GSN’s Board of Directors is a group of volunteers that devote hours and hours to the success of the organization. Click on the "read more" link below to read their thoughts about the past year and why they make time for GSN.

Networking and collaboration within GSN has been extremely helpful to my company Natural Body. We have made changes to our esthetic department to focus on active organics and result oriented yet safe anti-aging equipment. I might not be experiencing double digit growth in our skin care sales if it weren't for the advice I received from my network of peers.  ~ CICI COFFEE, Owner, Founder, Natural Body Spas

My focus all year has been working on our new website with Free Range studio. The site is key in taking GSN to the next level as a resource tool for all its members.  A high point for 2011 for me was learning that GSN member Karen Kissinger of Spa Sonrisa in Kansas posted a 34% increase in business in 2011, attributed directly to implementing a vitality program for her employees. This was inspired by ideas Karen picked up at congress. It made me realize that the road to sustainability may very well unfold in ways that differ from what we have initially envisioned.  The interest, relevancy and importance of our work becomes stronger with each year as the global imperative for sustainability become a reality no one can afford to ignore.  ~ Michael Stusser, GSN Founder & Owner of Osmosis Day Spa

Our company has been involved in GSN for over 2 years - first as a member, then as a Silver Guiding Star sponsor and beginning this year as a board member - all in fairly rapid succession as we quickly realized our common mission, the tangible benefits to our business, our increased contributions to the environment and our further potential to impact the world at large.  We are better business people and better people because of our involvement in GSN.  ~ DARREN HICKMAN, Ilike Organic Skincare

Having been involved in GSN since its inception, I believe 2011 has been a tipping point:  Green Spa Network has gained significant recognition among spa businesses and resource suppliers alike- We have grown membership and sponsorship consistently and incrementally. Attracting new Gold level  sponsorship of Universal Companies and Interface, along with Silver Guiding Stars and Bronze Grass Roots Sponsors demonstrates that we are a viable and valuable network for the spa community, and that leaders in the industry as well as sustainability giants from other markets, want to join forces with us to shape the future of spa. It's so exciting to open our arms to the most renowned hotel resort, destination and day spas in the industry- who are now looking to GSN for education, resources and inspiration.  We have arrived!  And our Personal Care Advisory Council's Ingredient Buying Guide helps to bring clarity to the confusion over labeling and certifications. the GSN Personal Care Advisory Council will no doubt be a major influencer of how and what spas and their consumers choose to purchase.  ~TARA GRODJESK, Founder Tara Spa Therapy

Serving on the board and being engaged with GSN has heightened my appreciation and awareness of our impact on the earth and on each other.  Although it has been barely a year, I feel as if I have grown so much in my personal commitment to sustainability.  It has been satisfying to watch the organization grow so much in 2011 with like minded individuals in the industry. 2012 promises to be a banner year!  ~ RIANNA REGIO, Principal, Global Spa Advantage.

“It’s always edifying to be a part of something where your contributions – both individually and as a group – make a real difference.”  ~ Kim Marshall, Founder, The Marshall Plan

HIGHLIGHTS OF GSN CONGRESS 2011

October 9-12, 2010 - Sundance Resort, Utah

Taking Root: Making a Difference for the Planet and Your Bottom Line

Green Spa Network Fall Congress at Sundance Resort in Utah exceeded our expectations in all categories. The very positive feedback we’ve received from nearly 70 attendees underscored that the gathering was a rare chance to connect with and gain inspiration from like-minded professionals in one of the country’s most inspirational and green settings. Speakers included:

• Robert Zimmer – Architect, Eco Tourism Expert, Developer of Sundance and former CEO of Rosewood Hotels.
• David Oakey – Biomimicry and sustainability expert from Interface Corp. By following the example of nature, even our workspaces can become more humane.
• Beth Greer – Best Selling Author of Super Natural Home: Improve Your Health, Home and Planet…One Room at a Time” and syndicated radio show host.
• Rona Berg, former New York Times Beauty Editor and bestselling author of Beauty: The New Basics, and the brand-new Fast Beauty: 1000 Quick Fixes. 
• Marie-Josee Shaar - Certified wellness counselor and author of Smarts and Stamina: The Busy Person's Guide to Optimal Health and Performance.”  
• Liz Ratcliff – Founder of EA Apparel, sexy, sleek, eco friendly, seasonal free clothing line. 
• Carolyn Parrs, host and co-founder of the popular eco-podcast, America the Green and Mind Over Markets, a marketing/business development company.    
• Beverly Macy, UCLA Professor, Gravity Summit Founder, Huffington Post columnist and Author of The Power of Real Time Social Media Marketing.
• Jennifer Trubenbach – CNN Hero, Executive Director of Operation of Hope teaching us how each spas can be community leaders too and contribute to a charity of their choice. If you can dream it, you can do it!

