How to make it as a… head therapist

1.Study with enthusiasm

“When I was growing up, I was always keen on beauty and fashion and it was clear to me that I wanted to work in the industry. So, after leaving school, I went on to the Heart of Worcestershire College to study a BTEC in Beauty Sciences. While there, I also completed the Spa Management Foundation Degree. I never thought I’d go to university but my tutors pushed me to apply so I then ended up at the University of Worcester studying for a degree in Business Management. The course really widened my knowledge of the business side of beauty, which has helped immensely.”

2.Gain real workplace experience

“When I was at college, I did the mandatory work experience week, where we had to go into a salon, but I also did a work placement every Friday for at least six months alongside my college course. I would definitely recommend this. The workplace is a very different environment to college and the placement helped me prepare for this change, as well as giving me a greater understanding of the theory I was learning at college. Now, I take therapists on for work placements at the spa because I know how beneficial it is.”

3. Seize the day

“I completed my work placement at the Welcombe Spa at the Welcombe Hotel in Stratford Upon Avon. When my placement ended, they asked me to stay on as a part-time therapist, and when I’d finished college and university they offered me a full-time position. I was there for seven years in total. First as a spa therapist, then a senior therapist, before I was promoted to treatments manager, which had similar responsibilities to a head therapist role.

“I was happy at The Welcombe but, two years ago, I received a phone call telling me about a new spa that was opening in Leamington Spa – the Elan Spa at Mallory Court. Someone must have recommended me and I was asked to join the team as head therapist. Although I wasn’t looking for a new role, I’d been at The Welcombe for seven years and it was an exciting opportunity, especially as it was a new business, so I took the position.”

4. Be a good time manager

“I still work with clients but as well as being a good therapist myself, there are many other skills needed to be a head therapist. It’s really important that I’m a good leader who is approachable and always there for the team. I try to be a good role model by pushing myself continually to do my best and approaching everything I do with positivity. To achieve this I have to manage my time really well and sometimes put in extra hours.”

5. Enjoy nurturing a team

“I manage 10 lovely people and I really enjoy helping others learn and become the best therapists they can be. I see many young therapists starting out who don’t believe in themselves at first (I know I didn’t in the beginning) and, for me, one of the best aspects of my job is taking on apprentices and people on work placements. It makes such a massive difference when people acquire confidence and I get much satisfaction watching people grow and develop, both personally and as great therapists.”