.tamaraspa.com) in Farmington Hills, Michigan. “If you don’t involve your staff members, they’re unlikely to take an interest.”

This year, more than ever, it’s important to work together to prevent economic hardship. One thing I admire about Friedman’s managerial style is her ability to nurture the best in her staff. She does more than make her employees accountable; she allows them to flourish.

Are you underestimating any of your employees? Talk to them, and more importantly, listen to their ideas. Like my first Thanksgiving as a hostess, I’m sure you’ll find the results impressive and delightful.

Sarah Colombo
Web Editor, DAYSPA

My husband and I tried a new food and wine bar the other night. While we were dazzled by the simple yet sophisticated cuisine, the service failed to impress us. Not only did we wait a long time for our meal, but my husband’s entrée arrived before his appetizer. Our server apologized profusely and told us that the kitchen suffered from a few “choreography” problems.

The misstep reminded me of a similar incident I had while visiting a spa during my summer vacation. As I waited in the lounge for my massage therapist to arrive, I noticed a full glass of red wine sitting on a nearby counter. I wondered why no one had claimed it as part of their pampering spa experience. Later, my massage therapist told me that the beverage had been placed there for my enjoyment. She was a little bewildered (and so was I) to learn that no one offered it to me. She also revealed that the spa was under new management, so procedures were still being fine-tuned.

All was forgiven until the attendants performed an impromptu maintenance check while I was disrobing in the locker room. The loud “clangs” and “clunks” of locker doors opening and closing spoiled the soothing sounds of meditation music—and my mood. Couldn’t they have waited until the room cleared of guests, I thought?

Choreography is defined as “the art of creating structures in which movement occurs.” If this crucial framework isn’t taken into consideration, it becomes difficult to properly maneuver. The delicate rhythm of synchronization is lost.

Whether you’re a new or established spa, you need to remain in step with your clients and colleagues to deliver a flawless performance. In our November issue, creative choreography comes into play in a number of business management scenarios. Consider it as you’re greening your spa (”Luxury in Green,” page 32), designing pedicure protocols (”Winter-Weather Feet Treats,” page 56) or implementing risk management procedures to prevent sexual misconduct claims against massage therapists at your spa (Dayspa Investigates: “Rubbed the Wrong Way,” page 76).

Dance is the hidden language of the soul, as the late modern dance pioneer Martha Graham once observed. Don’t let two left feet trip up your spa’s success.

Rhonda J. Wilson,
Executive Editor, DAYSPA

Purple is by far my favorite color. Any shade will do—amethyst, violet, lavender, lilac or indigo. To me, it represents the best humanity has to offer—compassion and purpose. A Purple Heart symbolizes heroism, as it awards those wounded or killed in the line of duty, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, The Color Purple by Alice Walker, exemplifies the struggles of poor and abused Southern black women who eventually triumph over oppression.

In October, compassion and purpose unite in the form of a purple ribbon during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The observance mourns those who’ve passed away as the result of abuse, celebrates individuals who’ve survived and connects those who work to end it.

Spa/salon professionals play a unique role in the issue of domestic violence, which affects one in four American women in their lifetime. Therapists, estheticians and hair stylists often detect the initial signs of abuse due to the intimate nature of their work on faces, bodies and scalps. It gives them the opportunity to lend an ear or, better yet, a hand to support clients and co-workers who need help finding their way out of abusive situations.

In our October issue, “DAYSPA Investigates: Hitting Home” explores this senseless and often silenced issue. Learn appropriate ways to approach clients and co-workers who may be victims of abuse, and how your spa can partner with or donate time, money, and resources to local shelters and domestic violence awareness programs.

This month is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A woman is diagnosed with the disease every three minutes, making it the second most common cancer among U.S. women, according to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org). Show your spa is committed to the pink ribbon cause by offering products manufactured by companies that donate a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer research initiatives. See our “Must Have” columns for a look at the latest products.

Whatever your purpose in life may be, I hope it involves a compassionate purple or pink ribbon this month.

Rhonda J. Wilson,
Executive Editor, DAYSPA