Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/253819
Create your free business website! www.ascpskincare.com 23 Adding wellness services to your skin care practice has multiple benefits. Whether you do it by enhancing your menu, partnering with another professional within your practice, or referring out to a trusted "village" of allied therapists, creating a wellness-focused spa can rapidly expand your clientele and provide a strong reason for them to choose you over the competition. Wellness is a process, not a single procedure, session, or treatment. No individual professional can meet all the wellness needs of each guest (I like to use the term guest rather than client or customer, because we interact differently when we think of each person who comes through the door as a guest in our home). Regardless of where someone is on her journey to a healthier lifestyle, support from multiple providers will often be needed. Wellness takes a village, and you can be part of that village. Use the Power of a Village The first step in building a wellness village is to identify who has the same attitude, mission, and vision that you possess. Make a list of all the wellness-focused professionals in your area, and arrange a visit with those you have not met before. Be sure to bring your cards, brochures, and menu. Better yet, attend or host a wellness-focused networking event so you can meet many practitioners at one time. Skin care professionals have many natural alliances with other health and wellness providers. If you live in a mid-sized or larger city, it's likely there are many noncompeting businesses within five miles of your practice that have the same goals as you: to help guests enhance their appearance and health. Even if you live in a small town, you can find like-minded potential partners who can help you create a dynamic wellness network. When guests have concerns that are beyond your scope of practice or area of expertise, this network will allow you to refer them to the right person. Professions that may be good partners for your esthetics practice include alternative medicine practitioners such as acupuncturists, homeopaths, and naturopaths; aromatherapists; massage therapists and bodyworkers, including energy workers; personal trainers; yoga or Pilates instructors; and meditation instructors. Businesses such as natural food markets, health food restaurants, and gyms are also candidates. Don't forget doctors and other medical professionals. If they do not immediately understand the potential benefits of working together, educate them! Dentists are an underutilized referral opportunity for skin care professionals. If someone is working toward a beautiful smile through cosmetic dentistry, or is concerned enough about wellness to visit a dentist for regular preventive checks, doesn't it make sense that they would also be interested in other aspects of beauty and wellness? Not everyone will be a perfect match as a potential referral partner, but your research will give you a comprehensive idea of what your community offers across the full range of wellness services. This knowledge will be valuable as you begin to reshape the focus of your practice around wellness. Add Nutrition Services Good nutrition is a cornerstone of wellness, and even small nutritional changes can yield significant improvements in skin health. It's easy to add some nutritional components to your spa environment without stepping outside your scope of practice (but be sure to check local regulations for guidelines on serving food and drink at your establishment). Begin with an intention to model wellness behaviors with the ideas below. Create a village of allied therapists