American Spa’s Women in Wellness Leadership Conference

Calling all female leaders and women who aspire to leadership in the wellness industry! @americanspamag is curating its first-ever conference designed just for you! American Spa’s Women in Wellness Leadership Conference in NY will address some of the most pressing issues facing women leaders and leaders-to-be with compelling keynote speakers and breakout sessions. 

As a female owned and operated business, SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care is one of the proud sponsors of this event, and we invite you to register now for reduced pricing. Receive $50 Off when registering for the Women in Wellness conference with our special coupon code: ASWIW50

www.americanspa.com/leadershipconference

Event Overview: March 6, 2018

Conference: 9:00am – 5:30pm

Networking Party: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Space is limited, so register today!

Online Retailing for Spas - an Introduction

How/where should spas get started with online retailing?

Online retailing is as easy as setting up a shopping cart option on the spa’s website. It can be done by a web designer, and the payments can be processed by regular credit cards, as well as by paypal. All that’s needed is a business bank account, and the right software.

As a brand owner, do you want to know if your clients are selling products online? What might be involved with that?

As a professional brand owner, one wants to keep the value of the products high, and avoid underselling by distributors. Underselling, essentially means selling below the MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price). While it may not be an issue to sell cheaper in person at the salon, selling online at discounted prices is discouraged. In addition to pricing issues, online sellers have to make sure the directions and skin type information is listed in a detailed fashion on their site, especially for professional products. When consumers purchase online, they are often confused as to which product suits them best, and how to utilize it, unless consulted by the esthetician prior to purchasing. 

What help can you provide from a brand perspective? Do you help with fulfillment? Providing images, descriptions? Is pricing set by you, the brand?

The inspiration for SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care comes from our customers. We are not just a skincare company, we are a lifestyle brand, dedicated to bringing our customers the best in skincare, anti-aging supplements, ergonomic equipment, supplies and education. We are the esthetician’s partner in creating her most successful beauty business - no minimum order, $2-$7 cost-per-treatment, free samples, and support from our friendly staff. 

We don’t do fulfillment, or set the prices, and we discourage online sales that are less than double wholesale price. Of course, all the images and descriptions are provided by us!

What are some of the advantages of having spas sell products online? 

The biggest advantage to having spas sell products online, is the additional retail income that the sales will bring in. Treatments will only bring in so much revenue, but product sales can make or break a spa’s success. In addition to bringing in revenue, product sales keep the customer’s skin looking good between facials, and maintain an ongoing relationship between the customer and the spa.

The Changing Face of Today's Spa and Skincare Industry

The skincare and beauty world is constantly evolving, and sometimes it's hard to keep up with what's new. I like to have my hand on the pulse of the industry, and I will tell you what's going on! So, what has been the bigest change to the spa industry over the last two decades?

I have been in the spa industry for over 15 years, and I have seen skin care trends come and go. I am very happy to see a departure from heavily fragranced and colored products, and more interest in natural, fragrance-free and color-free formulas. The ornate packaging that was the mark of elite beauty products is now on its way out, and more simplistic, clean, and eco-friendly packaging is now in style. Consumers and spa owners are now very aware of all the extra paper and plastic waste that unnecessary boxes and decorative bottles produce, and are now turning towards simple glass bottles and cleaner lines. I love this, because Saian Skincare has been in-line with this philosophy since 2007.

Selecting a Receptionist for your Spa or Salon

As the first person your customers communicate with – on the phone and upon entering the spa, the receptionist needs to make a good first impression. A great receptionist is someone on the front lines who has a professional appearance and attitude. Not many people know this, but I have spent 8 years out of my 17 years of industry experience as a spa receptionist. I know exactly what it takes to select a great receptionist, and will give you some pointers on what to look for as you go through the interview process.

First thing to look for in a qualified spa receptionist is a tidy, put together appearance. Your spa or salon is a place of beauty, health and tranquility, so having a receptionist with chipped nails, or messy oily hair will create disharmony in the overall image of your business. By any means, your employees don’t have to look like supermodels, but excellent hygiene is a must! A tidy and put-together person will also be wonderful at organizing the desk, and keeping the work area clean and manageable. This type of employee will never write an important phone message on a post-it in a pile of papers.

