This year, the Temple Skincare & Spa was awarded the PBS Salon of the Year. After 21 years in business and over so many challenges with the recent pandemic and economic constraints, it makes me even more proud of my Team and the business. More importantly, having a winning team is like sprinkling a touch of magic dust on your salon’s reputation. You see, in this bustling world of beauty and glamour, recognition is the key to unlocking new doors, captivating loyal customers, and standing out from the fierce competition. It’s no secret that in the ever-evolving realm of beauty, winning awards can be a true boon for your business.
So how do you build an Award-Winning Team? With a focus on building a winning salon team, here are some valuable insights and inspiration to help you achieve greatness and create an award-winning spa business of your own.
1. Define Your Vision:
Embarking on my own journey, I envisioned Temple Skincare & Spa as a haven where guests could find solace amidst their bustling lives. Combining my passion for beauty and wellness, I aimed to create a space that nurtured both inner and outer beauty.
If you operate your day spa business without a clear direction or a defined set of core values, you’re essentially running on autopilot, continuously going in circles. Without a clear vision of what you want your brand to become, it becomes challenging to communicate your desired behavior and brand identity to your staff members. It’s important to have a vivid mental image of your brand’s future, including its values, appearance, and overall essence. By envisioning and immersing yourself in the success of your day spa as if it has already happened, you increase the likelihood of it becoming a reality, rather than treating it as a mere fantasy.
To begin, it is crucial to articulate a vision statement. Imagine yourself four years ahead and compose a narrative depicting where you want your day spa to be. By writing it as if it has already come to pass, engaging your senses to envision its sights, smells, and the emotions associated with its success, you create a more powerful vision that can guide your actions.
Furthermore, reflect on your purpose for being in business. Ask yourself why you are involved in this industry and what drives you.
2. Hire for Passion and Skill:
In the early stages, I handpicked a team of dedicated professionals who shared my vision and were passionate about their craft. Together, we built a team that not only possessed exceptional skills but also radiated genuine love for the industry.
Hire based on personality, using personality profiling to best fill the role needed. Let’s face it… a kick arse killer retail Medi-spa therapist is a different personality to a nurturing floaty Heavenly spa therapist.
Hire also based on values. As a business owner, it’s easy to train a staff member to be an amazing therapist, but one can’t teach her to be kind, considerate and to put your clients’ needs above your own.
3. Foster a Positive Culture:
From the beginning, I prioritized cultivating a positive work culture. At Temple Skincare & Spa, we encourage a harmonious and supportive environment, where team members feel valued, motivated, and inspired to deliver their best.
We make things fun by providing incentives when each Therapist achieves a target, drawing from a hamper for prizes that they appreciate. We celebrate birthdays, cheer each other up when someone is feeling under the weather and treat each other as Family (another one of our Core Values at the Temple).
A positive, supportive and caring work culture translates to how a Therapist mirrors those same values when she is with a client.
4. Continuous Education and Training:
To stay at the forefront of the industry, I emphasised the importance of continuous education and training. Through workshops, seminars, and partnerships with renowned experts, we continuously hone our skills, ensuring our guests received the latest and most innovative treatments.
Emphasise education to be experts in our field. Being experts in what we do means we can confidently offer our clients the correct, honest and complete advice they need to best achieve the results they deserve. It’s important to support your team as well to learn and grow into their highest potential in their career.
5. Embrace Innovation:
A turning point for Temple Skincare & Spa was when we embraced cutting-edge technology and treatments. By incorporating advanced skincare procedures and state-of-the-art equipment, we elevated our services, attracting a wider audience and distinguishing ourselves from competitors.
It’s also important to get a feel for what your clients need. Being aware of what your clients’ skins and their goals are will help to easily determine what machines to invest on for your spa. Engage the Team to suggest what their regulars look for or want. Set targets as a Team to work together and achieve the funds to procure the equipment.
6. Exceptional Customer Service:
Our commitment to exceptional customer service became the cornerstone of our success. Every guest who walked through our doors was treated with utmost care, receiving personalized attention and leaving with a sense of rejuvenation and satisfaction.
