Grow My Salon Business Podcast

I know that the bulk of our listeners are not in the UK, but the changes happening to the UK hairdressing industry have been getting a lot of attention on social media, and as a result, I’ve had a lot of questions from hairdressers elsewhere.So, in this week's episode, I talk with Toby Dicker, co-founder of the Salon Employers Association, to discuss the challenges facing the UK salon industry.Following the recent march on Parliament by hairdressers protesting the unfair tax system, Toby provides a clear explanation of how VAT disproportionately impacts labour-intensive businesses like hair salons.We explore the uneven playing field between employee-based salon businesses and self-employed models, and how this disparity threatens the future of training, apprenticeships, and business growth in our industry. Toby shares insights from his work lobbying the government for change and the recent historic parliamentary debate on hairdressing. This conversation isn't just about numbers, it's about gaining respect for

You don't grow a business just by getting more clients. You grow by keeping the ones you’ve already got. But many salon owners are so focused on acquiring new clients that they completely miss that the real problem is poor client retention.In this episode, I share the numbers you need to be watching, the three simple shifts that make all the difference, and why the fastest path to growth is fixing what you’ve already got.If it feels like you’re working hard but never getting ahead, this episode is for you.IN THIS EPISODE:[0:00] Amanda adds $20K/month without spending more on marketing[1:38] How to make more money with what you already have[1:58] The client life cycle: a powerful mindset shift[3:27] The trend: salons focus on new clients instead of retention[7:29] The three-part system for making every client count[8:56] A simple action with dramatic results[9:20] Case studies: Lucas and Clive boost revenue with rebooking[11:02] This masterclass is for owners ready to build a high-performing team. FREE Masterc

Some people love data! But let's be honest and say that for most hairdressers, studying the numbers in their business is not their favourite pastime.  My Guest today is a returning Guest, Tom Bentley-Taylor, who, amongst other things, originally got the Salon Software brand Short Cuts established in the UK and is currently Managing Director at Vish in the UK. Tom is unashamedly a numbers guy. He loves data, but more importantly, he loves what data tells you about what's working and what isn’t working in the business.In today’s podcast, we will discuss:The importance of using data in businessWhat is the most important data to track in the salon business?How data creates clarity for business owners and fairness for their team. And lots more!IN THIS EPISODE:[1:30] Welcoming Tom Bentley-Taylor and his background in salon software[3:05] The evolution from Shortcuts to Vish and why colour management matters[6:55] Are salons undercharging for colour? The problem with guesswork[8:40] How technology reveals the true c

Over the years, I’ve seen many salon businesses, and inevitably, some stand out more than others.Some of them stand out because of the decor, others for the culture, some for their size and some for their success as a business.My guest today is Meagan McCormack, President of Visible Changes salon group in Houston, Texas, which is without doubt an amazing business. Meagan offers incredible insights on leadership, creating a positive culture, and the importance of authentic connection in today's salon environment. Whether you're running a large salon group or a small independent salon, Meagan's wisdom about adapting to change while staying true to your values will inspire you. In today’s podcast, we discuss:●     How a salon group the size of Visible Changes has continued to evolve as a business.●     How they have adapted to suit the changing needs of today's workforce●     Why they are expanding more into the product side of the industry  And lots more!  IN THIS EPISODE:  [01:03] Setting up today’s conversati

This week, I dive into what makes a truly effective salon manager in today's rapidly changing business landscape. I've titled it "The 9 Traits of a Modern Salon Manager", and I've consciously used the word 'Modern' because, like everything else in life and business, what worked yesterday may not work so well today.I explore the nine essential traits that modern salon leaders need to cultivate to build successful teams, create thriving businesses, and adapt to the evolving demands of our industry. While certain principles remain timeless, other elements of management and leadership become more or less important over time.Whether you're a salon owner looking to strengthen your leadership skills or a stylist with ambitions of salon management, this episode offers practical insights to help you develop your management approach. And, If you're serious about elevating your management skills, be sure to join me on my FREE Masterclass: The 4 Essential Lessons in Salon Management - Save your seat here  IN THIS EPISODE