During the interview, you can role-play with the candidate, and him or her take down a message. Look for legible handwriting, correct spelling, and take notice of the tone of voice. A good phone presence is a crucial skill. You can trust that an empathetic person will be a wonderful listener who can accommodate your clients’ requests, and will help work out any slipups that may occur, such as double-booking, or other issues. It is important to choose a team player who shows enthusiasm in discovering the spa’s treatments and products. A good receptionist will ask many questions to get better acquainted with the different types of facials, and massages, and will try treatments to know how they feel. First-hand experience with treatments and products is the best way to passionately talk about them, and suggest them to clients.  

A very important quality in a front-desk person is the ability to multi-task without feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or frustrated. A candidate who is well-versed in a multitude of computer programs and apps is an asset to your organization. Not only will this receptionist quickly acquaint him/herself with your spa booking software, but he or she will be able to manage multiple tasks with ease. Someone who is technologically savvy is wonderful at implementing the newest apps and programs to help take the clutter out of, what may seem to be confusing, tasks.

Look for candidates with a humble and agreeable personality. A person who easily takes directions, and can handle constructive criticism will be a breeze to work with for both you and your clients. Look for someone with great integrity who can show initiative and improvise, and avoid those who will walk past a candy wrapper on the floor, and use the excuse “that’s not part of my job description” to justify not tossing it into the trash can.

These simple tips are what I believe will help you select the right person for your front desk. I have worked as a receptionist at the same spa for 8 years, prior to joining my mother to start our own skin care brand.  My previous employer, co-workers, clients and I still keep in touch, because that job was my passion and my priority. I never brought in negativity, and I always made everyone I worked with feel loved and well taken care of.  The most important attributes to look for are integrity and a good nature, and the rest of the technicalities can be learned in time!

September 2015 DAYSPA Magazine Features the Best Handheld Microcurrent

The latest, September 2015 issue of DAYSPA Magazine features an interview with a happy spa owner who uses SAIAN Natural Clinical Skin Care in her practice! Please see this wonderful excerpt from page 62:

Amy Lord of Beyond Beauty Spa in Austin, TX writes about SAIAN Skin Pro 2 System:

How it Works:
This travel-friendly galvanic/microcurrent machine provides a portable facial. When used with SAIAN peptide products, it firms and tones the face and neck, stimulates collagen production, and visibly reduces the signs of aging.

Why it’s my favorite:
“I went to a non-surgical facelift class four years ago in Dallas and was impressed by the noticeable results of lifting and reduction of fine lines and wrinkles achieved in just one treatment with this device”, Lord says. “The investment was affordable, so I thought I’d give it a try. It has been one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made, and has hugely increased my facial income and product sales!”

When Lord first brought the SAIAN Skin Pro 2 System into her spa and encouraged her facial clients to try it, she saw most of them switch from a typical European facial to one that employs the device. “My clients love the results from the hand-held machines, “ she says. “Once they tried the new facial, there was no going back.” The Skin Pro 2's size and portability are major pluses. “It’s easy to take with me to give quick treatments at a wedding party or other beauty event,” Lord notes. “At the spa, it doesn’t take up a lot of space in my treatment room like many other pieces of equipment. And it’s my biggest money maker, so in that respect, it really comes in handy!”

Brighten, Hydrate, Renew!

Brighten, Hydrate, Renew! Our signature serums are clinically proven to reduce hyperpigmentation, effectively treat dryness, and stimulate collagen production. SAIAN Skincare's potent combinations of low and high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and concentrated active vegan botanical ingredients produce professional results in all skin types and colors! Serums that will transform your skin within just weeks of first application: http://saian.net/product-category/categories/serums/

Hyperpigmentation - How Can I Remove Dark Spots on the Face and Body?

Removing dark spots on the face and body is extremely challenging, so I don’t like to use the term “remove”, but substitute it for “treat” or “diminish”. Hyperpigmentation is not an easy issue to treat, and it may take years to accumulate, so there is no easy fix for this issue. The best time to start a hyperpigmentation treatment is always in the fall or winter, because you need to avoid the sun when performing peels or deep exfoliation. Knowledgeable and experienced skin care professionals don’t like using the ingredient hydroquinone, because it is highly habit-forming, and the hyperpigmentation comes back after the patient stops using the products. The safest bet is using products based on kojic acid, tyrostat, andalpha-arbutin over a 28-day cycle. Usually even the most stubborn melasma and sun spots fade after this intensive course.

