After more than three decades in the spa and wellness industry, Cecilia Hercik has distilled a lifetime of stories, lessons, and leadership insights into her new blog, Spa Director Diaries. This platform blends wisdom with humor to guide spa leaders, providers, and wellness seekers, offering both inspiration and practical knowledge. In this conversation, Cecilia shares what inspired her to launch Spa Director’s Diaries, her personal approach to wellness, and her favorite Red Flower rituals.
RF: What inspired you to create Spa Director's Diaries after more than 30 years in the spa industry?
CH: After three decades in the spa world—filled with over 1,000 treatments, countless team huddles, and just a few accidental mud splashes—I realized I had a treasure chest of stories and lessons that could inspire, educate, and entertain. When I started, there were no spa degrees or management programs, just trial, error, and a lot of lavender oil. Spa Director’s Diaries is my way of giving back to the industry that shaped me, with a mix of wisdom and a wink.
RF: How do you hope Spa Director's Diaries will impact the spa and wellness community?
CH: I hope it becomes a resource and a spark of inspiration—a place where spa leaders, owners, and providers can feel connected, learn something new, and even laugh at the universal “spa moments” we all share. My goal is to encourage self-education, spark curiosity, and create a supportive space that celebrates the art and business of wellness.
RF: What kinds of stories, lessons, or insights can readers expect to find on the blog?
CH: Readers can expect a mix of global spa adventures, real-world leadership tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and honest lessons learned (including the “oops” moments). From product partnerships that wowed me to creative spa promotions that worked—and a few that didn’t—I share the good, the challenging, and the funny sides of spa life.
RF: How has your own professional journey shaped the content you plan to share?
CH: My career has been a blend of high-end resort spas, entrepreneurial adventures, consulting, and even the humbling experience of running my own small day spa. Every chapter taught me something valuable—whether it was how to lead a five-star team, pivot during challenges, or simply keep calm when the eucalyptus diffuser breaks right before a VIP visit. All those experiences fuel the stories, tips, and insights I now share in Spa Director’s Diaries.
RF: Looking back on your years shaping so many prestigious spas, what experiences most prepared you for this next chapter?
CH: Every role taught me something essential, from opening five-star resort spas to the humbling adventure of running my own small day spa. Leading large teams gave me the operational discipline and guest service finesse, while my entrepreneurial experience taught me grit, adaptability, and how to fold spa robes at lightning speed when short-staffed. Together, those experiences gave me both the strategic and hands-on perspective I now share in Spa Director’s Diaries.
RF: Can you share a defining leadership lesson you’ve learned in your career?
CH: People remember how you make them feel. A well-run spa is about so much more than beautiful treatment rooms and signature massages—it’s about creating a culture where teams feel supported and guests feel seen. If you take care of your team first, they will take care of the guests, and everything else flows from there (including revenue!).
RF: What is one piece of advice you wish you had received when you first started in spa management?
CH: I wish someone had said: “Learn the business side as quickly as you master the wellness side.” Early in my career, I was all about treatments, rituals, and guest experience. Numbers? Budgets? Marketing plans? Those felt like a foreign language. Understanding finance and marketing early on is the secret to having the freedom to create magical spa experiences without losing sleep over the P&L.
RF: How have luxury spa experiences evolved since you began your career?
CH: When I started, luxury spas were all about indulgence—think marble steam rooms and endless cucumber water. Today, luxury means personalization and purpose. Guests want more than pampering; they want transformation, wellness integration, and experiences that support their lifestyle long after check-out. Technology, science-backed treatments, and sustainability have also become essential parts of the modern spa experience.
RF: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for innovation in the spa and wellness sector today?
CH: I see huge opportunities in integrative wellness—combining ancient practices with modern science—and in personalized guest journeys using technology to track and enhance results. There’s also untapped potential in community and connection, creating offerings that go beyond the treatment room to support mental health, lifestyle shifts, and ongoing wellness habits. And, of course, there’s always room for innovation in how we train and empower spa teams—they are the heart of everything we do.
RF: What does wellness mean to you personally at this stage in your career?
CH: Wellness, to me now, is all about balance and awareness. Earlier in my career, I thought wellness meant squeezing in treatments between 12-hour workdays and calling it self-care. Today, it’s about creating space to recharge—mentally, emotionally, and physically—so I can show up fully for my work, my family, and myself.
RF: Do you have a daily self-care ritual you never skip?
