In a business built on human connection, your team isn’t just an asset — it’s everything.
The beauty and wellness industry thrives on trust, experience, and relationships. To grow sustainably, you need more than great branding or top-tier products — you need exceptional people. That starts with a modern, intentional approach to talent acquisition.
At Innergize 2024, three industry trailblazers — Lauren Vesler and Manda Mason of The W Nail Bar, and Kelly Daniels of Hammer & Nails — pulled back the curtain on what it really takes to build a high-performing, loyal team.
Here are their top five strategies that every salon, spa, and wellness brand should be implementing right now.
1. Build Real Relationships with Local Schools
If you're not building direct pipelines to talent, you're already behind.
Manda Mason, co-founder of The W Nail Bar, stressed the value of tapping into cosmetology schools early. “We’re not just looking for skills — we’re looking for people with a servant’s heart. That alignment starts before they even graduate.”
Her team doesn’t wait for resumes to roll in. They show up — with donuts, guest classes, and mentorship. That visibility builds trust and feeds their recruiting funnel year-round.
Magnatize Tip:
Partner with local beauty academies and barber colleges. Offer workshops, sponsor events, and build real relationships with instructors. Be the first brand future talent thinks of — not the last.
2. Hire for Heart, Not Just Hands
Technical skills can be taught. Integrity, empathy, and team spirit can’t.
“We’d rather run short-staffed than hire the wrong fit,” says Vesler. “The cost of hiring someone misaligned with your culture is higher than any short-term loss in productivity.”
The best hires aren't just capable — they care. They listen. They connect. They make your clients feel seen.
Magnatize Tip:
Design your interview process to reveal character. Ask scenario-based questions. Look for emotional intelligence. Only bring in people who elevate your brand energy.
3. Elevate Onboarding and Ongoing Training
Your onboarding should be more than an orientation — it should be a full experience.
At The W Nail Bar, onboarding extends up to 90 days with structured training programs and internal trainers who specialize in experience-driven service delivery.
Meanwhile, Hammer & Nails introduced a full Learning Management System (LMS) that allows team members to continually upskill on-demand — empowering both new hires and veterans to stay sharp.
Magnatize Tip:
Build a thoughtful onboarding journey with checkpoints, coaching, and feedback loops. Layer in continuous education based on employee input — not assumptions. Training should evolve just as fast as your business does.
4. Make Culture Your Retention Strategy
Retention doesn’t start with a paycheck. It starts with belonging.
“If we lose someone within the first few months, we’ve failed them,” Vesler said plainly. That’s why The W Nail Bar regularly sends out anonymous surveys, asks meaningful questions, and personalizes perks like PTO based on what actually matters to their team.
At Hammer & Nails, employees are required to try the services themselves — creating genuine enthusiasm that flows into the customer experience.
Magnatize Tip:
Measure culture like you measure revenue. Build systems to collect honest feedback. Celebrate wins, support through losses, and treat your people like the heart of your business — because they are.
5. Create Clear Paths to Growth
No one wants a dead-end job. Ambition thrives in clarity.
“Where do I go from here?” — it’s a question too many beauty professionals ask without answers. Hammer & Nails and The W Nail Bar both prioritize internal promotions and personal development.
One of their proudest moments? Watching their very first hire rise to lead recruiting and training.
Magnatize Tip:
Map out growth tracks and share them openly. Promote from within whenever possible. Whether it's leadership, training, or operations — show your team there's always a next step.
Final Thought
Talent is the engine of your business. Want to win long-term? Build a team that believes in your mission, grows with your brand, and delivers unmatched experiences — every single day.
At Magnatize, we help beauty and wellness brands not just attract top-tier talent — but keep them inspired, empowered, and performing at their peak.
Because when your people thrive, your business scales.
Click the button to get started, and during a free, no-pressure call, we'll walk you through how Magnatize can help you run and grow your business
