Successful Stylist Academy – Details, episodes & analysis

What separates a good stylist from a great one? In this episode, we sit down with industry educator Katie Alm to talk about the unspoken habits and mindset shifts that set top stylists apart in today’s competitive beauty industry.

We cover everything from discipline, professional growth, and being of service — to why collaboration will always outlast comparison. Whether you're a salon assistant, an independent stylist, or a beauty educator, this episode dives deep into the leadership skills, daily discipline, and client-first mindset that fuel long-term success behind the chair.

If you're looking to grow your beauty business, avoid burnout, and build a sustainable career in the salon industry — this one's for you.

If you missed part 1: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127?i=1000702210150

Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq

Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 

Key Take-aways:

1. If you want more opportunities, be willing to be available and be of service. Let no task be below you. 

2. As an educator or leader, the person who is helping you is the most important person while under your care.

3. If someone challenges you when learning, let them. For every stylist that challenges you, there are 2-3 that won’t. 

4. How someone approaches learning is often how they’ll approach their career. 

5. If you want to grow in this career, all it requires is discipline.

6. You don’t have to be a salon owner to be the final boss. You have to have the passion to feed your fellow community.

7. If you are giving 30% of your time to something, how can you expect 100% return?

8. The biggest thing that can kill your career is boredom.

9. Instead of hating on someone, collaborate with them.

You can find Katie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/katieealm?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

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In this episode, we join Katie Alm, getting real about what actually moves the needle in your beauty career, and it’s not chasing the latest trends. From posting with intention to fully understanding the brands you align with, we’ll cover mindset and strategy shifts that can change everything.

Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq

Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40 

Key Take-aways:

1. Posting with intention, sharing your knowledge, and aligning with a brand you love can change the trajectory of your career. 

2. Experimenting with the full line of a brand you love and getting really knowledgeable about the full line, makes all the difference.

3. Forget the trending, use the tried and true: posting consistently, come from a place of gaining more experience, and get to know the culture behind the brand.

4. It’s all about perspective baby! Do you look at what you’re losing or what you’re gaining?

5. Where can you volunteer help in an area that might be needed?

6.If you’re juggling more than one career path at the same time, communicate and accommodate your clients. By setting the tone in the beginning and letting clients know how you operate, there won’t be surprises when it does happen.

Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey

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Looking to keep your schedule packed and your revenue growing? In this episode, we’re sharing expert strategies to maximize your bookings and keep clients coming back for more. Learn actionable tips for re-engaging past clients, attracting new ones, and creating irresistible offers that fill your chair. Whether you're a stylist or salon owner, this episode is packed with insights to help you boost your business and achieve consistent success!

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Key Take-Aways:

1. Create a New Year offer from a package to a bundle.

2. Start a New Year, New You promotion from adding a micro service.

3. Send a personalized email or text. Focus on the services that bring in the highest revenue to do what you enjoy.

4. Position hair appointments as self care. Make the message about them: After giving to everyone else, it’s time to do something for you.

5. Host a giveaway: Discount or product to incentivize clients to prebook. Make the duration 8 weeks to fit the average booking schedule.

6. Share hair resolutions on social media. Great way to add your personalities and attract new clients.

7. Social proof comes from testimonials, reviews, and feedback from clients. Create images, reels, and templates for your social media channels.

8. Encourage clients to prebook, it’s the number 1 way to sustain your business and have consistency.

9. Reintroduce and make tightening your systems a convenience to your clients.

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This episode challenges you to rethink your business, your goals, and the systems you have in place to achieve them. We’ll explore how to set bold 10x goals, eliminate distractions, and realign your focus to build a business that works for you—not the other way around. From redefining your role in the industry to leveraging local marketing and believing in your brand, this conversation is packed with insights to help you scale with intention and clarity. Tune in to unlock strategies that will transform the way you think about growth and success!

