Nov 9, 20213 min read

Member's Spotlight: The Place Salon & Spa - Switzerland

Updated: Feb 16, 2023

This month we celebrate Michelle Tanner, founder and owner of The Place Salon & Spa in Steinhausen, Switzerland, on the banks of the picturesque Lake Zug. The Place has always aimed to be more than a Salon & Spa, Michelle and her team deliver a truly memorable and unique experience to each of their clients. Everything falls into place at The Place to achieve just that. From the moment you are welcomed through our doors with warmth and enthusiasm, you feel like you are part of something unique. The impressive interior contrasts the stunning industrial backdrop beautifully and the quality of treatments cocoons you with a feeling of trust and wellness. Whether you're local or a visitor from abroad, you can feel truly at home at The Place. Sounds perfect, doesn't it? So what were the issues preventing Michelle from achieving another level of greatness for her business? When Michelle reached out to the Delforge Group, we approached this with the best tool we have - the business audit. It quickly became apparent that despite running a successful and unique salon, Michelle got tangled up in too much of the day to day operations, and couldn't effectively work towards her ultimate goal of growing the business. We went back to basics and worked on gaining a better understanding team structure, stock management, salon management, and budgeting. This gave us a complete picture of the business, and together with Michelle this allowed us to identify areas to improve and grow. With a far clearer vision for the future, we created achievable goals that would allow Michelle to take full control of her business and work on growing it together with her team.

Since then, Michelle signed up to our membership programme to continue to develop her business; which includes staff training, structuring job roles, crafting to-do-lists and reviewing current and long term plans. The Place now achieves well above their expectations and we are delighted to be a part of it. With this in mind we have the utmost pleasure to share a Q&A with Michelle Tanner, founder and owner of The Place:

What's the best piece of business advice you've ever received? The key to success is to start before you are ready. If you could give your younger self some guidance for your business journey, what would it be? Trust your tummy feeling, you know that feeling deep down that yanks on you to listen. It really does know which way to go. Your favourite thing about being a being a business owner? To guide and teach my young team how to get ahead professionally, whilst respecting themselves, our industry and those around them. And what you find most challenging - and how you overcome it? The never ending to do list. Writing it down/labeling it in order of priority. Then taking a bite at a time. I prefer not to see how big the pie is. I just chew then swallow and keep the faith.

Someone or another brand or business in the industry who inspires you and why? I couldn’t name just one. I love to see many of my local female owned small businesses flourish and grow in my community. I believe in supporting them at every opportunity possible.

What you love about being a Delforge Member? It is hands down the best decision I have made professionally in a long time. I love that I have my own personal coach who is my biggest cheerleader and supporter but also keeps me accountable and ensures I always follow through. I recommend it to anyone wanting to take their business to the next level. Maybe you have the ideas but Valerie has the know how. Have a look at the gorgeous The Place Salon & Spa, and be sure to treat yourself to a visit if you're ever in Switzerland!