Pivot & Pause - A Podcast for Beauty Industry Leaders.

Are you a commissioned salon employee? Do you rent a chair within someone else's salon? Did you know it's just as important for you to have a personal brand then it is for the salon you work at too? Yes, even employees of commissioned salons. But why? Simply put, having a personal brand is a combination of your skills behind the chair, the experience you offer your guests, and it makes you who you are. Having your own personal brand will allow you to stand out from the rest in any unique way you want to, and it will allow you to build a deeper connection and trust with your clients. 

Let's talk about changes and transitions between one stop in our life to the next. Lisa is an inspiring Writer, Author, Beauty Pro and founder of Women with Ambition Magazine. I'm thrilled to be having this conversation with her and sharing it with you. 

I'm here with my soul sister, Annissa Poole. We first met about a year ago as she is in my mastermind group, and I've loved watching her passion grow for in-salon sustainability. She was a huge reason we are now a certified Green Circle Salon and I think if you listen you'll learn too that everyone, no matter how small your space, you can choose sustainability for your salon too. 

I'm excited to welcome my beautiful friend to Pivot & Pause; Isabelle is a self-mastery coach with a journey, unlike anyone I know.  She is brave, courageous, creative, and one of those people that I know came into my life years ago for a lifetime. Welcome, Isabelle; I'm so excited to have you here with me today; tell us, what is a Self Mastery Coach. What does that mean? Who do you serve? 

It would help if you got yourself a few industry besties to connect with regularly and create a mutual understanding that they are there to support you and you to support them. It will change your life!I'm here with Sarah Hess of Pretty & Co and Renee Boudreau of Wisp Collective, and we're here to share our thoughts on leadership and friendships. 

I've created a system called The Five C's The Five C's to build the foundation of your business so you can stop working on it and start pouring your energy into building the brand of your dreams. The goal is ALWAYS to build a brand, not just a business. I truly believe that 75% of salon or spa owners have built a business but not a brand. And I want to change that. I want you to be soooooo in love with your brand that it excites you every day to wake up and work on it. There's this quote that says; I'm building a brand; I'm always busy.  And what I love so much about that is the power… if you're so in love with something and so passionate about it, it never works. It's easy, it's fun, and it's exciting. But it's always developing, and if you call that busy, that's cool, but I call it growth.  You can't get to that point until you have the foundations of your business. And I'm going to show you how; so, let's get into it. The 5 C's

Welcome back, Beauty Babes!!!! Okay, so did you notice I changed my name? I changed my coaching descriptive name from a Salon Development Coach to a Beauty Branding Coach. Cute right!  Why the change? Because Salon Development sounded boring and didn't match my brand. So, Beauty branding babes, let get into it. This is Episode One of Season Two of Pivot & Pause, and I'm thrilled you're here and choosing to spend your valuable time growing your beauty business. Did you know that most salon and spa owners open their salon to do what they want when they want and not because they necessarily love business or love the idea of running a business?  Good comes with bad, and typically good outweighs the bad, so you do it, and you enjoy the journey along the way. However, we don't think about creating a brand, having a marketing plan, growing a team or a clientele, or numbers or growth plans.  You get where I'm going with that.

This is the last episode of season one of Pivot and Pause, so I thought id do a wrap-up episode.  We talked about so many good things in season one. But I have one last thing that I think we need to discuss.  Why.  Why do you do what you do? What is your why?I bet you hear that question all the time.  So many people don't know their why.  Or they answer with the most simplistic answer because I want to make people feel beautiful inside and out.  Or because I get to be creative, and no two days are the same. But go deeper. Why do you do what you do?

Why should you invest in a salon manager? What's the difference between a salon coordinator and a salon manager? 

I’m going to start this podcast off with a quote. “Fear of asking for what you want results in not getting what you want. - Author unknown.And I want you to think about this quote as you listen to this episode. In this biz, we talk a lot about creating your ideal client and knowing who you want to serve. We talk about knowing your target audience. And all that super good stuff. But as a leader, I think we need to go even further.  I go after the team members I want… Yes, Just like creating a vision of my ideal client, I create visions of my ideal team members. The people we have join our teams are just as important, if not more important, than our ideal client. 

