Spa Talk with Adam Ross

Meet Adam Ross, cofounder and CEO of Heyday.

 

How many years have you been involved with the spa industry?

This journey began in 2014, although as I don’t term us a spa.

 

What was the path that led you into the spa industry?

In my prior life in investment banking, I was doing a lot of work for beauty companies who focused on pushing products rather than helping consumers do what’s right for their skin. And personally, looking after my skin was increasingly confusing, expensive, and time consuming. In speaking with my friends, everyone was equally frustrated, so I became convinced there had to be a better way. Access to professional skincare service and knowing how to look after your skin with the right products should be available to everyone, especially given the cumulative benefits of great skincare. Consumers want and need a much better option that what currently exists, so we’re setting out to change that.

 

What has surprised you most about working in the spa industry?

The extent to which our therapists genuinely care about the work that they do. This isn’t just a job for them, it’s part of their DNA.

 

What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of working in the spa industry?

Skincare is complicated, which creates both challenges and opportunities. I think for us it’s the constant training so we know our talented team of skin therapists can knock each treatment out of the park–we’re only as good as our last treatment. The ability to see huge improvements in people’s skin so quickly and the impact that this has on their overall confidence is incredibly gratifying and rewarding.

 

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Opening Heyday in June 2015.

 

What qualities do you look for in your spa staff?

It’s a combination of very strong technical skills and exceptional client interaction. The ability to talk to the client and to educate them is central to our philosophy given the importance of the right at home routine to complement the client’s treatment.

 

Where do you think the industry is heading?

This is an industry that’s been slower to adapt to evolving consumer needs compared to some other industries and we want to change that. People will engage more regularly with skincare (particularly a younger demographic) when you address their current friction points of time, cost, and convenience.

 

What is the strangest client request you’ve fielded?

Nothing too crazy yet, although I’m sure we’ll get something.

 

What new spa treatment would you like to try?

I’m happy with our current menu, which is time-based (30, 50, and 75 minutes) and doesn’t contain a list of confusing options, none of which the clients can’t understand. As new things come to market, it’s our job to test them to see if we do decide to incorporate anything new into the menu.

 

What’s your go-to spa treatment?

For me, it’s our classic 50 minute treatment. With the humidity in New York right now my skin needs some extra love.

 

What’s your favorite skincare ingredient?

For me right now it’s aloe, given its versatility and overall soothing qualities.

 

Tell us two things about you that we don’t know?

I was an exchange student in Japan and second, before moving to New York 16 years ago, I was raised on a small winery in a prominent wine region in Australia (I’m Australian).

 

What positions have you worked in that you feel have been most influential to your career?

I had 13 years in investment banking, which was incredibly valuable from a strategic perspective, and I cofounded another business before Heyday called Soludos, which was incredibly helpful in terms of navigating life in a rapidly growing startup environment.

 

If you could work in any other profession in the world, what would it be?

National Geographic Explorer in Residence.

 

How would you sum up your personal philosophy?

Action. I feel this is the most habit for those that excel, and help bring out the best in me (and vice-versa).

 

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

Doing less is not laziness, it means do less meaningless work and cut out counterproductive distractions.