Thriving Stylist Podcast
The Thriving Stylist Podcast helps hair stylists and salon owners build successful businesses in the modern beauty industry. Host Britt Seva, a social media and marketing strategist, shares interviews with successful stylists, one-on-one coaching insights, and actionable marketing strategies. The podcast emphasizes that relying on reputation and referrals is no longer enough, and teaches practical business skills to grow a clientele. It aims to provide the knowledge and long-term strategies needed to thrive in the industry.
Episodes
#459 - The Collapse of Back Bar Fees in Commission Salons
Back bar fees have been an industry norm for decades, and a lot of salon owners have been running them without ever questioning whether they're legal, fair, or even necessary. I'm bringing this topic to the podcast now because a court case out of Colorado just changed the conversation in a big way. In this episode I'm breaking down what back bar fees actually are, why they've started collapsing ac
#458 - Ask Britt: 9 Hot Questions From Stylists & Salon Owners
Every single day my team and I get flooded with questions: in the DMs, in Apple Podcast reviews, in emails. So today I'm doing something a little different and bringing back a format I haven't used in a couple of years - a listener Q&A! I pulled 9 of the most recent and most relevant questions submitted across all the places you reach out to us and I'm giving you my honest, unfiltered hot takes o
#457 - 2027 Industry Predictions - The Biggest Shift
This is the episode a lot of you wait for all year! Some of you don't even listen to the podcast regularly, but always come back for this one. And I get it, because my track record on these predictions is pretty hard to argue with. Almost a decade in, maybe two misfires across dozens of calls… Before we get into what I think is coming for 2027, I'm going back through everything I predicted for 202
#456 - $100k+ Working 3 Days a Week as a Stylist
I know how it sounds when I say you can make 6-figures working three days a week, but I'm not here to sell you a fantasy. Today, I'm here to show you the math, the real case studies, and the specific things these stylists are actually doing differently. I've spent a lot of time this year deep in the backend of some of the most successful styling businesses I've ever seen. Solo providers clearing $
#455 - Biggest Demand & Revenue Destroyers Stylists Are Battling
A business advisor said something to me years ago that completely reframed the way I look at revenue. He told me my biggest blind spot was that I was so focused on the clients I had, I was completely ignoring the ones I was turning away without even realizing it. He was right…and it changed everything! That's what this episode is about. Not the clients who are leaving, but the ones who would have
#454 - Maternity Leave, Injury, and the 4-Phase Plan to Not Lose Your Clients
I've taken two maternity leaves, recovered from shingles, herniated two discs in my neck, and navigated extended time away for grief. None of those were things I saw coming except for one, and the difference between the leaves I was prepared for and the ones I wasn't was everything. This is one of the most requested topics I get from stylists and salon owners, and today I'm finally bringing it to
#453 - Gen-Z Tell All…
There is so much chatter in our industry about Gen Z stylists being lazy, unmotivated, and difficult to manage, and I've talked about this before on the podcast. I wanted to get to the actual root of that conversation though, so I did something I've never done before. I put out a survey exclusively to Gen Z stylists, screened every single respondent to make sure the data was real, and got over 300
#452 - What the Most Successful Stylists are Doing Differently
I've spent a good chunk of 2026 on the road, and between filming After the Last Client, attending speaking engagements, and sitting across from some of the most successful stylists and salon owners in this industry, I started noticing something. There's a common thread running through every single one of these people and it has nothing to do with double booking or raising prices! In this episode,
#451 - What We Look For In Thrivers Society Coaches
This one is a little different, and honestly, it's been a long time coming. Every time we post that we're looking for new coaches, the questions flood in: What does the hiring process look like? What are you actually looking for? How do you even become a Thrivers Society coach? So today I'm sharing all of it. I'm going through how our coaching model has evolved over the years, the mistakes I made
#450 - For The Salon Owner Who Feels Overwhelmed....
