The Business of Making People Feel Good
Sydell Harris, Chairman - Spa Sydell
Karen Harris, Director - Spa Sydell Midtown


Aesthetics, rejuvenation, heart and soul, mind and body, personal nurturing - all in a day's work at Spa Sydell.

But Spa Sydell isn't your everyday business enterprise and Sydell and Karen Harris aren't your everyday businesswomen. What they are in fact is a mother and daughter who work together - and work very hard - in a family business that also includes husband and father, Arthur Harris, and son and brother, Richard Harris. In January, 2002, this Atlanta-based family-run company received the Retail Business of the Year Award presented by the Buckhead Business Association for the success of one of their six spa facilities.

Even outside the award spotlight, Sydell and Karen are two fascinating individuals whose personal and work lives are inextricably linked by birth and by choice. Interviewing them together provides a rare opportunity to explore their mother-daughter relationship as well as the intergenerational connectivity between two strong and very successful professional women. It is also an opportunity to hear from the chief visionary herself and from the next generation creative leader who clearly stands on her mother's "SHEro's" shoulders.

It started with a dream
Sydell and Arthur were married over 40 years ago and soon started their family together. "Until Karen started to school," Sydell said, "I didn't work outside my home. But then, I discovered my passion for skin and body care, and everything changed. After apprenticing and getting my aesthetics' license, it was my dream to start my own business."

In 1982, that dream became reality when Sydell's original company was founded with one location in Buckhead and a staff of five. The business was called Sydell - Skin Care Salon. As the business and industry grew and evolved, the company name also evolved to their present appellation, Spa Sydell. The staff also grew to its current level of 500.

Over the years, while the name and the staff have changed, some things have remained constant. As Karen points out, "My mother's integrity, work ethic, caring nature, and passion for the business were and are the distinguishing characteristics of our company. People who have been with us a long time are here because of my mother - the respect they have for her, her style of leadership, and the pride they share with her for what we do."

The next generation
Just because Karen is the daughter of a "business diva" doesn't mean that she would choose the same path. However, Karen's involvement in the family business began early when she was only 14 years old. Demonstrating her own work ethic, she helped out by working one evening a week and on Saturdays at the salon. Occasionally, she also cooked dinner for the family.

Like many young girls, Karen wasn't sure what she wanted her own career to be. In college, she decided to pursue her creative and artistic interests and received a degree in Fine Arts and Textile Design from the University of Georgia in 1979.

At that point, Karen was open to various opportunities as long as what she did met one particular criteria. "I have a passion for serving others," she said. Restaurant management seemed to fit the criteria. For several years, Karen enjoyed restaurant work and gained experience in that business while also enjoying living in Europe. Nevertheless, she knew she had yet to find her life's calling.

With that thought in mind, Karen decided to return to Atlanta and to the family business. Mentored by her mother, Sydell, but clearly intent on learning everything for herself, Karen began her own corporate experience. "I worked hard to develop my leadership skills," she said, "and immersed myself in every aspect of the business."

During her tenure at corporate headquarters, and as the company continued to expand throughout metro Atlanta, Karen had the opportunity to exercise her creativity and make her own imprint on the business. A new facility in Midtown was on the drawing board. Karen was very instrumental in the planning process for this contemporary, upscale, state-of-the-art spa facility.

November 2001 saw the Midtown location open its doors to Atlanta and the world. A few months later and at her request, Karen was named spa director. Her objective: to gain operating experience and pursue her own vision. Seven days a week, nine to nine, Karen got her wish. The Midtown spa is definitely "her baby."

"At times," admits Karen, "it's frustrating and stressful, but I'm also extremely proud of this facility and the role I play. It's a continuation of the passion that my mother instilled in me for making people feel good about themselves. It's also an opportunity to demonstrate leadership in the true sense. To me, a leader's role is to inspire, to guide, and to teach others. I haven't done hands-on management in ten years but after we reorganized last year, I felt I was needed here. The reality of the day-to-day operations keeps you very humble. You don't know what you don't know."

Passing the baton
What's the most difficult aspect of being a second generation leader in a family business and accepting the baton as it's passed to you? Well, one challenge is establishing your own identity and individuality, i.e., "being Karen not Sydel."

Karen Harris is clearly proud to be her mother's daughter and they share a love for each other and emotional connection that are exceptionally strong. Clearly illustrating the bond between them, Karen further explains, "Our tear ducts are connected and we share the same sensitivities."

"But," she adds, "it's also important for me to make my own impact and I believe I'm doing that." Sydell couldn't agree more.

Both women want their combined impact to show in the faces and dispositions of the people who come through the doors of their facilities. "This concept is simple but wonderful at the same time," said Sydell. "We both coach our staff on how to bring this concept to life for each of our clients."

With all the success that Spa Sydell has had over the years, you might think that Karen and Sydell's goals have been met, or that they simply need to maintain that level of success and satisfaction. You'd be wrong. Both women have new dreams. "I want to see a world of healthier people and to have Spa Sydell bring more good things to our clients," said Sydell.

"I see prenatal, wellness, and aging classes taking place in this room, in this wonderful place," said Karen. "I also see myself utilizing more of what I've learned. But whatever comes at the next level, you can be sure that it will be close to our hearts day-to-day."

Giving back
What do most leaders and successful entrepreneurs do besides work hard? The answer is give back to the community. Sydell and Karen Harris and Spa Sydell are certainly no exception. They are a generous company and family who have supported many community projects and organizations for the long term. They are particularly proud of their association with Camp Sunshine, the Jewish Home for the Elderly, and The Shepherd Center. "For over 20 years," Sydell said, "I've been going regularly to do hair and make-up for women in these facilities. I love doing it and you can't imagine how happy it makes them!"

Don't ask how many gift certificates Spa Sydell has given away to good causes over the years because it's impossible to even guess. Suffice it to say, the company is a good corporate citizen when it comes to responding to requests and giving back to the community. And, from all indications, the second generation of leaders are upholding the same traditions.

As for mother and daughter, visionary entrepreneur and creative leader, first generation business diva to the next, it's very encouraging to see how good the relationship can be, both personally and professionally. Apparently, the apple didn't fall far from the tree, and the baton seems to be in good hands. However, the really exciting news is that for the foreseeable future, their clients and their business will benefit from the best of both women!

By Susan B. Hitchcock
Creator of The Age of SHEroes
VP-Client Services, Turknett Leadership Group
January, 2003

 

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