Grow My Salon Business Podcast

These days, we talk a lot about mental health and self-care and rightly so. The most simple aim in life is to be happy. And if we can leave everyone we come into contact with a little happier for the experience, then surely that's a day well spent.  My guest on today's podcast is Oscar Bond, not only is he one of the happiest people I know, but he's also a great hairdresser, a very accomplished educator, a great entertainer, and he has a stutter, and the most refreshing thing is he couldn't care less about it. Like most of us, Oscar admits to having all the daily challenges that we all face, and amongst the good times he has had some tough times in business.  But through it all, he's always smiling and makes those around him lighten up and laugh. In today's podcast, we will discuss: ●      Happiness●      Stuttering …and…●      Overcoming the challenges that life throws at you And lots more!  In this Episode: 00:51 Meet Oscar Bond: The king of happiness01:25 The secret to happiness07:11 Dealing with stutterin

Should you mix salon ownership with coaching, teaching, podcasting, session work, course creating, etc?These are all things that I have done or are currently doing… And they all provide reward, both in terms of personal fulfillment and the potential for financial gain.And they are right for some people, and definitely not right for others. In this week’s episode we look at the numerous opportunities that salon owners might consider pursuing and ask the question: are they a distraction or a benefit to building a salon business?In this Episode:01:57 Exploring the side hustle of coaching and education etc for a second stream of income03:51 Antony’s career journey and how that led to growmysalonbusiness.com05:14 Balancing salon ownership and side hustles06:35 The realities of being a traveling educator13:30 The challenges of coaching and education in the hair and beauty industry15:00 The glamour and hard work of salon ownership20:41 Final thoughts and resourcesThanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoy

Today's episode is Part 2 which follows on from last week’s episode with Tracey Woodward. In today’s episode we delve into Tracey's career journey, starting from her transition into the hairdressing industry, her impactful time at Aveda and Urban Retreat, and the various roles she undertook.  Tracey opens up about overcoming personal challenges, imposter syndrome, and the transformative journey of taking control of her health.  The discussion touches on the importance of community, spirituality and resilience. In today’s show amongst other things we discuss… ●      The importance of authenticity and determination in personal and professional growth.●      Taking control of your health●      Giving backAnd lots moreFor full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/254 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 th

Our lives are a journey, and like every journey, where you start out and where you end up is what makes life so interesting.  My guest on this episode is Tracey Woodward, who, like many people, didn't have the easiest start in life. However, unlike many people, she didn't let her past define her future.  Tracey shares her life story, starting with being born prematurely to a teenage mother in the 1960s to her struggle with illiteracy and surviving in an environment marked by crime and neglect.  Despite these challenges, Tracey's perseverance and determination saw her rise to senior positions in renowned beauty companies such as Aveda, Urban Retreat, and Donna Karan.  Tracey's story is a story of resilience and the power of transformation. It's a story of grit, street smarts, personal reinvention and a living example of "Your past does not equal your future."  So, on today's podcast, we discuss: ●      The importance of looking like you belong.●      Why you shouldn't be afraid of asking for help …and…●      N

My guest today is Hellen Ward who as well as being a wife, mother, author, lecturer, educator, and managing director, is also the co-founder along with her husband Richard of the Richard Ward hair and Metro Spa located in the heart of London’s Chelsea. Hellen is highly regarded in the industry for not just having built a great business that is undoubtedly one of the country's leading salons but also for her passion, commitment and common sense insights when it comes to the UK hairdressing industry… So, in today’s podcast we will discuss:●     The meaning of Luxury in the salon industry●     Having Royalty as part of your clientele …and●     The challenges and opportunities that the industry is facingAnd lots more! In this Episode:01:13 Introducing Helen Ward: A multifaceted hair industry leader01:44 Defining luxury in the salon industry07:54 An overview of the Richard Ward Salon15:11 The unique services of Richard Ward Hair and Metro Spa17:53 The importance of customer experience24:38 Serving royalty: A peek

What does your salon and your country have in common? That’s not a trick question! This year, there are elections in many countries, and as always, politicians are making lots of promises about how they’re going to make our lives better by spending more money on the things that matter.  But here’s the problem: Your government, my government, or any government doesn’t make any money of their own. So, in order for them to spend more money, they need to raise more money, and just like your salon, there’s only four ways that they can do that.   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/251/  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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap

