Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Grow My Salon Business Podcast
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 372 Why All Business Development Starts With Personal Development with Debra Neill Baker | 03 Nov 2026 | 00:45:08 | |
All business development starts with personal development, which is why salon leadership development has to start with you.
Debra shares how her family business has lasted 75 years, how her salons have adapted to changing times, and why developing your next leaders is the most important part of your job. If your own growth has slipped down the list, this conversation gives you clear places to start. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: Debra Neill Baker and her influence on the American salon industry [02:26] How a third-generation family business has lasted 75 years in the salon industry [08:05] The secret behind a business that keeps evolving and still stays successful [11:23] Why Debra says the heart of the salon business is to evoke self-love [15:34] How Serious Business started and why business education became the focus [17:57] Why human skills matter more as artificial intelligence reshapes the world [18:50] Thinking about your own thinking, and how beliefs can keep you stuck [33:23] How Neill’s salons have adapted to flexibility, autonomy and a younger workforce [35:10] Why developing the next generation of leaders is the salon owner’s primary role [38:20] The wisdom Debra hopes the next generation of hairdressers will take on board [42:30] Where to find out more about Serious Business in New Orleans RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Serious Business – the annual personal growth, leadership and business event held in New Orleans every January – Find out more Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SERIOUS BUSINESS! RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: Thank you for your support! 🙏 | |||
| 371 Seven Steps to Improve New Client Retention in Your Salon | 27 Oct 2026 | 00:20:06 | |
Salon client retention is one of the most overlooked numbers in your business, and most salon owners have no idea how many first-time clients they’re losing. You spend money on promotions and social media to get new people through the door, then never see them again. In this episode, I talk about how to measure retention properly, why the numbers can vary so much between stylists, and what’s really behind a client deciding not to come back. And I ask the question every salon owner should be asking: how many of the new clients I’m paying to attract am I actually keeping? I finish with a simple seven-step process for finding out who on your team is struggling, working out why, and getting more first-time clients back for a second visit. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Marketing Online Course – Build a marketing system that attracts the right clients and keeps them – Find out more
They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here’s what you do:
I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!
| |||
| 370 Five Ways to Make the Most of the Festive Season in Your Salon | 20 Oct 2026 | 00:24:03 | |
The festive season is one of the biggest spending periods of the year, yet most salon owners go into it without a real marketing plan. Meanwhile, every retailer, restaurant and online business is chasing the same share of your clients’ festive spending, and they planned their campaigns months ago. So the question every salon owner should be asking is: what’s my plan for the rest of this year, and will it make my salon more profitable?
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Marketing Course and Coaching Program – A complete system to attract, convert and retain the right clients all year round – Find out more
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do:
Until next time! | |||
| 369 The Power of Showing Up: Lessons From 230 Salons with Denis McFadden | 13 Oct 2026 | 00:49:28 | |
When one salon already feels like it's running you, scaling a salon business to 230 locations sounds impossible. I'm joined by returning guest Denis McFadden, founder of Just Cuts. Denis has just released his book, The Power of Showing Up, and we talk about the personal story behind it and the thinking that built the brand. And I ask the question every salon owner asks: how do I build a business that keeps growing without everything going through me?
IN THIS EPISODE: ✅ Why systems let a business run 10 salons or 200 the same way ✅ Why time and price always belong in the same conversation ✅ How focusing on one thing built a brand, and why Denis keeps saying no to other opportunities ✅ What showing up really means, and how that one habit shaped an entire career
[00:00] Introduction: Denis McFadden returns to talk about his new book [06:01] The Power of Showing Up: what the title of the book really means [11:30] Dyslexia, self-belief and why Denis now calls it his superpower [18:46] Still building at 80: what keeps Denis motivated in business [21:27] Why systems are the foundation of growing from one salon to many [24:55] Is the Just Cuts model still relevant to today’s clients and stylists? [31:41] Are tougher economic times pushing clients to trade down on haircuts? [35:30] The percentages that decide whether a salon will be profitable [37:49] Why time and price can never be separated in your salon [39:54] The future of Just Cuts and why Denis is bringing in experts [45:36] Would Denis do anything differently? Plus how to get the book RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE: Episode 24: The story behind building ‘Just Cuts' a successful salon franchise with Denis McFadden Listen here → https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/024/
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW JUST CUTS! RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 368 Is the Salon Industry Really All Doom and Gloom? | 06 Oct 2026 | 00:20:32 | |
Spend any time in hairdressing groups on social media, and you could believe a successful salon business is almost impossible today. Rising costs, staffing problems and shrinking margins are real. But some of the salons I work with tell a very different story. These are profitable businesses with great teams, run by owners who have a life outside the salon. We just don't hear enough about them, and I think it's time we did.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: is the salon industry really all doom and gloom? [01:23] A coaching client who is tired of the negativity in hairdressing [02:49] Acknowledging the challenges without letting them dominate your thinking [06:59] The successful salons you rarely hear about in our industry [08:35] The low-profile salon on the fourth floor of an industrial building [09:42] What does success actually mean for you and your salon? [11:27] Why Antony wants to share more salon success stories on the podcast [13:00] Warren Buffett, the tide going out, and building a business that lasts [14:32] The foundations that help a salon cope when times get tough [17:04] One simple question to ask about your business right now [19:17] Why success leaves clues, and where to get help RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: ➡️ Zenoti – all-in-one salon management platform with AI-powered client communications and automation. GMSB listeners get 50% off their first three months – Find out more Grow My Salon Business – free and paid resources to help you build a more profitable, sustainable salon – Find out more
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 367 Are Business Partnerships a Good Idea for Salon Owners? | 29 Sep 2026 | 00:21:49 | |
A salon business partnership usually starts with two hairdressers, a strong friendship and a handshake. It feels like a great way to share the load. Yet most of these partnerships fall apart within a few years, often with money lost and friendships damaged. The key to a successful partnership is all about how you set it up at the beginning. So here's a question worth asking: if you're thinking about a partner, or already have one, how protected is the business when circumstances change? What are the conversations to have before you sign anything, and why giving away ownership is so hard to undo. IN THIS EPISODE: • Why needing business expertise is a poor reason on its own to give away equity in your salon • The questions to answer before you sign anything: ownership, workload, salary, profits and decision-making • What 50/50 really means when you and your partner disagree • Why talking about the end at the start is one of the smartest moves you can make
[00:00] Introduction: why so many salon partnerships start with just a handshake [04:37] The first question to ask yourself: why do you actually want a partner? [06:17] Why needing expertise doesn't mean you should give away ownership [08:00] Why shared vision matters as much as complementary skills in a partnership [11:12] Every partnership ends eventually, so why you should plan for it early [12:14] The seven Ds that can derail a salon business partnership [14:20] The conversations to have before you sign a partnership agreement [16:19] What a 50/50 partnership really means when the two of you disagree [17:17] Why you can't outsource understanding your own business as an owner [20:00] The biggest lessons from three very different partnerships [21:23] How Grow My Salon Business can help you build a better business RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The GROW Book Series – four bestselling books on building a successful salon business – Find out more Grow My Salon Business Online Courses – step-by-step courses on money, management, marketing and your team – Find out more Coaching – one-to-one support to work through the specific challenges in your business – Find out more
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 366 How to Scale a Salon Business From One Store to One Hundred with Sudheer Koneru | 22 Sep 2026 | 00:42:15 | |
Why do some salon and beauty businesses grow beyond a single location while others struggle to scale? In this episode, I’m joined once again by Sudheer Koneru, co-founder of Zenoti, to discuss his new book, Growth Diaries: How the Best Beauty and Wellness Brands Scale from One Store to One Hundred Plus.
