want to be when you grow up, develop who you want to
be—your authentic self. When you get this right, the external
people, places and things will eventually find you,” he says.
Coen, on his part, recommends putting all of one’s energy
into one’s passion. “Go for it! Jump in and enjoy every last
drop of it!”
Like Coen, Hammer advises young spa professionals to
take risks. “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.”
“[A spa career] is so much
more than a job, and this
community is so much
more than a family.”
— JULIE OLIFF
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
REMEDE SPA AT THE ST. REGIS ASPEN RESORT
A Sustainable Workforce
Spa services are on a steady incline year after year, there’s a
shortage of workforce and new people entering the field are on
a decline. With these challenges, there’s an even greater need to
create programs that can help build a sustainable workforce.
Education is an important tool in building a sustainable
workforce. “We need to educate the public that a career in this
industry can be sustainable, educational and open up the possibilities for some amazing connections,” Willingham says.
Berry agrees, stating that going down this path opens many
doors. “Excite and inspire young people as to the hundreds of
options available once you choose a career in spa and wellness.
If you get bored easily and want variety in your work, then this
career, I feel, is certainly toward the top of the list!”
CONTRIBUTOR
Mark, on her part, says it’s important to model the behavior
for young people coming into the field. “I believe you lead best
by example. By continuing to invest in myself—personally and
professionally—and in my business, I feel like I am channeling
my passion for the industry to others who may want to follow
in my footsteps. Set the stage for others!”
As for Oliff, it’s important to inspire future spa leaders to join
the spa family as this community offers much more than a job.
“We can inspire more people to take on a spa career by
communicating how fruitful, meaningful and miraculous this
path can be. It is so much more than a job, and this
community is so much more than a family,” Oliff says. n
F E AT U R E D S O U R C E S
STEPHANIE REST is currently
based in Washington D.C. working as
a consultant, as well as
collaborating in the
Americas on
wellness and
education
projects. She
was creator and
chair of the first
JULIE OLIFF
SUSIE HAMMER
CORD COEN
KARA WILLINGHAM
Director of Operations
Remede Spa at the St.
Regis Aspen Resort
Vice President of Spa
WTS International
President & Owner
ZENTS Body Care
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND
DENVER, COLORADO
Support and Training
Manager
FIT Bodywrap
ASPEN, COLORADO
POWAY, CALIFORNIA
TCI Hospitality
Adventures: Spa Camp.
Currently, she serves as Global Wellness
Day Ambassador for the Caribbean.
She also co-founded the Caribbean
Spa Association and was recently
elected to the Global Careership
Committee with Global Wellness
IRINA MARK
JOANNE BERRY