10 Things Wanted by Today’s Spa Talent

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  1. A positive environment. An overwhelming majority wanted a positive culture and respectful work environment.
     
  2. Fair pay. Spa employees want a pay scale that is based on experience and performance. They want to be paid hourly plus commission, not as contractors.
     
  3. Continued education. “I want to work for a company with a structured advanced training program. There is so much to learn,” noted one student.
     
  4. Creative environment. The ability to personalize treatments and the client experience was a common request. Performing the same cookie-cutter experience for every spa guest is not inspiring.
     
  5. Professional facility. Spa employees want a clean, serene, organized and sanitary facility.
     
  6. Health benefits. Medical benefits or some type of health savings plan was listed on about half of the future graduates’ wish list.
     
  7. Diversity. Diversity and acceptance in the spa team and the clientele is not a “nice to have,” it is a “have to have.” There is a strong interest in working with both men and women of all ages. Notably, there was not one person that said they wanted a wealthy clientele.
     
  8. Exclusive product offering. Spa employees want a result-oriented product they can support. The product should cover all skin types and be priced for clients to purchase at retail. They want to work with a professional-only product line and not something the client can buy at a drugstore or consumer retail outlet.
     
  9. Growth opportunity. What is the opportunity for growth in your spa? The new talent graduating from beauty schools wants to know that there is a potential career path and incentives to reach training and sales goals.
     
  10. Mentored management. New spa talent needs a manager that they can talk to about the industry and their life. They want the manager to care about them. “I’m looking for a mentor that is willing to share their knowledge with me and be flexible.”
Si Author D Crossett 300

Founder and owner of the San Francisco Institute of Esthetics and Cosmetology since 2002, Deedee Crossett is an industry pioneer for raising the bar of undergraduate education for cosmetologists and estheticians. She can be reached at www.facebook.com/deedee.crossett and Twitter @DeedeeCrossett #10things.

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