SPA DIRECTOR
Shannon Mouser is co-owner and founder of Viva Day Spa. She entered the spa industry as a massage therapist in 1999. After winning Austin Monthly’s “Best Massage in Austin 2004”, she partnered with her two best friends, Laurie Aroch and Maya Aroch, to open Viva in 2005. Mouser transitioned to full-time management in late 2008. While Mouser and her partners split duties, she takes primary responsibility for spa operations, service design, training and management oversight. She also curates the retail space for all locations. Mouser is a lover of great design, fashion and art, which is reflected in Viva’s style and décor, as she serves as the spa design and esthetic ambassador.
Founded with the primary goal of providing the finest services for the mind, body and spirit, Viva Day Spa recently opened its newest location in Austin, Texas’ popular Northside Domain. Opening in June 2016, the Domain location became Viva’s third, and largest, locality in Austin boasting more than 7,000 square feet. Named the Best Spa in Austin by the Austin Chronicle and Austin Monthly Magazine, Viva Day Spa’s three locations offer a wide array of spa treatments for men and women and award-winning spa packages. Spa owners and founders Shannon Mouser, Laurie Aroch and Maya Aroch collectively direct all three locations with the help of a team of managers. “I saw a big need within the industry to provide a luxury location of experts who provide warm, friendly services that not only care for the clients, but the staff as well,” Mouser says. The warm, beautiful day spa delivers the utmost in relaxation and rejuvenation.
SIGNATURE TREATMENTS
With an extensive spa menu throughout three locations, Viva Day Spa’s WOW factor that earned them the recognition for Austin’s Best Spa Package three times is a six and a half hour relaxation journey, sweeping clients away into a worry-free zone — “The Viva Diva Spa Package” ($459, 6 hours). The experience begins in the spa’s infrared sauna where clients can relax in a peaceful, rejuvenating, anti-viral and anti-bacterial environment as staff members provide them with cold, peppermint towels.
A massage therapist then performs a 90-minute Swedish massage to work out any of the client’s aches and pains. Following the massage, the client receives a Back and Shoulder Sugar Scrub to exfoliate, a Hot Herbal Steam Towel Treatment to help melt the muscles and a Full Body Dry Brush Exfoliation Treatment to alleviate the appearance of cellulite. To help open the client’s sinuses and alleviate allergies, the massage therapist performs a Viva Magic Mint Scalp Treatment to relieve scalp, neck and head tension. Clients then choose from a number of scents for their Hydrating Body Wrap, after which they are able to select from a menu of local restaurants for lunch.
Following lunch, clients receive the spa’s Viva Custom Designer Facial, which includes dual cleansers, steam, exfoliation, masks, extractions, hydration, sun protection and a relaxing arm, neck and shoulder massage. To conclude the spa package, clients are escorted to the spa’s nail department where they may sip on hot tea or wine and eat chocolates while enjoying supreme hand and foot pampering treatments.
TRAINING
Viva Day Spa is dedicated to providing every client with the individual attention and service they expect and deserve; they select their employees based on this same philosophy. “We support and nurture our employees by offering a flexible work place, an open door policy, low drama and a beautiful environment to work in,” Mouser says. To maintain flawless customer service and staff performance, staff meetings are held every two to three months focusing on employee improvement, customer reviews, upcoming promotions, events and more. Larger staff meetings consist of upbeat celebrations honoring department achievements and additional training strategies. Overall staff performance is evaluated quarterly, and personal performance goals are reviewed at this time as well.
To incentivize the staff, Mouser offers bonuses and free products based on each individual’s retail and service goals. “Our staff really cares about the services we provide,” she explains. “We all have pride in a job well done and maintain a very conducive team mentality.” Staff members of the spa reinforce pride in one another and in what they have accomplished.
MARKETING
Viva Day Spa offers a beautiful atmosphere with a warm, friendly and qualified staff, highlighting why the spa believes their impeccable quality of services and word of mouth are the marketing strategies most effective for them. They receive a large amount of recognition from the press due to their coordination with the Young Chamber of Commerce. The spa has also been featured in the Austin Chronicle as “Best Spa” and “Best Places To Work”.
Other marketing strategies for Viva Day Spa consist of their online presence, including both their website and social media accounts. The spa utilizes their beautifully designed website alongside their Facebook, Instagram and Google accounts to not only attract new clients, but to showcase their success through photos and testimonials.
Partnering with local vendors and businesses in the Austin area is another way the spa has improved their marketing morale. Mouser stated, “We love doing trades with other businesses because it gives us the opportunity to try their services while they try ours in return. We are able to cross promote and get to know the other business owners in the community.” Viva Day Spa is the official spa for the Domain Northside’s prestigious Archer Hotel in Austin. They also partner with San Jose Hotel and several local restaurants.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND PROMOTIONS
To keep their services and offerings fresh and enticing for each season, Viva Day Spa plans special events and promotions at the end of each calendar year. The spa offers seasonal packages, in store promotions and special offers for existing clients as well as new ones. Some campaigns are based on the season, while others are based on what their vendors are currently offering. Sometimes, the spa simply wants to celebrate an event or occasion and hold promotions just for fun! Staff members frequently hold special events and promotions to celebrate anniversaries, new products and additions to their spa menu.
REVENUE AND RETAIL
At Viva Day Spa, recommendations are customized based on each guest’s personal goals. “We do not believe in hard sells and we train our staff this way,” says Mouser. “We carry great products that offer our guests the results they come in for and that speak to our staff and our spa guests.” Mouser constantly samples products and gift packages to assure that only the best products are available on their shelves. “I am very selective about what products I bring in and choose,” she says. “I focus on selecting products based on results, quality and health.” The spa’s team members believe that caring for their guests is an honor, which is why each of their retail products showcases excellence and well-being.
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