August Newsletter
Greetings PSA Members,
As the summer winds down and a new season begins to take shape, we'd like to share some tips on a seasonal refresh of your spa operations. It doesn't have to be a major overhaul, but simply a clearing to create a visual and energetic shift.
Start with an intentional walkthrough of your space and ask:
What’s working?
What’s outdated or underused?
What small upgrades can we make this month?
Begin at the front of the house and engage your team. During the waves between check in and check out, encourage your team to clean and reorganize drawers, retail storage and cabinets. Recycle and discard what isn't being used. Check to ensure testers are full and bottles are clean. Each small shift can equal a big impact, and create a sense of staff ownership and pride.
Moving to the back of the house, all prep rooms get sticky, cluttered and can have many products that are dated or no longer used in treatment. A clean-out is great, but creating sustainable backbar habits is even better. Engage your lead if you have one, or a therapist who gets satisfaction from organizing. Make it fun for the team!
Here’s your August Backbar Checklist:
1. Remove expired or unused products
2. Wipe and sanitize storage containers
3. Reorganize by protocol or treatment flow
4. Take inventory and rotate stock
These simple rhythms reduce waste, engage your team, and set the tone for professionalism. By weaving some of these habits into your routine, you'll keep your spa feeling fresh and ready to welcome guests with a sense of care.
Sending our best wishes to each of you,
Karen and Kimberly
As you may know, one of our many PSA membership benefit's includes joining our quarterly speaker events. We’re thrilled to announce our Q3 speaker panel which will be held on Zoom, Thursday September 18th at 11am PST.
Join Alison Abbott, Director of Spa and Recreation at Silverado Resort and Spa, and Ania Mankowska, Director of Spa at Nob Hill Spa, who will be leading our discussion on Ideas and Methods to Revise Your Treatment Menu, Engage Your Team, and Select Vendor Partners.
We're excited! Alison and Ania bring a wealth of experience and incredible insights you won’t want to miss. This is going to be a powerhouse event for spa members and vendor partners to learn from each other! A Zoom link will be headed your way soon, but for now, mark your calendars!
Spa Community News
If you have Community News updates or announcements to share for our next edition, please send them to us by 9/1.
Osmosis has a series of three Local's Nights planned for this fall. The first one is on September 11th. Interested in an all day retreat? They have two scheduled in September - one that includes Qigong and one with Intuitive Movement. For further information see Osmosis Events.
Global Wellness Institute Optimal Breathing Webinar, 9/4 at 9am PST
Your breath is more powerful than you think. In this webinar hosted by Sandy Abrams and the GWI Breathe Initiative, two of the world’s top breath experts—Peter M. Litchfield, PhD, (Professional School of Behavioral Health Sciences) and Patrick McKeown (Oxygen Advantage)—will reveal how your breathing patterns influence your mental clarity, energy levels, and overall health.
You’ll walk away with science-backed, easy-to-apply techniques to help you breathe better and feel better—starting immediately.
Did you miss the recent webinar on Essential Wellness Practices for Thermal Wellness Business Success? With the sauna market and bathhouses on a clear rise, join experts including our very own PSA member Lynn Curry to gain insight. LISTEN HERE.
Nel Patel, Founder, KUSUM
Tell us about Kusum's beginnings and your background.
Kusum was founded in 2011 by Nel Patel, who holds a master’s degree in Nutrition. Nel is an enthusiast of cooking, yoga and meditation and began her culinary journey at just 10 years old, learning traditional recipes from her mother.
Kusum has a clear purpose: to offer pure, organic, head-to-toe care—because prevention is better than cure. Their approach addresses the body as one connected system, offering thoughtful solutions for skin, body, and hair care.
What inspires your formulation philosophy?
Our guiding philosophy is Clean, Conscious & Effective Care from Head to Toe. Genuine care begins at the scalp and extends to every inch of the body. Our formulations are a thoughtful blend of nature’s intelligence and modern science, delivering holistic wellness through skin, body, and hair care.
We use plant-powered ingredients— botanicals, herbs, and natural extracts known for their visible, time-tested benefits. Our clean formulations are free from parabens, sulfates, silicones, harsh chemicals, and synthetic fragrances, making them suitable for daily use on all skin and hair types.
Rooted in tradition, Nel has revived forgotten herbs, roots, and oils such as amla, turmeric, clove and neem, reimagining timeless natural elements for the modern world of self-care.
What can our spa members expect as they consider partnering with you?
We offer spa professionals more than high-quality, natural formulations—we deliver a complete support system. Our professional-grade products provide visible results, backed by training, certification, and expert protocols tailored for skin, body, and hair treatments.
Spa members can enjoy easy ordering, fast delivery, and exclusive spa-only lines, along with co-branded marketing materials. We feel that territory protection is important to help your spa stand out. Our pricing is competitive, with attractive margins, low minimums, and special offers for first-time partners.
Nel shares that Kusum supports long-term wellness through clean, effective, and holistic care—nurturing not just beauty, but balance.
