I Need to Make More Money
Have you ever received that dreaded text from an employee asking for a meeting,
only to hear those exact words the moment they sit down? While your stomach churns,
this moment can be a gift. It’s an opportunity to grow your business, strengthen
your culture, and keep your team engaged.
The answer? Cross-training your staff.
What Does Cross-Training Really Mean?
At its core, cross-training is about expanding your team’s capabilities beyond
their specific job title. It’s not just teaching a front desk associate to be more
efficient with scheduling, it’s empowering them to recommend skincare products
with confidence. It’s giving medical assistants the skills to handle checkout,
educate clients on memberships, and keep the client experience seamless.
When your team understands more than just their “lane,” your spa runs smoother,
your clients feel better served, and your bottom line grows.
Will It Really Improve Morale?
Many spa owners overlook this: employees want to feel valuable and capable. When
someone is stuck doing the exact same thing day in and day out, morale dips—and
that’s often when the “I need to make more money” conversation begins.
Cross-training Changes That. By Learning New Skills, Your Staff:
- Build confidence in their roles.
- See new paths for professional growth and earning potential.
-
Improve communication skills—when they understand services and benefits deeply,
they can naturally upsell. No more, “I don’t like sales” viewpoint. -
Step in seamlessly when someone is sick or a client wants an add-on service, but
the provider is booked.
Instead of feeling stuck, your staff begins to think:
“I have more ways to contribute, grow, and earn here.”
“OK Great, But Now I Have to Train Everyone?”
Here’s the Ah-Ha moment: you don’t have to carry this alone.
Step 1: Use the Trainers You Already Have
Most spas invest in expensive equipment and then underutilize the vendor-provided
training. Tap into those resources. If training is online, create an agreement
with your employee: they’ll watch the videos at home, and you’ll provide time in
the spa to practice on team members or models.
Step 2: Build Internal Trainers
Watch for employees who excel and show leadership potential. Slowly move them into
advanced roles where they can train others. This creates a culture of peer-to-peer
learning that keeps everyone engaged.
Step 3: Reward Creativity and Results
Recognition goes a long way. Whether it’s a social media shout-out, a spa-made
“certification,” or something more exciting like a designer handbag for top
revenue growth or extra paid days off—celebrating achievements reinforces the
value of cross-training.
Why This Matters for Growing Spas
For a single-location med spa, cross-training is valuable. For a multi-location,
it’s essential. A well-trained, flexible workforce reduces dependence on a single
person in any role, improves efficiency, and protects against disruptions.
Cross-training doesn’t just solve the “I need to make more money” conversation, it
builds a stronger business model, creates scalable systems, and empowers your
people to grow alongside your company.
In today’s competitive med spa market, culture and capability are the ultimate
differentiators. Cross-training is how you achieve both.