Whether your ambition is to build one exceptional salon or one hundred locations, there are plenty of lessons here about what it really takes to build a business that can grow beyond you. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: why so few salons ever scale past one location [00:39] Meet Sudheer Koneru, founder of Zenoti and author of Growth Diaries [03:19] Sudheer's own path from Microsoft into building wellness businesses [04:58] Why timing changes which sectors are easiest to scale today [07:00] What surfaces when founders talk beyond their usual PR story [09:00] Two stories of founders who built huge brands from nothing [13:00] The phases of growth most likely to trip up an owner [16:26] Why owners underestimate how much they personally are the system [19:00] Founder or business partner: what separates the two growth paths [22:22] Why going from one location to two is the hardest step [26:12] Three things the most successful beauty and wellness brands share [35:39] Sudheer's advice for a young stylist wanting to build something bigger RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Growth Diaries by Sudheer Koneru – a new book drawn from 42 conversations with beauty and wellness founders who scaled from one location to over a hundred → You can get the book here Zenoti – salon, spa and wellness management software, founded by today's guest – head here for 50% off for the first 3 months RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE: If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 268: Can One Salon Management Software System Fill All Your Needs? Listen here → https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/268
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW Zenoti! RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 365 Five Things Every Growing Salon Needs in Place | 15 Sep 2026 | 00:19:30 | |
Growth sounds like the obvious goal for any salon owner, but chasing a bigger business without a plan can break the one you've already built. I've seen owners open a second location only to end up with two salons that struggle instead of one that thrives. So what would your business actually need to look like if it grew the way you truly want? In this episode, I share the five things I believe every salon owner needs before they scale: a clear vision, real systems, people who can lead, a handle on the numbers, and the willingness to grow as a leader. You'll get a practical insight to decide if growth is the right goal, and how to build a business that gives you the life you want. IN THIS EPISODE • The five things you need in place before you scale a salon business • Why expansion doesn't just duplicate what was already working; it duplicates the problems as well. • How to build systems that let your business run without you • Why business growth is really people growth, and how to develop leaders under you EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:33] Why there is no single definition of salon business success [03:15] The assumption that bigger automatically means better, and why it isn't [04:02] The five things you need in place for growth to be sustainable [06:16] The mistake most salon owners make when they open salon number two [07:47] How growth reveals whether you built a business or just a job [10:00] Why business growth is really about growing people, not just adding them [12:24] Why you need to know the numbers before you think about expanding [14:22] Why evolving as a leader is the hardest part of growing a business [16:09] The owner who believes nobody can do it as well as they can [17:00] A recap of the five things sustainable salon growth actually requires [18:11] Where to find the free video series on salon management skills RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Management Video Series – Four Essential Lessons in Salon Management to Set You Up For Success, a free four-part video series (each video around 15 minutes) that also explains how the management course and coaching program work. Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS & REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, click here (read the steps below first): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grow-my-salon-business-podcast/id1456014220 - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on 'Write a Review' I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Until next time! Antony | |||
| 364 What Does Your Business Need From You? | 08 Sep 2026 | 00:24:25 | |
Every salon owner learns eventually that to manage a salon business, you first have to manage yourself. It's easy to focus on the team, the standards and the accountability conversations you'd rather avoid. But before any of that works, you need to look honestly at your own time, habits and follow-through. This week I look at why being busy and managing well are two different things, why giving someone a task without also giving them the authority to make decisions isn't really delegating, and why so much of good management is invisible to your clients even though they feel the result of it. Manage yourself properly, and the rest of the business gets easier to run. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: Why the hardest person to manage is the one running the salon [01:28] The uncomfortable realisation that your own standards set the tone for everyone [03:37] Why being busy and managing well are two completely different things [06:00] The two very different jobs of a stylist and a salon manager [07:21] What your diary actually reveals about your real priorities each week [10:57] Why you manage things and systems, but you have to lead people [12:32] Why clear expectations do more for standards than being hard or controlling [13:00] Why "obvious" means something different to every single person on your team [16:00] What clients actually feel when a salon business is genuinely well managed [20:11] Why knowledge alone never changes a business, only implementation actually does [23:02] The one question every owner needs to ask about their own business RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎥 4 Essential Lessons in Salon Management (free video series) – sign up and get one short video a day for four days, straight to your inbox, starting the 14th September – Join the free video series Want MORE to help you GROW? 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 363: Why the Most Successful Salons Keep it Simple. Listen here 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) Until next time! | |||
| 363 Why the Most Successful Salons Keep it Simple | 01 Sep 2026 | 00:21:12 | |
Most salon owners assume their business feels complicated because it needs to be. But after years inside salons at every level of the market, I've noticed the opposite.