CH: Yes! My non-negotiable is morning quiet time—even if it’s just 10 minutes of tea, journaling, and deep breathing before emails take over. And I never skip my nightly skincare ritual. After 30 years in the industry, I’ve tested everything, and trust me, my serums and face masks are my sacred little moment of spa-at-home bliss.
RF: How do you maintain balance and avoid burnout in such a demanding industry?
CH: I learned the hard way that you can’t pour from an empty essential oil bottle. I schedule my own self-care the way I’d schedule a VIP guest—because if I don’t, the week disappears. I also give myself permission to say no, delegate more, and unplug (mostly!) on weekends. Burnout is real in hospitality, and protecting your energy is part of the job.
RF: Can you share a wellness practice you think every busy professional should adopt?
CH: Take micro-pauses. You don’t need a full spa day to reset; a five-minute breathing break, a quick walk outside, or even standing up to stretch between calls makes a huge difference. I also swear by mini gratitude check-ins—because if you can find joy in the little things (like a perfect latte or a sunny corner), the big stressors feel more manageable.
RF: What legacy do you hope Spa Director's Diaries will leave within the spa community?
CH: I hope Spa Director’s Diaries becomes a lasting source of inspiration, guidance, and connection for spa leaders, providers, and wellness enthusiasts alike. My dream is that it encourages future generations of spa professionals to embrace both the heart and the business of wellness—to lead with empathy, curiosity, and creativity, while also feeling confident in the operational and financial side of our industry.
If my stories, checklists, and lessons spark just one “aha moment” that helps someone feel more capable, inspired, or supported in their spa journey, then I’ll know this little diary has done its job. My ultimate legacy? Helping others find their “spa soul”—and passing along the knowledge and passion that this industry so generously gave to me.
RF: Do you have a favorite Red Flower product for your own self-care or treatments?
CH: Absolutely—a flower bath is my ultimate ritual, and Red Flower turns it into pure magic. Their products are like a global garden in a bottle, calling on the healing power of blooms and leaves: lavender, citrus, chamomile, roses, gardenias, balsam fir, and bay laurel—just to name a few.
My go-to ritual starts with the Moonflower collection. I light a Moonflower candle or run the room diffuser, then fill the tub with Moonflower Body Wash (yes, I love bubbles!). I keep the Moonflower Softening Lotion nearby, add a little Ohana Gingergrass Bamboo Scrub for an exfoliating treat, and finish with a spritz of Orange Quince Steam Mist for a refreshing lift.
RF: Is there a Red Flower ritual that feels especially grounding or restorative for you?
CH: Oh yes—the Red Flower Hammam Body Treatment is my ultimate “out of office” ritual. It’s like teleporting to the steam-filled hammams of Turkey, Tunisia, or Morocco, Athens or maybe even wandering the historic coast of Andalusia—without leaving the spa.
This seven-step ritual is a masterclass in layering wellness. It starts with deep detoxification and gentle exfoliation, moves through nourishing hydration, and ends with that warm, illuminated “I just spent a week at a spa retreat” glow.
The combination of olive oil, shea butter, clays, and botanicals makes it both ancient and indulgent. I love it because it’s not just a treatment; it’s a mini pilgrimage for the senses—and unlike my last trip to Spain, this one doesn’t require a passport or jet lag.
RF: How do Red Flower products align with your wellness philosophy?
CH: They connect directly to my “spa soul”. Red Flower honors ancient healing wisdom while embracing modern sustainability. Each product is rooted in nature, infused with meaning, and designed to spark a sensory journey—which perfectly aligns with the values I share on Spa Director’s Diaries: balance, beauty, and the art of meaningful rituals.
RF: If you could recommend one Red Flower ritual for someone new to the brand, what would it be and why?
CH: First, I’d suggest new users explore the Ingredients and Scents tabs on Red Flower’s beautiful website—it’s a crash course in the healing power of botanicals. For a true first experience, I recommend starting with a promotional spa treatment featuring Moonflower—a dreamy, watery, floral scent that instantly transports you.
For spa leaders, my advice is this: shop with your clients in mind, not just your own favorites. Consider your spa’s demographic, location, theme, and the local ingredients that make your story unique. Start with a single signature treatment, track guest response, and let the results (and the scent!) guide your next step.
Moonflower will always be my personal signature—it’s like holding a piece of spa serenity in a single breath.