Anji is a licensed esthetician, massage therapist, and a manicurist/pedicurist who has worked as an instructor for 4 beauty college and helped develop an acrylic nail product. She has also been a nationwide educator and trainer for the F.I.R.E. nail company. In addition, Anji has worked as a reconnective healer for the past 7 years, bringing healing arts to women and men as she helps empower their spirits, minds, and bodies through massage and esthetics.

Anne wrote the curriculum for the Spa Track Program for Somerset School of Massage Therapy in New Jersey and the Spa Essentials Program for Oregon School of Massage in Oregon. She remains active in massage continuing education and teaches weekend seminars on stone massage, aromatherapy, spa therapies, reflexology and ayurveda inspired bodywork. Anne also supports massage schools in the development of spa programs and instructor training. Her textbook Spa Bodywork: A Guide for Massage Therapists was published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins in 2007.

Currently Anne is the Education Program Director for Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP). Her goal is to develop a set of support materials for schools, instructors, students and professionals that promote quality education for the bodywork community.

Beth Hickey is also the Marketing Director of E.O.H. Beauty Brands. Her responsibilities include project development, product formulation, and customer relations. She currently serves as an Advisory Board Member of the National Cosmetology Association and is a member of the Diabetes Advisory Council for the Ft. Worth Medical Center, She was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from The City of Hope. Beth is a member of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists and Beauty and Barber Supply Institute. She is an energetic educator and popular speaker.

Ms. Brock’s technical background in chemistry stems from her pre-nursing studies at The University of Texas at Austin and her employment while in school at the UT Chemistry Department NMR and IR Labs. Her love of storytelling and writing led to a change of majors and a move to New York City where she studied and enjoyed a 10-year career as a working actress and produced playwright.

Following four years on the ABC Daytime Drama, One Life to Live, and two Daytime Award nominations for Best Actress, Ms. Brock longed to return to her rural roots. She moved to Rhode Island, restored an old Victorian farmhouse and began growing herbs and making her skincare preparations, which has been a life long passion.

Ms. Brock first made her herbal products available to customers, other than friends and family, in the summer of 1999 at her friend’s organic farmstand in rural RI. She created her seasonal line using pristine organic harvests from the oceanside farms. To meet growing year-round demand for her products, she took her “recipes” to dermatological laboratories and successfully re-formulated her 100% natural products for large batch production, while achieving a certified two-year shelf life.

A noted trailblazer in the industry of “Green” cosmetic manufacturing, Ms. Brock is a sought after-speaker. She addressed the 2nd Annual Cosmeceutical Conference in New York City, where she spoke on behalf of the fast-growing “Green” luxury skincare category, and its relevance to today’s consumer. She is also known for her considerable contributions as a consultant and collaborator with high-end destination spas as they move toward sustainable status. Clients include Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, CT and the historic luxury resort Spa at The Stone House in Little Compton, RI, a LEEDS property opening summer 2008.

Ms. Brock is honored to have been one of five founders considered by Good Housekeeping Magazine for their 2005 “Female Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. In 2006 she was chosen as Luxury SpaFinder’s “The Purists”, and featured as one of the five female entrepreneurs revolutionizing today’s natural skincare industry.

Ms. Brock recently addressed the international cosmetics community at Luxpacke Conference in Monaco, where she spoke on what it means to be a green “sustainable” brand in the premium skincare category, and the profound affect that doing it right is having on luxury cosmetics & industry as a whole.

A native Texan, Ms. Brock currently lives and works in Rhode Island.

Bruce's first undertaking in the massage education field is a technique called Deep Tissue Healing "The Art of Stone Massage". Bruce's stone workshops are approved by both, NCBTMB, Florida State and C.M.T of British Columbia. This unique program and bodywork philosophy is changing the way therapists and the industry looks at massage with hot and cold stones. In addition Bruce has launched a class called AIS: The Spa Method approved by Aaron Mattes founder of Active Isolated Stretching.