Our Philosophy, Our Policy

As a manufacturer of professional skin care products, we reserve the right to exclude our premium items from Amazon and eBay sales. Dear professionals, we will be very happy if you wish to retail SAIAN products in your spa, but unfortunately, we don't allow our premium professional items on discount marketplace such as Amazon and eBay. Allowing sales on online marketplaces may de-value our superior quality brand, and jeopardize us as a "Professional Use Only" company, so we would like to discourage you from listing SAIAN online, and instead, selling it only in the treatment room.

Dear customers, please support the community by buying skincare only from your local spas and salons. When you purchase SAIAN from verified sources, such as licensed professionals, you can rest assured that the products are authentic, that they are fresh, sealed and untampered with. In addition to this, you will receive the best recommended items for YOUR skin type, and the correct instructions for use. Support the community, buy local, buy fresh, and buy safely.

If you'd like to visit a SAIAN partner spa, med-spa, or salon in your area, please e-mail us at info@saian.net or call 1-800-291-1130, and we will give you a list of locations in your area who carry the line, and perform the services! For a full catalog of products, visit www.saian.net

Music for Your Spa - Music for Your Soul

Every time I am in Hong Kong, my home away from home, I put a day aside to visit the Giant Tian Tan Buddha on Landau island. This is one of my favorite places in the world - a peaceful, tranquil mountain where monks chant in the Po Lin monastery, and the fragrant sandalwood insence is burned while prayers and chants are sung. The Giant Buddha sits atop a mountain, waiting for visitors to get to him by cable car. Tian Tan Buddha (天壇大佛) is 112 feet tall, and sits atop a lotus throne surrounded by 6 devas. It's incredible, the statue is so huge, it can even be seen from Macau on a clear day!

The best memory of Landau and Tian Tan Buddha, for me, is the music I bought while I was on the island. I have never heard of Imee Ooi before, but the chants were so pleasant and relaxing, that I bought 3 albums, and have been listening to them for the last 3 years! Being in the spa industry for so many years (almost 17!) I know the positive difference beautiful and relaxing music can make for your spa/salon/treatment room. Guests will remember your massages and facials, and will absolutely float on a cloud of bliss when they hear Imee Ooi. Her music is available on iTunes HERE: 

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/imee-ooi/id592393059

Here are a couple of samples on YouTube:

DERMASCOPE Magazine Celebrates 40 Years!

One of my favorite trade publications, DERMASCOPE Magazine, celebrates its 40 year anniversary this year, and I was fortunate enough to be interviewed on industry trends, and other cool topics! See my answers below and comment with any questions you would like me to answer to help you in your esthetic practice!

Tell us about your history with DERMASCOPE. Any great stories or fun facts readers would find interesting?

My first article, co-written with my mother, came out in the May 2010 issue of DERMASCOPE, and my first solo article came out in the July 2010 issue of DERMASCOPE Magazine - exactly 5 years ago! Ever since then, I have been blessed to be a part of this wonderful publication! I am so overjoyed and proud to have been able to start contributing at such a young age, and can assure you that I will never run out of content, topics, fresh information, and inspiring stories in the coming years! My work is my passion and pride, and I am committed and dedicated to share all my knowledge and experience with DERMASCOPE readers!

What advice do you wish you had been given when you began in the industry? 

What I wish I had known is that building a brand isn't only about the quality of the product, but about the knowledge of the educators, and the language of the marketers. Keeping it simple and explaining it well is the key to success!

What product innovation do you feel paved the way for today’s must-haves in our industry?

Natural products without chemicals and parabens are among the most popular and revered in the industry today, and rightfully so! Health and beauty go hand in hand!

What do you feel is the one thing that has made the biggest change in the industry?

More and more professionals are now taking the time to research ingredients, to make sure they are choosing the right products for their clients. Gone are the days of relying on ads and promises - estheticians want results, and invest their time in finding the best products out there!

What is the one advancement that is needed the most going forward?

Education is the most important element which must be present to be able to advance! Taking workshop classes, watching tutorials, webinars, listening to podcasts, reading trade magazines such as DERMASCOPE, that's what it's all about! If you feel you know everything, you close yourself off from learning more.