There are only a very small number of hairdressers who at any one time influence hairdressing all over the world. I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview some of them on the podcast, and I always relish the chance to find out what it is that separates their ability from others. My guest on today’s Podcast is returning guest Eugene Souleiman, who is without doubt one of the very top session hairdressers in the world.  Eugene is that rare breed of hairstylist who really is an artist. His work inspires other editorial stylists and salon hairdressers alike the world over, and along with 2 or 3 other people he is at the top of the pile.   In today’s episode, we discuss:●      The creative process●      The importance of mentors●      The Wig AcademyAnd lots more! In this Episode:[01:42] How Eugene defines beauty.[07:32] The challenge of creating the impossible![10:05] The important lessons from Eugene's training with Trevor Sorbie, that have underpinned his career.[11:02] What makes someone

The role and opportunities for hairdressing education has changed dramatically over the last few years through social media and the various online learning platforms.  That has led to the rise of the independent educator. Today’s guest is DJ Muldoon, who has made a great name for himself both in the online world and face-to-face for being a fantastic educator. In this episode we discuss:●      What does the life of the independent educator look like?●      The impact of Social Media… and… ●      What is the key to becoming a great educator?And lots more!   In this Episode: [01:25] Introduction to DJ[04:06] Putting DJ to the test is he English or American?[06:38] DJ fills us in on his salon/school/workspace called ‘The factory.’[10:11] DJ talks about his life on the road as an educator[12:29] Discussing the backstory to Knowledge Destroys Fear DJs education company.[13:31] The key to being a great educator[15:24] Discussing Yojhi Yamamoto’s famous quote ‘The art of the minimum requires the maximum of disciplin

One of the ways we learn in life is by making mistakes.  But the problem is that the mistakes you make in business have a financial impact. Sometimes, that impact is small, but other times, mistakes have a big impact on the profitability of your business.  So, as much as possible, although making the occasional mistake is inevitable, you need to learn from them quickly so that you reduce the chance it will happen again.  In today's episode, I'll discuss 9 'financial management' mistakes that many salon owners make every single day, and how they pay the price as a result.  For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/248/ 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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!  Just click here to rev

When one door closes another door opens. Success and setback are two sides of the same coin but it takes a strong personality, self belief and determination to bounce back. A couple of years ago I was at 'Salon International’ in London and there was a young barber on stage who was not only doing great work but she also had an infectious personality, combined with an amazing level of energy and confidence that made her stand out from the crowd. So today, I'm really happy to have Hayden Cassidy as a guest on the show. In today’s podcast, we discuss:The attitude and belief that you need to have in life in order to overcome setbacks and succeed.The opportunities that a career in barbering can bring about, including being the first Dior Grooming Expert in the UKThe evolving business model of today’s barbershopAnd lots more!For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/247/ Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review

Every salon owner I’ve ever met wants to know how to better manage their business expenses so that they can be more profitable. And so they should. Ultimately what that all comes down to is looking for ways to increase the income and reduce the outgoings which results in improved profit margins. Both of those topics are covered in depth in our online ‘Money course’. But amongst the many potential solutions to help manage costs and increase profit is to use a ‘Colour Management System’ which will help reduce waste and improve consistency. My guest on today’s episode is Janine Simons, another entrepreneurial salon owner who is also the founder of Colour Bar Manager.In today’s podcast we will discuss:The day Janine woke up and decided the world needed a new colour management app.How the colour bar manager works.What it does differently to its competition.And lots more!For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/246/ Thanks so much for joining me this week. If

What’s your number?There is one number that we don’t talk about enough in this industry and that is probably because although it sounds simple to understand, it isn’t always easy to work it out. So what’s the number I’m talking about?It’s the number that represents the amount of revenue you need to generate each week to keep the doors open and keep the lights on.And that number is referred to as your breakeven point… Or breakeven number.In this episode I discuss why knowing the breakeven number is essential for every salon owner to ensure that you’re running a profitable business. For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/245/ 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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click her

Building a successful business isn’t easy, and sometimes at the beginning of our journey, we look at established businesses and wonder how we could possibly ever achieve that. The important thing to realise is that nobody starts with a big successful business. Every new salon owner has doubts and experiences setbacks and challenges along the way.  But through grit and determination and a never-ending thirst for knowledge, the skills and knowledge of the owner grow, and the business grows with it. Today I am talking with Eric Fisher from Wichita Kansas where he has 4 world class salons, a school, and a business education company.  In today’s podcast, we discuss:●      What it takes to build a successful salon business.●      What makes building a big salon business both harder and easier today than it was 30 years ago?●      Why where you are located shouldn’t be something that holds you backAnd lots more! In this Episode:[02:31] The three or four principles that Eric would give the 25-year-old version of hims