I'll share why keeping things simple takes real work, why most owners build their business one decision at a time, and why the real job of management is making sure every part connects to everything else. If your business feels harder than it should, this episode will help you see why. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: [00:00] Introduction [00:43] The one question people most often ask about salon success [01:54] The jigsaw puzzle metaphor for building a business that works [03:56] Why so many salon owners end up building the plane while flying [06:46] Why you need the picture on the box before you build [08:35] How one pricing decision ripples through every part of your business [10:00] The two sides of management: systems and processes versus people [13:16] Why removing something from the business can matter as much as adding [14:02] The real difference between a simple business and a dependent one [18:08] Why the goal is making the pieces you have work together [19:00] The free management checklist and course mentioned in this episode RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
| |||
| 362 The New Rules of Salon Marketing in the Age of AI with Phil Evans | 25 Aug 2026 | 00:44:00 | |
When it comes to marketing, many salon owners pour their time into Instagram, hoping it brings new clients through the door. My returning guest Phil Evans, founder of Salon Guru, has analysed over four and a half million visits to salon websites, and the results show that social media is not driving potential clients to your website in the numbers that you might expect. So here's a question worth reflecting on: if your marketing time is going to the wrong place, what is that actually costing your salon? In this conversation, Phil breaks down exactly where new clients are really coming from, what Google's EEAT framework means for your website, and why most reviews fall short of what Google and AI are looking for. By the end of this episode, you'll know where to put your marketing time so it actually brings in bookings, not just likes. IN THIS EPISODE:
TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction [00:51] Introducing returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru [01:44] Inside the new Salon Guru trends report and why it exists [03:42] Google versus social media, the surprising split in the data [05:26] Why social media rarely closes the booking on its own [09:16] How AI is reshaping the way clients search for salons [11:39] Is AI about to replace Google search entirely [18:14] The EEAT framework Google and AI use to pick a salon [22:00] Why detailed Google reviews matter more than five-star ratings [27:17] Where to focus five hours a week of marketing time [32:34] What clients actually want to see on a salon website [38:00] Inside Showcase and the early results from beta salons RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Salon Guru Trends Report – New data on where salon clients really come from and how to be found on Google and AI 👉Download the report Showcase Webinar – Phil's live walkthrough of the new website tool built from the trends report data, going live 31st August 👉Send it to me Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU! RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 361 Stop Saying "We're Like a Family Here" | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:19:24 | |
Treating your team like family feels warm and caring, but it might be working against your leadership and having a negative impact on the business.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:15] Why calling your team family can create serious problems [02:31] Families and businesses exist for completely different reasons [02:42] Word from our sponsor: Zenoti [04:46] The unconditional nature of family versus the realities of a team [06:34] Why caring about people does not mean avoiding accountability [07:57] The hidden cost of protecting one person from feedback [08:53] You are not responsible for fixing everyone's problems [10:03] How the family mindset creates a one-sided psychological contract [11:26] Why blurred boundaries make leadership so much harder [17:33] Recap: five things to remember about your team [18:58] Where to find the free salon management checklist Want MORE to help you GROW? ➡️ Zenoti – all-in-one salon management platform with AI-powered client communications and automation. GMSB listeners get 50% off their first three months – Find out more 🆘 Salon Management Checklist – a free download to help you assess where your salon's management currently stands – https://growmysalonbusiness.com/free-resources RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 360 The Numbers Don't Lie | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:22:40 | |
One of the bigger challenges the salon industry has always faced is getting reliable data. Fortunately, that is changing for the better, and today I break down a new industry benchmark report that has been put together by leading salon management software brand Zenoti. You'll hear why client retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth, what's really behind falling new client numbers, and why one number, utilisation, might be the biggest opportunity sitting inside your business right now. In this episode, I pull out the numbers that actually matter, the ones that tell you something real about salon industry benchmarks and business trends so that you can stop guessing and start knowing how your salon is performing. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [00:25] Why "is that good?" is the wrong question to start with [01:47] The moment benchmarking changed how I ran my own salon [04:07] Numbers are facts, not feelings [06:59] Same salon revenue is still growing despite the uncertainty [07:56] New client numbers are falling across every sector measured [09:16] Why retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth [11:39] Membership programs and the eight percent growth gap [13:13] Calendar inflation and the 72 percent rebooking problem [15:40] Where AI actually helps, and where it doesn't [17:15] The 30-point utilisation gap between average and top salons [20:00] This week's challenge: 30 minutes with your own numbers RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The 2026 Beauty and Wellness Benchmark Report by Zenoti: Download the free benchmark report here Want to see how your business compares? Head to the Zenoti benchmark scorecard Enter your numbers to see where you stand against industry benchmarks. Interested in a personalised consultation with Zenoti and 50% off for the first 3 months. 👉Head here to arrange a personalised consultation
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW ZENOTI! THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ZENOTI RATINGS + REVIEWS
| |||
| 359 Two Salons, One Family, 25 Staff with Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:51:43 | |
Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman own the Tribe Salons group in London and Kent. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a successful family salon business and how they've evolved their employee-based salon culture to meet the expectations of today's workforce.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction [00:47] Meet Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman from Tribe Salons [01:41] How Tribe Salons grew to two locations and 25 team members [03:23] The pros and cons of running a business with a sibling [07:39] Bringing in new ideas while an older generation resists change [12:55] The top things that make a family business work [17:29] Why Tribe is built as a fully employed salon, not chair rental [21:31] How a ten-year age gap changed the way they train their team [30:00] How the GMSB courses shaped their business decisions [32:48] The cash flow forecast that changed everything financially [40:16] Why they rebuilt their pay structure around more than commission [45:33] What hairdressing awards have done for their business and their team RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: GROW Business School - The complete blueprint for building a successful salon business - Courses, Coaching and Community Money Course – A step-by-step course covering cash flow forecasting, pricing and financial control for salon owners – Find out more
Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW TRIBE SALONS! 👉 FOLLOW ELLE 👉 FOLLOW BILLY RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 358 Seven Lessons on Education Every Salon Owner Needs to Hear | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:22:30 | |
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:
IN 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 [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 evolves Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 357 The 4 Disciplines Behind Every Salon Success Story | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:14:26 | |
Most salon owners already know what they should be doing to build salon success. They know they should raise their prices, have the tough conversation with an underperforming team member, or get on top of their numbers, and they still don't do it.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Episode 229 with Annie Humphries – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 356 Brand Promises, Team Agreements and Difficult Behaviour with Nina Kovner | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:44:58 | |
