Q & A with Spa Industry Veteran Dori Soukup

Dori SoukupDori Soukup, President of InSPAration Management and SpaTrade blogger, shares what turns her on professionally and personally.

How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?

Twelve years

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

After many years in the hospitality industry and the corporate world I got the “entrepreneurial bug” and decided to open my own consulting firm specializing in training and business development.  At first I was helping a wide range of industries focusing on leadership training.   I have always enjoyed going to spas and I use to frequent the Palace in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  I would get my facial and massage and most of the time would leave the spa empty handed.  I always felt sheeted because the therapists will not educate me on how to take care of myself or what products I should use etc.  The Palace used Pevonia products, so one day I called up Pevonia and told them about my experience and suggested I develop a program to help the therapists make the recommending process easier for them.  That lead me to develop the very first spa seminar known as Don’t Sell, “Recommend”! I have conducted this seminar all over the world and to this date it’s our number one seller.  And this is what started all… I felt that I could add value to the industry and began shifting my focus to specialize in spa.

What is your favorite place in the world?

This is difficult to answer I have had the pleasure to visit 26 countries and each country has its own beauty.  I don’t think I can pick just one;  I love Greece, Europe, Australia, Russia…

If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?

My ultimate goal is to do non-profit work.  I would like to contribute my time to teaching the homeless on how to get back on their feet, get a job, keep a job, take care of themselves and get back into society. I hope to be doing that in about 7 years.

What is your motto or concept that you live by?

Do good by others and good will come to you.

What is your most treasured possession?

My Son Charlie who is about to turn 14.  He is my life, I love him more than anything else.  I am so proud of him.  He is a straight a student, plays the Piano and the Tuba.  He is in Band and in Jazz band.  He is a second degree black belt in taekwondo .  He is about to be an Eagle Scout and he is very tall and handsome!! Am I a proud MOM? Yes for sure!!

What’s your go-to spa treatment?

Facial and a great massage.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

There are many but the proudest is having a son.  From a business stand point making a difference in other people’s businesses and helping them become more successful.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Not be such a workaholic.
Care to share any details on family life, i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I did about my son Charlie, we have a cat who we adopted from the shelter her name is Frostie.  Charlie named her, guess what? yes she is all white.
Family life is very important from the day Charlie was born we decided that one person should stay home with him and Craig was kind to that. I think this was the best thing we did and I am sure that is why Charlie is such a great young man.

Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.

I like to have a cigar every now and then.
I am a big basketball (Magic) fan.