For the past 20 years Catherine Atzen has lectured to spa and medical professionals in 15 countries on the anti–aging and healing benefits of lymphatic drainage massage and pharmaceutical skincare treatments. Her research in France with biologists, plastic surgeons, and doctors of esthetic medicine led to the formulation and manufacture of the ATZEN professional product line. In 1982 she introduced Integral DNA^® into her skincare products for the face and body, and in 1990 Ms. Atzen was the first to formalize Lymphobiology^®.

Catherine Atzen is a founding member of the International Medical Spa Association. She is an entrepreneur, a spa and skincare expert, and an accomplished researcher, author, and educator. A CIDESCO diplomate, she has won 18 industry awards and is credited with opening the very first day spa in the United States in 1985.  Recently Catherine received an MBA from UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.  

Dr. Gervaise Gerstner is a board certified dermatologist practicing cosmetic and medical dermatology at Park Avenue Skin Care. She has done research on a wide range of topics from chemical peels to melanoma and her work published in dermatologic journals as well as medical websites. Dr. Gerstner graduated cum laude from Princeton University and received her MD from Mount Sinai Medical School in New York City.

Dr. Gerstner serves as Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Mount Sinai and also an associate member of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Academy of Dermatologic Surgeons.

She has been featured and quoted in numerous publications, including: Allure, Gotham, Lucky, Real Simple, Harper’s Bazaar and W Magazine and is a featured expert in the NY Times best seller How Not To look Old by Charla Krupp.

Jade Shutes holds a Diploma in Holistic Aromatherapy, Holistic Massage, Anatomy and Physiology, and Reflexology from the Raworth College of Natural Medicine in Dorking, U.K., and a Diploma in Aromatherapy from the International Therapist Examining board (ITEC). She has studied with Jan Kusmirek of Fragrant Studies and has completed Part One of the Purdue University Advanced Studies of Essential Oils.

Jade has been practicing and studying forms of natural healing for nearly two decades and was one of the vanguard of professionals who helped introduce aromatherapy in the United States. She has been an aromatherapy educator for over seventeen years, opening her first aromatherapy school in the New England area in 1990. She has designed and taught aromatherapy courses for massage and bodywork therapists, estheticians, social workers, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Jade has taught at Bastyr University, Duke University (Continuing Education), Ashmead College, San Diego Hospice, and at various locations throughout the United States and Canada.

In addition to being a popular speaker, Jade has played an active role in the setting of standards for aromatherapy education in North America and has authored published articles on this and other aromatherapy issues. She is recognized for her leadership roles in the campaign to raise educational standards in the United States and co-initiated the creation of the National Steering Committee on Educational Standards (Synergia 1997), now the Aromatherapy Registration Council. She served as president of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) from 2000 to 2003. She currently resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with her family.

A licensed Aesthetician, she comes to SpaRitual with over 7 years in the professional beauty industry. Kristi has worked as an educator in the San Francisco Bay area, Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. She has developed educational tools targeted for the professional beauty retail industry and has worked closely with skincare industry leaders such as Dermalogica, Murad and DDF coordinating educational events.

Kristi lives the SpaRitual lifestyle in Los Angeles with her husband and young son; balancing the use of organic, natural, and holistic practices in her everyday life.

Lisa Marie Arnold is a graduate of Penn State University whose career path has led to her current position as a Salon Marketing and Management Consultant. Lisa works with salons and day spas across the U.S. to implement programs and systems that produce solid business results. Client profiles indicate that sales have increased as much as 40-50 percent in as a result of her guidance. Lisa   says, "The motivation and enthusiasm of the owner who wants to change their profitability and become systemized is what makes me love my job and enables me to fulfill dreams!"

She is knowledgeable in various skin care techniques and devices. She has provided training seminars to many clients located in different areas of the country. She enjoys working with clients to assist them in becoming more knowledgeable in selecting the appropriate products, treatments, and devices.

She continuously stays up to date with the cutting edge treatments and spa services within our industry which enables her to provide her clients with the latest developments in skin care.