No frameworks, no metrics, no strategies today. This one is heart to heart. If you're a salon owner who's exhausted, who feels like every decision backfires, who has given everything to this business and genuinely has nothing left, I want you to hear this. What you're feeling is real. The last five years have been brutal and I'm not going to minimize that for a second. I've been there too, in ways
#449 - Creating a Motivating, Modern Assistant Training Program
Something interesting keeps coming up when I talk to salon owners about hiring. Half of them are telling me the quality of applicants has dropped, people aren't as driven, and it's harder than it's ever been to find great new talent. The other half are saying they can barely keep up with the volume of incredible applicants coming through their doors. The only conclusion I can draw from hearing bo
#448 - The Big Marketing Shifts Salons are Making in 2026
This episode is different from anything I've shared on salon marketing before, and that's intentional. The foundation of what I'm about to share isn't based on gut feelings or personal opinion. I analyzed the social media activity of salons I know for a fact are scaling financially, growing their teams effortlessly, and turning real profit margins. And then I looked at the salons where the followi
#447 - The Growth Map Framework Every Salon Should Steal
Last week we talked about why the systems still running most employee-based salons today are quietly failing, and how that failure is landing on owners as a people problem when it's really a structure problem. This week, we're getting into the actual framework. The four levers I'm covering in this episode are the same ones I use when I walk into a salon, pull back the curtain, and start rebuilding
Bonus: Uncapped Commission FAQ's and Real Owner Stories
A few weeks ago, my team posted something on Instagram that we could not have predicted would take off the way it did. The graphic said uncapped commissions will be the salon standard within three years, and the response was unlike anything we've seen. 260 shares, 461 comments, hundreds of DMs and emails from salon owners who were equal parts excited and scared. So we made this bonus episode to an
#446 - Your "Best" Stylist Doesn't Deserve a Promotion
Picture two stylists. One is a money machine, hitting every metric, booked solid, making multiple 6-figures. The other is producing 30% of that revenue but mentoring newer team members, showing up on time, taking great photos, and supporting the salon's culture in every way possible. Now ask yourself honestly: who is your current system set up to reward? If your salon's promotional path is built p
#445 - Salons Are Closing at Scale...Here's Why and How to Prevent It
Something is happening in our industry right now that we just need to talk about. Salon closures are happening at scale, coast to coast, and I've personally saved over 60 closure announcements on Instagram just since the start of 2026. This is not normal, and pretending it isn't happening isn't going to help anyone. In this episode, I break down exactly what's driving these salon closures right no
#444 - Uncapped Commissions Will be the Standard in 3 Years
If you've been in the salon industry for any length of time, you already know the traditional commission model is broken. Stylists feel cheated, salon owners feel cheated, and somehow, we've all just accepted that this is "the way it's done." But what if there was a model where everybody wins, profit is protected, and your top performers actually want to stay? That's exactly what uncapped commissi
#443 - Google Changes You Should Know About
It's no secret that the digital landscape is shifting FAST, and a lot of stylists and salon owners are feeling completely exhausted by the constant updates, the algorithms, and the tech overload. I know it's tempting to want to unplug and just focus on the creative side of what we do, but the reality is that our industry is becoming more connected to the digital world, not less. The good news? Our
#442 - Slow Salon Growth + Assistant Program Struggles
Let's be honest: one of the biggest challenges salon owners are hitting right now is figuring out how to actually attract, motivate, and retain the modern generation of talent. You've heard me say it many times, but if you want a team of self-motivated, hungry stylists, your brand positioning, your backend education system, and your own digital footprint have to be completely aligned. I'm sorry, b
#441 - Nobody Was Honest. Until Now
How would you like to hear the real talk about the massive amount of misinformation, manipulative jargon, and false narratives that float around our industry? We've all seen it and we've all experienced it: the secrecy around how someone actually built their business, or the people who look amazing on social media while we both know the back end tells a very different story. I've wondered for a l
#440 - Thrivers In-Person Retreat 2026 Mess Ups & Breakthroughs
We just got back from San Antonio hosting our second annual X Club Retreat, and honestly, I'm still riding the high. Four days with 86 of the highest-performing stylists and salon owners in the industry who are doubling and tripling their revenue, running multi-seven-figure salons, and doing $300,000 a year solo behind the chair, and I walked away with pages of notes I knew I had to bring back to
#439 - Google Just Changed the Rules on Reviews
Google just changed the rules on reviews, and based on the conversations I've been having, a lot of stylists and salon owners are feeling nervous about what this means for their business. I totally get it, because when a platform that's driving real clientele for you announces major policy updates, it's natural to wonder if everything you've been doing is suddenly wrong! Here's what I want you to
#438 - Ranking Other Coaches Advice...Good vs Bad
My DMs have been blowing up lately with one specific question: "Britt, what do you think of this advice?" It seems like every time I open Instagram, there is a new business coach telling stylists that the way they've been working for years is suddenly obsolete. This week, I'm taking those viral posts to task and ranking them on a brand-new scale to see which ones are actual breakthroughs and which
#437 - Private Beauty School Profits + Why Loans Are Being Defunded
