For this blog post I am grateful to have two of my good friends who will be reviewing and writing with me regarding our Zen Spa experience. Both of whom are Licensed Massage Therapists and Massage Therapy professionals in the Philippines. Let me present their spa reviews in two different formats.
Rommel D. Martinez, LMT, is a former scriptwriter who came from a Political Science background at San Sebastian College, founded Greenbay Therapeutic and Rejuvenation Services and also partnered with our good friend (Hadjii Crespo) in Transition Body Wellness Center. He developed (and in the process of writing the books/manuals for) his signature and most requested Graeco-Swedish Fusion, Hagobao (Coconut Massage), Greenbay Body Scrub, Greenbay Pediatric Massage (for 8-16 year olds), Greenbay Athletics, Meridian Therapy (a sort of acupuncture without needles) and some more.
As a timely birthday gift from me, Rommel went for a massage experience in Zen Institute Medical Spa in Scout Rallos in Quezon city on Sept. 7, 2011. Let me relate below Rommel's account of his Zen spa experience.
This branch offers Swedish Massage and Shiatsu for their massage services and also offers skin whitening (whole body or localized… underarm, bikini line), body sculpting for clients who have undergone liposuction or sagging skin/cellulite, body scrub (with salt glow, seaweed mask or whitening mask), facial contouring (sagging skin, double chin, BOTOX, biochemical facelift, fillers, lip sculpting, microcellular facelift by RF technology, facial spa with microcellular serum, facial toning and autologous cell rejuvenation). They also have anti-ageing therapy, acne treatment, laser hair removal, glycolic peel, electrocautery, and collagen induction. Their massage costs P1,500.00 (for basic).
I had my appointment at 3pm, but the usual me arrived early and I was there around 2:15. I thought I will have to wait until 3pm for my massage, but after only 15 minutes I was called in to have my massage. Oooh, I don’t have to wait long after all. It is not that hard to set an appointment, basta it is not on the following day unless they still have a free slot by then.
Since the place is inside Fanny Serrano´s salon, the space is not that big or spacious, in fact a bit crampy. Well their name is Zen so the set is quite minimalist (but not Japanese-ish). The reception area is not really roomy, off-white color with chocolate brown highlights. The light blue color of the shelf is, I think, out of place (perhaps to match the light blue panel in the a/c across it). The massage room is likewise small (like the cubicles in massage clinics of the visually impaired), but there is a shower room inside (because I only had the basic service, I did not take the shower). The water closet (toilet bowl) is in the CR at the end of the hall, so you better make your weewee (peee) first before you have your massage (and shower). The massage bed is immaculate white with built-in face hole, the metal frame is covered by the white sheet. The towels are also laundry-fresh and comfortably warm. There is a bath robe for use of those who take a shower first. Because the name includes “Medical”, I thought my vitals (B/P, temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate) will be taken first, but none of it was checked. I was not also asked to sign a client intake form. The receptionists are wearing medical coat which gives out a clinical air. Some of the cubicles have only dark and heavy curtain for door, some have sliding door.
The staff are friendly and accommodating. My therapist, Joanne, is very nice and friendly. I told her before my massage that I have an allergy flare-up, but it is drying up na, so she asked where it was and avoided the area during the session.
I had the Swedish Massage, but the massage felt like it was just a light and deep effleurage with just a bit of petrissage, and a lot of tapotement. I guess they are also joining in the anti-dengue drive because I counted a number of claps like swatting mosquitoes (there is no mosquito ha, hehehe). I wonder whoever started that “palakpak” move which is quite prevalent in many spas. I guess, aside from swatting mosquitoes, its other purpose is to wake you up in case you get too relaxed if you are feeling sleepy na. But if not for that “palakpak” moves, the massage is relaxing. Joanne also did very well in squeezing out those nodules or what people usually call “lamig” out of my trapezius, rhomboids and scapulae.
I guess what they need to improve on, for a start, they can look for a more spacious place, and change the piped-in music to a more oriental sound (or nature sound) instead of new-age, anyway their name is oriental. But their location is good, very near major roads but not that busy and noisy. If they stick to the “Medical” nature in their name, they might just as well take the vitals and have the clients fill up an in-take form. Over-all I can give the spa a grade of 80-85%. I can recommend the spa, but tell the others not to expect too much. If you prefer a Shiatsu massage, it is advisable to tell the receptionist when you book for your appointment, otherwise you might be automatically booked for Swedish. If you are looking for other types of massage (yung legit lang ha), you must scout around for other establishment because, as I said, they only offer Swedish or Shiatsu for their massage.
For the second spa review of Zen spa at Scout Rallos in Quezon city. I am presenting it in an interview format. Our next reviewer is Maria Fe M. Rapio, a DOH Licensed Massage Therapy Private Practitioner, an Occupational Therapist by education, have also a Physical Therapy background and a TESDA Assessor for Massage Therapy and Hilot Wellness Massage for Manila District. Clinical Trainer for MEDSSAN Training Institute, had been a Massage Trainer for several foundation such as Caritas Foundation, PAGA(Philippine American Guardian Association), AAP(American Association of the Philippines) CHILDHOPE.
What services do they offer? and how much are the range of prices?
They offer facial and diamond peel and spa treatment such as body scrubs and massage as well
What time did you arrived? Did you wait long? Was it easy to schedule an appointment with them?
I arrived 11:45 am 15 minutes before my scheduled time...Ii waited not that long because there is a therapist who is about to end a session with one of their clients 11:50am they started my massage ... I called over the phone and they prioritize ahead booking or ahead schedule clients rather than walk in ... I called on the 24th of august i was schedule the following day
How was the ambiance? Is it relaxing?
The ambiance is really relaxing coz the entire scent of aromatherapy fills the air.
What about the cleanliness of the place, linen, etc
The area is well maintained and the linens were arranged well.
How are the staff manners and behavior? Do they seem eager to serve you? Are they busy at the time of your arrival?
All the staff are friendly and they attend to me eagerly... even if they have clients who stay there they still prioritize scheduled clients.
How was the massage session? What type of massage did you have?
The massage was great I had a Swedish with Shiatsu massage ..
The therapst knows all the areas of my stress .. I asked the therapist what type of oil will she be using for me when I find out its a mineral oil I asked her to use the one I brought with me and I gave it to her.
What do you think is the uniqueness of the place?
They have state of the art facial equipment and they have wide range of derma products
What do you like and don't like about the place, the massage session you had, the therapist and/or the session? what do you think needs improvement?
The therapist should have at least 10 minutes rest before engaging to another service to prevent them to have tiring hands ...
Would you recommend this place to your friends and family?
If you are person who values time and schedule to follow I will definitely recommend this place coz they follow schedule and value clients time
If you were to rate the massage experience how would you rate it from a scale of 1-100?
80-85 will have be a as good as what i can sense or maybe they dont allow me to have shower becoz its a gift certificate only hehehehe
Is there anything you need we should know about your visit to this spa? and any tips for spa goers out there who would like to try out their services?
If they want to experience massage in the city setting Zen Institute will be a nice place to stay and a smiling personnel that will assisst them on having their massage.
Guidelines in the writing of this spa/massage clinic review were observed, click on the link below to read about my guidelines:
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/07/consumer-and-spa-enthusiasts-review.html
The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
(this has the most comprehensive list of training centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.
1. You can order it online via http://www.amazon.com/ at 34.95$
2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99
3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at http://www.yunesa.blogspot.com/ at $19.95
4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos
5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at 900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5 working days
If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.
This review was written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.
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Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blog. Show all posts
Monday, September 19, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Spa and Wellness, Massage Therapy, Business and Entrepreneurship Meetup (Lessons and After-thoughts)
Manila, Philippines Meetup Groups:
Business and Entrepreneurship
Spa and Wellness
Massage Therapy
Lessons from Feb 05, 2011 event
There were so many things that I learned from the last Meetup of Business people and Entrepreneurs (or should I say Inno-preneurs) and professionals that belong to the Spa and Wellness as well as the Massage Therapy industry event held last February 05, 2011. I bet the attendees can enumerate more and I will highlight a few of them here. I will start with the lessons I learned from each speaker or segment of the event.
1. I learned from Hadjii Crespo that it doesn’t take so much time to untie the knots from stress points in our body (like the shoulders and lower back) we only need at least 15-30 minutes of trigger point release to de-stress our muscles. He demonstrated and has even given free samplers of the method to attendees. This is relieving because sometimes even if you want to spend “spa-mpering time” the whole day- you just can’t take the time off. In between our hectic schedule, we should. We really should. That is one thing that practitioners are guilty of. We always tend to take care of others without taking care of ourselves. Remember we cannot give what we don’t have, taking care of ourselves is one way we enrich our lives. Having known Hadjii through my good friend, Rommel Martinez, I have learned that it takes friendships also to do business together. There must be mutual acceptance and cooperation. You cannot do business with someone you dislike. That is one reason why both have stayed friends and became business partners. It has also been more than a year since I have known Hadjii and I am grateful because he was introduced to me. It’s a good thing that Hadjii shared with us the method he developed. It means he trusts the Meetup group with the knowledge that he shared with us. That we will all use it for the benefit of others and the massage community. Thanks Hadjii for sharing! I agree!
2. Engr. Rolando Alagde’s lecture and videos were stimulating to our thoughts. It is touching to know that our fellow “inno-preneur” even took the half day off away from his class (nag absent si sir Rollie sa AIM) because he wants to share his knowledge and wisdom with the crowd. Without anything in return- but our prayers and gratitude. We are so blessed to have a great and giving friend like Sir Rollie. There will come a time when we can get more and more sponsors so we can provide more than “love gifts” to high-caliber lecturers like Rngr. Rollie. In the area of business and entrepreneurship, I learned that we should be having fun as well. If we are not having fun-- sooner or later we will burn out and stop what we are doing. It doesn’t matter if its work, studies, business and whatever we do- we should have fun and get excited every time, otherwise the fruits of our labor will be of no use. Actually with some of what he said, he already sold what the Biz Wiz group is about to do. As with anything, everything should be a balance between sustainability in business economics and having the passion for what you do. Sometimes, I would ask myself of people I hear who can’t wait to retire, “why do you want to retire if you love what you are doing?” Look at one of the video he shared with us below:
In the video above, 66% took the stairs even if its more difficult to do, this is what I mean by “simple fun with a simple choir”, if we were to analyze, of course it doesn’t make sense to take the stairs if you could take the escalator- BUT- if we could make any difficult choir and turn it to a more fun experience- then you have a market.
Reflecting more about it in our everyday lives, the fun theory seems to show that humans are deletion creatures. We delete almost everything that we do not consider important or vital at one specific point. Why? because our brain cannot focus on so many things at one particular time. If we delete the difficulty of walking the stairs and instead replace it by an activity that would complement the difficulty and by making it fun to do then we have deleted the difficult part and replaced it with the fun part. If we tend to gear our attitude toward what brings us feelings of being happy, content, excited and passionate about life, then that is what we will find. It’s easy as walking the stairs!
To take this a little further, when you are having fun with your profession, with your work, with your life- it’s easier to get up it the morning, it’s easier to smile, it’s easier to give, it’s easier to close a sale, it’s easier to make friends, it’s easier to make sales and its easier to close a deal and its easier to make money. On the other hand, it’s hard for people to make you angry, unhappy or upset. So when you see someone who is always upset, angry or easy to get in an angry mood- expect that the person needs some understanding, expect that that person is in a state of either boredom or burn out- so we have to be more understanding, we have to be more forgiving of each other’s states of mind. Life is short we should not sweat the small stuff but enjoy!