In addition to many skin care certificates, she holds a degree in Radiology and has worked in the medical field for seven years, but her true passion is in the field of skin care.

Maryellen Ferring and UpSell Training have built a worldwide fan club, using a distinctive high-energy, fun teaching style, to show thousands of sales people how to increase revenue for their companies

Maryellen consistently scores top marks on post-session evaluations by offering solid content peppered with a repertoire of personal stories, group exercises, music, giveaways and a big, gray box of props and toys.

“I’ve found people remember more when they’re engaged and entertained,” she says. It’s a scheme that’s played to applause throughout the U.S. and has translated very well internationally — including such places as Russia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Maryellen brings to UpSell Training more than 25 years in the hospitality industry, including 18 years as a general manager at Four Star/Four Diamond properties, such as Bel Age in Los Angeles and The Dunhill in Charlotte. She also managed properties in Aspen, Colorado; Maui, Hawaii; San Luis Obispo, California; and Traverse City, Michigan.

Before forming UpSell Training, Maryellen was one of the original trainers for Signature Worldwide and served the company for more than 10 years. Her business cards carried a number of titles, including vice president and international trainer.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management and is both a Certified Hospitality Administrator and Certified Hospitality Educator.

Pam Williams is Founder and President of Spa Business Associates, operating the association with the help of her husband, Harry. With over 30 years in the salon, spa, and medical spa market, this team puts enthusiasm and experience to work for their clients. Pam is a licensed cosmetologist and esthetician, with sales, educational, marketing, and management experience. Harry is a practicing attorney and real estate developer who specializes in business plans.

As skilled industry leaders, Pam and Harry are committed to helping first-time spa owners and operators, as well as existing businesses, with the complexities of concept and development, feasibility and business plans, equipment recommendation and selection, menus, education, management, operations, and various other services.

Patti Biro has over twenty years experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of professional education, staff development and innovative client education in the spa, medical spa and health care industries. With a diverse professional background in corporate education programs, wellness, bridal and publishing for both the consumer and the professional, Patti is able to translate training from the consumer’s desire to the owner’s bottom line.

For over ten years, Patti was the co-founder and editor of the largest wedding and quinceanera magazine in South Texas, with a signature annual bridal/quinceannera show created for the Omni Hotels-Corpus Christi. In the wellness, dental, and staff development arenas, Patti has won several awards for innovative client education and training programs. She is the founder of “Elder-ssage™: a massage therapy program targeting the growing older adult market from the 50+ aging baby boomer to adults residing in long term care.

Credentials: B.S. Communications/Education, MEd. Education, Approved Provider of Continuing Professional Education: National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Body Work, Registered Nursing, Social Work, Counseling, Dental, Athletic Training

Penny is the owner of CURE FOR THE COMMON SPA™ Consulting. She provides consulting and education through webinars, on-site trainings and courses in her home town providing tried and new remedies for the common complaints and disorders found in the common spa. Above all, Penny’s lasting impression, wherever she goes, is that she elevates every member of the team to personal and professional excellence.

Shel, who grew up in a household where eco-consciousness was a way of life also studied art, fashion and photography and dreamed of a way to marry the elements of art and environmental awareness together.  Shel studied History of Art and Photography at the University of Michigan and was the Creative Director and Co-Founder of the fashion house LOBA.  She designed ready-to-wear pieces that were sold in national boutiques and department stores, including Henri Bendel and Fred Segal.  She also worked on special marketing projects at Motown Records.  After marrying in 2001, Shel decided to merge her love of beauty and fashion by joining her husband's family business - ORLY International.

Shel immersed herself in her family's company and spent time learning about its history and exploring new business possibilities.  "As I was researching the professional beauty care market, I realized that there was an opportunity to create an environmentally friendly and luxurious professional spa lifestyle brand.  Because my passion for what I call "eco-luxury", and because I literally had three decades of beauty product development experience at my fingertips, I started SpaRitual."

