Lauching New Menu Soon

No reason to not write in a week, honestly, I just forgot. I had my client friend from Denver over last weekend and the first part of the week. We had a nice and relaxing visit, as usual. I adore him and am so appreciative of our friendship.

I was busy with returning friends all week. They are the backbone of Your Private Adobe. Got some marketing projects done that I have not had time to do in a month. Working on revamping the menu. Interviewed another therapist, one who has more background in energetic healing and Ayurveda. Working on a video tape, sort of a virtual tour and a video of some of my unique treatments. I need to write the script. Urgggh.....maybe I can get my voice audio taped then have the narrator write the script from what I say so I don't have to type. I hate typing.

I have added Monthly Specials to the menu. For November, the focus is on Pumpkin and Spice. People keep telling me I need to also focus more on the healing aspects I provide, not just he pampering, relaxation and luxury. I am coming up with a 10-series treatment program for people with discomfort; utilizing all of the therapists skills who work with me. More non-traditional massage therapies such as Polarity, Ayurveda, Light Therapy, Chakra Balancing, Cranial Sacral, Yoga, Raindrop Therapy and more. The 10-series program will help clients with Fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, injuries, back pain, arthritis, insomnia, depression, fatigue, grief, etc.

It's Halloween, I'm off to have a home-made Greek Dinner with my neighbor and a good friend of hers.

My clients say, "Your Private Adobe is the best Couple's Spa Experience in ABQ"!

You know it's busy when I don't have time to write in my blog. It's been a great couple of weeks. Feast or famine though. Not much scheduled for next week.

I am enjoying the new Softub. I accidentally used a sponge with some cleaning chemicals on it and it messed-up the PH balance of the tub. So I had a few days of scum and foamy water until I could get it balanced out. I finally have it warm enough too. I bought a "disco ball" for it and it is so cute. I like the soft flashing lights verses the strobe. The strobes make me dizzy!

I'm seeing more and more couples and I believe this will be Your Private Adobe's niche market for the best Couple's Spa Experience in Albuquerque. Everyone has been blown away with the atmosphere, the service, the treatments and the entire spa experience. All guests have rated us as 5-stars! I feel a good part of the experience is using therapists who have a passion for their work. They are not massaging one client after another all day long. When you do that kind of massage volume, you begin to go through the motions and not care about what you are doing. For a massage to be an exceptional one, you need to massage with love, care, passion and a nurturing capacity.

I have another friend from Denver coming on Sunday for a couple of days. He has been coming pretty regularly the last year and I always enjoy his company. He was one of my original clients from Denver and I have been seeing him for 8-years now. When you see a client for this long, it becomes more of a friend relationship verses a client/therapist one. We are great friends now and I cherish the relationship.

I met with my next door neighbor this week. He would really like to sale 2-lots located next to me. If I only had the money, Your Private Adobe would be turned into a beautiful compound of spa space, mini-casitas for overnight lodging, lovely outdoor space and hot tubs and beautiful meeting space for small intimate gatherings to large weddings. But I'm talking about a $1.2 million dollar investment. Maybe an angel investor will come my way! It is my goal for the future.

Doing More Couples Sessions Including Dinner Al Fresco

I'm doing more and more couples sessions! I think word is getting out what a great package I offer. We saw two young couples celebrating birthdays last week. There friends had told them about Your Private Adobe. Apparently both sets have quite a few friends who frequent spas. I hate to brag, well not really..... I have been hearing from my guests that my services, atmosphere and treatments are better than Hyatt Tamaya and Ten Thousand Waves! Both are very well known and respected spas. Now that's exciting news for me. The new hot tub, and the atmosphere in the backyard are a huge bonus. The guests are enjoying the chef's food too. She is an awesome cook. It's hard to find home-made food these days. I've tried her salsa and pinto beans when she made a New Mexican Dinner and her Beef Wellington another night. Yummy!

I finally got my second Shiro Pot and can now do "His and Her Shirodhara" treatments too. Or this is a good package for girlfriends coming in for a day at the spa. The Shiro Pot is a special, custom designed pouring and heating system for the Shirodhara.

