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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown tackle a topic Hunter feels strongly about: why every fully booked hairstylist needs to drop a day behind the chair, and how to do it without losing income.Hunter gets real about the difference between being booked and busy versus actually growing, and why working two full time jobs (doing hair and running the business) is a recipe for burnout and stagnation. This episode breaks down exactly who is ready to take this step, who isn't yet, and the numbers that make it possible.Key Takeaways:⏰ You Are Working Two Full Time Jobs: Doing hair and running a business are each demanding enough to be a full time job on their own. Hunter explains why trying to do both, full time, leaves no room to actually grow, and why something has to give.
You hired the therapist. Now comes the harder part: getting clients to actually book with them. One of the biggest mistakes massage practice owners make is treating marketing like a collection of random activities instead of a system. A social media post here. A promotion there. A referral when someone remembers to ask. The problem is that random marketing creates random results. In this episode, I'll walk you through a simple framework for getting a new therapist booked faster without constantly chasing the latest marketing tactic. We'll discuss: • Why marketing becomes more important after you hire • How to set clear goals for a new therapist's schedule • How to identify what's already working in your marketing • Why doing more of what's working often beats trying something new • How to choose the right marketing strategies based on your time, energy, and budget • The retention metrics that actually matter • How to use internal marketing and client transfers to build momentum quickly If you've hired a therapist and you're staring at an empty schedule wondering what comes next, this episode will help you create a more intentional plan to fill it. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a Wellness Practice That Creates More Time, More Freedom, and More Revenue Visit: www.scalingwellness.com Need More Client Bookings? Get instant access to our proven training: www.bookyourteamsolid.com Book a Free 1:1 Growth Strategy Call www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow Scaling Wellness on Instagram www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
You found someone. The interview went well. The practical looked great. They seemed like the perfect fit. A few months later, things aren't going the way you hoped. Before you assume you hired the wrong person, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture. In this episode, I break down the five factors that determine whether a new hire succeeds or struggles inside a massage practice. We'll talk about hiring, onboarding, expectations, leadership, and one of the most overlooked pieces of all: keeping their schedule busy. Because the truth is, a great hire can still fail in the wrong environment, while an average hire can thrive when they're given the right support. In this episode, we'll discuss: • How to tell if you actually hired the right person • The onboarding mistakes that create problems before they even start • Why unclear expectations lead to frustration on both sides • The leadership skills most massage business owners were never taught • Why marketing becomes even more important after you hire If you've ever hired someone and wondered, "Why isn't this working?" this episode will help you diagnose where the real problem might be. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss how wellness is splitting in two directions: hyper-optimization and a return to nervous system care. Your hosts also explore what this shift means for estheticians, who are often expected to balance both technical expertise and a more therapeutic role in practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ascp for more details. Face Reality is an award-winning, professional acne brand trusted by thousands of providers. Its clinically tested products, customizable protocols, and provider product training deliver life-changing results across all skin types—empowering professionals to confidently clear even the most stubborn acne. Plus, when you enroll, your $800 certification comes back to you as $800 off your opening order* after completion. *$800 discount code valid on one product order of $1,200 or more. Valid for 30 days after completion of certification. Must enter code at checkout. Offer subject to change. https://facerealityskincare.com/pages/certification-training Social (TikTok, IG, Facebook): https://www.instagram.com/facerealityskincare/ https://tiktok.com/@facerealityskincare https://www.facebook.com/facerealityskincare About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown dig into a pattern Hunter kept seeing on calls with stylists who, on paper, have everything figured out. They're booked out, making six figures, and have built a loyal client base over a decade or more. But they're stuck, and they can't figure out why.Hunter breaks down what's really going on for these stylists, and it has nothing to do with talent, work ethic, or how good their business actually is. This episode unpacks the emotional and strategic blind spot that keeps successful stylists capped, and what it actually takes to break through.Key Takeaways:
Right now, it feels like there's more pressure than ever for skin care to be proven. But what the proof actually means isn't always clear. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella talk about how proof shows up in skin care today, from clinical data to consumer perception and visual results. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ascp for more details. Face Reality is an award-winning, professional acne brand trusted by thousands of providers. Its clinically tested products, customizable protocols, and provider product training deliver life-changing results across all skin types—empowering professionals to confidently clear even the most stubborn acne. Plus, when you enroll, your $800 certification comes back to you as $800 off your opening order* after completion. *$800 discount code valid on one product order of $1,200 or more. Valid for 30 days after completion of certification. Must enter code at checkout. Offer subject to change. https://facerealityskincare.com/pages/certification-training Social (TikTok, IG, Facebook): https://www.instagram.com/facerealityskincare/ https://tiktok.com/@facerealityskincare https://www.facebook.com/facerealityskincare About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode, I explore why so many massage therapists struggle with the idea of building a larger business, where those fears come from, and the hidden cost of staying small simply because growth feels uncomfortable. This isn't a conversation about getting bigger for the sake of getting bigger. It's a conversation about building a business that supports the people inside it including you. We'll get into: Why so many therapists are suspicious of successful group practices Where those beliefs come from and why they often make sense The difference between healthy discernment and self-protection Why many owners attach a moral meaning to money, growth, and success The hidden cost of staying fully booked, exhausted, and responsible for everything Why good intentions alone don't create a sustainable business What ethical profitability actually looks like in practice How profit creates more options for owners, employees, and clients Why a business that depends entirely on your hands is more fragile than it appears The deeper identity fears many therapists have around growth and leadership How to build a business that reflects your values without sacrificing your well-being If you've ever found yourself thinking, "I don't want to become that kind of owner," I think you'll get a lot out of this conversation. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
In this episode, Shaelyn Elliott shares how Stretch Fairy grew from a solo massage practice into a wellness ecosystem blending massage, movement, community, and education. We talk about building a team, creating client pathways, hiring for values, and making the shift from service provider to CEO all while navigating some of the hardest seasons of life. How free online fitness classes during COVID created a waitlist that sparked the growth of Stretch Fairy. Why Shaelyn built an ecosystem business that combines massage therapy, movement, education, and community. The client journey she uses to move clients from treatment into long-term health and wellness habits. How she hires for values, communication, and culture fit over experience alone. The systems she uses to keep her team aligned, accountable, and growing. Why she believes every practitioner should play a role in marketing and growing their own client base. How she expanded into a 2,000 sq. ft. movement studio during one of the most challenging personal seasons of her life. The mindset shifts around money, self-worth, and leadership that helped her evolve from practitioner to CEO. What she's learning now as she navigates the next stage of growth, delegation, and scaling beyond herself. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
