So far we have learned about the spa experience, what types of variables people get from going to a spa and what kind of people attend a spa.

Today I’m going to write about which services are the most popular and how much money the average person spends at the spa.

Tomorrow I’ll write about the pro’s and con’s people witness attending a spa. Based on the responses yesterday, there are more Escapists than Hedonists and us Escapists want our peace and quiet!

Below are the most popular services in no particular order. See if you can guess them in order from most popular to least popular:

1. Facial
2. Massage (all types)
3. Hair
4. Make-up
5. Hands & Feet
6. Waxing
7. Body

Below are the average expenditures the average person spends at the spa. See if you can match up the percentage with the dollar amount:

A. Below $100       

B. $100-$149        

C. $150-$199

D. $200-$249

Percentages in no particular order: 19.4%; 49.5%; 14% and 10.8%.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors involved in running a successful spa. Let’s see how close you on these simple questions!

Happy Wednesday!

Yesterday I listed the 21 variables on why a person visits a spa and asked you to list the top 3 and bottom 3. According to Boger, the top 3 are:

8 (to relieve stress)

4 (to feel relaxed)

14 (to escape from daily life)

The bottom 3 starting with #21:

11 (to feel young)

12 (to enjoy)

5 (to feel refreshed)

Interestingly, for those that posted none got all 3 top or bottom.

The study goes on to identify two groups of people that visit spas- Escapists and Hedonists.

Escapists love quiet areas, private reading areas, no cell phones and a place for "cocooning."

Hedonists are searching for excitement and interaction among family and friends. This group tends to be noisy and may disturb the Escapists’ spa-goers. Escapists and Hedonists don’t mix.

I’m an Escapist. I want to be alone, relax, nap and the only thing I want to hear is the sound of spa music. Sometimes however I’m at the spa at a bunch of Hedonists (brewski’s) show up and all they do is talk and make noise like they are at a baseball game. They completely ruin the experience but they claim since they pay the same entrance fee, they can do what they want.

The lesson here is for spas to cater to one group or the other to be truly successful. Larger spas may figure out a way to cater to both with different rooms and restrictions.

Tomorrow I’ll write about services used in the spa followed by demographics and then we can see where we all fit in.

Here is a closing question for you: Do you view a spa as a luxury (once-a-year treat for birthday or special occasion) or necessity (once-a-month) to recharge?

Happy Tuesday!

With the end of the Olympics, ending of summer coming and a grueling week of politics on TV, I thought this would be the perfect week to focus on spas and spa treatments.

Carl Boger, PhD, spent four months developing the Benchmarking Study of a Spa. The study was based on questions asked to spa customers and the results although predictable shed some light into our industry that can be used to better grow the business.

Boger came up with 21 variables for visiting a spa and used several references such as ISPA, Spa Finder, and Tabacchi.

To test your spa acumen, I am going to list the 21 variables in no particular order. I want you to blog back what you think the top 3 and bottom 3 are. This should be fun!

1. To feel healthier
2. To enjoy with friends
3. To enjoy with family
4. To feel relaxed
5. To feel refreshed
6. To experience adventure
7. To experience solitude
8. To relieve stress
9. To be calm
10. To be pampered
11. To feel young
12. To enjoy
13. To live a health/wellness life style
14. To escape from daily life
15. For self-indulgence
16. To improve mental health
17. To improve physical health
18. To feel healthier
19. To improve appearance
20. To have fun
21. To meet other health conscious people

When responding, simply use the numbers. Bottom line: who have thought there so many variables? I don’t know about you, but I’m booking a massage today!

Happy Monday!

Yet another reason why I am happy not to be a woman involves shoes. I went to Zappo’s after reading about the company in Business Week and decided to explore their selection of shoes.

I was disappointed. They only had 437 different types of shoes, 236,790 styles and colors to select from and 2,566,988 sizes within the different types. Oh, that was for open toe shoes only.

Now let’s face it. Guys have 6-8 pair of shoes and wear a couple of them until either the soles wear out or the wife throws them out. Girls on the other hand have 6-8 pair of each style and last I counted, there were more than 20 styles that were "must haves."

The most popular style remains the open toe or anything that exposes all ten toes. Naturally summertime is the peak season for these shoes and thank God for them because no woman would be caught dead wearing them without having their toes done.

The pedicure has become one of the most popular salon services of all time. Home pedicures are also as popular as ever and will remain so. Personally, I think someone’s toes reflects on the person’s overall image of themselves so I am always keen to engage in market research. I have seen natural toes, buffed toes, neon toes, polished toes, french manicure toes and everything else in-between.