I met with a marketing professional over the weekend. He gave me a couple of good ideas but overall, not much more than I already knew. Meanwhile I turned down 4-guests, who I had seen before to spend the day with him. Sometimes I need to clone myself!

I had a Buzz Networking Luncheon at my house today. It was a great marketing opportunity. Everyone was in awe of the adobe. I prepared all the food. We had shrimp pasta, turkey wraps, California Spicy Rolls, Chicken Salad, Pine Nut Hummus, fresh fruit and lots more! Then I saw a returning client on the spur of the moment. I rarely do that.

Tomorrow, TNT, the Networking Team luncheon and an evening guest from Denver. I have been massaging this client for 6-years and we have become friends. Sometimes during the day I need to drop off more brochures at Hotel ABQ and a couple of other places!

Proud new owner of a Hot Tub

I've been too busy to write in my blog all week. Busy is a good thing! I'm now a proud new owner of a Softub! I had it on order for weeks and kept calling to find out when it would be delivered. Then finally I called and they said, "we can have it to you in an hour". I wasn't expecting that. They first delivered the tub then had to come back to deliver the redwood decking. He said I needed to remove the gravel and put down sand. So I got some huge blisters on my hand raking away the gravel, then hauling 50-pounds bags of Play Sand was another chore. I must have called them 10-times while setting it up with questions. It looks great, it's not totally level, but most people will never know. But darn it, I did it all by myself! I even hung up outdoor curtains around it to give more privacy. I had them left over from my last outdoor courtyard. I still need to order 0n-line a couple of more curtains. They are extra long so the stores don't carry them. Couples especially are loving the spa treatments, the privacy, the catered dinners, the outdoor lounging area and now the hot tub at Your Private Adobe.

An evening of perfection

Well over a month ago, I made my first appointment for a Couple's Day Spa Session to include Fine Dining at Your Private Adobe. It was for a couple in SFO, CA. The gentlemen had made the appointment as a surprise for his wife's birthday. We talked frequently throughout the month. I took on the role as Concierge for his pre-planning of their stay in ABQ.

The night finally arrived. I was excited and nervous. The guests were almost an hour late. At first I was getting extra anxious and upset as the thought of being stood up always wanes on my mind. The additional therapist and the personal chef were also here, and we were all trying to wait patiently. We drank a little wine before they arrived.

What a delightful couple! We admired their deep and devoted love and affection for one another, and how they socialized with all of us. I feel the highlight of their evening was just lounging in the Moroccan Tent and dinner over a bottle of wine and in their robes. Where else can you enjoy gourmet dining in your comfy robe, other than at home or for room service in a nice hotel? What decadence! They commented throughout the night how wonderful and unique my service and atmosphere are, how awesome the adobe is decorated, how great the treatments are and how delicious their Beef Wellington tasted. They said they would write reviews where ever the could about Your Private Adobe and recommend me to all of their friends and co-workers. They said, "we are going to send so much business your way". The birthday girl has a new VP Position in ABQ, and she will be commuting here 3x per week. I was exhausted, but so inspired and empowered that my service could mean so much to this couple!

Dinner Package & Spa Treatments for ABQ Couple's

When was the last time you kissed your lover, gazed at them in the eyes, said how beautiful they are, and told them that you love them? When was the last time you cuddled under a throw, smooched on the couch and held hands with your lover? To me, these are simple pleasures of life, but so often we don't take time to indulge. For whatever reason, we just don't do enough of this. I believe the world would be a happier place if more couples just snuggled and communicated! I really feel that in this busy and hectic world in which we live in today, so many couples don't have time to spend with one another. They are negligent in having any quality time alone. Many couples can't spend the night away, due to small children, or a family pet, or due to financial or work constraints.

So I have had this idea for some time and finally it has come to fruition. I offer a truly unique package to the spa industry at Your Private Adobe in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It's a special couples pacakge. At most spas, the men go the the men's area and change. The ladies go the ladies area and change. They then meet in a small massage room and get a massage at the same time. This is usually the extent of their couple's spa session. I wanted to offer something different, where couples could have time to actually be a couple.

