If you’ve been growing your business and are ready to take on staff, you might be wondering how to even get started. It’s not as simple as just putting out an ad and picking someone out of a pool of candidates—it’s a calculated business decision that could significantly impact your operations and your reputation. 

How to Hire Employees for a Small Self-Care Business

You’ve taken the time, money, and effort to build your own small, self-care business, but now it’s time to hire your staff. It may seem like a straightforward process, but there are actually several things to consider before you even start looking for an employee. This article will provide a guide on the hiring process, explore why hiring the right staff can make or break your business, and give you some useful tips for your own employee recruitment. 

What Makes a Good Employee For a Small Self-Care Business?

A good employee can be hard to find, and when you’re running a small self-care business, you can’t afford to take a gamble on the wrong person. Below are a few different qualities to look for when hiring employees for your small business.

Adaptability

Since you likely won’t be able to hire on a full complete staff for every department your small self-care business needs, it’s important your potential employees are flexible in their roles. For instance, the person who washes the clients’ hair at your salon may also need to answer phones and manage appointments, or your potential manicurist may need to cover gel manicures and nail art. Finding an employee who can adapt to the task at hand can be key to your small business’ success. 

Someone Who Wants To Be There

Yes, most people need a job for money, but there are also people who are looking for roles they can learn and grow in, and potentially help define their career path. Look for candidates who have a passion for the self-care industry, including knowledge of the latest trends and a commitment to wellness. It’s not just about finding labor, it’s about building your brand and finding those who can match your values and vibe. 

Excellent Customer Service Skills

Part of running a successful business is ensuring your customers receive quality treatment along with their services. An employee who is impatient or not personable will probably not make a good addition to your business. You want someone who is dedicated to providing a positive and personalized experience for your clients. 

2 Aspects To Consider Before Hiring an Employee For Your Small Self-Care Business

The best practices for hiring employees for your small business include research and patience, which can ultimately save you time, money, and heartbreak. If you’re ready to take your small, self-care business to the next level, consider the following:

1. Your Business Needs

Do you have too much demand and not enough supply? Is there certain work that is impossible to get done? List out all the different roles and tasks an employee could help with—and be honest with yourself: Is this something that will truly benefit your self-care business? Or are you just looking for someone to share the load to give yourself more downtime? Frankly, it’s your business, and either reason is valid. However, if you’re already struggling financially, it may be wise to hold off on taking on another person. 

2. The Financial Implications

If you’re a small business hiring employees, chances are the budget will be pretty tight (especially if you’re just starting out). Before you start looking for an employee, you’ll need to do some serious math. A full-time employee is a long-term cost, so what are the financial projections for your self-care business? Will you be able to afford benefits? Training? The payroll taxes? The cost of someone doing your payroll taxes? These are all important notes to consider long before you even draft a help wanted ad. 

Manage your payments with GlossGenius’ Payroll. Our payroll system includes automatic tax filing in all 50 states, unlimited runs with no extra fees, and more. Plus, it’s built right into GlossGenius’ appointment management system, so you can easily see your staff calendar and pay out their completed appointments.

Where Can You Find Employees For Your Small Self-Care Business?

Finding employees for small business sizes in the self-care industry can be tricky if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, we’ve broken down a few different places you might have the best luck. 

Industry Job Boards

There are several job boards out there that cater specifically to those in the self-care industry. Some sites may offer free listings, while others may require payment to post ads or check out jobseeker profiles. 

Social Media Platforms

Job-seeking Facebook groups, or even the comment section of a job hub on Instagram can reveal plenty of qualified candidates looking for their next role. You may choose to reach out directly to these candidates, or contact the account owners to see how you can post your own listing on their platforms. 

Referrals

You may want to contact beauty schools or self-care training programs to find relevant candidates for your small self-care business. These places are ripe with eager hopefuls training their way into a promising career, and might already be ready to take their first professional step. Beauty school or self-care students that come with some of their own training may also help you reduce the amount of training you’ll have to provide. 

How To Hire Employees for Your Small Self-Care Business In 5 Steps

Hiring the right employees is a nerve-wracking decision that you shouldn’t take lightly. If you’re ready to start the process, keep reading for our step-by-step guide on the best practices for hiring employees for your small, self-care business. 