Get our FREE worksheet: Grow You Income Behind The Chair: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/y0aahdo1cv

We want to hear from you, drop a question or comment in the review section below and we will add you to our next live session: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127

Key Take-Aways:

1. What is your 10x goal to change who you need to be to get the things you want?

2. What things do you need to eliminate out of your life in order to create time for achieving the outcome of what you desire to have?

3. What business do you think you're in, what business are you really in, what business do you need to be in?

4. Don’t let others tell you how to run your business, you say how you want to run your business.

5. People are googling hair products more than haircuts. Why not target the products you use to the 7 mile radius around you?

6. Once you target clients, run a retarget ad to get them in your salon.

7. Hourly employees can pack orders, stylists can create videos with a QR code to share how to use the products.

8. Ask coaches who give disruptive information to show you how they have made more money and run their business more efficiently before taking their advice.

9. You don’t rise to the level or your goals, you fall to the level of your systems.

10. Make sure you believe in what your selling, what makes it stand out, why are you passionate about it?

11. If you’re using affiliate links instead of selling physical products, you get to control your margins.

12. Saying no to your client behind the chair is saying yes to your team. Have a day dedicated to your team. Look into the Replacement Ladder.

13. 1:3:1 rule: What's the real problem that will fix 80% of the issues, what are the 3 solutions to solve that problem, and what is the 1 that would be the best option to move forward with.

14. Everyone has different goals, and there's not one vehicle to get there.

15. By learning what not to do, you learn what to do.

16. Make sure you’re not adding an ignorance tax, failure can lead to massive success.

Find Nick on Instagram or website

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In this episode of Successful Stylist Academy, Ambrosia and Drea dive into the art of consultations behind the chair, sharing their best practices and communication strategies for creating successful, lasting client relationships. From asking the right questions to setting clear expectations, they’ll guide you through each step of a transformative consultation that builds trust and sets the stage for success. Tune in to learn practical tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and how to make every consultation a powerful tool for client satisfaction and retention. Perfect for stylists looking to elevate their client experience and grow their business!

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Key Take-Aways:

1. Active Listening: We talk so much about how we talk that we forget how to listen.

2. Active listening can improve our client satisfaction up to 40% which shows how important it is for our clients to feel they’re heard.

3. Separate into 2 categories: the fun & not fun things. Policies & pricing allow you to be creative and enjoy the experience. The consultation is getting all sticky stuff out of the way to enjoy the rest of the service.

4. Hearing and listening are 2 different things, make sure you repeat your clients words back to them, share the plan, and then asking.

5. Over-communicate so the clients expectations match your expectations.

6. Under promise and over deliver.

7. Most of the time, a stylist who thinks she’s giving a consultation might not match what a client thinks is considered a consultation.

8. Talk about what goes into the process and also what goes into th maintenance.

9. The consultation is the main dish of what we offer behind the chair, it’s where trust is built, aligned goals are created, and a plan for future services are created.

10. By the time the cape is off, your client has mentally moved on to the next part of the day.

11. We’re never recommending a product a client doesn't need. Try noting some questions you can integrate into your consultation ahead of time.

12. Break the consultation over different parts of the service with go-to questions you can visit during the service, and a closing consultation which is making sure you met the clients expectation and plan for next time.

13. Rather than assuming your client won’t want it, assume they will because you’ve armed them with lots of information.

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In this episode, Harley Chapman shares her exact growth strategies in how she started generating income on TikTok. Learn how to monetize your content, grow your audience, and leverage brand partnerships to turn your TikTok presence into a profitable venture. Whether you're just starting or looking to make passive income, these tips will help you maximize your earning potential on the platform.

