Ever wonder what it’s like to open up a spa? Perhaps you’ve done it, or perhaps you’ve just experienced the effects of it (massages, facials, and all-around goodness). While it’s relaxing to go to the spa, it’s far less relaxing to open one. 

The award-winning Hiatus Spa + Retreat in Dallas (winners of the “Best $50 Spa Week Treatment” Luxe Award of Spring 2011) is expanding; just over the weekend they opened a second location in Austin. The 6,000 square-foot day spa opened its doors on December 18th and it is a site to behold. Founded in 2007 by Sheila Garrison and Kristin Heaton-Peabody, these women of wellness have dreamed of opening a second location in Austin because of their deep ties with the community (and rarely miss a Horns game).

To give you some insight, Sheila and Kristin were kind enough to answer our many questions about their experience opening a second spa location. Anyone in the spa biz, listen up! They share the good, the bad, and the lessons learned.

Michelle: What are some of the biggest challenges with opening a second location?

Sheila: For me it was trying to find time to stay sufficiently involved in the daily operations of the Dallas location. There is never enough time in a day to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.

Kristin: When I think back to opening Dallas, it was our sole focus. Every little detail had its time in the spotlight for contemplation. In opening the Austin location, we juggled build-out and design with the ongoing operation of a very busy first location, 60+ employees, and working hard not to take our eye off the ball. We found ourselves placing large opening orders a week before the big day. Lessons learned!

M: Was it more or less challenging than your first opening?

Sheila: It was definitely easier the second time around, but still a crazy experience. We felt like the clock was ticking as we were frantically trying to get open during the holiday season. Our first location in Dallas opened December 5, 2007 and had 4,300 square feet; we expanded to nearly 6,000 feet in our third year of business. For our Austin location we decided on 6,000 feet from the beginning.

Kristin: I can’t say that one was more challenging than the other; they were “different.” And similar to having a baby, you soon forget about childbirth and focus on the joy of it all.

M: What were some unexpected surprises (good or bad) that you encountered?

Sheila: One great unexpected surprise for me was the quality of the workforce in Austin. We were able to hire a dynamic team of warm, friendly, passionate and talented people!

Kristin: My favorite surprise was the day our new landlord referred to Hiatus as their “anchor tenant”, which was much different than our first venture. The worst surprise was the difficulty in getting funding the second time around.

M: Any predictions for the most popular treatment? Hiatus Massage, Hiatus Facial, Body Glow, Revitalizing Body Wrap or Mani-Pedi Retreat?

Sheila: I imagine it will be the Hiatus Massage.  As people look for ways to de-stress in today’s fast-paced world, I think it is universally popular.

Kristin: I am going with the Hiatus Facial… as people become more in tune with wellness, they become more interested in all that spas have to offer. While massage is our most requested treatment today, I see facials taking market share. Our facials include our signature hand and foot massage, and our guests emerge with beautiful skin. And with the choice of three fabulous skincare lines in Aveda, SkinCeuticals and entirely organic Intelligent Nutrients, who can we possibly not please?

M: How is the spa culture different in Austin than in Dallas? Was there anything in particular you needed to take into consideration?

Sheila: We really believe Austin and Hiatus are an ideal match because the people in Austin are extremely active and focused on wellness. Austin demands excellence and quality in food, music, and everything else. We strive to be excellent in providing quality spa services.

Kristin: The spa culture here is different than that of Dallas; it is intricately woven into the community as a result of the outdoor playground that is Austin. Regardless of location, the culture and mission of our company remains unchanged; there will always be a contingency of people who view spa as a wellness ritual, and those people are the foundation of our business.

M: How important is design and décor for a spa? You mentioned the interiors having a modern feel with washed white oak, organic colors. Was there a specific reason for that aesthetic?

Sheila: We worked with Dick Clark Architecture- a well-known local firm. We believe a spa should have modern, organic, uncluttered, and understated surroundings with clean lines that help guests relax and clear their minds. The artwork in both locations consists of beautiful, abstract watercolor paintings by Austin artist Jan Heaton. She draws her inspiration from nature, so her work is an ideal fit for a spa environment.

Kristin: We feel that understated, simplistic design and comfortable surroundings can really impact the way a guest feels. Our goal is to provide a superlative experience in a beautiful environment at a great price.

M: What are your future plans? Expand all over Texas? The world?

Sheila: We believe the spa industry is going to continue to grow. We want to grow with it. We have the franchise concept about 80% complete and we are planning to launch in the second half of 2012 starting in Texas and California.

Kristin: In 2012, we will be filing our franchise disclosures, after almost two years of planning. Our goal is to grow slowly though franchising, seeking like-minded partners and collaborators who will help us grow the business organically. We would love to see Hiatus expand nationally, and then, who knows?