Summer brings sunshine, ballparks, and hot dogs. But in the treatment room, it often brings a noticeable shift in business rhythm. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore seasonality in the esthetics industry, asking whether summer is truly a slowdown or just a shift in client behavior. Using a lighthearted hot-dog stand analogy, your hosts unpack timing, demand, and the opportunity that summer brings. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ascp for more details. Face Reality is an award-winning, professional acne brand trusted by thousands of providers. Its clinically tested products, customizable protocols, and provider product training deliver life-changing results across all skin types—empowering professionals to confidently clear even the most stubborn acne. Plus, when you enroll, your $800 certification comes back to you as $800 off your opening order* after completion. *$800 discount code valid on one product order of $1,200 or more. Valid for 30 days after completion of certification. Must enter code at checkout. Offer subject to change. https://facerealityskincare.com/pages/certification-training Social (TikTok, IG, Facebook): https://www.instagram.com/facerealityskincare/ https://tiktok.com/@facerealityskincare https://www.facebook.com/facerealityskincare About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown have the honest, unfiltered conversation that so many beauty professionals need to hear before they go down the road of creating a digital product or online education business.This one started as an off-the-record rant between the two of them and turned into something too real not to share. Hunter breaks down what it actually takes to build a digital product that works, who it is genuinely a great fit for, and why the motivation behind your "why" matters more than most people realize. They also get into the passive income myth, the skill gaps nobody warns you about, and why optimizing the business you already have might be the smarter first move.Key Takeaways:
Ever hired someone who looked perfect on paper… only to realize a few weeks later they were the wrong fit? The truth is, most bad hires aren't caused by hiring the wrong person; they happen because there's no hiring process behind the decision. In this episode, I break down the three hiring mistakes that quietly cost wellness business owners time, money, energy, and team culture. You'll learn how to spot red flags before they become problems, avoid making decisions from a place of desperation, and create a simple hiring framework that helps you find therapists who align with your business, not just candidates with the best resume. We'll get into: The three hiring mistakes that lead to costly team problems Why hiring based on "good vibes" isn't enough How to evaluate hard skills, soft skills, and culture fit The interview questions that reveal what resumes can't Why coachability often matters more than experience How to trust your instincts without relying on them alone If you're growing your team or thinking about making your next hire, this episode could save you from an expensive mistake. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
"Favorite Things" is back! In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Ella and Maggie share the treatment-room staples they're currently loving. From multitasking skin care and collagen-supporting formulas to pro-level devices and regenerative innovations, they break down what's working, why it stands out, and how it can elevate both services and at-home routines. Plus, you'll have a chance to win some of their favorite things. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. Product Links: Dermaflash Website: Dermaflash Products: Dermaflash Cool & Dermaflash Pro Viktoria DeAnn Website: Viktoria DeAnn Products: Pepti Eye Serum & VIO Hydra Firm Eye Cream FarmHouse Fresh Website: FarmHouse Fresh Product: Full Moon Dip IMAGE Website: IMAGE Product: Vol.U.Lift Pevonia Website: Pevonia Product: Phyto-gel Cleanser Osmosis Website: Osmosis (TriFusion Skin Ritual) About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ascp for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what it actually looks like to hire support staff in your beauty business, why most stylists do it wrong, and how to make sure you get a real return on the investment. If you are a six-figure stylist who is maxed out, stuck doing everything yourself, and wondering if bringing someone on is the right move, this episode is for you.Hunter walks through the full hiring process from identifying the gap in your business that actually needs to be filled, to defining the role, finding candidates, and running a paid test project that tells you everything you need to know before you commit. He also introduces a framework for understanding the two types of hires and why knowing the difference before you post a single job listing will save you a significant amount of time, money, and frustration.Key Takeaways:
What happens when the business you dreamed of building starts depending on you for everything? In this episode, DJ sits down with Katie Reschny of The Elm Body Co. to talk about the messy, emotional, and deeply human side of growing a wellness business beyond yourself. Katie shares the behind-the-scenes reality of building a multi-location massage and bodywork business with a team of 12+ practitioners including the identity shifts, leadership challenges, systems, emotional labor, and hard decisions that rarely get talked about publicly. This isn't one of those conversations that makes growth sound glamorous. It's a conversation about what actually happens after you become "successful." The pressure of being the one everyone depends on. The guilt of stepping away from hands-on work. The fear of becoming a "bad boss." The emotional weight of leading people while still trying to protect your own energy. Katie opens up about what it looked like to go from massage therapist to business owner… and eventually into a leadership role she never originally planned for. Together, DJ and Katie unpack: Why being fully booked is not the same thing as having freedom The surprising emotional challenges of leading a team How systems and structure actually create safety (not corporate coldness) The tension between wanting to help everyone and protecting your own capacity Why many wellness business owners accidentally build businesses that trap them The mindset shifts required to step out of the treatment room How leadership changes your relationship with time, money, and responsibility What it really takes to create a business that doesn't rely entirely on your hands This episode will especially resonate with massage therapists and wellness business owners who: feel overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility are struggling to get clients to book with their team instead of just them want to work less without feeling guilty are afraid of losing the heart of their business as they grow feel stuck between "I can't keep doing this forever" and "I don't know what comes next" There's also a powerful conversation in this episode around sustainability. Not just financial sustainability. Personal sustainability. Emotional sustainability. Physical sustainability. Because eventually, almost every massage therapist reaches a point where they quietly wonder: "Can I keep doing this the same way forever?" And this conversation is about what comes next. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
Being the driver of the appointment is about shifting from simply performing services to intentionally guiding the client experience with confidence, clarity, and presence. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella are joined by guest Claudia Wyatt, an "enthusiasm igniter" and "self-doubt eraser", to explore what it means to lead the appointment, elevate client interactions, and take ownership of the treatment room experience. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Claudia Wyatt: Claudia Wyatt is a confidence and leadership coach, international speaker, and founder of Claudia Wyatt Coaching LLC. With over 25 years in the spa industry, she began as a makeup artist and esthetician and advanced into executive leadership, becoming a pioneer in esthetics education in her region. Claudia now helps individuals and teams overcome self-doubt, communicate with confidence, and lead with purpose through her signature Walkabout Method™. Her work is rooted in real industry experience and personal resilience, bringing authenticity and energy to every stage. Recognized as a top leadership coach in 2025, she is passionate about empowering others to trust themselves, step into their voice, and create meaningful impact. Connect with Claudia: Website: claudiawyatt.com About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit glossgenius.com/ascp for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown get into the money conversation most stylists either avoid entirely or stress about at the wrong time. If you are an independent hairstylist or salon suite owner who has crossed or is approaching the six-figure mark and you want to actually understand what is happening with your money, this episode is for you.Hunter and Jodie walk through what financial management as a stylist entrepreneur actually looks like at different income levels, why the advice to cut expenses is not always the right move, and what it really means to increase your profitability. Hunter is candid about the limits of his own expertise while sharing the real frameworks he uses with Mastermind clients to help them take home more money without working more hours.Key Takeaways:
