SpaFinder Reveals Top Ten Spa Beauty Trends to Watch in 2009 From Press Release - Jan 9, 2009

The world of beauty, always a hotbed of intense competition and marketing innovation, is poised for another year of fresh global trends in spa beauty-oriented products and treatments, according to SpaFinder Lifestyle Online Magazine’s new report: “Top Ten Spa Beauty Trends to Watch in 2009.”

The much-anticipated spa beauty trends forecast from SpaFinder Lifestyle’s Editor-in-Chief, Melisse Gelula, showcases an eclectic mix of beauty concepts and products emerging from the spa world that will shape everything from the red carpet to the drug store aisle in the year ahead. Gelula’s annual trends have become a go-to resource for beauty journalists and bloggers, having proven a remarkably prescient crystal ball for what’s around the corner in spa beauty.

For 2009, Gelula forecasts a boom in facialist-branded skin care, multi-tasking beauty products, and niche nail polish formulators. New antioxidants and gem stone extracts will infuse products, while a heightened focus on diet’s role in beauty will be the talk at the spa—and beyond. On the spa-ritual front, hammams are red-hot, while blistering debates about the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens will to continue to be a source of controversy. Also look for suds-free shampoos, better definitions of “organic,” and a big interest in science-based products, driving the beauty consumer’s ongoing, two-faced fascination with both organics and injectables, reports Gelula.

Read a condensed list of the “2009 Top Ten Spa Beauty Trends” below, or

1. Multi-Tasking, Money-Saving, Products

The explosion of targeted skin-care products in recent years will give way to products that have two, three, or four beautifying uses, such as Joey New York’s Quick CTSM2, an all-in-one cleanser, toner, scrub, and mask. Multi-taskers are good for both a drooping face and dropping dollar. Another result of the heightened rallying around value and affordability: more do-it-yourself and at-home spa-treatment-inspired products like facial kits, etc.

2. Brand-Name Facialists

Dermatologists Murad, Perricone, and Wexler are being joined by a new generation of facialist-branded skin-care treatments and products. Fifth Avenue’s Tracie Martyn and Los Angeles’s Kate Somerville are becoming franchise-facialists with treatments at spas besides their own, and the skin-care lines of facialists Eve Lom and Tammy Fender are some of the new group of ‘faces’ that will reach the retail big-time.

3. Gem Stoned

Move over gold, silver and platinum…spas worldwide, such as New York’s Cornelia Day Resort and The Park Hyatt Dubai, are now boasting the benefits of beauty products infused with precious and semi-precious gems. Whether gem extracts are as beautifying as the real thing has yet to be scientifically determined, but more spas will swear by the subtle healing energies imparted by them.

4. The Skin-Care Diet

Food is the new skin care, reflecting a return to the inner-beauty mantra that a good diet begets good skin. Organic-derived ingredients, topical probiotics (the beneficial bacteria) in brands such as Bioelements and Nude, and a growing number of beauty supplement-like beverages are on the rise.

5. Antioxidant Free-for-All

All manner of teas, hearty alpine herbs like edelweiss, and rare fruit extracts will be joined by more--and possibly increasingly obscure--sources of skin-benefiting antioxidants. For instance, next up, suggests a recent article in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology…burdock fruit.

6. Sunscreen Controversy

Are mineral sunscreen particles too small to be safe? Are chemical sunscreens bad for you? Do some antioxidants boost protection from UV rays? More questions are simmering about beauty’s most serious and important skin-care product than the industry can answer, at least in 2009. Expect a summer of mixed messages and hot debate.

7. Suds-Free Shampoos

By popular demand, shampoos without the controversial ingredient sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) or traditional foaming agents are hitting the shelves. Brands from California’s Sumbody to Paris’s Leonor Greyl produce a soft lather or emulsification, making suds-free washing a far more sophisticated experience than previous incarnations.

8. Organic Panic

While beauty brands continue to scramble for a USDA Organics logo, strip parabens from their formulations, or swap their packaging for something more earth-friendly to meet consumer demand, others will use 2009 to better define exactly what shade of green they subscribe to, while touting transparency as their angle. Call it green beauty marketing 2.0.

9. Hammams Are Hot

This year’s hottest beautifying bathing ritual is the hammam, a traditional Moorish-Mediterranean steam room, now found in brand-new spas from the Montage Beverly Hills to the InterContinental Montelucia in Arizona. Moroccan-sourced product ingredients such as argan oil, myrrh, and black soap are also building steam. After all, lounging at the hammam for hours, (which often involves less therapist-based costs), is a great way to stretch the spa dollar.

10. Hard Science Sells

There’s nothing like proof that a product works to justify a cosmetic purchase or a higher-price point. That’s why science-backed products will be flourishing even in tough economic times. Look for the drug company debuts of Botox-competitor Reloxin in 2009, an injectable; and the much-anticipated eyelash-lengthener Latisse, by Allergan; along with more growth hormones, skin-penetrating peptides, and nanotechnology in over-the-counter beauty products. The marriage between science and beauty will also continue to strengthen because of the use of biology textbook terms (like cellular, epidermal, dermal) invading skin care and its labels, reaching a whole new level of skin-care marketing.