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Key Take Aways:

1. Start by creating the content.

2. You can unlock TikTok shop once you have 5k followers.

3. Posting 2 to 3 times a day does get you there faster.

4. Create a list or scroll through the app to get inspiration on your content ideas.

5. Set aside an hour a day to work on your content.

6. Create up to five content topics to post about regularly.

7. Consider a miniseries I can tie back to your brand and is related to your content pillars.

8. The more you get to know your audience the easier it is for your content to be shared to similar accounts.

9. Once you get accepted into the shop, you can request free samples, which helps you find the right brand alignment.

10. Once you start to see growth, have an end goal in mind.

11. Brands will also pay for your ads which helps to increase sales for you and following.

12. Ads can’t be running on a post that has copyright music on it.

13. When going live on TikTok, it’s better to go for longer durations starting at an hour.

14. Once you hit 10k followers, you become eligible for the Creator program which pays to post.

15. Keywords do make a difference, particularly in-video caption, description, and hashtags.

16. A little hack is hiding keywords in your video, shrinking them down and bringing them off the screen.

17. Make sure you engage as part of your content strategy.

18. Replying to comments via video does really well on TikTok.

19. Above all else, remain curious & allow yourself to try new things.

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Do you perfer video? Binge watch our Top Episodes on YouTube

In this episode, we dive deep into the most effective client retention techniques tailored for beauty businesses. Learn how to create exceptional client experiences, foster loyalty, and increase repeat bookings. Whether you’re a salon owner or a beauty professional, these strategies will help you strengthen client relationships and grow your business. Tune in to discover actionable tips that can transform one-time clients into long-term loyal relationships!

If you missed this episode: 7 Effective Ways To Build Client Relationships

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Key Take-Aways:

1. When we talk about retention, if you don’t have those building blocks of creating a strong relationship and being in an environment that you feel supported in, it’s a big contributor for professionals not staying in the industry.

2. Personalizing each client experience: Make recommendations, but also personalizing your marketing techniques to fit the preferences of each guest.

3. 80% of consumers are more likely to support a business that provides personalized experience.

4. Simple is not always easy. Having the confidence to retain clients gives you the financial freedom, time and peace to focus on education or reach out to brands.

5. Work on your craft: Set aside 5% of your income for ongoing education. Setting money aside for education also creates a psychological reward system & allows you to put time and thought into the classes you really need.

6. It’s better to get really strong at a couple of things at a time rather than offering everything because it allows you to focus on the relationship and feel confident with the service.

7. Offer a loyalty program: A point system is a great way to add to the next purchase, which can increase client retention by 5-10%, and also generates on average 15-25% more profits per year.

8.Dial in communication & verbiage: This helps with clarity, removing obstacles, plus clients feel heard.

9. Treat all clients as if they’re your only client. A way to see a great example of exceptional service is to be a client yourself and create a rating system for parts of your service and make notes for how you can apply your experience behind the chair.

10. Being consistent is the most important part of the service to retaining a client. 89% of consumers have switched to a competitor following a poor experience.

11. Be irreplaceable: What makes you YOU & make your strength your Super Power. Write specific things down in the client notes to help your remember details.

12. Make sure your clients are not leaving before rebooking, it helps to talk about next steps or always leave your client wanting more.

13. Remember your clients don’t only choose you, you also choose them, so choose clients for your future self.

Get access to our favorite salon income saving tool, SalonScale with an extra 10% off using code SSA10 HERE

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In our fast-paced world as a hairstylist, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly chasing the next trend, trying to stand out in a saturated market, or possibly even struggling to maintain a steady client base. In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the challenges every hairstylist faces, from balancing creativity with profitability, and uncovering actionable strategies to not just survive, but truly thrive in the industry. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this conversation is designed to help you connect with your clients on a deeper level and find more fulfillment behind the chair.

Join our Waitlist HERE

Binge watch our 3 hour Successful Hairstylist Workshop. Download today and get lifetime access to our annual upgrades.

Key Take-aways:

1. Personalized Follow-Ups: After a client’s appointment, send a personalized text or email thanking them for their visit, or a hand-written card if you really want to stand out. Include a specific compliment or mention something personal they shared.

