How can spa operators perk up their client loyalty through retail programs? Spa Inc. magazine asked five experts and I was honoured to be one of them. By Vivienne O’Keeffe, CIBTAC, AAD, PEA For products to increase the loyalty of your customers, you would need to keep two factors in mind.   Consumers are looking for results Firstly, consumers are looking for results. If your product line is effective and delivers results, this will build...

Why you should explore, not fear, tech’s coming capabilities for spa. By Vivienne O’Keeffe, CIBTAC, AAD, PEA To the spa industry, synchronicity is viewed as the process of allowing events to unfold rather than forcing them to happen, or in some cases, as a kind of invisible force that guides and directs our life and work. Many healers and skin care specialists pay close attention to synchronicity and delight in its occurrence. This article...

Meditation: live longer, prosper more. By Vivienne O’Keeffe A.A.D., P.E.A., C.I.B.T.A.C. Before you say anything, I know what you’re thinking. Why would I be writing about a practice that’s been around since the days of Flower Power, love-ins and Neil Armstrong bouncing around on the moon – and even longer? My answer is that there may be no better time to revisit this ancient practice than in the pandemic-ridden, strife-torn days of 2022....

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...

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...