In ancient lore, a land overflowing with milk and honey was said to store an abundance of delights. With more than 100 awards, including “Best Spa” three years in a row, unique employee benefits that have earned them the “Best Place to Work” title and a business model meant to support the local community, milk + honey spa exemplifies a sanctuary of delights.
The spa, with four other locations throughout Texas, recently opened their newest space in Houston, their biggest spa/salon at 8,250 square feet. This space allows for “spa partisans” to receive award-winning treatments in serene treatment rooms, enjoying organic ingredients and a philosophy of healing, wellness and relaxation.
The spa, with four other locations throughout Texas, recently opened their newest space in Houston, their biggest spa/salon at 8,250 square feet. This space allows for “spa partisans” to receive award-winning treatments in serene treatment rooms, enjoying organic ingredients and a philosophy of healing, wellness and relaxation.
recline + unwind
The newest milk + honey location, their largest space yet, accommodates 15 treatment rooms. Of these rooms, six are dedicated to esthetics, eight for massage and one wet room. “In addition, we have eight hair stations in our salon and six manicure and pedicure stations in our nail lounge,” adds manager Karena Zolner. “We offer couples massages, private steam showers in both our fully-appointed men’s and women’s locker rooms and our guest lounge is perfect for relaxing before and after services.”treat + complete
Known for a full sensory approach to wellness, milk + honey treatments aim to stimulate the senses. All massages include therapeutic hot or cold packs, warm neck pillows, steamy hot towels and the client’s choice of aromatherapy or body butter. Many of milk + honey’s massage therapists hold advanced certifications, making the Specialty Massage (60 minutes, $120) perfect for honing into the client’s individual need. “Specialty massage is one of our most coveted services,” shares Zolner. “It allows our therapists to use an assortment of modalities, from Reiki and reflexology to lymphatic, to give the body the customized attention and relief that’s needed.”To invigorate and detox, the signature Spa Partisan (100 minutes, $19) body treatment begins with a full body brushing, followed by a skin-polishing blend of brown sugar, coffee and crushed almond. Ultimate relaxation is then achieved through a steam treatment and 60-minute Signature Massage. With ultrasonic technology to remove oil, dirt and other areas of congestion, the Lux Facial (75 minutes, $155; 90 minutes, $180) encourages collagen and elastin production, allows serums to penetrate deeply into the skin and evens tone, color and texture for a smooth complexion. For extra attention from front to back, the Ultimate Facial (120 minutes, $215) combines a 90-minute Lux Facial with a Back Treatment.
sweet + rewarding
Patrons of milk + honey are more than clients, they’re VIPs: Very Important Partisans. Their reward program of the same name has been hailed as the best spa reward program in Austin, allowing clients to earn points for each service and product purchased. Every dollar spent at milk + honey on spa or salon services and retail turns into 100 points and clients also receive 10 points for every dollar spent on gift certificates. When a partisan reaches 50,000 points, they receive $40 in milk + honey credit to spend however they choose. Partisans also earn 10,000 points by referring a friend to the spa and even 100,000 points when they refer an employee for one of their open positions.The spa also offers a membership for those who enjoy treating themselves more frequently. “With our membership, guests opt into an annual commitment to enjoy a treatment once or multiple times of month — it is customized to their choice,” explains Zolner. “Those services are discounted by 15 percent when they pre-pay for the entire year. Treatment series are smaller bundles and are offered at a 10 percent discount. Guests who visit milk + honey often love being able to take advantage of a lower rate for taking care of themselves regularly.”
impress + captivate
Attracting and maintaining clients starts organically at milk + honey. “Our staff is responsible for making that first great impression, which attributes to the retention of our current guests and in gaining the trust of their friends and family,” says Zolner. With great services and a caring staff in place, the in-house marketing team focuses on growth and branding.Marketing efforts touch on key points like email, social media, web, word-of-mouth, direct mail and brand reputation. However, they are careful not to abuse clients’ email addresses, limiting email communication. “So often, in our own lives, we delete emails or get annoyed with a brand or person who we perceive to be ‘spamming us,’” Zolner adds. “We try to err on the side of once or twice-a-month emails — outside of appointment confirmations, etc. — that contain only the most important updates and content we feel are pertinent to our clientele.” Social media allows them to connect with clients and be a little less formal while maintaining their “voice” as a brand.
train + teach
To prepare for formal quarterly reviews, staff at milk + honey can count on an environment of education and support that benefits both employees and clients. “Our goal is to be honest, supportive and constructive,” Zolner shares. “And if a team member requires more attention than on a quarterly basis to really flourish, we’re game.”In addition to multiple trainings per quarter and ongoing instruction from their product partners, an educational fund is allotted for each technician. He or she can choose the classes they feel will most benefit their continuing education and skill set. Connecting with staff is key, so management conducts two “huddles” a day, at the start of each shift to establish connection and awareness. “It lets us set the tone, set intentions and set everyone up for a great shift ahead,” Zolner adds.
Monthly goals, such as retail and client retention, are treated like benchmarks that are broken down to daily and hourly goals for each team member. These specific benchmarks keep the goals on track and extra incentives keep the staff inspired to achieve them. Voted three times as one of the “Best Places to Work,” milk + honey is unique in their job compensation and benefits. Employees enjoy health benefits, affordable dental and vision, performance bonuses, paid vacation, a matching 401(k) plan, continuing education reimbursement, ongoing training opportunities and discounts on treatments and products.
