Podcasts about salon owners

Success in business isn't just about better systems, stronger marketing, or hiring the right people. More often than not, the biggest barriers to growth are the beliefs, fears, and emotional patterns we carry with us every day. In this powerful episode of The Elevate Podcast, I sit down with my personal coach, Jeffrey Combs, owner of Mastermind Seminars, to explore the inner work that every salon owner needs to do if they truly want to build a thriving business and a fulfilling life. Jeffrey has spent decades helping entrepreneurs identify the unconscious patterns that keep them stuck. Together, we discuss how anxiety, self esteem, fear of rejection, codependency, people pleasing, and limiting beliefs influence leadership, pricing, hiring, team culture, sales, and decision making. Whether you're struggling to grow your salon, constantly feeling overwhelmed, or simply know you're capable of more, this conversation will challenge you to look beyond the surface and begin transforming from the inside out. If you're ready to stop repeating the same cycles and start leading with confidence and clarity, this is an episode you won't want to miss. https://goldenmastermind.com/

Running a salon while still taking clients? Whew… it's A LOT. Between answering DMs, managing your team, placing color orders, handling client schedules, folding towels, and somehow remembering to eat lunch… it's no wonder your brain feels like it has 462 tabs open.In this episode, I'm sharing the exact time management systems, habits, and boundaries that completely changed the way I run my business… and honestly, my life. These are the strategies that helped me stop feeling reactive, protect my time, and create more freedom without stepping away from the chair.In this episode, we'll cover:✨ Why your time management is directly connected to your salon's success✨ The mindset shift that changed everything for me (and my family)✨ The 3 non-negotiables I live by every single day✨ How to build your Ideal Week without chasing perfection✨ Why the Daily Big 3 will help you stop feeling overwhelmed✨ My Workday Startup & Shutdown Rituals for more focus and less stress✨ Simple productivity hacks that save hours every single weekResources Mentioned:

In this episode, Mike Gilman, CEO & Founder of Grooming Lounge, shares the story behind building one of the early men's grooming destinations and sustaining the brand for more than two decades. Mike talks about growing up around the beauty industry, spotting an opportunity in men's grooming before it became mainstream, launching an e-commerce site from his basement, and eventually opening a physical Grooming Lounge location at a time when landlords still questioned whether men would pay for grooming services.He also breaks down what it really takes to stay in business long term: hiring the right people, building a team around strong standards, focusing on what you do best, knowing when to stop what isn't working, and creating a service experience strong enough to become a destination.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:

The way hairdressing education is delivered has changed dramatically since I started in this industry, and it will continue to evolve as new technology emerges. In this episode, I talk about those changes and the impact it has on salons, trainees, standards and productivity. And I ask the question I think salon owners are wondering: “What does the future of education look like and how will it impact the way I run my business?I explain why information has become cheap while experience has become more valuable than ever, and why that changes what you should actually be looking for in education. I also share seven practical lessons on building a culture of learning, why you need to be training apprentices who contribute quickly, and staying ahead as the industry keeps moving.WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:Why information has become cheap while real experience has never been more valuableThe real reason AI won't replace great educators, and how it exposes the poor onesWhy your apprentices should be productive within six months, not left to find their feet for yearsThe difference between being a great hairdresser and being a great teacherWhy you can't rely on colleges or government training programs to finish the job for youSeven practical lessons on education every salon owner needs to hearIN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction [02:19] Antony asks the big question: where is salon education heading next [03:15] How live seminars and academies defined the early years of education [04:00] The internet and social media put educators in everyone's pocket [05:07] The moment Antony realised business education mattered more than technical skill [06:23] Why salon owners started asking about branding and leadership, not just hair [07:41] How COVID forced the whole industry to learn online almost overnight [09:00] What actually separates a genuinely good coach from a mediocre one [10:36] Why online retail during COVID changed manufacturers for good [13:05] How artificial intelligence is reshaping salon education right now [14:04] Why information is cheap but real experience is priceless [17:29] Antony's seven practical lessons every salon owner needs on education [21:12] The one thing that never changes no matter how the industry evolvesWant MORE to help you GROW?

This episode is different from anything I've shared on salon marketing before, and that's intentional. The foundation of what I'm about to share isn't based on gut feelings or personal opinion. I analyzed the social media activity of salons I know for a fact are scaling financially, growing their teams effortlessly, and turning real profit margins. And then I looked at the salons where the following is big but the revenue isn't moving. The contrast is striking. For the first time on this podcast, I'm speaking directly to salon owners about marketing, not just stylists. Because the strategy looks completely different when you're building a team, filling multiple chairs, and trying to attract the caliber of stylist who actually moves the needle. What's working in 2026 is not what worked three years ago, and the salons that haven't caught up yet are feeling it. If you want to know what the fastest growing salons are actually doing on social media right now, this episode is your blueprint!  The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

"Send us a message!"Most business owners don't fail because they take too many risks–they fail because they avoid them.In this episode, we examine the hidden costs of playing it safe—from avoiding difficult conversations and delaying price increases to protecting underperforming employees and making decisions based on comfort rather than conviction.We also share real stories from our own businesses, including some of our biggest leadership mistakes, how those mistakes nearly cost us everything, and what finally changed our perspective.If you've ever delayed a difficult decision because it felt uncomfortable, this episode is for you.Key TakeawaysPlaying it safe often creates bigger risks than taking action.Avoiding difficult conversations hurts your team more than having them. Your mission, vision, and core values should guide difficult decisions. Growth requires discomfort. Great leaders challenge people because they care about them. Stop reacting emotionally and start responding intentionally. Build systems around your future—not your fears. Business never gets easier; your ability to solve problems improves.Time Stamps00:00 — Opening takes: why snacks don't retain staff03:00 — Why you should already be planning for December05:00 — What "playing it safe" actually looks like07:00 — Difficult conversations every owner must have10:00 — The hidden cost of avoiding discomfort13:00 — How playing it safe hurts your culture16:00 — Using your mission and core values to make decisions18:00 — Why saying "no" often grows your business20:00 — The Evo product story and finding the right fit29:00 — Leadership requires uncomfortable conversations34:00 — Todd's gym leadership mistakes36:00 — Jen's biggest leadership lessons40:00 — The price increase that changed Hello Hair Co.45:00 — Reacting vs. responding as a business owner48:00 — Building a team instead of protecting one person50:00 — Why business never gets easierReflection: What's one decision you've been avoiding because it feels uncomfortable? What would change if you addressed it this week?Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.And sometimes the greatest risk isn't making the wrong decision—it's avoiding the right one because it feels uncomfortable.Links and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

