2008-11-21T10:39:14Z http://blog.spalutions.com/comments/atom.aspx Quick Blogcast tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-08-05:1255749 Felicia Brown LMBT 2008-08-05T11:23:22Z 2008-08-05T11:23:22Z
One thing that is not easy in this answer is the unknown variable about therapist pay. As you know it can vary widely from practice to practice. I've heard of some therapists making as much as 70 to 80 percent of the fees charged which probably doesn't even cover the rent. Then again, other therapists are making much less money - an hourly wage perhaps or a salary plus small commission. So it is not an answer that is really the same for each business.

For any owner facing this dilemma, I suggest they work with someone to determine what they really need to make to pay their bills each month and determine what pay makes sense based on the costs of doing business. Only when they know these figures can they really begin to determine where changes need to be made, if any, to staff compensation.

This is a VERY difficult issue, but I will stress to therapists and owners alike that the point of being in business for yourself is to make a profit. If the business is not set up to do so or is perhaps losing money when clients come in (this happens more than you would think), seeing more clients is not necessarily the cure.

Everyone in the business (staff, owners and clients) must realize that if the business does not make a profit (and/or the owner does not make a salary) that it cannot exist for long. The compensation structure must be balanced to be sure that everyone succeeds.]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-08-04:1252796 Sharon Cedrone 2008-08-05T11:15:32Z 2008-08-04T12:37:41Z tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-08-03:1250266 Felicia Brown LMBT 2008-08-03T13:29:08Z 2008-08-03T12:52:57Z
The other issue is that travelers need to be aware of social norms and customs wherever they go. I have had spa services all over Europe and elsewhere abroad. But this was the first time that I had male therapists or had a water treatment where no draping was possible. I can go with the flow as I mentioned but was still taken by surprise that a male - as nice as he was - provided that treatment. To me that was different even over being in a co-ed clothing optional sauna (not my favorite either) because of the perceived power difference and maybe the language barrier.

I think too that all the emphasis US massage schools and licensing boards put on appropriate attire for massage therapists and specific draping for clients has perhaps over-sensitized me to being unclothed around others. I doubt I am in the minority of massage therapists although I would love to hear what other professionals have to say about it.
]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-08-03:1250255 Felicia Brown LMBT 2008-08-03T12:42:40Z 2008-08-03T12:42:40Z tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-29:1237275 Felicia Brown LMBT 2008-07-29T16:18:08Z 2008-07-29T16:18:08Z
I really like what I see on your site as well. Without great people that are happy and a good fit for your company, it is very difficult to succeed.  ]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-29:1236685 Steve Waterhouse http://www.predictiveresults.com 2008-07-29T13:19:34Z 2008-07-29T13:19:34Z
Thank you for posting my quote and the link to the BJ article. We need all the positive energy we can get to turn the doubters around!

Keep selling and keep smiling!

Steve Waterhouse
www.predictiveresults.com]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-14:1194884 Hannelore Leavy http://www.dayspaassociation.com 2008-07-21T21:44:58Z 2008-07-14T20:27:10Z
These treatments are all described in the Spa Encyclopedia, authored by myself and Dr. Reinhard Bergel - bath therapist that takes 3 years of medical spa / therapeutic education.

The Beauty or Cosmetic Center is our (US) actual day spa, that provides the facials and salon treatments. Massage belongs to the Kur (Cure) Center.

But things are changing, the American day spa is being exported all over the world and lots of changes have occured throughout Western Europe and the rest of the world as well.]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-14:1194866 Hannelore Leavy http://www.dayspaassociation.com 2008-07-21T21:45:25Z 2008-07-14T20:19:21Z tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-14:1194788 Hannelore Leavy http://www.dayspaassociation.com 2008-07-21T21:45:47Z 2008-07-14T19:35:13Z You know, there are still those establishments out there, and no matter what the regulations and health codes say, they love to use the word "spa" to camouflage their real business!]]> tag:blog.spalutions.com,2008-07-13:1191285 Felicia Brown LMBT 2008-07-13T12:27:58Z 2008-07-13T12:27:58Z
Felicia]]>