2. Studies show that addressing someone by their name makes interactions up to 10 times more memorable.  “Hi [Mackkenzie], it was great seeing you today! I hope you enjoy your new haircut. Don’t forget to use the serum we talked about for added shine. Looking forward to your next visit!”

2. Have clear and intentional communication: Understand your clients needs, repeating things back to them, and showing appreciation.

3. Host a VIP night or a small client appreciation event. This ties into the profit of emotion or time being the greatest, long-term profit of all.

4. Customize a haircare plan for your clients: Detail recommendations based on tips, products, and added value.

5. Host a private “bring your own tools night” and spend focused time on helping people with learning how to style their hair.

6. Consistency with your story and brand, for example booking extra time for a new client.

7. How do you show up on social media. Do you engage with your clients or potential clients when you have a gap in your day?

8. Make a special note on clients to remind yourself to bring it up when they come back in.

9. Referral and rewards program: word of mouth can increase our new client acquisition by 50%

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In the beauty industry, it's easy to blur the line of being an artist vs owning a buiness. Ambrosia opens the conversation on bad business advice and deceptive tactics on working less, charging less, and making more. From misleading pricing claims to hidden context, we expose the tactics that social media can use to manipulate popular consumption for truth. Join us as we discuss the impact of these lies on your income, business, and future. Ambrosia also provides tips on how to approach navigating the mindset of exchanging money for time and the long-term ramifications for underchanging. Don't miss this episode if you're ready to uncover the reality of compounding effects and empower yourself with knowledge.

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Key Take-Aways:

1. Most advice on social media lacks context or is missing important parts of the story.

2. Doing something for a long time doesn’t give someone the right to teach, but learning the craft of teaching and holding retention does.

3. People say things that are inflammatory because it gets attention and followers.

4. If you don’t raise your prices, and your costs keeps going up…understand that you are choosing to be the one who absorbs the cost.

5. I’m either free or expensive, but I’m never cheap.

6. You can choose to comp your work as a gift or give back through charity work, but never raising prices for repeat clients is bad business.

7. There is a difference between goodwill and good business.

8. It’s impossible to book less time, charge less, and make more money.

9. The reason it’s important to learn how to operate your business is so that you can take care of your future self.

10. It’s the sustainable stuff that builds wealth, confidence, and relationships.

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Get 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel using code SSA15

If you’re a hairstylist or salon owner looking to elevate your expertise and service offerings, spend time with us as we delve deep into the world of hair extensions. We are debunking myths and revealing why extensions are the perfect solution for everyone. Discover how lightweight, high-quality, and eco-conscious Rooted hair extensions can transform your business as we explore the benefits, best practices, and the ethical considerations behind choosing the right extensions. Tune in to learn how Rooted can help you provide unparalleled service while promoting sustainability and inclusivity in your salon. Don't miss out on these insider tips and expert advice that will set you apart in the competitive beauty industry.

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Key Take-Aways:

1. At Rooted, we allow anyone to have access to our hair, no barrier to entry, and no certification requirements.

2. Hairstylists who have been doing extensions longer doesn’t necessarily make them more qualifies because safter methods are evolving.

3. Most people who are getting extensions these days are wanting to enhance their natural hair.

4. Our education is foundational and based on the healthiest methods.

5. We have to have standards for education that are proper for the person sitting in our chair.

6. Most people who actually need extensions are afraid to ask because they see curated content on Instagram on a specific type of person.

7. We need to have the conversation more and educate our clients on the options in the extension world.

8. Arming ourselves with lots of information, we have the ability to make solution based choices.

9. By todays standard extensions are no longer about gaining length. It’s a solution to hair shedding, breakage, hormonal changes, thyroid issues, alopecia, trauma, long-term health issues, color changes, and other normal conditions most people deal with.

10. Business integration also sets us apart from others. We are both knowledgable and passionate about helping others build a successful team & business.

11. If you’re setting yourself up for success, then there is room to enjoy your life.

12. Less is more with extensions, we provide the lightest weight extensions that you can customize and mix and match.

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