July 21, 2008

Travertine Spa owner looks to make bigger mark in body-care market

During these ugly economic times, selling beauty products takes a little extra sweat, maybe a little more road time.

For Terry Carter, owner of La Palma-based Travertine Spa Inc., the quest for the next big sale took him to Dubai last November.

Travertine Spa peddles body-care products and unisex yoga and Pilates apparel to first-class hotels, spas and all “who believe in treating themselves well,” Carter said.

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During these ugly economic times, selling beauty products takes a little extra sweat, maybe a little more road time.

For Terry Carter, owner of La Palma-based Travertine Spa Inc., the quest for the next big sale took him to Dubai last November.

Travertine Spa peddles body-care products and unisex yoga and Pilates apparel to first-class hotels, spas and all “who believe in treating themselves well,” Carter said. Where better to look than the oil-rich Middle Eastern emirate, which is on a resort-building binge.

Carter didn’t come home with signed deals, but he still thought the trip was worthwhile.

“A lot of the spas there do not do retail yet,” the 38-year-old entrepreneur said. “It will take another year or two for that market to develop, but if I can be there from the beginning, I can become a brand of choice. I regarded it as homework.”

Carter is trying to expand sales of Moroccan Tangerine Hand Soap and other products at a time when many Americans are cutting out luxuries because of the weak economy, record fuel prices and plummeting home values.

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