Grow My Salon Business Podcast

I think it’s fair to say that in today’s workplace, there is a lot of talk about what exactly modern salon culture is. As a salon owner, how do you find the balance between offering more flexibility to your team, meeting clients’ expectations, and running a profitable business? I often talk about the theory of that, but there’s nothing better than talking to someone who is actually doing it. My guest on today’s podcast is Pedro Inchenko, who, along with his best friend and business partner Jonny Orthona, started the Ena Salon in London’s Covent Garden as well as the off-shoot education brand, Allilon Education. In today’s podcast, we will discuss: What it takes to create a modern salon culture  The importance of remaining curious  The need for flexibility in a modern salon environment And lots more!  For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/176/ Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and re

Many media representatives have multipurpose roles as publishers of magazines as well as facilitators of awards and various industry events. Therefore, they usually have interesting insights into what's going on in the world of hair and beauty.  This episode is the second in a series of podcasts in which I am talking to people representing the trade media. In the first episode of the series, I spoke with Stacey Soble from Salon Today to get a North American perspective. On today's episode, my guest is Linda Woodhead.  Linda is the founder and owner of the Mocha Group, a multi-layered media company and publisher of magazines in the Australian hair, beauty, and barbering space.   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   The trends around recruitment   The changes in industry events… And lots more!   For full show notes, links and resources mentioned visit

Most salon owners want more! They want more team members. They want more productivity from the team.  They want more consistency in standards. They want more time for themselves away from the business. And they want more profit in their business. There is nothing wrong with salon owners wanting all of these things and more! And all of this is possible.  But it involves work, commitment, and an investment of your time and money.  Now isn't the time to cross your fingers and rely on 'hope' as a reliable business-building strategy. Now is the time to get proactive and transform your business by finally getting on top of the 'Management' side of creating a successful salon.  In today's podcast, I talk you through:  How to develop a vision for your business. Why you need to define a culture that reflects your values. How to build a business that is not a part of you but apart from you. How to develop yourself as a leader and manager. And lots more! Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this e

There are many people with a vested interest in the hairdressing industry, the obvious ones being the clients, and the stylists and colourists that are behind the chair; then there are also the salon and school owners, the educators and all the people that are behind the product brands…  And then there are the ‘trade media’, and they are involved in many parts of the industry, with the obvious one traditionally being publishing magazines, but these days they are also heavily involved across all the digital platforms, as well as events, awards, trade shows and education as well as many other areas of the industry…     My guest on today's Podcast is Stacey Soble; she is the Director of Brand Content Strategy for Salon Today Magazine, where she has held numerous roles over the last 26 years. 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 media The trends around recruitment, market

I get an enormous amount of enjoyment from all of my guests on the podcast… And, I also learn a lot from them too… The best way to learn is to ask questions. …And to be prepared to question your own beliefs and attitudes. To be vulnerable, to listen, to be open, honest, tolerant, and to be prepared to broaden your own perspective… And above all, to be receptive to change.  This year, in particular, an area that I (and many others) have learnt more about, is the issues around race. And as hairdressers, the direct impact that has in terms of the training we get, the products we use, …and the services we offer, particularly around textured hair. On today’s podcast, my guest is the wonderful Mahogany Plautz, and amongst the many hats she wears is that of hairdresser, former suite owner, and a self-titled ‘Hair Historian and Activist’ and an educator for John Paul Mitchell Systems… This episode was originally done as part of a series of live video recordings for Paul Mitchell, but I decided to repurpose it for the

A hairdressing career can take you to many places and enable you to meet many people from all walks of life.  Many of us are drawn into the industry because of the fashion and creative aspects that a hairdressing career presents.  But, there are some who use their skill with scissors and comb to give back to society in another way. My guest today is one such person.  Stewart Roberts is the founder of Haircuts 4 Homeless, a registered charity in the UK and Ireland that has grown into an army of over 600 volunteers working through 80 outlets. To date, they have given over 50,000 haircuts to the homeless. As Stewart says, “It’s not a job; it’s a calling.” Stewart was awarded an MBE [Member of the British Empire] from Princess Anne in recognition of his work with the homeless, and personally, I can't think of anyone more deserving.  If you want to learn more about what Stewart does and how you can support him, visit haircuts4Homeless.com.   In this Episode: [03:01] Stewart shares why losing his salon was a blessi

