I had the pleasure of working alongside Edmonton physicians Jaggi and Namita Rao, to help them develop a new line of ultra-environmental, naturally sourced skin care products. By Vivienne O’Keeffe A.A.D., P.E.A., C.I.B.T.A.C. For most people, the one-two punch of COVID-19 and global warming has added extra urgency to the way we treat the environment and our personal health. Early adopters in this movement are eating less meat, switching from...

OTC product sales can steady your ship through rough waters. By Vivienne O’Keeffe A.A.D., P.E.A., C.I.B.T.A.C. The last couple of years have taken their toll on the spa business, with many slowing to a crawl or even shutting down completely. And yet others have survived or even turned a profit. What’s their secret?   Using insight for retail success It’s certainly not booking more appointments. Customers understandably discouraged by...

Two of the things I care most about in life are the environment and the protective mantle of our bodies: our skin. That’s why consulting on the new ēcōMD skincare line has been such a joy. Everything from its carefully selected ingredients to its manufacturing practices and packaging are laser-focused on producing a range of products that not only work exceptionally well but are also exceptionally kind to human health by protecting hormonal and...

Being unsustainable is no longer an option. By Vivienne O’Keeffe, CIBTAC, AAD, PEA In today’s social media-driven society, it’s more important than ever to get into the heads of potential and future customers. What are they thinking? What are they expecting from you? One very evident trend is a desire for environmental sustainability. More and more people (of all ages, but especially youth) are concerned about pollution, waste and...

I am honoured to again be on the judging panel of the 2021 Canadian Spa & Wellness Awards.   The awards, hosted by Spa Inc. magazine with the support of Leading Spas of Canada, celebrate the best of the Canadian spa industry – the top spas, industry partners, product lines and educators in Canada.   Nominations opened on August 23, 2021 in the following categories: Top 25 Spas in Canada Top Destination Spa Top New Spa Top Day Spa...