3. On Ms. Angel Laparan’s lecture, she told us that it’s even harder today to deploy nurses but the deployment of spa and workers in the massage/spa industry is still on-going. Most of the time, one does not even need to be licensed or certified because it all depends on the employer. Of course, certifications do help a lot especially if the employers choose to work with only those who have had medical related backgrounds- but not all the time. I also shared that in my experience, certifications and licenses help only if you are targeting management and executive positions. She has also told the audience a lot about my experience working as a spa manager and spa director in EU. I think there are a lot of opportunities only if we know where to look and whom to get in touch with. I myself, have to turn down a lot of offers abroad because of inconsistencies and restrictive employment contracts. Although the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry has lots of “gray areas” as a profession, we are slowly gaining our ground towards a more collaborative and professional world. One of the things she also touched on was about how one should prepare for a job overseas interview and how important it is for applicants to be able to express them selves in spoken English. Prospective applicants should not be high-nosed and realize earlier on to accept working with a multi-cultural staff. I believe that there should be unity in diversity. I will give you one secret that employers look for. Most of the time, when I sit down with an employer and they would hire me to interview their applicants, it doesn’t hurt to look at the credentials but…the big but is we give more priority to the attitude and character of a person rather than the accomplishments, the experience and the credentials. I would always choose someone who is likeable, able to learn and be taught rather than someone who thinks they know it all. As a consultant, each and every time that the employers and I are faced with the dilemma of selecting only one from a lot of applicants and those who passed the interviews, we would always choose someone whom we see is likeable and a team-player. In very far flung countries, we would always choose someone who works with the team NOT against the team. I sit down with employers, deliberate who among the candidates are fit for the post and the true consensus is- they do not need credentials if you have a bad attitude. Period.
4. What I learned from the Biz Wiz group: I have already discussed this in my previous blog last year in November. Why do you think I invited them over if I was not impressed? But even before Biz Wiz was ever Biz Wiz – I already knew Jason Estimado who was a part of Meetup since 2007. He attends and even lectures about anti-aging and beauty. Here is the link to this blog post that I have written. http://www.yunesa.com/2010/11/same-old-spa-massage-clinic-and.html
II.
5. General lessons: First, I learned from the brilliant Seth Godin that Autarky is dead. As he pointed out in one of his latest blog posts, “Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done. All our productivity, leverage and insight come from being part of a community, not apart from it. The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent with each other, not less.” And what does it have to do with Meetup? We are all dependent on each other. The sponsors, the attendees- and the organizers are crucial to the event, we wouldn’t have made each event better than the other without the help of the sponsors and the participants. Thanks also to the generosity of James who traveled all the way from Subic to Ortigas, who gave a sample of skin white and beauty products he sells and to Ed Rivera who is into native and local accessories like bags and home furnishings. With every Meetup we also get to know everyone's business so if we need something or a particular service or product, we know whom to get in touch with. Thank you for depending on Meetup and thanks to all those who traveled far just to meet us and for everyone who shared their time and prioritized Meetup. I might not be able to write all your names here in this blog post but - my prayers are all with you. Thank you for the openness, time and friendship.
6. “Familiarity breeds respect” as the brilliant Seth Godin wrote in one of his latest blogs, Over the six year period, I have been friends with hundreds of great and gifted souls. I also think that one of the big reasons why Meetup has been successful and strong when it comes to relationships since its inception more than 6 years ago, is that people at Meetup serve each other. As Bo Sanchez points out, “If you find a great organization that has not found a way to serve each other (sad but true) that organization will experience divisions because everyone will be looking at his or her personal agenda and interests”. It is in our good fortune that we tend to repel those types of people because Meetup was not designed for that. Everything and everyone must serve a good purpose with each own talents, uniqueness and capability to complement each other. Meetup doesn’t look at itself as just an organization but a support system that doesn’t worry about protocol. We hope to fill the need for identity, connection and relationships. It was and will never be about “what’s in it for our personal agenda but what’s in it for us to give to others”. Kaya pag lumabas ka ng Meetup na parang ubas, pag uwi mo hawaan mo ng pagiging ubas ang mga pasas. Kung malaki naman silang tao- maaaring prunes na yun. To my English readers, if you ever walk out of a Meetup looking like grapes then when you get home, you have to induce the excitement of being a grape to others who are already dried like raisins and if they are tall, then they are like prunes which you have to water. (wink) In other words, we all need each other, the success of one is the success of the whole- and the failure of one is the failure of all. We should find a way to enrich that relationship- and never to destroy it. Over time, as Seth writes, “you don't just come to trust valued colleagues like these, they also earn respect. Once you understand someone's sensibilities and goals, it's natural to see the world through their eyes and to embrace their motives and tactics. Once you've seen their work under pressure and in quieter moments, you get a sense for what they believe in. In a world of quick projects and short engagements, this sort of relationship is priceless”. I am blessed because I have found such people at Meetup.
7. Focus- as said earlier, we are deletion creatures, we should focus- focus on what? Focus more on what is good, better or best on a person, expect the best with a person, we should focus what makes us feel beautiful inside and out, focus on larger than life experiences, focus on the better things in life rather than those experience which has brought us pain, hurt or disgust. In Shakespeare’s “the Merchant of Venice”, there was a man named Shylock who was very wise but he was cruel. He said, “would you allow the same serpent to sting you twice?” Of course, we should never allow the same serpent to sting us twice. But we should never become cynical. Hindi komo may gumawa sa atin ng mali, pagdidiskitahan din natin ang lahat ng maaring gumawa din ng mali. You do not sink the ship to kill the rats. Learn to trust people. Actually, in life, very few people will hurt us or cause us pain, most are still basically kind. But people who don’t trust and don’t open themselves to other people’s goodness and kindness put walls between them and the world. They in turn imprison themselves in the process. Hindi komo may isang taong nandaya at nanakit sa atin ay lahat na ng tao ay ganun. Learn to trust again. Live life again, love again, give again- although a bit wiser the second time around. Tandaan lang natin na ang isang tao na sobrang wise ay hindi nag e-enjoy sa buhay. One way to enjoy life is to open our self up to people and focus on the better part of life rather than our previous hurts.
8. Energy- is infectious. Need I say more? We have forgotten a lot of things to give and say before our time was up just because we were all “hyped-up”. Hopefully, it will give a good vibes and ripple of effect to our beloved “Meetup-ers”. Thanks and God bless you more! Until next Business / Entrepreneurship, Spa and Wellness and Massage Therapy Meetup! Hats off to all of you!
Business and Entrepreneurship
Spa and Wellness
Massage Therapy
Lessons from Feb 05, 2011 event
There were so many things that I learned from the last Meetup of Business people and Entrepreneurs (or should I say Inno-preneurs) and professionals that belong to the Spa and Wellness as well as the Massage Therapy industry event held last February 05, 2011. I bet the attendees can enumerate more and I will highlight a few of them here. I will start with the lessons I learned from each speaker or segment of the event.
1. I learned from Hadjii Crespo that it doesn’t take so much time to untie the knots from stress points in our body (like the shoulders and lower back) we only need at least 15-30 minutes of trigger point release to de-stress our muscles. He demonstrated and has even given free samplers of the method to attendees. This is relieving because sometimes even if you want to spend “spa-mpering time” the whole day- you just can’t take the time off. In between our hectic schedule, we should. We really should. That is one thing that practitioners are guilty of. We always tend to take care of others without taking care of ourselves. Remember we cannot give what we don’t have, taking care of ourselves is one way we enrich our lives. Having known Hadjii through my good friend, Rommel Martinez, I have learned that it takes friendships also to do business together. There must be mutual acceptance and cooperation. You cannot do business with someone you dislike. That is one reason why both have stayed friends and became business partners. It has also been more than a year since I have known Hadjii and I am grateful because he was introduced to me. It’s a good thing that Hadjii shared with us the method he developed. It means he trusts the Meetup group with the knowledge that he shared with us. That we will all use it for the benefit of others and the massage community. Thanks Hadjii for sharing! I agree!
2. Engr. Rolando Alagde’s lecture and videos were stimulating to our thoughts. It is touching to know that our fellow “inno-preneur” even took the half day off away from his class (nag absent si sir Rollie sa AIM) because he wants to share his knowledge and wisdom with the crowd. Without anything in return- but our prayers and gratitude. We are so blessed to have a great and giving friend like Sir Rollie. There will come a time when we can get more and more sponsors so we can provide more than “love gifts” to high-caliber lecturers like Rngr. Rollie. In the area of business and entrepreneurship, I learned that we should be having fun as well. If we are not having fun-- sooner or later we will burn out and stop what we are doing. It doesn’t matter if its work, studies, business and whatever we do- we should have fun and get excited every time, otherwise the fruits of our labor will be of no use. Actually with some of what he said, he already sold what the Biz Wiz group is about to do. As with anything, everything should be a balance between sustainability in business economics and having the passion for what you do. Sometimes, I would ask myself of people I hear who can’t wait to retire, “why do you want to retire if you love what you are doing?” Look at one of the video he shared with us below:
In the video above, 66% took the stairs even if its more difficult to do, this is what I mean by “simple fun with a simple choir”, if we were to analyze, of course it doesn’t make sense to take the stairs if you could take the escalator- BUT- if we could make any difficult choir and turn it to a more fun experience- then you have a market.
Reflecting more about it in our everyday lives, the fun theory seems to show that humans are deletion creatures. We delete almost everything that we do not consider important or vital at one specific point. Why? because our brain cannot focus on so many things at one particular time. If we delete the difficulty of walking the stairs and instead replace it by an activity that would complement the difficulty and by making it fun to do then we have deleted the difficult part and replaced it with the fun part. If we tend to gear our attitude toward what brings us feelings of being happy, content, excited and passionate about life, then that is what we will find. It’s easy as walking the stairs!
To take this a little further, when you are having fun with your profession, with your work, with your life- it’s easier to get up it the morning, it’s easier to smile, it’s easier to give, it’s easier to close a sale, it’s easier to make friends, it’s easier to make sales and its easier to close a deal and its easier to make money. On the other hand, it’s hard for people to make you angry, unhappy or upset. So when you see someone who is always upset, angry or easy to get in an angry mood- expect that the person needs some understanding, expect that that person is in a state of either boredom or burn out- so we have to be more understanding, we have to be more forgiving of each other’s states of mind. Life is short we should not sweat the small stuff but enjoy!
3. On Ms. Angel Laparan’s lecture, she told us that it’s even harder today to deploy nurses but the deployment of spa and workers in the massage/spa industry is still on-going. Most of the time, one does not even need to be licensed or certified because it all depends on the employer. Of course, certifications do help a lot especially if the employers choose to work with only those who have had medical related backgrounds- but not all the time. I also shared that in my experience, certifications and licenses help only if you are targeting management and executive positions. She has also told the audience a lot about my experience working as a spa manager and spa director in EU. I think there are a lot of opportunities only if we know where to look and whom to get in touch with. I myself, have to turn down a lot of offers abroad because of inconsistencies and restrictive employment contracts. Although the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry has lots of “gray areas” as a profession, we are slowly gaining our ground towards a more collaborative and professional world. One of the things she also touched on was about how one should prepare for a job overseas interview and how important it is for applicants to be able to express them selves in spoken English. Prospective applicants should not be high-nosed and realize earlier on to accept working with a multi-cultural staff. I believe that there should be unity in diversity. I will give you one secret that employers look for. Most of the time, when I sit down with an employer and they would hire me to interview their applicants, it doesn’t hurt to look at the credentials but…the big but is we give more priority to the attitude and character of a person rather than the accomplishments, the experience and the credentials. I would always choose someone who is likeable, able to learn and be taught rather than someone who thinks they know it all. As a consultant, each and every time that the employers and I are faced with the dilemma of selecting only one from a lot of applicants and those who passed the interviews, we would always choose someone whom we see is likeable and a team-player. In very far flung countries, we would always choose someone who works with the team NOT against the team. I sit down with employers, deliberate who among the candidates are fit for the post and the true consensus is- they do not need credentials if you have a bad attitude. Period.
4. What I learned from the Biz Wiz group: I have already discussed this in my previous blog last year in November. Why do you think I invited them over if I was not impressed? But even before Biz Wiz was ever Biz Wiz – I already knew Jason Estimado who was a part of Meetup since 2007. He attends and even lectures about anti-aging and beauty. Here is the link to this blog post that I have written. http://www.yunesa.com/2010/11/same-old-spa-massage-clinic-and.html
II.
