ReInvent, ReInvent, ReInvent

It was July 2005-still within our first months of opening Vasaio Life Spa. Not only was the public still trying to grasp this concept of the "Super Spa" (Grand Rapids Press-2004), but we were still trying to figure our trends and the ebs and flow of this kind of business we had created.
We quickly realized that July, in Grand Rapids, everyone and their relatives literally get out of Dodge and head for their lake-shore homes. I checked frequently those first few hot and sticky days in July, to see if our phone was still working. Perhaps the heat had melted our phone cords...Cricket, Cricket, Cricket. "Ok...we have to do something here! What can we do that will give these people a reason to come back to Grand Rapids, and get into Vasaio Life Spa?" The 3/$99 Spa Summer Menu was born.
At first it felt desparte, and yes, in part it was. It did a couple of different things though. It brought in volume we missed for sure, but it also allowed people to try services they probably never thought they would enjoy, or could not afford. It allowed those poor people who still had to remain all summer and actually work, in Grand Rapids, the opportunity to enjoy a little SpaCation of their own without breaking the bank. It was inpart... a miracle.
Since that hot and steamy day in July, we have offered our Summer Menu. We change the offerings a bit to keep it interesting, but when people start calling you from Detroit in January to find out when you will offer your 3/$99 Summer Menu, you know you have definely interested a great deal of the public.
Vic and I have always loved the ability to change. We call it Reinventing ourselves. Our core values will never change, but the way we exhibit those values, might. The ability to change gives us hope, and strength and a bit of a sense of control. Always staying the same and hoping for a different outcome, is, I believe is a sign of fear, or quite frankly insanity. It will stunt the growth of a busienss for sure, but more importantly an individual.
Now, let's make this a bit more practical and personal.... It's the end of the summer and no more 3/$99. My first thought is of course fear. Fear that people will stop coming in, fear that the next offer I do people won't like, fear that...fear that...Fear does not come from God. Fear is destructive. Fear is not how I chose to live my life. "But I am not a risk taker like you entrepenuers are!" You might say.
Well maybe you should not open up your own business, but maybe you can change your hair or perhaps your style a bit. For goodness sake at least change out your 2 year old mascara! Get on the treadmill and drop a few pounds if needs be. These are all ways that you, can reinvent yourself. It involves discipline and a bit of a risk, but a risk that just might find a bit of a rescue and at the very least a little sense of control and hope.
www.VasaioLifeSpa.com gets a new face lift this week. New colors, new offerings, new tools. I hope you enjoy it. Until the next time... Vickie