About Us

With over 20 years of experience in the spa industry–in hands-on esthetics, product retail, management consulting, education and day spa operations–Preston is an excellent, comprehensive resource for spa business entrepreneurs in search of a more successful business and more satisfying career. We enjoy close working relationships with some of the world's top day spas, resort spas, and medical spas. We can show you how to maximixe your brand potential, increase sales and much more!

We work exclusively with Vancouver-based Vitelle Dermatology Laboratories to manufacture and market Preston and Preston Naturals Private Label Skin & Body Care. We're rapidly expanding and continue to develop specialized, high quality products that meet the discerning tastes of the day spa, medical spa, and resort markets.

Executive Bios
Douglas Preston, President
Mr. Preston is a business consultant and frequent lecturer in the day and medical spa industry who's been featured on CNN and Fine Living channels. Preston's business articles regularly appear in Spa Management Journal, Medical Spa Magazine, Dermascope, Spa 20/20, BeautyNZ, and others. He also contributes as an editorial advisor to several respected spa trade publications. Preston is past-president of Aesthetics International Association (AIA), and served as committee chairman for The Day Spa Association (DSA). Preston was named The Day Spa Association's 'Spa Person of the Year' in January 2006 and received distinction as Favorite Spa Consultant in American Spa magazine's 2006 readers' poll.

An entertaining speaker and educator, Preston appears at numerous spa industry and corporate events including the Day Spa Expo, I/SPA, Cosmoprof, IECSC, Spa and Resort Expo, the International Congress of Esthetics, Face and Body Conference, and others. As an established leader in sales and management strategies, Preston's systems have helped to improve business efficiency and profit for many thriving international companies, large and small. Preston Private Label Products, operated from Vancouver Canada and Santa Fe, NM has become a significant source for independently branded skin and body consumables in the growing spa retail and professional markets.

Douglas Preston can be contacted at douglas@prestoninc.net.

Lisa Taft Preston, Vice President
Lisa Taft Preston, Vice President of Preston Private Label Skincare, oversees all aspects of the company's sales operations as well as working with manufacturing to continually update the product line with state-of-the-art formulas.

Lisa came to the spa industry after 15 years in both operations and recruiting for a number of Silicon Valley companies, including Apple Inc., Sega, and Symantec. In 1996 she developed a recruiting course specifically for the spa industry, and consulted with spa and salon owners on interviewing and hiring. Her involvement in the industry combined with her lifelong interest in skincare led to her partnership with Douglas Preston and the creation of Preston Inc.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Communication Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. In addition to her business background, she has extensive experience as a professional makeup artist and graphic designer.

 Lisa can be reached by email at lisa@prestoninc.net.

Liz Beresford, Director of Operations and Strategic Partner
Liz Beresford comes to the Preston Incorporated partnership with extensive Financial Accounting and Business background, and is a graduate in Business Administration from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and Accounting studies from the University of British Columbia. Liz has been involved in the Spa Industry since 1986. She obtained hands-on experience in spa operations and management as an Investor / Managing Director of a well-known Day Spa in Vancouver, B.C. Since that time she has been involved in various aspects of the spa industry such as product development, marketing, sales, financial management, distribution and logistics.

As Senior Operations Manager and Strategic Partner, Liz is responsible for the fulfillment and distribution of orders and client care as it relates to product. Based out of the Vitelle Operations Centre in Richmond, British Columbia, she oversees day to day operations which include manufacturing, purchasing, packaging and distribution to our skincare product clients.

 Liz devotes a significant amount of energy to volunteer work and was recently recognized by the Y.M.C.A. for 20 years of service. She actively promotes health and fitness as a board member in community sporting associations, charity events, workshops and programs.

Liz can be reached by email at liz@prestoninc.net.

Aleks Vranicic, Director, US Sales & Technical Training
Aleks Vranicic comes from the island of Hvar, located off the coast of Croatia. After graduating from PLNU with a BS in Business Management, Aleks became a co-owner and practicing esthetician at Yelka Day Spa in Los Altos, California. Aleks has a successful esthetics practice at Yelka Day Spa and has established himself as a specialist in anti-aging acne therapies, and enjoys seeing adults and teenagers regain their self-confidence.

Recently he was featured on KRON 4 News as “Best of The Bay” in the San Francisco Bay Area along with San Jose Magazine’s “Best Mind-Body Spa Therapies.”

Aleks serves as Director of US Sales & Technical Training for Preston Incorporated. His first-hand experience both as a spa owner and esthetician make him an invaluable resource to our clients.  His confidence and love of educating and training make his classes fun and inspiring! He states, “It is easy and fun to succeed in this business and I want to show others how to do it.  We’ll provide the keys that open the door to success; all our customers need to do is open the door.”

Aleks can be reached by email at aleks@prestoninc.net.

Vic Preston, Project Manager
Vic Preston joined Preston in 2007 as project and customer service coordinator, supporting the management team. Vic, a nephew of company founder Douglas Preston, brings unique customer service and organizational talent to ensure that our rapidly growing customer base receives the best care possible.

Vic can be reached by email at vic@prestoninc.net.