Learn what SpaTrade's founder Nancy Griffin is up to these days!
How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?
17 years.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
From 1993 to 1995, I attended graduate school at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Being from Northern California, I understood the healing benefits of a spa lifestyle (we were hiking and doing meditation and yoga in high school) I was Mary Tabacchi's teaching assistant and worked on ISPA's first classification of the spa industry. There were 50 spas at the time--mostly bootcamps, fat farms and "amenity spas" at very few resorts.
What is your favorite place in the world?
My favorite place in the world is at home in Petaluma with my husband and dogs in our new house --my goal is to travel as little as possible this year!
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
Horse trainer or school teacher
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
Integrity of word, thought and deed
What is your most treasured possession?
Letters that my Grandparents wrote each other during World War II--they provide insights into my family history and really capture the pulse of the nation during that period.
What’s your go-to spa treatment?
At home, my monthly pedicure. At a destination, my go-to treatment would be a 90 minute massage--I usually choose something "exotic" like Thai, Shiatsu or Trager because the therapist is usually expert at their craft.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
On a personal level, being a good wife and stepmom. Professionally, creating resources like SpaTrade and SpaExec that have benefited the spa industry. As the late Alex Szekely used to say, "teaching the teachers has the effect that grows."
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would like to cure my secret addiction to bad reality shows. (guess it's not secret anymore!)
Care to share any details on family life, i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
I have been married to my wonderful husband Kent for seven years. I have two beautiful step daughters Alexandra 23 and Marisa 21, two border collies, two rescue cats and a horse. My parents live near us in Petaluma at Griffin's Lair Vineyards and grow incredible pinot noir and syrah grapes.
Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.
I have been riding horses since I was seven years old
My newest venture, Contento Marketing Group combines my passion for writing and marketing to provide integrated communications services to wellness and spa clients. My dream job!