I've had some pretty amazing things happen lately, especially in relation to money. For example, the other day I was paying bills at my office. One that I really concerned about paying was around $500. Unfortunately the money seemed a little out of reach. So I put that one back in the drawer and headed home for the day. As I was driving along, I just randomly said to no one in particular, ... ... << MORE >>

And some people have GREAT, BIG ideas!

Such is the case of my friends, David Otto and Gayla Coughlin, who have created the Massage World Record  project, or as deemed by the official website: "the world’s first attempt at the BIGGEST massage ever™!" This attempt will take place at one of the large convention centers in Las Vegas, NV where David and Gayla live and practice.

"We thought to ourselves ‘how many people want a free massage?’ and then we immediately ... << MORE >>

Have you ever stopped to think about why some products seem to be so popular? Why they just seem to fly off the shelves and get all the buzz while other perhaps equally good products barely get noticed?

Well there are different reasons for this phenomenon. Some products simply have "the look." Others get great PR or have very effective marketing. And for others, they simply make purchasing or using their product very easy. Watch this quick video for a couple of quick stories about this very thing and find out who got my business.



How do you make it easy to do business with you? Examples coming in the next column!

Have you joined us on Facebook? Get on-going free marketing tips and access to all of my blog posts - I've got three blogs, you know - in one place. Become a fan of Spalutions and Smart Spa Marketing today! 

        

After being in business for so many years, I've had some interesting things happen to me. I've gotten lots of publicity, won a few awards and been privy to hundreds of sales pitches and business opportunities. And through these one thing I've learned is that not everything is as it seems. I've also learned that any situation can be whatever you decide to make it.

So ... << MORE >>

When I owned my first spa, I could say pretty confidently that most of my employees had never heard me swear. I was very careful to keep my language above board and keep the colorful words of frustration to myself - or at worst, muffled. This was not easy for me coming from a restaurant background where f-bombs often fly behind closed kitchen doors and in moments of intense stress. ... << MORE >>

One of my biggest pet peeves as a spa owner was having to pay income taxes on the check and credit card tips tips my service providers received. The idea that their tips - which they got 100% of - actually cost me money in terms of credit card fees and payroll taxes seemed ridiculous and downright unfair.

But now there is a proposed bill in the US Senate that would give tax relief to spas in terms of the tips collected for service providers. I am THRILLED to share this ... << MORE >>

One of the greatest and most common "compliments" I get from my massage clients is about how normal I am. I always laugh to myself when I hear it because I'm not sure it is actually true. But one of my greatest strengths as a business person and a communicator is that of being a chameleon. That is, I am able to blend in well with my environment, no matter where I happen to be or who I happen to be talking to at the moment.


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It's a rare thing, but every once in a while one of my massage clients will no-show me. Honestly, I almost always get a feeling about it a day or so before it happens. And if I take a moment to call the person in question to confirm their session, they often tell me the appointment had slipped their mind or they had misplaced their appointment care.

But what do you do when despite your calls, cards and related policies you find yourself without your scheduled client? Recently I got some ... ǧကĀŸ&Ÿ&<< MORE >>

So your spa consultant or business advisor just told you that you need to have job descriptions available before you open your spa…or even now a few months or even years after you’ve already been open. “But why?” you think. “We didn’t use them at the last place I worked” or “We’ve been ok without them up until now.” 

 

Contrary to what you may believe about the necessity of job descriptions, they are in fact quite important to ...

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I am reposting this recent forum entry and update from www. MassageProfessionals.com. Let it be a warning to all massage therapists and other service providers who encounter clients or employers asking for out of the ordinary treatment, appointment times or who just give you a funny feeling in your gut. Always listen to your inner voice and wisdom!

Warning to All MTs in the NY, NJ, and South Florida Areas
Man Calling with Sham ... << MORE >>