In this episode, Filipe Santos (@chop_safil), CEO of Chop Enterprises, shares how he went from tattoo artist and union carpenter to building a multi-location salon company with nine salons across New York, New Jersey, and Miami.Filipe breaks down the growth, leadership, and execution behind scaling from one salon to nine, including how he built leaders, created systems, recruited talent, used marketing, acquired salons, negotiated owner financing, and developed a shared services platform to support growth.This conversation is for salon owners, beauty pros, and hairpreneurs who know that talent is only one part of building a real business.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:

You can be booked, busy, and making money, and still not understand what is actually happening inside your business.In this episode, Chrystal Graves, Founder & CEO of LiQUiD, shares how her career took her from apprentice to salon owner, from scaling multiple salon concepts to selling her salon, and now into building an AI-powered business tool for beauty professionals. She breaks down why understanding your numbers, systems, pricing, expenses, and take-home pay matters, and why beauty pros need stronger business foundations if they want to stop guessing and start making decisions that actually support growth.Key Takeaways:

Retail doesn't need to feel awkward, complicated, or forced. In this episode, Lisa shares a simple framework - Retail CARE Explained - that brings together the key principles of great retail into something your whole team can actually use. From rapport and expertise to action and consistency, this episode gives you a clear path forward to make retail part of your everyday service. Want more clients walking through your door without relying on an agency? 

Last week we talked about why the systems still running most employee-based salons today are quietly failing, and how that failure is landing on owners as a people problem when it's really a structure problem. This week, we're getting into the actual framework. The four levers I'm covering in this episode are the same ones I use when I walk into a salon, pull back the curtain, and start rebuilding from the ground up!  So, if you've been wondering what it actually looks like to run your salon like a real business, this episode is a great place to start. The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

"Send us a message!"What if the biggest business advantage isn't talent, experience, or even hard work?What if it's curiosity?In this episode, we explore why the best salon owners aren't the ones who blindly copy trends or follow outdated advice; they're the ones willing to ask better questions.We talk about challenging industry assumptions, learning from other businesses, embracing new technology, building original systems, and why curiosity has been one of the biggest competitive advantages in growing Hello Hair Co.From Google Ads and AI to hiring, apprenticeships, pricing, and marketing, we share why asking why has consistently led us toward better answers than simply asking how.Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.And the future belongs to the owners willing to think for themselves.Key TakeawaysCuriosity is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business.Copying outcomes is not the same as understanding why they worked. Better questions lead to better decisions. Innovation begins with curiosity, not certainty. Build systems that fit your business—not someone else's. Patience requires engagement, not passivity. Long-term thinking beats quick fixes. New technology rewards curious business owners. Your ideas are worth exploring, even if they don't all succeed. Learn from others without outsourcing your own thinking.Time Stamps00:00 — Opening takes: stop criticizing the next generation 03:00 — Why the past shouldn't dictate the future 05:00 — The salon industry's copycat problem 06:30 — Copying outcomes vs. understanding causes 08:00 — Asking better questions in business 09:00 — Why profitable salons think differently 10:00 — Assigned stations, apprenticeships, and challenging tradition 12:00 — Hiring with curiosity instead of fear 14:00 — Why change feels uncomfortable 16:00 — Curiosity built Hello Hair Co. 18:00 — Google, SEO, and long-term thinking 20:00 — The Five Whys and deeper questions 22:00 — Why stylists choose some salons over others 24:00 — Patience vs. complacency 26:00 — Building business frameworks that last 28:00 — Turning frustrations into better systems 30:00 — Build your future instead of inheriting it 31:00 — AI, technology, and curiosity 34:00 — Your ideas are worth exploring 36:00 — Don't outsource your thinking 38:00 — Final thoughts: think for yourselfLinks and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

Burnout doesn't happen overnight - but it happens to almost every salon owner at some point.In this episode, Lisa shares her personal journey from overwhelmed salon owner to building a business that worked without her.  If you've ever felt stuck, exhausted, or like everything depends on you—this episode will open your eyes to what's possible. If this resonated with you… Book a call with Lisa to talk through your situation https://bit.ly/4pxldBR #salonowner, #salonbusiness, #burnoutrecovery, #salonlife, #beautybusiness  

DM me "AUDIT" to connect to learn how together we can increase your leads, revenue, and confidence in your salon business.  ⁠⁠Instagram.com/jenniferjadealvarez⁠GRAB YOUR FREE FREEDOM CALCULATOR™ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://jenniferjadealvarez.myflodesk.com/freedom-calculator⁠⁠⁠The #1 tool to help you plan to work less BTC and into Salon CEOIn this episode of Beauty Business Game Changer, Jennifer Alvarez breaks down why salon owners and beauty entrepreneurs should stop trying to do everything themselves and start delegating strategically. She explains how hiring a virtual assistant can help you protect your time, improve your guest experience, and create a more sustainable business model.Jennifer shares the mindset shift that helped her grow since 2016: moving from being the person who answers every DM, call, and email to becoming the visionary who leads the business. She walks listeners through a simple exercise to identify every task they currently do, evaluate which ones truly require their time, and decide what can be delegated to someone else at a lower cost.She also explains the difference between high-level work and low-task work, encouraging owners to focus on the activities only they can do—like leadership, planning, training, and growth—while handing off repetitive or time-consuming tasks like cleaning, booking, inbox management, reports, and customer communication.A major takeaway from this episode is that delegation only works when there is a clear system in place. Jennifer emphasizes the importance of documenting processes, setting expectations, sharing examples, and communicating clearly so a virtual assistant can succeed without creating more work for the owner.She also discusses how AI can now support some of the simpler tasks, making virtual assistants even more valuable for communication, client care, and operational support. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or a growing salon team, this episode will help you rethink what should stay on your plate and what should be handed off so you can stay in your zone of genius.Want to learn more about working with a virtual assistant? DM Jennifer on Instagram at @jenniferjadealvarez for more information and resources.

