Podcast

Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Arts, Business, Fashion & Beauty, Management

I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever.

Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!

Fashion & Beauty chart
#42
Episodes
372
Releases
Weekly
Typical length
23 min
On air since
2019
Latest episode
18 hours ago

Episodes

372 episodes, newest first

  1. Why All Business Development Starts With Personal Development with Debra Neill Baker

    Episode 372

    Show notes

    All business development starts with personal development, which is why salon leadership development has to start with you.

    Debra Neill Baker, CEO of Neill Corporation and co-founder of Serious Business, has lived by that idea for 50 years in the industry.

    As salon owners, we pour our energy into the team, numbers and clients, and our own growth gets pushed to the bottom of the list. So what would change in your salon if you moved your personal and professional development as the leader back to the top?

    Debra shares how her family business has lasted 75 years, how her salons have adapted to changing times, and why developing your next leaders is the most important part of your job.

    If your own growth has slipped down the list, this conversation gives you clear places to start.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why all business development starts with personal development, and what that means for you as a salon owner
    • Why thinking about your own thinking matters, and how fixed beliefs can keep you stuck
    • Why developing your next generation of leaders is the most important part of your job
    • What taking responsibility for your own life looks like, and how doing the inner work helps you handle anxiety and noise

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: Debra Neill Baker and her influence on the American salon industry

    [02:26] How a third-generation family business has lasted 75 years in the salon industry

    [08:05] The secret behind a business that keeps evolving and still stays successful

    [11:23] Why Debra says the heart of the salon business is to evoke self-love

    [15:34] How Serious Business started and why business education became the focus

    [17:57] Why human skills matter more as artificial intelligence reshapes the world

    [18:50] Thinking about your own thinking, and how beliefs can keep you stuck

    [33:23] How Neill’s salons have adapted to flexibility, autonomy and a younger workforce

    [35:10] Why developing the next generation of leaders is the salon owner’s primary role

    [38:20] The wisdom Debra hopes the next generation of hairdressers will take on board

    [42:30] Where to find out more about Serious Business in New Orleans

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    🎓 Serious Business – the annual personal growth, leadership and business event held in New Orleans every January – Find out more

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW SERIOUS BUSINESS!

    Instagram | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏
    Until next time!
    Antony

    45 min
  2. 371 Seven Steps to Improve New Client Retention in Your Salon

    Episode 371

    Show notes

    Salon client retention is one of the most overlooked numbers in your business, and most salon owners have no idea how many first-time clients they’re losing. You spend money on promotions and social media to get new people through the door, then never see them again.

    In this episode, I talk about how to measure retention properly, why the numbers can vary so much between stylists, and what’s really behind a client deciding not to come back. And I ask the question every salon owner should be asking: how many of the new clients I’m paying to attract am I actually keeping?

    I finish with a simple seven-step process for finding out who on your team is struggling, working out why, and getting more first-time clients back for a second visit.

    WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

    • How to measure new client retention properly, and the right time period for your type of salon
    • Why each stylist’s individual numbers tell you far more than your salon’s overall figure
    • A seven-step process to lift retention across your whole team
    • Why stylists improve faster when they can see their own data, and how to use it constructively

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: Is your real problem new clients or keeping them?
    [01:56] What happens when only four in ten new clients come back
    [02:35] Why chasing new clients is an expensive way to grow
    [03:00] Defining client retention and choosing the right measurement period
    [03:57] New client retention vs existing client retention, and what to aim for
    [05:35] Why individual stylist numbers matter more than the salon average
    [06:56] Why some first-time clients never come back
    [11:21] The rebooking conversation many stylists never have
    [12:23] The seven-step process for improving new client retention
    [17:42] What lifting retention from 40% to 60% could mean for your salon
    [18:58] How to get help improving your team’s client retention

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    Super Stylist Online Course – Build the consultation, communication and rebooking skills that keep clients coming back –Find out more

    Marketing Online Course – Build a marketing system that attracts the right clients and keeps them –Find out more

    Management Online Course – Put the systems and structure in place for a salon that runs properly –Find out more

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Bookshttps://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you’re athttps://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    👉 FOLLOW US!
    Instagram |Facebook |Website

    RATINGS & REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here’s what you do:

    • On your phone,Click here (read the steps below first)
    • Scroll down to ‘Ratings & Reviews’
    • Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    • Click on ‘Write a Review’

    I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!
    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    20 min
  3. 370 Five Ways to Make the Most of the Festive Season in Your Salon

    Episode 370

    Show notes

    The festive season is one of the biggest spending periods of the year, yet most salon owners go into it without a real marketing plan. Meanwhile, every retailer, restaurant and online business is chasing the same share of your clients’ festive spending, and they planned their campaigns months ago.

