Meet Staci Flores, spa director at The Spa Plaza San Antonio, who has 17 years of experience in the spa and hospitality industry.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
When I graduated Louisiana State University, I wasn’t sure what to do with my fashion merchandising degree, so I took a position as a manager of a hair salon. I eventually went into retail management and decided I missed the beauty industry too much, and went back to school to get my esthetics license. I always loved seeing the before-and-after results of the esthetician that worked at that first hair salon! Eventually I decided to progress into spa leadership and had an amazing boss take a chance on me to be the assistant spa director of a Forbes-rated hotel spa.
What are the most challenging and rewarding parts of being in the spa industry?
The most challenging aspect is creating an efficient and profitable business while still maintaining the luxury of a completely relaxing spa environment! It’s hard to draw the line as I want to give our guests the world!
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment is starting from an esthetician and working my way up to spa director in progressively larger and more successful spas. It can be tough to get started in spa leadership, but I feel that making strategic moves throughout my career is something I can be proud of.
What has surprised you most about working in the spa industry?
How small the industry is, and how friendly most people are. I’ve made friends in every facet of the industry, from other directors, to suppliers, to vendors, to service providers in every corner of the country and internationally.
Where do you think the industry is heading?
I think it’s heading in two major directions. One being the incorporation of technology to create a more evolved wellness experience. Therabody is leading the way with products that consumers actually want to use like compression boots, LED face masks, etc. Down the other path, I see a trend toward holistic experimentation with mushrooms, herbs, THC, and gemstone-infused products. These two roads can be beautifully merged to blend the best of old-world ingredients honored by those who used them before us and new technology that can hone in on personalized experiences.
What’s your favorite skincare ingredient?
Currently, it is vitamin D! We seem to be vitamin D deficient as a society, and I love that skincare brands are making vitamin D a focus ingredient, as it is readily absorbed into the skin, so what a great way to get that into your system! Revision and Skin Authority have done a great job incorporating that into their lines.
What positions have you worked in that you feel have been most influential to your career?
Retail management was big, as it cultivated my love of merchandise and retail selection. Esthetician was another big one, as I have a passion for skincare and healing troubled skin. Being a service provider also made me cognizant of the challenges the people that I am leading will encounter. I think the combination of retail management and esthetics created a solid foundation for the daily operations of being a spa director.
Was there a time you had to make a decision in your career that ended up changing your destiny? How did you handle that challenge and what was your thought process?
I took a chance and moved from San Antonio to Nashville for a promotion. It was a difficult move, personally, but it did help me flourish as a professional and led me to be offered progressively better/bigger positions, so it ultimately paid off. I handled the move by checking in with my husband and family for support and guidance along the way, and being clear with those that I reported to with any questions I had.
If you could work in any other profession in the world, what would you be?
A marine biologist. I love the ocean, nature, and animals, so it’s a great combination of all of those.
How would you sum up your personal philosophy?
It might sound cliché, but “lead by example”. I won’t ask my staff to do anything I wouldn’t do, and I lead with kindness in all interactions whether it’s with staff, guests, or leaders. People will remember your efforts to be a good person and a part of the solution.
How do you like to spend your time away from work?
I like to go for walks with my husband and dogs or with my friends, read books, and take Lagree classes.
What are your three greatest priorities in life?
My family (my husband and my dogs are what keep me going every day), my friends (I have a really tight circle of friends that keep me laughing, and give me life!), my wellness (if you don’t prioritize your own wellness, nobody else is going to do it for you).
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
From my mom: “You get more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.” I try to lead and treat people with kindness and respect, and hope it leads to the same in return. If it doesn’t, then that’s not on me, but I didn’t compromise who I am.