Every salon owner has dealt with a difficult team member who is brilliant one week and impossible the next, leaving the whole team tiptoeing around them. Most owners have no idea whether to show compassion or hold the line, especially when a health issue might be part of the picture. This week, I talk to leadership coach Nina Kovner about handling it without making it personal. Nina breaks down the difference between compassion and excusing bad behaviour, and shares the three-step process to decide when and how to step in. You will come away with language you can use in the moment, a clearer sense of where your responsibility as a leader starts, and a plan for protecting your whole team's culture. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ Why most difficult team behaviour comes down to unclear brand promises and agreements, not personality ✅ How to separate the behaviour from the person so conversations stay objective ✅ The pause, process, proceed method for deciding when and how to address an issue ✅ Where the line sits between showing compassion and excusing harmful behaviour ✅ How to build psychological safety so your team will actually tell you what's going on ✅ Why letting one person's behaviour slide damages trust with the whole team TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:24] Antony's story about a stylist struggling with PMDD and her team [04:33] Where salon owners go wrong when behaviour becomes a problem [06:17] Separating a team member's behaviour from who they are [07:33] Holding high standards while still genuinely caring about people [14:17] Why health issues do not excuse harmful behaviour at work [16:41] The difference between showing empathy and making assumptions [18:09] Building psychological safety so your team feels safe to speak up [25:21] Deciding whether to deal with behaviour now or later [25:52] A simple three-step method for handling difficult conversations [28:42] Why letting one person's behaviour slide is unfair to everyone else [37:19] Advice for salon owners nervous about discussing women's health issues Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW NINA KOVNER! | |||
| 355 Why Your Bank Account Never Matches Your Profit | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:20:06 | |
Most salon owners can rattle off a client's colour formula from three visits ago without blinking, yet ask what their actual profit margin was last year and you'll get a shrug. In this episode, I break down what profit really is, why it gets confused with your own wage, and why accountants often have a dozen different names for the same numbers. You'll learn the real difference between profit and profit margin, why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says otherwise, what a realistic profit benchmark actually looks like, and the only two ways you can genuinely increase what you keep. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [01:03] The profit question most salon owners cannot honestly answer [02:31] The real definition of profit and why it surprises owners [03:14] Why your own wage is not the same as profit [04:17] The confusing language accountants use for profit and expenses [04:53] Gross profit versus net profit and what each one reveals [05:42] Profit versus profit margin and why the difference matters [07:28] Where your profit actually goes once you have made it [10:24] Why your bank account can look empty despite a profitable P&L [12:31] How much profit you should actually be aiming for [14:42] The only two ways any business can increase profit [16:37] Why a solo operator's claimed profit margin is misleading
The Money Course – a step-by-step course on profit, cash flow and break-even for salon owners – [Find out more] Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 354 Why Hairdressers Don't Earn Enough (and What to Do About It) | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:13:10 | |
The most common stereotype about hairdressers is that they don't earn enough. And in most cases, it's true. But the reason behind it is rarely discussed; you can only earn relative to what you produce. In this episode, I get into why so many stylists stay stuck and what it actually takes to change that.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: The stereotype that hairdressers don't earn enough [01:39] The number one reason stylists don't earn enough [02:12] Why part-time hairdressing affects income in ways most people accept [02:40] What high-earning stylists all have in common, and it's not talent [03:56] Why demand is the market's way of telling you what you're worth [05:22] What "being excellent" actually means beyond doing great hair [06:00] Whose responsibility is it to develop a stylist's skills? [07:13] Why salon owners forget about training once the doors open [08:41] Why leadership in salons gets negotiated instead of led [09:57] What training should actually focus on to drive income growth [11:06] The performance benchmarks that matter before asking for more pay [12:25] Bringing it all together: productivity, pay, and what salon owners can do Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 353 A Salon Owner's Guide to Negotiating With Product Manufacturers | 23 Jun 2026 | 00:21:14 | |
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.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 352 How Leading Salons Are Using AI Every Day with Martha Lynn Kale | 16 Jun 2026 | 00:39:44 | |
AI in the salon is no longer something you can put off, and ignoring it won't make it disappear. This week I'm joined by Martha Lynn Kale, owner of Mirror Mirror in Austin, Texas, who has spent the past year building AI into how she leads, hires, trains and markets. We get practical about what she uses it for, where it earns its place, and the mistake that trips most owners up. If you're curious about AI but unsure where it fits, or a bit nervous about it, this episode will help ground you. You'll come away knowing how to find the balance between using AI to increase efficiencies, but still protect the human side of your salon. Most importantly you’ll understand the work you have to do first so AI actually has a foundation of knowledge to build on. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ The practical jobs AI can take off your plate so your team is more present for clients IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [02:37] Does using AI make you lazy, or sharpen your thinking? [04:08] Why AI works best as an enhancement to what you already do [05:14] The platforms Martha Lynn uses and why ChatGPT knows her [06:13] Typing versus talking: finding the input style that suits you [09:08] Using AI to tighten org charts, roles and career paths [11:46] The finance angle: driving revenue and solving slow Saturdays [13:52] Keeping the human touch as salon software gets smarter [15:46] Marketing with AI: brainstorming, captions and the branding challenge [20:29] The front desk slip that revealed human first, policy second [24:27] Rebuilding the apprentice program with feedback and AI [28:58] The work you must do before AI can help you [33:13] Where to start if AI still makes you nervous Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 348: Practical AI in the Salon with Frank Westerbeke Listen here RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW MARTHA LYNN KALE! 👉 FOLLOW MIRROR MIRROR! | |||
| 351 The 5 Things That Make You a Better Salon Manager and Leader | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:14:57 | |
Most salon owners who struggle with their team have never stopped to ask whether the problem starts with them. Salon management is one of the hardest parts of running a salon business, and most people learn it by trial and error, often at the expense of their team's morale and their own sanity. In this episode, I'm sharing five things that will make you a more effective manager and leader, starting with a distinction that changes everything.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: are you actually a good salon manager? [00:30] The difference between managing people and leading people [01:17] Why your two main objectives as a leader pull in different directions [02:13] Why people need a completely different approach to processes and systems [04:00] Point two: learning to delegate properly, and what that actually means [05:38] Why team culture problems are ultimately a leadership problem [07:19] The goal of getting your team to think more like an owner [08:32] Point three: why motivation is not what you think it is [10:28] The habits, traditions, and systems that shape team morale [11:16] Point four: being accessible when your team needs you most [12:25] Point five: the power of paying full attention in the moment [13:24] Final thoughts on building people with unlimited potential Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Grow My Salon Business Management Course - a deep dive into systems, leadership, and building a team that runs properly - Find out more
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 350 What are the 10 Forces Shaping the Salon Industry Right Now? | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:17:34 | |
The salon industry is constantly changing. It always has and it always will. Some of the changes you’ll like and others you won’t. Either way, understanding what drives change allows you to anticipate the future and prepare for the opportunities that come with change. In this episode, I walk through 10 drivers of change that are reshaping how salons operate, who clients are becoming, and how the competitive landscape is shifting in ways that will catch a lot of people off guard. Some of what I cover will feel familiar. Some of it might surprise you. But the final point on my list is the one I think very few people in the industry are talking about, and I genuinely believe it could be the most significant shift we see over the next decade. If you care about where your business and this industry are heading, this one is worth your time. IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: thinking about the future of the salon industry [01:14] Understanding the forces that drive change before they arrive [01:42] Driver 1: Where competition is now coming from in hairdressing [03:00] Driver 2: Rising costs, slim margins, and a changing economy [04:00] Driver 3: How government regulation is reshaping how salons hire [05:00] Driver 4: How employee expectations have fundamentally shifted post-COVID [06:12] Driver 5: What clients want now and how appointment patterns are changing [07:16] Driver 6: Generational change from Gen Z to ageing baby boomer owners [09:05] Driver 7: Environmental pressures and what they mean for salons [10:00] Driver 8: How salon design is evolving to reflect a changing world [10:17] Driver 9: Technology, AI, and why the human side of hairdressing gets more valuable [12:36] Driver 10: Who will actually own salons in the future [13:15] The Anthropic report and what it says about hairdressing and AI risk [15:00] Why disrupted professionals may turn to the salon industry next [16:02] What this all means for you and where to get help Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Anthropic report on AI and employment, you can check out the graph here.
