The Spa Collaborative

Here at The Spa Collaborative, we know a thing or two about successful treatment development. 🧴 ✨

Scroll down for our six quick-fire steps to success... ⬇️

#1 Research – know what your customers want and what competitors are doing
#2 Analysis – investigate ways to approach things differently
#3 Development – speak with your team to better understand the treatment
#4 Trials – develop the protocol and observe how the treatment links together
#5 Training – deliver comprehensive training to ensure therapists feel confident
#6 Launch – craft your announcement with the right information

Saving for later? Why not click the link in our bio to see how we can help! 🤍

As the new quarter commences, what will you do differently to elevate your spa offering this spring? 🌱

With the lust for travel contributing to increased occupancy, we explore how to start the season in the best possible way:

🌸 Motivation and momentum

Align with your team on expectations, clear the diary of needless meetings, and focus on balancing employee wellbeing with booked time.

🌸 Precision and strategy

In a quarter of ebbs and flows, be sure to forecast your occupancy and plan your promotions with laser focus – while offering rest when it’s needed.

🌸 Build excitement

Clear out the old and do something new to put a smile on your team’s faces – from introducing the latest nail treatment in your beauty suites, to testing new teas in your relax lounge.

Remember to save for later - we hope this comes in useful!

Like so many leaders within our industry, we all started folding towels and cleaning lockers. 🧖

Our team take a trip down memory lane as we explore the highs and the lows that led us to be the spa family we are today!

🤍 What was your first job?

Lauren: A spa receptionist at Skin Deep Beauty Salon whilst studying. I was paid £2.25 an hour (it was 1999)!
Emma: An apprentice in a hair salon – sweeping, washing hair and, most importantly, making cups of tea.
Kathryn: A spa attendant at One Spa in Edinburgh whilst studying at college.

🤍 What was your worst job?

Lauren: A spa director drafted in for cost containment during the recession. It was brutal and soul-destroying!
Emma: The worst job for me was when being treated poorly and unfairly by employers.
Kathryn: I used to shake with nerves painting any nail, in any job. I quickly made the decision it wasn't for me!

🤍 What was your strangest job?

Lauren: I was a weekend MOD in a hotel dealing with things like the heating breaking down!
Emma: Climbing up scaffolding to work in a metal container as a pre-opening spa manager, flats all the way.
Kathryn: Tandem back waxing in Australia. That poor man.

🤍 What’s been the fondest memory of your career?

Lauren: Fantastic development meetings in NYC, working with a great team of experts on a really fresh concept.
Emma: Being Spa Director at Viceroy Maldives, the team were so talented and the location a spectacular bonus.
Kathryn: Visiting the Ritz Carlton Abu Dhabi. From pre-opening to sustainment, a truly passionate team.

Comment below with the best memory from your spa career – we’d love to hear it!

How well do you stick to your brand standards, and why do they matter to your spa? 💎
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Outlining the foundational elements of both spa operations and spa experience, swipe left for a quick reminder of why they deserve your time.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Save this post for later if you found this useful 🏳
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

What things do you wish you knew before becoming a therapist? 🤍
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
While there are many lessons that can be taught about hospitality, the harsh reality of an often stressful environment – paired with the pressing expectations of guests – can be hard to manage.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
For anyone leaving college, here’s our top tips for hitting the ground running. 🏃‍♀️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📝Get to know the guest journey – this outlines every detail of how to handle a client, from how they are welcomed, to how they are guided through treatments.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📝Take advice from experienced therapists – from prioritising tasks for the day ahead, to ensuring the room is stocked with fresh linen, these hacks will save you valuable time.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
📝Learn how to handle guest complaints – while they may feel devastating at the time, how you handle them can make a huge difference – transforming them into positive experiences!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Double-tap if you found this useful (and don’t forget to save for later)!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

✨ Whether vacationing or working, spas provide all guests with a haven away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life – making your spa offering a must-have, not just a nice to have.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌎 The spa and wellness industry is one of the biggest growth sectors in the western economy showing annual increase of an average 7.7%. Ignoring this means that the consumer demand is not being met and future growth opportunities are being side-lined.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
🌱 Integral to the lifestyles of all visitors, prioritising wellness and choosing to grow your offering will only pave the way for happier guests – and healthier profits – in the future.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
❤️ One to save for later if you’re ever in doubt.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

“We see the world, not as it is, but as we are – or, as we are conditioned to see it.” - Stephen R. Covey
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
As a team of avid bookworms, we’ve spent years reading many fabulous books on all things spa-related, from Eastern medicine to leadership.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
But if we could choose one, ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Stephen R. Covey was a real paradigm shift for us. 🧘‍♀️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
What books have struck a chord with you recently? 📚
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Can you hand-on-heart say you’re always happy with the decisions you make? 🤍
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Make this March more about setting boundaries, and less about scrambling to meet the expectations of others. 🙅‍♀️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
 

We’ve had the honour of working with many wonderful spas in Ireland over the years. ☘️
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Learning from some of the best hoteliers in the world, these experiences have helped supercharge our approach to the care of guests.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all our friends and colleagues on the Emerald Isle. 💚
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Double-tap if you'll be celebrating!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
☘️