One of the things that I constantly see in industry Facebook groups is how badly employees are paid, whether we’re talking about apprentices, assistants or stylists… And that isn’t country specific, it’s a general trend of people feeling they’re hard done by to the point of being exploited… But what I literally never see are comments about “How bad the productivity levels of the average hairdresser are.” And obviously that's part of the problem, because what you earn is always going to be a reflection of what you produce.  Join me as I share 15 key traits that set high-earning stylists apart and discover how you can transform your income without thinking you have to go self-employed or change salons. If you're ready to stop blaming and start earning, this episode is your roadmap to financial success in the salon industry.  RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Download the Guide: 15 Points for Financial Success as an employed stylist. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:55] Commitment to a positive outlook despite industry c

It’s very rare that a new tool for cutting hair enters the professional market. And those that do usually tend to fade away.  But occasionally something piques the imagination of both the creatives and the business side of the industry as being creatively different and commercially beneficial. My guest today is Frank Brormann, a German hairdresser, salon owner and inventor of Calligraphy Cut, a new tool and a new way of working with hair. In today’s podcast, we will discuss:   What exactly is the calligraphy cut?    How it could potentially be a new cutting service to offer your clients   The experience of being on Germany’s ‘Lions Den’ (Shark Tank), where he secured a million-euro investment. And lots more!IN THIS EPISODE: [01:20] Welcome to Frank Brormann [01:26] What exactly is Calligraphy Cut - a tool or a specific haircut? [02:21] The origin story - how flower stems inspired the Calligraphy Cut [05:08] The science behind the 21-degree angle and what makes it special [06:46] What hair problems does the Ca

In this week’s episode, I share a recent conversation I had with a Chicago-based stylist who is one of those rare people who is continually looking for those 1% improvements that separate good stylists from exceptional ones.I talk about why it’s essential that salon owners invest in training their team beyond just technical skills.Despite all the time, energy, and financial commitment you make as the salon owner, the real success of your business comes together when the stylist is standing behind the chair. That's where the magic either happens or not…As a salon owner, stop leaving the success of that interaction between client and stylist to chance. Instead, either invest in or develop your own comprehensive training programs that cover communication skills, client service, and the mindset needed for sustained success. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and introduction[00:45] Introducing Rita and the Super Stylist course[01:49] Questions for salon owners about team training[03:33] Where the rubber meets the r

In this episode, I sit down with Sydney-based salon owner and colourist Kirby Lago. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow her business from a small salon to a thriving luxury business five times the size. Kirby is a great example of combining the life of being a very active behind the chair hairdresser with being a true business visionary and being prepared to put in the hard work and personal sacrifices that go with it.    In today’s podcast, we discuss:● How the modern salon of today is evolving● Salon design, branding, and creating an unforgettable client experience● How Kirby uses Instagram to grow her business and attract her ideal clients ● As well as finding the balance between family life and running a business And so much more! IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] – Intro: Welcome and podcast growth updates [01:15] – Meet Kirby Lago: From small salon to luxury empire [02:35] – Salon design for a high-end experience [05:00] – The importance of branding and client perception [07:09] – The transition to a colo

One of the most common questions I get asked is: How do I get more clients? But is that really the right question? In this episode, I break down why simply chasing new clients isn’t always the answer and what you should be focusing on instead.We’ll dive into the importance of retention, how to track where your new clients are coming from, and what both stylists and salon owners can do to build a steady, sustainable client base. Whether you’re an owner or a stylist, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help you attract the right clients—and keep them coming back.IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] – Intro & a quick favour: leave a review![02:00] – Is getting more clients really the right question? [04:00] – Why every business needs a steady flow of new clients [05:30] – How to track where your new clients are coming from [07:00] – Getting clear on your ideal client [08:00] – Who’s responsible for getting new clients—stylists or salon owners? [09:30] – The easiest way to grow your clientele (hint: refer