A few weeks ago, my team posted something on Instagram that we could not have predicted would take off the way it did. The graphic said uncapped commissions will be the salon standard within three years, and the response was unlike anything we've seen. 260 shares, 461 comments, hundreds of DMs and emails from salon owners who were equal parts excited and scared. So we made this bonus episode to answer your questions directly! This week you're not just hearing from me. You're hearing audio clips from real Thriving Leadership members who have implemented our profit priority compensation method and are sharing exactly what it's looked like for their businesses. You're also getting a clip from our bootcamp that breaks down the logic behind why we built this method in the first place. If you still have questions after the uncapped commissions episode from a few weeks back, this one is going to fill in a lot of gaps. The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Retail isn't about knowing what to say - it's about getting out of your own way. In this episode, Lisa unpacks the most common blockages that stop salon owners and teams from recommending retail confidently. From fear of rejection to pricing discomfort and lack of systems, this episode will help you identify what's really holding you back, and how to move forward. Want the full step-by-step system to fix your retail?

Picture two stylists. One is a money machine, hitting every metric, booked solid, making multiple 6-figures. The other is producing 30% of that revenue but mentoring newer team members, showing up on time, taking great photos, and supporting the salon's culture in every way possible. Now ask yourself honestly: who is your current system set up to reward? If your salon's promotional path is built primarily around revenue-based KPIs, chances are stylist number one wins every time, no matter how much damage they're doing to your culture. And that model, which worked just fine 10 and 20 years ago, is collapsing fast right now. In this episode, I'm breaking down exactly why the traditional salon promotion structure is broken, the specific flaws in the old model that are quietly costing you your best people, and what we do differently in Thriving Leadership to fix it for good. Ready to see exactly how this works for your salon? I'm hosting a free 3-day training starting July 13th where we dig into all of it. Head to www.thrivingstylist.com/nextlevelsalon to register. Spots are not held, so make sure you sign up before the 13th to get access! The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/ 

"Send us a message!""I'm just so busy."It's one of the most common things we hear from salon owners.But being busy and building a business aren't the same thing.In this episode, we revisit one of our favorite leadership frameworks: the Five Modes of Ownership, and explain why so many owners stay stuck working harder instead of building systems that create long-term growth.We discuss the difference between busy work and compounding work, why diagnosing problems matters more than reacting to them, how to know which "mode" your business needs most, and why your future should determine where you spend your time today.Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.That starts by giving your attention to the work that actually compounds.Key TakeawaysBeing busy isn't the same as building a business.Compounding work creates long-term value. Every business owner must lead in different modes. Diagnose problems before reacting to them. Focus on one type of work at a time. Leadership requires intentional attention. Crisis mode demands calm, not panic. Invisible work often produces the biggest results. Systems reduce future chaos. Your future should determine how you spend today.Time Stamps00:00 — Opening takes + preparing for slow seasons 05:30 — Stop believing manufactured business problems 07:00 — Why owners always feel busy 08:00 — The Five Modes of Ownership refresher 10:00 — Busy work vs. compounding work 11:30 — Operations vs. systems 12:30 — Leadership, strategy, and crisis mode 14:00 — Diagnose before you react 16:00 — Choosing the right leadership hat 18:30 — Why working harder isn't the answer 20:30 — Give each mode your full attention 23:00 — Why focus creates better results 25:00 — Where the Five Modes came from 28:00 — Lessons from navigating a true crisis 31:00 — The invisible work that builds businesses 34:00 — Why business owners need long-term thinking 36:00 — Building tomorrow instead of surviving today 39:00 — Final thoughts on intentional leadershipLinks and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

You can care deeply about your team and still be missing the structure that helps them stay.That is the part a lot of salon/shop owners feel, but do not always know how to fix.In this episode, Eva DuPont, Director of Business Development at Infiniti HR, breaks down why building a team that stays is not just about hiring good people, it is about creating clarity around expectations, compensation, benefits, HR, payroll, compliance, and growth. She explains how small gaps in structure can turn into bigger problems over time, and how salon owners can start building a more professional, protected, and supportive business from the inside.

Choosing a salon is one of the biggest decisions you'll make in your career, yet it's also one of the least understood. Too many stylists accept a position because the salon looks beautiful, their friends work there, or the commission percentage sounds appealing without asking the questions that truly determine their long-term success. In this episode, I break down how to reverse engineer your career before you ever step into an interview. We'll discuss how to create a clear five-year vision, identify the leadership style that's right for you, understand how your environment influences your habits and success, and why surrounding yourself with high performers can dramatically change the trajectory of your career. We'll also uncover the biggest myths around commission, average ticket, pricing, product charges, and earning potential so you can evaluate opportunities based on real income not just percentages on paper. You'll learn the questions every stylist should ask before accepting a position and how to recognize the green flags and red flags that often determine whether a salon will accelerate or limit your growth. And if you're a salon owner, this episode is just as valuable for you. You'll discover what today's top talent is really looking for, the questions ambitious stylists should be asking during an interview, and whether your salon is positioned to answer them with confidence. We'll discuss how your leadership, culture, compensation structure, education, career paths, and ability to develop high performers all impact your ability to attract and retain exceptional talent. If you want to build a salon that people choose because of the opportunities you create not just the commission you offer this episode will challenge you to see your business through the eyes of the next generation of stylists. Whether you're just graduating beauty school, considering a career move, or building a salon that top talent is excited to join, this episode will give you the framework to make intentional decisions that create long-term success. Because the salon you choose or the salon you build doesn't just determine where people work. It helps determine who they become.

