From Burnout to Balance: The Leadership Shift That Transforms Spa Businesses

In 2010, I opened my first salon—a dream brought to life with big ambitions and very few resources. I was the sole service provider, operating out of a large space with three treatment rooms and a spacious reception area, determined to grow into it over time. Failure wasn’t an option, but I had no idea just how much I would have to sacrifice to make it work.

As word spread, one client turned into twenty, and within a year, I had built a thriving team—three salon coordinators and six service providers. The business was expanding rapidly, and I ran with it. Over the next few years, my salon, once a small operation, grew into a well-known establishment with over 7,000 clients, multiple awards, and a steady revenue stream. On paper, everything looked perfect.

Behind the scenes? I was exhausted.

I was wearing every hat—service provider, bookkeeper, manager, trainer, social media marketer, inventory manager, HR, and beyond. My business was growing, but I was drowning in responsibilities.

And it wasn’t just my well-being that suffered.

• My long-term relationship was strained.

• My friendships took a backseat.

• Family time became an afterthought.

• Self-care? Nonexistent. I barely had time to eat nourishing meals, let alone exercise or take care of myself.

• Instead of addressing the stress, I numbed it with happy hours and distractions.

The Real Problem Wasn’t My Business—It Was How I Was Running It

It wasn’t the salon, the employees, or the workload that was breaking me down. The real issue was where I was putting my focus.

I was managing instead of leading. I was trying to control everything instead of empowering my team. I had talented people around me, yet I was holding on to every task because I believed I could do it better.

Then, one day, I came across a quote from Henry Ford:

"For every pair of hands you hire, you get a free brain."

And I felt embarrassed.

Here I was, surrounded by brilliant professionals eager to contribute, and I wasn’t giving them the space to truly step into their strengths. They didn’t need a boss micromanaging their every move—they needed a leader who trusted them, who empowered them, who gave them the tools to take ownership of their roles.

The Leadership Shift That Changed Everything

I started small. I delegated tiny tasks—the ones I felt comfortable letting go of. I implemented team meetings and asked for input. At first, my team was hesitant—they had gotten used to me making all the decisions. But as I stayed consistent, built trust, and truly listened, a shift happened.

The more I empowered my team, the more ownership they took. The more I led with trust and strategy, the more our systems improved. And as our internal structure became stronger, so did the client experience.

And most importantly? I got my life back.

I finally had space to be a visionary. To focus on growing the business rather than just maintaining it. To take care of myself and my team without sacrificing everything in the process.

If You’re in That Overwhelmed Place, You’re Not Alone

I see spa and wellness business owners making the same mistakes I did—doing everything themselves, burning out, and feeling trapped in a business that was meant to give them freedom.

If this resonates with you, let’s talk.

💡 I help spa and wellness business owners step out of the cycle of exhaustion and into leadership that creates balance, sustainability, and true business growth.

📆 Book a free discovery call —let’s explore what shifts you need to make to transform your business (and your life).