Émilie Beaulieu, owner of the Lucy Garneau Clinic , Beauport

Living the Wait : “I’m a workaholic . I love working so it was hard to stay home full-time with the kids. I tried to reinvent myself by creating beauty capsules. Fortunately, orders poured in on the online store, but the wait was long and difficult. I had my ups and downs, like everyone else. My business was supposed to double in size in the spring, but given the uncertainty, I had to postpone that project.”

Opening its doors : “99% of those who had an appointment came back. We installed plexiglass and disinfectant. There is a break between appointments and we do transactions directly in the booths. My team has received hygiene and sanitation training from Soins Personnels Québec. I am also lucky to have a dad who works in building disinfection and who gave us advanced and personalized training.”

What has changed : “I will definitely keep my mask on for certain treatments like facials. I also see that the COVID-19 pandemic has sorted out people who were not passionate about their job and decided to do something else. In my case, I love what I do so much that I would continue even if I had to dress up as an astronaut!”

Martin Carrier, owner of the Renaissance Spa , Sept-Îles

Living the wait : “Since January, we have been working on opening our new thermal baths facilities. For me, these two and a half months have been a blessing to complete the work on time for the opening next month. Without this break, I would never have made it. On the other hand, the $200,000 in revenue lost during the closure, I will not recover.”

Opening its doors : “I developed a new way of working with colored dots that indicate which rooms are occupied, need to be disinfected or are ready for use. It’s a very useful visual tool for staff. I wear a mask and ask my employees to do the same. In Sept-Îles, it’s not like in Montreal, where wearing it is not very widespread. My clients also have to wear it in the spa areas. There are some who complain, but it’s not a choice, it’s an obligation. If they don’t want to wear it, they can just turn back.”

What has changed : “On a more personal level, as a massage therapist, I injured myself during COVID, so I offered my clients endermologie treatments and I realized the full potential of the LPG device. It is a great alternative option that also allows for some distancing from clients. On the health side, we have improved our methods so as to keep our treatment rooms as clean as possible in order to facilitate cleaning and disinfection. This is an asset that will remain after COVID.”

Jocelyna Dubuc, owner of Spa Eastman , Eastman

Opening its doors : “The reopening was greeted with enthusiasm by the clientele. To my great surprise, people were booking long stays, 15 days, even 42 nights! As managers, we had to do our homework and take the time to reassure our therapists. We gave them tools to know how to behave with clients in a way that reassures them.”

Still waiting : "Since June 22, the baths have been open. Only the saunas are still closed to the public. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before Public Health recognizes that there is no virus that can survive at these temperatures."

What has changed : “What we see is that people need to recharge their batteries. I feel like this pandemic has made people realize the importance of taking care of themselves and their health. And this summer will give Quebecers the opportunity to do so through the province’s salons and spas.”