Students of the third-year “Aesthetic Cosmetology” program at Turība University participated in an experiential visit to several beauty industry companies in Riga as part of the “Salon Management” course, accompanied by Marika Kaprano-Ģederti, Head of the Health Care Study Area. The visit included Kolonna Day SPA, the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga SPA, and the SIBI salon in Old Riga. The purpose of the visit was to explore the daily operations of beauty businesses, management practices, and the professional experience of industry specialists.

During the excursion, students had the opportunity to meet one of Latvia’s leading beauty industry professionals, Ieva Plaude, founder of Kolonna. She shared her professional journey, discussing business development, challenges, and the key factors in building a successful beauty enterprise. Students gained valuable insights into client service quality, team management, and industry trends.

The students also visited the Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, where they explored the operations of the hotel’s high-end SPA center. The SPA combines modern beauty technologies with a relaxing wellness environment, offering students a chance to learn about service organization, the range of treatments, and client service standards in the luxury segment.

At the SIBI salon in Old Riga, students observed the functioning of a multifunctional beauty salon in the city center. The salon offers a wide variety of services for both women and men, including hairdressing, manicure and pedicure, facial and body treatments, SPA rituals, and massages. This diverse service structure allowed students to better understand salon workflow, client flow management, and collaboration among specialists within a single beauty business.

Experiential visits are a key part of the curriculum, enabling students to connect theoretical knowledge with practical industry experience. Such visits broaden professional horizons, deepen understanding of business operations in the beauty sector, and inspire students to build their careers in cosmetology and healthcare.

Turība University expresses gratitude to Kolonna Day SPA, Grand Hotel Kempinski Riga, and SIBI salon representatives for their warm welcome and for sharing their professional expertise.