Spa and Online Business Planning for 2009

Well, I hit the road running literally this year and now i'm sick...figures I ran into a wall! Anyways, happy to say that most of my business planning is done for 2009.

Having a plan/roadmap/sales forecast, whatever you want to call it, will help you stay focused and will be a cause for celebration when you hit your targets.

So for Le Petit Spa, we hit our 2008 target and were actually 1% over target for the year. December was a nightmare due to the SNOW more so than other factors. Staff and customers could not get to the spa or did not want to venture out into a dangerous situation (and rightly so!). We asked our customers to rebook to avoid a penalty which seemed to be a win-win on both sides. Thankfully, we have an online store at www.lepetitspa.ca for purchasing online spa gift certificates as we rely on an overwhelming amount of sales at this time of year. I am happy to say that we were only 10% under target so not bad. I was not able to drive my car for 3 and a half weeks!

For Spa Boutique, we finished 8% over target. Meeting your targets helps you to make sure you are setting the "right" goal to make enough money to pay all of your expenses. I find the hardest part is to STAY ON TRACK. It's so easy to forget about the plan, get excited about something new, come up with "new and exciting" marketing ideas...you get the picture. As an entrepreneur, it's our weakness - we love creativity and feel stifled with numbers.

Business is all about the numbers. You need to know your numbers and understand your cash flow at all times. I review my numbers monthly with my manager and quarterly with my staff at the spa.

The online business, www.spaboutique.ca, is small and we can review the plan weekly which is really important so that everyone is aware of the goal and there focus is on how to generate sales and keep customers happy. I really believe in profit sharing. Brian Scudamore, from 1-800-GOT JUNK, recommended The Game of Business book which really helped me to explain to my employees how the business works and how important the numbers are. I heard Brian speak at a SOHO event and was able to visit his business a few years ago so I understand now why he is successful.

Some tips to help you:

• To set numbers for this year, review the past few years
• Do a SWOT analysis - what are your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats?
• Be realistic - it's going to be a challenging year; we set Le Petit Spa at 5% under 2008 sales and we feel very positive about this goal and for Spa Boutique, we set the goal much higher as we are opening a retail store in 2009
• If you are looking at expansion, then make sure you have done your research and you know there is a need out there
• At some point you have to make a decision on your numbers and bite the bullet
• Next step is to create a marketing plan - how are you going to promote your business? What marketing messages are going to be important for you? Social media is key to many businesses - FACEBOOK, TWITTER, BLOGGING, WEBSITE content
• Final step is to communicate to your staff and commit to the plan

It really is not that difficult but I think it's a bit scarey - did I set the right goals? Will we reach them? Make sure the goal feels right to you. If you have done your research and you are currently in business, then you are on the right track. If you are new to business, you will have to "take the plunge" at some point. Use experts, organizations like Women's Enterprise Centre that have business analysts, or take courses to increase your comfort level.

It does get easier each year. You need to put aside time to do the strategic work (which sometimes is the hardest part) and then "Just do it!" Enough of the excuses. Get on with it.

Here's to a GREAT year!

Nancy

Le Petit Spa - Mummy and Me Spa Package

Earlier this year, Le Petit Spa introduced “Mondays for Mums” a day set aside specifically for the busy mums of the Vancouver area. Mondays for Mums offers a “Mummy and Me” spa package for mother and baby to relax and unwind together in a quiet, baby friendly sanctuary.

The “Mummy and Me” spa package includes:

• 30 minute reflexology treatment for Mum

• Express Pedicure for Mum

o Filing and Shaping of the nail
o Cuticle worko Final Polish Application

• 10 minute reflexology session for baby

The “Mummy and Me” is 70 minutes of pure bliss for both Mum and Baby; the day is made complete with a take home goody bag full of Mustela products: Le Petit Spa’s Baby and Mummy skin care line.

Mustela is a skin care line imported from France and is used in about 50% of the maternity wards there.

Mustela products for baby include:

• Daily Hygiene
• Diaper Change
• Bath Time
• Cold Cream line (protection)

Mustela products for Mum include:

• Stretch Mark Creams
• Hydration, Bust Firming and Post Partum Creams to return body to pre-baby condition.

For more information on Le Petit Spa’s Mondays for Mums, click here.

For more information on Le Petit Spa’s “Mummy and Me” spa package, exclusive to Le Petit Spa, click here.

Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, weekly service promotions, in-spa gift –with-purchases or special events or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase Mustela products at our partner website www.spaboutique.ca

Le Petit Spa presents Mondays for Mums!

Le Petit Spa's Mondays for Moms!

A day at the spa designated specifically for moms and their little ones? It’s true!

Le Petit Spa introduces Monday’s for Mums, the only day in Vancouver specifically set aside for the Mums of Vancouver!

Monday’s for Mums at Le Petit Spa features:

For Mums:

• Le Petit Spa’s Classic Pedicure
o Includes: Luxurious soaking of the feet, nail and cuticle work, buffing of the feet, Signature Lavender Sea Salt Scrub, massage and final nail application.

For Babies:

• Private change room with all amenities for babies needs
• Soothing, private, baby friendly area
• Breast-feeding friendly surroundings

The day is made complete with a take home goody bag full of Mustela products; Le Petit Spa’s Mummy and Baby skin care line.

Mustela Products for babies include:

• Diaper change needs – i.e. Baby wipes, diaper cream
• Bath needs – i.e. Soap free cleansers, shampoo – all ph level for babies delicate skin


Mustela Products for Mums include:

• Post Partum Products – i.e. Restructuring creams – to return elasticity and form to body post pregnancy
• Stretch Mark Creams – to fade and diminish the appearance of stretch marks.

So come into Le Petit Spa with your baby (10 months and under) for a relaxing day at the spa set aside just for you!

To make an appointment at Le Petit Spa on Mondays for Mums, click here. Or sign up for our monthly e-newsletter to be the first to know about monthly service promotions, in-spa promotions, special events and weekly service promotions. Or email me with your beauty questions and look for your answer in a future blog!

Purchase Mustela products at our partner website http://www.spaboutique.ca/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MUS