Spa owners are no strangers to the challenges of running a successful business in a highly competitive industry. Whether you want to expand your services, renovate your space, or invest in the latest wellness technology, securing the necessary funds can be a significant hurdle. This is where small business grants come into play. 

Small business grants are a valuable source of financial support that can help spa owners achieve their business goals. These grants, offered by government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and even some corporations, provide a lifeline to entrepreneurs looking for instant funds they don’t necessarily have to repay. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the process of sourcing and applying for small business grants, helping you tap into a world of opportunities that can take your spa to the next level. 

PERMISSION GRANTED 

Small business grants are financial awards or funds provided by various government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private entities to support the growth and development of small businesses. These grants are typically offered to entrepreneurs, startups, and small business owners to help them achieve specific goals, such as business expansion, research and development, job creation, or community development. Unlike loans, small business grants do not need to be repaid, making them a valuable source of funding for entrepreneurs. Here is an overview of small business grants and their significance, as well as the critical differences between grants and loans. 

Richard Merrill is a results-oriented spa business consultant with distinctive expertise in nurturing and guiding spa enterprises across the United States. His proficiency spans strategic planning, branding, marketing, sales, and operational management systems. With an extensive background of over 15 years in the spa and beauty industry, Merrill brings a profound understanding of the intricate intricacies of establishing and managing a thriving spa venture. His unwavering commitment centers on propelling spa professionals towards accelerated success and realizing their visionary aspirations. In 2019, he founded Richard Merrill Consulting, an enterprise that offers holistic business consulting, cutting-edge marketing services, and streamlined printing solutions. This all-encompassing resource is an indispensable toolkit for spa professionals seeking to cultivate more lucrative enterprises. 

Knowledge is power; however, with the popularity of skin care on social media, how do professionals help clients navigate through the myths and the truths? More and more platforms are flooded with inaccurate information, making clients believe there is a one-size-fits-all solution to various skin care concerns. 

GLOW GATHERINGS 

In-person branded classes and educational events in the spa are becoming more important to showcase professional expertise, ensure that clients are kept informed with accurate information, and secure and increase a loyal client base. Professionals can partner with a skin care supplier to send in a brand educator or have the spa team address clients to explain various skin conditions, the chemistry behind the products, the specific action of the products, or new product launches. 

Many spas plan events around occasions, such as an anniversary event to celebrate the years in business, a spring fling, preparation for winter, a client appreciation event, or whatever is deemed of interest to clients. 

EVENT PLANNER 

Three Months Prior 

Planning is of the utmost importance for a successful event. A minimum of three months prior to the event the date, time, theme, invitation list, promotions, draws, media to target, decorations, staff that will participate, and areas of the clinic that will be used for the event should be decided. Providing complementary express treatments is always a draw for clients and allows staff to introduce them to treatments on the menu that they may have overlooked. It is a great time to showcase the add-on options clients can book with their facials, such as a chemical peel, arm and leg exfoliation, massage, eyebrow shaping, smoky eye makeup application, or a scalp massage. Offering a different miniature treatment in each of the facial rooms allows clients to float from room to room and experience several of the items being offered. 

Karen Asquith is the director of education for G.M. Collin Skin Care, based in Montreal, Canada and Plattsburgh, New York, where she provides skin care training programs and guidance for an international staff. For the past decade, Asquith has consistently been featured as a guest lecturer at skin care industry forums, both live and digital, presenting cutting-edge skin care protocols and topics. She is frequently featured in professional skin care publications and consumer magazines, as well as making guest appearances on Web M.D and the Life and Leisure Network. Asquith may be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

As gender neutrality becomes a more mainstream concept and continues to evolve with language and policies helping to lead the way, there are still many opportunities in the aesthetics industry to develop universally accepted treatments and products for all clientele. 

THE BEGINNINGS OF THE MODERN COSMETICS INDUSTRY  

The rise of modern skin care started with the formation of the FDA in 1906 to regulate the industry. During this time, L’Oreal, Elizabeth Arden, Max Factor, and Maybelline all launched a range of skin care products and the cosmetic world as we now know it began to take shape.1 The roaring 20s and glamorous movie stars of the 30s finally brought cosmetics into the mass merchandise market, where they were sold in department stores and other venues. It was about this time that some of the best-known brand names – many of which are still sold today – entered the picture, and the modern cosmetics industry was born. 