So for my Couples Odyssey, you'll get pampered beyond belief in a luxurious and private home spa setting. First you'll change into comfy robe and slippers and enjoy a beverage of choice. Next a relaxing and nurturing his and her foot soak. Your feet will start to tingle, the aromas of the herbs, sea salts and essential oils will intoxicate you. Next simultaneous body polishes and massages, and a chance to shower together. Then you'll have a couple of other options. You can spend time alone as a couple in the adobe. Maybe you'll want to cuddle on the "indoor lounger" for two, or perhaps you'll want to go outside in the Moroccan Tent for a little whimsical pleasure all light up in the evening sky. Or maybe you'll want to soak in the outdoor hot tub. Your other option is to order in a advance a private, catered dinner served in courses. Chef Karen will prepare your dinner while you are getting spa treatments. In good weather, you'll dine Al Fresco. Or if your not a fan of outdoor dining, you may use the adobe's private dining room. You'll still be given time to indulge in the above activities, plus enjoy a delicious dinner too. After an afternoon or evening of pampering and bonding you'll have a new appreciation of the simple pleasures of life that spending time with your lover can bring to surface.

It's Friday

I picked up a new client yesterday. I think he will be a great addition to my regular network of massage clients. Once again, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful network of returning friends.

Tried to see the Balloon Fiesta Glodio last night, but was running too late. Went to dinner at El Pinto's instead with my dear "drinking buddy" and close friend.

I spent the morning with the Business Optimization Manager for our first meeting. What a little dynamo. We had a great visit and brainstorming session discussing various possibilities and the best areas to market my business. I feel she is going to be a great addition to my network of friends, marketeers and business associations. I wish I could afford to pay her a hefty annual salary as I feel she is worth it. Luckily, she has other business clients, but will be taking me under her wing. She did say, of all of her clients, I am probably one of the most business savvy. As my business increases I will make sure she is taken care of financially. I am a honest and fair person to everyone in my life. If I say I am going to do something, I do it.

I am getting ready for another Couple's Spa and Dinner session tomorrow night. I'm excited as I have had a lot of communication with the male part of the couple. This is a birthday surprise for his wife. They have been in town from the West coast for the Balloon Fiesta.

What's a BOM?

Another busy week, but mostly with networking and marketing. Client wise, it has been slower this week. Tonight I went to the ABQ Visitors & Convention Bureau monthly mixer, then later I went to the Q Bar for more networking. I met some interesting business owners.

Last night I had a friend over and we drank a lot. A bottle of wine, then I had margaritas. Whew.....I am out of shape for drinking and staying up late. I guess I need to live the spa and healthy life! But damn, I had so much fun! It's fun to be bad, but I felt it this morning.

I am meeting with a BOM on Friday. What's a BOM? A Business Optimization Manager!
There are so many directions I can take my business and we are going to find out which is the best for me to reach my long term dreams and goals.

Women, Wine & Networking Party, Shirodhara Training

My oh my, Ive been too busy to write. A world wind of a week. Lots of clients, marketing campaigns and training. I had close to 40-ladies show up for Women, Wine and Networking party. It was a huge success. Word is getting out about how special of a place Your Private Adobe is!

I had an expert come in to teach three therapist I plan to use how to administer Shirodhara. They loved it. One had time to stay to receive the treatment from me. We talked during the session and it was quite tutorial. She said she enjoyed it. The next day this person came to my Wine, Women and Networking Party. She looked like a new woman. She had the Shirodhara glow. Her eyes were bright and clear, her face looked younger and her hair was shiny. She told everyone at the party how wonderful the treatment was. She said her neck and head no longer hurt from a fall a few days earlier. Her black eye was gone. I always tell people how relaxing Shirodhara is, so it is nice to hear stories how fabulous the treatment was for my clients. Several other ladies were at the party who have also received my treatment and they too had wonderful stories to share with other women.

I did manage to take a day or so off. I went to the Greek Festival and a movie with a friend. We also spent the night in the Moroccan Tent. It was fun and a nice cool, crisp and clear evening.

It's bedtime and I am beat, again!