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Allison HegedusPresident, Vida Wellness SpasAge: 37 Allison Hegedus is a rarity among business leaders; she picked her career when she was a teenager and never looked back. “I was kind of one of those people in high school that wanted to get out and work right away,” said Hegedus. In 1990, she attended an information session at Sheridan College in Ontario about an esthetician program. Two years later, she had her esthetician certificate with a specialty in marketing management and she joined the workforce. For most of the ’90s, Hegedus worked for various companies in the cosmetics industry, but in 1999 she found her niche – the spa industry. She was the spa director at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler in 1999 before she moved to the Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt Hotel in Toronto as assistant manager and director. Eventually, she moved west again and joined Vida Wellness Spas as a regional director before being promoted to president in 2006. Hegedus believes there are two things a person needs to know to be successful in the spa industry. “It’s a very personal industry and a very sensitive industry,” she said. Hegedus believes her education provided her not only with the business skills to manage any spa, but also the communication skills it takes to handle a spa business. “Because it is so sensitive, you have to diversify your personality and be open to the different personalities you run into every day.” Vida has four locations in the Pacific Northwest. Company revenues total $5 million annually. Whether it’s a spa, the cosmetics industry or any other business, Hegedus believes a successful leader is one that’s involved. “I also feel that a big part of success in my industry is being hands-on,” she said. “I think that any business is successful with a hands-on owner operator.” • Birthplace: Welland, Ontario Where do you live now: Vancouver Car or chosen mode of transport: Audi-A4 Currently reading: Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy by Isadore Sharp Last CD bought or music downloaded: Closer by Sarah McLachlan Favourite movie: Sabrina Favourite local restaurant: Don Francesco Person you would most like to meet (living or deceased): Audrey Hepburn and Princess Diana Profession you would most like to try: I can’t think of another profession that would fill me up as much as this one does Mentor: Barbara MacLellan and Vivienne Okeeffe Most memorable career milestone or event: Ray Wild, the original Canadian distributor of Dermalogica skin care, taught me the most important quality one must have to succeed as a leader: you must lead by example, through a hands-on approach and through hard work Toughest business or professional decision: When you are passionate about what you do, you find a new dream and you live and breathe it. The toughest decision is always leaving that dream for a new and exciting one What’s left to do: I was once asked where I saw Vida Spa going in the future. I responded that Vida’s brand would be as recognized in name as the Starbucks of the world, with a product that exceeds all other spas This article from Business in Vancouver December 29, 2009-January 4, 2010; issue 1053 Business in Vancouver (www.biv.com) has been publishing in-depth local business news, analysis and commentary since 1989. The newspaper also produces a weekly ranked list of the biggest companies and players in a wide range of B.C. industries and commercial sectors, monthly features and industry-focused sections that arm its subscribers with a complete package of local business intelligence each week. |
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