Pulse November / December 2019 | Page 60

Jordyn taylor Our ISPA community is full of diverse talents and inspiring stories, all working towards the same goal: a healthier world. sPa director • ananYa sPa seattle “I have been In the beauty and Wellness Industry now for eight years and can say without a doubt that it has changed my life. i was so inspired by the treatments i received at the spa i went to that i applied for a job! i felt drawn to the industry. over the years it has filled me with joy to see both women and men leave feeling confident or healed from their treatments. i feel society is learning to accept that it is okay to pamper yourself and to focus on self-healing, and this industry is here to grow with that. “i really like to work and stay busy; i can’t imagine a stagnant life. i finished my bachelor’s degree while working full time at a texas spa. once i was settled in at a Seattle spa, i decided to enhance my career by going to esthetics school and in that time, i also was planning my wedding. my husband always jokes about what education i will pick up next. i just can’t help but be inspired by the powerful role models i have had in my life—i have worked now for two women who started their companies by themselves and have each made their companies successful. this inspires, drives and makes me feel like i can just keep going! “it’s hard to pick just one favorite iSPa member benefit—very difficult! i really take to heart the adjectives that are chosen each year as conference themes and try and tie that into my experience. there’s no denying the copious amounts of product you get is a major perk, but my favorite benefit is the education i get from attending conference. the General Sessions are guaranteed to leave you with a burst of energy, and can you ever learn enough from the education Sessions? i don’t think so!” n Chris Birchby Founder/CEO • COOlA on target market evolution: “i was living in Venice beach and wanted an organic sunscreen for the surfing market, but the organic formulas that i had created were so costly that i priced myself out of the surf market. So a consultant i was working with suggested spas and resorts, and it turned out to be one the best pieces of advice i’ve ever had.” Todd Walter CEO Mynd Spa & Salon a Career that evolved Into sPa: “i didn’t intend to join the spa industry. i majored in english in college, but my father was a commercial banker so i followed him into the industry... [i eventually] fell in love with the spa industry and the people, and i didn’t want to leave.” Want to share Your storY? Visit peopleofispa.com and click “share your story.” We can’t wait to hear from you! 58 PULSE ■ novEmbEr/dEcEmbEr 2019