Sanitation and Infection-Control in The Workplace

Sanitation and infection-control are some of the first things we all learn in beauty school, and for a good reason! It is crucial to have an understanding of the different kinds of infections you may come across, in order to protect yourself and the client. Clients rely on our knowledge and professionalism, and trust us with their health, so we must abide the law, and give them the best treatment without taking any shortcuts. In this article of mine which was recently published in DERMASCOPE Magazine, I share my knowledge and experience regarding sanitation and disinfection in the spa/salon workplace! Click on this link to download the full PDF off www.saian.net

http://saian.net/wp-content/files_mf/14096863550914articleSaian.pdf

IECSC New York is Coming Up

Can't wait to see everyone in New York in 2 weeks! Here is Sunday's and Monday's Class info: please join us for 2 days of education and live hands-on demos of clinical skin care! http://www.iecsc.com/ny/education

Upcoming Spa Trade Show

Miami is just around the corner! Get ready for 2 days of education and skincare innovation! 2 days of classes, plus 2 full days to shop the trade show floor! We are in booth 404, and will be giving classes at 2pm.

Sanitation and Infection Control When Waxing

I am glad that you enjoyed my previous blog post on sanitation in the workplace for Estheticians, and would like to expand upon that topic now with some insights about waxing. Sanitation and infection-control are some of the first things we all learn in beauty school, and for good reason! It is crucial to have an understanding of the different kinds of infections you may come across, in order to protect yourself and the client. Clients rely on our knowledge and professionalism, and trust us with their health, so we must abide the law, and give them the best treatment without taking any shortcuts.With that said, spa and salon workers must be aware of contagious bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses that can be contracted through broken skin, and pose serious health risks. Not only should we treat all clients with care to avoid getting them sick, but we must also protect ourselves in the workplace. Since the body’s first line of defense is unbroken skin, take care of your hands - they are your tools, so don’t bite your fingers, or pull on your cuticles. Keep your nails short, to avoid scratching the clients face, or breaking and snagging a nail by accident.

A very important service that must be performed with utmost care is waxing, and no matter what anyone else tells you, gloves are essential any time during contact with a client's blood, bodily fluids, secretions, excretions, non-intact skin, and mucous membrane. You must assume that all blood and bodily fluids are potential sources of infection. It is especially important to wear gloves when performing Brazilian/bikini waxing when the follicles are left open and can bleed, especially because that area has thick, coarse hair. In addition to any unknown blood-borne pathogens that may be transmitted via open pores, there is possibility of contracting herpes through broken skin, if you have any cuts/ broken lesions on your fingers, and don’t wear gloves.

Correct use of spatulas is very important during waxing. Be aware that hairs, as well as dry, dead skin may get into the wax container if you double-dip, so don’t keep using the same spatula throughout the service. The wooden tongue-depressors we use for waxing cost pennies, if even that! They are meant to be 100% disposable after ONE time use, so don’t double-dip - just toss it out and use a new one.

Make cleanup easy after waxing by using a disposable roll of waxing paper (just like you would see at your doctor’s office) over your sheets. Not only will it save your sheets from sticky wax, but it will give your clients the assurance that they are laying on a 100% clean surface.

Dealing with Negative Reviews

Having managed a spa for 8 years, I have had to read my share of positive and negative reviews of our technicians. Of course, the positive letters greatly outweighed the very few negative reviews, so I never doubted that the therapists were doing their job correctly. 

A person who has had a negative experience will become your greatest, most loyal customer if you take that bad experience, and turn it around! Offer your sincere apology, and offer them another treatment of their liking. Make them feel like you truly care about how they feel when they think of your spa/salon. Be vulnerable enough to ask for input, and kind enough to accept constructive criticism. Put yourself in the client's shoes, and think of how wonderful it feels to be treated like a fellow human being, and not just a number.

Let's Talk About Discoloration

Many women deal with the unsightly issue of dark spots/hyperpigmentation on their face and hands. I like to believe that with the right care, these spots can be diminished, and even dissipate for good! As we know, discoloration is a common result of sun damage caused by tanning, and opting not to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. Sometimes, the sun's rays bring up melanin to the surface after laser hair removal treatments, chemical peels, or prolonged birth control use. The good news, is that discoloration and hyperpigmentation may still be treated effectively if it is fresher than 5 years!

