When your best team member leaves (and why it's not the end of the world) 💔

This week, I did something exciting... I tried the plasma treatment on my new JOVENA device 🔥😳 — and WOW. I can honestly say it's the most hardcore thing I’ve done to my face. Think red, raw, tight and spicy 🌶️. But I’m buzzing to see the results and thrilled to have a new toy to play with 🧪✨

Now, onto this week’s topic: staff. 🧍‍♀️👋

One of my longest-standing team members — a brilliant aesthetician who’s been with me for over 4 years — has just handed in her notice 💌. She’s not jumping ship to go elsewhere, she’s leaving to care for her mum ❤️‍🩹. A decision I completely respect… but still, it’s a gut punch.

No matter how strong your team is, people will leave. Life happens. And if you're not prepared for it, it can hit you like a freight train 🚂💥

Here are 3 things I’ve learned (the hard way) about dealing with staff departures:

1. Always be recruiting — even when you're fully staffed
👀 It might feel unnecessary when your team is full and everything’s ticking along nicely, but that’s the time to be quietly scouting talent.
📱Keep your eyes on socials
🗂️ Build a mini talent bank
💬 Have casual chats
It’s better to have people in the pipeline than to panic-hire when you're desperate.

2. Document your systems like you're training someone brand new — because one day, you will be
🧾 Aesthetic clinics run on details
If your team holds all the knowledge in their heads, you’re in trouble when someone walks out the door 🚪
💡 Make sure protocols, client comms, product info — all of it — is written down and accessible
Think of it as your clinic bible 📚✨

3. You are their boss, not their best mate!
This one’s personal. I blurred that line, and it’s come back to bite me 🐍
🤝 It’s natural to grow close when you work side-by-side every day.
But when emotions get tangled in business decisions… it gets messy
✅ Respect, support, good vibes — yes
🚫 Emotional dependency — no

People will leave. Roles will change. Your business will evolve. That’s the nature of running a clinic — and honestly, it’s not a bad thing 🌀

Staff movement can create space for new energy, fresh ideas, and growth 🌱

Sending love if you're in the trenches with this right now — I’ve been there (literally this week) 💗

Until next time -
Zoe
The Skin Clinic Coach