As I often say, “this industry is all about change.” In reality, every industry is about change, and the salon business is certainly not immune to the changing forces of technology, consumer trends, and generational changes.  Today's podcast is specifically focused on changes in the professional salon retail model. My guest on today's Podcast is Randy Cotten, the President and GM of SalonInteractive.  At the moment, SalonInteractive is only US based, but no matter where you live in the world, you will want to listen to this episode as I firmly believe that Salon Interactive will play a big role in the salon retail model of the future…   In this Episode: [03:38] Randy shares an overview of his educational and professional journey to date. [05:51] What Randy’s company, SalonInteractive, does and how it benefits hairdressers.  [09:02] How SalonInteractive differs from other affiliate-linking sites (like Amazon, for example).  [12:29] The founding story of SalonInteractive.  [14:50] A more in-depth explanation of

Over the last few days, I’ve released three short videos (each less than 20 minutes) about creating a productive and profitable salon culture, and I’ve repurposed that video content for this podcast episode.  Working in the salon industry is an exciting journey that can be broken down into three broad stages, each of which comes with its own problems and its own solutions. Getting the doors of your business open is just the first step, and it’s so important to be prepared for what comes next!  Whether you are just starting out with your first salon or you’ve been in business for a while, this episode is full of insights from my experience in the salon industry that will be useful for any stage of your journey!    In this Episode: [03:17] Stage one: opening a business.   [04:11] My first experience of opening a salon.  [05:39] The day that signalled a turning point in my business.  [09:13] One of the most important roles of a business leader.  [10:38] Why the commonly held “build it and they will come” belief

We often hear about how much the hairdressing industry is changing as if it’s the only one. But the truth is that every industry is changing!  For example, just think of the impact that Spotify and other streaming services have had on the music industry. Or the impact that social media has had on advertising and magazines.  Or the impact that Airbnb has had on the hotel sector. Or the impact that Netflix has had on the TV and entertainment business.  Or the impact that Uber has had on the taxi industry.  Maybe the rate of change has sped up a little, but don’t go thinking that eventually things will get back to “normal.” Instead, we all need to embrace change and look for the opportunities in front of us.  My guest on today's podcast is Andrew Finkelstein, who has witnessed a lot of change in his lifetime. Andrew isn’t a hairdresser himself but comes from the famous Finkelstein hairdressing dynasty. He currently resides in New York and works as an author, speaker, and coach. In today’s podcast, we will discus

Sometimes I find myself searching for words to aptly describe the achievements and status of someone who is way ahead of the pack.   My guest on today's episode is one such person, and I’m going to describe him as a ‘hairdressing genius.’ Sam McKnight is a session stylist with a list of eye-watering achievements, including having worked with every supermodel you can name, as well as celebrities, movie stars, royalty, photographers, magazines, and fashion designers, over the last 40 years. He has so many Vogue covers to his credit that he’s lost count (well over 250!) He’s won awards, had exhibitions, published his own book, and been a contributing editor to British Vogue. Sam is currently a judge on the UK reality TV show, ‘The Big Blow Out’ (which is sponsored by Paul Mitchell), and on top of all that, Sam is the founder of his own product range, simply called “Hair by Sam McKnight.” So, in today's podcast, we just talk about being Sam McKnight…   In this Episode: [04:04] The transition point in Sam’s life t

