Ep 380 - A Limitless Industry with Teddy Lester | Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals

09/19/2023

A white ladder resting against a big red ball.

Every industry has its ebbs and flows, including the massage and bodywork industry. How do we navigate this and come out ahead? In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Darren and Angie speak with Teddy Lester, CEO of The Spa Mart, to discuss some struggles MTs face and steps to overcome those obstacles, differences in the customer experience between a spa and private practice, and advice for graduating students aspiring to run their own practice.

Resources:

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Author Images

Author Bio

Teddy Lester has over 16 years of professional spa industry experience. He began his spa career as an account director before being promoted to vice president of sales at the largest spa distribution company in the US, serving day spas, medical spas, luxury day spas, corporate and franchise spas, resorts and hotel spas, and destination spas.

Following his successful time at Universal companies, Lester became the Chief Brand Officer of Woodhouse Spas, overseeing menu development, marketing and branding strategies, vendor relationships, brand expansion and new spa buildouts, and revenue growth.

In 2016, Lester founded the Spa Mart, a curated spa distribution company located in Georgetown, Texas. The Spa Mart is a supply and equipment house offering over 5,000 products. For more information, visit thespamart.com.

Hosts:

Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com.

Angie Parris-Raney is a licensed massage therapist and is the advertising director for ABMP. Angie is Chopra Center Certified in meditation and ayurvedic lifestyle. Her training explores physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

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