Something is happening in our industry right now that we just need to talk about. Salon closures are happening at scale, coast to coast, and I've personally saved over 60 closure announcements on Instagram just since the start of 2026. This is not normal, and pretending it isn't happening isn't going to help anyone. In this episode, I break down exactly what's driving these salon closures right now, the specific mistakes that are quietly working against so many owners, and what the salons that are winning are doing differently.  The industry is not broken. It's evolving fast, and there is still so much opportunity on the other side of a change in plan!  Ready to see exactly how this works for your salon? I'm hosting a free 3-day training starting July 13th where we dig into all of it. Head to www.thrivingstylist.com/nextlevelsalon to register. Spots are not held, so make sure you sign up before the 13th to get access! The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

We spoke with Zach Zinober, Social Media Advisor at Crystal Hook Media, about what it really means to stop posting and hoping and start building a social media system that supports your brand.This Live turned into a full social media Q&A covering posting frequency, motivating staff to post, TikTok, rebuilding a brand, algorithm changes, reusing content, planning ahead, and making social media feel less overwhelming.

The Final Four (and a Half) Lessons - Continuation of the 500th Episode Ten years. Five hundred episodes. And the same handful of sentences Larissa and Joel still say more than anything else. Last week, on the 500th episode, they got through the first five (and a half). This week, they're finishing the job with the final four and a half truths that have carried Salon Owners Collective from a handful of stuck salon owners to a decade-long movement. What you'll discover in this episode: Why “do better” might be the most useful two words in your whole business, and how to use them without burning outThe real reason a rising tide doesn't lift every boat, even in salons with genuinely good cultureThe question Joel asks so often he's lost count, and why most salon owners can't actually answer itWhy treating your to-do list like an elephant changes how you get through the weekThe moment Larissa stopped chasing a “finished” business, and what she built instead This episode is for every salon owner who's still waiting to feel like they've arrived. That feeling isn't coming. What comes instead is better. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Want help with what comes next for you and your salon, and how to reach the $1 million milestone without burning out? That's exactly what the Double Double Goal inside Salon Mastery is built for. Click here to apply now: https://bit.ly/StrategyCallYT 3 Reasons Why Every Salon Owner Should Listen to This Episode: ✅ Discover the two words that quietly change how you run your whole business ✅ Find out why your team's culture might be lifting some boats and sinking others ✅ Uncover the one question that exposes exactly why you keep feeling stuck

To be a salon owner requires ambition, commitment and hustle. But you're also human. So how do you balance responsibility with self care when difficult things happen -- and also in the every day?  When Sarah Hooper got diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer it came as a shock, followed by a million questions and endless medical appointments. And on top of that, she had to come up with a plan for how her salon company would run while she was in treatment, and reassure her shareholders and team that it would be okay.  Sarah Hooper is the owner of Paradigm Salon & Company in Bel Air, Maryland, and a Summit salon coach, and is back at work 16 months after her diagnosis. In this highly personal interview, Sarah talks about what it was like to step back as a leader, and how that actually created space for her team members to grow. Blake and Sarah also discuss how to find the balance between hustle and rest, the value of a 32-hour workweek, and why Sarah decided not to go back behind the chair. Plus: Advice  on how to advocate for yourself as a patient and take control of your health journey.  Follow Sarah Hooper on Instagram @sarah_paradigm. Interested in coaching? Book a discovery call with Sarah. Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlockedFind host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com. Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

If you've been in the salon industry for any length of time, you already know the traditional commission model is broken. Stylists feel cheated, salon owners feel cheated, and somehow, we've all just accepted that this is "the way it's done." But what if there was a model where everybody wins, profit is protected, and your top performers actually want to stay? That's exactly what uncapped commissions deliver, and I genuinely believe that by 2030, this will be the standard of pay across our industry. In this episode, I share exactly how uncapped commissions work, why the traditional model keeps everyone stuck, and how we build a compensation structure that puts profit first without sacrificing your team.  This is the future of salon compensation, and understanding it now is what separates the salons that thrive from the ones that struggle to compete!  Ready to see exactly how this works for your salon? I'm hosting a free 3-day training starting July 13th where we dig into all of it. Head to www.thrivingstylist.com/nextlevelsalon to register. Spots are not held, so make sure you sign up before the 13th to get access! The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

"Send us a message!"What if someone asked you the questions you usually avoid asking yourself?In this episode, we tried something completely different. We asked AI to interview us, not to generate answers, but to challenge the way we think about leadership, business, culture, growth, relationships, and running a salon.The result wasn't a conversation about artificial intelligence.It became a conversation about reflection.From hiring and education to leadership, core values, profit, partnerships, parenting, and personal growth, these questions forced us to slow down and think about what we've learned over the past several years of building Hello Hair Co.Whether you're an established owner or just getting started, these are the kinds of questions that don't always have easy answers, but they often lead to better ones.Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.Sometimes the best way to grow is simply to ask yourself better questions.Here's the prompt we used to create the questions.Key TakeawaysBetter questions lead to better leadership. AI is a tool—not a replacement for critical thinking.  Strong businesses evolve because their leaders stay curious.  Experience often creates humility, not certainty.  Great partnerships require different perspectives.  Leadership is built through intentional conversations.  Core values simplify difficult decisions.  Culture is created through consistency, not slogans.  Growth comes from reflection as much as action.  The quality of your answers depends on the quality of your questions.Time Stamps00:00 — Episode 251 + introducing the AI interview experiment 01:00 — Opening takes: developing staff intentionally 03:00 — AI isn't a replacement for thinking 05:00 — Question 1: Beliefs we've changed over time 07:00 — Question 2: Business mentors and influence 08:00 — Question 3: What people misunderstand about us 10:00 — Question 4: What we've learned from each other 14:00 — Question 5: What we hope our children learn 16:00 — Question 6: Advice we no longer believe is universal 18:00 — Question 7: One skill every owner should master 20:00 — Question 8: Risks worth taking 22:00 — Question 9: Why we've ignored conventional wisdom 25:00 — Question 10: What people don't see behind the scenes 27:00 — Question 11: Beliefs we're unlikely to change 29:00 — Question 12: What could have caused Hello Hair to fail 33:00 — Question 13: Becoming less certain with experience 36:00 — Question 14: Compliments that meant the most 39:00 — Question 15: The hardest core value to lose 41:00 — Final reflections on asking better questionsLinks and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

