Take your results to the next level... of client communication when those pesky supply chain issues hit your bottom line. Let's talk about the elephant in the treatment room: materials surcharges. You know, that awkward moment when you have to explain why the luxury wax that usually costs $50 is now $55. Do you swallow the cost and watch your profit margins evaporate like essential oils in a hot room? Or do you implement a surcharge and risk client side-eye? It's the spa professional's version of "to be or not to be" - with much better lighting and probably better smelling.
We've all been there - opening that email from your wax supplier announcing a 15% price increase, or discovering your favorite gel polish brand now costs what a small car payment used to. The struggle is real, and how you handle these increases can make or break client relationships. Let's unpack this sticky situation together.
The Transparency Tango: To Tell or Not to Tell?
Being transparent about surcharges is like getting a Brazilian wax - uncomfortable in the moment but ultimately cleaner and better for everyone involved. Clients aren't stupid; they notice when their regular facial suddenly costs more. Rather than surprise them at checkout, consider a tasteful sign at reception or a mention during booking.
Think of it this way: would you rather explain a temporary $5 surcharge or explain why you're suddenly out of business? Exactly. Clients who value your expertise will understand that quality comes at a price - especially when they see the difference your premium wax products or clinical skincare make in their results.
The Temporary Tactic: When "For Now" Becomes "Forever"
Here's where things get tricky. That "temporary" surcharge you implemented during the Great Sponge Shortage of 2022 might still be hanging around like that one client who won't stop talking about their astrological chart during their hot stone massage.
Temporary surcharges should come with expiration dates, like milk or bad vibes. If costs aren't coming down, it's time to officially adjust your menu prices. This avoids the awkwardness of perpetual "temporary" fees and maintains your professionalism. Your reception area shouldn't look like the fine print on an airline ticket.
The Never-Never Land: Absorbing Costs Like a Super-Soft Towel
Some businesses choose to never implement surcharges, absorbing cost increases like those amazing Bleachsafe towels absorb everything but your profits. This approach works if you've built in healthy margins or can offset increases elsewhere.
Maybe you can balance wax price increases by buying in bulk, or switch to more efficient wax warmers that use less product. Sometimes investing in better equipment like energy-efficient spa furniture can save money long-term, making those material increases less painful.
The Hybrid Approach: Creative Solutions for Creative Professionals
Why choose one strategy when you can mix and match like a custom sugar scrub? Some savvy spa owners implement small across-the-board price adjustments while highlighting the value of their premium products.
Consider creating tiered service levels: a standard option with quality Waxness products and a premium option with Cirepil luxury wax. This lets clients choose their price point while you maintain transparency about what they're paying for. It's like offering both a basic manicure and a luxury spa pedicure - different experiences, different price points, same happy clients.
Communicating With Finesse (Because Awkwardness Isn't a Service Add-On)
However you handle price increases, how you communicate them matters more than whether you use soft wax or hard wax. Frame increases around the value you provide - the expertise, the results, the premium products that make their skin glow like they've just discovered LED light therapy.
Train your staff to explain increases confidently. Role-play those conversations until they're as smooth as your post-wax soothing gel. Remember, you're not apologizing for providing quality - you're educating clients about what it takes to maintain those standards.
The Bottom Line: Ethics, Profits, and Happy Clients Can Coexist
At the end of the day (or the end of a long shift of lash appointments), there's no one-size-fits-all answer. The most ethical approach is the one that keeps your doors open while treating clients with respect and transparency.
Whether you choose transparency, temporary measures, or never-implement surcharges, the key is consistency and communication. And if all else fails, just remember: nobody ever complained about price increases when they were too relaxed after an amazing aromatherapy massage to notice.
Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go have an awkward conversation with my coffee scrub supplier about why their beans are costing more than my actual coffee. Wish me luck!
