A day at the spa

Kim Hochstein (L) and Christina Arthur-Dick at The Spa Ritual in northwest Calgary.

Two graduates from the Faculty of Arts are working to make one local spa the best in the city.

Kim Hochstein, BA’93, may have earned a social science degree and worked as a banker for 13 years, but she’s always been interested in makeup and cosmetic treatments. Now she’s working in an industry she loves as spa director for Calgary-based Santé Spa.

Between working as a banker and starting with Santé Spa, Hochstein lived in London, UK, where she researched cosmetic and medical treatments. Before long, mothers from her daughter’s school starting asking her advice on cosmetic treatments. She had become the go-to expert.

Hochstein’s colleague Christina Arthur-Dick, BA’99, is marketing director for Santé Spa and sister spa, The Spa Ritual. She has held various marketing roles in the private sector and technology industry and in several post-secondary institutions in Calgary. “I’ve always loved going to the spa and having treatments,” she says, "and marketing one presents a unique job opportunity."

Santé Spa has two locations, Calgary and Victoria, and focuses on medical treatments with complementing spa therapies. The sister spa, The Spa Ritual in northwest Calgary is a southeast-Asian-themed retreat.

With so many spas in Calgary, Arthur-Dick's job is to differentiate Santé Spa and The Spa Ritual. “We are unique in Calgary in our philosophy to provide rejuvenation and are one of only 35 spas in Canada to have achieved Quality Assurance Accreditation,” she says.

“We really want to provide our guests with the best possible experience,” says Arthur-Dick, who is constantly working to ensure clients are aware of the most up-to-date treatments. “Our doctors and registered nurses are some of the best in Calgary." 

“We want to provide the best service and the best advice,” says Hochstein. “…quality comes first.”

Technology is also becoming an important part of marketing the spa and Arthur-Dick has implemented an online appointment booking, client surveys and gift certificate purchases. .

Being surrounded by calming music, water fountains and relaxed guests makes a job at a spa sound pretty appealing. But Arthur-Dick and Hochstein aren’t always in the spa, they’re behind the scenes with their hair pinned-up and comfortable shoes close by ensuring that their customers have the best possible spa experience.

Santé Spa and The Spa Ritual are perk partners with the University of Calgary Alumni Association and have an exclusive fall 2011 offer for alumni. Click here to learn more.