By the 90s and early 2000s, many skin care brands began to explore the untapped potential of men’s skin care, capitalizing on the metrosexual movement. Most often, men’s skin care products are pitched as practical, solutions-based offerings to address specific concerns. 

Lila Castellanos has focused her energies into the beauty industry for the past 19 years, specializing in skin rejuvenation. As a licensed aesthetician, she has lent her expertise to several different environments, including working as a paramedical aesthetician in the medical spa field as well as in both day spa and mobile spa business models. It was through these varied experiences, along with the interactions with her loyal clientele, that she honed her passion for improving and maintaining the health and integrity of her clients’ skin. Castellanos thrives on being able to use her extensive knowledge to customize each treatment to help her clients achieve the results they are searching for. Her adaptability and versatility are equally impressive in providing antiaging facials, treating acne, minimizing the appearance of scarring, or addressing skin conditions that arise as a result of hormonal changes.  

Welcome back to The Melanin Diaries – helping you to love melanin more by understanding it. In this month’s column, we’re going to call attention to the elephant in the room. That is, clients with melanin-rich skin who are not comfortable with going under the beam.  

Lasers can be intimidating for clients with melanin-rich skin for several reasons, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve all seen the trauma stories on social media and no doubt, so have our clients. The essential component to dismantling fear is having a solid understanding of lasers, along with the confident expertise of a skin professional.  

The reality is, clients aren’t always clear on what lasers are or what they are best for. 

Let’s quickly review. The word laser is an acronym that stands for light amplification by the stimulate emission of radiation. Not exactly what you necessarily want to explain to clients, yet, while that may not help the client to understand laser treatments, it is something fundamental for medical aestheticians to be competent around. When communicating the benefits of lasers with clients of all skin tones, the factors to emphasize are usually as follows: 

How Do Lasers Work? 

Laser light beams are absorbed by skin’s epidermal surface or the dermal tissue by materials found in skin called chromophores. This is the target of laser light and when absorbed, it causes the desired destruction of that particular material.  

The three primary materials that contain chromophores and that are common areas of concern for clients are: 

• Collagen to stimulate rejuvenation. 
• Hemoglobin to treat vascular concerns. 
• Melanin to treat hair removal, tattoo removal, and address hyperpigmentation. 

For individuals with melanin rich skin, the most common skin concern is centered around hyperpigmentation. This is where any interest from the client may be piqued. Unfortunately, traditional interest has been met with disappointment and fear as a result of improper clinical practice or devices. In those cases, almost always the assessment for client suitability was inadequate or there was an improper selection of laser settings or devices by the skin professional. 

C.R. Cooper is a connective, knowledgeable, and compassionate educator who has been a skin enthusiast for over 24 years. As the education manager and master educator for a renowned global institute of learning in the skin health industry, Cooper values organizational and individual industry standards, professional and personal brand integrity, but most importantly the inherent worth in every skin professional. 

The word “terpene” may not mean a lot to most skin care professionals, but shortly, you will realize just how influential and involved they already are in your aesthetics practice. Most already know a few and don’t realize what exactly they are.  

Is a terpene a person? Nope. Is it a place? Negative. Terpenes are therapeutic compounds found in all plants that give them their smell, color, and therapeutic value. There are over 23,000 identifiable terpenes in nature. “Oh great! This must be a granola skin care article,” I can hear some of you saying to yourselves. Pump the brakes and listen darling! 

Terpenes are a critical part of chemistry for all skin care practices independent of how you want to label them. fromy are a predominant part of organic and plant-based skin care, every chemist, biochemist, and cosmetic chemist in the world has a very keen and deep relationship, or at least understanding of, these compounds and skin care professionals work with them from the first day of their journey.  

NATURE’S POWERHOUSE 

Terpenes can be used in the formulation of skin care and body care products for a myriad of reasons, from their smell to their antiviral, antimicrobial, or antibacterial properties. One of the easiest terpenes to remember is limonene. The beautiful thing about limonene as a terpene is that the root of its name comes from the fruit it is most abundant in, lemons. Have you ever smelled hints of lemon in other plants, like rosemary, mint, or juniper?  Different cultivars, meaning varieties (we mostly use “strains” as a word to identify bacteria in science) of cannabis can have lemony smells. That is from the traces of the terpene limonene. Limonene is used as an antioxidant and a permeation enhancer, meaning it can boost the absorption of ingredients. The aromatic side of terpenes is an easy way to digest and better understand the breadth and overlap of terpenes, which then opens the floodgates of all the other potentials of terpenes.  