5. General lessons: First, I learned from the brilliant Seth Godin that Autarky is dead. As he pointed out in one of his latest blog posts, “Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done. All our productivity, leverage and insight come from being part of a community, not apart from it. The goal, I think, is to figure out how to become more dependent with each other, not less.” And what does it have to do with Meetup? We are all dependent on each other. The sponsors, the attendees- and the organizers are crucial to the event, we wouldn’t have made each event better than the other without the help of the sponsors and the participants. Thanks also to the generosity of James who traveled all the way from Subic to Ortigas, who gave a sample of skin white and beauty products he sells and to Ed Rivera who is into native and local accessories like bags and home furnishings. With every Meetup we also get to know everyone's business so if we need something or a particular service or product, we know whom to get in touch with. Thank you for depending on Meetup and thanks to all those who traveled far just to meet us and for everyone who shared their time and prioritized Meetup. I might not be able to write all your names here in this blog post but - my prayers are all with you. Thank you for the openness, time and friendship.
6. “Familiarity breeds respect” as the brilliant Seth Godin wrote in one of his latest blogs, Over the six year period, I have been friends with hundreds of great and gifted souls. I also think that one of the big reasons why Meetup has been successful and strong when it comes to relationships since its inception more than 6 years ago, is that people at Meetup serve each other. As Bo Sanchez points out, “If you find a great organization that has not found a way to serve each other (sad but true) that organization will experience divisions because everyone will be looking at his or her personal agenda and interests”. It is in our good fortune that we tend to repel those types of people because Meetup was not designed for that. Everything and everyone must serve a good purpose with each own talents, uniqueness and capability to complement each other. Meetup doesn’t look at itself as just an organization but a support system that doesn’t worry about protocol. We hope to fill the need for identity, connection and relationships. It was and will never be about “what’s in it for our personal agenda but what’s in it for us to give to others”. Kaya pag lumabas ka ng Meetup na parang ubas, pag uwi mo hawaan mo ng pagiging ubas ang mga pasas. Kung malaki naman silang tao- maaaring prunes na yun. To my English readers, if you ever walk out of a Meetup looking like grapes then when you get home, you have to induce the excitement of being a grape to others who are already dried like raisins and if they are tall, then they are like prunes which you have to water. (wink) In other words, we all need each other, the success of one is the success of the whole- and the failure of one is the failure of all. We should find a way to enrich that relationship- and never to destroy it. Over time, as Seth writes, “you don't just come to trust valued colleagues like these, they also earn respect. Once you understand someone's sensibilities and goals, it's natural to see the world through their eyes and to embrace their motives and tactics. Once you've seen their work under pressure and in quieter moments, you get a sense for what they believe in. In a world of quick projects and short engagements, this sort of relationship is priceless”. I am blessed because I have found such people at Meetup.
7. Focus- as said earlier, we are deletion creatures, we should focus- focus on what? Focus more on what is good, better or best on a person, expect the best with a person, we should focus what makes us feel beautiful inside and out, focus on larger than life experiences, focus on the better things in life rather than those experience which has brought us pain, hurt or disgust. In Shakespeare’s “the Merchant of Venice”, there was a man named Shylock who was very wise but he was cruel. He said, “would you allow the same serpent to sting you twice?” Of course, we should never allow the same serpent to sting us twice. But we should never become cynical. Hindi komo may gumawa sa atin ng mali, pagdidiskitahan din natin ang lahat ng maaring gumawa din ng mali. You do not sink the ship to kill the rats. Learn to trust people. Actually, in life, very few people will hurt us or cause us pain, most are still basically kind. But people who don’t trust and don’t open themselves to other people’s goodness and kindness put walls between them and the world. They in turn imprison themselves in the process. Hindi komo may isang taong nandaya at nanakit sa atin ay lahat na ng tao ay ganun. Learn to trust again. Live life again, love again, give again- although a bit wiser the second time around. Tandaan lang natin na ang isang tao na sobrang wise ay hindi nag e-enjoy sa buhay. One way to enjoy life is to open our self up to people and focus on the better part of life rather than our previous hurts.
8. Energy- is infectious. Need I say more? We have forgotten a lot of things to give and say before our time was up just because we were all “hyped-up”. Hopefully, it will give a good vibes and ripple of effect to our beloved “Meetup-ers”. Thanks and God bless you more! Until next Business / Entrepreneurship, Spa and Wellness and Massage Therapy Meetup! Hats off to all of you!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
2011 Trends
2011 Trends for the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Industry
by Eunice
But before I share to you the 4 mega-trends here is one favorite music I wanted to share. Expect greater things to come in 2011!
2011 FOUR MEGA-TRENDS FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSION WITH A FOCUS ON THE SPA, MASSAGE THERAPY, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY
By yunesa(at)yahoo.com
1. You-nique
Little by little, the culture for being unique and different will penetrate the market. People will put up a business not just to join the bandwagon but to differentiate itself from the rest. Businesses which tend to copycat (gaya-gaya) others will have more difficulty as the market is already saturated in most metropolitan areas. The results would be: Individualized unique selling propositions of different businesses and professionals in the industry; People and professionals would want to master and focus on their uniqueness and being different and applying them in their field of interest. The most innovative and the visionaries will win. So what will Asia offer uniquely? What will Filipinos offer that sets it apart from others? Shine! Shine bright!
2. Fusion
I have already written about this in 2010 as part of the emerging trend and this has already started in many industries this year 2010 but will become diverse in the years 2011 and beyond. I remember the story of the crab seller. He was selling German. American and Filipino crabs. Two containers were closed while the third was left open and one buyer asked why is the third one open. He replied that those are Filipino crabs and no one will be able to get out of the bucket because every other crab will pull him down. One thing that we have to practice hard is push each other up, bless people who are more successful than we are because our words come back to us four fold. If you think badly of the success of others, you won’t be successful because you will also be thinking badly of your own success, you will pull yourself down! So start blessing, loving and giving more.
Mergers. Combination. Grouping. Mixtures. Mingling. Hybrid. Togetherness. Collective. Collaborative. Unity. Whatever the term more and more people will realize that there is strength in numbers more and more businesses and professions will gravitate towards this trend. We have already seen for the past few years, the fusion of health and medical field with the field of alternative medicine otherwise known as Integrative or Complementary medicine. We can see more and more hospitals looking like spas and healing retreats. We can see migration of health professionals in the field of wellness. Other forms of fusion and grouping are websites with group buying online, which will increase in popularity. Social buying. Group buying. We already have group buying sites in the Philippines with websites like:
http://www.presyongpatok.com/
(as of this writing the site is about to be launched soon by our Meetup friends at 98Labs http://www.98labs.com/ )
http://www.buyanihan.com/
http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/
http://www.localroam.ph/
http://www.beeconomic.com/
http://www.ensogo.com.ph/
http://www.etreet.com/
http://www.etreet.com/
http://www.awesome.ph/
http://www.dealgrocer.com/
http://www.twangoo.com/
As Seth Godin points out in his blog “Groupon is a very different thing. Here, it's not a hassle, it's the fun factor. Buying this way is exciting, you never know what's next, you do it with friends, the copy is funny, it's an adventure. As a result, many Groupon customers in fact do convert to becoming long time patrons of the place they tried, because they're not inherently cheap shoppers. When they're on Groupon they're hunting for fun. But if you offer an astonishing product and great service after they try you, they may convert into shopping with you for the long haul, not because you're a Groupon replacement, but because you bring them more than the alternatives. The net, once again, is making it easier to find and organize tribes of people, even for short durations. When you intersect these aligned groups with high-margin products, you can create fascinating commerce opportunities.”
I subscribe to all of these group buying sites online and I think they are great for consumers not only for cheapskates. I suggest for you to subscribe to. The popular motto: If you can’t beat them, join them will be a wise thing to do in these times. In the Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness industry, fusion on the types of treatments, therapies, professions, businesses, websites and affiliates. Examples of fusion: In the spa, massage therapy and wellness profession: more and more health practitioners will be accepting alternative medicine and other spa therapies that prove to be scientifically effective. When it comes to services and activities spas will fuse/combine creative ways of spending time at the spa like: laughter yoga, flower arrangement, lei, macro-biotic cooking, vegetarianism, color therapy, digitization, etc. Who knows some courses in school will be defunct and/merged with another course? So in essence, don’t be left behind! Noone is an island, team up with others. Your weaknesses are all a sign that we need others to build a team. Build bridges!
To give a glimpse of the FUTURE see the funny video below:
3. Local Twists and versions
The nearer the source- the better it is for suppliers, distributors and consumers and the more popular it will become. More businesses will source out local products and indigenous “one-of-a-kind services and products”. In fact, a local version or an Asian version of almost everything will be invented, discovered and popularized. An increased awareness of one’s own culture will definitely boost creativity.
4. Mindology and Brainology
Bringing consciousness to the table means a lot of people will gravitate towards the need for self-fulfillment through the power of the mind. More and more eyes will be opened to new possibilities and opportunities by using brain power mainly because of the urgency in ones deeper self to make a difference. Implications will include: the need for spas to fuse music which stimulates our brain waves to be more creative, color therapy in schematics, amongst others.
Bottom line, we have to realize that although this business or profession is based on healing, passion and commitment to people, I believe that it is necessary to change in terms of how we deliver results financially. We have to evolve and be better if we want to grow individual business as well as our industry. If I could, I would teach, speak or write and give FREE advice to anyone who is willing to listen (and I know a lot of you out there are silently listening, Thanks to you.) but we are all on the same boat. We all need to make a living in something that we love doing. As for myself, I make my living by helping others start, create or change their business to be more successful in their business or profession so that we might all be better able to touch other’s lives and provide greater value for our clients and our community.
I hope that you understand that it is my deepest wish for you in 2011 that you heal yourself in career, work, business and relationships- and all the other areas in between so that you may continue to heal others. If I can be of service to you in accomplishing your goals, I want you to know that I am only an email away. If you are ready in changing for the better in the 2011 please do get in touch with me and like all of my clients who have been a family to me, all these years, I promise you two things:
1. If I can help your business or profession, you will be able to afford my services and
2. If I can’t help you, I will never sell you something you do not need.
My dear friend, I pray that you will…
• Spiritually, grow closer to God, our Creator.
• Financially, grow towards financial abundance and generosity.
• Physically, grow healthier and stronger.
• Emotionally, grow more peaceful.
• Relationally, grow in love.
Those are my aspirations for you.
Have a Victorious and Blessed 2011!
(If you want to know the trend last year please click on this link below:
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-trends-spa-massage-therapy-beauty.html)
by Eunice
But before I share to you the 4 mega-trends here is one favorite music I wanted to share. Expect greater things to come in 2011!
2011 FOUR MEGA-TRENDS FOR BUSINESS AND PROFESSION WITH A FOCUS ON THE SPA, MASSAGE THERAPY, BEAUTY AND WELLNESS INDUSTRY
By yunesa(at)yahoo.com
1. You-nique
Little by little, the culture for being unique and different will penetrate the market. People will put up a business not just to join the bandwagon but to differentiate itself from the rest. Businesses which tend to copycat (gaya-gaya) others will have more difficulty as the market is already saturated in most metropolitan areas. The results would be: Individualized unique selling propositions of different businesses and professionals in the industry; People and professionals would want to master and focus on their uniqueness and being different and applying them in their field of interest. The most innovative and the visionaries will win. So what will Asia offer uniquely? What will Filipinos offer that sets it apart from others? Shine! Shine bright!
2. Fusion
I have already written about this in 2010 as part of the emerging trend and this has already started in many industries this year 2010 but will become diverse in the years 2011 and beyond. I remember the story of the crab seller. He was selling German. American and Filipino crabs. Two containers were closed while the third was left open and one buyer asked why is the third one open. He replied that those are Filipino crabs and no one will be able to get out of the bucket because every other crab will pull him down. One thing that we have to practice hard is push each other up, bless people who are more successful than we are because our words come back to us four fold. If you think badly of the success of others, you won’t be successful because you will also be thinking badly of your own success, you will pull yourself down! So start blessing, loving and giving more.