M: What are some words of wisdom you can pass along to someone else who might be interested in opening their own spa or small business?

Sheila: My advice would be to do your due diligence before jumping into any new business venture. You can’t easily unwind the early mistakes. We spent six months on our business plan for Dallas, and did a lot of market research- it was truly our road map in the first year.  We also were able to secure SBA loans for both locations which kept us from having to bring in investors. That gives us 100% freedom and autonomy to make decisions for our business, so that our vision is not compromised in any way.

Kristin: Always do something you are passionate about, that you believe in with all of your heart. When you are working seven days a week and 15 hours a day, you had better love it.

Thanks ladies!

Hiatus Spa + Retreat
Gables 5th St. Commons
1611 West 5th, Suite 155
Austin, TX 78703
512.362.5777

Photo credit: Ryann Ford

When you can still count your age on your fingers, Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever gifty holiday you celebrate is all about getting. So much so, that ANY gift a little one gives around holiday time becomes the most heartwarming gesture on earth. Pottery projects = treasures to last a lifetime! Getting serenaded by your four year old? It may as well be Michael Buble! We wanted to know what’s warmed your heart over the years. Children who can read, are you taking notes? It doesn’t take much to make your mommy feel like the luckiest woman alive. (And when in doubt, you know she’ll REALLY love a Spa & Wellness Gift Card.)

We asked some of our mamas in the Hot Mom Spa Squad:

“What is the most thoughtful/creative gift your kid ever gave you?”

Ellen of Love The Max said:

When Max was 7, he brought a purple-mache heart home from school that he’d made for me. Max has cerebral palsy and has challenges using his hands; basically, anything he makes for me is amazing! But this heart was really special. It’s sat on the kitchen counter ever since.

Ava Roxanne of My Skin Concierge said:

My teen daughter and I recently took a shopping trip to New York City. As I was about to take a photo in front of the gorgeous Christmas tree in our hotel, I had an amazing realization. I was not having to remind her to smile as I usually do when I am about to take a photo. She was already smiling! Whether it was because her braces were now off or the yummy s’mores and cocoa or due to the amazing experience we were having that weekend, it did not matter. They say a smile can light up a room. Well, a child’s smile can light up a mom’s heart! It will undoubtedly be my best gift from her for a very long time!

Alicia of Mommy Delicious said:

My son is four years old so he doesn’t yet understand the concept of gift-giving. He knows that he’ll receive something on his birthday and on Christmas, but he’s not old enough to plan a gift for me. That being said, the most thoughtful thing that he has done for me came in the form of singing me a song. One day when I was not feeling well, he said to me, “Mommy, I will sing you a song and then you will feel all better.” He then proceeded to sing me a song. Afterwards he gave me a hug and kiss and said, “See, now you feel all better.” And you know what? I DID feel better, maybe not physically, but certainly emotionally. It was just so kind and sweet of Aiden. And I love him for that.

Candice of Mom Most Traveled said:

Because we travel a lot, and live in a small space, I have always focused my gift giving on experiential things rather than material things.  My children are very young, but I love it when they come up with ideas of things for us to do together. Most recently I took my younger son for a hair cut and on the way home, he suggested we stop and eat a snack in the park. A beautiful, spur of the moment memory.

Lastly, I’d like to feature my very own hot mom, @Best_Mom_Ever!

This gift is from back in the day, when anything I made in school got put on the walls or displayed in the living room. (Well, let’s face it – if I still made stuff, it’d still go up.) But there was one particular gift I made for her in FIRST GRADE that held so much sentimental value – and trash! – that she still uses it next to her bed to this day. It’s a garbage pail made of stiff paper, spray painted around stencil tulips, and it looks like this. When it comes to gifts from your child, nothing goes to waste – not even wastebaskets. “I really love it so much.” she insists. Love you too, mom – and get ready for a gift this season that’s even more functional!

Images via NY Metro Parents and Tumblr

We have all seen the viral video of the bride texting down the aisle (well, at least now you have). Classy stuff! But it’s not all bad… really.

We are using social media and tech gadgets in all facets of our lives from guiding us on the road to planning our busy social calendars. Another way technology is helping make our lives a little bit easier: planning what might be the most important day of your life, your wedding day. We aren’t advocating having your phone in hand while walking down the aisle… but going online just makes the headache of wedding planning and coordinating a little more manageable (you can only work so many miracles!). Did you know 1 in 5 couples now use a mobile app to help plan for the big day? A lot more organized than having a Filofax stuffed with Post-its and vendor cards. Brides going viral even made our top 11 moments of 2011 list!

Let’s take a look at how social media is reinventing the wedding game as we enter 2012:

A whopping 65% of couples create a site to manage RSVPs, stream video and keep guests in the loop. That is just one of the staggering statistics about how modern brides are incorporating social media into their big day.