Have you ever looked at a viral post and felt like something was missing? This week, a social media campaign from a collection of private beauty schools has been making the rounds, warning that the industry is at risk of collapse due to federal loan defunding. On its face, it sounds terrifying, but once you peel back the layers, you realize the situation is much more complex than just "saving" the
#436 - Paid Marketing Scams, Strategies and Budgets for Stylists and Salon Owners
Are you ready to stop spending every waking hour on Instagram and finally just cut the check? There's a massive misunderstanding about what paid marketing actually is, and if you're not careful, you can easily fall for expensive scams and guaranteed leads that never turn into a booking. In this episode, we're exploring the luxury of trading money for time. I'm walking you through the predatory all
#435 - Low Demand and Empty Books Troubleshooting Guide
Are your books feeling a little "gappier" than you'd like, or those new guest requests have started to slow down? If so, I want you to take a deep breath because I've got you covered! We aren't going to buy into the industry noise that "nobody is getting their hair done anymore", because the truth is, a huge portion of the industry is growing faster right now than I've ever seen before. In this ep
#434 - Salon Photoshoot Tips and Strategies
Does your online presence actually match the level of talent you bring to the chair? For most stylists, there's a massive gap between their actual skill and the "DIY" brand they're showing the world, and that disconnect is costing you thousands in high-end bookings. That's going to change, as today, I show you why playing it safe with phone photos is acting as a ceiling on your income! I'm giving
#433 - The Failed Payment Trend and How to Fix It
Have you ever had a client sit through a three-hour service, love their hair, and then suddenly realize they "forgot" their wallet? It's uncomfortable, it's awkward, and without a system in place, it costs you hundreds in lost revenue and hours spent playing debt collector. In this episode, I'm breaking down the "Failed Payment Trend" I'm seeing across the industry right now. I'm sharing the exac
#432 - Systems That Hurt New-Talent Stylists & Team Retention
For most salon owners, the dream is simple: hire a stylist, keep them happy, and watch them stay with the team forever. But let's be real. That "forever" goal is incredibly rare, and more often than not, the systems we have in place are the very things driving new talent right out the door. Today I shed some light on why the industry's "normal" way of training is actually hurting your chances of k
#431 - Money-Making Scheduling Strategies
Are you making multiple 6-figures but your back hurts, you're missing dinner with your family, and your mental health is in the trash? If so, you haven't won and in fact, you've just lost the plot and I'm going to share why in this episode. We've been sold a lie that "working smarter" means double-booking your life away and that being booked out for six months is a "flex." In reality? It's a finan
#430 - Strategies We Used to Coach to and Don't Coach to Anymore
How often do you audit the strategies you use in your business? If you're still relying on "tried and true" methods from 5 or 10 years ago, you might actually be working against the modern consumer. Today, I take a candid, transparent look at the strategies that were once staples of the Thriving Stylist Method, but have since been phased out entirely. Whether you're a returning Thriver or a new me
#429 - What is Working on Instagram Marketing Right Now
For over a year, we haven't checked in on the state of Instagram marketing, but the game has changed - A LOT. If your Instagram is gaining followers but your bank account isn't growing, something is broken. Today, I reveal what it actually takes to turn a profile into a profit-generating machine. We're moving away from the "dopamine hit" of likes and comments and focusing on the only metric that m
#428 - Scaling as a Cutting Specialist or Barber
For decades, the industry standard was that a successful stylist had to be a "jack of all trades," but that old-school way of thinking is officially holding your bank account back. In a world where consumers are looking for experts, not generalists, choosing to niche down is the fastest way to increase your demand and your income, and I'm showing you exactly how to do it in this episode. Today we
#427 - How to Make Online Booking Error-Proof for Every Single Guest
Are you properly priced for growth, or are you resting on your laurels in a shifting market? I am so amped up to dive into a topic that is arguably the biggest structural bottleneck in the industry today. I've spent the better part of this month looking at the backend financials of thousands of businesses, and I'm ready to show you exactly what is holding so many of you back. This isn't just about
#426 - Blaming "The Economy" is Costing You BIG
If you've spent any time in a salon breakroom lately, you've heard the narrative: "The J-months are just slow," "Everyone is struggling right now," or "Clients just aren't spending money." I'm here to tell you that the "everyone is struggling" narrative is simply false, because while some stylists are watching their schedules fill with gaps, thousands of others are having $300k and $400k years. W
#425 - DMs to Booking: The Pipeline to Increased Demand
I've noticed a dangerous trend lately where stylists and salon owners are treating DMs as a burden instead of a gift. We're shutting them off, ignoring them (or even worse) hiding behind auto-responders that act as total lead killers. I get it; DMs can feel time-consuming. But in a world where AI is rapidly disrupting the workforce, human connection is the one thing we need to cling to, and that's
#424 - Why Retail Programs Are Failing Hard And Fast
For years, I've been one of the biggest proponents of salon retail. I've taught the programs, I've shared the scripts, and I've preached that retail equals retention. But I've hit a point where I can no longer be complicit in a system that I'm watching settle like a lead weight on the books of salons across the industry, and that's what today's show is all about. In this episode, I address the dra
#423 - The 9-Factors of Pricing! We Changed Our Pricing Method!