I was so excited to be asked by my beautiful cousin to be her first guest on her podcast, Your Rad Reality.  We had so much fun recording, and I'm so happy I get to share with you all the interview.  Happy Listening! You can find Ali on IG @your.rad.reality

I worked 12 years as a commissioned stylist, and only now, after being the co-owner of Salon Jade for 8 years, I've finally identified what I felt was missing. I lacked leadership. Plain and simple. For 11 of those years as a commissioned stylist, I had hands-on, from afar, team leader and communication was inconsistent and delivered differently based on the person being spoken to. In the second salon, I worked for a short few months; my boss was laid back, relaxed, and showed no leadership signs. I enjoyed my time with each leader for very different reasons and, at the time, had no idea what I was lacking. It was years and years, and I couldn't pinpoint what I was missing and craving as a stylist because I truly didn’t know. When my dreams finally came true, and I became a leader myself, I realized what that key piece was that was missing.Leadership. So if you’re a salon or spa owner and need assistance learning, knowing or growing as a leader or have a strong desire to be a better leader or the leader you think they need, then I am here for you!!!

I am thrilled to have this guest on Pivot & Pause; I am a huge believer in knowing your numbers because if you don't know them, you can’t grow them. So…. guys, listen up, grab your pen and notebook because you will want to make some notes as you listen along. Welcome Lucia, I’m so excited that you’re here today.

AHAHAH, OK, so I find social media to be such a “hot topic’; maybe it’s because there are so many people selling programs and or Instagram classes on how to be the best or gain more followers, or whatever the case may be. Here’s the thing, I own a hair salon that only houses six styling chairs, we have seven employees, and we all agree that a work/life balance is of utmost importance. So we have almost 2600 followers on our IG, and we can only accommodate approximately 1200 guests on our rooster. So that number on my IG salon page doesn’t matter to me. I’m certainly not going to go and BUY 10,000 followers so that I can say we have over 10,000 followers. Our 2600 followers are a part of our unique community, some come in and have their services with us, some only purchase retail from us, and some are simply internet friends. AND I LOVE THAT.

Think about the time you experienced exceptional customer service or the time you left somewhere thinking, “WOW, that was amazing.” That particular experience would be quite prominent in your mind. Because certain senses might bring you back to that extraordinary moment, a specific smell might trigger emotions and bring you back to that time you experienced excellence. When this happens, it leaves a lasting impression; and that is our goal when creating an experience for our guests. Not sure how to change your business model from giving a service; to offering an experience? Perfect; let’s chat about it!

So recently, on the podcast, I had Anna on who has taken a passion to learn about what’s in the bottle of shampoo. I had her compare a Davines shampoo to a Monat shampoo, and although she keeps a very biased opinion, I can’t help but feel strongly about my opinion. And that is that I’m not a fan of Monat. It has nothing to do with the product because I’ve never used it. It’s simply because I don’t think an MLM company has any right to be in the professional world of hair and beauty. But let’s make this clear before we start that Aimee and I have a relationship outside of this podcast. I value her and her opinion and, most importantly, her success in the hair world as a passionate stylist and business owner. She has chosen to take her Monat business to a whole new level and exclusively sell Monat in her salon. So guys, without further ado, I’m so excited to be having this open conversation with you. Welcome, Aimee!!!

OK, so let’s talk about being a commissioned stylist and running your day like you own the business. OOOOH yes, let's totally go there. What exactly does this mean? Well, if you’re on commission, essentially, you have control over how much money you make. You set goals, and if you achieve those goals, you bring home the money you want to bring home. When I first started in the industry, I met this man, one who had the best business advice in this industry, hands down.And I'm going to tell you all about what I learnt from him.

