Shel Pink is the founder of SpaRitual, a pioneering, sustainable beauty brand based on the rituals of self-care. Pink built SpaRitual on the guiding ethos of Slow Beauty, encouraging women to reclaim ownership of their greatest commodity (time) and establish a connection through meaningful daily beauty practices. Shel’s advice and insights are sought after as a keynote speaker, and she has been featured as a green beauty authority for outlets including the Los Angeles Times, Huffington Post, and Organic Spa. Pink launched her first book, Slow Beauty: Rituals and Recipes to Nourish the Body and Feed the Soul in 2017.1. In one word, describe yourself!

Passionate

2. Who is your role model and why?

Rachel Carson, she was an environmentalist who recognized the connection between all living things on the planet. She saw the whole of life and worked passionately to raise awareness about that connection to help make the world a better and more compassionate place to be. She was both a scientist and a poet.

3. What’s your personal mantra?

Joy no matter what.

4. What’s your biggest guilty pleasure?

Dark Chocolate

5. How do you spend most of your time?

With my family

6. Favorite type of skin care product? Why?

Body oils. I use them for daily self massage. My favorite is SpaRitual Earl Grey Oil Salve.

7. What’s something most people don’t know about you?

I love to paint.

8. How would you describe your leadership style and how has it benefited you throughout your career?

Open minded and supportive. I believe this style motivates people to do their best and feel good.

9. What’s most important to your business: mission, core values, or vision? Why?

Compassion and education. We want to educate professionals and consumers on how to compassionately care for themselves, each other and the planet to make the world a better place.

10. What’s one characteristic you believe every leader should possess? Why?

Kindness.

11. What are the biggest trends in the spa industry?

Trend towards mindful selfcare and slowing down in spa practices; holistic pursuit of stress management
Experiences that allow a deeper level of consciousness and reflection
Cryotherapy, Himalayan salt therapy and Ayurveda are growing in popularity
Focus on customizing spa treatments for the consumer (the consumer these days is savvier and wants more from their experience)
People are experiencing tons of stress through technology, lack of boundaries with work and life, and it’s driving people’s need to unplug and relax in a spa
Growing need for authenticity in spas (creating the full, authentic experience)
Beauty from the inside out: Clean beauty, nontoxic products (people don’t want to put anything on their body they wouldn’t eat)

12. What is the biggest challenge facing the industry today?

Making spas for “everyone” (moving away from the heavily associated idea that spas are only for the wealthy)
Finding quality service providers, tasked with creating new and unique offerings (providing customization is key, as spa goers have lots of options)
Attracting the Millenials. Spas need to develop and offer retreat experiences that are appealing to this generation.