BONUS TREND

Niche Nail Polish

Essie, OPI, and CND aren’t the only games in town. Deborah Lippmann is taking off as the bespoke nail bedazzler with the Lippmann Collection, and makeup artist Michael Marcus has partnered with the Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo for a nail line. Expect new offerings in this fun, affordable, recession-proof beauty category.

Click here to review the complete report online.

Why Use A Coach For Your Salon or Spa?

The simply answer to that is.... a coach works! Works to help you define how you want your business to be different, better, improved, healthier- AND then holds your butt accountable for making that happen! Yikes, sounds intense. It is, but it's worth every penny you spend.

I personally have a business coach, and wouldn't be a true coach if I didn't believe in the process myself.

So, here's how it works:

Business Coaching is all about helping you get very clear on what you most want, creating a great plan that aligns with your values and builds on your strengths, and supports you in making all the changes needed to achieve the outcomes you desire. As a professional service,coaching consistently delivers a high return on investment over 200%) and can be a powerful partner in helping you achieve far greater levels of success, happiness and fulfillment.

If you have a big dream or are just wanting to get your Salon or Spa to the next level - or feel unfulfilled, stressed out, tired of the results you are currently getting - I invite you to look into working with an experienced professional who is totally focused on helping you succeed.

SO WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK???? Contact me for a FREE 45 Minute, Consultation!

Are You Ready to Make 2009 Your Best Year In Business?

Are you tired of struggling with not knowing if you can meet payroll? Fearful of the current economic crisis? Overwhelmed by all that needs to be done? then....

Right Now is the Best Time to Take Action and Set Your Goals for Success in 2009.

New Year's Resolutions offer the first opportunity for making change and improvement in your business. Over the next few days millions of people will be setting New Year's resolutions - asking themselves questions, attempting to figure out how to improve their business.

Some will decide the answer is to work harder...even though they feel like they're working their butts off now. Others will think a brief second about how they'd like to see things change...but will remember all of the years they've failed, and will simply throw in the towel before even giving themselves a chance. Then their are the people that think "hope" and "good luck" are effective strategies for change.

As an expert on this subject (through my own trials and tribulations), I can tell you that more than 75% will fail to achieve their resolutions, with most having abandoned them by the end of January.

But wait there is hope! - There is a very small, but special group of people who are committed to making this year different. They are committed to real change in their businesses. They are committed to a plan, and understand that life will not go according to plan if they do not have a plan.

Do You Have a Plan?
Do you have plan for how you are going to execute that plan?
If you have the above two - Do you think you will be able to stick to it?

I have put together an effective program that will help you achieve your goals. It's partly an evaluation of your current business habits as they are today and partly a blueprint for doing things better — and I mean much better.

Contact me for your FREE 45 minute Consultation so we can make this year your best year in business!

Top 10 Product Blunders of 2008

So, how many of your tried a new skin, body or makeup line in your business in 2008, and wished you hadn't? I'd love to hear your stories about why they didn't work from; they were too expensive to my staff hated them and any others you experienced.

I'll compile the information and treat it like, "what not to do in 2009."

Thinking of Starting a Salon or Spa?

"Someday I am going to start up my own Spa". Have you ever heard a friend say that or maybe this has been a personal dream of yours. Well, I can understand why; Spas are a $9.4 billion business in the United States, employing more than 234,000 workers, according to the International Spa Association.

But, there’s a lot of thinking to be done before you start one of these businesses. Starting a Salon or Spa is one of those huge, life-altering events. Proper planning is the key to turning your dreams into reality.

Every year thousands of perfectly intelligent Americans jump into owning a Salon or Spa without doing all their homework. Oh sure, they've tested the market and created a business plan. They've lined up a lawyer and accountant, purchased equipment and set up a Web site. But even though they may think they've covered all the bases, surprises show up in some unusual places.

Although there isn't any way that you can guarantee that you'll become a successful owner, you can greatly improve your odds by becoming well-prepared for the task. You'll want to make sure to conduct as much research to see whether your idea is really feasible. This will involve gathering, analyzing and evaluating information to help you formulate your business goals.

Some questions to consider are:

• What product/service will you provide?
• Is your idea feasible (is it going to make money)?
• Is there a market for your product/service?
• What skills do you need?
• Who are your competitors?
• What difference will you bring to the market?
• Do you have the financial capacity?

If you go through this sort of process in great depth, your decision to proceed will be based not on so much emotional or personal interest factors but on cold hard facts. You will have already come a long way forward in the necessary mind-set of making sound business judgments, which will automatically build you a far better chance of financial survival.

Knowledge of the business, sufficient capital, and good experience,are just some of the characteristics of a successful Salon or Spa owner. Are you well-prepared for the task?

If you are struggling on whether to open a Salon or Spa; schedule an initial FREE 45 min Consultation to discuss your potential options.