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 349 How AI Is Changing the Front Desk with Universe Walker | 26 May 2026 | 00:40:07 | |
[00:00] Introduction: AI is changing how salons handle every incoming call [01:06] Meet Universe Walker, salon owner, hairdresser, and founder of Beauty Desk AI [03:26] The problem Universe set out to solve after COVID changed everything [05:06] Why 75% of salons no longer have a front desk, and what that costs [07:00] What Eve actually does: voice, SMS, bookings, and the all-in-one dashboard [10:12] How Eve integrates with your existing booking platform [12:09] Latency, the "army of Eves," and why conversations feel surprisingly human [16:06] The 200-call experiment: what happened when nobody answered the phone [21:20] How Eve is trained to understand your salon's specific services and language [26:12] Real examples of Eve's empathy, from nervous kids to tsunami evacuations [29:00] How salons with a full reception team use Eve as a backup [36:41] The business insights Eve unlocks that no booking platform can give you Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Beauty Desk AI, the AI receptionist built specifically for salons: answers calls, texts, and books appointments 24/7 Find out more
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW UNIVERSE WALKER! 👉 FOLLOW BEAUTY DESK AI! | |||
| 348 How to Use AI in Your Salon Without Losing the Human Touch with Frank Westerbeke | 19 May 2026 | 00:46:51 | |
AI in the salon industry is moving fast, and most salon owners genuinely don't know where to start. My guest this week is Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe, a multi-generational salon group with six locations and nearly 300 staff in Tucson, Arizona. Frank's been using AI across his business for years, not just for Instagram captions, but for people management, financial analysis, team communication, and the client experience.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: AI in the salon industry and what's at stake [01:04] Meet Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe [02:09] Running 6 salons and 300 staff, Frank's role as the human connector [04:14] How Frank uses AI voice on the drive to a salon before a tough conversation [06:44] Why Frank gave his managers permission to use AI and what changed [10:23] Turning managers into leaders with AI as the bridge [18:07] Why Frank's marketing team uses AI to enhance creativity, not replace it [22:45] The client experience: where AI helps and where the human must stay [27:00] Using AI to free up human connection in the salon [41:42] Frank's advice for salon owners who haven't started yet RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW FRANK WESTERBEKE! | |||
| 347 There Is No Perfect Salon Pay System (And That's the Problem) | 12 May 2026 | 00:15:51 | |
How you pay your salon team is one of the most confusing decisions you'll make as a salon owner. Salon owners often compare pay structures with other salons, copying what seems to be working elsewhere. But the real problem isn't which pay system you're using. It's that most salon owners have never stopped to ask what a good pay system actually needs to do.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The question every salon owner worries about [00:26] Why salon pay is one of the biggest sources of confusion in the industry [01:00] The dangerous myth of a perfect universal pay system [01:32] Who this episode is and isn't for: employed income-producing staff only [02:07] The seminar exercise that reveals how different every salon's system really is [03:02] When your pay structure is so complicated nobody else can understand it [03:58] Why salon owners get themselves into legal trouble with pay [05:00] Your responsibility as the business owner to know the law where you operate [06:00] The five things every salon pay system must achieve [08:00] Why profit isn't optional [11:31] Why your payroll decisions can't be made in isolation from the rest of the business [12:22] The 40% benchmark and what happens when payroll climbs beyond it [14:00] Recap: what a good pay system actually looks like and where to get more help RESOURCES MENTIONED The Money Course - the online course covering pricing, wages, profitability and salon financial benchmarks – Find out more Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 346 The 5 Numbers Every Salon Owner Needs to Know | 05 May 2026 | 00:14:51 | |
Most salon owners don't have a money problem, they have a ‘lack of understanding’ problem. You can be fully booked, your team can be flat out, and yet you can still be running at a loss without realising it.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The salon that looks busy but can't explain the numbers [00:26] Why this episode follows directly from last week's [00:44] The real reason salon owners feel financial fog [01:19] Why gut feel is not a strategy for running your finances [01:42] Number one: your breakeven point and why it matters most [02:52] You can be fully booked and still be running at a loss [03:47] Number two: net profit margin and what it actually measures [04:55] The story of Clarissa: from 2.5% to 8.4% profit margin [06:16] Number three: staff costs as a percentage of total revenue [08:11] Number four: which services on your menu are actually profitable [09:56] Number five: understanding your cashflow over the next 13 weeks [11:53] Billy's story: from breaking even to £80k profit [12:08] How all five numbers connect to each other [13:39] The free 10-question salon financial reality check [13:57] Free live masterclass: Where Does All the Money Go? Want MORE to help you GROW? ➡️ 10 Question Salon Financial Reality Check – A free 60-second quiz to identify exactly where your financial knowledge gaps are – Find out more
If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 345: Where Does All the Money Go? The 10-Part Financial Framework for Salon Owners Listen here RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 345 Where Does All the Money Go? The 10-Part Financial Framework for Salon Owners | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:14:22 | |
Hopefully your salon is busy, clients are coming through the door, and money is being taken at the till every day, so if that's the case, then why is salon financial management still such a struggle? This is the reality for a lot of salon owners: the numbers just don't add up, and the stress that comes with that is real.
IN THIS EPISODE:
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: The reality of a busy salon that still isn't profitable [00:50] Why the financial picture behind the scenes rarely matches the front [01:14] This isn't about how hard you work, it's about structure [01:38] The biggest misconception: thinking someone else is watching the numbers [02:22] Why understanding your finances is your job, not your accountant's [03:10] What following the money trail actually means in practice [03:53] Introducing the 10-part financial framework for salon owners [06:47] Why budgets matter more than most salon owners want to admit [08:07] Cashflow forecasting and why 13 weeks ahead changes everything [09:32] Pricing for profit and why "charge your worth" isn't a strategy [10:47] Recap: how many of the 10 points are you actually doing? [13:01] The free webinar: Where Does All the Money Go? RESOURCES MENTIONED
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 344 Does Your Salon Have a Pricing Problem or a Productivity Problem? | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:14:52 | |
Salon profitability is under more pressure than it has been in years, and the hard reality is that being busy isn't the same as being profitable. In this episode, I get into the financial fundamentals that too many salon owners avoid, because understanding your numbers is the only way to get in front of the problem before it becomes a crisis.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: Why salon profit margins are under pressure right now [00:27] The things you can control when times are tough [02:07] Why competitive pricing creates a crunch point for salon owners [03:04] How to use your profit and loss report correctly [04:29] What the numbers in a typical salon P&L actually look like [05:42] Pricing problems vs productivity problems: knowing which one you have [06:21] How to approach cutting costs without losing what matters [08:05] Why the miscellaneous line in your P&L deserves more attention [09:22] The three ways to increase your salon income [11:44] Why a price rise is the fastest lever available to you [12:38] Which services are actually profitable when you look at the real margins [13:25] Using technology and AI to create efficiencies in your business [14:16] Recap and your next action step RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 343 The Mindset Behind Long-Term Salon Success with Scott Buchanan | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:47:23 | |
Running a successful salon for nearly 40 years in one of the most competitive cities on the planet takes more than talent. It takes the willingness to keep evolving your model, your mindset, and even the words you use with your team. My guest today, Scott Buchanan of the Manhattan-based Scott J Salons, has done exactly that. With around 90 employees across two locations, Scott's story is one of grit, reinvention, and a business built around culture and community.