Mergers. Combination. Grouping. Mixtures. Mingling. Hybrid. Togetherness. Collective. Collaborative. Unity. Whatever the term more and more people will realize that there is strength in numbers more and more businesses and professions will gravitate towards this trend. We have already seen for the past few years, the fusion of health and medical field with the field of alternative medicine otherwise known as Integrative or Complementary medicine. We can see more and more hospitals looking like spas and healing retreats. We can see migration of health professionals in the field of wellness. Other forms of fusion and grouping are websites with group buying online, which will increase in popularity. Social buying. Group buying. We already have group buying sites in the Philippines with websites like:
http://www.presyongpatok.com/
(as of this writing the site is about to be launched soon by our Meetup friends at 98Labs http://www.98labs.com/ )
http://www.buyanihan.com/
http://www.cashcashpinoy.com/
http://www.localroam.ph/
http://www.beeconomic.com/
http://www.ensogo.com.ph/
http://www.etreet.com/
http://www.etreet.com/
http://www.awesome.ph/
http://www.dealgrocer.com/
http://www.twangoo.com/
As Seth Godin points out in his blog “Groupon is a very different thing. Here, it's not a hassle, it's the fun factor. Buying this way is exciting, you never know what's next, you do it with friends, the copy is funny, it's an adventure. As a result, many Groupon customers in fact do convert to becoming long time patrons of the place they tried, because they're not inherently cheap shoppers. When they're on Groupon they're hunting for fun. But if you offer an astonishing product and great service after they try you, they may convert into shopping with you for the long haul, not because you're a Groupon replacement, but because you bring them more than the alternatives. The net, once again, is making it easier to find and organize tribes of people, even for short durations. When you intersect these aligned groups with high-margin products, you can create fascinating commerce opportunities.”
I subscribe to all of these group buying sites online and I think they are great for consumers not only for cheapskates. I suggest for you to subscribe to. The popular motto: If you can’t beat them, join them will be a wise thing to do in these times. In the Spa, Massage Therapy and Wellness industry, fusion on the types of treatments, therapies, professions, businesses, websites and affiliates. Examples of fusion: In the spa, massage therapy and wellness profession: more and more health practitioners will be accepting alternative medicine and other spa therapies that prove to be scientifically effective. When it comes to services and activities spas will fuse/combine creative ways of spending time at the spa like: laughter yoga, flower arrangement, lei, macro-biotic cooking, vegetarianism, color therapy, digitization, etc. Who knows some courses in school will be defunct and/merged with another course? So in essence, don’t be left behind! Noone is an island, team up with others. Your weaknesses are all a sign that we need others to build a team. Build bridges!
To give a glimpse of the FUTURE see the funny video below:
3. Local Twists and versions
The nearer the source- the better it is for suppliers, distributors and consumers and the more popular it will become. More businesses will source out local products and indigenous “one-of-a-kind services and products”. In fact, a local version or an Asian version of almost everything will be invented, discovered and popularized. An increased awareness of one’s own culture will definitely boost creativity.
4. Mindology and Brainology
Bringing consciousness to the table means a lot of people will gravitate towards the need for self-fulfillment through the power of the mind. More and more eyes will be opened to new possibilities and opportunities by using brain power mainly because of the urgency in ones deeper self to make a difference. Implications will include: the need for spas to fuse music which stimulates our brain waves to be more creative, color therapy in schematics, amongst others.
Bottom line, we have to realize that although this business or profession is based on healing, passion and commitment to people, I believe that it is necessary to change in terms of how we deliver results financially. We have to evolve and be better if we want to grow individual business as well as our industry. If I could, I would teach, speak or write and give FREE advice to anyone who is willing to listen (and I know a lot of you out there are silently listening, Thanks to you.) but we are all on the same boat. We all need to make a living in something that we love doing. As for myself, I make my living by helping others start, create or change their business to be more successful in their business or profession so that we might all be better able to touch other’s lives and provide greater value for our clients and our community.
I hope that you understand that it is my deepest wish for you in 2011 that you heal yourself in career, work, business and relationships- and all the other areas in between so that you may continue to heal others. If I can be of service to you in accomplishing your goals, I want you to know that I am only an email away. If you are ready in changing for the better in the 2011 please do get in touch with me and like all of my clients who have been a family to me, all these years, I promise you two things:
1. If I can help your business or profession, you will be able to afford my services and
2. If I can’t help you, I will never sell you something you do not need.
My dear friend, I pray that you will…
• Spiritually, grow closer to God, our Creator.
• Financially, grow towards financial abundance and generosity.
• Physically, grow healthier and stronger.
• Emotionally, grow more peaceful.
• Relationally, grow in love.
Those are my aspirations for you.
Have a Victorious and Blessed 2011!
(If you want to know the trend last year please click on this link below:
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010-trends-spa-massage-therapy-beauty.html)
Friday, November 19, 2010
BizWiz Consumer Review and What Spas, Massage Clinics and Wellness Center Professionals and Businesses can Learn from Them
BizWiz B.E.S.T. Workshop Consumer Review and What Spas, Massage Clinics and Wellness Center Professionals and Businesses can Learn from Them
by Eunice
yunesa(at)yahoo.com
It has been some time now since my latest consumer review for spas, massage clinic and wellness centers mainly because most of those businesses that I have gone to are not fit to be mentioned. Hehehe...let alone blogged about. When I blog, I would rather blog about exceptional, unique products and services. People that are linchpins not the ordinary ones. This I found with the BizWiz's B.E.S.T. (Beyond Entrepreneurship Skills Training) workshop. I think yung letter S dapat they have to change to Simulation hehehe.... Sometimes, it's also time constraints as I wanted to write about other services pero my time won't allow it. Oh well....
I will try my best not to write too much in detail here as it will defeat the purpose of the B.E.S.T. workshop (and I have to be careful not to divulge too much as we signed a NDA- non disclusore agreement...hehehe..fortunately Jason Estimado told me I am exempted from the rule). Okay first things first, there are five basic things I learned from the two-days workshop:
1. I found out that this is not a seminar but a workshop. People keep referring this as a seminar...I beg to disagree. A seminar is best for visual and auditory learners because technically, a seminar is (almost always) just a one way uni-directional type of communication. One speaks and the rest listens. Do not expect to just sit down, relax and sleep while the speaker or lecturer or facilitator gets in front. Be prepared to take part of the activities and finish them.
2. I found out that I am a kinestetic learner. I learn and retain things better when I DO things with my hands and get involved in activities with others and if you are that type of learner, this workshop is a very good fit for you. You have to figure things out on your own. How do you know if you know something? Kasi ginagawa mo na ang natutunan mo in your daily activities but kung hindi mo naman ina-apply sa buhay mo then, you have not learned at all.
3. I am very much aware of corporate social responsibility(CRS)- eto common..nothing new, but in this workshop we have to go beyond CSR. Businesses should earn profit while working towards addressing basic human needs which includes a range of issues such as health, wealth generation, equality, environmental managament and building trust-based relationships. This I have found sa B.E.S.T. workshop ng BizWhiz. Sana tayo rin na mga consumers of services maging mindful or concerned tayo sa role natin in creating a better and sustainable world. Hindi puwede yung bili tayo ng bili, attend ng attend ng seminars or events na wala namang impact sa buhay natin. I admit I am a seminar junkie- talagang mahilig ako sa seminars, workshops to the point of attending them outside the country pero the B.E.S.T. is one of those very few na I think would be a very good example of how to turn things around and I would be proud of promoting. Because the workshop is not really technical, it's streetwise---- and fun!
4. I have met a lot of informal leaders. The formal leaders are those with MBA's, two or three degrees and titles attached to their names but here at B.E.S.T. Biz Whiz workshop I have seen and met informal leaders. Informal leaders develop and they do not have any explicit qualification. They are seldom seen as high potential candidates for top leadership positions. I feel that the spa, massage therapy and wellness business should learn from them as we have to seek the creme dela creme of the industry without focusing too much on degrees and educational attainment, grammar and formalities.
5. B.E.S.T by BizWiz resources is one of the linchpins in the information, seminars and workshop industry. Thanks to the brilliant Seth Godin for the word. Linchpins or lynchpins are systems, concepts or people who do things that either hold the enterprise together or move it forward (or both). Linchpins do timely work that delights the recipient without expecting anything in return- the spirit of genuine giving. Satisfactory work, Godin argues, does not elicit the same response. Linchpins refuse to succumb to norms and be like all the other businesses or workers. They are creative, inspiring, proactive driving forces- I hope that BizWhiz will continue to become bigger and better too.
For me, linchpins are uniquely carving their niche in a seemingly very competitive business or professional environement. Kaya up to now hindi ko maintindihan bakit ang dami pa ring gustong mag put-up or mag start ng kanilang spa, massage clinic and wellness center without thinking what will differentiate them from the rest of the pack- aside from the price. Seasoned spa, massage clinics and wellness center owners know that you will not survive in the industry if you are not uniquely you. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, linchpins become mapmakers and chart new directions.
You and I are born equal pero different. Do you want to be really rich and happy? Do you want to stand out from the rest of those massage therapists, spa therapists or business owners out there? Then be yourself. Be what you really are. Be very good at what you do. This is the first step toward becoming beter than what you are today. Chose to become yourself. Huwag kang gumaya lang ng gumaya.
We cannot reach our true destiny kung lagi ka na lang habol ng habol at gaya ng gaya sa iba. You can't reach your destiny taking another man's road. If you will not walk in someone else's track you will not make new discoveries. You have to follow the leading of your heart and go instead where noonw has gone before you and leave a trail there.
Avoid following the crowd. Minsan, I will meet spa owners who are about to start their business in this industry who have their own originality. Hindi sila common na spa. Did you know that you are detined to be different? That is why we all have different fingerprints. God did not make any of us alike. Dare to be different in your field and follow your own star. How?
Sabi ng Romans 12: 6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
So how will you develop your gifts. skills and talents inherent in you? Develop your interests and potential. The more you develop your talents and skills- the less you will be like someone else. Trying to copy the business of another is self-defeating. One of your main purpose in your life is to know thyself and give birth to yourself. Alamin mo kung saan ka magaling at saan ka mahilig na kahit nahihirapan ka eh- masaya ka then find a way to earn from what you love doing. Kung mahilig kang mag sulat at matagal mo ng pinapangarap na magsulat ng iyong libro then write what you love about. Buy books, CD's about book writing and publishing then interview people who have gone before you.
You canot be so-so, common, average, ordinary in order to stand out in this world, you have to be an original, atypical, exceptional, extraordinary, unusual to be remembered. Common people, common places and common things get forgotten easily. You must be uncommon and be the best version of yourself, your profession and your business to be a champion and a superstar. Be a superstar in your chosen niche.
Do not let your life be a constant struggle between what you are not and what you should not. You are what God made you and a miracle. Be the best version of yourself.
Be YOU-nique and make a difference.
by Eunice
yunesa(at)yahoo.com
It has been some time now since my latest consumer review for spas, massage clinic and wellness centers mainly because most of those businesses that I have gone to are not fit to be mentioned. Hehehe...let alone blogged about. When I blog, I would rather blog about exceptional, unique products and services. People that are linchpins not the ordinary ones. This I found with the BizWiz's B.E.S.T. (Beyond Entrepreneurship Skills Training) workshop. I think yung letter S dapat they have to change to Simulation hehehe.... Sometimes, it's also time constraints as I wanted to write about other services pero my time won't allow it. Oh well....
I will try my best not to write too much in detail here as it will defeat the purpose of the B.E.S.T. workshop (and I have to be careful not to divulge too much as we signed a NDA- non disclusore agreement...hehehe..fortunately Jason Estimado told me I am exempted from the rule). Okay first things first, there are five basic things I learned from the two-days workshop:
1. I found out that this is not a seminar but a workshop. People keep referring this as a seminar...I beg to disagree. A seminar is best for visual and auditory learners because technically, a seminar is (almost always) just a one way uni-directional type of communication. One speaks and the rest listens. Do not expect to just sit down, relax and sleep while the speaker or lecturer or facilitator gets in front. Be prepared to take part of the activities and finish them.
2. I found out that I am a kinestetic learner. I learn and retain things better when I DO things with my hands and get involved in activities with others and if you are that type of learner, this workshop is a very good fit for you. You have to figure things out on your own. How do you know if you know something? Kasi ginagawa mo na ang natutunan mo in your daily activities but kung hindi mo naman ina-apply sa buhay mo then, you have not learned at all.
