Every industry has its ebbs and flows, including the massage and bodywork industry. How do we navigate this and come out ahead? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Darren and Angie speak with Teddy Lester, CEO of The Spa Mart, to discuss some struggles MTs face and steps to overcome those obstacles, differences in the customer experience between a spa and private practice, and advice for graduating students aspiring to run their own practice.

Teddy Lester has over 16 years of professional spa industry experience. He began his spa career as an account director before being promoted to vice president of sales at the largest spa distribution company in the US, serving day spas, medical spas, luxury day spas, corporate and franchise spas, resorts and hotel spas, and destination spas.

Following his successful time at Universal companies, Lester became the Chief Brand Officer of Woodhouse Spas, overseeing menu development, marketing and branding strategies, vendor relationships, brand expansion and new spa buildouts, and revenue growth.

In 2016, Lester founded the Spa Mart, a curated spa distribution company located in Georgetown, Texas. The Spa Mart is a supply and equipment house offering over 5,000 products. For more information, visit thespamart.com.

Resources:

With TheSpaMart.com, ABMP members receive an exclusive discount up to 15% off on some of your favorite brands, plus you’ll automatically start earning points toward a 3% cash-back reward, which you can use toward future purchases. ABMP members also enjoy a $3.99 flat rate shipping (some exceptions may apply). Members, log into your ABMP account to learn how to activate and start saving today!

Hosts:

Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com.

Angie Parris-Raney is a licensed massage therapist and is the advertising director for ABMP. Angie is Chopra Center Certified in meditation and ayurvedic lifestyle. Her training explores physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

Sponsors:

Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com 

Touch America: www.touchamerica.com

Zibby Media: www.zibbymedia.com

Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.    

Website: anatomytrains.com    

Email: info@anatomytrains.com          

Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA  

Zibby Media is a women-led company dedicated to deepening the connections between readers, authors, and each other. We do so by offering many ways to connect—even for those who don’t have time to read. Founded by Zibby Owens, author, podcaster, publisher, bookstore owner, CEO, and mother of four, Zibby Media includes a publishing house, a magazine, podcasts, retreats, classes, a book club, salon events, and an independent bookstore with frequent author events. If you have ever loved a book, you’re in the right place.

Learn more at zibbymedia.com

Listen to the podcast @momsdonthavetimetoreadbooks

Read the magazine @zibbymag

TouchAmerica is a leading manufacturer of professional grade wellness furniture, bodywork tables, halotherapy suites, hydrotherapy equipment, sound bathing loungers, and other related products. At TouchAmerica, we believe in a future where good health and vitality are common in all aspects of living. Promoting the positive power of conscious touch is at the core of our vision. We hope our products help add a touch of functional elegance to your massage & spa work environment. ABMP members receive 20% off all standard products. Discounts do not apply to salt or special-order SKUs.

Visit https://www.touchamerica.com/ or Call 800 67 TOUCH and use code touchABMP*.

Reach out today and feel the TouchAmerica difference!

Ep 380 – A Limitless Industry with Teddy Lester

The ABMP Podcast | Speaking With the Massage & Bodywork Profession