The future of our industry in two words: Brains & Bots
Happy Friday,
I’m still buzzing from the World Spa & Wellness Convention I hosted with Professional Beauty this past week. Two full days, over 20 incredible speakers, and more than 70 delegates in the room – the energy was electric. But beyond the excitement, there were some big “aha” moments I’d love to share with you because they’re too valuable to keep to myself.
The first was the session on Neuroaesthetics. Now, if you haven’t heard that word before, don’t worry – I hadn’t either until recently. In simple terms, it’s all about how our brains perceive spaces, sounds, textures, and even scents. The key takeaway?
👉 Your business interior and client experience should be designed around how the brain reacts to stimulation.
Think about that for a second. We have the power to influence our clients’ moods, their sense of wellbeing, and even how much they choose to spend with us – simply by carefully controlling the sensory journey in our space. Lighting, music, scent, touch – all of these can either make or break the experience. And the best part? We control it fully. That means every day, with small intentional changes, we can create a space where clients feel good, stay longer, and book more.
The second session that made everyone sit up was on AI and Robotics. It started reassuringly: “Robots will never replace our skills as therapists.” But then came the wake-up call – actually, some can. From AI-driven skin diagnostics to massage robots already being tested, technology is moving fast. The real lesson? We need to double down on what robots cannot do:
✨ Human connection
✨ Genuine care
✨ Emotional intelligence
✨ The artistry of touch and presence
Those are the things that will keep our clients engaged and coming back – and that no robot can ever truly replicate.
So, here’s my little challenge for you this week:
🔹 Look at your spa/salon space with fresh eyes. Which senses are you stimulating well – and which might need more attention?
🔹 Think about what makes your human touch, your team’s energy, and your client conversations irreplaceable. How can you build on that to stand out in an AI-driven future?
I truly believe if we get these two things right – the sensory journey and the irreplaceable human factor – our businesses won’t just survive, they’ll thrive in the years ahead.
Until next week,
Marisa ✨
P.S. If you’d like me to share more of the top insights from the other 10 sessions, hit reply and let me know – I’ll happily dive deeper in the coming weeks!
