So, you're ready to take the plunge into the wild & wonderful world of spas, are you? You've heard about all the rewards -- the fabulous glamour and excitement, the ritzy clients all willing to plunk down thousands of dollars to make themselves feel better and make YOU richer!

Then again, there's reality. Such as laundry. Lots and lots of laundry. Your life in the spa world will include a whole lot of towels and sheets. And there's a whole slew of other down-and-dirty realities that you're much better off knowing now before you get started.

Below are several links that may help you on your quest to either build your own spa or find employment in a great spa somewhere. Also, you may benefit by attending one of the spa certification workshops I teach. Check the events calendar to see if there's one coming up any time soon.

Now, here are those links...

Check out my monthly column in Massage Today for tons of info on getting started in a spa career...

A really good source to head to for opportunities in the spa industry is portablepractitioner.com, a site run by a very helpful woman named Monica Gruler. She can head you in the right direction when you're looking for spa employment, and she has a great newsletter that can help keep you up to date with all sorts of cool adventure jobs around the globe.

SpaTrade.com is "the ultimate online resource for spa professionals," and it's run by a very professional young woman by the name of Nancy Griffin. If you're delving into the spa world, this is a good site to check out. You can even exchange info and products with other spa professionals here.

This is the International Spa Association, also known as ISPA. The toll free number you can call to talk to the association is (888)671-4772. Tell them Steve sent you and you'd like membership information and a copy of their great industry magazine called PULSE. Also, if there's one function you attend to find out much more about the spa industry, it would have to be the annual ISPA trade show. It's a great place to meet everyone involved with spas worldwide and upgrade your skills and knowledge immeasurably.

If you're looking for a job in the spa industry or resources to start your own spa, I am going to refer you here to Julie Register at about.com. She's assembled a prodigious amount of information that can help you. Yeah, Julie!

If you want to go to Czechoslovakia and write it off on your taxes, check out Dr. Jonathan Paul DeVierville's Karlsbad spa training courses here. You'll learn all kinds of important first-hand info about spas and serious European spa treatments (insurance companies even pay for spa visits over there), plus you'll have a really good time.

Whichever direction your spa adventure takes you, get in touch and let me know how you're doing!

Good Luck,