Launching in early 2005, the Spa lifestyle brand targets today's holistic beauty devotees with beautiful, fashionable and eco-friendly hand, body, foot and nail care products. SpaRitual - one letter away from "spiritual" - combines luxury with a spirit-conscious philosophy.  What ultimately solidified Shel’s mission was motherhood.  “Becoming a mother awakened me in many ways.  Seeing the world through the eyes of my children filled me with the desire to take an active role in improving our environmental situation.”

Shel’s concept for SpaRitual defied the usual manufacturing protocols.  She insisted that all formulas and packaging be produced to create the lightest possible eco-“footprint”, utilizing cruelty-free ingredients and recycled/recyclable materials exclusively.  Perhaps more importantly, SpaRitual redefines the beauty industry philosophically.  The brand’s holistic, spiritually grounded products and signature treatments challenge the conventional notion that beauty services and products are by definition frivolous. 

Developed to treat the whole person, Shel explains that the SpaRitual team, “is constantly monitoring sustainability issues and strives to be on the cutting edge of environmental awareness, and is also focusing on how to balance people holistically with the SpaRitual products and signature spa treatments.  This is only the beginning of how SpaRitual can contribute to people and to the planet in a meaningful way.”

Shel lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband Ran and their two children Alexander and Olivia.  She is passionately involved in the following non-profit organizations:

TRASH FOR TEACHING  Board Member  www.trashforteaching.org

THE GO GREEN INITIATIVE  Advisory Board Member  www.gogreeninitiative.org

STEPHEN S. WISE  Social Action Committee Member

A lifelong educator, Susan brings her teaching skills to the esthetics industry. She holds a M.Ed. (Masters of Education) from the University of Maryland and has extensive experience teaching both adolescents and adults. In addition, Susan is using her educational background to develop multiple advanced education curriculums for use in esthetics schools including the following: Acne, Rosacea, Hyperpigmentation, Mature Skin, Using Spa Pantry to Develop Customized and Signature Treatments, How to Sell Retail, Lymphobiology, Hot Poultice/Hot Stone Massage, Peels and Masks, and Showerless Body Treatments.

Mr. Puopolo brings over 25 years of sales, consulting, management and training experience to the Creative Technologies team. As a Client Manager for Pamco Enterprises, he provided consulting for such companies as AT&T, 3M, Minolta, Wilson Sporting Goods, Bush Furniture and Audio Technica. In addition to consulting for Fortune 500 organizations, Mr. Puopolo has also turned around numerous small businesses through his ability to lead, instruct and motivate. Mr. Puopolo is also an accomplished public speaker and has served on the advisory board for a technical training institute.

Vicky began her spa career after almost a decade as a case manager in social services. She is a licensed massage therapist and worked in several boutique spas before joining the staff of Ritz Carlton Hotel and Spas in 1998.

While with Ritz Carlton, she worked as a dept. trainer, spa mgr., spa therapies mgr., and corporate trainer. As corporate trainer, she assisted in the pre-opening training of therapists at 12 Ritz Carlton spas, and her training services were also utilized in pre-existing Ritz Carlton spas.

In late 2005, she left Ritz Carlton to begin her own business, Spa Success, LLC and now offers her training and consulting experience and knowledge to various spas and individuals around the US. She is also co-founder of Touch Education, which offers a CEU program for spa certification. And, she works in conjunction with Spa Bodywork, offering training to instructors of massage therapy schools, who have chosen to include spa education and modalities into their curriculum. Vicky not only has extensive spa therapies background, but also a passionate spirit for training and education.

Skip Williams, the author of “The Reluctant Spa Director and the Mission Dream”, and the recipient of the Spa Person of the Year award for 2006, is a recognized speaker and author in the spa arena, with over twelve (12) years of experience in the Management, Financial Development & Operational fields, mostly in the Spa and Hospitality Industry as Spa Director, Controller and Business project Consultant.  He brings his previous years of analytical business experience in a broad variety of manufacturing, retail and service businesses to studying Resort Spas, Day Spas, Medical Spas, Wellness Centers, and Salons: their profitability, how they operate, and what makes them successful.