    So the question every salon owner should be asking is: what’s my plan for the rest of this year, and will it make my salon more profitable?

    I share five practical things you can put in place in the buildup to the Christmas money-making season. You’ll come away knowing how to generate extra revenue through gifting, retail and events without giving your profit away, and how to use December’s busy appointment book to fill the quieter months of January and February.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • How to build a simple festive marketing plan your team can deliver
    • The discount maths that shows how a 20% Black Friday offer can wipe out your profit
    • How to make gifting easy for clients who know nothing about hair products
    • How a $50 haircut turned into $3,600 in gift card sales, and what made it work

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction
    [00:27] Why marketing never stops, even when you think you’re not doing any
    [01:17] The festive spending season and who you’re really competing against
    [03:12] Too many ideas and no plan: why festive promotions fall over
    [05:32] The Black Friday discount maths every salon owner needs to see
    [07:24] Why the person buying the gift matters more than the receiver
    [08:10] The fifty dollar haircut that turned into $3,600 in gift cards
    [11:41] Turning a gift card into something that feels like a proper present
    [13:47] Giving back at Christmas and why it matters to your community
    [16:36] Retail bingo: a fun way to get your team recommending products
    [21:11] Recap of the five ways to make the most of the festive season
    [22:19] How to get more organised with your marketing all year round

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    🎓 Marketing Course and Coaching Program – A complete system to attract, convert and retain the right clients all year round – Find out more

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Bookshttps://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you’re athttps://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    24 min
  4. 369 The Power of Showing Up: Lessons From 230 Salons with Denis McFadden

    Episode 369

    Show notes

    When one salon already feels like it's running you, scaling a salon business to 230 locations sounds impossible. I'm joined by returning guest Denis McFadden, founder of Just Cuts. Denis has just released his book, The Power of Showing Up, and we talk about the personal story behind it and the thinking that built the brand. And I ask the question every salon owner asks: how do I build a business that keeps growing without everything going through me?

    You'll hear why Denis puts systems at the heart of everything, the simple numbers he uses to judge whether a salon can be profitable, and why he's still building at 80. Whatever your size, you'll walk away knowing what to write down, what to measure and where you're overcomplicating things.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    ✅ Why systems let a business run 10 salons or 200 the same way

    ✅ Why time and price always belong in the same conversation

    ✅ How focusing on one thing built a brand, and why Denis keeps saying no to other opportunities

    ✅ What showing up really means, and how that one habit shaped an entire career

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: Denis McFadden returns to talk about his new book

    [06:01] The Power of Showing Up: what the title of the book really means

    [11:30] Dyslexia, self-belief and why Denis now calls it his superpower

    [18:46] Still building at 80: what keeps Denis motivated in business

    [21:27] Why systems are the foundation of growing from one salon to many

    [24:55] Is the Just Cuts model still relevant to today’s clients and stylists?

    [31:41] Are tougher economic times pushing clients to trade down on haircuts?

    [35:30] The percentages that decide whether a salon will be profitable

    [37:49] Why time and price can never be separated in your salon

    [39:54] The future of Just Cuts and why Denis is bringing in experts

    [45:36] Would Denis do anything differently? Plus how to get the book

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    📚 The Power of Showing Up by Denis McFadden – Denis's personal story and the story behind the Just Cuts brand –Find out more

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books

    🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist!This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at

    RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE:

    Episode 24: The story behind building ‘Just Cuts' a successful salon franchise with Denis McFadden Listen here → https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/024/

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW JUST CUTS!

    Instagram | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    49 min
  5. 368 Is the Salon Industry Really All Doom and Gloom?

    Episode 368

    Show notes

    Spend any time in hairdressing groups on social media, and you could believe a successful salon business is almost impossible today. Rising costs, staffing problems and shrinking margins are real. But some of the salons I work with tell a very different story. These are profitable businesses with great teams, run by owners who have a life outside the salon. We just don't hear enough about them, and I think it's time we did.

    Today's episode will give you a fresh perspective on your own business, a clearer idea of what success means to you, and the foundations that help a salon hold firm when the economy slows.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why the doom and gloom on social media only tells half the story
    • The simple swap from "I have to" to "I get to" and how it changes the way you see your business
    • Why your definition of success can look completely different from the salon down the road

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: is the salon industry really all doom and gloom?

    [01:23] A coaching client who is tired of the negativity in hairdressing

    [02:49] Acknowledging the challenges without letting them dominate your thinking

    [06:59] The successful salons you rarely hear about in our industry

    [08:35] The low-profile salon on the fourth floor of an industrial building

    [09:42] What does success actually mean for you and your salon?