Are you still pricing yourself based on what the salon down the street charges, or maybe a "gut feeling" that you're worth more? Do you actually know if your current rates are protecting your profit, or are you accidentally losing money in the tiny gaps of your workday? In this episode, I'm finally sharing a MASSIVE update that's been months in the making. We have officially evolved from our class
#422 - Money & Tax Stuff You Should Know as a Stylist
Why do we all get into this industry to make money, yet feel so uncomfortable actually managing it? Is your "dream career" turning into a self-sacrificing cycle because you're making emotional financial decisions instead of logical ones? If you're still praying for a big tax refund or keeping a pile of receipts in your center console, it's time for a serious financial intervention, and today I bri
#421 - 8 Ways to Market Yourself as a Hair Stylist in This Economy
Is your business actually feeling the "crunch" of this 2026 economy, or are you just stuck on the wrong side of the Great Divide? If that effortless "glory season" of building a clientele feels like a distant memory, you aren't imagining it. The industry has shifted from a quantity game to a quality game, and honestly? Your marketing has to evolve or it's going to get left behind. Today, I'm getti
#420 - Checklist for Stylists Getting Started or Getting Organized
Ever feel like your salon business is more of a "free fall" than a well-oiled machine? Whether you're a fresh beauty school grad or a tenured stylist who's been making money for a decade, have you ever stopped to wonder: is my business actually set up for long-term wealth, or am I just one slow week away from a total collapse? Today, I pull back the curtain on the exact step-by-step checklist I g
#419 - 7 Numbers Most Stylists Aren't Tracking But Should Be
Are you tired of just worrying about whether you made enough to pay the bills this month? Are you ready to stop operating on gut feelings and start building a genuinely predictable, profitable business? This episode is for the stylist who is serious about scaling their income and finally overcoming the money shame and overwhelm that holds 95 percent of the industry back. Today, I ditch the basic i
#418 - The Second Job You Need If Clientele Is Building Slowly....
