“ The biggest risk I took in my career was to accept a job sight unseen in the Caribbean with the expectation of starting within a week. What was the biggest lesson from this? Risks can be scary, but the rewards can be amazing.”
therapist led into traveling the world as an educator.”
A common thread for finding a calling is a personal journey. At age 12, Cord Coen, founder of ZENTS Body Care, learned Reiki.“ It was then that I decided I wanted to be a therapist. My first career and love before creating ZENTS was helping people heal through Cranial Sacral, Reiki and energy work, as I saw such dramatic and long-lasting change,” he says.
Then, brought about by a life-altering health prognosis due to an accident, Coen began a pilgrimage of what he’ d call a“ miraculous recovery.”” My deeper journey in spa began with a life-changing car accident. I was left with a brain injury, including chronic pain, intense migraine and almost complete loss of the ability to smell,” shares Coen.“ 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,” he says.
When It Made Sense“ Aha” moments shape our lives and set us on a trajectory of what we should be doing. Eric Stephenson, director of education at Well World Inc. knows that healing matters.“ As a massage therapist, I got heavily into the practice of hot stone massage, so much so that I traveled to Iceland to get my own stones from a glacial lagoon. I became known as the‘ Stone Guy.’ In addition to having a thriving spa practice, it set the stage for me to become a national continuing education instructor, training hundreds of therapists in my approach,” he says.
Like Stephenson, Cord discovered the power of healing while on a quest for a natural remedy.“ While I was in India, I was lucky enough to be introduced to Tibetan medicine, which is a mixture of essential oils and herbs. My body and mind almost instantly responded and started to heal. This was after an unsuccessful year and a half in the hospital with full-time rehabilitation. Tibetan medicine opened my eyes to how amazingly healing specific ingredients are.”
Help Along the Way Recognizing mentors and allowing guidance can shape a career. Julie Oliff, director of operations at Remede Spa at The St. Regis Aspen Resort, learned this early in her professional life.“ Sitting in a job interview a few years ago and getting the following advice helped set me on an unexpected path: Be patient, learn management of yourself before leadership of others, find someone who will invest in you and start thinking of your future in as wide terms as possible,” she says.
For Irina Mark, president of Caviar of Switzerland USA, finding a person who is willing to show you the ropes is vital
“ The biggest risk I took in my career was to accept a job sight unseen in the Caribbean with the expectation of starting within a week. What was the biggest lesson from this? Risks can be scary, but the rewards can be amazing.”
— SUSIE HAMMER VICE PRESIDENT OF SPA • WTS INTERNATIONAL
in succeeding in your career.“ Find a good mentor and do an apprenticeship. In this business, practice is the key to developing your own, unique brand and technique. Start with observation and repetition, you’ ll progress quickly!”
Like Mark, WTS International VP of Spa Susie Hammer is a firm believer of the power of mentorship, after she experienced its value first-hand when she first started her own career in spa.“ I have had several mentors throughout my career. Perhaps my most impactful mentor was Tina Berger. She was the general manager at the Sanderling Resort when I was then spa director,” she says.
Hammer’ s willingness to take on extra responsibilities has helped her grow in her role.“ Every spa job that I have taken has given me increased responsibilities, a chance to learn something new about the industry. As the spa director at the Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina, I was able to serve as the lead for a multi-million-dollar renovation,” she says.
The First Step Where to begin? Many people suggest experiencing the spa as the first step to knowing whether a career in spa is the right fit.“ The first step would be receiving a spa treatment, or two! It’ s important to experience quality spa services and the art of pampering so that you can provide a wonderful experience for your clients. If you don’ t have the experience, don’ t worry. That can be accomplished over time, it’ s your drive and desire that will get you where you want to be,” says Willingham.
Stephenson advises being authentic to one’ s self in order to find one’ s inner passion.“ Instead of focusing on what you
October 2016 ■ PULSE 49