“Nothing can replace coming together and being inspired by thought leaders in an awe-inspiring environment that reminds us why we are here,” says Tara Grodjesk. “These gatherings are a real opportunity to bring our community together in such an impressive, and transformative context.”

If you were there, you experienced the sense of renewal and purpose that everyone – spa and product companies alike -- had in building our community of partners who are making a real difference in the vitality of both people and the planet.   And, if you were there, you most likely made plans to attend next year’s GSN Congress!

Here are a few recaps from our sponsors:

Friends,

The Green Spa Network conference held at the Sundance Resort last week was another stimulating and productive event. The roster of speakers was quite impressive, and a brief summary of some of the talks are below.

The vendor portion of the event was well attended. I've sent Tara the list of contacts for follow up, and will be discussing them with her this week. The most exciting development was my contact with Brian Paris of Universal Companies, the large distributor. He expressed strong interest in Parissa, Shea Radiance, and Widu.

This is such a terrific group, I'm confident we'll be making some good steps building our business with them this next year, and hope you'll be able to join me at next year's session.

Tara is one of the group's key organizers, and she and the rest of the board did another outstanding job with this conference. I missed several speakers on the last day, but here are notes from the two days I attended.

Recap of Green Spa Network Conference Speakers

David Oakey: Looking to Nature for Design Answers and Business Solutions www.davidoakeydesigns.com <http://www.davidoakeydesigns.com> <http://www.davidoakeydesigns.com> <http://www.davidoakeydesigns.com/>
Designer David Oakey described how the Interface Carpet Co., a $1 billion industrial carpet enterprise, changed its focus to offering carpet made from 100% waste materials. The late company owner Ray Anderson was credited for making this paradigm change, saying "I see beauty in waste."

Oakey went to work for Anderson and the examples of the carpet they are able to produce from waste material are quite beautiful, and it makes so much sense. There's not enough wool in the world to satisfy the demand for natural fiber carpet, and cotton is one of the most sprayed crops. Everyone wants thick, plush wool or nylon carpeting, Oakey said, but nylon, and aluminum. take the largest amount of resources to produce. Thus, carpet from waste.

He cited these books as seminal ones in his thinking:   Biomimicry, by Janine Benyus, Biophilia, by Edward Wilson, and Wabi Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren.

• Steps to sustainability: Reject/Reduce/Recyle/Renewable Design.
• In a sustainable world, all products come from nature.
• The world's population growth spiked at the onset of fossil fuel use.
• 25 billion bottles of water are consumed in the US alone each year.
• Human water consumption doubles every 20 years.
• Humans consume 50% of the world's potable water.
• In Nature, "waste" does not exist.
• Victorian hospitals were designed with gardens to get people outside.
• The Millenium Generation (18-37) is changing the face of the workplace. No more cubicles, they want creative, free wheeling, open spaces.
• "Collaboration" is the hottest concept in their business world, so their workplace is designed to enhance that.
• 80% of the Milleniums want to live in cities. Farms and green spaces are popping up in cities to make them more livable. Vertical farming is sprouting. The "High Line" area of NY is a good example of creating a green space from abandoned areas.

Measuring Green Spa Operations
GSN has a tool for spas to assess how green they are, and to measure their progress. It's called the SAT, Sustainability Assessment Tool. Several speakers commented on the progress they were making in their spas, working their way through the three benchmark stages set by the group.

Charne le Roux of the Vygenhoek Organic Spa in South Africa www.organicspa.co.za <http://www.organicspa.co.za> <http://www.organicspa.co.za> <http://www.organicspa.co.za/> spoke about the widespread use of cotton sheets and bedding material. According to Charne, cotton is one of the most highly sprayed textiles. These herbicides and pesticides are absorbed by our bodies, through the skin and inhalation, when we spend an average of 8 hours a day sleeping in them. She pointed out that raising cotton in a conventional manner is not sustainable. In India alone, a cotton farmer commits suicide every 30 minutes because of the untenable situation of having to spend so much on toxic pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizer to guarantee  a crop, there is no profit left!   Healthy alternatives include organic cotton bedding, and Tencel, made from Eucalyptus leaves. Bamboo as a textile requires so many chemicals to break it down it is not really a sustainable material.

Carolyn Parrs is the host of the eco-podcast America the Green, and Mind Over Markets, a biz development company.
She said consumers want to know why they should buy green products other than "saving the planet." They want to know the personal benefits they will be reaping. She urges companies to shift from the planetary to the personal to sell green products. Reshape your message to give consumers a reason to buy. She cited a powerful website: Women of Green http://womenofgreen.com/ as well as her own Green Marketing Blog http://greenmarketingblog.com/. <http://greenmarketingblog.com/>

Beverly Macy is the author of The Power of Real Time Social Media Marketing
Beverly teaches SEO and marketing as a  UCLA professor, she blogs on Socialnomics on Huffington Post's tech section, and is founder of Gravity Summit consulting.
• People spend an average of 55 minutes a day on Facebook
• Largest growing FB profile is women 55 and up.
• LinkedIn is one of the highest dollar demographics for potential customers. Asking questions of LinkedIn groups can be productive.
• The power of Mommie bloggers is significant and growing dramatically.
• Online pubs to follow: beingpeterkim.com <http://beingpeterkim.com> <http://beingpeterkim.com> <http://beingpeterkim.com/> • mashable.com <http://mashable.com> <http://mashable.com> <http://mashable.com/> • mediapost.com <http://mediapost.com> <http://mediapost.com> <http://mediapost.com/> • techcrunch.com <http://techcrunch.com> <http://techcrunch.com> <http://techcrunch.com/>
• Check out the Green Business Network, as Green Spa members you can get their Green Seal of Approval for a small fee.

