Get to know more about Kerstin Florian, Swedish-born skin care icon whose highly regarded family-run company develops and manufactures a progressive range of European facial, body and bath products and treatments for the spa industry based on natural resources including thermal mineral water, mud, algae, herbal extracts and essential oils.
How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?
I started my business in 1978. I opened my day spa in Laguna Beach at the Surf and Sand Hotel.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
I have always been interested in true inner beauty and the journey to understanding it. I have always believed that everyone can be beautiful. It's about finding ones inner essence. Also, having my spa seaside was inspirational. It was interesting for me to watch the hotel guests want to hang out in my place, wanting more than facials and massage. I added breakfast, lunch and dinner while having treatments, walks on the beach in the morning, treatments reflecting authentic healing European spa traditions. During that time, I developed my product line and treatments. I also invited guest speakers to talk about diet, intuitive massage and lifestyle topics.
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
I would have to say that seeing unspoiled nature and breathing fresh air gives me a high that is hard to describe. It does not matter where it is located.
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
I feel blessed to have been a part of the spa movement. The opportunities I have had and the people I have met, I know I've chosen the right path. I can't imagine doing anything else.
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
I believe in energy, the four cornerstones of well-being which include proper nutrition, regular exercise, psychological well-being as well as care of the face and body. I believe in fulfilling the senses and most of all having fun. I trust my intuition.
What is your most treasured possession?
My family, my work family, and my friends.
What’s your go-to spa treatment?
I love all water treatments, hot and cold, doing a water circuit or what we call in Europe a Kur. I love natural muds and aromatherapy massage with it.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
I'm proud to be accepted and be a part of the global wellness community. Changing the understanding of what it means to live a healthy lifestyle. I am proud of trying to live a healthy productive life.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I am active and love to get things accomplished. I have to remind myself to relax and smell the roses, every day.
Care to share any details on family life; i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I have been married for 45 years to my husband Wayne. My only daughter Charlene is my business partner. I have two beautiful and precious granddaughters who are 5 and 6. I live half the year in California and the other half in Sweden. I love to play golf, cook, and go boating, and I swim and walk regularly.
Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.
I love folklore and culture. I love learning how to heal from the inside. I am fascinating by energy and how it works, and how I can use it for healing purpose.