Big news in sunscreen regulation: For the first time since 1999, the US is seeing a new active ingredient approved, BEMT (Bemotrizinol), signaling an important shift in how sunscreens are formulated. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss what FDA regulation of OTC sunscreens means, why new UV filters are significant, and how these changes impact both formulation and client education in the treatment room. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what is actually happening beneath the surface when a hairstylist is overbooked and why being fully booked is not the finish line most stylists think it is. If you are three to four weeks booked solid, turning away new clients, and still feeling exhausted, stretched thin, and stuck, this episode is specifically for you.Hunter and Jodie walk through the real costs of staying overbooked for too long, from the administrative and operational weight that spills into your time off, to the income potential you are quietly capping every time you say no to a new client. This is not about being ungrateful for a full book. It is about understanding what it is actually costing you to stay there without a plan to scale out of it.Key Takeaways:
The thing that makes someone an incredible healer can also make the business fail to get traction. The best massage therapists are often deeply caring, highly responsible, intuitive people. They notice everything. They step in quickly. They protect people. They fix problems before anyone else even notices them. Those traits create incredible client experiences. But in business? Those same instincts can slowly turn the owner into the bottleneck. In this episode, I unpack why so many skilled healers struggle with leadership once they begin growing beyond themselves, and why the shift from practitioner to owner can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. I talk about: Why healing and leadership often reward opposite behaviors How "being helpful" can accidentally create dependence in your team The hidden difference between empathy and conflict avoidance Why do many wellness owners avoid systems or swing too far into control How structure can actually protect your values instead of destroying them What "caring differently" really looks like as a leader The identity shift from hands-on healer to business builder This episode is especially for massage therapists and wellness practice owners who: feel like everything still depends on them struggle to step back without guilt feel emotionally exhausted by leadership want more freedom without becoming "corporate" are trying to grow beyond their own hands without losing the heart behind their work --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at glossgenius.com/scalingwellness for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
The skin doesn't just need hydration and protection—it needs energy to repair, regulate, and function optimally. At the center of that energy system is NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme essential for cellular metabolism, which naturally declines with age and stress. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore NAD+, its role in skin energy and repair, and how niacinamide supports NAD+ production, connecting cellular function to visible skin health. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia breaks down the exact four phase process he uses inside his Mastermind program to help fully booked hairstylists work a day less without sacrificing their income. If you have built a steady clientele, you are grossing six figures or close to it, and you still feel like you are hitting a wall, this episode is specifically for you.Hunter shares real results from two Mastermind members, Steph and Alyssa, and then walks through the step by step framework that got them there. This is not general advice about raising your prices or posting more on social media. It is a clear look at what actually has to happen, in order, for a stylist at your level to reclaim their time without starting over from scratch.Key Takeaways:
Ever feel like your business is a treadmill that you can't get off of? In this episode, I break down what it really takes to step away from your massage business for 30 days, without losing money or clients. We'll get into: Why most businesses can't survive 30 days without the owner The quiet truth behind "time off" The real problem most people miss The emotional layer most people don't talk about The difference between the two versions of time off What actually has to be in place to step away The real constraint holding most owners back The math behind freedom Why $10K/month isn't enough to fully step away The real revenue and appointment target for freedom This conversation is especially for massage business owners who feel fully booked, but still tied to every part of the business. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically reBooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
Japanese skin care is often associated with minimalism, ritual, and a skin-first philosophy. But what's commonly marketed today is often a simplified Western interpretation of a much deeper cultural approach. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella explore what Japanese skin care truly is, how it became popular globally, and how it compares to Western and Korean skin care philosophies centered on correction, innovation, and long-term skin balance. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
Sign up for the Client Experience Glow-Up Party here: https://www.hunterdonia.com/partyIn this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what it actually takes to get high ticket clients talking about you without any incentive, discount, or referral program involved. If you already have higher prices and wonder why organic referrals are not coming in as consistently as you would like, this episode gives you a clear picture of what is missing and what you can start doing differently.Hunter and Jodie walk through the three core elements of a highly referable client experience for high ticket clients specifically: personalization that goes beyond generic amenities, a signature methodology that gives clients something to identify with and talk about, and a documented, consistent client journey that high paying clients can rely on every single visit.Key Takeaways:✨ Generic extras are forgettable, personalization is not: The fancy shampoo bowl and complimentary snacks have become the assumed standard at higher price points. Hunter shares 2026 survey data showing that 62% of clients who talked about a salon visit mentioned the experience, not the hair, and that 20% specifically called out personalization as what made the appointment feel worth it. If you want Susie talking about you at dinner, you need to give her something that felt built for her, not just any client.
You've thought about it. Maybe more than once…What if I hire the wrong person? What if they don't work out, clients notice, and you're stuck trying to undo the whole thing , financially and professionally? Here's what I've seen over and over: a bad hire rarely starts with a bad person. It usually starts with a bad setup: unclear expectations, a rushed decision, no real onboarding, and no way to know if things are working. In this episode, I break down exactly what creates a "bad hire" situation in the first place, and what to get right before you ever post a job listing. I'll also walk you through the three things I screen for in every hire - what I call the Right Hire Equation, and why getting those right has less to do with luck and more to do with knowing what you're actually looking for. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically rebooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan.
Today's episode, we break down the exact step-by-step plan on how to exploit your fellow massage therapist and get rich in the process. Not really, BUT….this is an all too common issue we see inside the industry. The exploitative model isn't an accident. It's been repeated so often that most therapists think it's just what happens when you grow. Low pay. Back-to-back clients. No breaks. No future. Replace them when they burn out. Repeat. But that fear of becoming *that* owner is keeping you small. In this episode we're breaking down exactly what not to do the steps that built the franchise model and got copied by independent owners who never questioned why. Then we're looking at what actually works: how to build an ethical, sustainable business that's good for you, your team, your clients, and your wallet. Because there is a different way. And you don't have to choose between growing and staying the person you already are. --- *Brought to you by GlossGenius.* Are you dealing with gaps in your schedule? Clients who don't rebook? Low profits and high payment processing fees? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you're leaving money on the table especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and clunky software that only makes things harder. GlossGenius is the booking and business management platform built for massage therapists and wellness practitioners. It fills your calendar, automatically rebooks clients, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees in the industry. Plus all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records without the admin chaos. More growth. Less busywork. Use code **SCALING** at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. Build a wellness business that gives you both time and income: www.scalingwellness.com Book a free strategy call: www.scalingwellness.com/chat Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scalingwellness
Beauty consumer behavior is shifting, and what happens in mass and prestige retail impacts your treatment room and retail shelves. Trends in 2026 include skin care's rebound, fragrance growth, and how clients are spending strategically rather than abandoning professional services. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss what these insights mean for client behavior, retail strategy, and growing your practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, and business owner with more than 20 years of experience in corrective skin care. Known as an "ingredient junkie" and industry cheerleader, she empowers professionals to think beyond products and develop a deeper understanding of skin function and formulation. In addition to her practice, Cressman is the founder of the HHP Collective, a practitioner-led community focused on strengthening clinical reasoning and advancing professional growth within the esthetics industry. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