In 2020 I was re-introduced to someone I had crossed paths with years ago when I first started the industry. At the salon that I worked at, we used Joico, and hers did too, so we had a few trainings together, and I just knew her from her living in the same town as me and her going to school with some of my friends. So I started noticing her because her kids were swimming at the same time as my kids, and then I started seeing her at the gym that I had just recently joined. So I was like, OK, this girl is coming into my life for a reason, so I start following her on social media. @findherfireOne day she made this post about change and how it can be scary, but it’s essential to growth. So I reached out to her, and I said, “Hey, you’re talking about change; what are the chances that you’re up for changing where you’re working and are open to a conversation.” And she was. Here we are now, in 2021, and she’s been a part of our team for 18 months. So welcome, Bailey; I’m thrilled to have you here for more than one reason, and I can't wait to get into it with you.

We all know our industry has forever changed. Thank you, COVID! But only we, the leaders, the artists, the people behind the chair, are the only ones who feel all the feels. I don’t know about you, but I remember a few people saying things like… “No one is going to be rushing to get their hair done when things open back up.” or “I don’t think people are going to be pouring money into their hair and pedicures as they used to.” or “Are people even going to feel safe to go into the salon?”I heard all of these comments, and I reassured the “people” who said these things that that wouldn’t be the case. I’ve lived life as a stylist through the 2008 economy crash, and I can tell you that it was not the case; in fact, it was my highest year as a commissioned stylist at that time. So, thinking back to June when we got the green light to open, I never worried that people wouldn’t want to come in or that our guests wouldn’t feel comfortable.

Melanie Bolton, a long-time mentor and successful stylist, joined forces with Flow Hair Care, a Canadian haircare brand, as Director of Brand Education, and they have exploded. What I like best about Flow Hair Care is their ability to keep things simple yet so powerful. We’ve carried Flow for four years now, and it’s been a massive success in our salon.Learn more about why they deserve to be recognized as one of the greatest hair care brands on the market. If you're in the U.S you can find Flow Hair Care at www.west-coast-beauty.com

Let’s talk about why we took our salon from having eleven styling chairs to six. Pre-covid, our goal was to do as many clients as we could with as many staff members in as we could because that is what we had been trained to do.Post-Covid, our team’s goals have changed. We now look forward to servicing our guests to the best of our ability, which means shaking things up and throwing away everything we’ve ever been taught and do ONE client at a time.

Anna has a specific niche of studying and understanding the ingredients inside the bottle. She wrote an ebook called, translating the label, where she dives deep into all the marketing mambo jumbo of parabens, sulphates, ph levels, and so much more. Her mission is to help stylists understand hair care products from a scientific perspective, not marketing. So, I'm excited to dive in because I have never been an ingredient kind of gal, if I'm being honest.   

OK, so now that you have developed all of your goals and vision and your mission and how you want your salon or spa brand to be portrayed. It’s now time to create and put in place systems. Because without systems, you are not going to achieve those goals.I’ve talked to a lot of different business owners, and they'd say, “OK, I’ve got my goal, this is my one-year goal and my 5 years” And I’d ask them what the plan is to get there, and they’d reply with… “Huh, I’m not exactly sure.” The key is setting goals, so you know what you are working towards and then find a system to put in place to ensure that you reach these goals? 

I’m excited to have my absolute best friend and business partner join me today!!!You guys, she’s my rock, my biggest supporter, and the girl who brings me back to reality when my dreams are way above my head. Welcome, Jesse!Now let's get to business; let's talk partnerships.

Ok, this one is personal, but I’m ready to go there.  My goal with this podcast is to build connections, and I’ve promised myself I’ll be as real and authentic as I can because that’s the real me. I tell it like it is and no other way. So, a lot of people know that my partner and I run a very successful business. The support we’ve had has been incredible and something we couldn’t even have dreamt of.  From our grand opening party when over 100 people showed up to congratulate us and celebrate with us. To the support of our team and our clients.However, we all know the good goes on Instagram, the bad doesn’t, and just because you haven’t seen the bad doesn’t mean there hasn’t been bad. So today, we get into it. 

I thought it was a significant subject to talk about because, for years and years, we were doing social media all wrong. We’d post photos of people’s hair with other people in the background, with the light coming in from all the wrong angles, with zero ideas about composition or esthetically pleasing the eye in taking photos. So I’ve got some questions for Amanda, and I’m hoping she can help make me and you understand why photography should play a huge role in your business.