Another easy example of a terpene to remember is eucalyptol, which makes up to 80% of the terpene profile, which is measured with a chromatography test, in eucalyptus! It is also found in varying ratios in other plants like sweet basil, tea tree, rosemary, sage, and cardamom. Some other names for eucalyptus that you may have seen on ingredient lists include cajeputol, 1,8-p-methane, 1,8-oxido-p-methane, and 1,8-cineole.  

Some terpenes are great antioxidants, meaning they scavenge free radicals and protect the integrity of skin from oxidation. They have phenomenal potential as anticonvulsants and antispasmodics, meaning they can reduce or prevent seizures and spasms. There are even countless terpenes that provide extraordinary anti-inflammatory properties to products. The point is that for every skin care problem skin professionals face, there is most likely not only one but a number of terpenes we are using to treat them.  

Antonia Schreiber is a New York state licensed massage therapist, cosmetologist specializing in aesthetics science, and electrologist. With over 16 years’ experience in the industry, Schreiber’s work has brought her everywhere from the classroom to her certified green spa, the Windham Spa, to the United States Olympic Training Center and beyond. Outside of the treatment room she is a writer, speaker, and consultant with the New York State Department of Education, leading education firms and industry magazines. Her current passion projects include treatment research and development for burn patients, and assisting in the development of the United States Paralymic Bobsled and Skeleton Team. 

Building and keeping an effective team of waxers can help your spa develop, grow, and perform efficiently. A dedicated team member is more likely to pursue opportunities that can allow them to advance their waxing skills and offer improved services. Additionally, having loyal employees can also increase service productivity, enhancing the overall image of your spa and maintaining strong revenue. There are a variety of factors that contribute to a healthy and positive work environment.

WORK ATMOSPHERE 

It is important to create a work culture that is positive and supportive. Employees should feel valued and appreciated and want to come to work. Individuals spend a large amount of time at work, and it is important to feel respected and appreciated. Communication between team members and management is important to minimize issues and to address them quickly and appropriately when they do arise. All team members should feel confident in expressing any concerns and offering constructive feedback when possible. When a challenge does arise, working collectively to develop a plan of action and solution allows your employees to feel heard and valued. 

Lindsay Miller is the president of LYCON Wax North America. Having first discovered LYCON wax in the United Kingdom 10 years ago, she has dedicated her time to growing the brand across North America, including introducing LYCON to Canada. Training and product quality are extremely important to Miller and she prides herself on building a strong team around her that can offer the best customer experience possible. LYCON continues to be a market leader in hair removal wax and is used in top spas and salons around the world.   

Draw out impurities to leave your skin refreshed! This purifying clay mask is formulated with activated charcoal and black seed to unclog pores and absorb excess sebum, balancing skin while offering hydration. 

Top media, influencers, long-time clients and city officials joined Lester E. Crowell Jr., Marian Crowell, and Tony Lacey, Partners. Along with Leslie Crowell, Spa Department Leader and their team at the award-winning Three-13 Salon, Spa and Boutique in Marietta, GA on 3.13, (of course!) to celebrate their 50th anniversary in business with a ribbon cutting. Repêchage Executive Vice President Shiri Sarfati and Global Master Educator Delanie West were part of the weeklong festivities to support this Platinum Level Repêchage Spa Partner.

To kick off the celebration, top media and influencers were among the first to experience the new signature Golden Facial Body Experience by Repêchage: the exclusive skincare brand at Three-13 Salon Spa and Boutique. The Golden Facial Body Experience signature treatment by Repêchage is a total face and body rejuvenation service developed by Three-13 Salon, Spa and Boutique and Repêchage CEO and Founder Lydia Sarfati in celebration of their Golden Anniversary: 50 Years of Business.

This luxurious 90-minute treatment begins with a skin consultation to select a signature spa Repêchage facial based on skin type and concern. During the facial service, an invigorating dry brushing with the Repêchage Dry Body Brush with Exfoliating Cactus Bristle, followed by Repêchage Seaweed Body Contouring Mask applied to the feet, calves, and arms and wrapped with Mylar sheets for a thermal effect. Two treatment enhancements are customized for the skin’s needs, which may include LED or Sheet Mask. The service concludes with an Eye Contour Treatment to the service. Guests emerge feeling rejuvenated and glowing.

