SPA HIVE

Hosted by Julie Pankey

Business Health Fitness Education

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Episodes

191

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

The SpaHive Podcast is for spa owners, wellness entrepreneurs, hospitality leaders — and anyone building a business with heart and strategy. Hosted by 7-Figure Spa Consultant Julie Pankey and co-host MaryAnn Sessine, this show delivers real spa business strategy, marketing insight, revenue growth tactics, team development tools, and honest conversations about leadership, burnout, mindset, and sustainable success. No quick fixes. No fluff. Just practical systems, profitability strategies, and unfiltered conversations about what it really takes to grow in business — and in life.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 14, 2026Episode 19146 min

Are You Actually Good at Making Decisions?

Why can we make some of life's biggest decisions in minutes...but spend 45 minutes deciding where to eat? This week on the SpaHive Podcast, Julie and MaryAnn are talking decision making: the things they decide instantly, the ridiculously small choices they overthink, gut instinct vs. research, decision fatigue, and why having MORE options may actually make it harder to choose. Plus, Julie and MaryAnn put their own decision-making styles to the test and unpack the famous "jam study" on choice overload — and what it can teach us about business, spa menus, parenting and everyday life. Are you a fast decision maker, an overthinker...or somehow both? Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

August 7, 2026Episode 19035 min

From Sardines to BookTok...The Internet Is Getting Weird Again

Wellness trends are everywhere...but are they actually making life better? Julie and MaryAnn continue their conversation from last week's episode by diving into some of today's biggest viral trends, including Social Wellness, 90s Summer, Sardine Girl Summer and BookTok. Together they explore which trends deserve the hype, which ones they're skeptical of, and why sometimes the best ideas aren't new at all. Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

July 31, 2026Episode 18919 min

Glass Skin, Bed Rotting & Fisherman Fashion... We're Rating Them All

Every week there's another beauty, wellness, or lifestyle trend taking over social media... but are any of them actually worth trying? In this fun episode of SpaHive, Julie Pankey and MaryAnn rate today's biggest viral trends using one simple system: Buy It, Borrow It, or Leave It. From Glass Skin facials and Fisherman Aesthetic fashion to Bed Rotting, eco friendly salon hair recycling, and some very questionable "nervous system wellness" products, nothing is off limits. You'll laugh, probably disagree with us a few times, and maybe even discover a trend worth trying yourself. Whether you're a spa professional, business owner, or just someone who enjoys keeping up with internet culture, this episode is packed with opinions, laughs, and plenty of "wait... that's actually a thing?" moments. Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

July 27, 2026Episode 18839 min

The Science Behind a Memorable Summer

The days are long... but somehow summer still flies by. This week on the SpaHive Podcast, Julie and MaryAnn are checking in halfway through summer and asking a simple question: Are you tired... or fulfilled? From spontaneous adventures and sunrise hikes to pumpkin spice debates and boat trips, the conversation explores why some days leave us energized while others leave us completely drained. They also unpack fascinating research on why trying something new changes how our brains experience time and why novelty can actually make life feel fuller. Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

July 17, 2026Episode 18725 min

What great leaders actually do and say?

In this rapid fire episode, Julie Pankey answers real world leadership questions on communication, feedback, team culture, trust, accountability, and managing employees. From handling difficult conversations to avoiding micromanagement, you'll walk away with practical leadership strategies you can apply immediately. Whether you're a spa owner, manager, entrepreneur, or team leader, this episode is packed with honest advice, actionable insights, and a behind the scenes look at what great leaders actually do and say. Topics include: • Leadership communication • Employee management • Team accountability • Giving effective feedback • Building trust and respect • Leadership mindset Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

July 10, 2026Episode 18644 min

Are You the Hero...or the Problem?

Are you leading your team...or accidentally becoming the bottleneck? Many business owners and managers believe being the person everyone depends on is a sign of great leadership. But what if it's actually holding your team and your business back? In this episode of SpaHive Business + Life Unfiltered, Julie Pankey and MaryAnn explore why the best leaders make themselves less needed by building confident, capable teams instead of becoming the constant problem solver. Whether you're leading a spa, managing a team, running a small business, volunteering in your community, or even raising a family, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, delegation, and accountability. Check out Julie Pankey’s Leadership must read list! https://a.co/d/06O7OCfq

July 3, 2026Episode 18537 min

Are YOU the Bottleneck? A Leadership Audit Every Business Owner Needs

:Last week, we bought your spa. This week... we're buying into your leadership. Every business eventually reflects its leader. If your team depends on you for every decision, problems keep resurfacing, or you constantly feel overwhelmed, this episode is for you. Julie Pankey and MaryAnn continue their leadership series with a practical leadership audit designed for spa owners, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to build businesses that thrive without constant firefighting. Inside this episode: What are you tolerating? • Are you leading or reacting? • Are YOU the bottleneck? • What does your team actually experience? • Rapid fire leadership questions every owner should answer honestly. If you're ready to stop managing every detail and start leading a stronger team, this conversation is for you. #SpaOwner #Leadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwner #Entrepreneur #Management #SpaBusiness #TeamLeadership

June 26, 2026Episode 18439 min

We Just Bought Your Spa. Now What?

n this episode of SpaHive Podcast, Julie Pankey and MaryAnn walk through the exact process they'd use to evaluate a spa from the moment they pull into the parking lot. From curb appeal and client experience to team culture, retention, operations, and profitability, they're sharing the hidden signs that separate thriving spas from struggling ones. Whether you're an independent esthetician, spa owner, medical spa manager, or salon leader, this episode will help you evaluate your business through a fresh lens and identify opportunities for growth. In this episode you'll learn: ✔ Why the "Parking Lot Test" matters more than you think ✔ The first reports every spa owner should review ✔ What your spa environment says before clients walk inside ✔ Common operational mistakes hurting profitability ✔ How client retention impacts long term success ✔ The leadership habits that build stronger teams ✔ Small improvements that create a better guest experience If you're ready to grow your spa business, improve operations, and become a stronger leader, this episode is your practical starting point.

June 19, 2026Episode 18334 min

Trust, Secrets & Plot Twists: Our Book Club Discussion

This month for SpaHive Book Club, we read You Deserve To Know by Aggie Thompson and let's just say... Julie and MaryAnn had very different reactions. From shocking plot twists and suburban secrets to unreliable narrators and friendship dynamics, we're unpacking everything that kept us turning pages. Did the ending work? Did we see the twists coming? And did we actually read the same book? Spoiler alert: if you haven't read the book yet, hit pause now and come back after you've finished. Book Club Picks

June 12, 2026Episode 18236 min

More Joy, Less Hustle: 3 Habits That Change Everything

Feeling busy but not fulfilled? Julie and MaryAnn explore the 3 simple things that make life feel bigger: new experiences, creativity, and real human connection. A thoughtful conversation about happiness, presence, and creating a life you'll actually remember. Don't Forget to join the Spa Hive Book Club- pick up your copy of our latest pick! https://a.co/d/03DK9zR6