Lysa Kustek of Le Petite Retreat Day Spa
Tell us about yourself? What interests you on a personal level?
I was born just outside of Los Angeles in Covina, where I was raised by my parents and went to school. I’ve always been intrigued with learning about all the changing beauty treatments which keep us all looking better and younger. I really do love to go antiquing and going to auctions to relax and collect furniture, artwork, and special gifts for people. I especially love traveling to Eastern Europe, experiencing their spas and spa treatments which are so very different from ours. But most of all I spend most of my off-work time with friends, which is probably what interests me most on a personal level!
When did you first decide to get into the spa industry? When did you first decide to become a spa owner?
Getting into the industry could be called a fluke by some, or what I rather call destiny. Since there was really no multi-year research conducted, analytical business planning process, etc., my spa idea really started out as a nail salon and then evolved into a day spa. Of course, we then had to do the customary research, financial and business planning, but my original idea was just to do a little nail salon in a free standing house with a fireplace. I wanted a house with a fireplace in a business district, as I wasn't going to open my business in a strip mall --- too much congestion, frustration, and lack of personality and being personal most times. I was leaving my corporate job, and on my last day to work I passed by this building for lease (which wasn't on my normal driving route to work). Later in the day I stopped to look at the building, and peer through the clouded windows. I saw the fireplace... and saw my future. So you see it really was destiny, right?
Did you choose the industry or did industry choose you?
Since I really didn't research the spa industry much before opening our doors, I'd say the industry definitely chose me. You see, in 2001, day spas in the US were just beginning. There was no roadmap, no formula, no "day spas for dummies" handbook. And since there was no 'proper' way to create a spa and run it, this allowed me and our staff to be innovative. We did so many different things regarding treatments, procedures, compensation, bookings, etc., which evolved into the success we are today. If I had to be "told" how to do something, well, I don't like being told what to do - I like to figure it out on my own!
What makes your spa unique? What influenced the themes?
One of the more unique things about Le Petite Retreat day spa, is that the spa is a free standing building, and like I said earlier, not in a commercial building, or a strip center. This was done on purpose to avoid the hustle/bustle that I wanted to get away from myself, and certainly wanted to create for my guests. The design is definitely to be a Retreat, and since the building is small, I wanted to have some rhyme to the reason of the name, “Le Petite”. Of course, we purposely mis-spelled the French wording, mixing the “male – Le” with the “female – Petite” – There were so many people when we first opened who came in and corrected us to be either La Petite, or Le Petit day spa. Our spa is based on the 5 Chinese elements, and certainly we integrate yin and yang without being ‘in your face’ about it. We’re holistic without being preachy. We also specialize in couples treatments which are not commonly offered at other spas. We began couples facials and massages over a year ago, and were the first in Los Angeles to do so. Now, there are many other spas doing couples treatments, but we keep innovating!
What are the services that make you stand out in the industry and why are they special?
Above all else, we try to stand out by giving everyone that extra personal attention. When you visit Le Petite Retreat day spa, you’re not going to get the “production line – Big Corporate Spa” treatment, where they don’t look you in the eye and want you moved along and out the door. Though we’re small, we encourage people to try as many treatments as possible with our packages, but also to stay with us in our lounge, or our sauna. Regarding our special treatments, our Jade Stone Massage Therapy is a treatment that not many spas offer in Los Angeles, or in the United States for that matter. We use both warm and cool stones to calm and challenge the muscles for ultimate relaxation, without causing soreness that some experience from deep tissue massage work. Additionally, our Epicuren Herbal Enzyme Firming facial is far and away the most effective spa facial – and I can say that after years of research and investigating what creates an effective product line! These are the treatments that most places don’t offer, which sets us apart from other spas.
Who are you catering to? What types of clientele?
Your wording is right – who do we cater to. We don’t like to use the word “client”, instead we have spa guests. Its subtle, but you treat a guest in your home differently then you would treat a client in an office. Our guests are upscale people who enjoy the finer things in life, but are not showy or trendy. We also attract many people from out of town who are looking for a “hot spot” or an “LA Experience” so they come to us to spa. We also get a large number of couples, same sex or different sex, that want to create a memory together – dinners only last so long. But our core group of guests are those who want to take care of themselves, and for an hour or two when they need it, have someone also take care of them – they deserve it!
Who is your greatest influence or inspiration in the industry or in life?
