Build Your Salon With Phil Jackson

AI in salons is changing how you run your business. This episode shows you to use AI to grow your salon, keep more clients, and free up your team.KEY TAKEAWAYSUse AI as a team memberCallpad acts like another staff member, not a robot replacement. If a client says “Nicola,” it connects them straight to her. This means your front desk team can focus on guests in the salon, not on answering phones.Frame AI as online booking with your voiceClients can ask things like “When is my appointment later today?” even when the salon is closed. The system uses your past records to give quick, correct answers.Prioritise reliability and consistencyCallpad answers calls after 4 to 5 rings, before voicemail kicks in. It now has a steady pause length, making the conversation feel natural and smooth.Allow gradual adoption with flexible setupYou can start by letting AI handle just blow-dries, not colour treatments. Test it for weeks or a month before going all in. This builds trust step by step.Measure success by client interacti

Paying above minimum wage in the salon industry isn’t just kind — it’s smart business. You’ll learn how one salon boosted staff loyalty and profits by choosing pay over perks.KEY TAKEAWAYSPay above minimum wageThis salon paid more than any other in the area, even if it meant cutting back elsewhere. They believed higher pay was a business strategy, not a cost. It helped them keep staff longer and attract better talent.Use self-funded improvementsInstead of hiring a decorator, the team painted the staff room themselves on Sundays. They bought two cans of paint from B&Q and wore old jeans. This saved hundreds without lowering pay.Invest in training, not eventsTheir Christmas party was a simple curry from a local restaurant. Other salons spent thousands on limos and big nights. This salon chose training over flashy events because it knew development matters most.Be clear about your trade-offStaff knew the salon couldn’t afford luxury because it was focused on high pay and training. The team understood the cho

You need a clear salon profit target to know if your business is truly successful. In this episode, Phil Jackson shares simple, no-nonsense steps to track and grow your profits.Set a clear salon profit targetMost salon owners don’t know their profit target. Phil says if you don’t set one, you won’t hit it. Use her free cheat sheet at queenofsalons.com to check if your salon is actually making money. It’s not just paperwork, it’s what your business needs to succeed.Track real-time takings reportsYour salon software should show accurate numbers every month. But many reports don’t add up. Takings, services, retail, and vouchers don’t match. Phil says this is nonsense. Real-time data is better than old accountant numbers, and it helps you make smart choices fast.Cancel software that you don’t useIf you’re not using the reports from your software, cancel it. You can get a free calendar app with online booking links for a fraction of the cost. Google Calendar now offers free booking links, so you don’t need expensi

Social media salon marketing can cost you more than you think. This episode shows you how to save time and boost real results by stepping back from daily posting.KEY TAKEAWAYSTime cost of content creationSpending four hours a week on social media at £60 an hour means £240 a week. That’s £1,000 a month. To break even with a 1:5 profit margin, you’d need £5,000 in bookings just to cover the cost. That’s a lot of time for little return.Low conversion from social mediaMost people on social media are not looking to book a salon. They scroll to be entertained, not to buy. That means your posts get seen, but few turn into actual appointments. Every hour spent on social media is an hour on a channel that doesn’t convert.Ineffective audience intentUsers are there to scroll, not to book. They skip past ads and ignore promotions. Just like turning off a TV ad, they avoid your content. This leads to low engagement and even lower booking rates.Comparison trap and confidence erosionSeeing other salons post perfect photos a

Salon email marketing can boost your income in ways social media never can. You’ll learn simple, proven ways to grow your business with every email you send.KEY TAKEAWAYSEmail Marketing Sells MoreEmail puts money in your bank. Unlike social media, it directly drives sales. Phil Jackson suggests using unique discount codes in emails to see real results.Track Every ResultUse special links or codes in your emails to see who opens them and clicks. You can track how many people bought something just from your email. This is much clearer than guessing with social media stats.Automate Aftercare and UpsellSet up emails to remind clients about care products after hair extensions. This builds trust and leads to extra sales. Phil Jackson used this strategy to sell more products during detangling visits.Win Back Lost ClientsEmail is the best way to reach clients who haven’t visited in months. Social media can’t reach them if they unfollow. A simple re-engagement email can bring them back.Show Your ExpertiseSend tips, beh

