Jennifer Cooper, E!Here's an easy question: How does spending the day at a peaceful spa sound? Pretty good, right? A spa day is a luxury that's one of the ultimate forms of relaxation.
So, for today's zen-themed edition of Trendsetters at Work, we caught up with Kirsy Pimentel, who is the spa director of New York City's tranquil White Tea Med Spa.
Kirsy knows exactly what it takes to give clients an incredible spa experience, so it's no wonder that celebs flock to the White Tea Med Spa.
Keep on reading to find out what an average day in the life of a luxury spa director is like.
What was your very first job?
My very first job was at an insurance company as a part-time administrative assistant.
How did you get started in your career?
I was first introduced to the spa industry while attending college for Criminal Justice. I was searching for a job at the college career center, and came upon a job posting of a spa that was looking to hire "endermologie technicians." The term automatically caught my attention because it was something that I had never heard of at the time, even though it was a treatment that was for something so common among women: cellulite. I started as an endermologie technician and in less than a year, I became the assistant spa manager, but I was still performing body treatments. I loved the fact that I did both administrative duties, which I truly enjoy, and at the same time I was helping people look and feel better about themselves.
Who are some of your career heroes?
In a world still dominated mostly by men, it is easy to forget we are working in an industry run primarily by women. We must work with women, for women in an industry that caters to women. It is for this reason why Jane Wurwand, of Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute, is someone to admire and respect. She truly strives to help other women rise up, as well as providing a home for estheticians of all genders to thrive.
What's a typical workday like for you?
A typical day for me consists of administrative duties, accounting, marketing, HR, treatment consultations, research and development to keep improving our cutting edge services, such as our latest addition, VelaShape III.
Describe your office décor. What was your inspiration?
The owner of the spa decorated it herself, and it's great because it has a very inviting and warm feeling. I feel very lucky to work in such a nice environment, both visually and energy-wise.
List five things that are on your desk right now.
Pictures of my family, artwork of my 2-year-old son, computer, phone, and a bottle of Purell.
What do you typically wear to work?
My White Tea Med Spa uniform.
What are your favorite stores to shop for work clothes?
Since I work in my White Tea Med Spa uniform, I don't shop for work clothes but for personal clothes, I love DKNY, Kenneth Cole, and Banana Republic (for their petite section!).
What's the best piece of career advice you've ever received?
To love what you do you and success will follow.
Finish the sentence…
Today for lunch I had…Broiled salmon with green bean salad.
The first website I log onto every day is...My email.
The beauty product you can always find in my purse is…Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist.
My must-have work gadget is…VelaShape III. We can really change people's lives and bodies with it.
My usual Starbucks order is…Tall Classic Chai Tea Latte.
If I need a quick break during work, I usually…Look at pictures of my son. His sweet face just makes me smile!
If I wasn't doing this job, I would be…I wanted to be a detective, so I would have probably pursued a career in criminal justice.
The best part of my job is…The team that we have is great and I love working with them. I also enjoy interacting with so many different people throughout the day. I love the beauty industry because knowing that we are helping people look and feel better about themselves is very rewarding.