    [11:27] Why Antony wants to share more salon success stories on the podcast

    [13:00] Warren Buffett, the tide going out, and building a business that lasts

    [14:32] The foundations that help a salon cope when times get tough

    [17:04] One simple question to ask about your business right now

    [19:17] Why success leaves clues, and where to get help

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    ➡️ Zenoti – all-in-one salon management platform with AI-powered client communications and automation. GMSB listeners get 50% off their first three months –Find out more

    Grow My Salon Business – free and paid resources to help you build a more profitable, sustainable salon – Find out more

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    21 min
  6. 367 Are Business Partnerships a Good Idea for Salon Owners?

    Episode 367

    Show notes

    A salon business partnership usually starts with two hairdressers, a strong friendship and a handshake. It feels like a great way to share the load. Yet most of these partnerships fall apart within a few years, often with money lost and friendships damaged.

    The key to a successful partnership is all about how you set it up at the beginning. So here's a question worth asking: if you're thinking about a partner, or already have one, how protected is the business when circumstances change?

    What are the conversations to have before you sign anything, and why giving away ownership is so hard to undo.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why needing business expertise is a poor reason on its own to give away equity in your salon

    • The questions to answer before you sign anything: ownership, workload, salary, profits and decision-making

    • What 50/50 really means when you and your partner disagree

    • Why talking about the end at the start is one of the smartest moves you can make

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: why so many salon partnerships start with just a handshake

    [04:37] The first question to ask yourself: why do you actually want a partner?

    [06:17] Why needing expertise doesn't mean you should give away ownership

    [08:00] Why shared vision matters as much as complementary skills in a partnership

    [11:12] Every partnership ends eventually, so why you should plan for it early

    [12:14] The seven Ds that can derail a salon business partnership

    [14:20] The conversations to have before you sign a partnership agreement

    [16:19] What a 50/50 partnership really means when the two of you disagree

    [17:17] Why you can't outsource understanding your own business as an owner

    [20:00] The biggest lessons from three very different partnerships

    [21:23] How Grow My Salon Business can help you build a better business

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    The GROW Book Series – four bestselling books on building a successful salon business – Find out more

    Grow My Salon Business Online Courses – step-by-step courses on money, management, marketing and your team – Find out more

    Coaching – one-to-one support to work through the specific challenges in your business – Find out more

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    22 min
  7. 366 How to Scale a Salon Business From One Store to One Hundred with Sudheer Koneru

    Episode 366

    Show notes

    Why do some salon and beauty businesses grow beyond a single location while others struggle to scale? In this episode, I’m joined once again by Sudheer Koneru, co-founder of Zenoti, to discuss his new book, Growth Diaries: How the Best Beauty and Wellness Brands Scale from One Store to One Hundred Plus.

    Drawing on conversations with 42 successful founders across the salon, spa, med spa and wellness industries, Sudheer shares the common traits he discovered behind businesses that successfully scale. We talk about why passion and purpose matter, the importance of building systems that work without the owner, why successful entrepreneurs are great listeners, and how people, culture, location and data all play a role in sustainable growth.

    Whether your ambition is to build one exceptional salon or one hundred locations, there are plenty of lessons here about what it really takes to build a business that can grow beyond you.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • The real reason most salons plateau at a single location and never expand
    • Which phase of growth trips up almost every founder, and what gets them through it
    • The three traits the world's fastest growing beauty and wellness brands all share
    • Why retention and rebooking matter more than chasing new client numbers

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: why so few salons ever scale past one location

    [00:39] Meet Sudheer Koneru, founder of Zenoti and author of Growth Diaries

    [03:19] Sudheer's own path from Microsoft into building wellness businesses

    [04:58] Why timing changes which sectors are easiest to scale today

    [07:00] What surfaces when founders talk beyond their usual PR story

    [09:00] Two stories of founders who built huge brands from nothing

    [13:00] The phases of growth most likely to trip up an owner

    [16:26] Why owners underestimate how much they personally are the system

    [19:00] Founder or business partner: what separates the two growth paths

    [22:22] Why going from one location to two is the hardest step

    [26:12] Three things the most successful beauty and wellness brands share

    [35:39] Sudheer's advice for a young stylist wanting to build something bigger

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Growth Diaries by Sudheer Koneru – a new book drawn from 42 conversations with beauty and wellness founders who scaled from one location to over a hundred → You can get the book here

    Zenoti – salon, spa and wellness management software, founded by today's guest – head here for 50% off for the first 3 months

    RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE:

    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 268: Can One Salon Management Software System Fill All Your Needs? Listen here → https://growmysalonbusiness.com/podcast/268

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW Zenoti!

    Instagram | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!

    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    42 min
  8. 365 Five Things Every Growing Salon Needs in Place

    Episode 365

    Show notes

    Growth sounds like the obvious goal for any salon owner, but chasing a bigger business without a plan can break the one you've already built. I've seen owners open a second location only to end up with two salons that struggle instead of one that thrives. So what would your business actually need to look like if it grew the way you truly want?