Actually getting a pedicure is a good thing. It helps to prevent fungus and nail disorders and if one has diabetes, the elimination of cutting oneself. But let’s not downplay the true reason: it makes those shoes look better!

In case you were wondering, I enjoy a monthly pedicure and getting my nails buffed (the foot massage is the best part of it).

How about you? How time do you spend on your feet? And remember, pedicures are just one more reason that our industry is so great.

Happy Friday!

One of life’s great little luxuries is a weekly manicure. I know because I have been getting one for the past 12 years (that was when I was told as the CEO of a nail company you should get your nails done).

Truth is, you look at your hands way more than your hair, yet hand care costs significantly less than hair care so good looking hands should be a priority.

When you get a weekly manicure, you notice other peoples hands and nails. Let’s face it; with all the talk about metrosexuals, there still aren’t a whole lot of guys that would even consider getting a manicure. I can see the Miller Lite ad now with a guy at a salon drinking a brewski with one perfectly manicured hand wrapped around the bottle. Not!

Once you get into the routine, it’s tough to get out. When I miss a week, my nails start talking to me. The pterygium starts growing like a weed with no relief in sight.

After years of getting a manicure, I will share with you a couple of secrets for keeping nails looking good for an entire week compliments of my nail tech, Tish.

After filing the nail, lightly buff the nail with a fine sanding block. This allows the treatment products to adhere to the nail plate.

Use a nail dehydrator (I use Pinnacle Adhere) which removes all oils and contaminants. I then use Pinnacle Peak, a perfectly remarkable nail strengthener and then top it off with Pinnacle Glacier quick dry top coat.

The final secret is the dab of Avoplex oil (I love the new Cuticle Oil to Go applicator) on each cuticle.

So let’s make next week "Support the Nail Industry" week by getting a manicure. It will make your holiday weekend that much better.

Happy Thursday!

I equate the lip category the same as shoes and handbags. A woman can never have enough and always needs the latest in fashion and/or color.

First and foremost, there must be at least one lipstick in the handbag (is it purse or handbag?) for after eating, going to the bathroom, whatever.

Then in the first drawer of the makeup area is 12-24 different shades depending on the day of the week, time of the day and the all important mood.

Finally there is the box in the closet with up to hundreds of lipsticks that may never be used again but heaven-for-bid they are tossed just in case.

While lipstick is a religion for women, what is amazing is not only the number of shades and price points available, but the different sizes and functions they serve. Perhaps the real secret behind lipstick is that guys don’t use it and it really is exclusively for women. I don’t know.

Here’s what I do know. Lipstick comes off. It smudges on Starbuck’s lids, coffee cups at restaurants and sipping straws. One company was clever enough to recognize this “can-you-believe-it” symptom and invented the product Lipchic. This 100% botanical product is food-proof, kiss-proof and works with any brand lip product. Now that’s a claim!

Now mind you I do not use this product, but women swear over how effective it is. And if women swear it is effective, it truly must be. Eyes, cheeks and lips.

Thursday we are on to nails.

Happy Wednesday!

Monday was all about the allure of eyes and how products such as Lamas Lash Masque and Enormous Lash (we sold more pieces yesterday than ever) makes eyelashes more beautiful.

Ironically, our Spa Professional’s Academy (S.P.A.) held its first eye threading course yesterday. The sold out course had 12 students who each paid $375 to learn how to do eye threading. The response to the course was overwhelming and more are being scheduled (thanks Kelly!).

Today the focus is on the cheeks, forehead and chin. Foundation rules here and so does the variety: powder, liquid, powder-liquid, mineral, creme, pencil, spray and so on.

While most women need a light foundation for that just perfect glow, some women need a concealer that covers up age and sun spots, Vitaligo, acne, and scars. Women even use foundation on their legs to cover up spider veins and some use it to cover up tattoos.

This is why Judith August Killer Cover is so effective. Not only does it do everything a concealer should do, it is completely waterproof, smudge-proof, perspiration and heat resistant. The product itself comes in a round disc holding five shades from light to dark.

Foundation and concealer’s are must have products. When you see women’s faces in beauty and fashion magazines, don’t believe what you see. It is amazing what the camera picks up and what needs to be edited through Photoshop. Everyone wants to look beautiful. These products do the trick.

Next up: Lips

Happy Tuesday!

As my son’s wedding looms less than 2 weeks away, all I can think about is the day I went to Posh salon to get a manicure and there was this huge wedding party getting pampered for the big event later in the day.

The bride was getting the formal updo; french manicure, french pedicure and make-up done. Others were getting touch-ups and the mood was festive. I asked about the groom. He was playing blackjack with his best man at the MGM.