Are you working 60-hour weeks, juggling chair time with a second job, and still feeling like you're just hanging on by a thread? Stylists everywhere are asking if they're the only ones having to pick up a side hustle just to get by, and today, I want to shed light on what's happening right now in our industry and what exactly is going on. In this episode, we're cutting through the noise and revea
#417 - The #1 Shift That Is Crippling Stylists & Owners
Are you feeling that exhaustion, that silent virus of burnout and resentment cutting through your salon? Maybe you're wondering why the joy and momentum of the pre-2020 industry seem gone, replaced by a deep, collective craving for the past? If so, then this one is for you. Today, I'm bringing you a slightly "woo-woo" mindset episode, and peeling back the layers on the Achilles heel that's crippli
#416 - End Of Year Retail Strategy Every Salon Should Be Using
Are you maximizing your salon's profit potential, or are you unintentionally leaving thousands on the table? Did you know the retail inventory on your shelves right now could be costing you? I consider this a can't-miss, strategic episode, and one that you just can't afford to skip! In this episode, I walk you through the critical, step-by-step exercise every single salon owner needs to complete
#415 - How to Keep Serving When the Market is Down
Maybe your business is at a 15-year low due to the recent government shutdown, tech layoffs, or the painful "groceries vs. grooming" dilemma clients are facing? Or you may find yourself sacrificing your profit margin by slashing prices just to survive, only to create a "slippery slope" that leads to resentment. The service industry is facing massive uncertainty, and this is leaving many stylists f
#414 - 8 Annual Planning Mistakes Stylists & Salons Should Avoid This Year
Are you happy with your business right now? I mean, truly happy? Are you making emotional decisions that are costing you real money and growth? If you wait until January to plan your year, you've already lost 20 percent of your earning potential, but it doesn't have to be this way. Today, I cut through the noise and deliver a no-fluff, 8-step framework designed to totally transform your 2026 reven
#413 - Take Home 6-Figures Without Extensions, Assistants or Double Booking
Is it really possible to take home six figures, a $100,000 after-tax income, without relying on extensions, hiring an assistant, or the hustle of double booking? Today, we're diving deep into the math and the mindset behind building a streamlined, highly profitable solo stylist business without the "extras!" When the average family of four needs over $200,000 just to be comfortable in major U.S.
#412 - How Would a Salon Membership Work?
Can a consistent stream of recurring revenue solve your cyclical business struggles? It sounds like the dream: improved client retention, a predictable paycheck, and less worry. But hold up; before you jump on the latest viral trend promising a membership model solution, you need to hear this! Today, I break down the hot topic of Salon Memberships and why most advice you see online (including that
#411 - When To Decrease Your Prices
What if I told you that strategically lowering your prices could be the smartest financial move you make this year? Every stylist comes to me wanting to raise their rates, but the truth is, sometimes you are simply overpriced for your market. If you are experiencing a drop in demand or struggling to keep your long-term clients, you have to diagnose the real issue before making a knee-jerk mistake.
#410 - Salon Owner: Your Stylist Wants You To Hear This
Is your business at a breaking point? Are your top-performing stylists whispering about a walkout in the break room? Like the seasons, there's a change in the air, and you answered 'yes' to these questions, then this episode is a lifeline for you and your business. The truth is, your stylists don't want to leave, but they can't stay in a model that's stuck in 2010. The industry is deep into "The
#409 - The 9 Numbers That Measure Growth Potential in a Stylist's Business
You feel like you're on a hamster wheel, doing everything you can, but your clientele and income aren't growing. But what if the metrics you're tracking, like pre-booking and retail sales, are actually irrelevant to your success? I am not a fan of coaching systems and coaching models where every stylist needs to reach the same level of metrics in order to be deemed successful. Times are changing
#408 - Hybrid Salon Success Strategies
Are you running a hybrid salon model and constantly struggling to find the right balance between your dedicated employees and your independent booth renters? You're not alone! Many salon owners are seeing a massive shift as stylists trade independence for the benefits of employment, but making this model work for everyone is the real challenge, and I want to talk about it here today on the podcast
#407 - The Parts and Labor Pricing Model
Why are so many salon owners adopting the parts and labor pricing model right now, and is it truly the best strategy to future-proof your business? Today, we're tackling this buzzy industry debate - head-on! This episode was inspired by a specific review asking, "How do we price in 2026 if parts and labor is the model?" I'm sharing my strong (perhaps biased) opinion, but more importantly, I'm giv
#406 - Salon Retail Is Collapsing
Are you ready for a hard truth that the professional beauty industry doesn't want you to talk about? I'm laying it all out on the table today: I'm predicting the collapse of retail sales in our industry, and I'll show you exactly why it's already happening. We need to stop blaming diversion and look at the structural changes that have made your favorite professional brands no longer exclusive. Di
#405 - Policies: The Salon Business Destroyer
Why do some salon policies feel more like business destroyers than solutions? Today, I'm diving deep into this topic that is causing a major divide in our industry. Is your business model built on long-term solutions for short-term problems? We'll explore how the post-COVID boom led many of us to create strict, complicated policies that are now pushing clients away. You'll hear real-life stories,
#404 - 2026 Predictions Podcast
Are you ready to discover what's really coming for the salon industry in 2026? What if everything you've been told about pricing, marketing, and client retention is about to change? Every year, you wait for this episode on The Thriving Stylist Podcast, and this year, it's more crucial than ever. Today, I'm bringing it to you with the help and input of Coaches Nine and Carly! In this episode, I'm
#403 - Clean Up Your Business & Life In 30 Days
What if life was better, or easier? What if you didn't have mom guilt or work guilt? Are you a stylist or salon owner feeling overwhelmed and out of control? Join me on this episode of The Thriving Stylist Podcast as I share how I've transformed my life and business by breaking free from the "hustle culture" mentality. In this episode, I introduce a strategic 30-day challenge that will help you fi
#402- How Salon Owners Can Stop Taking Clients and Make More Money
You know you want to get off the tools, but how do you actually do it without your business running in the red? Do you worry that your team will resent you for not being on the floor, or that your business won't survive without your service revenue? What if I told you that the most successful, profitable salons are led by owners who have the capacity to lead, and that means getting out from behind
#401 - How Much Money Can a Salon Owner Really Make?