    In this episode, I share the five things I believe every salon owner needs before they scale: a clear vision, real systems, people who can lead, a handle on the numbers, and the willingness to grow as a leader. You'll get a practical insight to decide if growth is the right goal, and how to build a business that gives you the life you want.

    IN THIS EPISODE

    • The five things you need in place before you scale a salon business

    • Why expansion doesn't just duplicate what was already working; it duplicates the problems as well.

    • How to build systems that let your business run without you

    • Why business growth is really people growth, and how to develop leaders under you

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction

    [01:33] Why there is no single definition of salon business success

    [03:15] The assumption that bigger automatically means better, and why it isn't

    [04:02] The five things you need in place for growth to be sustainable

    [06:16] The mistake most salon owners make when they open salon number two

    [07:47] How growth reveals whether you built a business or just a job

    [10:00] Why business growth is really about growing people, not just adding them

    [12:24] Why you need to know the numbers before you think about expanding

    [14:22] Why evolving as a leader is the hardest part of growing a business

    [16:09] The owner who believes nobody can do it as well as they can

    [17:00] A recap of the five things sustainable salon growth actually requires

    [18:11] Where to find the free video series on salon management skills

    RESOURCES MENTIONED

    Free Management Video Series – Four Essential Lessons in Salon Management to Set You Up For Success, a free four-part video series (each video around 15 minutes) that also explains how the management course and coaching program work.
    👉 Register here https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-video-series and get them sent straight to your inbox

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS & REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone, click here (read the steps below first): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grow-my-salon-business-podcast/id1456014220

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on 'Write a Review'

    I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast!
    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!

    Antony

    20 min
  9. 364 What Does Your Business Need From You?

    Episode 364

    Show notes

    Every salon owner learns eventually that to manage a salon business, you first have to manage yourself. It's easy to focus on the team, the standards and the accountability conversations you'd rather avoid. But before any of that works, you need to look honestly at your own time, habits and follow-through.

    This week I look at why being busy and managing well are two different things, why giving someone a task without also giving them the authority to make decisions isn't really delegating, and why so much of good management is invisible to your clients even though they feel the result of it. Manage yourself properly, and the rest of the business gets easier to run.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why being busy and managing well are two completely different things
    • The diary test that shows what you're actually prioritising, not just what you say matters
    • Why delegation fails when you hand over the task but not the authority
    • The difference between managing things and leading people, and why both matter

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction: Why the hardest person to manage is the one running the salon

    [01:28] The uncomfortable realisation that your own standards set the tone for everyone

    [03:37] Why being busy and managing well are two completely different things

    [06:00] The two very different jobs of a stylist and a salon manager

    [07:21] What your diary actually reveals about your real priorities each week

    [10:57] Why you manage things and systems, but you have to lead people

    [12:32] Why clear expectations do more for standards than being hard or controlling

    [13:00] Why "obvious" means something different to every single person on your team

    [16:00] What clients actually feel when a salon business is genuinely well managed

    [20:11] Why knowledge alone never changes a business, only implementation actually does

    [23:02] The one question every owner needs to ask about their own business

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    🎥 4 Essential Lessons in Salon Management (free video series) – sign up and get one short video a day for four days, straight to your inbox, starting the 14th September –Join the free video series

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist!This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at

    RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE

    If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 363: Why the Most Successful Salons Keep it Simple. Listen here

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    24 min
  10. 363 Why the Most Successful Salons Keep it Simple

    Episode 363

    Show notes

    Most salon owners assume their business feels complicated because it needs to be. But after years inside salons at every level of the market, I've noticed the opposite.

    The businesses that thrive are simple, while the ones that struggle are usually a collection of good ideas picked up along the way that were never designed to work together. So ask yourself: does your business actually function as one connected whole, or does it just feel like separate parts that don’t quite work together as they should?

    I'll share why keeping things simple takes real work, why most owners build their business one decision at a time, and why the real job of management is making sure every part connects to everything else. If your business feels harder than it should, this episode will help you see why.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why the most successful salons are simple, not complicated
    • How joined up thinking turns one small decision, like pricing, into a ripple across the whole business
    • Why removing something from your business can matter as much as adding something new
    • The real difference between a simple business and one that depends on you

    EPISODE TRANSCRIPT:

    [00:00] Introduction

    [00:43] The one question people most often ask about salon success

    [01:54] The jigsaw puzzle metaphor for building a business that works

    [03:56] Why so many salon owners end up building the plane while flying

    [06:46] Why you need the picture on the box before you build

    [08:35] How one pricing decision ripples through every part of your business

    [10:00] The two sides of management: systems and processes versus people

    [13:16] Why removing something from the business can matter as much as adding

    [14:02] The real difference between a simple business and a dependent one

    [18:08] Why the goal is making the pieces you have work together

    [19:00] The free management checklist and course mentioned in this episode

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    21 min
  11. 362 The New Rules of Salon Marketing in the Age of AI with Phil Evans

    Episode 362

    Show notes

    When it comes to marketing, many salon owners pour their time into Instagram, hoping it brings new clients through the door.