Sign up for the Client Experience Glow-Up Party here: https://www.hunterdonia.com/partyIn this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia shares a personal story from a recent luxury spa trip that turned into a masterclass in client experience. If you are trying to attract and keep high-ticket clients, this episode breaks down why the smallest overlooked details can quietly chip away at perceived value, even when everything else about your service is excellent.Hunter walks through three specific moments from his spa visit that fell short compared to a previous experience at a similar price point. None of them were major failures. But together they created a feeling of getting less than expected, and that feeling is exactly what causes high-paying clients to mentally check out or start looking elsewhere.Key Takeaways:
The esthetics and cosmetology compacts are key legislation shaping how professionals practice across state lines. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Laura Puryear, ASCP's government relations director, breaks down what the compacts are, how they impact estheticians, and why advocacy for your career. Resouces: Cosmetology Compact: https://cosmetologycompact.gov/ Esthetics Compact: https://estheticscompact.org/ Contact Us: gr@ascpskincare.com ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, business owner, ingredient junkie, and esthetic cheerleader! As an educator, she enjoys empowering other estheticians and industry professionals to understand skin care from an ingredient standpoint rather than a product-specific view. In addition to running a skin care practice, Cressman founded a comprehensive consulting group, the HHP Collective, and has consulted for several successful skin care brands. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
From reactive visits to proactive, results-driven routines, the male client is evolving. Gen Z and younger Millennials approach skin care with education, efficiency, and a focus on performance, giving estheticians a real opportunity to serve this growing market. In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella discuss the shift and share strategies to grow your male client base. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, business owner, ingredient junkie, and esthetic cheerleader! As an educator, she enjoys empowering other estheticians and industry professionals to understand skin care from an ingredient standpoint rather than a product-specific view. In addition to running a skin care practice, Cressman founded a comprehensive consulting group, the HHP Collective, and has consulted for several successful skin care brands. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown get honest about what it actually looks like to run a beauty business with ADHD. Hunter shares what he has learned over years of working with his own diagnosis, why the standard advice never quite works for neurodivergent brains, and how approaching ADHD as a design consideration instead of an excuse changes everything. This episode is for any hairstylist who has great ideas that never get finished, things constantly falling through the cracks, and a brain that is always three steps ahead of whatever they are actually doing.Hunter walks through the real difference between giving yourself grace and making excuses, and why high performers specifically need systems more than willpower. You will hear practical examples of the types of systems that actually work for ADHD brains, from the simplest non-tech habits to automations and documentation that remove the mental load entirely.Key Takeaways:
In this episode of ASCP Esty Talk, Maggie and Ella play a game called "Coulda Fooled Me," exploring the beliefs and assumptions that have tripped up estheticians over the years. From business myths about pricing and product lines to industry trends and "professional-only" claims, Maggie and Ella unpack what's fact, what's fiction, and what's worth rethinking. Tune in to grow, laugh, and sharpen your perspective on your career and practice. ASCP Esty Talk with hosts Ella Cressman and Maggie Staszcuk Produced by Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) for licensed estheticians, ASCP Esty Talk is a weekly podcast, hosted by licensed estheticians, Ella Cressman, ASCP Skin Deep Magazine contributor, and Maggie Staszcuk, ASCP Program Director. We see your passion, innovation, and hard work and are here to support you by providing a platform for networking, advocacy, camaraderie, and education. We aim to inspire you to ask the right questions, find your motivation, and give you the courage to have the professional skin care career you desire. About Ella Cressman: Ella Cressman is a licensed esthetician, certified organic formulator, business owner, ingredient junkie, and esthetic cheerleader! As an educator, she enjoys empowering other estheticians and industry professionals to understand skin care from an ingredient standpoint rather than a product-specific view. In addition to running a skin care practice, Cressman founded a comprehensive consulting group, the HHP Collective, and has consulted for several successful skin care brands. Connect with Ella Cressman: Website: www.hhpcollective.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ella-cressman-62aa46a About Maggie Staszcuk: Maggie Staszcuk serves as the Program Director for ASCP and is the cohost of ASCP Esty Talk podcast. With over 18 years' experience in the esthetics industry, her diverse background includes roles in spa management, spa and med-spa services, and esthetics education. Since becoming a licensed esthetician in 2006, she carries a range of certifications in basic and advanced esthetics. Maggie is dedicated to equipping estheticians with the knowledge and resources they need to thrive in their careers. Connect with Maggie Staszcuk: P: 800.789.0411 EXT 1636 E: MStaszcuk@ascpskincare.com About our Sponsors: Massage Envy is a national franchisor and does not independently own or operate any of the Massage Envy franchised locations nationwide. The Massage Envy franchise network, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of massage services. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy now has approximately 1,100 franchise locations in 49 states that have together delivered more than 200 million massages and skin care services. Website: www.massageenvy.com/careers/career-areas/esthetician Facebook: @MassageEnvyCareers LinkedIn: @MassageEnvy TiZO Mineral Sunscreens set the standard for aesthetic elegance with tinted and non-tinted formulas for use on virtually all skin types and tones. Our name reflects our commitment: TIZO = Titanium dioxide + Zinc Oxides. All TiZO products are reef-friendly and 100% free of chemical sunscreens, dyes, fragrances, gluten, phthalates, and parabens. TiZO Photoceutical Skincare is the perfect partner to our sunscreens in the fight against photoaging. These silky, elegant products address tone, texture and hydration while helping to prevent further damage. From our flagship TiZO3 Primer/Sunscreen SPF 40 to our gentle Ultra Zinc formulations to our NEW Advanced Vitamin C+E Serum with Bakuchiol, TIZO has the ideal selection of products to Protect, Repair, and Revitalize skin. Website: https://tizoskin.com/ Facebook: @tizoskin Pinterest: @tizoskin Instagram: @tizoskin YouTube: @tizoskin GlossGenius Gaps in your schedule. Clients who don't rebook. Tight margins. High payment processing fees. Sound familiar? When you're running your own practice, you don't have time to figure out where you could be making more money. Especially when you're stitching together booking, payments, and a clunky EMR that only makes things harder. That's why we love GlossGenius — the business management platform that does the work for you. It fills your calendar, rebooks clients automatically, upsells high-margin services, and has the lowest flat-rate payment processing fees. Plus, all the HIPAA-compliant tools you need for charting, consents, and client records — without the admin chaos. GlossGenius grows your revenue and handles the busywork, so you can focus on your clients. Use code ESTY at GlossGenius.com for 50% off your first two months of their Gold or Platinum plan. GlossGenius. More Growth. Less Busywork. Visit https://glossgenius.com/ for more details. About Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP): Associated Skin Care Professionals (ASCP) is the nation's largest association for skin care professionals and your ONLY all-inclusive source for professional liability insurance, education, community, and career support. For estheticians at every stage of the journey, ASCP is your essential partner. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions or would like to join and become an ASCP member. Connect with ASCP: Website: www.ascpskincare.com Email: getconnected@ascpskincare.com Phone: 800-789-0411 Facebook: facebook.com/ASCPskincare Instagram: @ascpskincare
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown get honest about something that does not get talked about enough in the beauty industry: the money anxiety and fear of losing it all that quietly follows high performers even after they have built something genuinely successful. If you have raised your prices, filled your books, and hit goals you once only dreamed about, and still feel like it could all disappear tomorrow, this episode is for you.Hunter opens up about his own ongoing experience with scarcity mindset and the constant background hum of impending doom that has followed him through two successful businesses. He and Jodie break down why that feeling does not go away on its own, and more importantly, what actually helps.Key Takeaways:
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down why the traditional referral program has stopped working for independent hairstylists, and what the modern version of word-of-mouth growth actually looks like in 2026.Hunter shares his own experience watching a single well-connected client organically post about her hair on Instagram and send him more new clients than any referral incentive ever could. That moment became the foundation for something he has been building and refining for years inside the Modern Stylist Movement: the Brand Ambassador Program. Rather than awkwardly asking clients to send people your way, this strategy turns your most community-connected clients into intentional advocates who are incentivized to share your work where people are actually discovering hairstylists.Hunter walks through exactly how to structure the program, who to invite into it, and how to set it up in a way that is manageable for you and genuinely exciting for your clients.Key Takeaways:
Season 6 Episode 3 - I had the pleasure of having on Bree to talk to about dealing with online hate/ controversy, the unfortunate passing of her mother at a young age, how she came up with her first product the Wax Pad, and how other waxers and estheticians can get a deal with GlossGenius and other brands. Thanks again Bree for coming on and being so vulnerable about your story! And thank YOU for listening and watching to our latest episode. Time Stamps: 00:00 The wax pad OG Bree is here 05:00 Getting my license 15 years ago and the mistakes that I made 10:00 How I came up with the idea of my FIRST product 17:00 Why I decided to start teaching 22:00 Dealing with burnout 27:00 The importance of social media marketing 32:00 How to get a Glossgenius deal 35:00 Losing ALL the money I had when came into money at 18 45:00 Giving my children a wonderful childhood 49:00 Trends I want to see end 54:00 I'm actually an introvert57:00 Dealing with online hate or controversy
If your clients aren't rebooking consistently, it's not a motivation problem… it's a systems problem. In this episode, I'm sharing a replay of a live training I taught in partnership with GlossGenius, where I broke down the 3 pillars of transformational client loyalty. We dive into how to move clients from one off appointments into long-term commitments, restructuring your menu around outcomes, and building an automated retention engine that works behind the scenes. I also share the CARES consultation framework, how to design a multi-million dollar menu built around solutions instead of services, and how automation can become your partner in driving rebooking, renewals, and long-term loyalty. Get ready to stop chasing rebookings and start leading with systems that make loyalty inevitable. HIGHLIGHTS The 3 pillars of transformational client loyalty. Why most consultations fail to create long-term commitment. The CARES framework that turns consults into annual plans. The sales psychology technique that increases plan and package buy-in. Automation is your partner in retention and rebooking. RESOURCES + LINKS Sign up to get a 2-week FREE trial of GlossGenius HERE Try Ask Heather AI for 30 Days HERE Apply for The Med Spa Advantage HERE FOLLOW Heather: @heatherterveen Website: heatherterveen.com
In this episode of the Successful Stylist Academy Podcast, Ambrosia pulls back the curtain on one of the most confusing parts of running a profitable business as an independent stylist or salon owner: where your money actually goes. Instead of just looking at your bank balance and hoping for the best, she walks you through a simple "waterfall" visual so you can see how every dollar flows through your business, into costs, marketing, overhead, education, and finally: profit. You'll learn realistic percentage benchmarks for each category, the most common money leaks that silently eat into your income, and how to fix them without adding more hours behind the chair. If you've ever felt busy but not truly profitable, this conversation will help you reclaim your confidence, your cash flow, and your long-term freedom. Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now! The booking software that makes my job easier is GlossGenius with AI support to make tasks as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Want more episodes like this? Drop a review here & tell us what you want to hear more of: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127 Key Take-Aways: 1. Think of your business like a waterfall, not just a bank balance. 2. Money flows from the faucet into a series of "glass cups" : direct costs, client acquisition, overhead, growth, and finally profit. 3. When you see each glass clearly, you stop assuming all the money in your bank account is truly yours and start treating it as money with a job. 4. Get clear on your direct costs (COGS) so every bowl of color is profitable. 5. Direct costs include anything you touch, mix, or use on your client: color, lightener, developer, foils, gloves, towels, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning supplies, and even credit card fees. 6. Aim to keep these costs around 10–12% of your total revenue, and know that once you creep toward 15–20%, it is a danger zone and a clear sign you need a price increase. 7. Stop overordering and start pricing services with product usage in mind. 8. Common leaks include buying too much inventory, letting products expire, turning unsold retail into backbar, and never updating prices when suppliers raise theirs. 9. Fix this by using systems or software to track inventory, calculating your cost per scoop or per gram, and doing a quick monthly inventory check so your shelves are lean and intentional, not a graveyard of old product. 10. Track your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) so your marketing actually pays you back. 11. Your CAC includes ads, promos, new client discounts, referral rewards, branding shoots, social media time, website, and booking software that help you get clients in the door. 12. A healthy benchmark is 5–10% of your revenue, and a simple formula is: if you spend $200 on ads and get 5 new clients, your CAC is $40 per client and each client should bring in at least four times that in lifetime value. 13. Prioritize retention over constant hustle for new clients. 14. Common mistakes are chasing visibility without conversion, not tracking where new clients come from, and focusing more on strangers online than on the guests already in your chair. 15. Track first-time versus repeat clients monthly, create a simple referral system with a clear reward, and double down on the platforms and efforts that are actually sending you clients, not just likes. 16. Audit your overhead before it quietly drains your profit. 17. Overhead includes rent or booth rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, insurance, software, accounting, subscriptions, cleaning, payroll taxes, and benefits. 18. Ideally, this lands between 35–45% of your total revenue, and when it creeps toward 50% or higher, you either need to cut costs, raise prices, or both to keep your business from tipping upside down. 19. Be ruthless with subscriptions and intentional with tax planning. 20.Typical leaks are paying for apps and tools you no longer use, overspending on décor or space that does not match your income level, and failing to save ahead for taxes. 21. Quarterly, comb through subscriptions, automate your bookkeeping and reports, and move around 30% of your profit into a separate tax or high-yield savings account so you are not surprised at year-end. 22. Treat education, events, and travel as growth costs; not automatic write-offs. 23. Hair shows, classes, coaching, membership programs, flights, hotels, and meals are powerful when they are strategic, but expensive when they are random. 24. Try to keep these growth costs under about 8–10% of your annual revenue, give every class a clear action plan for how you will turn it into income, and look for ways to turn trips into content, offers, or digital assets you can reuse. 25. Decide how your profit will be divided before it hits your account. 26. Profit is what remains after all buckets are filled, and it is not the same as your paycheck. 27. A sample breakdown is: 30% for taxes, 10% for emergency reserves, 10–15% to reinvest in education, marketing, or tools, and 45–55% to pay yourself, so every dollar has a purpose instead of disappearing. 28. Do a simple money audit and fix just one leak this month. 29. Look at last month's income and write down what you spent on supplies, client acquisition, overhead, and education, then see what was truly left as profit. Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