My husband is the greatest influence in my life. We don’t always agree on things, and I am pretty strong-willed, and approach things more intuitively than he does. But we do a great job balancing each other, which above all, is based on deep love and respect for each other. Metaphysically, I’d say believing in the Universe has been my greatest ally. I certainly believe the Universe rewards action, positive action, and if the answer isn’t always there in front of you, its a matter of time. Experience gives me the confidence that I can take on other challenges...there is no such thing as failure, only learning.
Where do you think the industry is going in LA and beyond? Is increased popularity and proliferation of day spas helping or hurting the industry? What are you doing to thrive in this business climate?
In LA I think the spa industry is here to stay. Though there’s been so much talk about ‘medi-spas’, I don’t necessarily believe that you can truly ‘escape’ or ‘de-stress’ in a medical environment where there are needles and a lot of electrical equipment! I believe that some of the wonderful “Cos-Medical” therapies and innovations are best in a dermatologist's office.
What products are most in demand and why?
Anti wrinkle creams are very much in demand because everyone wants to stay looking as young as possible. The other products in demand are eyelash extensions, because if people look better, they feel better, and that's what most people are after these days – if they believe they look young, they'll feel younger, and the baby boomers then will never age (or we'll all at least postpone looking older for as long as possible).
What are the most innovative products and why?
I believe Epicuren surpasses most products because it enzyme-based, and actually feeds the skin so that it helps to regenerate itself naturally. I’ve seen fast results with this product line after reviewing and investigating over 30 other product lines. Both myself and our thousands of satisfied facial guests believe that Epicuren is still the best product out there for skin health and beauty.
What services are most in demand and why?
In our Los Angeles Spa, massage is still the most requested service and facials are next in importance. Being in the heart of Los Angeles, we're ten minutes from downtown LA and close to Hollywood, and other upscale neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and Los Feliz. The entertainment industry provides the majority of our guests who have to relieve their stress, take care of their skin, so that they look and feel their best, in order to perform their best in a competitive environment. Our stone massage treatments lead our massage requests because of the feel of the stones, plus the therapeutic value that our guests receive.
What are the most innovative services and why?
I would say our Jade Stone Massage is the most innovative treatment we offer. When you first think of having both warm and cool stones massaged into your body, some people think it may be too cold. In reality, too many hot stones can aggravate or inflame muscles and skin – the cool stones used in combination with the warm stones, allow the muscles to expand and contract naturally, plus the cooling action is amazingly refreshing while still being relaxed. Our Jade Stone Massage is a wonderfully pampering experience, but one with great therapeutic value as well.
Regarding eyelash extensions, who are they for? What differentiates the various brands/makers and application styles?
Semi-permanent eyelash extensions are for people who want that extra "umpf", that extra punch to make them stand out. When you think of a sultry, seductive, captivating look, you immediately think of eyes that have a brilliance to them, that are accentuated with dark eyelashes. But eyelash extensions aren't just for women - we also have guys who want to have that 'pop' to their look with minimal upkeep. Mostly though, women who have short lashes are the people who request the lashes the most, as they want to look better, and look better naturally. Among all the eyelash companies, and there are quite a few offering similar products, we've only chosen the best lashes, the best adhesives, and the best maintenance products to help eyelash extensions last the longest time possible.
What do you recommend (eyelash extensions) and why?
Our newest Lashes now last even longer. However, we tell people that the day they have their eyelashes applied, to not immediately go swimming or work out – they can do that the next day, and up to 6 weeks later. I also recommend that people try our Lash Curling treatment, especially if they have wayward pointing eyelashes. We are also doing a semi-permanent 'mascara' coating, that lasts over a month, which contributes to making the eyelashes really 'pop' on a person. In total, eyelash extensions, if done properly, are a very easy-to-maintain beauty enhancer and confidence booster!
Tell us about eyelash extensions?
Many celebrities have been doing eyelash extensions for the last couple of years, and now the lash manufacturers have become much more competitive, so semi-permanent eyelash extensions are very available, and quite affordable. The lash extensions attach at the base of the natural eyelash with a very strong glue. However, the best technique doesn't 'clump' the glue, and that's one of the secrets to the application, so you get the most natural look. You can actually achieve a 50% increase in the visibility of your eyelashes in order to get that dramatic cat-eye look. People see immediate results that make an amazing difference. Of course, if you lose one of your natural eyelashes that the lash was adhering to, you'd loose the extension, but extensions don't make your lashes fall out ahead of their own natural timetable. The lash extensions are like art. There are basic guidelines, but you need to be creative. I mix clusters and individual lashes, even though singles are the "norm". I don't recommend anything to anyone I haven't tried on myself, to see that it looks great, is durable, and lives up to my reputation. As I think we said before, "innovation" is my middle name!
