OCT.
CONFERENCE
&
EXPO
2015 ISPA
19-21
TAKE
BY
ALLIE
HEMBREE
5
WITH
SHARILYN
ABBAJAY
A
21-year active ISPA member, Sharilyn Abbajay
serves as the senior vice president of operations,
brand development and retail concepts for
Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas. With more than
35 years of experience, Abbajay has become a
well-recognized expert within the field of spa development,
strategy, retail, trends innovation and operational excellence.
At the 25th annual ISPA Conference & Expo, she will be
recognized for her years of work in the industry with the 2015
ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award. In this feature, she offers
five insights about her professional journey, vision for the spa
industry and secret to success.
1.
2.
I’d describe my professional journey as:
Blessed—and [filled with] good fortune. I have had
the privilege to work, be taught and remain inspired
by many leaders, influencers and visionaries in the
beauty spa business. All held a place in my life as mentors
and teachers, professionally and personally.
My proudest moment was: When I'd receive grati-
tude messages or a word or two that, in some way, I
have helped a person’s life gain self-worth and meaning.
While there is not just one gigantic “proud moment,”
there were several that presented themselves and came in all
shapes and sizes. [One such moment] was back in the early 80s
when I helped to build and open Noelle The Day Spa in
Washington D.C. with Noel DeCaprio and Gillette Company.
[Then there was that time] when I received a call from Jeff Kohl
and Thad Hyland that I had been selected to serve on the ISPA
Board—I was super thrilled that I had made it! [Another was
when] a recruiter swept me away to join The Red Door Spa in
the early 90s and when I flew to New Orleans to work for the
Neill Corporation for many years. The owners, Debra and
Edwin, are always in my heart.
3.
As a leader,
I strive to: Remain
2015 ISPA
Dedicated
Contributor
AWARD
RECIPIENT
approachable and
accessible—never
think you are too big for your
britches. And never make
someone feel small or beneath
you. Watch your words and
choose your words carefully
because people will retain
how those words [affected]
them. I make every effort to
develop others to reach their
fullest potential and recognize the imaginable. Build brands that
last and are stable/strong enough to reinvent and stay relevant.
Stay on course, flexibly and fluidly, and shift with the everchanging landscape. Communicate your plan and vision—
gather insights from other bright minds of all ages.
My vision for the spa industry is: To refine the
4.
5.
“basics” and deliver experiences that certainly
enhance people’s lives that correspond with current
lifestyles. Appeal to the young workforce that the spa
industry is a viable business to earn a living. Develop education institutes to help solve the service provider shortages.
To succeed, I never: Take my eye off the ball. But to
really succeed, have a little faith and belief in yourself.
Remember that you need a village to ultimately succeed.
Collaboration is powerful, especially in a smaller group
wherein creativity will likely thrive more effectively. n
CLICK HERE to read Abbajay’s advice to
young spa professionals hoping to meaningfully contribute and leave a mark in the
spa industry.
August 2015
n
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