ISPA Academy Articles

<<< Back to ISPA Academy

February 2016 Snapshot Survey – Employee Training

December 13, 2016

Topic of focus – Employee Training

Quality employee training is essential to the success of any business within the spa industry.  Spa members are offering a variety of training opportunities to ensure their clients receive the best experience possible.

February 2017 Snapshot Survey – Wellness

September 6, 2017

Topic of focus – Wellness

Overall, slightly more than half (56 percent) of all resource partner respondents incorporate the term “wellness,” in their marketing messaging. Nearly six out of ten spa member respondents (59 percent) use “wellness” in their marketing messaging with the resort/hotel spa segment using it more often than day spas (60 percent and 50 percent respectively).

February 2018 Snapshot Survey – Technology in the Workplace

November 27, 2018

Topic of focus – Technology in the Workplace

In terms of offering tech-related options in the spa, day spa respondents tended to offer these amenities at a higher rate than resort/hotel spa respondents. The largest difference was among those offering appointment text confirmations/reminders, with 83 percent of day spa respondents offering this feature compared to only 24 percent of resort/hotel spa respondents. Other tech-related areas that day spa participants offer more frequently than resort/hotel spa participants are online appointment bookings, 87 percent to 49 percent respectively, and appointment email confirmations/reminders, at 96 percent and 79 percent respectively.

February 2019 Snapshot Survey — Philanthropy

February 20, 2019

Topic of focus – Philanthropy

The February Snapshot Survey provides a look at philanthropic initiatives in the spa industry.

February 2023 Snapshot Survey-Quarterly Performance

September 14, 2023

The February 2023 ISPA Snapshot Survey asked respondents to share details about their spa or company’s fourth quarter performance (October 1 through December 31, 2022) compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The results reported in this quarterly performance survey are based on member participation. The results further illustrate the spa industry’s continued recovery from the pandemic.

Compared to the same period in 2021, 82 percent of the spas surveyed reported an increase in fourth quarter revenue. Complementarily, 72 percent of spa respondents reported an increase in profits. Almost one-third (28 percent) saw profit increases exceeding 20 percent compared to the fourth quarter profits. Continuing in 2022 trends, spa visits were up for 75 percent of respondents.

February 2024 Snapshot Survey Quarterly Performance

April 11, 2024

Comparing year-over-year data gives a true estimation of an industry’s trajectory. To gauge year-end trends in the spa industry, a recent ISPA Snapshot Survey asked respondents to share details about their spa or company’s fourth quarter performance in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022.

The February 2024 survey considered data from the period between October 1 and December 31 in both years. Compared to the same period in 2022, two-thirds (67 percent) of spas surveyed reported an increase in fourth quarter revenue in 2023. More than half of spa respondents reported an increase in profits, and nearly three in five (59 percent) said spa visits were up. These numbers show spas have remained effective in meeting ever-increasing demand for spa services.

Feldenkrais (Method)

System of bodywork developed by Moshe Feldenkrais that attempts to reprogram the nervous system through movement augmented by physical pressure and manipulation.

FICA Tax Tip Fairness: New Legislation Levels the Playing Field for Spa and Salon Employees

August 7, 2025

In what the Professional Beauty Association (PBA) calls a landmark legislative victory, the U.S. Congress has passed the 45B FICA Tip Tax Credit, extending tax fairness to spa, salon and barbershop owners. This change allows beauty business employers to claim a dollar-for- dollar tax credit on the employee portion of FICA taxes on employee tips—parity that restaurant owners have enjoyed since 1993. Industry leaders say the credit will help stabilize and grow small businesses—freeing up capital for investment in staffing, training, wages and benefits while encouraging transparent tip reporting—and will directly benefit the predominantly women- and minority-owned businesses that make up the professional beauty sector.

Fighting For The Forgotten With Justin Wren

June 13, 2024

Justin Wren began his address to ISPA members by honoring Alex Szekely’s dedication to making a difference. He then recounted some of his life experiences that instilled a passion for “fighting for the forgotten.”

Wren shared that he was bullied as a child and felt alone until he became interested in wrestling. When he was in high school, his parents sent him away from home to train with Olympic wrestling coaches, and he continued training after high-level success in high school.

Financial Balance: Mastering the Cash Flow Statement

April 9, 2025

The cash flow statement—also called the statement of cash flows—is a crucial financial report for spa owners. It reveals the origins of the spa’s cash and how it is being utilized. As the saying goes, cash is king. Understanding the sources of cash inflow offers essential insights for informed decision making. Cash flow management is important to determine whether to invest in new equipment, expand services or hire additional staff, all while ensuring the business remains financially healthy and sustainable.

Scroll to Top