Your time is your most valuable and limited business asset. In this episode, Ambrosia Carey reveals how to calculate your true hourly rate, spot hidden time drains, and protect your schedule so your business actually works for you. Perfect for hairstylists, salon owners, and creative entrepreneurs ready to scale without burning out. Get your free time tracker here: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/cm08owklix Watch our FREE profit maker webinar here: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Key Take-Aways: 1. No one talks about the one asset you can't raise… your time. 2.If you've ever spent hours prepping for a client just to break even, delivered amazing work that took more out of you than it gave back, it might be worthwhile to track you time. 3. Time is your most limited, non-renewable resource. Money can be replaced. 4. Time is the invisible labor in your business, from admin to prep, content creation, client communication, setup, cleanup, and everything in between. 5. Calculate how much time went into prep, during, and post. Then subtract taxes, fees, and costs which will bring your real return. 6. Hidden time costs are everywhere. From travel time you don't bill for, to client follow-ups on your days off, to team management and inventory issues, it all adds up. 7. Here's how to protect and optimize your time: Create repeatable processes, batch content and communication, schedule work during your best energy hours, use time-based pricing, and track your time for one week to see where your hours actually go. 8. Scaling isn't just adding clients, it's reclaiming time so you can build with intention. 9. If you're ready to protect your time, grab my free Time Audit Worksheet: a simple guide to help you track your real time costs, calculate your hourly return, and identify where your time is being underpaid or unaccounted for. 10. Let's protect your time, and build something sustainable together. Join our Membership Waitlist Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15 Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey
In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia walks you through the 2025 booking‑software landscape, breaking down why the “best” platform isn't about the cheapest subscription or flashiest AI feature, but about how well it actually works for you and your clients.Hunter compares today's most talked about systems, shares the must have features that still get overlooked (hello, two‑way Google Calendar!), and explains why some all‑in‑one add‑ons may do more harm than good. You'll leave with a clear checklist of what really matters, so you can stop stalling, start streamlining, and choose a booking tool that fuels growth instead of headaches.Key TakeawaysSubscription vs. ROI: Why sweating a $35‑$65 monthly fee can cost you more in lost efficiency, and how a tiny price bump covers most processing fees.All‑in‑One Trap: The pros and cons of beauty‑specific “everything” platforms versus open systems that integrate with Zapier and third‑party tools.Client‑First Functionality: The booking, rescheduling, and reminder features modern clients expect (and quick tests to see which app nails them).Control > Convenience: Cool new AI automations sound great, until they send the wrong promo or hike deposits for the wrong guest. Here's how to keep the reins.Hunter's 2025 Shortlist: Comb and Square up top, with Gloss Genius and Vagaro close behind, plus the personal quirks that make Hunter favor one over the others.Why You Should ListenIf you've spent weeks comparing processing rates, worrying about email add‑on costs, or waiting for the “perfect” system to appear, this episode will help you cut through the noise. Learn how to evaluate software like a strategist, deliver a seamless client experience, and future‑proof your business with tech that actually supports your goals—so you can reclaim your time and focus on the work you love behind the chair.Let's connect on Instagram!Join us on the Modern Hairstylist Tour!
As a hairstylist, increasing your income isn't always about adding more, it's about deepening the way you communicate, consult, and recommend. In this episode, we explore the mindset shifts and soft skills that make all the difference. You'll learn how to remove the ick from sales by shifting your focus from pushing to partnering. From understanding the stories you tell yourself about selling, to crafting recommendations that actually help your clients feel seen and supported, this conversation goes deep into what it truly means to build trust behind the chair. We'll talk about how retail becomes a tool for transformation, how to simplify your systems, and how the care you give can create a lasting foundation, not just for your client relationships, but for your career. If you've ever struggled with selling retail, felt weird bringing up products, or want to serve better and earn more, this episode is for you. Download our FREE full proof profit maker HERE: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/nlle1d1php We would love to hear from you, drop a review & we will add you into our next giveaway: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127 Key Take-aways: 1. Ways of creating opportunities can happen simply by focusing on a specific problem. 2. What are the stories you tell yourself when it comes to providing a service and sales? 3. Delivery is everything. If we learn to deliver differently, we remove the ick from sales. 4. The repulsive sales feeling comes from someone thinking they're trying to take something from us. 5. Care vs. Commission. 6. Start with the recommendation through the consultation. 7. It's more of a partnership with your client, and you want to work together. 8. Care can be both about the care of the hair with the result in mind, but it can also be about helping the client feel less overwhelmed & learning how to repeat what we do behind the chair. 9. If you don't know or like the product, it's hard to talk about it. 10. Impact happens with passing knowledge onto our clients, because they spend more time with their hair than we as service providers do. 11. Retail builds trust, which builds a different foundation, and career. 12. Soft skills should happen in beauty school & with mentorship. 13. The art of being seen & heard is repeating back what you hear. 14. Ask what might be missing before starting the service. 15. Every time a client comes to see you, they left some other place, and they're coming to you for a reason. 16. Technology has made it possible that we communicate less, but with our industry, we need to communicate more. 17.Communication skills are vital to a successful foundation. Learn more about people and how you can provide exceptional care. 18. Life is a mirror not a window. 19. We have processes & procedures for everything else in our service, do the same for retail. 20. 4 parts: Captivate, fascinate, educate, close. 21. Find out what's most important to your clients. Then find out the What, why, how, when. 22. For a low-performing stylist, find out why your clients aren't purchasing from you. 23. Coach to the habits, not the numbers. 24. Every day, pick up 2-3 products and get to know the product. You can find Kristie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kristie.theorie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Scott, Financial Advisor with Cetera Investors, to talk about building real, sustainable wealth as a creative business owner. Whether you're a hairstylist, solopreneur, or growing your side hustle, this conversation is packed with approachable tips on setting up financial systems, the biggest mistakes creatives make with money, how to plan for slow seasons and long-term wealth, shifting from hustle mode to intentional money moves. Carrie breaks down complex topics with warmth, clarity, and zero judgment. This is the episode every creative didn't know they needed. Find Carrie Scott here: website: https://scottwealthmgmt.ceterainvestors.com/ or feel free to contact by email. Carrie recommends you read this book Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 Key Take-aways: 1. You can open a RothIRA for your working child to help them get started with their long term wealth building. 2. As a small business owner, look over your spending and income month to month & start with an emergency fund. 3. Set yourself up for success by putting yourself first and start investing for your future plan. 4. Would you rather pay yourself or the IRS? 5. The average age that someone starts to invest in their future is 40. Imagine what it would look like to start earlier. 6. Start with the end in mind. Have the final number you want to retire with and get clarity on what you should be putting away. 7. Monthly installments can help over the one lump sum to accrue interest over 8. Get the mindset of how you'll start your investment; short, medium, or long term for the best success. 9. Debt accrual is a financial killer and can hold you back from moving forward. Do you want to sacrifice now or later? 10. Index means the money is split between all companies. 11. Investing into a mutual fund or ETF is a safe way to invest. 12. A Simple IRA maxes at $16,500 for the year 2025 if you're under 50 & have at least 1 employee. There is no cost to set it up, and the employer has to match up to 2%. 13. SEP IRA is for a solo $70k per year or 25%. 14. Both Simple & SEP IRA's have matching as well as separate requirements. 15. If you put $300 away in an investment account, you're not actually putting away $300 because $80-100 would have been counted toward taxes, so your check looks like it drops closer to $200 instead. 16. Financial advisors not only help you with choosing how to invest in the right type of account to fit your needs a goals, they also help you come up with a plan to pay off debt, save, and get to your goals faster. 17.Short term typically don't have fees & don't pay much, intermediate (5+ year goal) mutual funds which compounds over time, but you don't have to be 59 ½ before you can touch the money. Long-term don't touch until you're 59 ½ 18. IRS charges a 10% fee if you take money out prior to 59 ½ 19. Annuities you don't have an age limit when you want to take money out of an account. You only pay taxes for the income, and it's a nice way to build a legacy and pass over the generations. 20. You have to take income at the age of 73 on your IRA. 21. CDs and HYSA (high-yield savings account) interest payments and terms change all the time. Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
