Articles starting with “S”

This chapter introduces the basic organization and financial realities of operating a spa. It offers knowledge of how a spa is organized financially and how each department functions, either as a revenue or a cost center.

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The divisions in a spa are categorized as revenue centers and cost centers. Revenue centers generate income for the spa through the sales of services or products to guests/clients.

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The divisions in a spa are categorized as revenue centers and cost centers. Revenue centers generate income for the spa through the sales of services or products to guests/clients.

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All revenue and costs described in this chapter are recorded on the statement of income, which provides a financial snapshot of the spa. The statement of income shows the total sales by product or service category (massage, skin care, hair, nails, etc.) for a stated period of time, the expenses incurred in generating those sales, and the profit earned or the loss incurred as a result of those activities. The chapter appendix contains sample statements of income for a resort spa and a day spa.

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The world of spa is one of the fastest growing service professions. As more and more people embrace the concepts of wellness and healthy lifestyles, the need for spas continues to increase, and with that, the need for well-qualified personnel and a skilled work force at every level is becoming more apparent.

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The International SPA Association discovered a number of human resource challenges when conducting research on the spa industry. Many regions across the United States and Canada are experiencing a significant shortage of qualified people with a high level of skills. This is particularly true of directors and management staff.

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The spa industry is waiting for soulful, caring individuals who love people and who want to make a difference in the world, one life at a time. Technical skills, business savvy, and an ability to read people are traits that will take people far in the world of spa.

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Spas focus on health and wellness, not only for clients, but for those who work within the spa environment. A professional looking for a career where health and wellness are valued and where there are opportunities to practice healthy living will find a home within the spa industry, where all of these are embraced.

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Spas focus on health and wellness, not only for clients, but for those who work within the spa environment. A professional looking for a career where health and wellness are valued and where there are opportunities to practice healthy living will find a home within the spa industry, where all of these are embraced.

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The breadth and depth of the spa industry’s vocations and professions means that there can be an ideal, if not perfect, job for just about everyone. Taking inventory of one’s own professional and personal needs and goals can help one decide on a career.

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Spas offer a wide range of career opportunities from entry-level positions through upper-level management. The number of employees at any given spa varies based on the type of facility and extent of services offered.

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As spas continue to grow and certain types of spas become more popular, spa careers and job options will increase and expand. New opportunities will arise in existing jobs and in other areas such as those listed in this section.

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The spa industry is a wonderful place for people who enjoy learning. Training and education are high priorities among spa professionals. For some positions, such as massage therapists and estheticians, this training and education must take place before obtaining a job, but learning does not stop once work begins.

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Spa employees are commonly compensated in one of two ways: a traditional employer-employee arrangement or the less traditional, but still common, contracting spa–independent contractor relationship.

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While it may seem that a technical specialty like massage therapy or esthetics would be the logical opening to a spa career, these are not always necessary to spa success. For those looking to become spa managers, it may be possible to work up to a management position by starting at a lower-level position, learning the business, and then advancing in the field.

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Spa director careers are more rewarding and more challenging than many people realize. Spa directors—whether of day spas, resort spas, or destination spas—must master many diverse skill sets to be successful.

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Key elements of spa directors’ jobs can be broken down by the various groups with whom they interact.

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Different types of spas present their directors with unique challenges and opportunities. These range from attracting guests to developing programs to meeting revenue goals. Knowing how resort spas, destination spas, and day spas differ may help a spa professional choose which spa segment is right for them.

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Every day, spa directors around the world deal with the challenges of leading employees, managing profitability, and serving guests. While there are many types of spas, this chapter will follow hypothetical directors at three of the most common types of spas: resort spas, destination spas, and day spas.

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Spa director is one of the most demanding and rewarding careers in the spa industry. The job requires an extensive knowledge of all aspects of spa operations, from financial management and human resources to facilities management and marketing and public relations.

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