    My returning guest Phil Evans, founder of Salon Guru, has analysed over four and a half million visits to salon websites, and the results show that social media is not driving potential clients to your website in the numbers that you might expect.

    So here's a question worth reflecting on: if your marketing time is going to the wrong place, what is that actually costing your salon?

    In this conversation, Phil breaks down exactly where new clients are really coming from, what Google's EEAT framework means for your website, and why most reviews fall short of what Google and AI are looking for. By the end of this episode, you'll know where to put your marketing time so it actually brings in bookings, not just likes.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why only 1.5% of website visits come directly from social media, and where the rest actually come from
    • The four-part framework Google and AI use to decide which salon to recommend
    • How to structure your Google reviews so they build real trust and authority, not just star ratings
    • What to search on your own phone to check whether your salon is visible on Google and AI

    TIMESTAMPS:

    [00:00] Introduction

    [00:51] Introducing returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru

    [01:44] Inside the new Salon Guru trends report and why it exists

    [03:42] Google versus social media, the surprising split in the data

    [05:26] Why social media rarely closes the booking on its own

    [09:16] How AI is reshaping the way clients search for salons

    [11:39] Is AI about to replace Google search entirely

    [18:14] The EEAT framework Google and AI use to pick a salon

    [22:00] Why detailed Google reviews matter more than five-star ratings

    [27:17] Where to focus five hours a week of marketing time

    [32:34] What clients actually want to see on a salon website

    [38:00] Inside Showcase and the early results from beta salons

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Salon Guru Trends Report – New data on where salon clients really come from and how to be found on Google and AI 👉Download the report

    Showcase Webinar – Phil's live walkthrough of the new website tool built from the trends report data, going live 31st August 👉Send it to me

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU!

    Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    44 min
  12. 361 Stop Saying "We're Like a Family Here"

    Episode 361

    Show notes

    Treating your team like family feels warm and caring, but it might be working against your leadership and having a negative impact on the business.

    A family relationship and a business relationship serve two very different purposes, and in a business, when the boundaries are blurred, accountability gets harder, standards slip, and you start making exceptions you'd never normally allow.

    In today's episode, I walk through five practical shifts that replace the family myth with something stronger, a team built on genuine care and clear standards. You'll come away with a better way to handle the conversations you've been avoiding, and a level of clarity that serves everyone in the business.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why family belonging is unconditional, while team membership comes with real expectations
    • How holding people accountable is one of the most caring things you can do
    • The difference between supporting your team and carrying every problem in their lives
    • Why blurred boundaries between friend and employer make hard conversations even harder
    • A better metaphor than family for building loyalty, trust and belonging

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction

    [01:15] Why calling your team family can create serious problems

    [02:31] Families and businesses exist for completely different reasons

    [02:42] Word from our sponsor: Zenoti

    [04:46] The unconditional nature of family versus the realities of a team

    [06:34] Why caring about people does not mean avoiding accountability

    [07:57] The hidden cost of protecting one person from feedback

    [08:53] You are not responsible for fixing everyone's problems

    [10:03] How the family mindset creates a one-sided psychological contract

    [11:26] Why blurred boundaries make leadership so much harder

    [17:33] Recap: five things to remember about your team

    [18:58] Where to find the free salon management checklist

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    ➡️ Zenoti – all-in-one salon management platform with AI-powered client communications and automation. GMSB listeners get 50% off their first three months –Find out more

    🆘 Salon Management Checklist – a free download to help you assess where your salon's management currently stands – https://growmysalonbusiness.com/free-resources

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    👉 FOLLOW US!

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    19 min
  13. 360 The Numbers Don't Lie

    Episode 360

    Show notes

    One of the bigger challenges the salon industry has always faced is getting reliable data. Fortunately, that is changing for the better, and today I break down a new industry benchmark report that has been put together by leading salon management software brand Zenoti.

    You'll hear why client retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth, what's really behind falling new client numbers, and why one number, utilisation, might be the biggest opportunity sitting inside your business right now.