Salon Goals Academy - get on the waitlist: https://www.laurenlappin.com.au/sg-academy-waitlistIn this week's episode Lauren deconstructs the concepts of discounting and tiered-pricing in the beauty industry, why Salon Owners do it, and what you can do instead in your salon to maximise both growth and the quality of the work.What Actually Works? The concept of tiered pricing [01:17].Why tiered pricing may not work [03:42].The impact of being the highest-priced artist [04:31].Not using tiered pricing [10:42].Reducing client load [26:03].The Salon Goals Academy [28:51].....Rate and Review the Show in Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-lash-business-lounge/id1609510128Rate the Show in Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0xvJ8MNZM9cbjYBGcMDtb8?si=b23764e4d0ed4b59Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenlappin_The Salon Goals Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/salongoals_podcast....This Episode was Edited and Produced by Josh Liston at JCAL Media Group - https://www.jcaldigital.org/podcast-editing

If you're a salon or spa owner, or a hairstylist, barber or esthetician, starting to feel the pressures of business and entrepreneurship, this episode is for you. The weight of customer service, professionalism, leadership and creativity can result in irreversible damage if not taken care of immediately. In this episode, Krystine shares the REAL, RAW & TRUE reason hairstylists, estheticians, barbers, salon & spa owners feel burnt out behind the chair and the core solution on how to fix it for good. **Earn more and get your time back with  @glossgenius . Use code BEAUTYPRO at glossgenius.com/beautypropodcast for 50% off your first two months of a premium plan.**#hairstylist #hairdresser #salonowner #spaowner #burnout #overwhelm #businesspressure LOVE THIS EPISODE?Leave Your Ratings, Reviews & Comments on the Podcast! Your feedback allows for more nourishing content and for more on-point education for beauty & barber pros. SHOP PODCAST MERCH: https://the-beautypro-coach-shop.fourthwall.com/SHOP MY STOREFRONT: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeautyprocoachWANT MORE KRYSTINE? GET 1:1 COACHING: https://www.thebeautyprocoach.com/discovery-callsGET ON THE EMAIL LIST: ⁠https://bit.ly/3S5R2loSubscribe to The BeautyPro Podcast on Apple, Spotify & YouTube! APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-beautypro-podcast/id1700728724SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2km4Md6jjJMb7EyLvf0Huv?si=3f58fcf183e746e0Follow @thebeautyprocoach on Facebook & Instagramhttps://www.fb.com/thebeautyprocoachhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeautyprocoach

When I opened my first salon I was passionate about hairdressing but like most salon owners I knew very little about business, and negotiating with product suppliers was where my naivety was fully exposed. This week I take you behind the scenes of what's really happening when you deal with a manufacturer or distributor.You'll come away understanding how the commercial side works: list price, rebates, the size of the pie, and the difference between a real partnership and a shiny distraction. My aim is simple. I want you walking into that conversation informed, prepared, and able to build a deal where both businesses genuinely win.IN THIS EPISODE:Why the list price is never the real price, and what sits behind itThe size of the pie: how much value a supplier can actually offer youHow rebates really work, including the catch that traps a lot of ownersHow to prepare before you negotiate so you hold the stronger positionWhy the real goal is a partnership where both businesses winEPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction[00:20] The dark arts of negotiating with your product suppliers and manufacturers[02:07] Why nobody actually pays the full list price on the page[03:07] Manufacturer versus distributor, and why that structure changes everything behind the scenes[05:08] The list price is just the start of a commercial conversation[08:23] The experience gap between you and the person across the negotiating table[09:50] The size of the pie: the concept that underpins every deal[11:04] How you get to choose where that value lands in your business[13:10] Rebates explained, and the two important realities that owners often overlook[15:54] Shiny object syndrome, and the seduction of events and luxury experiences[17:41] Why putting your business out to tender is simply smart, professional practice[19:13] How to prepare properly before you ever sit at the tableWant MORE to help you GROW?

It's no secret that the digital landscape is shifting FAST, and a lot of stylists and salon owners are feeling completely exhausted by the constant updates, the algorithms, and the tech overload. I know it's tempting to want to unplug and just focus on the creative side of what we do, but the reality is that our industry is becoming more connected to the digital world, not less. The good news? Our service-based, local businesses are incredibly safe from AI disruption, but if we don't get smart about optimizing our own digital footprints first, we're handing a competitive edge to anyone else who does. We are officially stepping into a brand-new era of local search, driven by massive new integrations between your social media platforms and Google's autonomous AI agents. Today, I'm breaking down exactly what these game-changing updates mean for your business, how to set up your digital presence defensively, and the specific, tactical steps you can take right now to prep your profiles before the scale tips. If you're serious about finding out exactly how to stay ahead of the curve and play the modern business game better, then press "Play" now!  The first four episodes of After The Last Client are now available! Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

You can be busy all day and still feel like nothing is really growing. That is the part a lot of beauty pros feel, but do not always know how to name.In this episode, Mireya Villarreal, Founder of From Chair to Boss™ and Pink Pewter, breaks down why time management is not just about being organized, it is about understanding what your time is worth and using it to grow. She shares how restructuring her own business after a major setback changed the way she viewed every minute, and how beauty pros can stop wasting time, shift their habits, and turn more of their energy into income, clarity, and opportunity.

