Q & A with Joyce Hampers Founder - President EMERGE Spa & Salon, G2O Spa & Salon

Meet Joyce is Founder and CEO of G2O Spa & Salon and EMERGE Spa & Salon. Located directly across the street from one another, G2O was just named Best Day Spa in Boston by Boston Magazine while EMERGE was just named Best Day Spa in Boston by The Improper Bostonian magazine.

 
How many years have you been involved in the spa industry?
18 years
 
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?

I came into this business following a successful career as a lawyer (one of only 5 women in my class of 160 at Boston College Law School, by the way) and after several government positions both local and national including serving as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

I began my journey in the spa and salon industry in 1993, lead by a desire to create "one-stop shopping" for all one's beauty needs. At the time, no one in the Boston area was offering anything like this. Outside of resort and destination spas, there were actually very few "day-type" establishments anywhere in the country. I felt certain that there were plenty of people, who, like me, would heartily embrace the time-saving convenience of having it all in one place. At the time, I was not at all aware I was defining a day spa.

In 1994 we opened our first location on Newbury Street -- Giuliano Spa for Beauty & Wellness, which later became G2O Spa & Salon. Few consumers even knew what a day spa was much less ever visited one. Indeed, we spent the first couple of years explaining the term day spa to most of our callers.

The fresh concept was so enthusiastically embraced that we expanded Giuliano in 1997 and again in 2001 to offer an even broader range of treatments. Through it all, we remained vigilant in pursuing new ideas and trend-setting technology. Such that, in 2005, I once again revitalized and refocused the entire facility to create G2O Spa & Salon.

In 2006, we introduced luxury and elegance to the Boston spa experience by creating a second facility -- EMERGE Spa & Salon, a classic, refined retreat offering an upscale setting for its discerning clientele. Devoting five full floors of space to a comprehensive program of signature spa and salon services in the European tradition, Emerge is "Boston's Ultimate Urban Oasis."

Meanwhile, G2O was so successful that we were outgrowing our original space. In 2008 I had an opportunity to purchase two historic brownstones on Newbury Street. Its seemed fortuitous that the space was located directly across the street from EMERGE. Over two year's time, we joined the brownstones to form one 14,000 square foot structure that was completely transformed to create a totally "green" building.

Today, the all-new G2O offers a refreshing, whole body and mind experience designed to complement the contemporary urban lifestyle. With shimmering glass tiles, white lacquered finishes and sparkling chrome accents, the tone throughout the building's five floors is fresh and modern. G2O provides "The Formula for the Essentials of Life."

 
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
My favorite place in the whole world is a state of being. It is wherever and whenever I am surrounded by a very special group of people consisting of my extended family and dearest friends.
 
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
I cannot imagine being happier doing anything other than owning and operating the two most outstanding day spas and salons in all of New England. I am providing employment for nearly 100 gifted professionals and helping thousands of guests to lead a happier, healthier lifestyle.
 
What is your go-to spa treatment?
I have two favorites: The Soft Pack Treatment followed by a Deep Tissue Massage; and a Deep Hydration Facial with Microdermabrasion.
 
 What is your proudest accomplishment?
Raising four outstanding men -- my husband of 46 years and my three sons.
 
 If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would strive to be more patient while savoring every moment of life as it is.
 
Care to share any details on family life; i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
My husband is a Physician and we've been married for 46 years; we have three sons - all physicians and MBAs -- and five grandchildren; our cherished pets include our newest and youngest dog, Spartacus, and two German Shepherds -- Goldie and Tarzan.
 
Two things about yourself we don’t know
First -- It has taken me nearly a lifetime to learn that my happiness is almost totally dependent upon whether or not those whom I hold most near and dear are happy themselves -- that sentiment includes my animals!
And second -- I am a die-hard baseball - football - basketball fan. I would (and often do) go anywhere, anytime to cheer on my favorite teams, The Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Celtics.
 
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
I appreciate the opportunity to make today an even better day than yesterday.
 
What is your most treasured possession?
I treasure my gold charm bracelet which includes a charm for each of my five grandchildren. It reminds me that my husband and I have been blessed to help mold two generations of kind, caring and truly wonderful human beings.