Grow My Salon Business Podcast

This year will be remembered for many things, including as being the time when Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) exploded into the mainstream of society.     A.I. has been with us for a number of years in a supporting role through things like social media algorithms, dating apps, Siri, Alexa, Google Maps, and Netflix.    But it’s ChatGPT that has really got everyone talking, and people are experiencing excitement and terror in equal measures about what this really means for humanity…     My guest on today's podcast is my good friend Gordon Miller, and today we are going to have a conversation about the impact that ChatGPT is having (and is likely going to have in the future) on the hairdressing industry and beyond.    In today’s podcast, we will discuss:    How AI can be used in the hairdressing industry  Who or what might it make redundant  How to dip a toe in the water if you haven’t already…     And lots more!    For full show notes, links and resources mentioned v

If you’re ambitious and hardworking, the salon industry is full of incredible career opportunities. For some people, opening an independent salon is the ultimate goal, while others may prefer the supportive structure that comes with being part of a bigger business and opt to go the franchise route.     Being part of a franchise business definitely offers many advantages that a smaller independent salon cannot. In today’s episode, Michael Tough, who owns three out of the 56 salons within the Headmasters salon group in the UK, joins us to discuss:    How the franchise business model works The opportunities that a franchise business presents Some of the keys to expansion…   And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/195/    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

As Daniel Di Iorio has learned through the process of opening a new salon, life doesn’t always play out exactly the way we expect it to!    In my last conversation with Daniel, which took place in February 2023 (Episode 179), he shared his plans to relocate. In this episode, we do a deep dive into the aspects of the relocation that haven’t gone to plan and the valuable lessons that he has learned throughout the journey!    In the episode, we discuss: The importance of letting go of the things you can’t control Why we should always expect the unexpected The value in always being open to hiring… And more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/194/    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

Which of the five business stages are you and your salon business currently in? What is the vision that you have for your business? And what is currently holding you back from making it a reality?   Building and running a business is a journey, and like all journeys, it will be filled with challenges (and hopefully triumphs). Unfortunately, many businesses fail before they even really get going; don’t let yours be one of them!   There are five clear stages in the game of building a business, and in this episode, I run through what it takes to successfully get through each of them and make it to the next.   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/193/    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 ab

There is no doubt that the salon industry (and the world as a whole) has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Today’s guest, Virginia Meyer, has demonstrated that as scary as change can be, it can also be the best thing for your business!   Virginia is the co-founder, along with David Adams, of the Fourteen Jay salon in downtown New York. She has more than 40 years of experience in the product and education spheres of the salon industry and is passionate about helping hairdressers and salon owners reach their full potential.   Her business is an example of one that has thrived in the wake of the pandemic because of her willingness to embrace change, continuously work on her leadership skills, and adapt to the desires of her employees and her clients.   In this episode, we discuss:   How to make good business decisions The importance of developing a strong salon culture Keys to recruiting and retaining talent in a post-COVID world…   And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: 

Jen LeBlanc is the Operations Manager and Director of Marketing at Salon Rootz (a commission-based salon) and Endz Salon Studios (a salon suite space), both based in the same plaza in Medina, Ohio.   The ‘Rootz to Endz’ business model is proof that salon owners can embrace the salon suite trend while still holding onto more traditional ideas of what a salon is. Some people are going to always want to be part of a team, others will want to start in a team and then move into their own space, and some may bounce back and forth. The ‘Rootz to Endz’ business model caters to them all!   In today’s podcast, we discuss:   -    Combining both an employee business model and a salon suite business model -    The benefits of having your own e-commerce platform -    What successful marketing and operations look like…     And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/191/   Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, pleas

A universal challenge experienced by salon owners is recruiting and retaining talented team members. And because hiring great people is the most effective way to drive revenue, this is a challenge that deserves attention.    My guest on today's podcast is Stefanie Fox, hair colourist, MBA graduate, and the founder of Talent Match, a team-building agency focused specifically on helping beauty industry businesses recruit and retain talent! Her debut on the show is one of our most downloaded episodes, and today she is back in the hot seat to share more of her wisdom.    In today’s podcast, we will discuss:   Trends that have taken place in the salon industry in recent years What has been happening in the world of recruitment in this post-pandemic world  What salon owners everywhere need to be doing to attract, inspire and motivate today’s workforce   And lots more!    For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/190/    Thanks so much for joining me th

