A client relaxes at In Your Own Skin.

When Kim Thumel and Saphonia Gee, co-owners of In Your Own Skin in Virginia Beach, Virginia, opened three years ago, they wanted to give clients a place to come decompress and relax, while focusing on caring for pre- and post-op skin-
without operating as a medical spa. It is a delicate line to walk-but they've been successful. So successful, in fact, that they were chosen as the winner of Repêchage's Spa de Beaute of the Year award last summer.

"It's great to be a part of this kind of event, because it gives you industry recognition and establishes you," says Thumel. "We're very excited about the position we've taken in the industry-we've been very involved in licensing in Virginia-and this gives us a platform we can use." It's also been good for morale-for both the owners and their employees. "It's kind of like a report card for the staff," says Thumel. "We're human and everyone likes to know they are doing a good job."

This year's Spa de Beauté of the Year award will be presented at the beginning of August, during Repêchage's 10th International, Congress in Secaucus, New Jersey. While the contest is open to Repêchage Spa de Beauté salons and spas, anyone in the industry can attend Congress to learn from industry experts and network with spa leaders. For more information and to sign up, visit www.repechage.com and click on "Professionals Only."