Let’s face it–guys have it easy. We spend ten minutes in the bathroom and we are out the door. It takes ten minutes just in the shower for a girl between deep conditioning, shaving and scrubbing. And the make-up and blow-drying adds at least another half hour.

This week I thought I would dedicate my blog to the art of being a woman and some of the secret products they use to look good.

Unless you live in a cave, you know eye products are the hottest category going. Women must have the plumpest eyelashes to walk out of the house or else they would rather stay home and watch reruns of Oprah. I think there are more than 1000 different eye products from mascaras (I think Maybelline has 10 different styles alone), enhancers, thickeners, growers, treatments and so forth.

One product that consistently ranks at the top is Lamas Lash Masque. This product darkens the eyelashes without color and also thickens without paraben-based ingredients (no eye irritation). I am amazed at how many pieces we sell each month.

I read recently that Lancome is stealing the Crest Spinbrush idea and applying it to mascara. This new product is battery-operated and applies mascara in a special way that you can forget about Oprah for weeks!

Yet another product that is sizzling in the marketplace is Enormous Lash. This product actually grows eyelashes so if you have thin lashes, this product is the ticket. At $100 it isn’t cheap but it’s at least $50 less than it’s nearest competitors.

I have no idea what the makeup artist used for the bride that day in the salon. However one thing for certain is that when the bride walked down the aisle, her eyes were perfectly done. Oh, I did hear later on that the groom made it home to take a quick shower, shave, and get the tux on in time to make the wedding.

Happy Monday!

Faster than a speeding bullet is the calendar. Blink, blink and it’s Labor Day weekend, the official end of summer. I don’t know about you but once September hits, the days and air seem different. It feels like Fall even though there are still 3 weeks to go.

September starts the "back-to-business" mode and we have a jammed packed month!

September 1: Our latest The Industry Source magazine hits the mailboxes and once again its jammed packed with new articles, products and deals. It also introduces are our new pricing policy: All deals will end in a "4", all close-outs will end in a "2" and all regular priced items will end in a "7."

September 2: The opening of the Raquel Welch Wig & Styling boutique. The first of its kind in the U.S., we will stock more than 400 wigs and offer stylists the opportunity to bring their clients in to select a wig and style it onsite all in the privacy of The Pavilion.

September 20: DREAMS featuring Tiffany, Michigan Hairdresser of the Year Awards. The amazing evening celebrates the greatest hairdressers in Michigan and raises significant money for The American Cancer Society. Tickets now on sale.

All month: Our go live with SAP. We are testing, training and testing and training. Our live conversion date is October 6 and you will see all-new invoices and even better customer success. Please be patient with us during this important transition period.

All month: TheAcademy and S.P.A. at The Pavilion are packed with courses and we saw a record number of professionals in August so we know September will be another great month.

There’s plenty more stuff going on but right now, it’s Friday so enjoy today and the weekend.

Happy Friday!

OK, I have to admit that 26 postings for head lice versus 6 postings for the state of the nail industry is quite telling. So now I am thinking which topics will bring the most interest and I have come up with nail fungus, dandruff, thinning hair-forget serious stuff!

Since I had only one request to complete the customer engagement questions, I thought I would sidestep to an even bigger subject: employee engagement. According to Gallup, 17% of employees are strongly disengaged from their job and 46% are somewhat disengaged. This suggests that nearly two-thirds of all employees aren’t having fun at work nor contributing valuable ideas and customer success.

I can write hours about engagement but for today, I will focus on one of the 12 questions included in the Gallup Q12 survey: I have a best friend at work.

Now mind you when I was presented this question, I not only laughed but I questioned Gallup why this question is relevant. Their scientists came back to me with their research that clearly stated that those employees that have a best friend at work are happier, enjoy coming to work more often, and tend to be more productive and hence, engaged.

I also asked Gallup what about a good friend at work? They sternly came back and stated that a good friend isn’t loyal enough, it must be a best friend! I mean, how many best friends does one have to begin with; three is a bunch.

For TNG, while we score typically in the 77% percentile for Q12, this question has always been tough to score high on. But after two and half years struggling with this question, I hate to say that Gallup is right on. That is one reason why we have teams, company events, mentors and so forth.

In salons and spas, this question is quite relevant. Best friends tend to stay together so when one leaves the salon, the other typically leaves and when one decides to stay, the other stays. To keep salon talent motivated, this question becomes a key to success and lack of turnover.

My question to you today is: Do you have a best friend of work and what do you think of Gallup’s position on this question.

Happy Thursday!