Have you ever looked at other salon owners and wondered, "How is she doing that?" Do you feel like you're grinding every single day, but have nothing to show for it? Today, we're taking a look at a data goldmine I've collected from recent surveys of Thriver Society members, my Instagram and email lists, and my exclusive X Club and Thriving Leadership Boot Camp surveys. The results give us a true c
#400 - 5 Things You Need Before You Hire Your First Employee
Ever feel like you're stuck in the endless cycle of "do it all yourself" as a salon owner? Have you thought about bringing on employees or booth renters but feel overwhelmed by all the legal jargon and don't know where to start? Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of hiring in the salon industry, and I'm specifically sharing the 5 things you absolutely need before you hire your very first em
#399 - When You Haven't Raised Prices in 5+ Years, Where Do You Start?
Are you a stylist who hasn't raised your prices in years, feeling the pinch and wondering where to even begin? Do you suspect you're dramatically below market value, even though your schedule is packed? Today, we tackle a question submitted by a listener just like you: what do you do when the business model for hairstylists has fundamentally changed, and what worked five, seven, or even ten years
#398 - Should We Start Passing Along Processing Fees To Our Clients?
Are you tired of those pesky credit card processing fees eating into your profits? Wondering if passing them on to clients is the right move for your business? This episode was inspired by another question from a listener, and we're diving deep into the hot (and often complex!) topic of credit card surcharges. Today, we'll explore what clients really think about these fees and whether it's becomi
#397 - 6 Instagram Updates for Stylists and Salon Owners
As you know, Instagram is always changing, and if you're a stylist or salon owner, you NEED to stay on top of it. Today, I break down the top 5 (okay, maybe 6!) crucial Instagram updates from the last year that are absolutely relevant to our industry right now. These Instagram updates might seem small, but they hold serious power when you know how to use them. Whether you're aiming to refine your
#396 - Big Beautiful Bill and How Stylists and Salons Are Impacted
This week on the podcast, I dive deep into something I know has been on everyone's mind: the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA). It's a mouthful, but trust me, what's inside this bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025, is going to impact our industry! I'm not a CPA, but I've been doing my homework, researching, and listening to the experts I trust. My goal is to break down exactly how this mass
#395 - Stylists-Tell-All....What Made Them Leave & What They Want
Are you ready for an episode that's all about YOU? Ever wondered why stylists are leaving salons in droves, or what truly makes them press "apply" on a job listing? This week, we're diving deep into the honest, unfiltered feedback from stylists just like you, revealing what's really happening in our industry. I'm sharing incredible insights gleaned from thousands of responses. We cover everything
#394 - Popular Leadership Advice I'd NEVER Follow....
