Linda Lewis has been a professional editor for nearly 30 years and has worked in the professional beauty industry for more than a dozen years. As the editor of DAYSPA for the past 10 years, she has had the opportunity to meet and work with thousands of spa owners across the country and around the world. She is passionate about serving the spa community and helping spa owners run their businesses more effectively. While she currently acts as editorial director and associate publisher for all of the Creative Age publications, including DAYSPA, Nailpro and Launchpad, she has been spending a lot time recently creating a magazine for the newest segment of the spa industry: medical spas. The premiere issue of Medesthetics will be in the mail in Mid-October. "Throughout my editing career, I've enjoyed learning the intricacies of the industries I've served, but working with spas has been special because of the people involved. Day spa owners and the people who work with them are nurturing, caring human beings first. That's an asset many other business segments can never hope to duplicate. Being singled out a someone deserving of attention in an industry full of exceptional individuals is truly an honor," Linda said in accepting her nomination as Spa Person of the Month.
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Allan Share is the President and owner of New Life Systems; a Minnesota based manufacturer and catalog distributor of spa, salon and massage products for the health and wellness industry.
Over the past 15 years, Allan and his team have developed New Life Systems into an industry leader. The extensive product line features the proprietary product line, Lotus TouchTM. Lotus Touch is a comprehensive, professional product line of massage, body care, and pure aromatherapy products. Additionally, New Life Systems has established relationships with the leading manufacturers in our industry to provide our industry with everything from cotton balls and tweezers to equipment and fixtures for MediSpa or Day Spa.
Allan Share has been a featured speaker at major industry conventions including The International Esthetics and Spa Convention. Some of Allan’s presentations include “Selecting Your Supplier,” “The Nuts and Bolts of Running Your Own Small Business” and “Warranties and Guarantees; What Do They Really Mean?”
Allan Share and New Life Systems are members of The Day Spa Association, International Spa Association, National Federation of Independent Business, SPATRADE and AMTA. To contact Allan please call him at 800-852-3082 or by email at abs1@newlifesystems.com
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Having constant contact with hundreds of spas nationwide has given Mary the edge in terms of up-to-the-minute trends. Quickly becoming a spa expert has also landed her a writing position for iVillage.com, where she is writing regular columns concerning the spa industry.
“With Spa-Addicts.com, it’s a win-win situation for both spas and spa-enthusiasts,” says Mary. “The spas we are affiliated with are increasing both revenue and targeted exposure to spa consumers nationwide while showcasing signature treatments. The public is being rewarded with indulgent services at more affordable prices on a more regular basis.”
Spa-Addicts.com features programs and promotions that are valuable to consumers like reward systems such as the VIP Club and a proprietary Gift Certificate program that offers greater flexibility and service to fit around your schedule. Mary’s “Red Hot Specials” section allows shoppers to get more savings at monthly highlighted spas.
For more information about Mary Blackmon and her company, please visit www.spa-addicts.com
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Nancy Cwynar is CEO and Owner of Action Bag Company, the beauty industry’s retail packaging and promotion experts. It is a family business founded by Nancy’s mother, Marie Gebbie. Starting with just one product line - reclosable bags. In 1982, Nancy joined forces with Marie. Together they forge the business into new markets and products.
Marie retired in 1995 and Nancy took over ownership. Then the beauty industry actually found Action Bag. The professional hair division of the industry had a need for bags for show bag deals, back to school liter sales and much more. They also wanted help creating promotions. Nancy took the lead and ran with it! She created and expanded products to meet all facets of the professional beauty industry. Taking on the markets of beauty salons, nails, tanning, skin care, beauty schools and the world of spas.
Today Action Bag’s product line has grown to include many specialty bags and promotional items developed through effective customer feedback. Continuing to keep their ear to the ground and response to market needs. New and exclusive product development will continue to be a core strategy for the company.
Her Assistant Marketing Manager, Jaimey Alumbaugh, and Nancy continue to take their marketing and product development up a notch. Working together to produce a Spring and Holiday catalog editions full of new ideas and products. Recently they launched their new and improved website. A user friendly site helps you find the best packaging to meet your needs. Look for the future as they constantly update their marketing vehicles and efforts.
Nancy feels partnering with the Day Spa Association has been an integral part of the company’s knowledge and understanding of the needs of day spas and the wellness service business. She prides herself on being the experts for the beauty industry’s specific needs. There are a lot of packaging companies out there but Action Bag truly has the experience to back up their expert title. This year they celebrate their 25th Anniversary!
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Monique Iacobacci… knew she was headed for the then untapped SPA/skin care industry when she graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1991, haven gotten a taste of the industry by assisting her cousin in a local beauty salon from the vulnerable age of 16 on.
Refusing to set any limitations on herself, Monique realized her deep desire to expand her knowledge into the field of skin care and well-being. She headed straight to the top by attending Christine Valmy School in New York City. At this school of Esthetics she sharpened her skills in skin care and make-up artistry. In addition she paid special attention to sales and marketing as well as management subjects. Graduating on top of her class, armed with a Cosmetology license and her dream for success, she set out to make an impact in a field that was virtually non-existent. Her hopes are of leaving a well-paved pathway for others desiring these same goals.