3. I am very much aware of corporate social responsibility(CRS)- eto common..nothing new, but in this workshop we have to go beyond CSR. Businesses should earn profit while working towards addressing basic human needs which includes a range of issues such as health, wealth generation, equality, environmental managament and building trust-based relationships. This I have found sa B.E.S.T. workshop ng BizWhiz. Sana tayo rin na mga consumers of services maging mindful or concerned tayo sa role natin in creating a better and sustainable world. Hindi puwede yung bili tayo ng bili, attend ng attend ng seminars or events na wala namang impact sa buhay natin. I admit I am a seminar junkie- talagang mahilig ako sa seminars, workshops to the point of attending them outside the country pero the B.E.S.T. is one of those very few na I think would be a very good example of how to turn things around and I would be proud of promoting. Because the workshop is not really technical, it's streetwise---- and fun!
4. I have met a lot of informal leaders. The formal leaders are those with MBA's, two or three degrees and titles attached to their names but here at B.E.S.T. Biz Whiz workshop I have seen and met informal leaders. Informal leaders develop and they do not have any explicit qualification. They are seldom seen as high potential candidates for top leadership positions. I feel that the spa, massage therapy and wellness business should learn from them as we have to seek the creme dela creme of the industry without focusing too much on degrees and educational attainment, grammar and formalities.
5. B.E.S.T by BizWiz resources is one of the linchpins in the information, seminars and workshop industry. Thanks to the brilliant Seth Godin for the word. Linchpins or lynchpins are systems, concepts or people who do things that either hold the enterprise together or move it forward (or both). Linchpins do timely work that delights the recipient without expecting anything in return- the spirit of genuine giving. Satisfactory work, Godin argues, does not elicit the same response. Linchpins refuse to succumb to norms and be like all the other businesses or workers. They are creative, inspiring, proactive driving forces- I hope that BizWhiz will continue to become bigger and better too.
For me, linchpins are uniquely carving their niche in a seemingly very competitive business or professional environement. Kaya up to now hindi ko maintindihan bakit ang dami pa ring gustong mag put-up or mag start ng kanilang spa, massage clinic and wellness center without thinking what will differentiate them from the rest of the pack- aside from the price. Seasoned spa, massage clinics and wellness center owners know that you will not survive in the industry if you are not uniquely you. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, linchpins become mapmakers and chart new directions.
You and I are born equal pero different. Do you want to be really rich and happy? Do you want to stand out from the rest of those massage therapists, spa therapists or business owners out there? Then be yourself. Be what you really are. Be very good at what you do. This is the first step toward becoming beter than what you are today. Chose to become yourself. Huwag kang gumaya lang ng gumaya.
We cannot reach our true destiny kung lagi ka na lang habol ng habol at gaya ng gaya sa iba. You can't reach your destiny taking another man's road. If you will not walk in someone else's track you will not make new discoveries. You have to follow the leading of your heart and go instead where noonw has gone before you and leave a trail there.
Avoid following the crowd. Minsan, I will meet spa owners who are about to start their business in this industry who have their own originality. Hindi sila common na spa. Did you know that you are detined to be different? That is why we all have different fingerprints. God did not make any of us alike. Dare to be different in your field and follow your own star. How?
Sabi ng Romans 12: 6-8 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
So how will you develop your gifts. skills and talents inherent in you? Develop your interests and potential. The more you develop your talents and skills- the less you will be like someone else. Trying to copy the business of another is self-defeating. One of your main purpose in your life is to know thyself and give birth to yourself. Alamin mo kung saan ka magaling at saan ka mahilig na kahit nahihirapan ka eh- masaya ka then find a way to earn from what you love doing. Kung mahilig kang mag sulat at matagal mo ng pinapangarap na magsulat ng iyong libro then write what you love about. Buy books, CD's about book writing and publishing then interview people who have gone before you.
You canot be so-so, common, average, ordinary in order to stand out in this world, you have to be an original, atypical, exceptional, extraordinary, unusual to be remembered. Common people, common places and common things get forgotten easily. You must be uncommon and be the best version of yourself, your profession and your business to be a champion and a superstar. Be a superstar in your chosen niche.
Do not let your life be a constant struggle between what you are not and what you should not. You are what God made you and a miracle. Be the best version of yourself.
Be YOU-nique and make a difference.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Why? Your specifics....
The Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Blog by yunesa@yahoo.com
Why? Your specifics.....
When asked, how much do you charge? We, Filipinos are shy to state specifics, it is normal to hear the replies "bahala ka na" (it's up to you) or "kahit magkano" (any would do) one of the reason is because we are have an indirect culture. Eastern culture's language is very indirect as opposed to Western way of saying things. We shy away from money or asking money but when I attended a non-profit organization's fund raising workshop, a couple of days ago, I realized that in some areas, specific answers are needed and it works and at other times, it doesn't. It has it's positives and negatives. It goes on to say that who is asking is also important. But in every area of fund raising even for non-profits, they need specifics.
When asked by a client of your fee/s. State the specifics.
When asked how much. State specifics.
When asked how many. State specifics.
When asked how often. State specifics.
When asked how much money you need. State specifics.
It also goes the same before embarking on any project or endeavor. It is important that we addess the specifics (yeah...and I would stress it again and say, it has to be specific answers NOT vague) on why we are doing such things. A specific answer should give the following detail/s: a number (monetary or time-wise) or range or duration, it should be brief but should outline your specific outcome, result, desire or goal or vision of things. Things that you should answer for yourself BEFORE and not during the project...
Why are you starting a business?
Because I want to earn.- is vague.
Because I want to earn at least 10,000 Pesos a month -is better because it will narrow down your focus to businesses that can at least earn you a minimum of 10,000 Pesos a month.
Why do you want to teach?
Because I love teaching. - is vague.
Because I want to share my skills, talents and abilities in the area of spa, massage therapy and wellness. -is better because you focus on areas for which you want to specialize in. In any profession, there are generalists and there are specialists. There is nothing wrong with being a generalist or a specialist but consider this: their earnings are also different from each other. Specialists are paid more than generalists.
Why do you want to start a spa, massage clinic or wellness center?
Because I think its a good business.- is vague.
How did you know it is really a good business? Have you done any pro-forma financials? until you have, you cannot say it's a good business.
Because I love to get a massage, go to a spa or a wellness center. Although a good specific reason, it's not enough reason to start. In fact, this is one of the fatal reasons to start a spa business. Being a client is very different from being an owner. A client does not have to worry about staff ramblings, about monthly rentals and quotas- an owner assumes those responsibilities.
Why do you want to become a massage therapist? A spa therapist? A spa consultant?
Because I want to work abroad is vague.
Because I want to work abroad after two years, send money home and save for my retirement fund.- is better. But of course there are better reasons---- at least this reason is starting to get more specific.
Why do you want to volunteer?
Because I wanted to. -is vague.
Because I get my "highs" when I can see I am helping people in my own little way.- is better
By answering and writing down our why's, we will now see our flaws. What needs to be improved. We can dig deeper. Increase our thinking capacity. One thing that I have to learn and remind myself everyday. My whys should be specific....what are you whys?
Why? Your specifics.....
When asked, how much do you charge? We, Filipinos are shy to state specifics, it is normal to hear the replies "bahala ka na" (it's up to you) or "kahit magkano" (any would do) one of the reason is because we are have an indirect culture. Eastern culture's language is very indirect as opposed to Western way of saying things. We shy away from money or asking money but when I attended a non-profit organization's fund raising workshop, a couple of days ago, I realized that in some areas, specific answers are needed and it works and at other times, it doesn't. It has it's positives and negatives. It goes on to say that who is asking is also important. But in every area of fund raising even for non-profits, they need specifics.
When asked by a client of your fee/s. State the specifics.
When asked how much. State specifics.
When asked how many. State specifics.
When asked how often. State specifics.
When asked how much money you need. State specifics.
It also goes the same before embarking on any project or endeavor. It is important that we addess the specifics (yeah...and I would stress it again and say, it has to be specific answers NOT vague) on why we are doing such things. A specific answer should give the following detail/s: a number (monetary or time-wise) or range or duration, it should be brief but should outline your specific outcome, result, desire or goal or vision of things. Things that you should answer for yourself BEFORE and not during the project...
Why are you starting a business?
Because I want to earn.- is vague.
Because I want to earn at least 10,000 Pesos a month -is better because it will narrow down your focus to businesses that can at least earn you a minimum of 10,000 Pesos a month.
Why do you want to teach?
Because I love teaching. - is vague.
Because I want to share my skills, talents and abilities in the area of spa, massage therapy and wellness. -is better because you focus on areas for which you want to specialize in. In any profession, there are generalists and there are specialists. There is nothing wrong with being a generalist or a specialist but consider this: their earnings are also different from each other. Specialists are paid more than generalists.
Why do you want to start a spa, massage clinic or wellness center?
Because I think its a good business.- is vague.
How did you know it is really a good business? Have you done any pro-forma financials? until you have, you cannot say it's a good business.
Because I love to get a massage, go to a spa or a wellness center. Although a good specific reason, it's not enough reason to start. In fact, this is one of the fatal reasons to start a spa business. Being a client is very different from being an owner. A client does not have to worry about staff ramblings, about monthly rentals and quotas- an owner assumes those responsibilities.
Why do you want to become a massage therapist? A spa therapist? A spa consultant?
Because I want to work abroad is vague.
Because I want to work abroad after two years, send money home and save for my retirement fund.- is better. But of course there are better reasons---- at least this reason is starting to get more specific.
Why do you want to volunteer?
Because I wanted to. -is vague.
Because I get my "highs" when I can see I am helping people in my own little way.- is better
By answering and writing down our why's, we will now see our flaws. What needs to be improved. We can dig deeper. Increase our thinking capacity. One thing that I have to learn and remind myself everyday. My whys should be specific....what are you whys?
Sunday, August 8, 2010
An Investment You Should Not Miss
The Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness Blog
by Eunice
Last Tuesday, my father and I visited an older cousin's husband in a hospital. The last time I saw him was way back when I was in high school, some twenty years ago. Manong Gener, as I fondly call him, was in his mid-thirties and was driving their new Toyota Corrolla. It was a very long drive I suppose, because he started puffing his cigarettes when they arrived. From Las Pinas to the Fairview area of Novaliches. From South area to North- just imagine a drive of two and a half hours--- if the traffic is good. He also used to drink beer and liquor a lot, he along with most of the many relatives that I knew are more than social drinkers. Believe me, socialization is part and parcel of every occasion since birthdays, weddings, infant baptisms and baby showers, debut, anniversaries and of course who can forget Christmas time....they are all common occasions. Even a funeral is an event for bonding of long lost relatives and again a time to eat, drink beer and drink to their heart's content. Something that until now, I don't quite understand why they do people drink a lot of beer even if it tastes bitter? On side note, I remember experimenting and drinking beer with my sister when we were in Elementary, long ago and we both laughingly sipped a tiny bit which made my world swirl. But alas, I forgot about that experience and just a couple of years back when I was in the Balkans, I remember when my good friend and a great German chef, Falk announced his engagement to another good friend of mine, Andrijana. Upon announcement, they arranged for a toss of champagne, I was thinking to myself that champagne isn't beer- so I sipped less than 1 ml from that champagne glass. But the effect was too much. I have to excuse myself for the whole day and our hotel's GM that time, Hubert Eikel, asked me to rest in our employee lounge. I was too dizzy to work. Everything was swirling. Good thing they understood my situation although they were all laughing at me. But from that time on, I knew that I wasn't cut to drink even a sip. So whenever we hang out around, I order orange juice or chai (tea) especially during winter.
