In fact, according to the 2016 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry
Study, the spa industry is in higher demand than ever with
spa visits reaching 179 million (up at 2.1 percent in 2015).
Modern-day society is no longer seeking to fix health. Instead,
people are looking to balance a well life. The pendulum has
shifted in the industry from awareness about what we do, to
who we need to facilitate our services and why young people
should choose a career in spa.
The Global Wellness Institute predicted the need for spa
employees will double by the year 2018. How will we meet this
demand? In contrast to the rising numbers of spa visits,
research from the Entry Level Association Projection for massage
therapy education indicated that 40 to 50 percent of massage
school graduates exit the field within 24 months after graduation. In addition, according to the Associated Bodywork and
Massage Professionals reports, massage school enrollments have
been on a steady decline, dropping at 18.8 percent in 2011
through 2013 since its historical peak in 2005.
How It Began
Like many professionals starting to build a career, the path
often starts at the bottom. Most find themselves in an entrylevel role, spurring a progression of unlimited potential toward
their true calling. Kara Willingham, support and training
manager at FIT Bodywrap, shares her evolution. “I was offered
a front desk position at a salon,” Willingham says. “The salon
energy and culture spoke to me and I discovered my passion
for educating others. This position eventually led me to
management and becoming a regional trainer.”
Joanne Berry, director of spa education at Bellus Academy,
began her career as a beauty therapist. “I was a beauty
therapist at an American-run group of health clubs called
Living Well in Manchester in the United Kingdom. Living
Well took me on as a work experience student before I
“Excite and inspire young
people as to the hundreds
of options available once
you choose a career in spa
and wellness.”
— JOANNE BERRY
DIRECTOR OF SPA EDUCATION • BELLUS ACADEMY
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October 2016
graduated. Beauty Therapy College then hired me full-time
immediately after graduation. A beauty therapist in the U.K.
offers massage, body, face, makeup, nails and waxing
services,” Berry says. “This start of my career as a beauty
“My deeper journey in spa
began with a life-changing
car accident. I went on a
healing journey in India,
taking control of my own
well-being and leading me
to creating ZENTS aromatherapy
products at age 23.”
— CORD COEN
PRESIDENT & OWNER • ZENTS BODY CARE