Too many salons miss the mark by cutting corners on small details. This episode shows how small changes can hurt your business more than you think, and what to do instead.KEY TAKEAWAYSStop being cheap in operationsSwitching from Yorkshire tea to a cheaper brand in a hard water area caused three client complaints in one day. The tiny saving cost you more in trust and repeat visits. A small detail like tea can make or break your reputation.Charge for a premium experienceDon’t promise a luxury service if you’re not delivering it. Phil Jackson warns that you cannot charge for a Bentley and deliver a Ford Fiesta. Your price must match your performance.Adopt Mise en Place for organisationUse the chef’s method: keep your station clean, tools ready, and supplies in place. Phil references the book Mise en Place to explain how chefs organise their workstations to cater efficiently without clutter. This discipline helps salons deliver consistently high standards.Eliminate running late or forgetting appointmentsClients w

Many owners struggle when they think about whether or not to Raise your salon prices right now before the holidays roll around. This episode shows you exactly when the timing is perfect and why waiting might actually help your business survive the winter rush.Raise Prices When You Are BusyIncrease prices ahead of Christmas if your utilisation is high enough for success. Your booking calendar needs to be above seventy per cent full or you are turning people away already. This means about three quarters of your week is booked solid before you make a move on rates.Wait Until After The Holiday Rush EndsHold off on increases until the busy festive period has finished completely due to financial strain on clients. November looks like a bit of a money grab if you act too soon during this time of year. Waiting ensures your raises do not look like you are just trying to get as much money through the till as possible.Raise Immediately If You Are In TroubleRaise prices immediately only if the salon is in iceberg mode an

Salon Black Friday promotions are often a trap that hurts more than they help if you do not plan well. You will learn exactly how to run deals that bring profit instead of disaster for your business.Time-Bound Offer Windows Create UrgencySet a clear start and end time for every special deal so customers feel they must act now. For example, you can run your offers from one minute past midnight on Black Friday through to the very end of the day on Cyber Monday. This creates a strong sense of urgency that pushes people to book immediately without overthinking their choice.Limit Discount Options To Stop Decision FatigueChoose only three different price points instead of offering a dozen confusing deals. You might pick offers around fifty quid, one hundred quid, and another between three hundred, four hundred or five hundred quid. This simple rule stops customers from feeling overwhelmed and helps them pick the right treatment quickly.Calculate Profit Impact Before Discounting Core ServicesA twenty percent discoun

Too many salons struggle to keep their sales moving when the seasons change. This episode on Autumn Marketing Ideas teaches you how to build a steady stream of revenue right now.Deadlines Create Consistent Income FlowInstead of running random discounts that confuse your clients, use clear deadlines to create cadence in your schedule. For example, sell three facials that must be used by the end of November. Space these treatments exactly three weeks apart to ensure clients return regularly without feeling pressured.Solve Real Problems Instead of Guessing TrendsDesign promotions based on what your customers are actually suffering from this cold weather. Offer upgrades for dry hair and skin caused by central heating, or suggest vibrant colors to match the gray skies outside. You can also provide soothing solutions for itchy scalps that happen when people wear warm hats all day long.Bring Old Clients Back With New TrendsLaunch an autumn collection that uses fresh color and fashion hooks to reconnect with those wh

Managing Salon rebooking can feel like chasing a ghost when clients keep dropping their next visit without giving notice. You will learn practical tools to stop this bleeding and turn one-off guests into loyal regulars who book easily every week.Set Fixed Days For Their Lifestyle NeedsPick specific recurring days like Thursday morning for appointments six, twelve, and eighteen weeks out. This lets clients consistently get a slot that fits their busy lives without needing to choose later when unexpected problems arise. They simply return on the same day they expect you to be ready to serve them again.Ask To Book Before Money ChangesRequest to book the next appointment during your consultation or skin analysis right before starting the service. Asking after washing hair or requesting payment can ruin a good mood and make the client think twice about returning. Their excitement is highest at the start when they are truly eager to talk about their future style plans.Change The Script To Feel CollaborativeRewrite

