I recently taught a spa workshop in Calgary, Canada, and something there struck
me more than it usually does teaching here in the states. Perhaps it was because
the participants were from another country (though you can hardly call Canada
“foreign”). Or perhaps it was because of the falling snow, when
I’m used to 80-degree winters in south Florida. Upon closer examination,
I came to the conclusion that what impressed me most was the demographics of
the spas that workshop attendees were in the process of creating.
There were people from near the Arctic Circle, people from tiny hamlets with
no shopping malls, no hotels, few public amenities. One woman was from Dawson
Creek, a village in northeastern British Columbia, at the southern terminus
of the Alaska Highway. There were others from the heart of downtown Calgary,
a cosmopolitan city of millions with a great skyline and discriminating client
base. People from the ski resorts of Banff and Canmore also attended.
In other words, people came from almost every type of location possible in that
part of the world. The one thing they had in common? Spas, of course. Regardless
of geography and demographics, the clients they wanted to serve were ready to
receive spa treatments. Whether it was in a converted farmhouse in the backwoods
of Spruce View or an upscale salon/spa in the tony neighborhoods of Calgary,
these facilities were geared toward people who want spa services in their lives.
So what’s the best spa demographic in your area? Do you think you live
in a town that is too remote to carry a clientele? Well, I don’t think
you could be more remote than Dawson Creek. Too small? Spruce View isn’t
even on the map. Too big and already overrun with spa competition? Calgary is
home to dozens of locations, but new ones continue to do quite well, thank you.
In other words, you can take a little of the fear factor out of the spa demographics
situation, at least in my experience and that of my workshop participants in
many areas. And what do you get when you take away the fear? Excitement! I’m
excited to offer the Royal Treatment Spa Certification workshop in your neighborhood,
at the Downeast School of Massage. Hope to see you there!