1. Assess Your Business Needs

Assess the needs of your self-care business and the budget for hiring employees. We know running a business is hard, but hiring the first person willing to work at your rate won’t necessarily benefit your business in the future. Figuring out exactly what you’ll need, what it will cost, and how long you can afford to do it (especially if business gets bad), can save you unnecessary pivoting, anxiety, and even layoffs in the future. 

2. Create Your Job Description

Craft a detailed job description that properly highlights everything you’ll need from the candidate and their role including all of their responsibilities, expectations for conduct, working hours, pay, and benefits. You’ll also want to include information about the self-care business’ culture to ensure those who apply understand your professional vision. Be sure to note any other requirements to work at your self-care business, such as beauty licenses or gym certifications. 

3. Screen Your Candidates

Unfortunately, not every application you receive will be top quality (or even relevant to your business). Screening your candidates gives you time to go through all of the applications and weed out anyone who you already know wouldn’t be a good fit. While it’s great to give people a chance, your financial needs may not allow for such a gamble during this particular hiring process. 

4. Conduct Interviews

Once you have your pool of candidates, prepare and conduct engaging interviews with them, focused around things like their self-care skills and cultural fit. It’s hard to gauge a candidate based on a resume alone, so setting time aside to have in-depth conversations with prospective candidates can give you a much better picture of who they are as a person and an employee.

5. Run A Background Check

We’d love to trust everyone who seems passionate about our business, but it’s wise to take precautions. Notify your applicants that part of your hiring process involves running a background check so that there are no surprises. Ensure that all qualified candidates are of legal age and eligible to work in your business location, and most importantly, that they are who they say they are. 

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What To Do After You Hire Employees For Your Small Self-Care Business

Once you’ve hired your employees, there’s still much to do! Below are three things you can do after you’ve officially secured your new hires. 

Provide The Right Literature

Provide your workers with an employee handbook outlining the self-care business’ policies, procedures, and expectations for their role. Include your business’ official policies (such as those regarding cancellations, no-shows, client behavior, refusal of service, and the like), as well as policies regarding staff behavior and expectations. 

Check In Regularly

Regular check-ins and feedback sessions can help you assess your hires’ progress, and give your employees a chance to ask questions or provide commentary on their experience working at your business. Check-ins show your employees that you value their time and well-being, and listening to their concerns or trying to find improvements to make their work experience better will only enhance their performance down the line. 

Make Sure Their Payment Is Settled

Once you hire your new employee, work out any payment details before they start their first day of work. If you’re using direct deposit, collect their financial information and set up your payment schedule to avoid paying your employees late. 

GlossGenius offers Reports & Analytics feature, which provides weekly team member performance reports to help you measure your progress and take action where needed.

4 Tips For Hiring The Best Employees For Your Small Self-Care Business

Below we’ve outlined some tips on how to hire the right candidates for your self-care business. 

1. Set Clear Expectations

Let the potential employee know exactly what they should expect in their role. From how they perform their services, to how many hours they’ll work, to the policies you expect them to follow, you want to eliminate any surprises once you commit to taking on an employee. 

2. Take Your Time

Though it may feel like you need help ASAP, hiring the wrong employee can do way more damage to your business than staying solo. Take your time when reviewing applicants, and don’t jump at the first candidate you vibe with. 

3. Offer Competitive Compensation And Benefits

If possible, offer prospective employees competitive pay and benefits that may entice them toward your business. Perks like flexible scheduling or paid time off can help attract candidates looking for a quality employment experience, and let them know you value their contribution to your small business. 

4. Emphasize Training And Development

You want to find candidates who are looking to grow with you, and a great way to attract them is to offer courses and training that can enhance their skills. Whether it’s fitness coaching classes or hair styling workshops, a quality candidate would likely not turn down a chance to learn and develop their techniques. 

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Empower Your Self-Care Team With GlossGenius

The right employee can really help turn a small business around, so it’s important to invest wisely in your hiring process in order to find the perfect fit. 

GlossGenius is an all-in-one business management platform designed for any size self-care business, from salons and spas, to personal trainers and pet groomers. It makes the perfect partner to help you take care of your staff needs with features like Team Calendars, Payroll, and Staff Management tools.