Meet Leslie Lyon Founder & President of Spas2b Inc.full-service Spa Business Management Resource Centre.
How many years have you been involved in the spa industry?
Almost 30 years
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
I began as a Cosmetologist at Eaton’s, which led me to becoming an Esthetician and Electrologist. Marriage and a move took us to a small city in southwestern Ontario, where I became the Lead Project Consultant and Spa Director, in the conversion of a 4,000 square foot ice skating rink, into a 22 room spa. Working alongside Linda Reeves of House and Home Magazine, this beautiful spa was modelled after the popular hydrotherapy spas in Florida at the time. In 1986 Don and I moved back to Waterloo, where I started up Lyonshare Consulting; a firm specializing in Spa Start Ups and on-site Spa Director initiation training. Over the next number of years, business thrived with openings and training for everything from Relais & Chateaux spa properties, to boutique operations. In 2003, Lyonshare Consulting became Spas2b Inc., with an even more targeted focus on spa director/management training. Soon we began 4 & 5-day Spa Management classroom courses and gained a large global following very quickly. International demand continued to grow so strong, that in 2008 we launched two Online Spa Management Distance Learning Certificate Courses, which were the first of their kind in the world. In the 4 short years since then, we have become recognized in over 50 countries. We now also offer a full library of spa management instant downloads for those who don’t require a Certificate, but do need top quality spa management resources. The future is bright with many new initiatives underway that will certainly take us to new and exciting places!
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
Our cottage on Lake Huron.
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
I would be a full-time writer or interior decorator. I would also expand my current involvement to become an advocate for abused women survivors globally, right beside Angelina Jolie!
What is your go-to spa treatment?
Any treatment with a Vichy shower.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Personally; the birth of our son Cole. Professionally; it is incredibly rewarding to know that we have been able to open up spa management opportunities to so many people, in very far away places around the world, who never had access to this information before.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
There are many, but impatience may be at the root of them all.
Care to share any details on family life; i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I’ve been married almost 30 years and we are a family of three. Willow, our vizsla pointer, died at 15 years old, 5 years ago...and I still want her back. I am a happy, fulfilled wife, mother and business woman who wouldn’t have been able to accomplishment what I have today, if it weren’t for Don and Cole. I have 2 loving sisters, a dad in British Columbia, and a mom in heaven. My in-laws are like my parents, and my husband’s side of the family is made up of 18 lively, loyal members. I am blessed.
Two things about yourself we don’t know
1) I am an artist and collector 2) The wind scares me.
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
There is no substitute for hard work, and never sacrifice your personal integrity. Whether it’s my personal or professional life, I don’t think giving up has ever been an option for me.
What is your most treasured possession?
There are 2: A vision of my family’s future and memories of my family’s past.