✅ Why calling your team "partners" changes the way they show up every day ✅ The KPIs Scott tracks obsessively and why guest count matters more than top-line revenue ✅ How Scott uses "wellness check-ins" instead of performance reviews to drive better results ✅ How Scott thinks about AI, retail, and the future of the salon experience in the next five to ten years ✅ The one piece of advice from a 40-year career that every salon owner needs to hear IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: 40 years in Manhattan and what longevity really takes [00:50] Scott's current business: two locations, 93 staff, and a long road to get here [03:29] Is the age of the big salon over? Scott's honest take on boutique vs. large [05:37] Why Scott considers his team partners, not employees [07:18] Wellness check-ins: reframing performance reviews to drive real change [10:25] How to keep an employee-based team in the age of salon suites [13:55] The blowout story: why you have to be there when the client wants to be there [20:11] How Scott is using AI now and where he sees the salon industry heading [27:33] The key numbers Scott watches most closely, and what they reveal [37:07] Intercoiffure America/Canada: building a community for employee-based salon owners [43:57] Scott's one piece of advice for lasting 40 years in this industry Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Intercoiffure America/Canada – A community for employee-based, salary-based salon owners in North America – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SCOTT BUCHANAN! 👉 FOLLOW SCOTT J SALONS | |||
| 342 The 5-Step Framework for Training a Salon Manager | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:17:09 | |
Training a salon manager is one of the things salon owners often get wrong, and most don't realise it until they've already hired the wrong person, put them on payroll, but still end up doing everything themselves.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: The challenge of training a salon manager [00:30] Why hiring a manager isn’t as simple as it sounds [01:19] The real question: how do you let go without losing control? [01:45] The two pillars of management: people skills vs systems [03:18] Why most salon owners lean heavily to one side [04:11] The moment you realise you need help [05:04] The fear of hiring and trusting a manager [06:00] The two biggest obstacles: no systems and financial pressure [06:40] Why most salons can’t afford a non-producing manager [07:18] Delegating vs dumping chaos [14:49] Recap of the 5-step framework [15:41] Why a great manager gives you back your life [16:04] How to get help RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS
They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 341 Are Apprenticeships Still Financially Viable for Salon Owners? | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:14:48 | |
The economics of running a salon have changed, and if your approach to training assistants hasn't changed with it, your margins are going to keep shrinking. In this episode, I answer the questions salon owners are actually grappling with right now: Is it still worth taking on apprentices, how quickly should they be contributing, and what does it look like when a salon actually gets training right? If you've been winging it or leaving it to chance, this episode gives you a clear framework and five practical takeaways you can act on straight away.
EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction
🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist
RATINGS & REVIEWS
They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony | |||
| 340 The Simple Three-Part Formula Every Million Dollar Salon Is Built On | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:17:51 | |
Most salon owners believe their biggest problem is not getting enough new clients, but what if that’s not true? In this episode, I break down why focusing on client attraction alone is keeping you stuck, and what’s really stopping your salon from growing consistently. I share the simple (but often overlooked) three-part marketing formula that every high-performing salon is built on. The reality is, most salons are already getting enough new clients, but they’re losing them just as quickly. And that’s where the real problem lies. If you’re tired of constantly chasing new clients and want to build a salon business that grows predictably, with loyal clients who keep coming back, then this episode will shift how you think about marketing forever. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:25] What do you picture when you think of a million-dollar salon? [01:02] Why high-performing salons are simpler than you think [02:00] Why understanding the real problem matters before you hear the formula [03:06] The retention numbers that should stop you in your tracks [04:53] The three-part marketing formula [05:44] Where most salons drop the ball [07:59] Why the three pieces must work together, not in isolation [11:03] What million-dollar salons do differently [11:28] The importance of tracking your numbers [12:25] Industry benchmarks and what to aim for [12:53] Why you need to run retention reports by individual stylist [14:01] The marketing course, what's inside and how to join [17:06] Wrapping up, the formula, the course, and see you next week RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out more Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 339 The Difference Between Average Salons and World-Class Ones | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:15:53 | |
The difference between a good salon and a world-class one isn’t talent. It’s standards, and the leadership to hold them. In this episode, I take inspiration from the Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay and unpack what it really takes to build a world-class business, whether that’s a restaurant or a salon. Because when you strip it back, the fundamentals are the same. It’s not about talent alone. It’s about standards, leadership, and the culture you create. I talk about the obsession with detail that separates good from exceptional, why leadership isn’t always comfortable (but it is necessary), and how the best teams operate as a unit, not a group of individuals. These are practical insights you can apply immediately in your salon. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and why this matters for salon owners [00:48] Lessons from The Bear and restaurant culture [02:21] Why Being Gordon Ramsay is worth watching [04:00] The 3 pillars: standards, leadership, and pride [04:31] Why standards, not talent, drive excellence [06:30] The power of attention to detail [07:40] Leadership, clarity, and responsibility [08:44] Finding the breaking points in your business [10:12] Respect for craft and raising standards [12:12] From employees to custodians of the brand [13:35] The big question: what are you building? WANT MORE TO HELP YOU GROW? 🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out more RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Being Gordon Ramsay (Netflix) Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara The Bear (TV series)
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 338 Instagram Marketing for Salons: What’s Changed in 2026 with Hayley Mears | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:32:58 | |
Instagram marketing for salons is constantly evolving, and if you're relying on strategies from even a year ago, there are changes you need to know about. In this episode, I’m joined once again by Instagram specialist Hayley Mears to unpack what’s working on Instagram right now and what salon owners need to be doing differently in 2026. We dive into the simple three-step structure that every successful Instagram carousel needs, why hooks are more important than ever, and how to create content that people actually save and share. Because, as you’ll hear, the algorithm has shifted and likes are no longer the metric that matters the most. We also talk about AI, why hashtags are becoming increasingly irrelevant, and how salon owners can use Instagram to amplify the one thing technology can’t replace, the human experience. This episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using straight away.
✅ The 3-step structure every successful Instagram carousel needs ✅ Why hooks are critical to getting people to swipe ✅ Why the algorithm now values saves and shares over likes ✅ Whether hashtags are becoming irrelevant ✅ How to use AI without losing your authentic voice ✅ Three practical Instagram strategies for salon owners in 2026 EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:05] Introduction to the episode and what listeners can expect [00:47] Introducing Instagram specialist Hayley Mears [02:00] The 3-step structure every successful Instagram carousel needs [04:49] Why writing a strong hook is the hardest part of a carousel [07:46] Calls to action that actually work on Instagram [11:33] Using AI for captions without losing your authentic voice [14:47] Why Instagram now rewards saves and shares over likes [21:42] Why Instagram is showing more content to non-followers [23:07] Are hashtags becoming irrelevant? [27:00] Three actionable Instagram strategies for salon owners in 2026
Join us on our upcoming free Salon Marketing Masterclass on 16th & 17th March. From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back.
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SIX UNDERGROUND MEDIA! RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! | |||
| 337 Why Predictable Growth Requires Predictable Marketing | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:12:16 | |
Most salon owners think they have a marketing problem. In reality, what they usually have is a clarity problem, a positioning problem, and a consistency problem. And until those things are fixed, no amount of posting, boosting, or discounting is going to change the outcome. In this episode, I break down what marketing actually is, not the social media version, not the trend-driven version, but the strategic version that builds predictable growth. I talk about the difference between image building and business building, the four layers of effective marketing, and why so many salons are stuck in a cycle of reactive tactics.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and why most salon owners misunderstand marketing [00:00:49] The real problem: clarity, strategy and consistency [00:03:10] Activity vs strategy: why busy doesn’t mean effective [00:03:10] Image building vs business building marketing [00:04:44] What marketing actually is [00:05:00] The four layers of marketing explained [00:05:25] Layer 1: Clarity - knowing your ideal client [00:05:50] Layer 2: Positioning - why clients should choose you [00:06:41] Layer 3: Visibility - and why most skip the foundations [00:07:30] Layer 4: Client conversion - where money is often lost [00:07:55] The real cost of weak marketing [00:08:39] Why unstable revenue damages culture and productivity [00:09:00] What good marketing actually feels like [00:10:14] The industry-wide marketing framework problem [00:10:37] Invitation to the free marketing training [00:11:19] Why predictable growth requires predictable marketing Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 👉 Register your interest for my FREE webinar From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back. RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Register your interest for my FREE webinar From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back.
