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Make It “Spa” in Five Steps
With Bonnie Waters at its helm, Changes Salon & Day Spa in Walnut Creek, Calif., transformed from an unassuming nail spa to an awarding-winning, full-service luxury spa. Waters just received the prestigious title Salon Entrepreneur of the Year for the Western United States at the 2008 Global Salon Business Awards. Here’s her advice on taking your salon to the next level.
by Staff
November 1, 2008
3 min to read
With Bonnie Waters at its helm, Changes Salon & Day Spa in Walnut Creek, Calif., transformed from an unassuming nail spa to an awarding-winning, full-service luxury spa. Waters just received the prestigious title Salon Entrepreneur of the Year for the Western United States at the 2008 Global Salon Business Awards. Here’s her advice on taking your salon to the next level.
Step 1. See your business with new eyes. If you have not visited a spa lately, go on a “field trip” to a local spa and familiarize yourself with what constitutes a spa environment. Make detailed notes. How were people dressed? How did they talk? How did they move? What did you see and hear? What ideas can you borrow from the spa decor? Make sure you take home a spa brochure.
Step 2. Make your business calming to all six senses. (Yes six!) Key to transforming your environment is the recognition that everything the guest sees, hears, touches, smells, tastes, and, yes, feels influences the experience. Remove everything that does not contribute to a tranquil environment. This means managing clutter with a focus on impeccable cleanliness, maintaining a comfortable room temperature, and eliminating intruding noises like ringing phones, guests’ cell phone usage, clients’ children, vendor deliveries, loud voices, and music. Minimize unpleasant odor and provide comfortable chairs and soft lighting. Soft music is key to relaxation as is a warm, nature-based color palette.
Step 3. Manage the energy in your nail spa. The energy of a nail spa is different from a nail salon. What did you notice on your field trip? The energy in a nail spa is influenced by the energy of the people working in the business. This means that all personnel should have a calm, dignified, grounding presence. Overly chatty, boisterous personalities will detract from what you are attempting to create. This includes the demeanor and voice of anyone answering the phone.
Step 4. Transform your nail services into spa services. Adding the spa touch to services includes selecting products that contain natural ingredients, especially products based on true aromatherapy. By beginning the service with a Botanical Hand or Foot Bath, you provide an opportunity for the guest to make the transition from her usual energy to the tranquil, relaxed state that is the mark of a nail spa service. The relaxed state is enhanced by the quality of the massage given. If you and your technicians are not known for the quality of your hand and foot massages, seek education to learn the necessary skills. A warm neck wrap and a scented eye pillow put the finishing touches on the nail spa experience.
Step 5. Be a successful nail spa owner. Critical to your success as a nail spa owner is continuing to further your education and recognizing trends. Take advantage of every available educational opportunity including regular visits to other nail spas in neighboring towns. Schedule your monthly “hour of power” and use it to relax and read nail industry publications. Most importantly, relax and enjoy your success as a nail spa owner.
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