As many of you may know, my hairdressing background started with a 10-year stint at the Vidal Sassoon salons and schools in London before I went off to do my own thing.   Whether you worked at Sassoon or not, most hairdressers are interested in how the brand has evolved during its 65-year journey (which is a major feat in itself!).   Vidal Sassoon changed the way the world looks at and works with hair. But every bit as important as that fact is that he showed that being open to adapting to change is essential if you want to survive, not just in hairdressing but in any business.   Over the last few years, the Sassoon brand has continued to evolve, and they recently announced that some big and exciting developments are going to be taking place in the company.   My guest on today’s podcast is my good friend and former colleague Mark Hayes, who is the International Creative Director at Sassoon, and he is going to tell us all about the next stage in the evolution of the Sassoon brand.   For full show not

As a hairdresser, you will be familiar with the numbers on a tube of colour or a bottle of peroxide, but if you don’t understand key performance indicators or profit margin percentages, you are doing yourself and your business a major disservice!   Hairdressers are known to be good at building relationships and thinking creatively, but within the industry, there is recognition that when it comes to ‘financial management,’ it’s often our weak spot. This is a generalization, but unfortunately, there is no doubt that it is a big part of the reason why so many salons don’t survive.    This episode explains the importance of knowing your numbers if you want to create a thriving, sustainable salon business (and where you can go to get this financial education!)   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/188/    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 app

Any career path has a beginning, a middle and an end. For some people, that entire journey is a brief couple of years, and for almost everyone, there is a peak and then a gradual decline in passion, creativity and relevance.    But every so often, someone comes along whose career continues to evolve on an upward trajectory that spans a lifetime and influences many generations of hairdressers. Today's guest is long hair expert Sharon Blain, and she is one such person.    For almost 60 years, Sharon's career has thrived, but 2023 is the year of her 'final world tour.' This year, for the last time, she will visit various cities across five continents to do what she does better than anyone: educate and inspire another generation of hairdressers in the art of dressing long hair!    So, if you haven't had the opportunity to attend one of Sharon's boot camps, now is probably your last chance. But whether you attend one or not, I hope you enjoy this very special episode I recorded eight years ago with a very special

I am often asked how salons should go about removing the front desk and what the potential challenges are that might come with it. Without a doubt, the idea of a desk-less salon appeals to a lot of people and to varying degrees, they implement it.  Salons that remove the front desk are creating a different client experience. Removing the front desk automates and streamlines the salon operations, and any problems that it might create are easily solved with technology.  My guest on today's Podcast is the Operations Manager and Director of Marketing at Salon Rootz salon in Medina, Ohio, and she is a ‘desk-free evangelist!’   In this episode, we discuss: Reassessing salon operations in a post covid world Removing the front desk and the challenges and opportunities that come with it Virtual check-in for salons Creating a contactless salon experience Chairside checkout Closing on Fridays And lots more… For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podc

When you buy an existing salon business, there will inevitably be things you want to (and possibly need to) change.  Sometimes everything goes well, and the transition is a huge success for the new owner, the employees, and the clients. However, just because the salon business model is simple doesn’t mean a salon is a simple business to run, and taking over an existing salon can also end in tears, financial losses, and half of the team walking out.  Nobody wants the latter experience, so tune in to this episode to hear what you can do to limit the risks of buying a business and make the experience a positive one for everybody involved.    For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/185/    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 b

When Nicole Kidman describes you as the best hairdresser in the world, it is safe to say you’ve mastered your craft! Kerry Warn is the man behind the iconic hairstyles seen in movies like Eyes Wide Shut, The Stepford Wives, The Great Gatsby, Bewitched, Mrs America, Grace of Monaco, and Bladerunner…(to name a few)   And you would have seen his work on the world's biggest fashion catwalks…    And on the cover of leading fashion magazines …   Today's podcast is an interview that was done in 2015, but Kerry is still very much active today. What stood out most when talking to him eight years ago was his humility, his charm, and his insights into fashion and hair and beauty. He has a depth of knowledge that is extremely rare.   Kerry's journey is one of commitment, dedication, and passion that I know you will be inspired by, so tune in to hear what it takes to become a true hairdressing master!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/184   Thanks so much f