Now, you will probably wonder how in the world to select a great product - there are so many on the market! Presently, the professional skin care industry is finally making the move from the traditional hydroquinone brighteners towards a more natural, non-toxic, and non-habit-forming ingredients.What product to use, and how to make a good choice? The most effective products on the market that address the issue of discoloration and hyperpigmentation are: Kojic acid -as an exfoliator, and Tyrostatine, and Alpha Arbutin as active whitening agents in leave-on serums, and creams. These are the ingredients used in the SAIAN Antihyperpigmentation complex.

Of course, it needs to be noted that the best season for these brightening treatments is winter, because the client needs to avoid excessive sunlight, and tanning. Furthermore, the exfoliation needs to be done in the evening, only. Since this issue requires daily attention, don't expect to see immediate results- typically, a cycle of 28 days is needed to document substantial changes in the discoloration patches!

3 Wintertime Skincare Treatments to Get TODAY!

Many women suffer from skin problems, varicose veins, and unsightly hair, but are unsure when the best time is to get treatments. Here are 3 treatments to get today, while we are still in the cold, winter months:

1) Sclerotherapy (Varicose Vein Treatment)

Varicose veins are a big issue for women of all ages, but are more prominent after pregnancy, and with age.  In fact, by the age of 50, 2 out of 3 American women have to deal with them! These veins are characterized by their puffed purple appearance, and can swell up, causing discomfort. For the most part, women opt for sclerotherapy merely because of its cosmetic benefits. Although in the past, the best treatment for varicose veins was surgery, image-guided injection with depressurization is now effective in even the most difficult cases. I advise this treatment to be performed in the wintertime because the patient is required to wear compression panty-hose post-treatment. Winter is the perfect time to wear these stockings, because they tend to be so hot, and uncomfortable in the summer months! Especially in California!

2) Laser Hair Removal

How does getting rid of that unsightly leg fuzz sound? If you are ready to commit to a package of 6 to 12 treatments with a laser, forget about tanning for the entire duration of the treatment. Laser hair removal is typically performed in intervals of 4 to 5 weeks, so a package of 6 will take you months to complete. Keep it safe, and save the hair removal for winter, and even then, don't forget your sunscreen!

3) Hyperpigmentation/ Melasma Treatment

As an experienced esthetician, I always advise patients to wait until winter for skin-lightening treatments. Hyperpigmentation treatments typically expose the skin, and exfoliate it, making it susceptible to more sun-exposure, and further damage, so it's best to wait until winter to whiten and brighten!

Rocasea - Treatment and Daily Care

I often hear people say "I have rosacea" without giving much thought to the accuracy of the statement. Many of us believe that rosacea is an absolutely normal state, and it is not treatable. 

Sometimes, babies are born with very red cheeks, and the doctor doesn't give it much thought, even though it is an obvious red flag signifying allergies in the body. In a small child, red cheeks may flare up from over consumption of citrus fruit, or strawberries. This may later lead to complications, such as the development of bumps on the upper arms, and poor digestion. Remember, we must never ignore any of our body's symptoms, including rosacea. Symptoms, such as allergic reactions, are a sign that our body is struggling, and needs our help. Timely treatment of these symptoms will help you reduce redness on the face, and calm the fire that is ignited by allergens within the gut.

Rosacea is essentially redness caused by breaking capillaries, (couperose skin) but present as a chronic condition. Usually we see rosacea on the cheeks, and sometimes on the nose. Sometimes this redness can be accompanied by postules and blemishes. these can be quite sensitive and painful. For topical treatment, we must remember to shield the face from exposure to wind, sun, and extreme temperatures (hot or cold). This also applies to daily cleansing - ABSOLUTELY no hot showers, hot baths or steaming the face. A knowledgeable esthetician will not use a steamer on her couperose client. 

I don't recommend using acids, or products containing alcohol for cleansing the face. These particular products dry out the face, and tighten it, when our goal is to moisturize and nourish. Avoid using scrub to exfoliate the face - only light enzymatic masks are OK. The perfect mask for the rosacea client is SAIAN Enzyme Mask - it cools down the redness, and effectively cleans and brightens the face. This product has received praise from skin care professionals worldwide for its amazing rosacea results. 

