Lori Hutchinson, co-founder of Hutchinson Consultants, is a globally recognized management recruiter for the spa and hospitality industries.
How many years have you been involved in the spa/hospitality industry?
Yikes! Thirty-three years.
What was the path that led you into the spa industry?
For 16 years I worked in hospitality HR positions, including eight years a the Director of HR at Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, which was one of the few resorts with a spa in 1986. For 17 years my husband, Bill and I have owned Hutchinson Consulting. About 10 years ago I thought moving into spa management recruiting was a good next step for us and set about getting acquainted with spa people by joining and getting involved in ISPA (highly recommend), and one step after another led us to providing many resorts & hotels with spa management recruiting services. There isn't a spa person that I haven't enjoyed meeting, and I love the unique, approachable, friendly, and nice people in our small spa community. Each person has something to contribute and everyone loves being in our business. We are lucky!
What is your favorite place in the whole world?
Top favorites are Sonoma & San Francisco, CA; Skiathos, Greece (where we lived for 8 months with our 2-year old daughter), and anyplace in Vermont. If I had to say one place it would be our home for 23 years - Sonoma.
If you could have any profession in the world, other than what you do now, what would you be?
A maker of large mirrors which are framed by objects from nature: seashells, driftwood, seed pods, feathers. Or, being the Executive Director of a non-profit delivering services which the worlds' children need.
What is your motto or concept that you live by?
Your most important assets . . . are people.
What is your most treasured possession?
Our home and offices which we have remodeled three times in 23 years!
What’s your go-to spa treatment?
A hot stone massage provided in a nature-filled space, preferably outside.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Raising our daughter, Kate (30) and our son, Tucker (25) to be great people!
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Communicating better.
Care to share any details on family life, i.e. spouse, partner, children, pets?
For 17 years - mostly amicably - my husband and I have co-operated our business, besides raising two kids, enjoying many pets, and vacationing in some exotic places together in our 35 years of marriage. Besides being with family/friends we love cooking, being outside, giving back to our community, and enjoying a glass or two of Sonoma fine wine.
Tell us two things about yourself we don’t know.
I was on a synchronized swimming team in high school in Des Moines, Iowa where I grew up and LOVE giving surprise parties for family members and friends. Any ideas about surprise parties are welcome!