“ Not only is partnering to create [ amazing spa ] experiences fun , it also exposes you to resources you may not otherwise have access to …”
Different Spas , Same Principles As Manager of Vendor Partnerships at Woodhouse , where I oversee dozens of franchise locations , my goal is to create programs with vendor partners that provides holistic support with beneficial terms to our network of 76 luxury day spas across the United States . When setting out to build successful programs with our valued brand partners , there are several key points that set a solid foundation and provide room for continued growth through service and retail sales .
Woodhouse Day Spa in Charleston , South Carolina .
Woodhouse Day Spa in Bethesda , Maryland .
The great news is that these principles and actions remain useful and consistent whether you are selecting vendor partners for a national brand or your own single spa location . What ’ s doubly exciting is that it ’ s never too late to employ the this guidance — you can transform your vendor relationships and reignite mutual support even if you ’ ve not done so in the past . If you are indeed a new owner looking to evolve your spa ’ s vision and values through new brand partnerships , or simply want to engage a new vendor , you must first start with a solid foundation for the relationship . When entering this phase , there are several important things to keep in mind , but the most important ( if , admittedly , not the most fun ) is the initial assessment phase .
During the initial assessment phase , I like to focus on two distinct categories : Vision and Values and Holistic Support . Each of these categories is crucial , and there are questions every spa leader can ask themselves and their teams to help determine how strong the foundation of your vendor partnerships is likely to be .
Vision and Value Alignment To determine how aligned a given
Woodhouse Day Spa in Buffalo , New York . brand is with your spa ’ s vision and values , take a moment to answer the questions below : l Do you and the potential partner have a shared vision ? l Do they care about the things that are important to you and your spa ? l Are your values aligned ? l Does this range share a common aesthetic with your spa — will it naturally become a part of the fabric of your brand ? l Is gender inclusivity important to you ? Does the brand ’ s packaging reflect that ? l Do they want to form a strong partnership to grow both brands , or are they mainly an online storefront that processes and dropships orders to accounts ?
Holistic Support To determine if the brand you are considering can and will be supportive in the ways you desire , take a moment to answer the questions below : l Can they provide in-depth training and ongoing education around their products and uses ? l Do they have the bandwidth to host in-person , virtual and ad hoc training ? l Will they share their marketing tools with you and commit to promoting your partnership ? l Can this brand keep up with your ordering needs ? By this I mean , can they honor the orders placed and fulfill all requests , or at least the vast majority of them in a timely manner ? l Will they provide exclusive pricing and payment terms to you and your locations ?
APRIL 2022 • PULSE 49