The most important step in rosacea care is moisturizing - first step is to apply SAIAN® Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum, and second step is to apply SAIAN® Hyaluronic Acid Creme. Hyaluronic acid is not the acid that burns and dries the skin (like AHA, Glycolic, Salicylic, Lactic, Pyruvic, Mandelic, Kojic)  but one that soothes and hydrates. Hyaluronic acid is the base of most facial fillers such as Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®. It has amazing anti-aging properties, as well! 

To complete the daily skincare regimen, the rosacea patient needs to use sunscreen daily. I repeat, DAILY. This is regardless of season, since the sun shines on us every day of the year. I recommend SAIAN® Sunscreen Mist SPF 29, and SAIAN® Green Tea Sunblock SPF 30  both of which are non-comedogenic, and non-toxic. Remember to choose a sunscreen, such as these, with physical blocks like Zinc and Titanium dioxide, as opposed to chemicals which will enter the bloodstream and cause long-term damage in the long run.

As for internal treatment, the best way to reduce flare-ups is by avoiding all hot and spicy foods that cause the rush of blood to the face, breaking more capillaries. It may seem like a hard task to some people, but it will be much harder trying to camouflage the redness from day to day with cake make-up. There is nothing better than the freedom of letting your skin breethe without make-up!

Hopefully this post has been of help.
If this is a problem you have been struggling with, I'd like you try these simple suggestions, and document your progress!

"Mis" - Treatments

Last night I had a body-scrub and massage at one of my favorite LA spas, but this time (strangely enough) the experience wasn't as pleasant as usual. High-end spas usually charge top-dollar for body treatments, and employ well-qualified, seasoned, experienced massage and bodywork specialists. One assumes that the personnel of more opulent spas is better than the average... but sometimes massage technicians make simple mistakes that are very easily caught by a professional, such as yours truly. 

I have noticed that it is becoming harder and harder for me to receive treatments, the more knowledgeable I become - i.e. it is hard to fall asleep during a facial massage, because I am aware of all the wrong movements. Here are some obvious no-no's therapists can commit, which make them look unprofessional, and make the treatment a lot more "Ugh" than "Omm".

1. Engaging in conversation is always discouraged, unless the client starts talking herself. Most of us come to receive a facial, or a body treatment to relax and unwind, so the last thing we want to do is talk. I absolutely do not feel like explaining to a stranger what I do for a living, do I have a boyfriend or not, etc.

2. Sanitation, sanitation, sanitation! This is the most important, and sacred of all spa routines. Your therapist needs to change linens between clients, disinfect all implements (in a proper State-Board approved manner), and keep the room tidy. Disposables need to be thrown away after every use (duh!) and that includes those body-scrubbing mitts they use to polish the body. I always make sure to request a new scrubbing mitt, or I don't get the service. It costs the spa less than $1, so it is really not that big of a deal, and they better not complain to you when you request it!

3. Speaking of mitts... I was shocked when the woman scrubbing me from the toes to neck (in that particular order) proceeded to use the same scrubbing mitt on my face! Here is just common knowledge everyone should be aware of when doing a full body scrub:

• Use a new mitt for every client.
• Start with the face, and only then do the rest of the body (imagine that the mitt has already been on the heels and toes of the feet... everywhere between the toes and the neck (um)... and then on the FACE!)

4.  Don't get beat up at a massage - I promise, it shouldn't hurt as bad as it does when an untrained therapist does it. A good massage therapist starts slowly and methodically working into the muscles, and doesn't initially pound and shake like a maniac. The woman doing my massage was jumping from one area to another, digging in with her fingers, making the experience very uncomfortable. A good technician will let the client know when to breathe out, to get a better stretch into the muscle, and ease tension. A good massage should have a logical pattern on the body - you should not lie there and be played like a xylophone! Not to mention double the discomfort when the woman massaging you doesn't have her fingernails trimmed short. No, thank you.

In short, there are many things which can go wrong and spoil your moment of relaxation, but once you have found a great masseuse, you will never have to worry! Personally, I am always on a quest for wonderful treatments - sometimes it is a hit, sometimes a miss, every time a learning experience!