Mr. Williams has been involved in the development of well over 200 Spas throughout the US, Canada, and the Caribbean working with owners, planners, operators and potential owners. His approach is to study, analyze, educate, implement and cultivate both small and large-scale projects.

Well known for his a unique Computerized Business Model called "Build-A-Spa" that allows financial analyses and feasibility studies, he has taken Spa business modeling to new heights with “Financial Blueprint™ Feasibility Consulting."

Mr. Williams’ experience as a Spa Director and his direct involvement in various capacities in the opening of several Day and Resort Spas results in a combination of expertise and experience beneficial to any organization. In addition he is very active in the continuous education efforts and research in the industry. He presently sits on the advisory board, for the Day Spa Association where he contributes time to our industry through published studies and education.

Mr. Williams has been a recognized contributor to trade journals such as Spa Management, Dermascope, Les Nouvelle Esthetique and Dermasthetic. Additionally he has participated as a speaker-educator for Spacifically, International Congress of Esthetics, Face & Body, and Day Spa Expo educational programs.  Professional and consulting experience includes, but is not limited to such companies as; Mount View Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel , Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, H.E.A.T. Spa-Kur Therapy Development Inc, Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Spa Hibiscus at Embassy Suites, Waters Edge Medical Spa and The Lodge at Eagles Nest.

As a Human Resources Executive, Executive Spa Director, trainer, educator, speaker and business owner with over fifteen years of experience in the medical, hospitality and service industry, Ms. Coll has a unique combination of talents, expertise and experience. She began her career in Human Resources Management, and for the past eight years she has been involved in Hotel-Spa operations at an Executive level. She has participated in numerous projects as a Consultant, designing and implementing all the aspects of opening and operating a Spa, Hotel, Casino and Retail center.

Ms. Coll is the author of the Spa Ready-to-use Business Tools™ and has been a contributor to trade journals and a speaker-educator at the California Council for Quality Service Award Convention in 1995, Spacifically, International Congress of Esthetics - Dermascope, in their InterAct educational programs, Face & Body 2004 in San Francisco, ISPA 2005, Day Spa Expo 2006 & 2007. Ms. Coll is the editor of “Recent Developments”, an electronic monthly newsletter since 2003 with a subscriber base of over 7,500 readers. Additionally she is the author of the blogs “Spa Business Wisdom” and “Between the Sheets – A Spa Director’s Diary”.

Ms. Coll founded Resources & Development® in 1994 with the purpose of assisting start-up operations and to provide coaching, support and consulting services. Clients include but are not limited to MedAesthetics Spa & Wellness, Nu Frendz Teen Day Spa, Hollywood Studios Store, Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Columbus Bath Treasures Boutique, H.E.A.T., Inc., Martineau Bay Resort & Spa for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Zen Spa and Punta Maracayo Resort. Ms. Coll has worked for companies such as The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. L. L. C., Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa, Pan Pacific Hotel & Resorts, Dana Point Resort and Bacara Resort & Spa.

She has an extensive education, which includes Professional Certificate Program courses in Human Resources Management from the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Extension, Spa Therapy Certificate Program from HEAT Inc. Certification and studies from Talent+ as an Interview Analyst, post graduate courses in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Management and Marketing from the University of Puerto Rico, USA. Ms. Coll is an active member of the Society for Human Resource Management, International Spa Association (ISPA), the Day Spa Association (DSA) and the International Medical Spa Association (IMSA). She has served as President of the La Luz Board (non profit organization), as member of the Board of Directors for the Goleta Chamber of Commerce, member of the ISPA Education Committee 2005 and ISPA Marketing Committee 2006.

Ms. Coll has a passion for teaching others and helping others achieve the highest levels of service excellence combined with the business savvy of how to operate an efficient and effective company.