Following her graduation, Monique has had quite a remarkable journey and shows no signs of slowing down. Her career path has lead her in many different and amazing directions. Some of which includes being featured in Bridal & Variety Magazines, being interviewed by Day Spa Magazine and Spa Forum. She is a contributing author to “Spa Basics, A Consumer Guide to Day Spa Service” and “Wake-Up, Live The Life You Love … in Beauty”. She has worked with well-known, respected Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons becoming skilled in working within the medical esthetic field.
Successive planning on numerous day spas projects on the East Coast brought Monique closer to the operation and management of day spas. Volunteering for the Day Spa Association for the last five years, sitting in on panel discussions, speaking at trade shows, heading their charity division as part of the Board of Advisors, expanded her horizon way beyond just skin care!
Monique currently manages a Day Spa in Jersey City’s Financial District. Located by the Jersey City Newport Marina overlooking the Manhattan Skyline, she has successfully turned around this spa to be the top producer in the company’s chain of day spas.
If you were to ask her what’s next … she would tell you the sky is the limit.
Monique Iacobacci can be reached by email at Alexis7774@aol.com
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Oasis Day Spa co-owner Bruce Schoenberg is living proof that you can make a major career change work successfully. Bruce for over twenty years was involved in the event marketing and trade show industry, producing major events both locally and nationally. In 1996 he met his future wife and partner while producing a trade show in Chicago, where Marti was a massage therapist. They were married shortly thereafter and the Oasis dream soon began.
Before Marti would move to New York Bruce had to convince her he would explore other career options since he was on the road so much in the event and show industry. After they married, Marti worked at two Manhattan spas for several days a week, but found them lacking in customer service. Marti was especially dissatisfied with the way they seemed impersonal and too “hard sell” on spa products.
As a very conservative business person Bruce adheres to a very strict business analysis. Not knowing the first thing about spas was very intimidating, and despite Marti’s vibe on the emerging industry he needed to convince himself of the soundness of this type of investment. At 42 years old at the time this was going to be one of the most important decisions he would ever make. So after writing several business plans, conducting numerous focus groups and visiting dozens of spas Bruce was convinced the industry was growing and could support another spa in the crowded Manhattan spa business. One of his golden rules is: “numbers don’t lie, only people do”. If you do the math fairly and honestly, you can fairly predict what it will take to create a successful business.
Oasis opened its first location in 1998, a seven room spa in Union Square. While Marti focuses on developing services and hiring of therapists, Bruce concentrates on the marketing, advertising and business operations end. In any partnership especially one where spouses work together it is critical to divide duties. Bruce’s strength is in marketing, advertising and people management. In addition he acts as the “Why Guy” when making any service changes or purchasing decisions for professional and retail products.
Oasis Day Spa was an overnight success, quickly earning ‘Best of New York’ designations from several local and national publications. Their second location at One Park Avenue, which is four times the size of the first spa, opened in 2001, and instantly garnered a tremendous following.
Business partnerships have since been formed with the Affinia Dumont Hotel where Oasis opened its third location in May 2004, and which also includes a fitness center. Bruce and Marti are also introducing a wellness program that incorporates the type of issues you would see at destination spas there. They see this as the emerging trend - the ability to merge and address the health, wellness and spa aspects their guests need.
Oasis has just opened up in the JetBlue Terminal at JFK Airport in a partnership with JetBlue Airways. This is just their latest opportunity to help stressed out travelers find a little peace and wellness during the harried times of traveling. Bruce doesn’t deny the opportunity to further market Oasis Day Spa at JetBlue. He sees their presence there as a fantastic opportunity to make a great first impression on traveling New Yorker as well as other visitors to New York City; if they are in New York and want a great spa experience that emphasizes customer service, he wants them to think of Oasis Day Spa.
What’s on the horizon for Oasis? “We will take every opportunity as it comes and evaluate each on its own merits. The most important mission is to ensure the quality of what we do, and that it is in the best interest of all the people who have helped make us who we are, our great staff”.
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
Douglas Preston is among the spa industry’s most influential business leaders. His leadership vision was instrumental in making his former business, Preston Wynne Day Spa in Saratoga, California, nationally known for its innovative operations and superlative customer service systems. Twice capturing Modern Salon Magazine’s “Salon of the Year” award, and multiple winner of Spa Management Journal’s “Spa of the Year” award, Preston Wynne’s success has become the spirit of his present enterprise, Preston Incorporated, an internationally acclaimed business improvement company and private label skin care product manufacturer. The company’s product collection is quickly becoming the preferred source for progressive aestheticians today.
Mr. Preston is a frequent lecturer in the spa industry, a sought-after motivational speaker and trainer, and the author of numerous articles for spa and aesthetics professional publications. He is regarded as a top expert in the industry and has been featured on CNN as well as in Spa Management Journal, and USA Today. He serves as editorial advisor to several successful trade magazines. Mr. Preston currently serves on the Day Spa Association Board, is the past President of Aesthetics International Association (AIA) and a member of the Australian Spa Association (ASpa) and NCEA. As a business coach he has helped numerous spa operators in the United States and abroad achieve high levels of efficiency and profitability. Preston’s spa management seminars are conducted internationally to a wide audience, including operators and managers within the rapidly growing medispa industry.
Douglas Preston can be reached by email at douglas@prestoninc.net
THIS PROFILE HAS BEEN SUBMITTED BY THIS MONTH'S SPA PERSON AND IS BEING PRESENTED AS GIVEN TO THE DSA. STATEMENTS AND CLAIMS MADE DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE DAY SPA ASSOCIATION AND WE DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OF THE CONTENTS.