Including out of town guests

Probably one of the greatest things about technology is the ability to connect with loved ones who are long distance. Sometimes we have friends or relatives who are unable to attend the big day. Programs, such as Skype, are helping change that. Now you can Skype in bridesmaids to the ceremony or live stream the big day for those unable to attend. About 10,000 weddings have been broadcast live from the site — Ustreamtv.com — over the last 12 months.

Facebook Page

How many of us liked the Royal Wedding Facebook page? Guilty! You don’t have to be Kate and William to create a Facebook Page for your wedding day. In fact, it is a lot easier than setting up a website. Odds are most of your guests are already on Facebook and Americans spend nearly 11 hours a month on the site so why not be where your guests are? There are tons of widgets and apps to allow for fun interaction on the page as well. They include a wedding day countdown, a map widget that displays the event venue’s locations, an RSVP widget, and we could go on and on. It can be the hub where you update guests on the planning, such as a cake tasting or posting a teaser picture of the centerpieces. They also make those who are unable attend feel part of the big day.

Going paperless

Nearly 1 in 5 couples go paperless for invitations or save-the-dates. Remember this awesome 90s rap music video invite? Going digital allows guests to easily add it to their online calendars. (I’d be lost without my Google Calendar!) You can add QR codes, which allow your guests to scan by phone and automatically be directed to your wedding page. Or you can also conduct the entire ceremony via your iPad with the sermon or the reading of the vows.

Interactive seating charts

Creating an online seating chart allows guests the opportunity to get to know each other before the big day. You can manage RSVPs, meal choices and hopefully prevent awkward conversations. There are many free sites to browse, such as Wedding Mapper.

Let your guests be the photographer

Your wedding photographer can only cover so much ground during the ceremony and reception. Let your guests get involved and share their own pictures. uSnap.us is a mobile app that your guests can download to view a slideshow of the event. They can submit their own pictures, which are then aggregated into one presentation for all your guests to enjoy.

Social media allows for brides and grooms to add personal touches to their ceremony in a way never thought possible. Embrace the opportunities but also remember to keep the phone tucked away while you enjoy your special moment down the aisle. We don’t want to see you on YouTube! Unless you’re these guys.

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Happy first night of Hanukkah, my fellow latke-loving, dreidel-spinning, gelt-indulging friends! When the sun dips down this evening, we’ll kick off those eight infamously crazy nights; the beautiful, celebratory Festival of Lights.

Uh oh, what’s that you say? No lights for your festival? Did you forget your MENORAH!? If you’re anything like me: a nice Jewish girl who just happens to not have a menorah around her apartment, yet is drowning in scented candles, let’s join hands and do this together:

The Aromatherapy Menorah.

I hope my rabbi isn’t reading this right now. But with no disrespect to the Jewish traditions I loved growing up with, I have decided that this year I will put my large collection of sweet, musky, cinnamon, lavender, and other such delicious-smelling candles to good use, bend the rules of Hanukkah, and make my own little Festival of Lights.

I’ll designate one large candle as the Shamas to be lit every night, and night by night, I’ll say my Baruch-ata-adonai and add a small candle to the aromatherapy mix. My apartment is soon to smell like an unidentifiable jumble of Hanukkah goodness. A miracle indeed. Malin+Goetz, Diptyque, Bond St… welcome to The Tribe.
Join me on Polyvore to see all the featured candle brands, and where you can get this beautiful menorah!

Fruit and wine enthusiasts unite – today, December 20th, is National Sangria Day! We didn’t know it existed either, but what a holiday this will be.

However, with all of the eating and drinking going on over the past few weeks, you may be looking for a healthier, non-alcoholic way to celebrate today’s festive holiday. Pam Wenzel and our friends over at Spa Water sent us a recipe for Berry Zest Sangria Spa Water that includes some flavorful ingredients that will surely tantalize taste buds and make any holiday fiesta extra festive. After perusing the produce section of their local market, the Spa Water team decided that raspberries, blackberries, orange zest and fresh mint would be the star elements of this sassy drink. We all know that berries are always a great choice since they are so colorful and are loaded with antioxidants that keep our immune system in check (especially over the holidays). Orange zest provides a classic twist while fresh mint exerts a cool menthol sensation that is truly welcomed this time of year.

Whether you are planning a brunch, cocktail event or dinner party, this beverage will help make your get-together the Berry Zest! Ho, ho, ho!

Ingredients:

• 1 -2 containers of fresh blackberries
• 1-2 containers of fresh raspberries
• Zest of two oranges
• Fresh mint sprigs
• Spring water
• Ice (Optional)

Directions:

1. Layer blackberries, raspberries and orange zest in a glass pitcher
2. Fill pitcher with spring water
3. Serve water in colorful wine glasses and accent each beverage with a fresh mint sprig

See the other festive Spa Water recipes we’ve featured.