Carolyn Koenig

Joined September 19, 2022

Articles 28

Cold Tubs: Hype Cycle or Staying Power?

Cold plunging in lakes and oceans has long appealed to athletes and wellness enthusiasts, but those experiences aren’t always accessible or practical. When cold tubs for the home were introduced, they sparked a new category, with all the celebrity and influencer hype, and sales surged.

Backyard Living | Current Issue

Think Inside the Box

The U.S. sauna market is no longer niche. “In America and the West, sauna is coming out of its infancy and exploding,” says Arash Amini, CEO of Amini’s, with locations in Missouri, Oklahoma and Kansas.

Profile | Current Issue

Engineering the Industry

Many people in the hot tub industry come to it through family businesses or early career opportunities. Others, like Angelo Pugliese, who recently retired as senior engineer for Custom Molded Products in Atlanta, had a different path. “I needed a job!” he says with a laugh.

Merchandising

From Walk-in to Warm Lead

You likely already know two key things about customers who walk into your showroom: They’ve researched spas online, and they’re ready to see, feel and maybe even test one in person. That level of buy-in gives your team an opportunity to close sales today and build a pipeline for tomorrow.

Backyard Living

The Subtle Sell

Sometimes a hot tub is … just a hot tub. You’ll gladly ring up the sale. Often, however, the spa becomes the centerpiece of a backyard living space and the starting point for complementary products that complete the experience.

Features

Building Your Support System

It may be scaling your business, navigating market uncertainties or being thrust into a leadership role. Whatever the catalyst, many spa retailers eventually realize they can’t — and shouldn’t — do everything alone. At that point, they begin exploring coaches, peer groups or professional communities that offer the experience, perspective and accountability for personal and professional growth.

Operations

The SOP Update

People are drawn to the spa industry for many reasons, but standard operating procedures (SOPs) usually aren’t one of them. “They’re difficult,” says Brandon Jones, co-owner of St. Cyr Pool & Spa in Middleton, Massachusetts. “It’s tempting to want to put SOPs on the back burner,” especially amid the everyday hustle of running a business.

Chemicals

Filter Fix

For many hot tub owners, cleaning filters feels frustrating, time-consuming and easy to put off. The task is not high on their weekend to-do list. Some buyers even tune out during the sales pitch — hearing only “low maintenance … every three months” — and assume if a filter looks clean, it is.

Accessories

Leisure Concepts: Deck Out Your Showroom Swim Spa with ModDeck

When a new product takes off, it often inspires others to design accessories that enhance it even further. Take swim spas. Their rise in popularity has boosted sales opportunities not just for manufacturers but also for retailers. Still, their height — typically 53 inches or more — creates a challenge: How do buyers get in?

Backyard Living

Hot Spring Goes Cold

Few wellness trends have captured consumers’ imaginations like the cold plunge. Step into 39-degree water and you’ll feel the jolt — a spike of adrenaline, tingling skin and a rush of clarity.