When to Hire: Don’t Let Your Devices Sit

In the world of aesthetics, timing is everything. When to launch. When to expand. When to say yes. And when to say no. But one of the most overlooked and costly timing mistakes I see clinic owners make is this: they invest in state-of-the-art devices, and then they let them sit.

It usually starts with good intentions. You purchase a premium laser, light-based platform, or corrective system technology you believe in, equipment with the power to elevate your results and your brand. But soon, the calendar isn’t full, the machine is idle, and momentum stalls. Not because the treatment isn’t effective. Not because your patients don’t want it. But because you don’t have the right hands or enough hands to operate it.

This is where hiring comes in.

When you invest in advanced technology, you are not just buying a device. You are opening the door to an entirely new service pathway. And if you don’t have the structure in place to use it, you are not only losing revenue; you’re risking the very reputation you set out to build. Devices don’t generate results. People do.

Hiring isn’t something you do once you're desperate. Hiring is something you plan for. I always say: hire when the timing is right, and when you feel that second set of hands could help take you to the next level. That might be someone to operate a laser, yes but it might also be someone for the front end. A patient care coordinator. A social media manager. Someone to manage your e-commerce, your inbox, your systems. Whatever takes you away from doing what you do best is where your next hire needs to go.

Let’s break this down. If you are excellent at treating skin, then your energy should go into the treatment room. If you are best at leading the vision, growing the brand, and mentoring your team, then delegate the treatments and stay in the leadership lane. Know your worth. Know where your time is best spent.

Here's how I see it. If I can generate $500 to $3,000 per hour performing services, why would I spend that hour replying to emails or chasing down appointment reminders when I could hire someone incredible to do it for $20 to $30 per hour? That’s not just a good hire. That’s a smart investment. I’ve built Raw Canvas around this principle. I know the value of my hour. I protect it fiercely. And I hire based on that math.

Too many owners wear every hat and eventually, none of them work well. They run social media, manage bookings, deliver treatments, order inventory, and attempt to lead a team. It’s a recipe for exhaustion. If you want to scale, you must delegate. If you want to protect your energy, you must hire intentionally.

And let me be clear: don’t hire based solely on paper. Just because someone graduated from a top school doesn’t mean they’ll align with your clinic’s energy. I’ve hired people with perfect resumes who couldn’t connect with a patient. I’ve also hired people with less experience who became clinic stars because they had heart, drive, and integrity. You can teach technique. You can’t teach attitude.

When I bring someone into Raw Canvas, I say to them, “Everything you learned in school set it aside. I’m going to teach you our standards.” Because school teaches basics. I teach protocols. We teach results.

Hiring is not just about filling a spot. It’s about building a culture. Your team should reflect your standards, your brand, and your mission. And once you hire, your work isn’t done. Leadership doesn’t stop at onboarding. Check in. Ask how they’re doing. Make sure they feel valued and supported. Provide feedback, training, and encouragement. Leadership is not one moment; it’s a rhythm. Consistent. Intentional. Ongoing.

And yes, accountability matters. I hire mystery clients regularly to receive treatments. Not to “catch” anyone doing something wrong, but to ensure our standards are upheld. I want to know if the patient's experience is consistent whether I’m in the room or not. Because one lazy treatment, one sloppy protocol, or one disengaged employee can undo everything you’ve built. Protect your reputation by creating a culture of excellence then auditing it.

If you’re staring at a device in your clinic that’s not being used, ask yourself: is it the equipment, or is it the support system around it? And if the answer is the latter, it’s time to take action.

Hire with vision. Hire to activate revenue. Hire to protect your energy and scale your clinic with intention.

Because the best device in the world means nothing if it’s collecting dust. And a great employee, empowered by mentorship and a shared mission? That’s the investment that pays you back tenfold.

Don’t let your devices sit. Don’t let your standards slip. And never underestimate the power of the right hire at the right time.

– Amanda Connolly, Founder of Raw Canvas Skin Clinic & Amanda Connolly Coaching and Consulting