BY CARRIE ABNER

THE SPA INDUSTRY PUTS AN EMPHASIS on self-care and helping guests to be their best selves . It ’ s no wonder , then , that as coaching grows rapidly , spa owners and operators are working with coaches to bring their best selves to their companies , too .

When engaging a coach for the first time , spa professionals have a lot to consider . After all , working with a coach is an investment in the business and must be done thoughtfully and strategically to achieve the desired values .

How can a spa owner be sure they are investing in a coach who will be effective in helping them to reach their goals ? Let ’ s talk through the key considerations .

Unleash Your — and Your Spa ’ s — Full Potential Any spa owner or manager knows that balance and care are necessary for a thriving business , and that includes ensuring investments have a return toward a healthy and flourishing bottom line . The evidence-backed nature of coaching allows spa operators to feel confident in the value of the financial and time investment .

The benefit of coaching is two-fold : By working with a coach , leaders develop new skill sets that not only strengthen their own abilities , but also create a “ ripple effect ” that improves their ability to empower their team members . Everyone enjoys an improved workplace culture , which drives a myriad of benefits and is sure to be felt by spa guests .

According to the 2022 ICF and PwC Global Consumer Awareness Study , benefits of coaching include :

l l l l l

Improved work / life balance Increased productivity Increased well-being Optimized teamwork performance Expanded professional career opportunities l Improved business management strategies

A recent study of American Customer Satisfaction Index ( ACSI ) data even found that for every one-star increase in a company ’ s rating on Glassdoor , customer satisfaction scores saw a 1.3-point increase .

— ICF / HCI FUTURE OF COACHING SNAPSHOT SURVEY , 2023

Finding the Right Coach Just as massage therapists and estheticians must have proper training , so should coaches . Training and credentialing ensure adherence to ethical standards and best practices — and ensure that clients will get the results they expect from their engagement .

18 PULSE n JULY / AUGUST 2024