Is the future of professional hair colour undergoing a massive reinvention?Today's guests are Leilani Macedo, a seasoned salon owner, and Charles Brown, a tech entrepreneur who is passionate about applying Artificial Intelligence to real-world problems. And together they cofounded CLICS to create a solution for the problems around the current model of professional hair colour. So if you’re interested in tech, entrepreneurship, the salon business and what could be the future of professional hair colour, then this episode is for you… In today’s podcast, we discuss: ✅ The problems with the existing model around professional hair colour and how CLICS uses AI to solve those problems✅ Pricing and Automated hair colour Inventory management ✅ How CLICS is totally changing the professional hair colour game And lots more! IN THIS EPISODE:[01:17] Introducing Leilani Macedo, a seasoned salon owner with industry wisdom, and Charles Brown, a tech entrepreneur passionate about using AI to transform traditional models.[02:42

This is a reissue of one of our most popular episodes, where we revisit the keys to building an incredible salon culture with Meagan McCormack.Meagan is, amongst other titles, ‘Chief Operating Officer' of the Visible Changes salon group based in Houston, Texas.I promise that you are going to love this podcast. Visible Changes is an incredibly inspiring salon business that everyone can learn something from.On this episode, we cover the following key areas:1️⃣ The importance of recognition, celebration and reward in building a sustainable salon culture.2️⃣ The importance of giving back.3️⃣ The key to running a successful family business.IN THIS EPISODE:[02:45] Introducing Meagan McCormack, Chief Operating Officer of Visible Changes.[03:10] A look at the history, values, and growth of Visible Changes[10:56] The challenges and rewards of running a salon group as a family business[18:30] Why recognition and appreciation are key to building a thriving salon culture.[25:29] A behind-the-scenes look at the numbers th

In today's episode, I address a common concern among salon owners: “How do you get newly graduated beauty school students or apprentices to be profitable as quickly as possible?”  Getting young team members profitable quickly is the result of a combination of recruitment, training, and leadership.  So begin by developing an internal comprehensive training program. Recruit for attitude. And train for skill.  Follow that up by giving trainees hands on experience as soon as possible. Weed out the non performers quickly and maintain a culture of learning and growth.  Tune in to learn actionable steps to fast-track apprentice productivity and profitability.  IN THIS EPISODE: [01:19] Addressing the key question: Making apprentices profitable[05:27] The importance of recruitment[10:11] Effective training strategies[22:07] Hands-on experience and client interaction[23:27] Leadership and management  Want MORE to help you GROW? 

In this episode of the Grow My Salon Business Podcast, I address a common question from salon owners about the distinction between business profit and the owner's wage.We’ll cover why salon owners should receive both a wage and a return on their investment.  Drawing an analogy with other investments, I explain the importance of separating these two income streams and discuss various ways that salon profits should be allocated within the business.    IN THIS EPISODE: [01:15] Listener question: Why are the Salon profit and owner's wages two separate things?[02:00] Investment and profit explained[03:09] Analogy of the stock market vs salon business[05:56] Discussing investor vs employee earnings[06:32] Explaining the salon owner's investment and profit[08:50] The different uses of business profit[10:46] Conclusion and course reminder  Want MORE to help you GROW? 

**PLEASE NOTE: There was an issue with the audio on the episode published earlier today. This episode has the corrected audio.**Today's guest is Susan Wos, an American-based former hairdresser turned business broker who specialises in the salon industry and has now worked with clients in America, Canada, Dubai, UK and Australia…  Susan brings valuable insights of the inner workings of the salon industry to the brokerage business.   In today’s podcast, we discuss: - How much is your salon really worth?- When is the right time to sell your salon? - What are the biggest misconceptions about buying and selling salon businesses? As well as… The importance of keeping clean financial records, understanding the value of independent contractor income versus employee-based models, The dynamics of selling to existing staff, and why it’s important to plan an exit strategy from the start. And so much more!  IN THIS EPISODE: [01:13] Introducing today's guest: Susan Wos[02:01] Susan's journey from hairdresser to business br

