Day spa in Radium welcomes fresh hands

A personalized approach to service aims to optimize health and beauty

Heather Fischbuch is the new owner of Bare Hands Day Spa at the Prestige in Radium Hot Springs. She looks forward to meeting the needs of new and returning clients. —

Leigha Kehr photo

At 26 years in business, Bare Hands Day Spa in Radium Hot Springs is one of the longest established spa facilities in the Columbia Valley. On January 1st, 2010, the spa welcomed new owner Heather Fischbuch. While she may be new to Bare Hands Day Spa, Fischbuch is an old hand with the industry in general, bringing 24 years of massage therapy experience to her current role as sole proprietor of the spa, which is located in the Prestige Hotel. Fischbuch was kind enough to take time from her busy schedule to answer our questions.

How many employees work at Bare Hands Day Spa?

I have five employees at this point and may scale up to a few more in the summer. I have inherited some great staff from the former owner. And the previous owner, Jeni Bartley, will also work here part-time as one of our massage therapists after her maternity leave ends.

One of the employees is your daughter, Leigha Kehr. What's it like working with your daughter?

It's rewarding and challenging at the same time! She grew up seeing me work in spas, and liking the lifestyle and services it provided. So she was inspired to train as an esthetician after high school. Facial and skin care lines are her specialty. And she will manage the new spa store once it's up and running.

Tell us about the new spa shop.

We're expanding to include a retail spa store that will carry various health and beauty products so you can continue your spa experience at home.

What products and services does Bare Hands Day Spa offer?

We offer a full massage variety line of five or six different types of massage. We also offer a full esthetics line—facials, manicures, pedicures and body wraps. And we have a hydrotherapy room with a big tub for aromatherapy sessions and warm mud baths (which draw toxins out of the body).

What did you do before coming to Radium Hot Springs?

I grew up on the other side of the mountains in the Pincher Creek/Crowsnest Pass area, and worked (as a massage therapist) for the past five years in Edmonton.

What made you decide to buy your own business in Radium?

My kids were grown up and on their own, and I got the itch to explore the mountain lifestyle again. I was holidaying in Radium and decided to look into the job possibilities here. I had three job offers and an offer to buy a spa within a week! I like to be my own boss, so I took the offer to buy the spa seriously. It came with a great reputation.

Describe a typical day on the job.

I generally go in in the morning and check my messages. Often messages come from hotel guests, so I book those appointments. It's an on-call business, so some days we are booked up solid and other days we are holding down the fort waiting for calls. I limit myself to five or six massages a day to ensure that each client is getting fresh hands and quality work. I've been in the industry for 24 years; not many people do it that long, but I take care of my own body too. I also make time for marketing and networking on a regular basis. I know I can't do it all myself, so I will do referrals to other holistic healthcare practitioners (including chiropractors). The final task of the day is laundry—folding sheets at 10 at night is not uncommon!

What makes your business special or sets it apart?

I really strive to provide individual service. It's not a cookie-cutter approach. For example, our aromatherapy products are all blended individually. They are personalized after I do a five-minute interview with the client. About 80 per cent of our clientele is tourists, and 20 per cent are local, repeat customers. I like to build on progress each week with the return clients. Whether it's feet or nails or skin or muscles, my goal is to optimize your health. I often send clients away with homework (certain exercises, or drinking more water every day, for example). We strive for lasting change with our clients.

What do you like most about your job?

Living in the area! I am such a mountain girl at heart. It's an active lifestyle here. I enjoy working with hikers, bikers and skiers. I also enjoy working with seniors who come to the hot springs for the health benefits. I had one client, an 87-year-old physiotherapist, who came back three more times (after her initial appointment). That was such a compliment to us. She has already booked her session for when she comes back in May for the bird festival (Wings Over the Rockies).

Tell us a bit about your business philosophy.

I want my staff to love their work. Even after 24 years, I still love going to work. I don't say we're the best—I'm not an egomaniac—but I want us, as therapists, to be at the top of our game every day. I want our clients to feel really lifted up by their spa experience.

What is your proudest achievement?

In Alberta, I became the native plant essential oil distillation poster girl! I've spoken internationally on essential oils from native plants, many of them available locally—tamarack, wild rose, sweetgrass, spruce, fir, poplar. I love sharing my knowledge.

Where do you hope to be five years from now?

I hope to be still living here in the valley. I'm aspiring to do seasonal spa retreats in the spring and fall to bulk up the shoulder season. I want to be an alternative to the famous spas in Europe, the Napa Valley, Vancouver Island. I also aspire to travel, perhaps leading some aromatherapy tours internationally. But I want this (Radium Hot Springs) to be my home base. I want to put down roots here.

Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

I'd just like to invite people to check us out in the Prestige Hotel at the four-way stop in Radium. We'll make it worth your while!