In Philippine setting and Filipinos gatherings, most often than not any form of gathering (except in a very few instances like ours) consists of a lot of food and beer. Cases and cases of beer....(if you know what I mean). Coming from a family also where tuba is common - Mr. Tuba is also present most of the time. That Tuesday, I felt worried and hurt in my heart as I see my 58 year old relative in a sick bed and in pain due to kidney problem (he has been on dialysis every week for the past month). We prayed for his speedy recovery and meanwhile, I realized that in order for a person to reach a long and satisfying healthful life- we also have to plan and act upon healthy regimen. This consists of doing things that are commonly overlooked but medically proven to be healthy: no smoking or puffing of cigarettes, do not allow yourself to be drunk or drink alcohol more than you can take, eat a balanced diet, exercise, do not carry any emotional baggage like: do not harbor hatred, be forgiving of yourself and others, etc. There are no guarantees but if we neglect to take care of these things when we are young our chances of suffering from diseases, ailments and emotional problems in the future will be higher than those that did take care of their body, soul and mind. Prayer also helps a lot because when others cannot listen, God can. He is not limited by distance or even time. Another topic which we can discuss next time.
Which comes to mind a 50+ year old doctor that we have met just yesterday, he looks like he is in his 28-35 years old and Cecile and I can't believe our eyes. He really looks 20- 25 years younger than his age. His secret? Hehe....next time folks.....
In the meantime, give yourself a break, invest in yourself before investing in your business or any entrepreneurial endeavor, do something healthy for yourself this week. Start ten things you need to do and if you are having a difficult time, start with listing one or two things that you would do for yourself and your health. Start them this week. Let me know how you felt about it and how it went. I would like to connect with people who are in this for the long haul and support you. It maybe the urging desire to jog, to go to a gym, to give up that cola addiction, to stop eating red meat, to go to a spa, to seek help and advice from health professionals- anything that adds value for your health. Do it now. Before it's too late. It's an investment you have to make for you and your family and your future.
Your daily health rituals yesterday and today will determine your future's quality of life- yunesa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This blog article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/
or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com
TERMS OF REPRINT
You can freely distribute a copy of this article provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this article. Thank you.
Helpful Link: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – Overview http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm
Our TERMS OF REPRINT are fully enforcible under the terms of: The Digital Millennium Copyright Acthttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:*** Digital Reprint Rights **** If you publish this article in a website/forum/ blog, etc. You Must Set All URL's or Mailto Addresses in the body of the article AND in the Author's Resource Box as Hyperlinks (clickable links).* Links must remain in the form that we published them. Clean links should point to the Author's links without redirects having been inserted into the copy.* You are not allowed to Change or Delete any Words or Links in the Article or Resource Box. Paragraph breaks must be retained with articles. You can change where the paragraph breaks fall, but you cannot eliminate all paragraph breaks as some have chosen to do.* Email Distribution of this article must be done through Opt-in Email Only. No Unsolicited Commercial Email.* You are allowed to format the layout of the article for proper display of the article in your website or in your ezine, so long as you can maintain the author's interests within the article.* You may not use sentences from this article as an input for any software that steals sentences from others in order to build an article with software. The copyright on this article applies to the "WHOLE" article.*** Author Notification ***We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Eunice can be reached at: yunesa@yahoo.com
If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: yunesa@yahoo.com
The content of this article is solely the property and opinion of its author, Eunice
----
Follow this blog for more updates
by Eunice
Last Tuesday, my father and I visited an older cousin's husband in a hospital. The last time I saw him was way back when I was in high school, some twenty years ago. Manong Gener, as I fondly call him, was in his mid-thirties and was driving their new Toyota Corrolla. It was a very long drive I suppose, because he started puffing his cigarettes when they arrived. From Las Pinas to the Fairview area of Novaliches. From South area to North- just imagine a drive of two and a half hours--- if the traffic is good. He also used to drink beer and liquor a lot, he along with most of the many relatives that I knew are more than social drinkers. Believe me, socialization is part and parcel of every occasion since birthdays, weddings, infant baptisms and baby showers, debut, anniversaries and of course who can forget Christmas time....they are all common occasions. Even a funeral is an event for bonding of long lost relatives and again a time to eat, drink beer and drink to their heart's content. Something that until now, I don't quite understand why they do people drink a lot of beer even if it tastes bitter? On side note, I remember experimenting and drinking beer with my sister when we were in Elementary, long ago and we both laughingly sipped a tiny bit which made my world swirl. But alas, I forgot about that experience and just a couple of years back when I was in the Balkans, I remember when my good friend and a great German chef, Falk announced his engagement to another good friend of mine, Andrijana. Upon announcement, they arranged for a toss of champagne, I was thinking to myself that champagne isn't beer- so I sipped less than 1 ml from that champagne glass. But the effect was too much. I have to excuse myself for the whole day and our hotel's GM that time, Hubert Eikel, asked me to rest in our employee lounge. I was too dizzy to work. Everything was swirling. Good thing they understood my situation although they were all laughing at me. But from that time on, I knew that I wasn't cut to drink even a sip. So whenever we hang out around, I order orange juice or chai (tea) especially during winter.
In Philippine setting and Filipinos gatherings, most often than not any form of gathering (except in a very few instances like ours) consists of a lot of food and beer. Cases and cases of beer....(if you know what I mean). Coming from a family also where tuba is common - Mr. Tuba is also present most of the time. That Tuesday, I felt worried and hurt in my heart as I see my 58 year old relative in a sick bed and in pain due to kidney problem (he has been on dialysis every week for the past month). We prayed for his speedy recovery and meanwhile, I realized that in order for a person to reach a long and satisfying healthful life- we also have to plan and act upon healthy regimen. This consists of doing things that are commonly overlooked but medically proven to be healthy: no smoking or puffing of cigarettes, do not allow yourself to be drunk or drink alcohol more than you can take, eat a balanced diet, exercise, do not carry any emotional baggage like: do not harbor hatred, be forgiving of yourself and others, etc. There are no guarantees but if we neglect to take care of these things when we are young our chances of suffering from diseases, ailments and emotional problems in the future will be higher than those that did take care of their body, soul and mind. Prayer also helps a lot because when others cannot listen, God can. He is not limited by distance or even time. Another topic which we can discuss next time.
Which comes to mind a 50+ year old doctor that we have met just yesterday, he looks like he is in his 28-35 years old and Cecile and I can't believe our eyes. He really looks 20- 25 years younger than his age. His secret? Hehe....next time folks.....
In the meantime, give yourself a break, invest in yourself before investing in your business or any entrepreneurial endeavor, do something healthy for yourself this week. Start ten things you need to do and if you are having a difficult time, start with listing one or two things that you would do for yourself and your health. Start them this week. Let me know how you felt about it and how it went. I would like to connect with people who are in this for the long haul and support you. It maybe the urging desire to jog, to go to a gym, to give up that cola addiction, to stop eating red meat, to go to a spa, to seek help and advice from health professionals- anything that adds value for your health. Do it now. Before it's too late. It's an investment you have to make for you and your family and your future.
Your daily health rituals yesterday and today will determine your future's quality of life- yunesa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This blog article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinespaandwellness
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/
or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com
TERMS OF REPRINT
You can freely distribute a copy of this article provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this article. Thank you.
Helpful Link: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – Overview http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm
Our TERMS OF REPRINT are fully enforcible under the terms of: The Digital Millennium Copyright Acthttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:*** Digital Reprint Rights **** If you publish this article in a website/forum/ blog, etc. You Must Set All URL's or Mailto Addresses in the body of the article AND in the Author's Resource Box as Hyperlinks (clickable links).* Links must remain in the form that we published them. Clean links should point to the Author's links without redirects having been inserted into the copy.* You are not allowed to Change or Delete any Words or Links in the Article or Resource Box. Paragraph breaks must be retained with articles. You can change where the paragraph breaks fall, but you cannot eliminate all paragraph breaks as some have chosen to do.* Email Distribution of this article must be done through Opt-in Email Only. No Unsolicited Commercial Email.* You are allowed to format the layout of the article for proper display of the article in your website or in your ezine, so long as you can maintain the author's interests within the article.* You may not use sentences from this article as an input for any software that steals sentences from others in order to build an article with software. The copyright on this article applies to the "WHOLE" article.*** Author Notification ***We ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Eunice can be reached at: yunesa@yahoo.com
If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: yunesa@yahoo.com
The content of this article is solely the property and opinion of its author, Eunice
----
Follow this blog for more updates
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Are You In-Love with the Right Business, Profession, Field or Industry?
Ways to Know If Your Are In Love with the Right Business, Profession, Field or Industry
Can you easily spot if your friend is in love with someone? It won't come as a surprise but I will be using the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness industry as examples to know if you are in the right business, profession, field or industry. It takes more than capital, numbers and financials. To give soul to your profession or business, it has to have other elements in place.
I once heard from our Pastor, Ed Lapiz, that it's so important to be able to know your right place and grow where you are planted. A water lily won't grow in the desert. A fish won't live on land. An orchid won't grow on rivers. Every planet, creature, every plant, every human has a right place on Earth. We all have our place on Earth. To some, finding their place is as easy as counting 1, 2 and 3 while for others, it's a bit of a challenge. Maybe because they have a lot of excellent talents or skills which clouds their thinking or it might be the other way around, they don't have enough interests, talents and skills, or they earn so much from their talents and skills that they wouldn't care if it robs them of their happiness. They can't leave their work even if they don't like what they do because of financial needs. It's not uncommon to hear our fellow Filipinos to complain that they really would want to become a doctor instead of a nurse. Only if doctors in our country are paid more than the salaries of nurses abroad. It's not uncommon for teachers to be working as domestic helpers even if they love teaching, they are forced to abandon their passion for teaching because working abroad as a domestic helper earns more. Not that something is wrong with these noble occupations because these are commendable traits of self-sacrifice and care- but the long range effect of this creates division in our lives and our emotions.
Here are some ways to know if your heart is "really" into the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness industry, whether this be in a profession or business in this field or industry.
1. Your body tells you so.
Aha, one of the ways to read a person is through his/her actions. Siyempre, you have to look at how your body responds to your environment, to your colleagues, to your work and how you perform your responsibilities.
You know that you are "in-love" with your career or your profession if: you are excited to work every single day, you check up on your clients regularly with enthusiasm, your body clock does not miss any spa appointment with a client, you are excited to smell the peppermint from the spa reception, you volunteer for an overtime instead of making excuses why you are always late, you love reading and learning about spas, massage therapies, beauty and wellness, etc. When you lighten up, get excited, beam ear to ear when doing these things then they are tell-tale signs that you found your right path.
You know that you are "in-love" with your spa, massage or wellness business if: you are eagerly anticipating opening doors for business, you spoke with a reliable spa consultant and finished your business plan before you started the business, you love the staff as much as you love your business, you get excited to meet clients and ask their opinions, you don't only love to get a massage, a pedicure or a body scrub but you love to intricately know what's behind the products that were used, you share what you envision about this place to your staff, etc.
If you feel the other way around, you might as well start finding another job or business. Do not get entangled for so long in a golden hand cuff. Golden hand cuffs are basically occupations that keeps you just that....occupied but feeling wanting.
Your body and how it expresses itself in talents and skills you have are signs and symptoms if you are in the right track. We are given enough talents and skills that shows in our body language and in our everyday life, use that for a purpose. You are unique, do not run after someone's dreams and rainbow.
2. You know what sets you apart from others.
You are not just another person who jumps into the wellness bandwagon. You know that you are "in-love" with your career or your profession/business if: you know that you can come in with a different perspective, an out of the box idea or you have better way of doing things. You do not cut corners, you love to contribute without stepping on someone's foot, you have unique qualities and abilities that would set you apart from the others.
What is so unique about you? Perhaps, you did not just put up or start another spa, massage clinic or wellness center- for you, you started a philosophy of sharing to others the gift of health and wellness. You are not an average massage trainer, you did not just taught people techniques through massage and spa trainings but you shared yourself and your experiences, you taught your students how to be professional, how to care through their work, you taught them to open their minds and hearts to learning and to be accepting of others. You do not see yourself as an ordinary massage or spa therapist or spa manager, you are a force for good and a warrior for those who uses this industry for sexual slavery and promiscuous activities.
In essence, you have to have uniqueness in you. It might be new massage techniques that you have been wanting to share for so long, it might be the depth of your experience, it might be the insights that you bring to increase spa sales, etc. Think....what sets you apart from others in this field?