It turns out that producing over half a million dollars behind the chair annually is not about being a celebrity stylist, a fashion week backstage superstar, or having a huge social media following.    Today is the first in a series of three episodes over the coming weeks where I will be talking to hairstylists who make extraordinarily high revenue figures behind the chair about what it does take!   My guest on today's podcast is Denise Deering from JUUT SalonSpa in Palo Alto. In her 28 years behind the chair, Denise has never needed to take a sick day, and she is still wholeheartedly passionate about what she does.   In today’s podcast, we will discuss:   The key to making extraordinary figures working behind the chair How long it takes to build up a column Avoiding burnout Finding balance   And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/183/    Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a re

Change is a theme that has been coming through strongly in the interviews that I have been having on the show.    Even though we are in the ‘business of change’ (i.e. we change the appearance of those who sit in our chairs), the salon industry is often slow to embrace things like changing attitudes, technology, or business models.   In business and life, I firmly believe that change is not only good for your business but also essential for keeping you inspired and motivated. But I am just as firm in my belief that some foundational elements don’t ever need to change.    So, tune in for an episode where I share my thoughts on implementing change while being careful not to throw out the good with the bad!    For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/182/    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 sh

My guest on today’s Podcast is Toronto-based hairdresser Kristin Rankin, a salon owner at Fox & Jane and the founder of the Dresscode Project.    The salon industry is traditionally very gendered, and the Dresscode Project aims to create gender-affirming spaces through training and educating people working in the industry to give people haircuts that make them look the way they feel!    In today’s podcast, we will discuss: What exactly the Dresscode Project does, and the impact it is having  The concept of suitability  Salon pricing…  And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/181/    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

These days we hear a lot about the changing culture in salons and the changing needs and expectations of today's workforce. In order to stay relevant in the salon industry today, salon owners need to be open to cultural progression.    Tom White, the founder of Melbourne-based salon, Same Same But Different, is a salon owner with an interesting, new-age take on what creating a modern salon culture is all about. The four foundational pillars of Same Same But Different are diversity, community, creativity, and honesty, and Tom’s approach is all about simplifying the salon experience and creating something special not just for the guests but for the hairdressers too!    In today’s podcast, we discuss:   Brand pillars Flexible working hours Motivation Profit margins Salon retail   And lots more! For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/180/   Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and rev

Being in business is a journey, and like all journeys, no matter how prepared you think you are, there will always be unanticipated surprises along the way.    Sometimes the surprises are that good things happen, so things work out better than you expected. Other times, there are surprises that are less than ideal, and as a business owner, you have to deal with the fallout that comes with them. Either way, it’s important to be willing to compromise and accept that you may need to pivot more than once!    My guest on today’s episode is Australian Hairdresser Daniel Di Iorio, who has been in business for 11 years but is now relocating and opening a new salon.     This episode is part 1 of a series of episodes in which we will follow his journey, highs, lows, and all! In today’s podcast, we discuss:   ·       Budgets ·       Interior design ·       Rebranding ·       Staffing   And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/179/   Thanks so much

If you stopped ten hairdressers in the street and asked them what marketing is, you would probably get ten different answers.  I’m going to guess and say that a big percentage of them would say that marketing is advertising.   And a big percentage of people these days would talk about marketing as being social media.  The majority would also probably say that marketing is about getting ‘New Clients’ into the salon, and perhaps that’s where the problem starts. Because although they are not wrong, marketing is about so much more than that. In today’s podcast, I talk about what the purpose of marketing really is.   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/178   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

Many media representatives have multipurpose roles as both publishers of magazines and facilitators of awards and various industry events. This gives them interesting insights into what’s going on in the world of hair and beauty. This is the third and final episode in a series of podcasts in which I talk to people who represent the trade media. In the previous two episodes, my guests provided us with a north American and an Australian perspective. Today I am speaking with Jayne Lewis-Orr to get a UK perspective.  Jayne is the Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Group in the UK, which, amongst other things, publishes The Hairdressers Journal, facilitates Salon International, and hosts the British Hairdressing Awards.  In today’s podcast, we discuss: How the role of the hair and beauty media has evolved over the last few years The impact that the internet and social media have had on traditional print media How Jayne sees the future of industry events and awards… And lots more!   For full show notes