When facing intense Salon competition today, you must rethink how you attract new customers to save money on wasted marketing efforts. This episode shows you how to keep clients and run your business with less stress.Stop Paying For Lost ClientsCurrent advertising spends cash that goes directly to other places because people are already looking for services like waxing or hair removal elsewhere. You need to understand that chasing new faces is too expensive when so many businesses want their share of the money now.Find Your Unique SpotYou can beat rivals by getting very specific about who you help, such as being the expert for clients going through radiotherapy or chemotherapy. This strategy lets you stand out in a crowded market where everyone tries to offer the same standard services to the public.Change Your Time GoalsThe old advice of keeping your booking schedule at eighty percent full is no longer good for your profit margins in this changing world. Instead, price your appointments for shorter blocks an

Running a business is hard when you face Salon lost clients and need to get them back into your chair quickly. This episode gives you practical steps to stop the bleeding and rebuild your numbers fast.Group Clients by Service FrequencyStop using one single rule for everyone in your book. Use different time intervals depending on what service they buy most often. For example, keep nails at three weeks while facials or massages might happen every four to six weeks. This avoids blunt rules that ignore how much each customer usually spends.Persist Until They Opt Out Or DieKeep sending emails and invitations repeatedly because one message is rarely enough. You must stop only if the client unsubscribes or if they have sadly passed away. Do not give up after a single try just because you did not get an immediate reply back. Your persistence shows them that you still care about their relationship with your brand.Contact Personally With Voice Or MessageDo not just rely on cold emails when trying to win a lapsed custom

When Salon Planning for Autumn is needed because business drops hit hard in late November, you must study your past reports to find the pattern. In this episode you will learn exactly how to stop panicking and start preparing so you can run a smoother salon all year round.Review Weekly Takings Before You DecideDo not just look at monthly totals when checking your history. Instead, examine your weekly takings from your salon software system to see where the money falls off early. Use this research time during a morning to spot problems like half term breaks before they hurt your profits too much.Maximise Revenue During Your Busy WeeksDecide ahead of time how you will handle the weeks that are busiest for your business. Check who is booked off for annual leave and arrange cover for every desk so work keeps moving. Consider asking apprentices to give extra overtime or bringing in young staff to help you avoid being too tired to eat a proper meal.Avoid Cheap Last Minute Marketing TacticsNever try to fix your prom

Getting Salon loyalty right is the main way to stop losing money on new clients. You will learn how to keep customers coming back for good.Don't Just Buy A ShovelLoyalty tools are like a shovel that you must actually use to dig a hole. Owning the platform is not enough because it sits there until you pick it up and work with it every day. Your success depends on your active effort to engage people with these schemes right now.Reach More People Than BeforeDigital push notifications get four out of ten taps from your customers. This number is much higher than the ten percent of people who open your regular emails. You can use this new channel to send urgent offers that people actually see and read on their phones.Stamp The Right ThingsYou should not give stamps for haircuts because prices stay the same year after year. Instead, award points for buying retail products or taking optional add-on services like conditioning treatments. These choices help you protect your revenue margins while rewarding clients who b

Salon marketing can feel overwhelming, especially during seasonal shifts. Discover five actionable strategies to revitalise your autumn bookings and connect with clients effectively.1. Win Back Lapsed Clients with Personal MessagesIdentify clients who haven't visited for a few months using your booking system. Send them a warm, personal text or WhatsApp message acknowledging that "summer can be really chaotic" and offering a gentle promotion or booking link to welcome them back. This approach spares their blushes and makes it significantly easier for them to return.2. Reframe Existing Services as an "Autumn Reset"Leverage the September "reset" instinct by repackaging your current services with seasonal language. Talk about an "autumn colour refresh after the sun's bleached everything out" or a "skin reset after a summer of sunscreen and late nights." This makes familiar offerings feel fresh and directly relevant to clients' current needs.3. Create Your Own Seasonal Salon CollectionCurate an autumn collection