3. Time flies when you enjoy what you are doing.
As what Joseph Campbell says, "follow your bliss". Do things that most excites you and make you the happiest. Not everything in a certain job or business is bliss (even roses have thorns) but generally, if you can do things all day and all night and although you feel tired, you still look forward to doing it tomorrow...then, you have found your bliss. You are in love.
You do not care if you are past your bedtime because you are still researching for the origin of the word "spa", you did not noitice that it's already time for you to go home because there is another client waiting in line, you are not watching the clock for 5 o'clock, you are excited to do some over-time work because you feel at home inside the spa or you love learning more about the intricasies of spa, massage therapies, etc. Learning for you never ends.
If you are in the right business or profession: you just can't get enough of it.
4. You are productive.
Being productive can be seen in so many different ways. Being productive might mean: you are generating enough financial gain from what you love to do, it might mean generating a high amount of value for others and yourself, etc. But the time and energy that you put into your business or profession and the income does not always go hand in hand. I have seen a lot of my staff abroad earning more than a manager's wages in the Philippines but they seem to be discontented and therefore produce an average amount of productivity both in how they feel and what is being given to the company. Any unspoken or unacted upon our life's mission will be a poison to your productivity. See to it that at the very least, you are generating enough income for you to live, be happy and be able to give to others.
Love is blind. Yes it's true even in our business and career. Do not get blinded by love. Life is not all about career and business. Everything has to be a balance.
Love can be be cultivated. If you found these three wanting increase the depth of your love or find another love.
Last but not the least, what we have are all God's gift for us, it's important to cultivate it and return God's favor by using everything within our power to give glory to Him.
========================================================================
The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
(this has the most comprehensive list of training centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.
1. You can order it online via www.Amazon.com at 34.95$
2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99
3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at www.yunesa.blogspot.com at $19.95
4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos
5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at 900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5 working days
If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.
Also, CD's included in the kit for spa management, practice and operations available:
The Spa and Wellness Business- Understanding the Basics (PowerPoint format)
Seven Deadly Mistakes to Avoid as a Spa Owner and Practitioner in the Spa Wellness Business (PowerPoint format)
Spa, Massage and Facial Therapies 101 (The Basics) (PowerPoint format)
Business Worksheets for Spa and Massage Business in the Philippines (Excel and Word format/program includes all the financial worksheets you need in computing for your operational cost, etc.)
This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from www.Amazon.com or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.
TERMS OF REPRINT
You can freely distribute a copy of this article provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this article. Thank you.
Helpful Link:
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – Overview http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm
Our TERMS OF REPRINT are fully enforcible under the terms of: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:
*** Digital Reprint Rights ***
* If you publish this article in a website/forum/ blog, etc. You Must Set All URL's or Mailto Addresses in the body of the article AND in the Author's Resource Box as Hyperlinks (clickable links).
* Links must remain in the form that we published them. Clean links should point to the Author's links without redirects having been inserted into the copy.
* You are not allowed to Change or Delete any Words or Links in the Article or Resource Box. Paragraph breaks must be retained with articles. You can change where the paragraph breaks fall, but you cannot eliminate all paragraph breaks as some have chosen to do.
* Email Distribution of this article must be done through Opt-in Email Only. No Unsolicited Commercial Email.
* You are allowed to format the layout of the article for proper display of the article in your website or in your ezine, so long as you can maintain the author's interests within the article.
* You may not use sentences from this article as an input for any software that steals sentences from others in order to build an article with software. The copyright on this article applies to the "WHOLE" article.
*** Author Notification ***
we ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Eunice can be reached at: yunesa@yahoo.com
*** Print Publication Reprint Rights ***
If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com
============ ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
The content of this article is solely the property and opinion of its author, Eunice
Can you easily spot if your friend is in love with someone? It won't come as a surprise but I will be using the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness industry as examples to know if you are in the right business, profession, field or industry. It takes more than capital, numbers and financials. To give soul to your profession or business, it has to have other elements in place.
I once heard from our Pastor, Ed Lapiz, that it's so important to be able to know your right place and grow where you are planted. A water lily won't grow in the desert. A fish won't live on land. An orchid won't grow on rivers. Every planet, creature, every plant, every human has a right place on Earth. We all have our place on Earth. To some, finding their place is as easy as counting 1, 2 and 3 while for others, it's a bit of a challenge. Maybe because they have a lot of excellent talents or skills which clouds their thinking or it might be the other way around, they don't have enough interests, talents and skills, or they earn so much from their talents and skills that they wouldn't care if it robs them of their happiness. They can't leave their work even if they don't like what they do because of financial needs. It's not uncommon to hear our fellow Filipinos to complain that they really would want to become a doctor instead of a nurse. Only if doctors in our country are paid more than the salaries of nurses abroad. It's not uncommon for teachers to be working as domestic helpers even if they love teaching, they are forced to abandon their passion for teaching because working abroad as a domestic helper earns more. Not that something is wrong with these noble occupations because these are commendable traits of self-sacrifice and care- but the long range effect of this creates division in our lives and our emotions.
Here are some ways to know if your heart is "really" into the Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty and Wellness industry, whether this be in a profession or business in this field or industry.
1. Your body tells you so.
Aha, one of the ways to read a person is through his/her actions. Siyempre, you have to look at how your body responds to your environment, to your colleagues, to your work and how you perform your responsibilities.
You know that you are "in-love" with your career or your profession if: you are excited to work every single day, you check up on your clients regularly with enthusiasm, your body clock does not miss any spa appointment with a client, you are excited to smell the peppermint from the spa reception, you volunteer for an overtime instead of making excuses why you are always late, you love reading and learning about spas, massage therapies, beauty and wellness, etc. When you lighten up, get excited, beam ear to ear when doing these things then they are tell-tale signs that you found your right path.
You know that you are "in-love" with your spa, massage or wellness business if: you are eagerly anticipating opening doors for business, you spoke with a reliable spa consultant and finished your business plan before you started the business, you love the staff as much as you love your business, you get excited to meet clients and ask their opinions, you don't only love to get a massage, a pedicure or a body scrub but you love to intricately know what's behind the products that were used, you share what you envision about this place to your staff, etc.
If you feel the other way around, you might as well start finding another job or business. Do not get entangled for so long in a golden hand cuff. Golden hand cuffs are basically occupations that keeps you just that....occupied but feeling wanting.
Your body and how it expresses itself in talents and skills you have are signs and symptoms if you are in the right track. We are given enough talents and skills that shows in our body language and in our everyday life, use that for a purpose. You are unique, do not run after someone's dreams and rainbow.
2. You know what sets you apart from others.
You are not just another person who jumps into the wellness bandwagon. You know that you are "in-love" with your career or your profession/business if: you know that you can come in with a different perspective, an out of the box idea or you have better way of doing things. You do not cut corners, you love to contribute without stepping on someone's foot, you have unique qualities and abilities that would set you apart from the others.
What is so unique about you? Perhaps, you did not just put up or start another spa, massage clinic or wellness center- for you, you started a philosophy of sharing to others the gift of health and wellness. You are not an average massage trainer, you did not just taught people techniques through massage and spa trainings but you shared yourself and your experiences, you taught your students how to be professional, how to care through their work, you taught them to open their minds and hearts to learning and to be accepting of others. You do not see yourself as an ordinary massage or spa therapist or spa manager, you are a force for good and a warrior for those who uses this industry for sexual slavery and promiscuous activities.
In essence, you have to have uniqueness in you. It might be new massage techniques that you have been wanting to share for so long, it might be the depth of your experience, it might be the insights that you bring to increase spa sales, etc. Think....what sets you apart from others in this field?
3. Time flies when you enjoy what you are doing.
As what Joseph Campbell says, "follow your bliss". Do things that most excites you and make you the happiest. Not everything in a certain job or business is bliss (even roses have thorns) but generally, if you can do things all day and all night and although you feel tired, you still look forward to doing it tomorrow...then, you have found your bliss. You are in love.
You do not care if you are past your bedtime because you are still researching for the origin of the word "spa", you did not noitice that it's already time for you to go home because there is another client waiting in line, you are not watching the clock for 5 o'clock, you are excited to do some over-time work because you feel at home inside the spa or you love learning more about the intricasies of spa, massage therapies, etc. Learning for you never ends.
If you are in the right business or profession: you just can't get enough of it.
4. You are productive.
Being productive can be seen in so many different ways. Being productive might mean: you are generating enough financial gain from what you love to do, it might mean generating a high amount of value for others and yourself, etc. But the time and energy that you put into your business or profession and the income does not always go hand in hand. I have seen a lot of my staff abroad earning more than a manager's wages in the Philippines but they seem to be discontented and therefore produce an average amount of productivity both in how they feel and what is being given to the company. Any unspoken or unacted upon our life's mission will be a poison to your productivity. See to it that at the very least, you are generating enough income for you to live, be happy and be able to give to others.
Love is blind. Yes it's true even in our business and career. Do not get blinded by love. Life is not all about career and business. Everything has to be a balance.
Love can be be cultivated. If you found these three wanting increase the depth of your love or find another love.
Last but not the least, what we have are all God's gift for us, it's important to cultivate it and return God's favor by using everything within our power to give glory to Him.
========================================================================
The most comprehensive resource and information guide on the list of training centers, magazines, publications, books and literatures both local and international are all available in the book, “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Guide and Career Book”. The First Book on Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource Book and Career Guide
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
(this has the most comprehensive list of training centers in the Philippines and abroad with tips from professionals and employment opportunities, legal laws and regulations, list of employment agencies, how to choose a trainer, and information that you need in order to succeed in this industry and before you shell out money for your tuition or training, there are a lot of ways you can grab a copy of this valuable information para hindi ka mag sayang ng time and money enrolling in trainings you do not even need. This book will give you the information to start right in the industry with secrets you should know and being able to find your rainbow in the wonderful world of massage, spa and wellness.
1. You can order it online via www.Amazon.com at 34.95$
2. You can order it via a Kindle device at $7.99
3. You can order an e-book copy through my blog at www.yunesa.blogspot.com at $19.95
4. You can also get a copy from National Bookstores nationwide at P799Pesos
5. For locals only, you can order it from me at local discounted rates with free delivery at 900Pesos (via LBC or FEDEX Air 21. Anywhere in the Philippines. Please allow 1-5 working days
If you are looking for a career opportunity, not just a job in the spa, massage therapy and wellness industry, this book is a must read.
Also, CD's included in the kit for spa management, practice and operations available:
The Spa and Wellness Business- Understanding the Basics (PowerPoint format)
Seven Deadly Mistakes to Avoid as a Spa Owner and Practitioner in the Spa Wellness Business (PowerPoint format)
Spa, Massage and Facial Therapies 101 (The Basics) (PowerPoint format)
Business Worksheets for Spa and Massage Business in the Philippines (Excel and Word format/program includes all the financial worksheets you need in computing for your operational cost, etc.)
This article is written by: Eunice Estipona a spa consultant, mentor, advisor, speaker and lecturer. One of her advocacies is to make healing and information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness accessible and affordable to everyone. If you are serious about turning your business or practice around, making the right decisions, getting an unbiased opinion and knowing where to get help, for lectures and other concerns she can be contacted at yunesa@yahoo.com or +639184745685. To find out how she can help you take your business to the next level, visit her site at http://www.meetup.com/philippinemassagetherapy
These along with hundreds of resources found locally and abroad are contained in “The Spa, Massage and Wellness Resource and Career Book”, the first book of resource information to know more about the Spa, Massage and Wellness Industry in the Philippines and other countries including the United States, Australia and other Asian countries. You can view, read, download and print for FREE the book’s summary at this link http://www.scribd.com/doc/6425282/About-the-Book-Spa-Massage-and-Wellness-Resource-Guide-and-Career-Book
If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from www.Amazon.com or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.
TERMS OF REPRINT
You can freely distribute a copy of this article provided, that you follow the terms of reprint. Be certain to read our TERMS OF REPRINT and honor our TERMS OF REPRINT when you use this article. Thank you.