I don’t believe that there has ever been a family in the world of hairdressing that has made the impact that the Mascolo family has. Whether it was the Toni & Guy salons and schools, the TIGI products, or the incredible shows, and stunning photography. Either way the Mascolo brothers, Toni, Guy, Bruno and Anthony were at the forefront of everything in hairdressing and created a hairdressing dynasty that will live on for many years to come.My guest on today’s episode is Anthony Mascolo who’s creativity and leadership was the force behind the creative direction of the brand.   In today’s podcast we discuss:The use of AI in hairdressingThe changing salon businessLeadership and team buildingAnd lots more!For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/243/ 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

Recently I was asked by a young hairdresser whether or not I thought he should go into partnership with a friend and open a salon together.  Partnerships are one of the many subjects we cover in the online management course that is currently open for enrolment, but I think it’s a great question and will make a good podcast topic as well. Unfortunately, partnerships in small businesses don’t have a high success rate. In today's episode, I will cover some of the key elements that need to be put in place to give a partnership the best possible chance of success. In this Episode:[00:01:13] Introducing the topic of partnerships in the salon business and the importance of setting them up correctly.[00:01:56] Addressing the Reality of Partnership Endings[00:04:20] The importance of partners discussing potential challenges preemptively.[00:05:57] A list of the twelve potential challenges partnerships may face.[00:12:43] Advice for fostering successful partnerships, including open communication and mutual respect.   

The entrepreneurial journey is an ever-evolving process and every stage brings with it unique challenges and opportunities.  The creative aspects of the salon industry are often what attract people to it, but if you’re going to make a success of yourself in a creative industry, it’s every bit as important to focus on the financial side too.  Today’s guest is Sean Hanna, a London-based hairdresser and multi-salon owner, property owner, business consultant, and entrepreneur in the real sense of the word! In this episode, we discuss:  ●      The phases that a business owner evolves through during a successful career●      The importance of managing the numbers●      Why you need an exit strategy… And lots more! In this Episode: [02:35] Sean provides an overview of the six phases of business ownership. [06:31] The question that Sean is most commonly asked by salon owners. [06:52] Why Sean wrote his ebook, The Entrepreneur’s Guide to the Galaxy, and where you can access it for free. [09:03] Finding the balance bet

As a salon owner you will have many responsibilities, but they can all be summarised by saying that; “You are the person that is ultimately responsible for the success of your business".And that takes more than just being good at doing hair, having a great location, and a column of your own clients… Obviously, those things are important, and they will help you get ‘out of the gate’ so to speak, but in reality - they are just the beginning. In my experience, the 3 biggest challenges, that most salon owners face will be: 1. The business is dependent on them doing the majority of the work.2. There will be a degree of chaos, or a lack of organisation.3. ‘The culture’ that is developing within the business.For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/240/ 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 hel

Success as a hairdresser comes in many forms. For some it's purely creative, for others it’s all about building a clientele, succeeding as an educator, or building a business.To have success in multiple areas isn't easy, which is why in many cases, when you see a successful business, it's often because there is a partnership between someone with a business focus and another partner with a creative focus. When you get the balance right, you can create something very special.My guest today is Richard Ashforth, hairdresser, educator, creative director and co-owner with Aldo Furfaro of 10 Saco Salons and Academies in several countries around the world.Richard's wealth of knowledge and experience make for a fascinating conversation about the state of the salon industry and the mission that he is on to educate his fellow hairdressers.In this episode, we will discuss:Why you need to incorporate the local culture within the framework of your brand.Noise; the guerrilla event that Richard hosts in various locationsHow

Why is it that 80% of businesses that go to market never get an offer, meaning those business owners have to close the doors on all their hard work and walk away. If you’re a salon owner, the day will come when you are going to relinquish control of your business. This episode focuses on how you can increase your chances of being able to sell your business when that day comes rather than being forced to shut it down.My guest is Zach Dogar, a business broker and exit strategy specialist in the hair and beauty industry. In today’s podcast, we will discuss:Points for consideration when establishing the value of a salon businessThe biggest mistakes buyers and sellers makeHow to achieve the best sale price for your businessAnd lots more! For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/238/ 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

One of the biggest changes to take place in the hair and beauty industry during the course of my career has been the uptake of tech, especially in relation to the business side of running a salon. Today’s guest is Jo Burgess, a former hairdresser and the co-founder of Shortcuts Salon Management Software. Since the early ‘90s, Jo and her team have been at the forefront of developing tech-based solutions for the salon industry.  In today’s episode, we will discuss: ●      The impact that the last 3-4 years have had on salon software innovations●      The future role that salon management software has in developing client relationships and improving the client experience●      The uses for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in salons today… And lots more!  For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/237/ 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! The