Announcing Affordable Group Coaching For Your Salon or Spa

Expand Your Mind,
Recharge Your Business Battery,
Connect With Like-Minded Business Owners ... with our Monthly On-Line Group Coaching

The Winners Circle Group Coaching is powerful group of business owners together with your Coach that will catalyze faster breakthroughs for you and your business.

Our business group coaching program is distinctly different in two very important ways: our focus and our process. The end benefit: you maximize your results and achieve a greater return on your investment.

In the Winners Circle your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability structures that keep you focused and on track. You will create a community of supportive colleagues who will brainstorm together to move the group to new heights. You'll gain tremendous insights, which can improve your business. Your Winners Circle Group is like having a objective "board of directors."

What Will You Get From It?

• Faster progress towards your desired goals than you would have ever imagined.



• An instant and valuable support network.



• A shared sense of endeavor. . . the energy of the group is far greater than the sum of individual energies.



• The ability to design things as you want them and support as well as real concrete help in achieving those goals.



• Invaluable resouces and contacts through other members.

Who Should Attend?
Salon & Spa Onwers who:

• Have a desire for success and are willing to commit to it 100%.



• Have the desire and inspiration but know they will benefit from the shared energy of other like-minded people.



• Are willing to ask for — and give — help and support.

The Winners Circle Group will meet by weekly via online, and via online message board.
We are starting a new group in January 2009. For more information visit http://www.thesecretconsulant.com/

Non-Compete Agreements - They Can Work

One of the biggest concerns I hear from many salon & spa owners, is the fear of key employees walking away with customers. I’ve talked with employees at many companies, and it’s clear: These people believe any client they work on is “their customer,” they are free to take “their customers” away from their employer, and they don’t believe non-compete agreements are enforceable.

I just cringe for these business owners, who have such individuals in their employ. Sure, they are busy, but make no mistake about it — they are working for themselves and there is zero loyalty — these employees will leave you in an instant if they think the grass is greener elsewhere.

Aside from being completely wrong on all accounts, these employees have little knowledge or respect for the difficulty and sheer effort it takes to open, run and successfully manage a profitable salon or spa business. It’s the business owner that invests in marketing and signs the advertising contracts. It’s that same owner who doesn’t sleep at night, trying to figure out how to keep the lights on, the clients coming through the door and the paychecks issued. Client loyalty is key to the success — and long-term viability — of any business.

How can you prevent employees from stealing your clients if they decide to leave? The answer is, a well-crafted non-compete and non-solicitation agreement. The laws vary from state-to-state, jurisdiction-to-jurisdiction. There are ways to write bad (i.e. unenforceable) agreements, and there are ways to write great (i.e. enforceable) agreements. The best way to obtain a great agreement, is to hire a local attorney familiar with such matters — the money you spend writing such an agreement will pay for itself in dividends.

Do you even have agreements in place with your employees? If not, you have no excuse! Start now! Don’t give courts reasons to invalidate your agreement. Make it fair and reasonable. This means take ownership of what is yours — the client — and don’t unduly restrict your employees from being gainfully employed elsewhere. Avoid:

• Geographic restrictions - even limited ones can pose problems
• Blanket restrictions - everyone has a right to work, so don’t prohibit someone from earning a livelihood
• Unlimited restrictions - always reasonably time-bound the restriction (i.e. 1 year)
• Non-solicitation only - everyone tries to get around this, by creating the circumstances where “I didn’t solicit them, they called me!”
  Punitive damages - courts seldom award punitive damages, especially for employee contracts; so they just help to instill the belief that your non-solicitation agreement is egregious, unfair and unbalanced

Every good non-compete agreement should, at a minimum:

• Define Confidentiality and require employees to honor the confidential information of your business
• Define “Client” and “Client List,” and make it clear they are owned by company and are to remain Confidential and Trade Secret
• Indicate that employees (including “whether as an individual for its own account, or for or with any other person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, or other entity whatsoever, which is or intends to be engaged in the same line of business as YOUR COMPANY, or in such other business competitive with YOUR COMPANY,”) may not solicit, interfere with, or entice away any clients (or employees) of your company, for a reasonable period of time (i.e. 1 year)
• Indicate that employees (with language above) after their employment ends at your company, may not service, or perform services for, any Client, for a reasonable period of time (i.e. 1 year)
• Require employees to acknowledge that the restrictions will not create an undue hardship, not prevent them from competing in an independent business, and agree they are subject to a restraining order and/or injunction if they violate the agreement
• Require “reasonable enforcement costs and expenses” to be paid by employee, if they violate the agreement
• Contain the standard clauses of severability, survival, waiver of breach and assignment

Note that if you are presented with employees who are bringing their own clients, and you want to acknowledge the clients they bring, my advice is to create an “attachment” that has the actual names of the clients you want to exclude from the agreement. The employee should specifically indicate who such individuals are.

If you have an employee who doesn’t want to sign such an agreement, then you have some interesting information: They intend to steal clients from you the minute the relationship doesn’t work for them. Do you really want such employees in your organization?