Helpful Link:
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act – Overview http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/iclp/dmca1.htm
Our TERMS OF REPRINT are fully enforcible under the terms of: The Digital Millennium Copyright Act
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c105:H.R.2281.ENR:
*** Digital Reprint Rights ***
* If you publish this article in a website/forum/ blog, etc. You Must Set All URL's or Mailto Addresses in the body of the article AND in the Author's Resource Box as Hyperlinks (clickable links).
* Links must remain in the form that we published them. Clean links should point to the Author's links without redirects having been inserted into the copy.
* You are not allowed to Change or Delete any Words or Links in the Article or Resource Box. Paragraph breaks must be retained with articles. You can change where the paragraph breaks fall, but you cannot eliminate all paragraph breaks as some have chosen to do.
* Email Distribution of this article must be done through Opt-in Email Only. No Unsolicited Commercial Email.
* You are allowed to format the layout of the article for proper display of the article in your website or in your ezine, so long as you can maintain the author's interests within the article.
* You may not use sentences from this article as an input for any software that steals sentences from others in order to build an article with software. The copyright on this article applies to the "WHOLE" article.
*** Author Notification ***
we ask that you notify the author of publication of her work. Eunice can be reached at: yunesa@yahoo.com
*** Print Publication Reprint Rights ***
If you desire to publish this article in a PRINT publication, you must contact the author directly for Print Permission at: mailto:yunesa@yahoo.com
============ ========= ========= ========= ========= =========
The content of this article is solely the property and opinion of its author, Eunice
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Spa, Massage Therapy, Beauty, Health and Wellness Quotes
Begin with an inner health, then and only then can you begin with an outward physical health -yunesa
I heard myself humorously say before, "beauty and the beast...it's just that I am the beast and he is the beauty". One of the challenges facing almost any industry, not only the spa, massage therapy, beauty and wellness industry is the overemphasis of the public perception of what physical health really means. If it means just feeling good about yourself, having a sleek and sexy body- then we are missing the point. But of course, we would not discount the fact that beauty and brains are also important too. Beauty and the best can go hand in hand but any stressing one as above is a sign of imbalance.
For my wit and humor segment, I would like to share with you a story on physical health from http://www.basicjokes.com/:
Jack has died. His lawyer is standing before the family and reads out Jack's Last Will and Testament:
"To my dear wife Esther, I leave the house, 50 acres of land, and 1 million dollars. To my son Barry, I leave my Big Lexus and the Jaguar. To my daughter Suzy, I leave my yacht and $250,000. And to my brother-in-law Jeff, who always insisted that health is better than wealth, I leave my treadmill."
Peace!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Island Spa @ Rustan's Makati (A Spa, Massage Therapy Review from a Spa Connoisseur)
Island Spa @ Rustan's Makati (A Spa and Massage Therapy Review from a Spa Connoisseur)
by Eunice
yunesa@yahoo.com
November 05, 2010- What is different about my visit today at Island spa?
1. Towels- Obviosuly, hindi sila nag titipid ng towels. I love the warm towels applied on my back during the session and afterwards: application of warm towels on my arms, legs and foot.
2. The ginger tea they offered. Refreshing and delicious.
3. The therapist kept on asking to be excused everytime someone is at the reception area because they lack staff.
4. I have taken photos of the nice room we were in.
Here you go my latest thoughts on Island spa.
May 06, 2010- I was at Greenbelt 4 Makati and was aching for another spa-ing or "me" time. Although I only have three hours to spare, I opted to shop for another spa that I can blog about and hopefully, it would be worth blogging about (hehehe). I have been in and out of many spas, facial and beauty centers but one of my weakness is having to sit down and write my thoughts while I am enjoying my session. You have to agree with me that its diffucult to write your thoughts and enjoy the session at the same time. Mahirap kaya yun. But for this day, I chose to give myself a break, just relax and take it easy on my writing. It is worthy to note that prior to this consumer review I have already visited different spas but do not intend to write about it (yet) because I am giving them the chance to improve their services as they did not pass (in my personal opinion) professional standards of what a real or authentic spa is like. So instead of blurting out my disgust (or yelp about it), I will choose to be quiet and hunt for spas, massage clinics and wellness centers that are worthy of blogging about. Hopefully in the near future when I return to these spas, massage clinics and wellness center establishments they would have improved and perhaps that would be the time when I could blog about it.
Since the old spa (near a gym) where I frequent to whenever I am in Greenbelt is now closed and have transferred to another location, I promtly asked from the concierge for the nearest spa and they said it is located at the 5th level of Rustan's Department store, the Island Spa. Okay, so off I went to this upper level of Rustan's to venture into my spa cravings. As geographically challenged as I am, the location is quite difficult to find if you are coming from the Greenbelt area. Its also right near Belo Medical Group's center- maybe next time I will visit Belo instead.
Location and Ambiance
The location is quite difficult to find (no wonder I can only see a few people coming upstairs) . The ambiance is Thai-themed but amidst the Thai ambiance, their services do not include a Thai massage. It's called a spa but in reality, it's not a spa but a massage clinic or center as they do not offer any spa services only massage therapies. They also call their establishment Island spa but do not include different types of island-ish massage therapies. So much for branding huh?
I like the peppermint-ish scent of the candle when I entered and the serene atmosphere, realizing that we are on the fifth level and only a very few people are seen on this side of the mall. The ambiance is more relaxing than that of spas located in SM malls. The ambiance of the whole small floor where these medical spas and beauty centers are located emanates an aura of elegance and exclusivity. Good for those who would like to take a nap during their session. The big minus is that Island Spa do not have any toilets or wash rooms inside their massage center so when I asked where the toilet is at, they said you have to go outside of Island spa and walk a couple of feet away just right beside the alley around the Belo Medical group- so I asked the staff "are there times where clients would ask to be excused for a bladder break wearing the spa robe?" and they said "yes ma'am- the guards outside know that you came from here- so no problem you can go to the bathroom" but for me (personally speaking) it's kinda awkward because you have to pass by the clinic of Belo and a coffee shop where people are taking "tea time". Oh well, luckily for me, during that time I do not have to take a bladder break until after my session was over.
Another disadvantage is that the rooms are separated only by open partitions so if there are a lot of clients simultaneously taking their session and one client happens to be a blabber- naku lagot- everyone will be able to eavesdrop from their conversation. But good thing I went right after lunch time (around 1 pm) so there isn't one client except me- so I have the privilege of having the spa all by myself.
I like that the flooring in between the rooms are made of stones and makes it appeal like you are not inside a mall but in a resort spa somewhere in Thailand.
I also like the back ground sound and music, soothing and similar to old Chinese themes.
Hygiene, Cleanliness and Sanitation
The sheets seem to be clean as the massage recliners are all covered in white and does not seem to have any funny smell. Generaly hygiene and cleanliness passed my standards. The toilets outside the Island spa is clean and neat- as we expect from upscale mall spas around the city.
The Menu of Services
When I looked at their services they have the following in their menu and the prices are very reasonable:
1. Chinese Therapeutic Foot Massage starting at 30 minutes duration for only 375 Pesos to 2 hours for 1,115 pesos (approximately U$D22). I wonder how many techniques there are for a 30 minutes and a two hour session (?). Maybe next time when I am within the vicinity, I will be able to try this one out.
2. Foot and Back Massage for 1 hour and 15 minutes = 800 pesos (approximately U$D16.00). Come to think of it, I should have chosen this as my back and shoulders were stiff that time (as it always was)...hehehe...
3. Full Body Massage which is composed of Swedish and Shiatsu techniques. They have one hou, 1.5 hours and two hours valued at 690 pesos (approximately U$D14), 970 pesos (approximately U$D20) and 1,190 pesos (approximately U$D24) consecutively.
4. Aromatherapy massage priced at 1,145 pesos (approximately U$D 23) for 1.5 hours.
5. Hot Stone Massage priced at 1,200 pesos (approximately U$D24) for 1.5 hours.
6. Foot and body combination at 1.150 pesos (approximately U$D23) for 2 hours- this one was what the staff recommended so I took it. because I am that greedy about massage as I am greedy about taking the knots out of my shoulders and back.
7. Express Back Massage at 375 pesos (approximately U$D8) for 30 minutes- this is the cheapest/least expensive massage they offer.
They also offer coupon booklets for five thousand and ten thousand pesos (approximately U$D100 to U$D 200) which contains 10 and 20 pieces of marked down prices coupons for massage. So if you already are their loyal client and you live near the area, I suggest you go for this value coupons. All in all, their menu is limited to massage therapy, do not expect any spa services even if they claim to be a spa, they do not have any hydrotherapy services or even remotely spa-ish services. Technically, this is not considered a spa but a massage center or massage clinic.
They accept credit cards for payment which is a good thing.
Staff and Decorum
The front desk and staff were nice and helpful. She also asked me if I would have my tea in my room or in the reception vis a vis lounge area. Someone also assisted me when I got lost trying to find the comfort room outside....hehehe....I told you, I am geographically challenged.
The massage therapist assigned to me was also accommodating. But she should go beyond the basic motions of the massage and actually work with your individual body to help not only relax but work towards healing you. They should be receptive to your personal preferences and needs. For someone like me, whose back is filled with really intense knots and carries a ton of stress around, this sort of attention and care is absolutely imperative.
Massage session and techniques
Since I choose Foot and Body Massage combination here is what I experienced:
The staff ushered me to a small room with a recliner for massage and then asked me to change and put on the robe and shorts, she then prepared the foot soak while I was changing then started with an herbal foot soak. Literally it has leaves on the foot soak and I like the feeling because of the hot tub of water with soothing herbs. It was similar to an herbal foot rub I experienced in Thailand except that in Thailand they do not put plastic or cellophane on their foot spa machines. Here the foot spa machine was covered with cellophane/plastic for ease and convenience of cleaning it up afterwards. While soaking my feet for five minutes or so, she also placed a warm massage pillow on my shoulders, making me start the session with ease and comfort. The warm pillow smelled like guava leaves though and I like the smell. The usual massage techniques that were used was nothing exemplary. It took around 30 to 45 minutes all in all. If you are well-versed with massage techniques, this is just an ordinary foot and leg massage nothing more to it.
Then came the time for the body massage proper. She asked me to stand up first while she moved the recliner downwards and put on the face rest. Then I was set to go for my body massage. She started with my legs upwards to other parts of the body. The feeling that it's systematic but not personalized. For me (as a massage therapist myself and a spa consultant), I am very particular about massage therapists who listen to the body's muscle movements while they knead. Its not only the spa or massage ritual that counts. They have to listen to the body not just execute techniques. Overall, the massage was just okay nothing exemplary. It's a combination of Swedish and Shiatsu massage with a bit of stretching.
What I like about the session though is the application of hot pack on my back while massaging on the supine position what I do not like is that I have to rise up and about again for her to be able to change the recliner suited for a supine position.
Overall rating = 80%
They have two branches: Main branch is located at Island Foot and Body Wellness 2/F Jupiter place 136-138 Jupiter st. Bel-Air Makaticity
Tel. Nos. 899-1234 or 7518296
For this visit and blog, I was at Island Spa
5th level, Rustan's Makati
Tel. No. 7108588
Sorry, they do not have any website or email address.
Guidelines in the writing of this spa/massage clinic review were observed, click on the link below to read about my guidelines:
http://yunesa.blogspot.com/2009/07/consumer-and-spa-enthusiasts-review.html
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If you are a spa, massage therapy and wellness information seeker the resources contained in the book for you. This book is a collection of data and valuable information regarding the spa and massage industry in a global perspective with a focus on the Philippines. Her advocacy in writing the book is to make “unbiased” information regarding the field of spa, massage and wellness resources and career, accessible and affordable for everyone. If you are considering a career in the massage, spa and wellness industry, this book will prepare you and give you a glimpse of what it is like, the preparation you need to take: emotionally, intellectually and financially. In this book, you will learn more details in the spa and massage field and the possible paths you can take. You will also learn about local and international training programs offered and numerous employment possibilities. Giving you much needed information at your fingertips. You can order it from http://www.amazon.com/ or for local Philippine residents, you can email and get in touch with Eunice at yunesa@yahoo.com.
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