I've always referred to myself as a product researcher. In the beginning of my career, which started about 35 years ago, my expertise was targeted on deciphering cosmetic skincare ingredients. When you look at long, and often intimidating, product labels, how do you know if a product or ingredient actually produces a measurable and objective change? Is there any scientific or medical validation? At first, I lectured to physicians, medical professionals, skincare professionals, and consumers about ingredients. I was also interviewed on talk radio and television programs. People loved hearing about products that actually work.

I would say that i am living the american dream. My partner, Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, and I both immigrated to the U.S. from Hungary—I came to New York City in 1956, and she came in 1969. After receiving my college degree in International Economics from City College of New York, I began my career in the family garment manufacturing business in Manhattan. But I had a dream of an even better lifestyle, so I moved my family to California in 1981. I purchased a dental supply business called Odontorium Products Inc., and Suzi, who had earned her degree in biology, joined me that same year.

WHAT BEGAN FIVE YEARS AGO AS A SMALL GROUP of like-minded spa professionals sincerely committed to making the world a better place has since blossomed into one of the spa industry's leading grassroots environmental communities. Sharing the mission to bring sustainable operating practices to the burgeoning spa industry, the Green Spa Network (GSN) and its members are passionate about promoting the natural connections between personal well-being, economic sustainability, and the health of the planet.

I am a firm believer in the power of the mysterious and poetic forces in life, and I've always treated my intuition with a great deal of respect. It was through this sort of organic process that I became an entrepreneur in the beauty industry as the founder of SpaRitual, an eco-minded company that offers a luxe selection of holistic spa products and treatment protocols for the hands, body, feet, and nails.

For as long as we can remember, we have had a dream of creating a destination spa resort—even before the word "spa" was part of the American lexicon. As former educators (John was a professor in Educational Psychology at Michigan State University, and Ginny taught secondary English and Journalism in the 1970s), we wanted to create inspirational resort experiences for adults focused on well-being and self-fulfillment. Both of us have advanced degrees in Program (Curriculum) Design, and we decided to apply our program design skills to enhancing people's lives.

A Native Texan, I Grew up in a small town around cattle, horses, and football in the Texas Panhandle. I knew at a young age that there had to be places on the planet with trees and water and that travel would be my opportunity to find adventure. Five days after graduating from high school in 1976, I was off in search of adventure. Driving into a fading sunset, I recalled the words that have since become my mantra "remember the saddle, remember to ride."

Before Creative Nail design was born, my goal and dream was to become a fashion designer. After college, I attended the L.A. Fashion Institute while working as an assistant buyer at Bullocks department store. I loved all of my design classes and learned the business side of fashion through executive management training at Bullocks. I grew in my job and was offered a position as a buyer, with the prospect of moving to New York City. Some of my friends from design school were also talking about starting a fashion line together. Life was rich and exciting and filled with opportunity.

Smooth Operators Aug 1, 2006 By: Cristina De Oliveira

Celebrating 10 years of success, the power couple and founders of The Art of Shaving share the story about how they stirred up the formerly untapped category of men's grooming products.

Relaxing the Masses Spa Week co-founders Christina Castro and Cheryl Reid of C&R Media share secrets to their success for building a national brand in an evolving industry. Jun 1, 2006 By: Christina Castro

Living in new york city is not always as easy or as glamorous as it sounds. While the constant hustle and bustle of this metropolis can be exciting, a one-mile commute can sometimes take 45 minutes. It seems as though everyone in Manhattan moves in a hurried, frenzied, and impersonal manner that is both stressful and draining. One rainy spring day in 2004, as I opened the door to our office, my partner entered right behind me. She had a look on her face that said everything I was feeling, and we were inspired. We stayed at the office late that evening and began brainstorming. We needed to educate exhausted New Yorkers about the benefits of the spa lifestyle while offering them an affordable way to experience it. We also needed to figure out a cost-effective way to drive this new clientele into the day spa market. Once we recognized these components, the light bulb went on, and the Spa Week brand was born.