    In this episode, I pull out the numbers that actually matter, the ones that tell you something real about salon industry benchmarks and business trends so that you can stop guessing and start knowing how your salon is performing.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why new client numbers are falling across every part of the industry, and why that's not automatically your fault
    • The client retention approach that's driving almost all industry growth right now
    • Why salons with membership programs are growing four times faster than salons without one
    • What calendar inflation really means, and why 72% of first rebooked appointments never happen as planned

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction

    [00:25] Why "is that good?" is the wrong question to start with

    [01:47] The moment benchmarking changed how I ran my own salon

    [04:07] Numbers are facts, not feelings

    [06:59] Same salon revenue is still growing despite the uncertainty

    [07:56] New client numbers are falling across every sector measured

    [09:16] Why retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth

    [11:39] Membership programs and the eight percent growth gap

    [13:13] Calendar inflation and the 72 percent rebooking problem

    [15:40] Where AI actually helps, and where it doesn't

    [17:15] The 30-point utilisation gap between average and top salons

    [20:00] This week's challenge: 30 minutes with your own numbers

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    The 2026 Beauty and Wellness Benchmark Report by Zenoti: Download the free benchmark report here

    Want to see how your business compares? Head to the Zenoti benchmark scorecard Enter your numbers to see where you stand against industry benchmarks.

    Interested in a personalised consultation with Zenoti and 50% off for the first 3 months. 👉Head here to arrange a personalised consultation

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW ZENOTI!

    Instagram | Website

    THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ZENOTI

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.
    👉 Here's what you do:
    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)
    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'
    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars
    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast!
    Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    23 min
  14. 359 Two Salons, One Family, 25 Staff with Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman

    Episode 359

    Show notes

    Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman own the Tribe Salons group in London and Kent. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a successful family salon business and how they've evolved their employee-based salon culture to meet the expectations of today's workforce.

    You'll hear how they've built communication and shared values into the way they lead their team, why they moved away from a traditional commission-only pay structure, and how learning to manage cash flow gave them the confidence to invest, expand and finally feel in control of the financial side of the business.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why clear communication and shared core values matter
    • How different learning styles shape the way you train your team, and why one teaching style never works for everyone
    • Why a pay structure based only on commission can work against the business you're trying to build
    • How a cash flow forecast turns "we just need to make more money" into an actual plan
    • Why entering awards and competitions can have a bigger impact on your business than chasing a larger social media following

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

    [00:00] Introduction

    [00:47] Meet Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman from Tribe Salons

    [01:41] How Tribe Salons grew to two locations and 25 team members

    [03:23] The pros and cons of running a business with a sibling

    [07:39] Bringing in new ideas while an older generation resists change

    [12:55] The top things that make a family business work

    [17:29] Why Tribe is built as a fully employed salon, not chair rental

    [21:31] How a ten-year age gap changed the way they train their team

    [30:00] How the GMSB courses shaped their business decisions

    [32:48] The cash flow forecast that changed everything financially

    [40:16] Why they rebuilt their pay structure around more than commission

    [45:33] What hairdressing awards have done for their business and their team

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    GROW Business School - The complete blueprint for building a successful salon business - Courses, Coaching and Community

    Money Course – A step-by-step course covering cash flow forecasting, pricing and financial control for salon owners – Find out more

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    👉 FOLLOW TRIBE SALONS!

    Instagram | Website

    👉 FOLLOW ELLE

    Instagram

    👉 FOLLOW BILLY

    Instagram

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    52 min
  15. 358 Seven Lessons on Education Every Salon Owner Needs to Hear

    Episode 358

    Show notes

    The way hairdressing education is delivered has changed dramatically since I started in this industry, and it will continue to evolve as new technology emerges.

    In this episode, I talk about those changes and the impact it has on salons, trainees, standards and productivity. And I ask the question I think salon owners are wondering: “What does the future of education look like and how will it impact the way I run my business?

    I explain why information has become cheap while experience has become more valuable than ever, and why that changes what you should actually be looking for in education. I also share seven practical lessons on building a culture of learning, why you need to be training apprentices who contribute quickly, and staying ahead as the industry keeps moving.

    WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

    • Why information has become cheap while real experience has never been more valuable
    • The real reason AI won't replace great educators, and how it exposes the poor ones
    • Why your apprentices should be productive within six months, not left to find their feet for years
    • The difference between being a great hairdresser and being a great teacher
    • Why you can't rely on colleges or government training programs to finish the job for you
    • Seven practical lessons on education every salon owner needs to hear

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [00:00] Introduction

    [02:19] Antony asks the big question: where is salon education heading next

    [03:15] How live seminars and academies defined the early years of education

    [04:00] The internet and social media put educators in everyone's pocket

    [05:07] The moment Antony realised business education mattered more than technical skill

    [06:23] Why salon owners started asking about branding and leadership, not just hair
    [07:41] How COVID forced the whole industry to learn online almost overnight

    [09:00] What actually separates a genuinely good coach from a mediocre one

    [10:36] Why online retail during COVID changed manufacturers for good

    [13:05] How artificial intelligence is reshaping salon education right now

    [14:04] Why information is cheap but real experience is priceless

    [17:29] Antony's seven practical lessons every salon owner needs on education

    [21:12] The one thing that never changes no matter how the industry evolves

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    👉 FOLLOW US!