Let’s chat about how to create the perfect vibe within your salon space!!! It's hard to know where to start, so I'll walk you through it.If you want to take notes, go ahead and grab yourself a cute notebook and your favourite pen!As I call it, the Aja Plan is a brainstorming session to get you thinking and transfer those ideas from your head to paper. Having a clear vision will give you focus on your business; It will allow you to follow your dreams while ensuring you stay on the right track to accomplish your goals.

A brand is not what you think it is; it's not a logo or a person, nor is it a product. It's a feeling that someone gets about a product, service, or organization. When a guest sees your logo, when they walk into your space, or when they receive a service... that feeling they get, that is your brand!Branding identifies your business as uniquely yours; this is your brand's story to tell, and how you articulate that is imperative to how your guests portray your brand. Telling an authentic story with an authentic voice will allow your guests to connect with you on a deeper level.So, let’s go back to the basics…

Today we will be discussing why having a support system, like a mastermind group, is so important and imperative to your growth.I'm excited to introduce you to the girl behind my mastermind group, creator of Stylist Soul Tribe and my biggest hype girl!!!! Welcome, Lisa Huff.I can’t wait to dive into this with you, I mean, I went 20 in this industry without a mastermind, but the almost 2 years I’ve been a part of yours has been the most productive and developing years of my career. https://www.lisahuffhair.com/

Let’s get real, 2020 changed the salon and spa industry! It’s changed elements of every industry, but it’s time we all adapt and move forward. How do we embrace the changes when we’re missing the way things used to be? We create new experiences for our guests and teams to enjoy. We bring connections online. We open our minds to endless possibilities and become thankful for technology.An Online Party is one way to celebrate these changes; it’s taking an in-person experience and shifting it to our new virtual reality. Where to start? I will walk you through creating an epic Virtual Party that will leave your guests wanting more. https://www.ajacoore.com/ebook-1

How lucky are we to work in this ever-evolving, beautiful and creative industry. To give the gift of touch and to have the ability to change somebody's life. Welcome, to the Pivot & Pause Podcast, where beauty industry leaders come together to share, inspire and welcome change. I'm your host, Aja Coore, and I am so glad you’re here. I'm a passionate hairstylist and a thriving salon owner, and I'm guessing since you're here, you are too. Do you ever feel like your business is at a standstill? Or the vibe within your space isn’t quite what you had envisioned? With so many changes happening in our industry right now, we must pivot, pivot with the changes, but we’ve got to pause before we pivot. That pause, it’s where the magic happens. It’s where we get clarity on where we want to take our business, it’s where we explore new ideas, and we decide if we’re going to take risks, and we determine what our future holds. So Pivot, but pause and remember how important that pause is. Are you ready to do the dang thing… because I am? Here’s a little about me and why you’re going to want to follow along: from the moment I entered the beauty industry close to 20 years ago, I dreamed of one day being an entrepreneur. I have made this dream come to fruition as I am the current co-owner of Salon Jade, an upscale boutique salon with blended style, hard work, and years of education. In my twelve years as a commissioned stylist, I worked for two very different employers. One offered tough love and ran a tight ship, and the other was laid back and relaxed. They were two very different salon spaces, both with completely different vibes. I struggled to identify what I wasn't getting from my team leaders; I thought my expectations were too high, so I settled for twelve years. At Salon Jade, we have strived to create a connection between all members of our team, consistency for our guests and employees while preserving authenticity in our brand's story. Our salon’s success has come from the systems we have established, and once we completed and put these systems into place, all of my dreams started to come true. I'm here to share my journey with you, offer you insights from the experiences I have had, and introduce you to some of the most influential people I have come to love and admire. If you want to stay connected, drop me a line on IG at ajacoore_; that’s ajacoore_. This is going to be a wild ride, and I’m so pumped you’re coming along.

Did you actually think that tiny little trailer was all I was going to give you…. NOPE! You must know more. I fell in love with hair when I was in high school. My mom’s best friend was a hairstylist, so it was around me, and I fell in love. I started cosmetology in high school and knew it was for me. I wouldn’t say I liked the idea of hair school, so I decided I needed to do an Apprentice. The school I was at was new to the program, so I left and went to a different school—one with more knowledge and experience.