By Michael Pollak, Chief Brand Officer & Co-Founder
The architecture of a space can be one of the quietest, yet most powerful forces that affect the experience you have in it. We’ve all been moved by grand spaces, thrilled by convenient touches in others, and probably been miffed by what seems like thoughtless choices in some.
One of the many reasons we don’t call ourselves a “spa” is architectural.
When it came time to design how our treatment spaces at Heyday would come alive, our instinct was to create something semi-private. Just enough privacy because you’re a little more vulnerable in a facial – more than a haircut, less than a massage. Yet somewhat open, because while there’s an undeniably relaxing component to facials, a lot of it is active work and productive conversation. The whole perfect towel turban, orchid behind your ear, and pan flute music? Not really our jam.
After three years in action, with some modifications based on feedback, we’re still fully behind the spirit of where we started. We’ve seen the benefits of our semi-private spaces in several ways:
It’s less intimidating.
For some clients, a long hallway of closed doors and dim lights makes facials feel foreign, intimidating, or like a big commitment. By doing away with that pomp and circumstance, we’ve made skincare easier to engage with — including the huge percentage of our clients who have their first facial ever with us (an absolute honor!). It’s not a drawn-out, robe-donning ceremony; it’s an hour of self-care. Hop right up.
It makes conversation natural.
Hearing ambient chatter and the good playlist around you offers subtle permission to engage, talk, and learn — something critical to making skincare less of a silent, performative affair and more in the realm of everyday life. All we ask is that you use inside voices. ;-)
It helps keep our services affordable.
We set out to make facials more affordable, period. Building out fully private rooms drives up the cost of new shops — and not just because of four walls and a door. Construction costs and city requirements make private rooms much more expensive. Our business model would be very different, and it wouldn’t create the change we wanted to see in the industry.
It creates an environment of learning for our team.
“She’s my neighbor on Saturdays. I love it. Our styles are so different, but I learn a ton listening in on how she works with clients.” We’ve heard this many times between Skin Therapists. In an open plan, there’s a powerful sense of teamwork and learning-by-osmosis that gives our team the vitality they pass on to you — and the constant exchange of knowledge strengthens their craft.
It creates a positive vibe and sense of community.
There’s an undeniable energy when you take things out of closed doors. We love hearing clients walk in and mention they can feel the upbeat buzz. That’s a feeling we want to pass on to everyone. (We’ll leave the valid and needed total peace and quiet to our wonderful friends at MNDFL.)
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On a personal note — if it wasn’t for our open plan space, I wouldn’t be able to indulge in one of my favorite pastimes in a busy Heyday shop: walking in, slowly (and ridiculously) skulking down the hall, and exuberantly waving at our team (without any of you knowing because you’re masking or under hot towels). It’s one of the most joyful reminders for me of the team and community we’ve created.
Hopefully this gives you insight into why we set aside the hush-hush. We’re proudly open plan, open-hearted, open doors, open to listen, and open to share our human touch and expert knowledge with you. Come on in!