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    23 min
  16. 357 The 4 Disciplines Behind Every Salon Success Story

    Episode 357

    Show notes

    Most salon owners already know what they should be doing to build salon success. They know they should raise their prices, have the tough conversation with an underperforming team member, or get on top of their numbers, and they still don't do it.

    After more than 30 years working with salon owners in dozens of countries, I've watched the same four disciplines show up in every real success story, and none of them are a shortcut.

    I break down the four words I believe underpin real success in this industry, whether you're behind the chair or running the business. You'll learn why mastering them matters more than chasing the next new idea, and what separates people who talk about change from people who actually make it happen.

    WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

    • Why information on its own has almost no value anymore, and why most people still don't change
    • The first discipline every master of any craft, hairdressing or business, never outgrows
    • Why mastering the fundamentals of your salon's finances matters more than any new marketing hack
    • The difference between doing something once and true implementation, and why real mastery looks effortless
    • Why innovation only works once you've earned the right to it through mastery
    • Why endurance is the discipline that separates the real success stories from everyone else

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [00:00] Introduction
    [00:51] Why knowing what to do isn't the real problem
    [02:21] The four words that underpin every success story
    [03:34] The first discipline: mastering the fundamentals
    [05:08] The Guido Palau lesson on practising at the very top
    [06:38] Why salons fail without understanding the financial fundamentals
    [07:00] The second discipline: implementation
    [09:00] The third discipline: innovation
    [10:36] The fourth discipline: endurance
    [11:30] The mentor who embodied endurance more than anyone
    [13:00] Recap: the four disciplines that build lasting success

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    Episode 40 with Guido Palau –Find out moreEpisode 41 with Guido Palau – Find out more

    Episode 229 with Annie Humphries – Find out more

    👉 FOLLOW US!

    Instagram | Facebook | Website

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    14 min
  17. 356 Brand Promises, Team Agreements and Difficult Behaviour with Nina Kovner

    Episode 356

    Show notes

    Every salon owner has dealt with a difficult team member who is brilliant one week and impossible the next, leaving the whole team tiptoeing around them. Most owners have no idea whether to show compassion or hold the line, especially when a health issue might be part of the picture. This week, I talk to leadership coach Nina Kovner about handling it without making it personal.

    Nina breaks down the difference between compassion and excusing bad behaviour, and shares the three-step process to decide when and how to step in. You will come away with language you can use in the moment, a clearer sense of where your responsibility as a leader starts, and a plan for protecting your whole team's culture.

    IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN:

    ✅ Why most difficult team behaviour comes down to unclear brand promises and agreements, not personality

    ✅ How to separate the behaviour from the person so conversations stay objective

    ✅ The pause, process, proceed method for deciding when and how to address an issue

    ✅ Where the line sits between showing compassion and excusing harmful behaviour

    ✅ How to build psychological safety so your team will actually tell you what's going on

    ✅ Why letting one person's behaviour slide damages trust with the whole team

    TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction

    [01:24] Antony's story about a stylist struggling with PMDD and her team

    [04:33] Where salon owners go wrong when behaviour becomes a problem

    [06:17] Separating a team member's behaviour from who they are

    [07:33] Holding high standards while still genuinely caring about people

    [14:17] Why health issues do not excuse harmful behaviour at work

    [16:41] The difference between showing empathy and making assumptions

    [18:09] Building psychological safety so your team feels safe to speak up

    [25:21] Deciding whether to deal with behaviour now or later

    [25:52] A simple three-step method for handling difficult conversations

    [28:42] Why letting one person's behaviour slide is unfair to everyone else

    [37:19] Advice for salon owners nervous about discussing women's health issues
    [42:14] Nina's rules for leading through emotionally difficult situations

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    👉 FOLLOW US!

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    👉 FOLLOW NINA KOVNER!

    Instagram

    45 min
  18. 355 Why Your Bank Account Never Matches Your Profit

    Episode 355

    Show notes

    Most salon owners can rattle off a client's colour formula from three visits ago without blinking, yet ask what their actual profit margin was last year and you'll get a shrug. In this episode, I break down what profit really is, why it gets confused with your own wage, and why accountants often have a dozen different names for the same numbers.

    You'll learn the real difference between profit and profit margin, why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says otherwise, what a realistic profit benchmark actually looks like, and the only two ways you can genuinely increase what you keep.

    WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

    • Why your own wage is not profit, even when the business feels like it's doing well
    • The real difference between profit and profit margin, and why growing one can shrink the other
    • Where your profit actually goes, from cash buffers to reinvestment and owner drawings
    • Why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says you're profitable
    • A realistic profit margin benchmark for a salon your size, not a generic Google average
    • The only two ways to increase profit in any business, and where to focus first

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    [00:00] Introduction

    [01:03] The profit question most salon owners cannot honestly answer

    [02:31] The real definition of profit and why it surprises owners

    [03:14] Why your own wage is not the same as profit

    [04:17] The confusing language accountants use for profit and expenses

    [04:53] Gross profit versus net profit and what each one reveals

    [05:42] Profit versus profit margin and why the difference matters

    [07:28] Where your profit actually goes once you have made it

    [10:24] Why your bank account can look empty despite a profitable P&L

    [12:31] How much profit you should actually be aiming for

    [14:42] The only two ways any business can increase profit

    [16:37] Why a solo operator's claimed profit margin is misleading

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

    The Money Course – a step-by-step course on profit, cash flow and break-even for salon owners – [Find out more]

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    👉 FOLLOW US!

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    20 min
  19. 354 Why Hairdressers Don't Earn Enough (and What to Do About It)

    Episode 354

    Show notes

    The most common stereotype about hairdressers is that they don't earn enough. And in most cases, it's true. But the reason behind it is rarely discussed; you can only earn relative to what you produce. In this episode, I get into why so many stylists stay stuck and what it actually takes to change that.

    If you're a salon owner who wants to pay your team more, or a stylist who wants to earn more, this episode is for you. You'll hear what high-performing stylists consistently do differently, why training is a leadership responsibility that too many salon owners quietly ignore, and what has to change for productivity and pay to go up together.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why hairdressers' income is directly linked to productivity, and what that means for your team's earning potential
    • The specific habits and behaviours that high-earning stylists have in common, and why talent alone is not one of them
    • Why "charge your worth" is a social media soundbite that the market will ultimately ignore
    • Why structured training is a leadership responsibility, not an optional extra for salon owners

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:

    [00:00] Introduction: The stereotype that hairdressers don't earn enough

    [01:39] The number one reason stylists don't earn enough

    [02:12] Why part-time hairdressing affects income in ways most people accept

    [02:40] What high-earning stylists all have in common, and it's not talent

    [03:56] Why demand is the market's way of telling you what you're worth

    [05:22] What "being excellent" actually means beyond doing great hair

    [06:00] Whose responsibility is it to develop a stylist's skills?

    [07:13] Why salon owners forget about training once the doors open

    [08:41] Why leadership in salons gets negotiated instead of led

    [09:57] What training should actually focus on to drive income growth

    [11:06] The performance benchmarks that matter before asking for more pay

    [12:25] Bringing it all together: productivity, pay, and what salon owners can do

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

    🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

    👉 Here's what you do:

    - On your phone,Click here (Read steps below first)

    - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

    RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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    13 min
  20. 353 A Salon Owner's Guide to Negotiating With Product Manufacturers

    Episode 353

    Show notes

    When I opened my first salon I was passionate about hairdressing but like most salon owners I knew very little about business, and negotiating with product suppliers was where my naivety was fully exposed. This week I take you behind the scenes of what's really happening when you deal with a manufacturer or distributor.

    You'll come away understanding how the commercial side works: list price, rebates, the size of the pie, and the difference between a real partnership and a shiny distraction. My aim is simple. I want you walking into that conversation informed, prepared, and able to build a deal where both businesses genuinely win.

    IN THIS EPISODE:

    • Why the list price is never the real price, and what sits behind it
    • The size of the pie: how much value a supplier can actually offer you
    • How rebates really work, including the catch that traps a lot of owners
    • How to prepare before you negotiate so you hold the stronger position
    • Why the real goal is a partnership where both businesses win

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    [00:00] Introduction
    [00:20] The dark arts of negotiating with your product suppliers and manufacturers
    [02:07] Why nobody actually pays the full list price on the page
    [03:07] Manufacturer versus distributor, and why that structure changes everything behind the scenes
    [05:08] The list price is just the start of a commercial conversation
    [08:23] The experience gap between you and the person across the negotiating table
    [09:50] The size of the pie: the concept that underpins every deal
    [11:04] How you get to choose where that value lands in your business
    [13:10] Rebates explained, and the two important realities that owners often overlook
    [15:54] Shiny object syndrome, and the seduction of events and luxury experiences
    [17:41] Why putting your business out to tender is simply smart, professional practice
    [19:13] How to prepare properly before you ever sit at the table

    Want MORE to help you GROW?

    📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

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    RATINGS + REVIEWS

    🙏 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.

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    - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

    - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

    Until next time!
    Antony

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    21 min

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