Brian Paris & Marti Morenings of Universal Companies http://www.universalcompanies.com/
This is the largest spa distributor in the industry, with 28,000 customers, 300 plus vendors, and 5,000 products. I was amazed and delighted by their eco, green focus, and support of the GSN group.
• Entrepeneurs are the key to creating and distributing eco-friendly lines.
• They hired Lisa Sykes several years ago to ban products that greenwash from their inventory. Lisa is terrific and the real deal.
• The company created a green team to wage war on waste and to create a partnership with nature.
• They foresee green and natural brands experiencing double digit growth over the next few years.
• Brian helped develop the Sundance Resort and Spa many years ago with Robert Redford. One of their guides was the book The Not So Big House.

Rona Berg
Rona needs no introduction, she's the preeminent green beauty expert in spa and beyond.
Consumer Lifestyle Trends
• Authenticity is the new Awesome.
• Me to We
• Shift to artisanal products
• Value & Values = an emphasis on integrity
• Less is More, a drive to purity and simplicity
• Wellness industry is a $2 trillion global entity.
• Trend is towards Healthy Aging rather than Anti-Aging.
• Global beauty biz is currently $350 billion industry to grow by 12% by 2014.
• Eco Moms market is $1.45 trillion!
• Hot beauty categories include Skin Brighteners, Face & Body Treatment Oils, Eco Friendly packaging (beauty industry accounts for 1/3 of all landfills!)

Beth Greer, author of Super Natural Mom and Super Natural Home
Ms. Greer discovered a tennis ball sized tumor in her chest 10 years ago. She visited three surgeons, who all suggested a different surgical approach, all with serious limitations. She decided "My body gave me cancer, so my body can take it away." Once she made this decision she looked at her diet and surroundings. She went on a fruit and vegetable cleanse and diet and within three days was out of pain. In six months her tumor was gone. She cleaned up her household and personal care products and food intake and hasn't looked back since.

Lisa Sykes, Universal Companies
Lisa is the Sustainability Specialist at Universal. She is their gatekeeper. "As wellness centers, green spas have a responsibility to promote conscious living."
• She recommended A Consumers Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients by Ruth Winters as a valuable resource.
• Don't use only one source, like Skin Deep, to research ingredients.
• She used several examples of Skin Deep providing confusing and inaccurate ratings for ingredients. Although she recommends the site, she suggested not to use it alone but to use as many different sources as possible to get the full picture. This is as confusing an area for spas as it is for natural food stores. Whole Foods Premium Standards is another good guide she recommends.

Regards,

Sol

Sol Solomon
Truly Natural Marketing
(800) 527-0307
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
http://trulynaturalproducts.com/

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Green Spa Network

I am sitting in my room in Sundance reflecting on an amazing four days.  This is the first year I have participated in the Green Spa Network (GSN) Fall Congress.

In four short years, the collective wisdom of a handful of like-minded people has manifest into an organization that is bound to become a moving force in our industry.  The untiring leadership of Roberto Arjona, Chief Executive Officer, Rancho La Puerta, Michael Stusser, Founder, Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Cici Coffee, Founder, Natural Body Spa & Shop, Tara Grodjesk, President, Tara Spa Therapy, Inc., Kim Marshall, Owner, The Marshall Plan, Darren Hickman, President, Szep Elet, exclusive distributors of ilike organic skincare and Puree Organics, Rianna Riego, Principal, Global SpaVantage, Jim Chenevey, Chief Executive Officer and co-owner of EarthLite and Living Earth Crafts, Lara Davidson, Spa Director, The Spa at Pebble Beach, combined with the commitment and hard work of all GSN members has given rise to a strong, well-defined organization.  GSN helps interested spas and resource partners transition to sustainable practices and become leaders in a movement that is essential to the well-being of our planet and the stewardship of her natural resources.

An inclusive tone bridges left and right thinking on controversial environmental issues and the quest for helping spas become centers of vitality where guests seek out and willingly engage in a wellness lifestyle.

I am honored to have participated with such a dedicated group of people in support of the GSN mission and vision. Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about the organization and how GSN can support our mutual evolution to eco-conscious operations.

In Health,
Mike

Michael Bruggeman
CEO and Founder
Organic Male OM4