The spa experience elicits a sense of peace and tranquility, creating a perfect outlet for a number of healing practices.
A medical spa, as the name suggests, offers more than a standard spa. Run by physicians, medical spas provide dermatological services that are normally accessible through a plastic surgeon’s office. These can range from injection treatments, such as Botox, to laser hair and/or acne removal.
It’s important to weigh the benefits and challenges of launching your own medical spa. Establishing a name for yourself in this field means developing a sound business plan. We’ve put together tips to help you create a firm foundation for your new endeavor.
Tips for a Successful Medical Spa
Staffing and Products
Your employees can make or break your business. Thankfully, our consulting services include excellent candidate screenings and resources to help you find the most qualified prospects for your business.
Once you hire the right people, be sure to provide them with the right gear to do their jobs. Be mindful of what you actually need, and avoid unnecessary spending. Your salespeople will need an assortment of products to offer clients before and after spa services, so plan accordingly.
Commission Structures
Once you are properly staffed, consider some long-term tactics to ensure a steady customer base. For example, reward front office staff and brand supporters for their loyalty with discounted and/or free treatments. These people are the face of your business, so provide them with positive experiences that boost your promotional efforts.
Benchmarking is another strategy to keep employees engaged. Reward your staff by providing a bonus to those who reach a sales quota.
Use your surroundings to your advantage, particularly other local businesses. If your business is across the street from the local dry cleaning service, consider offering discounted services to the owner for some easy promotion.
Administrative Process/Workflow Development
None of the aforementioned tactics can function properly without a well-established backend.
Proper funding is a necessity. New businesses often experience uncomfortable growing pains. Be sure to have an emergency fund that can cover any sudden expenses that could severely impact a growing business.
Marketing
Your business needs stellar marketing to survive. Key marketing components include:
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Branding: A consistent brand is vital to establish the company’s image and voice.
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Website: A well designed, informational website is a must. Carefully consider the organization and content on the website to accurately gauge the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.
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Social Media: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram reach new audiences faster and provide great analytics to measure your efforts.
Individual Branding: Your employees can positively impact your efforts through their own social media channels. Healthcare workers who create personal Facebook pages can engage directly with clients, instead of clients relying on a company spokesperson.
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This is a great branding tool, but proceed with caution. Negative exposure that your employees receive through these platforms can impact your business. Some personnel or medical issues also cannot be discussed. Consider laying some ground rules for what can and cannot be shared through employee social media channels.
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These tips will help you establish a successful medical spa, but there remains plenty to do. As your business expands, so will its needs. Always consider how to improve and to go above and beyond what’s expected.
