Uplifting the Human Spirit Through Charitable Giving

ISPA asked members to share how their company or spa is giving back to the community. ZENTS shared how they are uplifting the human spirit by partnering with six charities through the company’s community outreach program, Seva.

ZENTS’ charitable giving program, Seva, was born out of founder Cord Coen’s healing journey to India. There, his teacher asked him to begin a daily practice called “Seva”… helping people. Now, years later, this beautiful idea is an everyday part of ZENTS. We make sure that our products help people in need, from the hand-harvested shea butter that benefits women in Africa to the Concreta stones that support Cord’s Indian host family, to the money we donate from product sales.

 

The mission of the Seva program is threefold: to uplift the human spirit, to build community locally and globally, and to create abundance and awareness for the organizations and causes ZENTS and our partners hold dear. ZENTS has thoughtfully selected six amazing Seva charity partners: Urban Zen Integrative Therapy, the David Lynch Foundation, Animal Welfare Institute, Playing for Change, Project Cure and iDE. Each of these charities does truly inspiring work that transforms the lives of people around the globe.

 

ZENTS and our spa partners work together to build community at the local level. Spas use ZENTS-sponsored events as a platform to raise money for a local charity that they’ve hand-selected. The donation can be something as simple as the proceeds from a raffle item or a specialty treatment offering that benefits a local charity.

 

You can be a part of this beautiful endeavor by hosting a Seva event in your spa. Every dollar we raise together for our communities makes a difference.  It is with the deepest gratitude that we express our appreciation for your partnership and support.

 

During the months of May & June, ZENTS will donate five percent of Body Oil and Lotion proceeds to The David Lynch Foundation.

 

Jodi Walter – ISPA member
Marketing Director, ZENTS

www.zents.com

  

 

(Above: Founder, Cord Coen next to the comfrey crop at the ZENTS organic farm in Boulder, CO.)  

Bid High & Bid Often!

Lucky 13! It’s hard to believe that this will be my 13th ISPA Foundation Auction.  It has certainly grown over the years not just in size but in the uniqueness of the items.  I love this event.  Once a year throughout the week of the premier ISPA Conference I “run” around the Auction area and showcase the amazing donations that individuals/companies from around the world have so generously given to support the efforts of the ISPA Foundation.

The excitement leading up to and during the Live Auction is infectious.  When live auctioneer Lawrence Biscontini shouts "going once, going twice, SOLD," and you are the last bidder, you find yourself in the grip of pure exhilaration. Then the applause from those standing around roars through the hall, because they too share in your excitement.

Do you know how some of the contributions to the Foundation are used? By supporting the ISPA Foundation through the Live and Silent Auctions, you join in its on-going efforts to foster growth and professionalism in the next generation of spa professionals. Last year at the Live Auction, three past scholarship winners were present, still radiating from the glow of being immersed into some of the most exciting careers the spa industry has to offer.

In addition to scholarships, the Foundation has released cutting edge research designed to help you as a spa professional. So, as you’re walking around the Auction in October making notes on your catalogue, keep this in mind – It’s  bigger than just securing the best deal for yourself; you’re also helping to secure the future of the industry and assist some of the brightest young minds to become ready to make a difference in the spa industry.

Lastly, please consider donating an item to the Auction. Weekend packages; items indigenous to your area; fabulous jewelry and one-of-a-kind pieces are always a hit. Without generous donations, there wouldn’t be an Auction. So this year, commit to something wonderful and watch the excitement as someone walks away with it with a smiling face.

Hey, and while you’re in Vegas, say hello. You’ll probably recognize me. I’ll be the one dropping clichés such as “Do you know how to win this item? Place a bid that is over the retail value, that’s how.” Or “Bid high and bid often!”

See you in Vegas baby!!!

Keith Howard
Auction Consultant

 

Would you like to donate an item to the ISPA Foundation Live or Silent Auctions? Download a copy of the Auction Donor form or check out the various item categories and descriptions.

Reflections of a Past ISPA Board Member

ISPA interviewed Jeremy McCarthy, director of global spa development & operations for Starwood Hotels &Resorts, regarding his experiences and takeaways while serving on the ISPA Board of Directors.

ISPA: Why did you apply to serve on the ISPA Board? 
McCarthy: I saw it as an opportunity to continue learning and growing in my career.  I also felt like I had already gotten a lot out of my involvement in ISPA and the spa industry in general, so I relished the idea of giving back to the industry as a volunteer.