Oftentimes, it is the small things that count the most so think about your entire customer journey. What is that like? Are there gaps in making them feel welcome and looked after? What can each member of the Team do to enhance the client experience?
Nowadays too, a bad review can have a big impact on a business. But stay open-minded to client feedback and take time to read and respond to each one. Yes each one of them! Have a system in place on how to respond to reviews, especially the bad ones. Admit to the mistake in case there really was one (nobody is perfect!), and end with a hopeful note on thanking them and making improvements for the better.
7. Build Trust and Loyalty:
Over the years, we built enduring relationships with our clients by prioritizing trust and loyalty. Our transparency, integrity, and consistent delivery of exceptional experiences garnered the trust of our clients, leading to their unwavering loyalty.
Building trust between a salon therapist and a customer is essential for a successful and long-lasting relationship. Firstly, effective communication plays a crucial role. The Therapist should actively listen to the customer’s concerns, preferences, and expectations, ensuring open and honest dialogue. Demonstrating empathy and understanding helps create a safe and comfortable environment.
Secondly, maintaining professionalism is key. The Therapist should display competence, expertise, and adhere to high ethical standards. This includes respecting client confidentiality, providing accurate information, and following proper hygiene and safety protocols. Additionally, delivering consistent and exceptional service fosters trust. The therapist should strive for excellence in their work, ensuring the customer’s satisfaction and addressing any issues promptly and effectively. Lastly, building trust involves creating a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere. The therapist can personalize treatments, show genuine care for the customer’s well-being, and establish a warm and friendly rapport.
By consistently embodying these qualities, a salon therapist can cultivate trust with their customers, creating a strong foundation for a lasting relationship.
8. Celebrate Achievements:
Milestones have marked our journey, and each one has been a cause for celebration at Temple Skincare & Spa. From our first industry award to expanding our offerings, we celebrated our team’s achievements, fostering a sense of pride and inspiring them to reach new heights.
Recognizing and commemorating achievements instills a sense of pride and motivation within the team. By acknowledging their hard work and dedication, team members feel valued and appreciated, leading to increased job satisfaction and a stronger commitment to excellence.
Secondly, celebrating milestones fosters a positive and supportive work culture. It encourages camaraderie, teamwork, and a shared sense of accomplishment. This sense of unity not only enhances employee morale but also strengthens collaboration and cooperation, leading to improved productivity and efficiency.
Additionally, celebrating milestones allows team members to reflect on their progress and growth. It serves as a reminder of their collective success and provides an opportunity for learning and development. By acknowledging achievements and setting new goals, the team can continuously strive for improvement and innovation.
9. Embody Passion and Purpose:
My own journey has taught me the significance of embodying passion and purpose. By staying dedicated to my vision, leading by example, and nurturing the talents of my team, we have created an environment where passion and purpose thrive.
The last 21 years feels like it has flown by, however, when I actually think back to where, when and how it all started, it feels like a lifetime ago. With hand on heart, I can still say that I have a deep passion for my work, and I am fortunate to pursue what I truly love. Even after two decades in the field, my enthusiasm remains unwavering. As a Therapist, I find immense joy in how we can bring tranquility to someone’s day and restore harmony to their inner being. Additionally, I take pride in our ability to address various skin care concerns, consistently delivering tangible and effective outcomes.
Passion is essential for a salon therapist as it fuels motivation, enhances expertise, creates a positive work environment, and brings personal fulfillment. When therapists are genuinely passionate about their work, they go the extra mile to provide exceptional service, continuously improve their skills, and stay updated with industry trends. This dedication leads to higher client satisfaction, a supportive team environment, and long-term career growth. Ultimately, passion drives excellence and contributes to a fulfilling and successful career in the salon industry.
10. Inspire and Transform:
Temple Skincare & Spa’s success story serves as a testament to the success of building a winning team. As salon and spa owners, we have the opportunity to inspire and transform lives, both of our team members and our clients. Embrace this responsibility, and let your passion and commitment shine through.
To gain further insights into how your salon can be a multi-awarded success, give Justin and I call on +61 414 743 929. We’re here for you, your Team and your business.