Linda Harding-Bond Interviewed by Bon Accord Creative
If you read our blog or follow us on Facebook, you already know a lot about us. But we want to take some time to get to know all of you! Each week we will be featuring a different small business or entrepreneur. This week Bon Accord Creative is meeting Linda Harding-Bond from Moontide Consulting.
Name 
Linda Harding-Bond
Where are you located?
Bangkok, Thailand
What is your Business?
Moontide Consulting
What do you do?
My consulting business focuses on creating training and workshops for spa therapists and management. Right now the industry is losing from 3-30% of its revenue from a lack of retail sales. I know that this can be resolved through very specific, targeted, training programs. Also we remove the issue of having to allocate funds for a huge training budget because we offer on-line assistance.
How long have you been in your industry?
I’ve been in the spa industry for 19 years. I began as a therapist which culminated in winning several “Best Of” awards in Philadelphia. I then created a workshop for novice estheticians to help them bridge the gap between school theory and real-life experiences in a spa, which included client engagement and retail selling. To accompany the workshop I created a blog, Ethnic Skin Aficionado which became very popular as it addressed spa issues, but also the need for training of ethnic skin types-the fastest growing spa customer. This lead to the opportunity to write for Huffington Post. From there I began creating training workshops for therapists and support staff at upscale hotel groups in the Caribbean, India and Asia.
Why did you decide to start your business?
Research has shown that the majority of spa therapists are introverts. As a former therapist and introvert who became a top sales person at my spa, I know the fears and challenges that therapists face and the process of how to overcome them. I’ve taught others and they’ve become very successful at selling as well. So what I do is duplicable. When I left the U.S. and came to Asia to work for Six Senses I saw that this issue is global, the industry needs help. There are a lot of very fine consulting companies out there but truly this problem has been around for a long time and it hasn’t been fixed. Traditional sales training does not work! I’ve been training therapists since 2009 when I created Hit the Ground Running in Philly, so I know that I have the solution and it’s time for the industry to try something new. On a personal level I get a kick out of seeing therapists light up when they begin to sell and engage. Revenues soar.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice when you started your business, what would that be?
First realize that what is meant for you, no one can stop, so stay the course. Have faith in yourself but understand that a higher power is in control. Don’t try to rush the world because it turns at it’s own pace. Everything that you’re experiencing is part of your learning, including the waiting. Be balanced and take time for things that truly matter like your family. All things in good time. Never give up.
What role does your website play in your marketing strategy?
A MAJOR role. It’s huge. Whatever I do is designed to point my audience back to my website because it’s where they are able to see if I have what they need. The blogs that I post are so important because when industry folks are seeking information or services,they are using certain words in their search. Same with videos. Also if you don’t have a website how does your audience really get a sense of who you are. Having a website allows you to put your philosophy and your perspective out there. No one can put words in your mouth. You have the control.
Linda Harding-Bond
