With over five decades of experience, Sue Harmsworth is more than a pioneer in the wellness industry—she’s a visionary who transformed holistic healing into a global, luxury standard. From her early days as a journalist at Vogue to founding the world-renowned ESPA brand and later launching the charitable Standards Authority for Touch in Cancer Care (SATCC), Sue has consistently challenged norms, broken barriers, and advocated for meaningful, human-centered change. In this candid conversation, she reflects on her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and her mission to ensure that wellness truly includes everyone, especially those who need it most.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE YOU’RE WORKING ON NOW?
The most important thing at the moment is really the cancer piece, because it’s become such a big global issue with one in two people expected to be touched by cancer. Guests are being turned away from having treatment at the last minute because therapists aren’t qualified to massage or give facials to those going through their cancer journey. Psychologically and emotionally, for someone on that journey, that’s painful and embarrassing. It’s even worse in cultures like parts of Asia and the Middle East, where women with cancer are already stigmatized. That’s why I founded SATCC—to change that.
See also: 7 Lesser-Known Holistic Therapies
HOW DID YOUR CAREER IN WELLNESS BEGIN?
My mother was a paediatric nurse, and my grandmother was a herbalist, so I was brought up with both a medical and holistic approach to healing. My father was also a huge influence—he was an advocate for women’s education and built a business with my mother after the war. I started my career in journalism and worked briefly as features editor of Vogue. But when I moved to Canada in 1968, I started my first business—what would now be called a day spa—on four floors with eighty staff. It was pre-spa, and it taught me everything about Eastern European therapy, which was medically rooted.
WHAT WAS IT LIKE BEING A WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR IN A MALE-DOMINATED WELLNESS INDUSTRY?
It wasn’t easy. I have two sons, six grandchildren, and two 15 year marriages that didn’t last—so no, you can’t have it all. I’ve employed thousands of women over the years in all cultures. I know the challenges firsthand. Building a family while building a business requires trade-offs. But I wouldn’t change the journey. Working so much with powerful owners and men was never an issue – they were always respectful of my knowledge and experience and I still find to this day as long as you are open, honest and admit what you don’t know with a sense of humour and deliver what you have promised, it is not a problem
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT?
My father. He believed so strongly in women’s empowerment. I was born in 1945—right at the end of the war—and we had to grow everything, make everything. I saw how plants and herbs had power, and I watched both my grandmother and father build businesses. I always knew I could ask my dad anything and get an honest answer without any agenda. That kind of support was invaluable.
See also: ESPA Life at Waldorf Astoria: Your Gateway to Blissful Wellness
WHAT MAKES SATCC DIFFERENT FROM YOUR COMPANY ESPA?
SATCC is a charity—my give-back project. ESPA was a business I built from scratch, with my own money. I created everything, trained my team, and we grew into sixty countries with 600 spas. SATCC is about legacy. It’s volunteer-run, not for profit, and focused solely on changing how cancer care is supported through wellness.
WHY IS TOUCH THERAPY FOR CANCER PATIENTS SO IMPORTANT?
There’s lots of evidence that it helps—improves sleep, relieves pain, and offers emotional relief during treatment. But it must be done properly. Cancer massage is very different. You can do real harm if untrained. Our touch therapy is slow, nurturing, and specific. Therapists who’ve taken our training feel more empowered, more empathetic—and those skills carry over to treating all kinds of clients, not just cancer patients.
See also: Ersin Pamuksüzer on Longevity, Stem Cells, and the Future of Wellness at TheLifeCo
WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO SELL YOUR COMPANY?
Letting go was hard. ESPA was like my baby—it was as old as you, really. But I was 72 when I sold it, and I saw a new purpose. My passion is Integrative health and wellness, education and design, not chasing investors. The wellness industry needed something different—healthcare was beginning to finally see what we had to offer. That’s where I knew I had to go next.
HOW HAVE YOU ADAPTED TO TECHNOLOGY OVER THE YEARS?
I’ve had to keep up, especially working globally with five-star brands. But I still believe tech should serve us, not the other way around. Guests should never feel burdened by the systems behind the scenes. When it works well, it’s seamless. But we’re still not getting it right in integrative wellness settings—apps crash, systems don’t talk to each other. It takes both tech people and hospitality people to fix that.
WHAT’S A PIECE OF ADVICE YOU LIVE BY?
Procrastination is the thief of time. It’s not spiritual, but it’s true. Do the hardest thing first every day. Assume nothing. Don’t talk about it—do it. That mindset clears your head and helps you achieve more. Be curious, pass on the wisdom and be kind to those surrounding you.
WHAT KEEPS YOU YOUNG?
I don’t believe in retiring. I’ve never had any tweakments or surgeries done. I’ve taken a very holistic approach to health and beauty. If you’re happy, giving, and optimistic—even when life isn’t easy—that shows. Age is a mindset. And giving, not just taking, is a big part of staying vibrant.