Let's be honest: one of the biggest challenges salon owners are hitting right now is figuring out how to actually attract, motivate, and retain the modern generation of talent. You've heard me say it many times, but if you want a team of self-motivated, hungry stylists, your brand positioning, your backend education system, and your own digital footprint have to be completely aligned. I'm sorry, but you can't fix your team until you look at how you're presenting your business to the world, and I'm diving deep into the data here to help you do it.  It doesn't matter if you're an established owner struggling to fill empty chairs, a leader trying to transition from a cozy "shadowing" model to a highly profitable, structured education system, or an entrepreneur who needs to optimize your digital footprint to fuel consistent growth behind the chair. This episode is exactly what you need to start shifting your business into its next phase of growth!  The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

You do not need to be rich to start investing. But you do need a plan.In this episode, Nicole Carson, CFP®, MBA and founder of 2nd Story Wealth Planners, breaks down how beauty professionals can start building an investment plan around real-life factors like debt, uneven income, taxes, retirement goals, and fear of the market. She explains why investing is not only for wealthy people and how consistency, time, and a clear plan can help beauty pros build long-term financial security.

How would you like to hear the real talk about the massive amount of misinformation, manipulative jargon, and false narratives that float around our industry? We've all seen it and we've all experienced it: the secrecy around how someone actually built their business, or the people who look amazing on social media while we both know the back end tells a very different story.  I've wondered for a long time: what do we do to quit the secrecy in this industry? We talk a good game about community over competition, but then we gatekeep the business part…  Well, that's changing, and it all starts today!  I'm in my transparency era. I'm done with playing small and being secretive, so I'm starting something completely new. Born out of seven months of design and production is After The Last Client, the newest media platform in the beauty industry. These aren't just "feel-good" interviews; they are long-form, deep dives into the real strategies and step-by-step financial breakdowns of the industry's biggest voices. If you weren't in the room for these conversations, consider this your seat at the table! The first four episodes drop today, June 8, 2026. Head over to www.afterthelastclient.com/ to watch the episodes, binge the series, and nominate the guests you want to see featured next season. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

I'm going to say something that might sting a little, the salon owners who are going to have their best year ever in 2026 are not the ones taking the summer off. They're the ones doing the work in June and July when everyone else decided it was too hot and too fun to think about business.I've watched this pattern play out for 19 years. And I am not about to let you sit in September wondering why Q4 feels so hard when the answers are right here.Whether your summer is busy and you're coasting, or it's a little slow and you're questioning yourself, both of those scenarios are making the same mistake. Summer is not a pause for your business. It's when your Q4 gets built strong or gets broken. And I need you to hear that.In this episode:The two salon owner patterns I see every single summer, and why both are leaving serious money on the tableWhy everything you do (or don't do) right now in June is directly setting up what September, October, November, and December look likeHow the visibility work you do today compounds into a packed holiday season, and why waiting until October is too lateWhy summer is the exact moment to get your junior stylists booked up, and what that means for your revenue by Q4The systems you keep saying you'll get to, and how to actually put them in place now, while you have the breathing room to do it rightThe honest question I want you to sit with: do you actually want to grow your business this year?I'm being a little bossy in this one, but only because I want you to look back at the end of this year and say that summer was the moment everything changed.The Monday Club:Business education, community, and tools to build a salon that runs like a real business, with leadership development, a full marketing ecosystem, and Fully Booked all under one roof. A new VIP level just launched.Learn more: https://www.lexilomax.com/monday-club

Send us Fan MailWhy do some salon owners continue growing year after year while others seem to hit a ceiling?It's rarely talent.It's rarely luck.And it's almost never because one owner knows some secret that everyone else doesn't.In this episode, we break down the mindset shifts, habits, leadership decisions, and business fundamentals that separate growing salon owners from those who get stuck.We talk about better questions, long-term thinking, fear-based decision making, apprenticeships, leadership, client retention, culture, systems, and why so many owners spend their time chasing tactics instead of strengthening their foundations.If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step as a salon owner, this episode will help you identify what's really holding your business back and what to focus on instead.Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.And that starts by focusing on the things that actually create long-term growth.Key TakeawaysGrowing owners focus on fundamentals instead of tactics. Better questions lead to better business decisions. More clients are not always the solution. Fear-based decisions keep businesses stuck. Accountability and difficult conversations matter. Long-term thinking creates compounding results. Apprenticeships can be a powerful growth strategy. Copying competitors rarely creates lasting success. Clients buy certainty, not just services. Growth often comes from refinement rather than expansion. Time Stamps00:00 — Intro + a listener raises her prices 03:30 — Madison's raise and apprenticeship success 05:00 — Why conformity hurts salon growth 08:30 — Growing apprentices vs holding people back 09:30 — Why some salons plateau 10:00 — Fundamentals vs tactics 12:00 — Better questions create better answers 13:00 — "More clients" isn't always the answer 15:00 — Solving problems for the clients you already have 16:00 — Why growth-focused owners think differently 17:00 — Fear-based decision making 19:00 — Raising standards and accountability 21:00 — Difficult conversations matter 24:00 — Long-term thinking and business vision 25:00 — Why owners abandon ideas too early 27:00 — Mission, vision, and consistency 28:00 — Apprenticeships as a long-term investment 30:00 — Meetings, systems, and follow-through 32:00 — The marathon mindset 33:00 — Industry trends and copying competitors 35:00 — Borrow principles, build your own business 38:00 — Recipes vs techniques in business 39:00 — The core experience clients actually buy 41:00 — Refining before expanding 42:00 — Education, advancement, and opportunity 44:00 — Why people stay (or leave) 45:00 — The fundamentals behind long-term growthLinks and Stuff:Our Newsletter Mentoring InquiriesFind more of our things:InstagramHello Hair Pro Website