Struggling to market your creative business or attract high-quality clients? In this episode, we join Jodie Brown who walks through the exact steps to define your ideal client, clarify your brand message, and choose the right marketing channels to grow your business. Learn why niching down helps you stand out, how to stop overthinking your content, and how to use repetition to build reputation. Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you simplify your strategy and create marketing that actually works. Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 Key Take-aways: 1. When you find there is a need to solve, that's what shapes your marketing message. 2. Some people get confused with the type of clients they want to have vs the type of clients they're already attracting. 3. You attract what you project. 4. Identifying your ideal client is a fundamental must do. 5. Who are you talking to and what problem do you solve or what desire do you want to facilitate? 6. Why you? What is the unique way you'll solve your clients problems? 7. When you get those answers defined then you can choose your marketing channels. 8. Most businesses get hung up because they don't get specific enough. Niching down will always help you stand out. 9. A common mistake businesses make is thinking the can't post the same thing twice. 10. Marketing isn't about saying 100 different things, it's about saying 1 thing 100 different ways. 11. Repetition equals reputation. 12. Marketing yourself as a generalist can be harder, focus on the experience. 13. Three areas of focus to be successful in marketing your business are: website, Instagram, and email list. 14. The first step before coming up with a strategy is gaining clarity on your brand story. 15. Add a CTA (call to action) in your bio with an easy & structured way to guide visitors into clients. 16. Pinning a post with all of your important information is helpful as well. 17. Once you have clarity in your brand, have a structured way of funneling visitors into clients, then create your content plan. 18. Content is about bringing the foundations to life. You can find Align Creative Co on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aligncreativeco?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
In this episode of the Successful Stylist Academy Podcast, we sit down with one of our Business Collective attendees, Vanessa Gross, to share her real, raw journey from working behind the chair to opening the doors of her very first salon. We dive into what inspired her leap, the mindset shifts she had to make, and the systems that helped her scale. If you've been thinking about salon ownership or looking for motivation to grow, this is the conversation you need to hear. Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 Key Take-aways: 1. Apply your years of growth as a form of service toward others. 2. The beauty of being in a salon environment is passing along your knowledge and paying forward as a mentor. 3. Growth doesn't go without it's challenges, lean on others who want to help you, which is why Successful Stylist Academy exists. 4. Take your learning lessons as your strength. 5. Learning new tools and adding technology can introduce another branchs of creativity, revenue, and growth. 6. Focusing on your client growth and retention also supports your communication skills, confidence, and leadership. 7. Recognize when you've graduated to the next level and align with those who are at the same frequency. You can find Vanessa on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/vanessagrossstyle?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
What separates a good stylist from a great one? In this episode, we sit down with industry educator Katie Alm to talk about the unspoken habits and mindset shifts that set top stylists apart in today's competitive beauty industry. We cover everything from discipline, professional growth, and being of service — to why collaboration will always outlast comparison. Whether you're a salon assistant, an independent stylist, or a beauty educator, this episode dives deep into the leadership skills, daily discipline, and client-first mindset that fuel long-term success behind the chair. If you're looking to grow your beauty business, avoid burnout, and build a sustainable career in the salon industry — this one's for you. If you missed part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127?i=1000702210150 Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 Key Take-aways: 1. If you want more opportunities, be willing to be available and be of service. Let no task be below you. 2. As an educator or leader, the person who is helping you is the most important person while under your care. 3. If someone challenges you when learning, let them. For every stylist that challenges you, there are 2-3 that won't. 4. How someone approaches learning is often how they'll approach their career. 5. If you want to grow in this career, all it requires is discipline. 6. You don't have to be a salon owner to be the final boss. You have to have the passion to feed your fellow community. 7. If you are giving 30% of your time to something, how can you expect 100% return? 8. The biggest thing that can kill your career is boredom. 9. Instead of hating on someone, collaborate with them. You can find Katie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/katieealm?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
In this episode, we join Katie Alm, getting real about what actually moves the needle in your beauty career, and it's not chasing the latest trends. From posting with intention to fully understanding the brands you align with, we'll cover mindset and strategy shifts that can change everything. Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 Key Take-aways: 1. Posting with intention, sharing your knowledge, and aligning with a brand you love can change the trajectory of your career. 2. Experimenting with the full line of a brand you love and getting really knowledgeable about the full line, makes all the difference. 3. Forget the trending, use the tried and true: posting consistently, come from a place of gaining more experience, and get to know the culture behind the brand. 4. It's all about perspective baby! Do you look at what you're losing or what you're gaining? 5. Where can you volunteer help in an area that might be needed? 6.If you're juggling more than one career path at the same time, communicate and accommodate your clients. By setting the tone in the beginning and letting clients know how you operate, there won't be surprises when it does happen. Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
In Part 2 of our leadership deep dive, we're tackling proactive leadership strategies to create a thriving salon culture. Learn how to set clear expectations, communicate with confidence, and lead by example—not just in action, but through clear communication. We'll cover holding your team accountable without micromanaging, addressing issues with clarity and kindness, and creating systems that drive long-term success. If you're ready to shift from reacting to leading with confidence, tune in! Want the full script? Download it here: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/i4lkgeeq3r Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now! https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Key Take-aways: 1. Leading vs Reacting: reaction comes from a place of fear and defensiveness. 2. People may think they're leading, but we need to understand more about the individual to know what works for them. 3. Is the way you're perceiving love or acceptance healthy? 4. There are reactive and proactive listeners. Reactive leaders wait until a problem explodes to address it. 5. Never complain about a team member behind their back. 6. As a leader, pull anyone aside to hash out issues and listen. 7. You can't hold team members accountable for what you yourself are not practicing. 8. Proactive leaders set clear standards up front, have it in clear writing, and reinforce them. 9. Proactive leaders address small issues before they become big. 10. Leading by example isn't only about the task, it also needs to be communicated. 11. Explaining why creates purpose behind the task. 12. A script example is: “I'm restocking the backbar because I noticed we're running low, when we stay ahead of this we don't run out in the middle of a service.” 13. “Hey (name) I've noticed a pattern where (address a specific issue), I want to check in with what's going on.” Then pause. 14. Be short and sweet, and direct and kind. 15. Create a framework that surrounds the issue not the person. 16. When you create clear systems and you create consistency, it becomes a ripple effect. Enjoy 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15 at checkout: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15 Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey
