Nominated Business: The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa
Who are the owner(s) and/or principal leadership in this company? Owners (April and Jonathan Sigg) Manager – Sarah Waters (April’s sister)
Where is it located? St Joseph
Nominated by: SARAH WATERS
How many people work at the company you are nominating? 5
Tell us the story behind the nominated company. What does it do, and what sets them apart from other companies in the region?
April and Sarah were born and raised in St. Joseph. Jonathan and April lived and worked in St. Joseph until pursuing their dream of opening their own business. They packed up and moved to Florida where they opened the first Laser Lounge Spa. Throughout the years they have expanded to multiple states and eventually in 2002 to their home town of St. Joseph where April’s sister Sarah resides. The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa is more than just a “medical spa”. The company as a whole – 19 spa’s and counting – are truly dedicated to giving back to the communities in which they work.
In your own words, why do you think this company deserves to be declared to be one of the 20 Best Places to Work in Michigan’s Great Southwest?I think in this day and age, where we are bombarded with negative input from social media, news, acquaintances, gossip… it is really refreshing to find a group of women working together that have the same goal – to make people happier and feel good about themselves. The company focuses on doing what’s right for someone – not steering someone to do something they may not necessarily need just to make a sale. They guide people through the decision process by providing them with many options to help them achieve their goals – whether it be to lose weight, helping with wrinkles, replacing volume, hormone issues – or just wanting a “refresh” after years of sun damage.
What makes workers proud to say they work there, and keeps them a part of the team?
Jon and April really love to take care of ALL their employees which they do happily because they all deserve it! Each of the 5 women in the St. Joseph office has a great attitude and it shows in the care they provide to every client. They have built strong relationships and enjoy being together at work and look forward to the activities they do after hours. It feels like a true family. They definitely have the “do what you love and love what you do” down!
Let’s pretend you’re writing a review for Google or Indeed. Give us your best recommendation for the nominated company that would make the rest of us wish we worked there, too.
From the moment you walk through the doors of The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa you feel like you are home and among friends. The atmosphere immediately makes you feel comfortable which makes you feel good about your decision to come! They love to educate and answer any questions that you may have. After going over your concerns you are then provided with a plan for short term and/or long term treatment goals that fits your schedule and budget. Another benefit of coming to The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa is that they are able to offer the highest quality care and experience with safety always foremost at an unbelievable price due to their buying power with all of the locations. They pass the savings on to their clients!
What three key words best describe why this company is a Best Places to Work caliber company?
Quality
Safety
Compassionate
As a Best Places to Work company “Super Hero,” what are the two most magical “Super Powers” this company seems to have on a day-to-day basis? (i.e., Ability to read minds, fly, invisibility, etc) And why?
Empathy – it is amazing how being able to really listen to people’s stories and ultimately, concerns, and providing ways to improve their condition, can help change someone’s outlook on life!
Building people (and employees) up and not tearing them down. There is no drama in this workplace – only kind and helpful words – which is a true miracle (especially with 5 women!)
Tell us about the leadership of the nominated company and what they do in order to:
A] Keep spirits and motivation high? Incentives, bonuses, outings, – sharing the happy outcomes that the clients report!
B] Keep innovation and fresh ideas advancing? A lot of training, webinars, seminars, reading – always sharing ideas with each other no matter what your role
C] Keep communications open? Bi-weekly meetings with the owners to make sure things are running smoothly and share thoughts and ideas. Also weekly 1 on 1 meetings with the manager.
Explain a specific “wow!” moment in this company’s history that is virtually “Hall of Fame” or “Best Practices” worthy, as an example to other companies in the region.
For me, it was when I realized we were different than a lot of other medical spa’s in the way that “beauty” is pushed. We don’t want to project the idea that aging is “bad”. Growing old is a good thing – it means that you are alive. After Melissa lost her best friend to cancer not to long ago, we now make sure to emphasize to our clients that growing old is a PRIVILEDGE that not everyone gets the chance to experience. And we are grateful to be able to help someone do it gracefully.
Best Places to Work have a reputation for not only working hard, but also for playing hard.
A] How does the nominated company honor or reward success? Wine. We all love wine.
B] How does the nominated company socialize as a team? We like to get together and just relax and hang out. And drink wine.
C] How does the nominated company get involved in community events? We love to help! Food drives, animal shelter drives, toys-4-tots, attend community events, offer help when someone is in need (we are always looking for new ideas on what to do next!)
D] How does the nominated company celebrate life? We celebrate life every day. Being thankful for what we have and making others feel good and treating people even better than how you expect to be treated. Always go the extra mile for someone. Appreciating each day – even bad ones – that we have on this earth.
What one thing is special about your nominated company that most people in the community have no idea actually happens there, but should be shouted from the rooftops because it’s that cool?
Ok – this is a hard one because I think everyone knows what we do here but what they might not know is that we all love coming to work and seeing each other! To me, THAT is huge…
Give us three employee perks or benefits that you think make the company you have nominated worthy of a Best Places to Work trophy?
Benefit 1: Yearly Symposium with a weekend of training in Florida and then lots of fun! Usually involves a dinner cruise, comedy night, costume party at April and Jon’s house (last year there were monkeys and fire dancers)
Benefit 2: Free treatments! I LOVE not having to shave any longer 🙂
Benefit 3: Drama-free work environment!!
Anything else you’d like to mention about this company, its’ leadership, etc?
I have to say that I am very happy we all like to give back. None of us are selfish. We are real women – sometimes not even wearing make-up (not me- I always wear makeup) or doing our hair (this one’s me…). It is such an enjoyable place to work and be able to feel comfortable in yourself – something that I have never experienced in a work place before!