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 336 How AI Is Changing Google Search with Phil Evans | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:28:42 | |
AI is changing Google search faster than most salon owners realise, and whether you like it or not, it’s going to impact your business. In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru, and we're diving into what AI is doing to Google search and what that means for your salon business.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and marketing course waitlist announcement [01:13] Welcoming Phil Evans from Salon Guru back to the show [02:00] What AI has actually changed about Google search [03:15] How AI search works in practice, with real examples [07:57] The numbers behind salon website traffic (and what "good" looks like) [09:13] What determines which salon ranks first for "best balayage near me" [10:00] Why content and reviews are 90% of the job [11:31] The three most important things a small salon owner should focus on [16:00] How to use AI writing tools without sounding like a robot [19:25] What happens if a salon ignores AI and search over the next few years [21:00] How to make your existing content AI-ready [22:39] Three practical takeaways you can action today [23:08] The free rank report from Salon Guru (and how to find your numbers) [25:10] How local search radius works, and the wake-up call most salons need Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Join the waitlist for our Online Salon Marketing Course
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU! | |||
| 335 Leadership Starts With Training: Why Developing Your Team Is Non-Negotiable | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:16:38 | |
There are many responsibilities that come with being a salon owner, and if we're honest, most of us give very little thought to them before we open our doors. One of the biggest blind spots is the ongoing training and development of our teams. Too many salon owners assume their people will arrive fully formed and ready to perform. But it just doesn't work like that.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome [00:45] Why salon owners expect too much before they've given enough [02:06] The transition from stylist to salon owner, and what gets missed along the way [03:00] How teams are left to pick up bits and pieces from social media and product events [07:28] The real cost: poor retention, no culture, no career path [07:58] Why the self-employment exodus is a leadership problem, not a people problem [09:20] What a real training culture actually looks like [10:40] You don't have to do it yourself, but you do have to make it happen [12:25] The numbers that tell you whether your stylists really know their stuff [13:11] The leverage you have as a leader: productivity and pay [13:57] What real leadership looks like in practice [14:59] The takeaway: it's your responsibility to develop them [15:40] How structured training changes everything [16:00] Final thoughts and next steps Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Super Stylist Online program - Find out more Free Masterclass - Creating a Productive and Profitable Salon Culture - Save your seat
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 334 Why Modern Hair Education Must Meet Hairdressers Where They Are with Gerard Scarpaci | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:49:12 | |
In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gerard Scarpaci, co-founder of Hairbrained and host of the Hairbrained Conversations podcast.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and Introducing Gerard Scarpaci [01:48] What excites Gerard about the industry today [05:00] The concerns and risks of increased independence [09:00] The Hairbrained Confidence Index explained [12:36] Why industry data is emotional, not scientific [16:26] What successful salons are doing differently [17:56] Job satisfaction, pressure, and performance [23:08] Learning, relevance, and modern education challenges [29:36] Fundamentals vs "timely and relevant" learning [32:32] The changing relationship between brands and salons [37:00] Online education, live events, and what's working now [44:28] Opportunities for the next generation of hairdressers [48:00] Where to connect with Gerard and closing thoughts Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW HAIRBRAINED! 👉 FOLLOW GERARD SCARPACI! | |||
| 333 Home Haircare Recommendations: Why Stylists Still Avoid It and What Needs to Change | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:27:45 | |
Nearly four years ago, I recorded an episode about why hairdressers should be recommending professional retail. And yet, here we are, still having the same conversation. The fundamentals haven’t changed, but the world we’re operating in absolutely has. Inflation, online shopping, influencers, and changing client behaviour… all of it has added new layers to old objections.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 332 How One Salon Owner Turned Her Business Around | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:26:02 | |
In this final episode of our three-part series on the five pillars of salon success, I take a different approach by talking you through the journey of Sarah, a real salon owner who in many ways reflects the journey that salon owners everywhere go through.
This episode shows you what real change actually looks like when you commit to learning the business side of running your salon properly. And if you see yourself in this story, it might just help you decide what you’re going to do next. IN THIS EPISODE:
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Free 3-part video series ‘The 5 Things Holding Your Salon Back From Growing (and how to fix them)’
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 331 Why Your Salon Is Busy But Not Profitable | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:18:30 | |
In this episode, I’m diving deep into the Money Pillar of salon success, because after more than 20+ years of coaching salon owners all over the world, I know this to be true: you can have a full appointment book, a talented team, and great marketing, and still be broke. Being busy does not automatically mean you’re profitable, and for a lot of salon owners, that realisation is both confusing and exhausting.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and the five pillars recap [02:30] Busy does not equal profitable [04:16] Problem #1: Not knowing if you’re actually profitable [05:22] Why your bank balance lies [05:46] Understanding your profit and loss statement [07:05] Problem #2: Pricing based on fear instead of maths [08:42] The real cost of underpricing services [09:35] Problem #3: Tracking the wrong numbers [10:18] Profit margins and industry benchmarks [11:00] Average ticket and why it matters [11:35] Client retention and the biggest leak in your business [12:03] Cost per service explained [12:27] Revenue per hour and stylist productivity [15:07] Free training and Business School Intensive overview [17:13] Final thoughts and what’s coming next week Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Free Business Bootcamp: The Five Things Holding Your Salon Back from Growing (and how to fix them.) Register below and get instant access to the first video, then receive one new training each day for three days. Register Here 👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 330 The #1 Mistake That Keeps Salon Owners Stuck (It's Not What You Think) | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:16:16 | |
After 20+ years of coaching salon owners, I can spot the pattern in under 5 minutes. Talented stylist opens dream salon, becomes overwhelmed operator, wonders what went wrong. If you're working harder than ever but not getting ahead, if you're the busiest person in your salon but still stressed about money, you're not alone. In today’s episode, I'm revealing the #1 mistake that keeps talented salon owners stuck. The problem is that you're trying to solve business problems with technical skills instead of business skills. You cannot solve business problems by doing more hair. I'm breaking down the 5 Pillars of Salon Success, the framework that separates struggling salons from thriving ones. Most salon owners are working on 1 or 2 of these pillars. The successful ones master all 5.
