Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/1471270
L i s te n to T h e A B M P Po d c a s t a t a b m p.co m /p o d c a s t s o r w h e reve r yo u a cce s s yo u r favo r i te p o d c a s t s 65 [advice], and coaching," he says, to achieve clients' desired results. And he feels estheticians are more willing to pay the current premium for quality products. Lester and his team at The Spa Mart anticipate that supply chain shortages are the new norm but remain hopeful things may begin to normalize in the next 18–24 months. That said, they hired a full-time procurement specialist to ensure they maintain a strong and consistent supply of goods while also being mindful of pricing. "For our top selling, everyday spa disposables, we have increased inventories by over 30 percent," he says. "We have also curated products made in the US that are best-in-class quality, and we are putting those items under The Spa Mart brand. "As former luxury spa owners, we do understand maintaining quality and being held accountable to profitability, and we take this very seriously to help our spa partners. Any products carrying our brand have been approved and tested by our team of in-house spa experts and our spa partners that are included in our product development process." According to Rimbey, Sacred Earth Botanicals has had to substitute or supplement some of its products with alternative oils, since some of their normal ingredients are in such short supply. Because of these changes, Rimbey says communication with clients is key. "We have had to spend a lot of time educating our customers on what they can expect," he says, "which is not easy given how quickly things are changing on the supply side. Ultimately our goal is to continue to offer affordable, high-quality products that are environmentally friendly because they are farmed and processed under the USDA organic program." Patrick feels fortunate that the leadership at Oakworks anticipated the supply chain challenges and made purchase provisions in preparation for shortages and cost concerns. "From a provider perspective," she says, "our company is in good shape. The concern we are seeing is more related to openings of new starts being pushed back due to unavailability of other items, which are more heavily impacted by the import upheaval, such as facial equipment, steamers, oils, and stone warmers. [New facilities] need these kinds of goods, [but] as affordable as possible. Prior to the war in Ukraine, we raised prices to keep up with our rising costs, and that would have typically covered us for at least a year. Now, with the oil shortages caused by the war, commodity prices have skyrocketed, so we will have no choice but to increase prices on some products again later this year." Pekarek warns that raising prices is a risky business, but there is a fine line between charging too little and too much. "Unfortunately," he says, "customers are driven by offers." So, Pekarek's long-term plan is to move most of their business through distribution by professional estheticians. "They deliver huge value,