What started as a simple gathering has now evolved into a major hair symposium in downtown Spokane, Washington! Danielle Nishiyama is creating a community where young (& ALL) beauty & barber pros can learn, grow, and thrive together in the spirit of real industry education. The energy is contagious, and it's heartwarming to see a fellow Beauty Babez transform into the ultimate girl squad for this initiative. This is more than just a hair show; it's about building a supportive network for our industry in the Pacific Northwest! Drop your takeaways, comments and support in the comments below! #HairSymposium #SalonCommunity #StylistLife #EducationMatters #SpokaneEvents #salonowner #hairstylist #BeautyProPodcastWANT MORE DANIELLE & THE HAIR SYMPOSIUM?GET YOUR TICKETS: https://www.thehairsymposium.comWORK WITH DANIELLE: https://instagram.com/craftstudiospokaneFOLLOW DANIELLE: https://www.instagram.com/danielle.nishiyama LOVE THIS EPISODE?Leave Your Ratings, Reviews & Comments on the Podcast! Your feedback allows for more nourishing content and for more on-point education for beauty & barber pros. SHOP PODCAST MERCH: https://the-beautypro-coach-shop.fourthwall.com/SHOP MY STOREFRONT: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thebeautyprocoachWANT MORE KRYSTINE? GET 1:1 COACHING: https://www.thebeautyprocoach.com/discovery-callsGET ON THE EMAIL LIST: ⁠https://bit.ly/3S5R2loSubscribe to The BeautyPro Podcast on Apple, Spotify & YouTube! APPLE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-beautypro-podcast/id1700728724SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/2km4Md6jjJMb7EyLvf0Huv?si=3f58fcf183e746e0Follow @thebeautyprocoach on Facebook & Instagramhttps://www.fb.com/thebeautyprocoachhttps://www.instagram.com/thebeautyprocoach

In this episode, Jozlyn Miller, Manager of Education and Industry Expert at Boulevard, breaks down why retention may be one of the most profitable growth strategies beauty professionals are underusing.She shares how improving the client experience, rebooking conversations, service add-ons, memberships, and client education can help salons and spas increase revenue from existing clients.

Guest Ronan Perceval began his journey in the beaty industry as a receptionist at a busy salon in Dublin, Ireland. While he loved the salon culture and people, he found that constant "admin-y conversations" -- like explaining the parking situation or cancellation policy -- were sapping taking time away from more meaningful client interactions. Now founder & CEO of Phorest Salon Software, Ronan designs AI tools that handle the admin, so service providers can focus on what we do best -- making our guests look and feel great.  Phorest AI handles admin like booking, consultation forms and self check-in, but now there's so much more. Stylists can use mobile apps to track their tickets, tips and progress toward earling goals, with gamification features. Phorest even integrates with Instagram to help you micro-target ads to the perfect clients in your area. And once you have a returning client, Phorest will track their services and retail purchasing patterns so you can be ready with the next recommendation.  Listen for the human side of the story.    Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlockedFind host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com. Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

We just got back from San Antonio hosting our second annual X Club Retreat, and honestly, I'm still riding the high. Four days with 86 of the highest-performing stylists and salon owners in the industry who are doubling and tripling their revenue, running multi-seven-figure salons, and doing $300,000 a year solo behind the chair, and I walked away with pages of notes I knew I had to bring back to everybody. Here's the thing about a room like that: there is no gatekeeping. It's almost like a competition of who can share the best strategy. And when you're surrounded by people operating at that level, the conversations get really real, really fast. In this episode, I'm sharing the biggest takeaways from our speakers, what it really costs to produce an event like this, the mistakes I made, and what I'm doing differently when we head to Park City, Utah in 2027. If you weren't in the room, consider this your seat at the table!   If you want to learn more about the event, our X Club and what that looks like, go to www.thrivingstylist.com/xclub/.  For those of you who are X Club members, I hope to see you in Park City, Utah next year, and if you're just looking to level up your business and want to learn more strategy, Thriver Society is always available to you at www.thrivingstylist.com/thriverssociety/.  If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

In this episode, Kati sits down with top salon owner Sherri Belanger to explore "The Heart of Hospitality" and what it truly takes to create an elevated client experience that stands out. Sherri shares her journey from stylist to owner of a thriving 22-chair team-based salon, along with real insights on expansion costs, building with intention, and hiring for character over skill. Salon and spa owners will walk away with actionable ideas on designing unforgettable guest experiences, scaling sustainably, and reconnecting with their deeper "why" to lead and grow with purpose.   WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/3BRDAZiw-Vc   GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book    POWERED BY:  JOIN mya! joinmya.com   FOLLOW BELLE SIRENE SALON Website: https://www.bellesirenesalon.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bellesirenesalon/    LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/    FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE   SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

If you've been pouring time into Instagram, throwing up promos, and still wondering why things feel so hard, this episode is going to reframe everything.The salon owner glow up is real, and it's happening. But most owners are skipping the most important first steps and going straight to tactics that can't actually fix what's broken.In this episode, Lexi gets into the two things every salon owner needs to do before anything else, no fluff, no 10-step lists, just the foundational moves that will actually tell you where your business is and what to do next.In this episode:Why "my salon doesn't make money" is often not the full picture, and how to actually see what's happening inside your businessThe numbers that matter beyond revenue: average ticket, rebooking rate, and retail per guestWhy most salon owners jump straight to "I need more clients" when that's not actually the problemWhat a real marketing ecosystem looks like versus just posting on social and hoping something landsThe five marketing channels every salon already has, and why most owners are only using one of themWhy your email list and SMS are sitting on untapped revenue right now, and how to turn them into an ATMThe Monday Club: Business education, community, and tools to build a salon that runs like a real business, with leadership development, a full marketing ecosystem, and Fully Booked all under one roof. A new VIP level just launched.Learn more: https://www.lexilomax.com/monday-clubOr DM Lexi: https://www.instagram.com/lomax.lexi/