What if everything you've been told about running your business is actually holding you back? In this "spicy" episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on some uncomfortable truths about common salon business strategies, and sharing with you the popular leadership advice I'd NEVER follow! In this episode, I dive deep into critical topics like understanding commission structures, the real impact of se
#393 - Ownership Blind Spots Keeping Salon Owners Broke
Are you a salon owner constantly feeling that squeeze, wondering why your best stylists might be eyeing the door? Listen, the urgency is here, right now, for salon owners to build phenomenal environments for our teams. That's exactly why, today, we're diving deep into what's really happening in our industry, uncovering the critical shifts you absolutely must make if you want to do more than just s
#392 - 100 Salon Owners Share Their Biggest Mistakes and Regrets
Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the gleaming facade of "successful" salons? Do you sometimes feel like you're the only business owner silently struggling, putting on a brave face for social media? I'm telling you, from coaching 17,000 stylists and salon owners, I've seen it all, and it's given me a unique perspective to answer those exact questions. Today, I'm sharing everything
#391 - My Rough Start as a Salon Leader
Have you ever wondered what it really takes to lead a salon, especially when thrown into the deep end? This is a situation I know all too well from my personal experience, and today I'm going to pull back the curtain and tell you about my rough start becoming a salon leader. In this episode, I reveal how I started in salon leadership and why I really needed to work hard due to some of the choices
#390 - Why I Almost Shut Down Thrivers
As you can probably tell from the title of this episode, things are about to get vulnerable here on the podcast today, as I reveal how very recently I almost gave up and completely shut down Thrivers. In this episode, I want to share the untold story behind my darkest leadership low. From chaotic team expansion and communication breakdowns to the silent sabotage of misaligned visions, it all broug
#389 - Rethinking Guest Journey with Kaytlin Garland
We're coming to you live from XClub Retreat 2025 in Texas, and bringing you something special today. I'm sitting down with Kaytlin Garland, a salon owner chosen for the "hot seat" with Joey Coleman, an incredible author and renowned retention expert who spoke at the retreat. Kaytlin and I dive deep into this experience and the transformative insights she gained from it, and the entire retreat as a
#388 - Thriving Salon Owner 60
Are you a salon owner feeling stuck in old routines, secretly wishing for a breakthrough? Get ready, because I have a full circle moment to share. Almost a year ago now, I released a podcast episode called the #ThrivingStylist60 Experience for Hairstylists & Salon Owners, which was a challenge to stylists on growth. What I was not expecting was the incredible impact it had on my life personally, a
#387 - Why Stylists Are Leaving Salons....
Have you ever wondered why talented hairstylists are packing up and saying goodbye to established salons? Stylists are leaving mediocre salons for amazing ones, as often happens in an economic downturn, and today, I want to share with you the real reasons why stylists are doing this. Forget the myth that it's all about studio suites and making more money. I want to talk about the underlying issues
#386 - 7 Pricing Models For Hair Stylists....
Ever feel like you're throwing darts at a pricing board blindfolded? We need to have a bigger conversation about all the pricing models that are out there, because some of these pricing models or methods can deeply affect your business, for better or for worse. I dove deep into researching this topic, and today, I pull the curtain back on the 7 pricing models that are actually out there and reveal
#385 - The Venmo, Tippy, Paypal 1099 Tax Reporting Situation
Did you just get a surprise tax form you weren't expecting? Are your Venmo, PayPal, or even salon software tips suddenly under the IRS microscope? If you are a stylist or a salon owner that uses Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash app, Tippy etc. and this has happened, then this episode is one you need to listen to. Today, I discuss the 1099-K form that a lot of stylists were not expecting when it ca
#384 - How to Navigate Tariffs: Pricing, Logistics & Communication
Are you trying to make sense of the buzzword "tariffs" and what they could actually mean for your salon or stylist career? So much about the tariffs are changing in real time, and I've only reported on tariffs once in a previous episode of this podcast, but today I dig a little deeper based on information that's now available at the time of recording. These tariffs are a complex issue, and so much
#383 - Do Pre-Book Incentives & Loyalty Discount Programs Work?
Feeling the pressure of a shifting economy with more client cancellations and stretched-out appointments, many stylists have been tempted to lean on discounts and loyalty programs to keep their chair full. Are these the right strategies to be using, or are they just surface-level solutions? Today, I break it all down and work the math to show how using these types of things really play out for you
#382 - The Client Poaching Trend......
Have you ever felt the sting of a competitor trying to snatch your hard-earned clients? Are you battling the creeping fear of what I refer to as "Ninja Turtle" stylists who undercut your prices and poach your loyal clientele? Even if it's something that you may not have experienced yet I want to talk about it, because it is becoming a very real trend in this industry. In this episode, I break it
#381 - What does it mean to be "worth it" as a stylist
Are you feeling the shift? Is "charging your worth" leaving you and your clients feeling...unfulfilled? What if the key isn't about emotional pricing, but about genuine perceived value? Today we go deep into the "worth it" era, and look at how the rising cost of living and changing client expectations are reshaping the salon industry as we know it. In this episode, I share how people are still sp