Many salon owners avoid looking at their financial numbers, fearing what they might find. This episode offers a gentle, jargon-free guide to understanding your salon's profit and loss, giving you clarity and control.Numbers Aren't There to Judge YouPhil explains that numbers are simply a map, a starting point for your business journey. The fear of not knowing what your numbers might reveal is often heavier than facing the reality. He shares his own experience of avoiding his financials, despite a banking and finance degree, illustrating that the numbers themselves don't judge; they just show you where you are.The Three Key Salon NumbersTo begin, you only need to understand three figures. Firstly, your 'takings' – all money coming in from services and retail. Secondly, 'money out' – all expenses for keeping the doors open, categorised into big buckets like stock, wages, premises, and bills. Lastly, 'what's left' – your profit, which is takings minus money out. This profit is your reward and what you can reinve

Dealing with a toxic salon team member who is also a high performer is a common and difficult challenge for salon owners. This episode reveals the real costs of tolerating bad attitudes and gives you a clear path to protect your salon's culture.Talent Can Mask True CostsIt’s easy to focus on the money a highly skilled, but difficult, team member brings in. Phil explains how seeing a busy column can make you tolerate bad behaviour, believing it's a "price worth paying." However, this overlooks the deeper, less measurable damage to your business.The Invisible Damage Affects EveryoneA genuinely toxic team member sets a negative tone for the entire salon, giving others permission to whinge or clock-watch. Phil recounts losing good staff because they didn't want to work with someone who was constantly moody and undermining, illustrating how negativity pushes away your best people.Toxic People Destroy Team CultureYou cannot maintain a toxic presence and a happy, motivated team simultaneously. Phil warns that tolera

Many salon owners use discounting out of panic, hurting their profitability and client perception. Discover Phil Jackson's strategic approach to salon discounting, identifying when it genuinely boosts your business and when it undermines your worth.Structured Off-Peak Pricing WorksUse discounts to fill genuinely dead time, like consistently quiet Tuesday mornings, by establishing a proper off-peak rate. This turns otherwise zero-value time into revenue, avoiding spontaneous, reactive price drops and creating a clear value proposition for clients.Invest in New Launches and TeamAn introductory offer for a brand new treatment, product, or to help a new team member build their column is a strategic investment. Crucially, these offers must be time-limited with clear end dates, helping you gain traction without devaluing the service or person long-term.Trade Discounts for Client CommitmentOffer a price concession when it secures guaranteed future business. This includes moving clients onto a monthly membership, a c

Is your salon relying entirely on you? Learn how to implement practical salon systems that empower your team and allow you to take proper time off without constant interruptions.Your Business is Your Best Research. Every time your team contacts you on your day off, they're highlighting a missing system. Use these interruptions as a free, accurate list of what needs documenting first.A System is Just a Recorded Way of Doing Things. Forget glossy manuals. A system is simply the answer to a frequently asked question, whether it's how to take a deposit, handle a refund, or conduct a skin test. The format can be simple: a voice note, photos, or a few written lines.Capture Systems Inside the Work, Not as a Separate Project. Don't wait for a "quiet afternoon" to write systems. Document processes as you perform them. Record a screen capture while cashing up, or take screenshots when setting up a new client in your booking software. An extra 10 minutes now saves countless interruptions later.Prioritise Systems Touchin

Is your salon's third quarter drifting away without a clear plan? Phil Jackson shares three actionable steps you can implement before September to rescue your Q3 and set up a strong autumn.Get Real About Your Salon NumbersDon't ignore your figures; confront them. Phil advises pulling your quarterly numbers to see what's come in, what's gone out, and the split between service and retail. Understand which services are truly profitable once you account for product and time.Name the Gap to Define Your TargetOnce you know your current financial position, honestly calculate the difference between where you are and what your Q3 target needs to bring in. Write down this exact number to turn vague hopes into a concrete, achievable target for the rest of the quarter.Proactively Plan Your Autumn CampaignsUse any quiet summer period to map out your autumn key dates and campaigns now. Think "end of summer recovery" offers for sun-damaged hair or skin, and identify what clients will need after their holidays.Prepare Your M