ISPA: What is your favorite memory from your time on the ISPA Board?
McCarthy: My fondest memories are all about the different people that I had the pleasure of working alongside in the service of the board.  One of the challenges of working in the hotel spa segment is that you tend to work alongside people who are working in other areas of the hotel, but aren’t necessarily knowledgeable or passionate about the world of spa.  To get into a meeting room with a group of peers who all share your passion and expertise around spa is refreshing and exhilarating.  I would come back to work from board meetings bristling with energy and usually with some new ideas or inspiration for my own work, just based on connecting with other leaders in the industry.

ISPA: What was your most meaningful takeaway from your board service?
McCarthy: While a lot of the joy was in working alongside like-minded spa professionals, I also learned a lot from the moments of disagreement.  The board represents a cross section of the industry and there are often differences of opinion about what the industry stands for or what is best for the future of the association.  I learned a lot from hearing different perspectives and different approaches to this business.

ISPA: If you had once piece of advice to give future board members what would it be?
McCarthy: The industry needs your leadership and your voice, don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in.

ISPA: How has board service broadened your perspective of ISPA and the spa industry?
McCarthy: I have a much greater appreciation for the work that goes in to the association.  The ISPA staff makes it look effortless, delivering meaningful content and incredible Conferences to thousands of spa members from around the globe.  The average ISPA member has no idea of the passion, commitment and effort that is required from many people to make these things happen.  I also have a great appreciation for the energy that comes from bringing the industry together.  When we come together, we inspire each other, we educate each other, we push (and pull) each other along.  The collective spirit of the spa industry is like nothing else I have ever experienced.

Are you a primary or secondary ISPA member interested in serving on the ISPA Board of Directors? Submit your application by May 15 to be considered. Questions – Contact ISPA

Monitoring Guest Satisfaction

In the spa industry, like in any service-oriented business, guest satisfaction is a huge concern – without them, we wouldn’t have a company! In order to monitor our guests’ experiences and make sure that every step of their visit from beginning to end exceeds expectations, we have a series of procedures in place for all of our Woodhouse Day Spa locations.

Our online concierge service, Demandforce, offers guests a survey after every visit, where spa-goers can critique their experience honestly and let us know what we’re doing well, as well as what we could improve on. Similarly, we provide guests with comment cards, and issues are addressed through our Voices feedback program. Gathering these responses allows us to make positive changes on an individual and company-wide level to ensure we’re always providing the best treatment available. In fact, our current rate for exceeding expectations is 99 percent.

We also use Venuelabs (formerly Valuevine) as a centralized social media system, which allows us to monitor activity for all spas in one central location. That way, we know all comments and concerns are addressed and content remains consistent across the franchise. To monitor our external presence, we carefully track media outlets and internet activity using Google Alerts. We also have ‘secret shoppers’ visit each location randomly to ensure a consistently positive guest experience.

All in all, monitoring guest satisfaction levels is one of the most important duties a spa owner can do to ensure a successful business. By openly asking your guests for their honest feedback and showing that you are willing to take their opinions into consideration to make lasting improvements, you’ll ensure that they stay loyal for the long term – and refer their friends, too!

Jeni Garrett – ISPA Member
Founder – The Woodhouse Day Spa
www.woodhousespas.com/

 

ISPA Announces Two 2013 Keynote Speakers

After what seemed like an eternity of mounting anticipation and well-kept secrets, ISPA announced two keynotes that will appear at the 2013 ISPA Conference & Expo. We hope you enjoyed the “Guess Our Keynotes” contest as much as we did. We loved all of the creative guesses we received and are excited to announce Stacy Marcum from Innovative Spa Management as the winner of our contest! As we compiled hints over the last week, we learned many interesting facts about our very impressive 2013 keynote speakers.

As the opening keynote speaker, TOMS’ founder, Blake Mycoskie, will definitely inspire us with his story of how he transformed a simple business idea into a global movement. But, did you know that after attending college on a tennis scholarship, Mycoskie started five businesses including a successful campus laundry service, an outdoor billboard company, a reality television network and an online drivers’ education service? Somewhere in between all of those entrepreneurial accomplishments, Mycoskie and his sister competed as a team on the second season of CBS’ The Amazing Race. There is no surprise that he was named among Fortune Magazine’s 2011 “Top 40 Under 40.”

