Rosheale Yetts started as a nail technician with Burke Williams more than 25 years ago. Learn about the changes she experienced and the benefits that helped her become a massage therapist and raise her two boys while growing her career at Burke Williams.
Name: Rosheale Yetts Joined: 1998
Why did you choose to work for Burke Williams?
Coming from a hair salon setting as a nail technician, l desired to elevate the experiences of clients and my workplace environment. I found Burke Williams to be a cute, cozy, and a quiet place in the nail care room in Santa Monica. This really attracted my interest.
Since you have started working with Burke Williams, how have you seen it change?
In all of the years that I have been here, there have been a lot of changes. When I started there were only three locations: Santa Monica, Hollywood and Pasadena had just opened up. Now there are 11 locations throughout California.
The Santa Monica location has moved from two other locations before moving to its current location. When we were at the last location, Bill, the owner, and the rest of the corporate offices were located upstairs. We outgrew that space so when that location closed for remodeling, I worked at the Hollywood location. The Hollywood location has also relocated and is more beautiful than I could ever imagine.
One of the great things about working for Burke Williams, which is family owned, is that I can work at multiple locations while experiencing the same supportive environment.
Before Guest Services was centralized, our back office, located inside the spa, was busy scheduling services for guests. We did everything by pen and paper. After every shift, the therapists would have to wait for distribution to print our sign-outs, and yes, we had to sign every one of them with a pen. The software system that Burke Williams now has in place really helps streamline all aspects of our job so we can spend more time focused on helping our guests.
How has your craft been developed through the different trainings and workshops?
While I was working as a nail tech, I had the opportunity to be part of the first class of the Burke Williams Massage Academy. This has allowed my craft of providing care and wellness to others to flourish as well as boost my overall wellbeing as a certified massage therapist. Unfortunately, Burke Williams no longer has The Academy.
I love learning all of the enhancements for both Simply and Santa Monica. In Santa Monica, I’m even trained to work in the wet room where I give guests specialty scrub services. There is so much to learn and I love how we have a team of trainers ready to help us whenever we need help with something.
You are now a massage therapist at SimplyMassage and Santa Monica. What do you like about working at both locations?
I began my massage career working at SimplyMassage by Burke Williams. I call Simply my massage home because I like working alongside therapists that were in massage school with me. However, Santa Monica is where I started my career with Burke Williams and I am grateful to follow in the footsteps of the veteran massage therapists that I met many years ago.
I feel fortunate to be able to work at SimplyMassage and Santa Monica. Each of these locations have their own ambience. Simply offers a Theragun service that is not offered in the spa. The spas offer more unique services that aren’t offered at Simply. Working at these different locations allows me to optimize my schedule so I’m working when I want to work and experience diversity with the different services so I don’t get bored at work.
Over the years, how has the pay structure changed? Are you happy with it now?
When I started at Burke Williams, massage therapists were independent contractors. The pay was great, but they were responsible to pay their own taxes and get their own health coverage. When they became employees, healthcare coverage and 401K became available to everyone. We felt better cared for and supported by our management team.
The pay structure has changed many times over the years. I really enjoy our current pay structure that pays me a flat rate per service and enhancement. It’s easy for me to calculate what I’m going to make each day.
Since Covid, there have been several changes to the benefits at Burke Williams. What do you think of these new benefits?
Since Covid, the rollout of the Ultimate Flexibility program is the best. I appreciate the ability to adjust my shifts because it lessens the burden of getting shift coverage which was challenging for many years. There used to be blackout dates where we weren’t allowed to take time off. With Ultimate Flexibility, we can take off when we want as long as we know 10 or more days in advance. We can also pick up shifts when we have more time to make more money.
Another great benefit is having the opportunity to get our raises faster. This definitely incentivizes me to increase the number of hours that I work so I don’t have to wait a whole year for my raise, like I used to.
What is your favorite benefit that Burke Williams provides for you?
My favorite benefit that Burke Williams provides is flexibility. While raising my two sons, my life revolved around the changes with their schedules. Over the years, I have been able to change permanent shifts as needed. Ultimate Flexibility affords me the access to change my shifts, and I love it!