What do you need to know - Or what should you know in order to open your own salon? Whether that's a traditional employee-based salon, a rental salon, or even a salon suite, what is it that you should know so that you give yourself the best chance of success? Because, regardless of the type of business model that appeals to you, I think that it’s important that you set yourself up to succeed before you go into debt or spend your life's savings on going into business unprepared.In today's episode, I review 6 points that I think every potential salon owner needs to learn or know about before they go down that path of business ownership.IN THIS EPISODE:00:57 Introduction to salon regulations and licensing01:54 Essential knowledge for opening a salon03:44 The importance of understanding business responsibilities05:10 Developing financial skills and pricing models06:46 Comprehending the different business models and employment laws07:47 Commitment to continuous learning08:30 Joining professional trade bodies10:07

I've been in the industry a long time, and as a result I’d like to think that I know a lot about all things to do with hair and hairdressing.But one area I haven’t had a lot of practical hands-on exposure to, is the ‘Hair Extensions’ side of the business.Heavily influenced by social media and reality TV influencers, the ‘hair extensions’ business has become a huge part of the salon industry, and as a revenue producer, it is certainly not something to be ignored.My guest on today's Podcast is Dina Demetriou, who is the head of education at ‘Beauty Works’ They are the market leaders in the hair extension business in the UK and Europe, and they have a global presence in the hair extension Industry… In today’s podcast, we discuss:✨ What are the biggest misconceptions around hair extensions?✨ The different methods when working with hair extensions.✨ Why and how you should start integrating hair extensions into your salon business And lots more!  IN THIS EPISODE: [01:07] Meet Dina Dimitriou from Beauty Works[03:40]

For many salon owners, January is a time of the year when they’re getting the team refocused for the year ahead.  Because traditionally, January is a time of new beginnings. It's when you let go of the year before, set goals and launch new ideas for the salon.  So what’s the best way to get the team re-engaged motivated and excited for the coming year?  Because if goals and ideas are to turn into reality, you need to get the team onside and excited about what the future holds.  And to get the team ‘involved and onside’ means you need to get everyone together…  IN THIS EPISODE: [01:23] Kicking off the New Year: Get your salon team excited and engaged for a productive new year.[02:17] Planning and structuring your team meeting/event, including clarifying the event's purpose.[06:03] Reflecting on the past year to review past successes and challenges.[08:29] The importance of setting clear, actionable goals and prioritising them effectively.  Want MORE to help you GROW? 

Being in business isn’t easy in fact, “Being in business is hard, and it’s not about to get easy, so stop waiting for it to!”Having said that, being in business brings with it opportunities for personal and professional growth, a sense of control and opportunities for financial gain as well as the flip side of financial gain, which is obviously ‘financial loss’. And it's the financial side of running a business, which is typically the weak spot for salon owners everywhere, so in today's short podcast, I talk about the five key areas you have to get on top of when it comes to creating a financially successful business.    IN THIS EPISODE:00:40 The Challenges and opportunities of running a business01:53 Why some businesses succeed and others fail04:06 The importance of financial management06:09 Five key steps to financial success09:05 How we help salon owners gain clarity and confidence in handling their business finances.Want MORE to help you GROW?

In this episode, I’m talking with Mikey Denton, a former salon owner who shares his personal story of transitioning from a hairstylist to a business owner.  Mikey discusses the pitfalls of relying on friends for business advice, the importance of getting everything in writing, and the impact of not understanding the financial and legal aspects of business ownership.  He candidly reveals his journey through bankruptcy, the lessons learned, and how he is rebuilding his life and career.  This episode offers valuable insights for aspiring salon owners on the importance of professional advice, meticulous planning, and cautious partnerships.  IN THIS EPISODE: 00:49 The challenges of transitioning to a salon owner01:57 Introducing Mikey Denton: A cautionary tale03:23 Mikey's journey: From opening to closing a salon05:28 The downfall: merging businesses and legal troubles13:41 Lessons learned: Business and friendship18:25 Navigating bankruptcy and moving forward25:46 Advice for aspiring salon owners32:21 Final though