What better way to close out the 2013 ISPA Conference & Expo than with television personality and notable self-made entrepreneur, Bill Rancic. Rancic is most known for his triumph on the first season of The Apprentice, but his success goes far beyond the confines of Donald Trump’s boardroom. Rancic began his calling as an entrepreneur by starting his own business to pay for college and creating an online cigar company that is now worth millions. He later went on to flourish as a successful real estate developer and restaurateur in his hometown of Chicago. What you may not know, is that Rancic is also devoted to giving back to the community. He frequently visits Haiti to assist in the earthquake relief effort and serves as a spokesperson for the Sharkey Hearing Foundation and the Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

So, after weeks of eagerness to release the names of our opening and closing keynotes, the cat is out of the bag. However, our opening and closing keynotes are just the beginning of exciting announcements about this year’s educational line-up. As we get closer to our return to Vegas, we will be sharing this year’s Mind, Body & Spirit speakers, as well as other education additions to help grow your ISPA experience. Hopefully the rest of the surprises will be easier to keep secret than this one!

Jennifer Duckworth
Director of Education & Alliances, ISPA
www.experienceispa.com

To learn more about the 2013 ISPA Conference & Expo or to register for the event, visit www.ispa2013.com

The ISPA Foundation Scholarship Opens a Window of Opportunity

Why are you interested in the spa industry?
“The spa industry helps me to fulfill my passion for helping others by providing me the opportunity to work in businesses that cater to the overall wellness of others.”


Even after three years, this is still what guides me as I develop my career in the spa industry. In 2010, this passion led me to be the recipient of the ISPA Foundation’s Mary Tabacchi Scholarship. November of that year, I was flown to Washington, D.C. for my first ISPA Conference where I had the opportunity to meet the industry leaders that I had only read about in my school books at the University of Houston.

When I applied for the scholarship in April 2010, I didn’t think I was going to get it. I was fairly new to the industry and didn’t know that much about it. Winning the scholarship gave me confidence in my own abilities.

The scholarship created opportunities I never thought existed, such as participating in and attending the Global Spa and Wellness Summit, helping to develop a Five Star Team as Training Manager of Trellis, the Spa at the Houstonian, and at the age of 25, being able to say I personally know the CEO, president or owner of multiple renowned companies!

The last opportunity may not seem like much to industry veterans, but to a young woman trying to make a name for herself, the recognition is extremely powerful. I have learned that a great attribute of the spa industry is that we are willing to help anyone and everyone. I definitely never thought that the people I read about in class would want to sit down and have coffee with me! But they did and continue to help guide me in my career.

I still believe, as I stated on my application in 2010, that “Success is achieving my personal and professional goals to the best of my ability. It is not defined by money or social status, but by the way I feel personally about the work I have done.” Today I am successful. Not as successful as I hope to be in the future, but I am achieving my goals and focusing on what I can do to assist the growth of our industry. A large part of my success is due to the opportunities from the Mary Tabacchi Scholarship. I am forever grateful for the experiences it has provided and continues to provide.


Kate Sornson – ISPA Member & 2010 Mary Tabacchi Scholarship Recipient
Training Manager, Trellis, the Spa at the Houstonian
www.houstonian.com

 

 

Click here to learn more about the 2013 Mary Tabacchi Scholarship or to apply for this opportunity.

Making Way for March Madness

ISPA member Dana Northington, spa director at The Spa at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, shares how staff at The Spa are preparing for this year’s NCAA Basketball Final Four Championship games in Atlanta.

March Madness for the city of Atlanta and The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta is just that – madness!  Luckily, I have a wonderful staff on board and we are prepared and excited to welcome basketball fans to The Spa.

As the big championship weekend approaches, we’ve taken extra measures to ensure a seamless arrival for our visiting sports fans from across the country.  We’ve increased The Spa’s staff to accommodate the hotel’s sold out status during the Final Four. We’re expecting a lot of appointments during this time, as guests look to relax before the game and relieve a little stress as their favorite team progresses or is knocked out of the running.

To get in on the basketball excitement, The Spa will offer guests the option of choosing from a 'bracket’ of eight, 20-minute spa options to create their 'final four' (i.e. four, 20-minute treatments) for their 'winning' 80-minute spa experience. This 80-minute service is priced to ‘score’ at $200. It’s a perfect way to get everyone in the spirit of the Final Four, without donning a jersey! 

We know it’s going to be a busy weekend in Atlanta and we are excited to be a part of all the excitement while providing a respite from the chaos for our guests. It’s wonderful to watch my therapists take the spa experience to a new level that I know our guests will appreciate. 

Dana Northington - ISPA Member
Spa Director at The Spa, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta
http://www.fourseasons.com/atlanta/