options and methods to solve and resolve next-generation
challenges, such as social media marketing concepts and new
retail strategies, and so on. I also get to bounce off ideas to
someone who brings a different and unique perspective.
When developing team members with leadership skills, what qualities do you look for in a potential mentee?
When developing new leaders, I often look for very openminded individuals with a genuine nature of friendliness and
willingness to put energy into themselves, as well as their
work. Their passion for balance has to prevail or it would be
easy to lose focus on the big picture of our industry’s mission
and vision.
When starting out in the spa industry, who do you consider to be
your first-ever professional mentor?
Wow, that’s a big question! When I started in the spa industry in 1997, my greatest influence at that time was someone
who believed in me and thought I had something different to
offer. I hardly knew this guy then but he reached out and
asked me to bring something new to the table to help our
industry. That guy was Jeff Kohl. He, along with ISPA
President Lynne McNees, urged me to participate with ISPA.
My main influence after that is spa industry leader John Korpi.
I truly appreciate the ISPA Board and ISPA Foundation work
we accomplished over the years.
Deborah A. Smith,
MBA, CMC
Principal
Smith Club & Spa Specialists
Basalt • Colorado
Why is it important for young spa
professionals to have a mentor?
It is important to have a mentor whom
they can trust and talk to about a
variety of subjects, such as priority-setting and time management, how to create a positive spa culture, how to deal
Applications for the 2016 Global
Mentorship Pilot Program will
be accepted through August 1.
For inquiries, email kate.sornson@gmail.com.
effectively with complex personnel issues, and so on.
Managing and leading a staff effectively is a key competency
needed in a spa director or hands-on spa owner.
It’s a question of knowledge as well. Apart from a handful
of university degree programs like those offered at Cornell
University and online management certificates provided by
universities such as University of California, Irvine Extension,
brand-new managers often come from specialized, nonmanagement backgrounds with limited supervisory experience. If
one is in a hotel or resort, you will most likely be working for
someone who has little knowledge of spa operations, treatment experiences and wellness programming.
What can mentees expect from the Global Mentorship Pilot
Program?
The Global Mentorship Pilot Program is designed to be a three30 PULSE
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June 2015