Our previous installments focused on factors requisite to the planning, design and launch of a spa. These included an understanding of your market and customer base, local and regional competition, creation of a viable space program and a thorough financial analysis. The development of a critical path and timeline are also vital to the successful opening of any spa and should be incorporated into the pre-opening process. As mentioned, it is always best to develop a plan which can then serve as a "roadmap" to opening for the best chance to achieve both operational and financial success; this can be accomplished, in part, through the development of a feasibility or needs analysis study. Thus, if a game plan for success isn't put into place well prior to the grand opening date, it is likely that you will experience numerous pitfalls that could have otherwise been avoided once the spa opens for business.

Aside the careful planning for launch in the pre-opening phase, there are any number of factors to be considered in setting a critical path for a successful spa operation. These include, among others, the following: know your guest and non-guest population; staff selection and training; creation of standard operating ...