My guest today, Nina Kovner, is someone who I have been wanting to speak with for the last couple of years. I think Nina has a valuable message to share with the world. So, I’m so glad we finally made it happen!  Amongst many things, Nina is a fellow podcaster and passionate advocate for mental health awareness as well as being a salon business coach and the context creator for Passion Squared.  Nina has a vast amount of experience in the hairdressing industry and brings an honesty and thought provoking authenticity to every conversation. In today’s podcast, we will discuss: The importance of taking care of your mental health Social media and mental health How Gen Z prioritize mental health  What leadership really is… And lots more!   In this Episode: [03:34] An overview of Nina’s life story and their greatest passion.  [06:06] Nina opens up about their own mental health struggles.  [07:34] The power of “being where your feet are” and practicing gratitude.  [14:53] Factors that led Nina to a catastrophic me

If you want to build a business, you can’t do it alone.  You and your business don’t exist in isolation, and despite how talented, adaptable and hardworking you are, even you can only do so much. Every business owner needs the help and support of other people with other specialist skill sets. If business growth is important to you, then building the right external team is just as important as building the right internal team. Your internal team are those people who work in the salon providing hair and beauty services. Your external team includes financial experts, legal advisors, coaches, and the like. Tune in today to hear about what your external team should consist of, and the importance of carefully considering the people you choose to fill these positions!   In this Episode: [01:02] Why you can’t grow a business alone.  [01:55] Examples of the kinds of specialists who may make up a salon owner’s external team.  [05:37] The value of having an external team.  [07:55] Why you should have an accountant on yo

“Show me the data; a person without data is just another person with an opinion.” - W. Edwards Deming In some areas of the hair and beauty sector, there is a lot of accurate data. But in other areas, there’s a lot of opinion and perception. And while I can be as guilty of that as anyone, it’s also important to separate fact from fiction.  My guest on today's podcast is Gordon Miller, who always has a good overview of what’s happening in the hairdressing industry from a business perspective.   Gordon has held many different roles throughout his career, and today he is the Chief Engagement Officer of Hairbrained (hairbrained.me). Although our conversation today is based primarily on trends and data from the United States, most of it has relevance no matter where in the world you are based. In today’s podcast, we will discuss: What the data says about how the industry is in a post covid world The current trends in evolving business models The changes happening to the professional retail model… And lots more!  

This week on the podcast, I am talking with Jennifer Akers from Hollywood Hair, a salon group that is located in three small towns across the United States. I love talking to Jennifer and her team at Hollywood hair because I always learn from them, and today is no exception! Often times it’s the really big, high-profile hairdressers with celebrity clientele who come up with innovative new ways of working and get acknowledged for being successful business-wise. But as the Hollywood Hair story illustrates, success can come in all shapes and sizes! Today we are going to talk about a whole range of topics that cover what makes a salon business successful, and whether you have a small salon with just 1 or 2 team members or a chain of salons, I will guarantee that you will learn something from this conversation. So, without further ado, welcome to Jennifer Akers from Hollywood Hair…   In this Episode: [02:34] How Hollywood Hair has grown since its opening in 1994.  [03:32] An overview of the employment model that i

There are many salon owners who decide to make the journey from one salon to two or more salons, only to then go back to one.  Obviously, there are many reasons why that might happen, but they do often have certain things in common.  My guest on today's podcast is a salon owner who has made that journey, and his story could be the story of many others. His name is Simon Matthews from The Simon John Salon in the UK, and in today's episode, Simon shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way. In today’s podcast, we discuss: Why bigger doesn’t mean better. How his salon has adopted a 4-day work week… and  The benefits of building one successful salon business rather than spreading yourself across multiple locations.   And lots more!   In this Episode: [00:40] Today’s guest is Simon Matthews.[01:57] Simon tells us about himself. [03:18] Simon’s vision when opening his first salon. [04:27] Why Simon opened a second salon. [05:51] Simon talks about his third salon. [08:42] Some of the challenges Simon

