InTouch

Our recent celebration of Earth Day is an important reminder to be good stewards of the earth. As business owners, I believe it's our corporate responsibility to do our part to conserve natural resources and protect the environment...

Have you ever looked at a stippling painting? You know the ones that are made up of 1000s of little dots? When you are up close all you see is dots, but when you take a few steps back a clear image manifests itself. Well, I think of learning in much the same way. As a student I am taught sections of information, yet it isn't until I put them all together that I can see the whole picture...

So many people walk around with coffee in hand these days, I have to wonder if the traditional coffee break is a thing of the past. Actually, coffee breaks, as I learned through a search on Google, emerged in the early 20th century when they were part of an overall movement to reform what was then a pretty grim American work place...

At the recent New York Spa Show we had a great dialogue during our class on "Designing Your Dream Practice". One of the main topics of interest was how to attract and cultivate your ideal clients. I always emphasize the first step is to discern who those clients are, and then learning all you can about them including their needs and goals. The second thing is to deliver exemplarily customer service and build trust. Simply put "Undersell and Over deliver."...

Who doesn't want your business to grow? Even if things are going well, it's good business to do what it takes to make the next year even better. Complacency doesn't work well in the business world. As we've learned these past few years, a sudden downturn in the market might be just around the corner. It doesn't take much to be on top of the world one day and feel that it's crashing down around you the next...

"As a student, do you believe you can learn a hands on technique online?" This question was asked last week in an online blog I was reading. I can't say that I was surprised to find that the answer from the discussion participants was an overwhelmingly large "NO"! I can, however say, I disagree...

You can imagine how proud we were when Team Type 1 - a remarkable group of cyclists who ride to create awareness for diabetes fitness -- approached us to be one of their sponsors last year. We were more than happy to meet their request for donations of Dual-Purpose Massage Creme to use in massage therapy for the team. We continue our sponsorship this year and have expanded donations to include Muscle & Joint Relief Therapeutic Massage Creme and Polar Lotion, our other popular sore muscle and pain relief products...

I often talk about the reward of getting to the point in your career when you can begin to choose whom you want to spend your time with and offering the services you prefer to perform. This has been one of my primary business goals from the moment I decided to enter into this profession...

We couldn't let a new year get underway without introducing a new line of products. Our newest offering is Healthy Benefits, an anti-oxidant rich line of massage products. Healthy Benefits, which includes Oil-Free Face Massage Creme, Massage Creme and Massage Gel, are rich in the Pomegranate, Green tea, White Grape and Grapeseed active botanicals...

It is February and everywhere I look I see roses, cards and chocolate hearts. Although, as a therapist, I like the increase in gift certificate sales. I can't help but notice that Valentine's Day has, at least partially, become an over commercialized remnant of what once was. Ironically enough, just as commercialism might have tainted Valentine's Day a bit, scientific reductionism has done the same to our view of the heart itself...

I for one agree with Lily Tomlin. Sometimes it seems like we're going 75 MPH and still trying to catch up. Instead of accelerating, we need to apply the brakes. After all isn't that what our business is all about? The massage industry has been growing for years because people need a time and place to wind down, relax and ease their tension...

Valentines is soon upon us and its a great time for Gift Certificate Promotions and Couples Massage specials. This year, I am choosing Valentines to launch a yearlong campaign that matches my own journey - self discovery. My "You deserve it" campaign includes posting daily quotes, tasting bars and incentives to explore way to enjoy your own company...