Google just changed the rules on reviews, and based on the conversations I've been having, a lot of stylists and salon owners are feeling nervous about what this means for their business. I totally get it, because when a platform that's driving real clientele for you announces major policy updates, it's natural to wonder if everything you've been doing is suddenly wrong!  Here's what I want you to know: if you've been building your Google presence the right way, these updates shouldn't shake you. In fact, most of what Google announced in April 2026 is stuff I stopped coaching years ago. The real shift isn't the rules themselves, it's that Google is finally cracking down and holding people accountable. In this episode, I'm walking you through every single change, from why you can't incentivize reviews anymore to what's really going on with the "staff name" drama that has salon owners spiraling. I'm also sharing why Google has quietly become the most powerful tool for my highest-earning students (the ones bringing in 6-figures solo or are generating over 100 new client requests every single month). This is your moment to get it right. No more contests, no more checkout prompts, no more hoping your reviews stick. Just a clear, sustainable strategy that actually works in 2026 and beyond. If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Success story time! Host Blake Reed Evans sits down with Heather Meredith and Maegan Moore of Ahead of Hair Salon in Midlothian, Virginia  to unpack how a legacy Summit salon achieved 16.76% growth in 2025 — 23 years into ownership.  It wasn't easy: In their time working together, owner Heather and director of operations Maegan navigated a major walk-out, which led them to evaluate and build more flexibility into staff schedules. They also rennovated their space down the the studs, and revamped their associate program, all with a little help from Summit coach Deb McMahan.  Ahead of Hair is able to offer a matching 401(k) program and offer health insurance.  With a 43-person team including ten mentors, the salon company has worked with Summit to expand their stylist level structure up to Level 10. Listen to learn how they pulled off all that, and more.  Follow Ahead of Hair on Instagram @aohsalon and on Facebook at Ahead of Hair.  Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon, and on TikTok at SummitSalon. SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlockedFind host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans. His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com. Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

My DMs have been blowing up lately with one specific question: "Britt, what do you think of this advice?" It seems like every time I open Instagram, there is a new business coach telling stylists that the way they've been working for years is suddenly obsolete. This week, I'm taking those viral posts to task and ranking them on a brand-new scale to see which ones are actual breakthroughs and which ones are just noise! I'm digging into the "Saturday hustle" myth, the reality of a la carte versus tiered pricing, and some incredible innovation in the bridal space that I can't wait for you to hear. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by conflicting advice or wondering if you're falling behind the "latest trends," this episode is for you. We're cutting through the hype, looking at the actual numbers, and making sure you have a clear, actionable plan that prioritizes your success and your sanity. I would love to hear what you think of this type of episode, and if you found it helpful and informative, let me know so I can bring more of this type of content to you here on the podcast! If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Have you ever looked at a viral post and felt like something was missing? This week, a social media campaign from a collection of private beauty schools has been making the rounds, warning that the industry is at risk of collapse due to federal loan defunding. On its face, it sounds terrifying, but once you peel back the layers, you realize the situation is much more complex than just "saving" the industry. I was asked about my opinion on the post and situation, so I wanted to do an investigative-style episode that digs into the financial mechanics of for-profit beauty schools and the reality of the July 2025 Big, Beautiful Bill. I'm breaking down why the shift in oversight to the Treasury Department is happening, the staggering default rates that are putting NACCAS accreditation at risk, why cosmetology has landed in the crosshairs of a new federal earnings test, and much more. If you've been confused by the buzz or worried about the future of beauty education, this episode is your clarity and context. Let's look at the data, address the fragility of the current model, and talk about how we can come together to build something better! If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast! If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Are you ready to stop spending every waking hour on Instagram and finally just cut the check? There's a massive misunderstanding about what paid marketing actually is, and if you're not careful, you can easily fall for expensive scams and guaranteed leads that never turn into a booking. In this episode, we're exploring the luxury of trading money for time. I'm walking you through the predatory all-in-one marketing traps to avoid and why flashy SEO promises are often just golden handcuffs. I also break down the only three platforms delivering high-quality guests in 2026, including the exact spends you should be budgeting for. If you've been wondering if you've earned the privilege to stop the social media hustle, this episode is your guide to doing it right. Learn how to audit your funnel first so that when you invest, you're seeing a real return instead of just buying eyeballs for a broken system! If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Are your books feeling a little "gappier" than you'd like, or those new guest requests have started to slow down? If so, I want you to take a deep breath because I've got you covered! We aren't going to buy into the industry noise that "nobody is getting their hair done anymore", because the truth is, a huge portion of the industry is growing faster right now than I've ever seen before. In this episode, I'm walking you through a total business self-audit. I'm sharing exactly what I look for when I'm coaching one-on-one to help you find where you might be accidentally scaring guests away. From "shop talk" on your booking site that causes analysis paralysis, to the real impact of intimidating policies, we're looking at 11 specific friction points you can flip today to see a positive result in your demand within days. Stop guessing why the phone isn't ringing and start making the strategic tweaks that actually put more butts in your chair, and what I reveal today will help you do just that! If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

Does your online presence actually match the level of talent you bring to the chair? For most stylists, there's a massive gap between their actual skill and the "DIY" brand they're showing the world, and that disconnect is costing you thousands in high-end bookings. That's going to change, as today, I show you why playing it safe with phone photos is acting as a ceiling on your income!  I'm giving you the exact checklist to fill your marketing calendar for the next 6 months and the strategy to turn a single photoshoot into a "rising tide" for your entire team, and much more. Ready to stop blending in and start showing up as the authority you are? If so, hit play and let's get to work! If you need a tool to keep your numbers (and business!) organized, you'll want to check out our Wealthiest Year Yet Planner. Join the waitlist now at www.thrivingstylist.com/wealthiestyearyet/. The beauty industry is changing faster than ever. What worked in 2022 or even 2024 won't cut it in 2026, so are you ready? Grab our FREE 2026 TREND REPORT, The 2026 Must-Know Business Realities, Strategies & Trends for Stylists and Salon Owners now at https://thrivingstylist.com/mustknow/. Thriving Leadership Method hands salon owners a step-by-step strategy to implement an irresistible culture and create a powerful growth path…all while setting themselves up for structure and profit, and you can join the waitlist NOW at www.thrivingstylist.com/thrivingleadershipmethod/!  With Grow My Clientele Calculator, you'll get instant clarity on how many new clients you'll need to hit your 2025 financial goals! Enter just four numbers, and this tool will show you exactly how many new guests you need monthly and yearly to reach your target income. No guesswork or complicated math required, and you can get it now at www.thrivingstylist.com/growmyclientele/.   Do you have a question for me that you'd like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you're not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You're not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/