Pulse September 2020 | Page 49

support; the online boutique gave them a way to do that. In addition to restocking their own self care products, our clients started shipping care packages across the country to friends and family they were missing due to the pandemic. The out-of-state animal rescue I’ve supported for years asked its network of volunteers and adopters to check out our online store and, all of a sudden, orders came in from fellow basset hound lovers across the Midwest! To increase awareness of the store and help guests feel connected to their long-time providers, Parker and I started hosting Facebook Live shopping events to showcase products available online, answer guests’ questions, and encourage conversation among guests and providers in the chat. Each of these events brought in several thousand dollars in sales, but more importantly, they helped our team and their guests feel connected. Even though East Village Spa has reopened in a limited capacity, we will continue hosting virtual shopping events—this is because many of our guests are in high-risk groups and we want to make sure they feel valued and cared for in whatever capacity is safe for them, plus we’ve been able to gain a new following among people who don’t live locally. In addition to our spa’s regular retail products, we have packaged together gift sets tailored to meet the needs of our community and partnered with neighboring businesses for a themed set for Mother’s Day. Sets like handwashing relief kits, frontline worker care packages and DIY pedicure kits have been best sellers. As our spa has increasingly been able to source items like face masks and cleaning wipes, we have added these items to the shop as a service to guests who are struggling to source them for their personal needs. These have quickly become popular items and customers are thrilled to get what they needed locally. Many purchase other fun products in addition to these necessities. To deliver a full-service spa experience at home, my spa has also created step-by-step videos to share with customers who purchase athome facial kits. We’re now offering virtual consultations to help guests select the best products online. Facebook Live has been an invaluable tool to continue to demonstrate products available on the webstore, add video links to the site and provide self-care tips. Every package goes out SEPTEMBER 2020 ■ PULSE 37