How I Built My Team-Managed Business & Still Went on a 4-Week Vacation
As a CEO, we always hear: you have to hustle and grind your way to the top.
But, what if there was an easier way? A way that enables you to have a high 6- and 7-figure business AND go on vacation?
See, for years, I had a dream that seemed almost impossible: building a successful, thriving business that didn’t need me 24/7. Like many salon and spa owners, I started out doing everything myself.
From managing clients and schedules to handling finances and marketing, I wore all the hats. While I loved my work and was passionate about providing the best service to my clients, the constant demands left me exhausted and burnt out.
So, naturally, the idea of taking a vacation, let alone having a business that could run smoothly without me, seemed like a distant dream that was never going to become a reality.
But, fast forward just 7 years and my Salon Cadence community is proof that you can have it all AND own a business.
I want to share with you the exact steps I took to transform my salon into a FULLY team-managed business, which gives me the freedom to travel whenever, wherever, and for however long that I want!
Step 1: Believe That It’s Possible
The first and most crucial step in this transformation was changing my mindset. Almost my entire life, I operated under the belief that my business could not survive without me. I was convinced that I needed to be involved in every single decision and in every aspect of the day-to-day operations. This mindset was not only wrong, but it also was incredibly limiting.
To shift that mindset, I had to let go of the need to control everything and truly trust in the capabilities of my team. I realized that for my business to grow and for me to have the freedom I desired, I needed to empower my team to take on more responsibility (and be okay if they failed!). Now, this was not an easy shift, but it was necessary in order for me to start to step away and let my business thrive – on its own!
Step 2: Build a Rock-Solid Team
Once I decided to trust my team, the next step was to make sure that I had the right people in the right roles. See, building a strong team is the foundation of any team-managed business. And it requires you to:
Hire for the Right Fit and Potential
I began focusing on hiring individuals with the right attitude and potential rather than just for their experience. It’s my philosophy that skills can be taught, but having the right mindset and a willingness to learn are invaluable and must already be within someone. So, I looked for people who were passionate about the beauty industry, who were committed to excellence, and who were so eager to grow with my business.
Invest in Personal Development
After hiring the right people, I invested heavily in their training and development. This not only improved their skills but also showed them that I valued their growth. They had access to weekly expert calls, monthly training workshops, and I provided them with a small stipend to pay for any outside training they found interesting. This investment paid off because my team became more skilled, confident, and capable of handling more responsibilities – plus they knew I cared about their growth!
Create a Collaborative Work Environment
A positive work environment is so crucial for team morale and staff retention. I worked hard to create a culture of respect, support, and collaboration. We celebrated successes together, learned from failures, and always supported each other. This created a sense of loyalty and commitment among the team, which is why many of my team members were with me for over 7+ years.
Step 3: Create Systems for Everything!
Building a strong team was only one part of the team-managed business equation. To ensure my business could run smoothly without me, I needed to implement robust systems and processes. These systems acted as the backbone of the business, ensuring consistency and efficiency, so everyone knew what to do, when, and how.
Here’s how to build the right system for your team to thrive:
Write Out Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
One of the first things I did was create detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for every aspect of the business. These SOPs outlined step-by-step processes for everything from client check-ins to inventory management. Having these procedures in place ensured that everyone knew exactly what to do and how to do it, reducing the reliance on me for answers.
Delegate Tasks & Responsibilities
With the SOPs in place, I started delegating responsibilities to my team. Each team member was assigned specific roles and tasks based on their strengths and interests. This not only empowered them but also ensured that every aspect of the business was covered.
Implement Technology to Automate Processes
I leveraged technology to streamline operations and improve efficiency. I implemented scheduling software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and inventory management tools to reduce the manual work my team would have to do to free up their time to do more revenue-generating things. These tools also provided transparency and allowed me to keep an eye on the business even when I was on the road.
Step 4: Let Your Leaders Lead!
With everything in place, I felt super confident and comfortable to let my leaders run the business. And, when I was able to step back completely and had empowered my team to make decisions and take ownership of their roles – this was THE game-changer for my business.
Here’s how I fostered a culture of leadership that I could trust:
Encouraging Decision-Making Without Me
I encouraged my team to make decisions within their areas of responsibility. This not only boosted their confidence but also reduced the bottlenecks caused by waiting for my approval. But, to do this, I had to trust them to make the right choices and support them if they made mistakes. This is so important because if your team is afraid to fail, they will never truly step up and lead the way you need them to.
Provide Feedback and Recognition
Regular feedback and recognition are essential for growth and motivation. I held regular one-on-one meetings with my team members to provide constructive feedback and recognize their achievements. This helped them understand their strengths and areas for improvement, fostering a continuous improvement mindset.
Promoted from Within
Whenever possible, I promoted from within the team. This not only rewarded hard work and loyalty but also ensured that those in leadership positions were already familiar with the business culture and operations. It created a clear path for career growth within the company, motivating everyone to strive for excellence. Ronit Enos’
Step 5: Prep the Team and GO!
With the right team, systems, and culture in place, it was time to test the waters and go on vacation! Planning my first extended vacation was both exciting and nerve-wracking. I felt like there were so many things that could go wrong and at times I questioned if I had really prepared my team to handle all of the what ifs.
Here are the steps I followed to make sure the handoff was smooth:
Prepped the Team
Before leaving, I made sure the team was well-prepared. We reviewed the SOPs, discussed potential challenges, and outlined contingency plans. I also appointed a trusted team member as the point of contact in case any issues arose.
Stayed Connected (But Not Too Much)
While I wanted to disconnect and enjoy my vacation, I also wanted to stay in the loop. I set up regular check-ins via email or video calls to stay updated on the business. However, I made sure these check-ins were brief – no more than 10 minutes – and did not interfere with my relaxation time.
Trusted the Process
This was the most challenging part—trusting that everything would be fine without me. I had to remind myself that I had built a capable team, implemented robust systems, and empowered them to handle anything that came their way. So, as I sat on the beach sipping my Bloody Mary, I had to keep reminding myself that I just had to trust and let go.
So, What Happened?
My business thrived! We brought in new customers, served them well, profits were soaring – literally everything went well.
My team handled everything with confidence, proving that they were MORE than capable of managing the business.
Reflecting on this journey, I realized that building a team-managed business was not just about taking vacations.
It was about creating a sustainable, thriving business that could grow and evolve without being solely dependent on me.
It was about empowering my team, fostering a positive work culture, and implementing systems that ensured consistency and efficiency
Are you ready to build a business that runs without you?
If you’re a high 6- or 7-figure salon or spa owner feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, know that it is possible to build a team-managed business and enjoy the freedom you deserve.
It won’t happen overnight, but with the right mindset, a strong team, and robust systems, you can achieve this dream.
Start by trusting your team and investing in their growth.
Create detailed procedures and leverage technology to streamline operations. Empower your team to take ownership and make decisions.
And most importantly, trust the process.
Building a team-managed business has transformed my life and my business. It has allowed me to achieve work-life balance, focus on strategic growth, and enjoy the fruits of my labor, like traveling the world in my Airstream.
You can do it too. Believe in yourself, invest in your team, and take that leap towards freedom and success.