[00:00] Why this episode might change how you see your business [01:19] The pattern I see constantly with salon owners [03:00] What most salon owners do when struggling [04:03] The #1 mistake: You can't solve business problems by doing more hair [06:00] The shift successful salon owners make [07:02] The 5 Pillars of Salon Success framework [07:19] Pillar #1: Management & Systems [08:09] Pillar #2: Money & Financial Clarity [09:03] Pillar #3: Marketing That Actually Works [10:14] Pillar #4: Super Stylist (Team Performance) [11:12] Pillar #5: Team & HR (Hiring, Culture, Retention) [12:34] Why all 5 pillars must work together [13:00] Why overwhelm comes from incomplete business education [13:22] Announcing the free 3-part video training [15:00] Introducing GROW Business School (12-month program) [15:25] How to access the free training Want MORE to help you GROW? FREE 3-PART VIDEO TRAINING: "The Five Things Holding Your Salon Back From Growing (And How to Fix Them)" 👉Register and get the free video series sent straight to your inbox RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website NEXT WEEK: Episode 331 - Part 2 of the series: Deep dive into the Money Pillar. Why your salon is busy but not profitable, and exactly how to fix it. | |||
| 329 New Year, New Opportunity: Taking Control of Your Salon Business | 06 Jan 2026 | 00:11:02 | |
A new year always brings with it a sense of possibility. It’s that “that was then, this is now” moment where you get to draw a line in the sand and decide what happens next. But let’s be honest, for many salon owners right now, business feels tougher than ever. Clients are cautious, bookings feel unpredictable, and the world around us feels uncertain.
Instead, I break down exactly what is within your control, both as a salon owner and as a stylist. Because when you focus on the controllables, the systems, the standards, the leadership, and the client experience, you put yourself back in the driver’s seat. And when you do that, growth isn’t just possible. It’s predictable. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:43] The reality that many salon owners are facing right now [02:23] Not everyone is struggling, why that matters [03:06] Why being in business has always been hard [03:32] Global uncertainty and its impact on client spending [04:17] What you can control vs what you can’t [04:50] Control the controllable, leadership starts here [05:09] What stylists are in control of every single day [07:42] What salon owners are in control of [09:32] Why focusing on the controllables guarantees growth Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Free Online Training: ‘The five things holding your salon back from growing and how to fix them’. Join the waitlist to be sent the first training on 12th January. 👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 328 Is Self-Employment Really the Answer for Hairdressers? | 30 Dec 2025 | 00:12:53 | |
Not every hairdresser wants to be self-employed, and in this episode, I explain why that’s not only okay, but why it creates a real opportunity for salon owners to rethink what an employee-employer-based business can and should look like today. Too often, self-employment is sold as the only path to freedom, flexibility, and financial success, without anyone stopping to talk honestly about the real costs involved.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome to the podcast [01:00] Not everyone wants to be self-employed, and that’s okay Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: FREE TRAINING: The Five Things Holding Your Salon Back From Growing and How to Fix Them in 2026 - For Priority Notification - Jump on the waitlist here
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 327 The Relationships and Life Lessons that Begin Behind the Chair | 23 Dec 2025 | 00:06:40 | |
This short episode is a reflection on the real relationships we form with the people who sit in our chairs. I’ve often said that clients aren’t your friends, they’re your clients. And professionally, that boundary matters. But every now and then, those lines blur in ways that are deeply human.
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.
- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website | |||
| 326 A Year in Review: Data, AI, and the Direction of the Hairdressing Industry with Gordon Miller | 16 Dec 2025 | 00:47:29 | |
At the end of every year, I like to take a step back and look at what’s really happening in our industry. Not just at a surface level, but underneath it all. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Gordon Miller for one of our now-regular “state of the nation” conversations, where we dig into the biggest shifts shaping the hairdressing industry right now.
IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and introduction [00:24] Why end-of-year reflection matters for salon owners [02:14] The two biggest changes Gordon's seeing in 2025 [03:02] Data is becoming the decoder ring for everything [04:23] What's driving the focus on numbers and KPIs [08:37] The AI revolution in hairdressing salons [10:17] Real use cases: How top salons are using AI daily [14:42] Using AI to improve manager-team member communication [17:05] The connection between data and AI in salons [18:13] How salon tech companies are integrating AI [21:24] The evolution of the salon business model [25:04] Why the commission model isn't going anywhere [31:02] The truth about working hours in the industry [36:40] The changing relationship between salons and manufacturers [42:24] Why salon associations matter more than ever [45:25] Where to connect with Gordon Miller Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 267 with Maxwell Snow from Van Michael salon in Atlanta
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW GORDON! | |||
| 325 Branding, AI & The New Rules of Instagram with Hayley Mears | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:34:33 | |
In this episode, I’m joined by Hayley Mears, former hairdresser, branding expert, and the driving force behind Six Underground Media. Hayley is also one of the guest educators inside our marketing course, and she brings a level of insight into social media, branding, and digital trends that most salon owners simply don’t have access to. We dive deep into what salon owners should expect from Instagram in 2026, why the platform is about to shift in a major way, and how AI is going to become a natural part of your marketing workflow, whether you like it or not. Hayley also opens up about outsourcing, building teams globally, why email addresses are more valuable than followers, and how Canva has democratised design for salon owners everywhere.
IN THIS EPISODE:
Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Online Marketing Course - Join the waitlist - Enrolment opening January
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW HAYLEY MEARS! | |||
| 324 Why People Problems Are Really Leadership Problems | 02 Dec 2025 | 00:18:27 | |
In this week’s episode, I’m tackling the flip side of a happy, high-performing team, what to do when things are not going smoothly. Because after the recent episode titled “The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team,” I received a flood of emails from salon owners struggling with people issues. So today, I’m breaking down the key elements that set your team up to succeed, and what to do when they don’t. From defining the vision for your business, to recruiting for cultural fit, to onboarding properly, communicating clearly, and embracing change… this episode is all about the fundamentals of strong leadership in the salon industry. If you want a team that performs consistently, this one’s for you. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and listener shout-out [00:42] Why this topic matters — and the emails that prompted it [01:56] The big question: “How do I get people to do what I want?” [02:35] First question to ask: How did you set them up? [03:39] Point 1: Define your vision, culture, and systems [05:21] Point 2: Recruit for values and alignment [07:50] Point 4: Communication solves more than it causes [09:26] Point 5: Don’t be afraid to manage performance [10:14] People who resist change — and what to do about them [18:13] Wrap-up — see you next week! Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! | |||
| 323 Leadership, Legacy & the Future of Juut with Coco Wagner | 25 Nov 2025 | 00:40:04 | |
In this week’s episode, I sit down with someone who’s grown up alongside one of the most respected salon organisations in the United States. Today's guest is Coco Wagner, daughter of David and Charlie Wagner owners of the Juut Salon Spa’s.
We dive into everything from evolving an established brand to navigating the changing needs of today’s workforce, to earning the trust of long-standing team members when you’re “the owner’s daughter.” Coco also shares why structure matters more than ever for Gen Z stylists, and how Juut has managed to keep more than half their team earning six-figure incomes while working fewer hours post-COVID. It’s a generous, insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and the future of salons, and I think you’ll take a lot from it whether you’re a salon owner, a leader in your business, or simply someone wondering how the next generation is shaping our industry. IN THIS EPISODE:
[01:30] David Wagner, Horst, and the early Aveda connection [07:01] Growing up in the salons and earning trust [11:18] Digital transformation: SEO, website, and social [15:18] Maintaining culture across locations [17:26] Leading without being a hairdresser [20:28] Team buy-in when changing culture [21:32] What Gen Z wants from salons today [23:01] Hours, flexibility, and six-figure incomes [24:52] Suite life vs. salon life — and the boomerang stylists [34:28] Family dynamics in a family business [36:52] Where to connect with Coco and Juut Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time!
👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW COCO WAGNER! | |||