Media and influencers included Atlanta Journal News Reporter Nedra Rhone, Wendy Derilus (@Justjewels4u), Hope Primm (@hopeprimm), Ady Meschke (@verbalgold), Sandy Distol (@theoriginalpartydoll), Toni Williams (@Blasianbonvivant), Denise Brilliant (@thestilettocontessa), and Nikka Shae (@ohnikka).

“Oh my goodness, the experience was amazing,” said Nikka Shae. “When you are getting the Mylar wrapped around your feet and your face is getting massaged at the same time, it’s pretty amazing…my skin is so moisturized, it’s glowing.”

After their treatments, media and influencers were gifted with one of the new Repêchage Starter Collections that contain five products for a full regime to continue a journey of skin health and radiance at home.

Three-13 Salon, Spa and Boutique Managing Partner Lester Crowell noted the importance of partnering with a holistic, science-based skin care brand such as Repêchage. “Repêchage® provides a complete and total package from in-depth support and education, to a range of facial and body treatments that are accompanied by a healthy home care regimen”

“We are so proud to partner with Three-13 Salon, Spa and Boutique,” said Repêchage Executive Vice President Shiri Sarfati. “It’s so important to discover the power of personalized treatments by licensed estheticians, and Three-13 Spa, Salon and Boutique leads the way in guiding the next generation towards a journey of skin health and radiance.”

About Repêchage®: Since 1980, Repêchage® has created a full range of seaweed-based skincare products featured at top spas and salons globally. Forerunners in seaweed technologies and pioneers in seaweed treatments and cosmetics in the US, Repêchage® researchers seek out specific seaweeds beneficial for a range of skin care concerns. Our seaweed is sustainably harvested from the coast of Maine and then processed by our proprietary method in our Secaucus, NJ facility to deliver all the benefits from the sea to the skin.

201-549-4200  www.repechage.com

To celebrate their new Gold Level Spa Partnership with leading professional
skin care brand Repêchage, Executive Vice President Shiri Sarfati joined new Repêchage Ambassador Danelly Benavides, CEO and Founder of Sumptuous Beauty Bar and her team for an evening filled with amazing spa services at on Tuesday, March 12 at the spa in Alpharetta, GA.

The “Beauty From the Sea®” event featured complimentary demonstrations of award-winning, seaweed-based Repêchage facial treatments, discounts on booked appointments, gift with purchase, goodie bags, delicious seasonal refreshments and curated, “ocean-themed” drinks courtesy of Natalia Angelliso, CEO of @mixtura_atl, For extra sparkle, Jennifer Licari, CEO of the Bonded Bar Co Permanent Jewelry (@thebondedbarco ) provided jewelry demonstrations
and Jill Wright, CEO of House of Colour SW Alpharetta (@hoc_sw_alpharetta) gave color consultations.

Repêchage EVP Sarfati guided guests through the treatment demonstrations and provided information on the products and treatments, including seaweed-infused express sheet mask treatments, the iconic Four-Layer Facial®, the new T-Zone Balance Classic Facial for Combination Skin and the new Vita Cura® Sea Spa Body Care Collection.

“We are so excited to partner with Sumptuous Beauty Bar because of their commitment to a holistic approach to beauty and wellness,” said Sarfati. “Repêchage stands at the intersection of luxury and clinical efficacy. At the heart of our approach is a commitment to dermatologist-tested formulations that are not only safe for all skin types but are also bolstered by clinically proven ingredients to deliver visible, transformative results, and Sumptuous Beauty truly aligns with this mission.”

“Thank you so much Repêchage and Shiri Sarfati for making the event such a success," said Sumptuous Beauty Bar Founder and Repêchage Ambassador Danelly Benavides. “Sumptuous Beauty Bar is proud to be partnered with a brand that creates such luxurious and high quality ingredients and treatments for both professional use and at home use. Thank you for allowing our clients to obtain great results allowing them to obtain youthful, rejuvenated, glowing, nourished, and healthy skin.”

About Repêchage®: Since 1980, Repêchage® has created a full range of seaweed-based skincare products featured at top spas and salons globally. Forerunners in seaweed technologies and pioneers in seaweed treatments and cosmetics in the US, Repêchage® researchers seek out specific seaweeds beneficial for a range of skin care concerns. Our seaweed is sustainably harvested from the coast of Maine and then processed by our proprietary method in our Secaucus, NJ facility to deliver all the benefits from the sea to the skin.
201-549-4200  www.repechage.com