New Mexico Business Coalition (NMBC) has grown over the past 12 years into a formidable, outspoken advocate for pro-business public policy and increased private sector job opportunities for New Mexicans. One of the key elements of a brighter future is great businesses that provide the jobs, products and services that improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans. NMBC is glad to profile some of those businesses: This week we feature Scott Bushey and Solarius Spa.
Scott Bushey founded Solarius Spa, in September of 1985 with a vision of enhancing the guest experience and the enlightened application of light. Providing convenient, comfortable and innovative sun tanning technologies, Solarius Spa was the first of its kind and continues today to lead the industry with innovative services, beautiful facilities, and an unmatched guest experience.
Established in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Solarius Spa positioned itself to provide services to guests who prefer a sophisticated lifestyle. As an early leader in the market, Solarius Spa was the first tanning facility to offer 30 minute tanning sessions, a 100% increase in efficiency over earlier tanning technologies allowing guests to obtain a tan in half the time of conventional systems of the day.
With its precedent set, Solarius Spa continued to maintain market dominance by adding new equipment, becoming the first to introduce 20 minute tanning sessions, then 12 minute tanning sessions, and Mystic Tan automated sunless tanning. With each new technology Solarius Spa offered their guests time saving options, allowing them to tan with fewer visits and providing a more enjoyable experience. The addition of new technologies also provided a wider range of price points allowing Solarius to provide services to a larger market.
Scott Bushey has always brought new ideas, technologies and treatments to his spa, providing his guests with an array of options and the added benefits of new, better and innovative equipment and services. In 1993 Solarius Spa introduced designer sunglasses, international brands like Prada, Gucci, and Versace, giving Solarius an additional advantage in the market, raising its level of brand recognition, and further distancing the competition. As business grew the facility did too, expanding the original location from eight rooms to 15.
More technologies, like LED Red Light Therapy, were introduced in 2005 to begin a new era in light therapy treatments for anti-aging and age reversing. In 2007, the introduction of Solarix technology brought new light for faster, longer-lasting tanning treatments that are literally 10x faster and gentler than conventional tanning methods. Followed by Wellness Pod introducing Hydofusion with 5 skin/body therapy modalities combined into a single 20 or 30 minute user controlled process. 2016 brought the 7th generation spray tanning named Precision Express, a much needed improvement, and in 2017 the introduction of specialized and custom facial services. Solarius facials usher in an alternative to injections, or plastic surgery for facial rejuvenation and age-reversing.
Getting into the spa business early on was crucial in helping Scott build a successful business. Name recognition, focusing on exceptional guest experiences, and introducing new and exciting technologies, enabled Solarius to remain at the top of the industry through the Covid pandemic and state-wide business shutdown. There were times when Scott was the only employee holding down the fort.
Spa treatments remain great gift ideas! Or for personal use, a trip to the spa will help with relaxation and mental/physical wellness, plus great treatments to make you feel as good as you look. Stop in and say hello to Scott and his team and set aside sometime for some indulgent spa treatments.