I often get questions like, “I get a lot of new clients, but we never seem to grow. Where are we going wrong?”  So today, I want to talk a little about the role of marketing and what marketing really is.  Many salon owners are focused on growth. So all their attention, time, money, and energy are focused on attracting new clients into the business. But the problem is that they are only addressing one component of marketing.  In today’s show we will discuss  Client Generation: Attracting new clients.  Client Conversion: Turning those new clients into regulars.  Client Retention: Keeping them as long as possible. And lots more!   In this Episode: [01:01] What role does marketing play?[01:44] Marketing has three components.[02:42] The three reasons clients don’t come back.[03:24] The most common reason clients don’t return.[05:50] Clients should feel wanted and not rushed.[09:00] Finding new clients is only the first step.[10:40] Being friendly and positive can make a huge difference.[13:08] A recap of what ha

As many of you know, I've been in the salon industry a long time, and I’d like to think that I know a lot about hair and hairdressing. But one of the areas that I haven’t had a lot of exposure to is hair extensions. Extensions first came onto the hairdressing scene in the ’80s, and since then, they have become a significant part of the industry. My guest on today's Podcast is Emilly Hadrill. She is the leading provider of premium extensions in Australia and has 4 hair salons across Brisbane, Melbourne, Gold Coast & Sydney, generating 6 million dollars a year in sales! In today’s podcast, we discuss: How to work with extensions  How Emilly has grown and successfully expanded her business  Why and how you should start integrating extensions into your salon business… And lots more!   In this Episode: [02:54] Emilly’s early exposure to hairdressing and the personal experience that influenced her to pursue a career in the hair extension industry.  [07:17] What the hair extension field looked like when Emilly

I'm currently doing a monthly series of Facebook live interviews on behalf of John Paul Mitchell Systems. And both the guest and the content have been great, so I am also repurposing them as my weekly podcasts. The first one is today's episode where I spoke with Clinton Norris and Lucas Doney who, along with Clinton's wife Lauren, are salon and school owners in San Diego.  They are also extremely nice people who have some interesting insights into the salon of today! I know you will enjoy this episode where we discuss: Changing salon business models  Business in a post-Covid world Generational changes Life as an educator… And lots more!   In this Episode: [03:17] Origins of the name of Clinton, Lucas, and Lauren’s salon and creative space; Citizen.  [05:22] Unique elements that make Citizen more than just a regular salon. [07:29] Lucas, Clinton, and Lauren’s approach to curating their creative space.  [10:45] The very effective hybrid business model that is utilized at Citizen.  [15:23] How they have built

A career in hairdressing can take you on a journey in all sorts of directions that you couldn’t possibly have imagined! My guest on today's podcast is hairstylist Wendy Iles, the founder of her signature product line and a true ‘Celebrity Hairdresser’ in every sense of the word. In today’s episode, we will discuss: Finding the balance between a successful career and life as a mother and wife. What it takes to be a successful celebrity hairdresser. The importance of strong foundation skills. And lots more!   In this Episode: [05:29] How Wendy defines a Celebrity Hairdresser and how she came to hold this title.  [10:36] The difference between being a magazine session stylist and a celebrity hairdresser.  [13:33] Wendy shares the story of her journey of learning to dress hair. [19:06] How Wendy’s time spent living in France has influenced how she approaches her work. [20:55] Comparing vogue aesthetics across the world. [24:04] A big reason for the limited number of female hairdressers working as editorial and

“It’s easier to prevent a problem from happening in the first place than to try and solve it once it’s happening.” Team culture is established whether you consciously create it or not, so to ensure that you and your team members are on the same page and thus avoid conflict down the line, the best time to establish a culture within your business is at the very beginning. Although this isn’t an easy task, it is certainly worth it! In this episode, we discuss: How to create a healthy team culture within your salon. The importance of consistency. Resources that will help you successfully establish a team culture.  And more! In this Episode: [01:09] How to leave a review for the podcast (which we would greatly appreciate!). [01:32] The email that inspired today’s episode.   [03:20] When a business culture should be established. [04:19] How to establish a culture within your business. [07:48] The importance of consistency in building a team culture (even though it’s hard!). [10:08] What you need to accept if you