Running a salon team isn't just about great hair—it's about clear expectations, accountability, and strong leadership. In this episode, we break down why stylists ignore responsibilities, how to get them to care, and the key shifts that turn frustration into teamwork. Learn how to lead with confidence, and create a culture where everyone takes ownership. If you're tired of repeating yourself or struggling with follow-through, this episode is for you. Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now! https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Key Take-aways: 1. One of the biggest reasons a task isn't done is they just don't see how it can benefit them. 2. Rather than should's or shouldn't's, focus on tying responsibilities to personal success. 3. Creating a culture of salon leadership brings up future leaders, making your business more sustainable. 4. Be firm but kind 5. Another reason someone doesn't take responsibility is because they assume someone else will take care of it. 6. When addressing, keep it short and simple, and pull them away privately. 7. When someone owns a task, they're more likely to do it. 8. Create a sanitation list and introduce it at a meeting. 9. Another reason something isn't done is because someone doesn't feel accountable. 10. Try a nomination box to bring team morale together, give a gift card to the most nominated employee. 11. Personally thank and publicly recognize when someone goes above and beyond. 12. Come up with solutions during team meetings. Ask your staff if they have ideas. 13. Focus on clarity over assumption 14. Have policies like this written in a team handbook or policy guide. 15. Address issues 1:1 and not in a group. Calling someone out publicly is a form of public shaming. 16. If you have high turnover, it's time to take a look at how you're leading your culture and environment. 17. Frame your approach as collaboration so that you can work together and bond as a team. 18. The bigger picture is to create a team that builds a sustainable business, and therefor creating opportunity and freedom to make choices or take risk. Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
Entrepreneurship is full of highs, lows, and lessons you don't see coming. In Life Lessons of an Entrepreneur, Ambrosia Carey shares unfiltered insights on business growth, boundaries, and the mindset shifts that make success sustainable. Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, or creative entrepreneur, this podcast delivers real talk on navigating challenges, scaling with purpose, and building a business that works for you—not the other way around. Tune in for honest conversations, actionable strategies, and the lessons Ambrosia learned the hard way so you don't have to. Subscribe now! Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq ! Are you in our Membership Waitlist? Join now! https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/gnfbcgfrjq Get 2 week of GlossGenius for FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Key Take-aways: 1. Slow down, you could actually get more done because it allows you to be efficient. 2. No one is coming to save you, rather than resenting the feeling of being held back, make different choices and take authority of your life's outcomes. 3. Perfection is just fear in a fancy outfit. Done is better than perfect. 4. Ask yourself, what can you launch messy today? 5. Boundaries are your freedom, not your punishment. 6. Boundaries don't push the right people away, they push the wrong people out. 7. If it's not a hell yes, it's a no. 8. People will show you who they are…believe them. 9. Money is a tool and not a trophy. 10. Your energy is your most valuable currency. Enjoy 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15 at checkout: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
Struggling to hire and trust new employees in your beauty business? In this episode, we break down when to hire, how to identify the right team members, and ways to build trust so you can scale your salon or beauty brand with confidence. Learn the key benchmarks for hiring, how to avoid those red flags, and how to create a smooth onboarding process that sets your team up for success. Whether you're bringing on a stylist, assistant, or front desk support, this episode will help you make strategic hiring decisions to grow a sustainable and thriving business. Tune in and take the guesswork out of building your dream team! Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now! Don't sleep on this, get your 2 week trial to GlossGenius, it has seamless scheduling, automated reminders, integrated payments, marketing tools, and client management to streamline operations and boost growth: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey We want to hear from you! Drop your review & tell us what you enjoy & what you want to hear more of! Key Take-aways: 1. If you are 80% capacity on your books for 3 months, you know it's time to start hiring. 2. How much cash flow do you have? If you're generating 6 figures, you'll have a stronger cushion in case you need a safeguard for any changes in the business. 3. If you're not quite at 6 figures but your profit margins are at 20%, this is a benchmark that allows you to see if you're ready for the next stage of growth 4. Sometimes small business get ahead of themselves and want to grow a team due to emotional investments, and they fall backward financially. 5. When you're ready to hire, define clearly what this person looks like; lay out responsibilities, job description, qualifications, will they be an employee or rental? How much experience do they have, are they looking for an apprenticeship or assistant program before taking clients? 6. Once you know what you're looking for, visit beauty schools to get a better sense of what students are looking for in a leader. 7. Connect locally though social media. Be intentional about your approach with places that could align with your brand. 8. Connect in person with other businesses through local events. This is a great way to attract new clients for your growing team. 9. Recruiting can attract people who are less loyal or looking for the next best thing & that could be a red flag to growing a less sustainable team. 10. Build up your resumes and contact to set up a group interview if there are 3 of more candidates. 11. Invite stand outs to come back for an individual interview where you can address specific topics, allow them to ask questions, and go into details what you are both looking for to see if you align. 12. The last step is a technical interview to see how they work behind the chair. this is a good time to see how they communicate, interact, are they a natural educator? 13. The next step is to decide how your training will go down. What are you providing for them as a team member? Do you want to them to get involved? Are you interested in training? 14. If you're bringing on an employee, have an employee handbook prepared to lay out responsibilities, expectations,and benchmarks. 15. Trust is built through repetition. Offering a 1:1 meeting with your employees is a time to check-in & go over goals and realign expectations. 16. Offering incentives, incentives, opportunities for leadership also builds trust. 17. When first hiring, start with a 90 day trial to see if you are a good fit. Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
Are you ready to take control of your finances and build lasting wealth? In this episode, we're breaking down a sustainable plan to grow your income, reduce debt, and invest in your future—all tailored for hairstylists, salon owners, and beauty entrepreneurs. Learn smart money strategies, the best ways to eliminate high-interest debt, and how to start investing wisely (even if you're new to it). Whether you're looking to scale your business, create passive income, or build financial security, this episode gives you actionable steps to make it happen. Tune in and start making your money work for you! Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Start your high yield savings account with a bonus kickback on Marcus: https://www.marcus.com/share/AMB-9K4-NTGI Get 2 weeks of GlossGenius free, lowest processing fees in the biz & AI tools to help you run your business! https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Key Take-aways: 1. Pay off high interest debt first: credit cards can hold an interest rate up to 25% causing the average person to pay 2.5x more than the original purchase. 2. The suggested amount is to pay 15-25% of your income monthly to pay off that debt. 3. Avalanche Method: is a debt repayment strategy where you focus on paying off debts with the highest interest rates first to save the most money on interest over time. 4. Allocate 20-30% of your income every month toward your emergency fund, whether you choose to pay off debt first or divide 25% to debt and 5% toward saving. 5. Some debt is healthy debt, but your credit score is impacted when your debt to credit limit goes over 30%. Once your debt to credit limit hits 30%, it can drop your credit score by 20 to 50 points depending on your overall credit profile. 6. An emergency fund provides financial security by covering unexpected expenses. It offers peace of mind, supports business stability during slow periods, and allows you to make decisions confidently without financial stress. Plus, it encourages better money habits and protects long-term investments. 7. Setting clear goals helps you get there faster. 8. Set aside 10-15% of your income to your savings once you've paid of your remaining debts. The goal is to build 3-6 months of your monthly average spending to hold in your savings. 9. The next step is to open a high-yield savings account, which compounds over time at a higher interest rate allowing you to accumulate more income as the account grows. 10. Compounding means you're growing income from interest continues to grow as the money grows. The more frequently your interest is compounded, the quicker your money grows. 11. Leverage your own business as an investment. You want every square inch of your business to be income producing. If you're independent, what lines or affiliate programs can you work with to add multiple streams of income? 12. Build a roadmap for your income strategy building. Start thinking of this as placing your efforts seasonally to pour into multiple buckets, which allows wealth to build more wealth for yourself. 13. When seeking a financial advisor, ask them what their fee structure is. Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15