As the year draws towards a close, many of us reflect on our work and what we want from the year ahead. But how often do we consider whether where we work suits us as much as what we do?
One of my students recently told me she had an interview for a position in a hotel spa. It got me thinking about the many different environments I've worked in throughout my career and how each has offered a completely different experience, both for me as a therapist and for the clients receiving treatments.
From cruise ships and luxury spas to health clubs, day spas, mobile therapy and retail environments, I've certainly experienced my fair share of working conditions!
And one thing I've learned is that a beautiful treatment room doesn't necessarily make a wonderful place to work.
Different Settings, Different Clients
When I first worked as a mobile beauty therapist in the UK, I absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the freedom of organizing my own schedule, visiting clients in their homes and building lasting relationships.
Clients were often more relaxed in their own surroundings. There was no rushing through traffic to make an appointment or navigating an unfamiliar spa. They were already comfortable, and I could bring the treatment experience to them.
I also got to know my clients on a more personal level. Regular appointments meant remembering their preferences, understanding what they enjoyed and developing relationships that went beyond the treatments themselves.
Working aboard cruise ships was an entirely different experience.
I spent six years working at sea, and one of the biggest differences was that most clients were people I would never see again. They were on holiday, generally relaxed, and enjoying a little time for themselves.
Of course, cruise ship employment sometimes has a terrible reputation, and I've certainly heard plenty of horror stories. I even experienced working for a company that wasn't particularly enjoyable.
However, the company I spent most of my years with was wonderful. The pay was excellent, we had plenty of time off, and, most importantly for me, I was there to travel and see the world!
I wasn't expected to meet retail targets either, which may surprise anyone familiar with the reputation of cruise ship spas.
I loved those years, but building ongoing client relationships simply wasn't part of the experience in the same way it had been with mobile therapy.
Beautiful Surroundings Don't Tell the Whole Story
I've also worked in some gorgeous spa environments, including a luxury spa in San Francisco.
The surroundings were beautiful, and from a guest's perspective, the experience was designed to feel luxurious.
Behind the scenes, however, things weren't always quite so relaxing.
There was considerable pressure from management to sell retail products. And if I wanted a day off, I was responsible for finding another esthetician to cover my shift. Without coverage, I couldn't take the day off.
It's a reminder that what a client sees and what an esthetician experiences can be two very different things.
A luxurious setting may create a wonderful atmosphere for clients, but the working environment matters just as much to the people providing those treatments.
Two Gyms, Two Completely Different Experiences
I worked in two gym settings in the UK, and I couldn't have had more contrasting experiences.
The first was a ladies' gym offering faradic treatments, using electrical stimulation to produce passive muscle contractions. It felt rather like a conveyor belt of clients. Management was poor, training was practically nonexistent, and the whole operation lacked professionalism.
Not somewhere I particularly enjoyed working!
My second gym experience couldn't have been more different. I already knew the owner from a previous retail position. He knew very little about the beauty industry, so I was given the freedom to establish and manage the beauty services myself.
I chose the treatments, selected the products and organized how everything operated. I absolutely loved having that responsibility and independence.
The treatments were generally more focused on grooming and appearance than relaxation. Hair removal, self-tanning, manicures and body treatments were popular services.
For those unfamiliar with beauty therapy in the UK, the scope of practice is considerably broader than that of estheticians in many parts of the United States, so these services were perfectly normal offerings in that environment.
Same type of establishment, yet two completely different working experiences.
It wasn't the gym setting that made the difference. It was the management, the freedom I was given and the professional environment.
Training Should Never Be an Afterthought
Something else I've encountered throughout my career is the enormous variation in training and professional standards between establishments.
Some invest heavily in their staff, while others provide little preparation before expecting therapists to work independently.
During my time managing Dermalogica's original flagship store in Santa Monica, we invested considerable time and effort in training our staff to a high standard.
I remember Jane Wurwand, founder of Dermalogica, expressing frustration when well-trained employees left to pursue opportunities elsewhere.
I couldn't resist reminding her of one of her own favorite sayings:
"Better to train your staff and have them leave than not train them and have them stay."
It's a philosophy I've always appreciated.
Good training benefits everyone, including the client, the therapist and the business. Even if employees eventually move on, they've developed valuable skills that stay with them throughout their careers.
Another concern I've encountered is establishments that didn't use client intake forms at all.
Regardless of whether someone is receiving a facial, body treatment or another beauty service, understanding their health history, relevant contraindications and individual needs is an essential part of professional practice.
A beautiful treatment room, expensive equipment or prestigious location should never be a substitute for good professional standards.
Finding the Right Fit
Looking back, I realize that some of my happiest working experiences weren't necessarily in the most impressive surroundings.
I loved mobile therapy because of the independence and relationships. I loved cruise ships because of the travel, relaxed clients and opportunities they gave me. And I loved running the beauty services in that second gym because I was trusted to make decisions and create something of my own.
Other estheticians may feel quite differently.
Some thrive in busy, fast-paced spas, meeting different clients every day. Others enjoy the familiarity of regular appointments and the relationships that develop over time. Some prefer an established treatment menu and clear structure, while others want the freedom to develop their own approach.
There isn't one perfect working environment for every esthetician.
And perhaps that's one of the wonderful things about our profession. There are so many different directions it can take us.
So, whether you're just beginning your career, considering a change of workplace or dreaming of working independently, think beyond the treatment menu, the décor and the reputation of the establishment.
Consider the clients you'll be working with, the training and support you'll receive, the expectations placed upon you and, most importantly, the kind of environment in which you'll feel happy doing your work.
After all, enjoying where you work can make just as much difference as enjoying what you do.
If this blog resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment or share it with a fellow esthetician who may find it helpful.