Beauty Business Matters

Ever wondered how to turn a simple chocolate truffle into a high-impact branding tool that leaves clients completely speechless? This conversation dives deep into the world of bespoke experiential gifting with the creative minds behind Mejoolies. Host Susan Routledge sits down with founders Carrie Farr and Lindsay Thompson to uncover their fascinating journey from accidental wedding favour makers...

Ever felt the pressure to jump on the latest machine trend, only to wonder if your clients actually want it? Navigating the noisy world of advanced beauty technology can leave you feeling overwhelmed and second-guessing your investments. This conversation strips back the marketing fluff to reveal how to align equipment purchases with real customer demand, check for genuine certifications, and buil...

It’s the dread every salon and clinic owner knows too well: waking up to a last-minute text from a staff member calling in sick because they simply didn't sleep well. Navigating the minefield of staff management, shifting legislation, and persistent absences can leave even the most seasoned bosses feeling entirely burnt out. Expert executive coach Sue Ingram shares the vital distinction between ma...

In this week's midweek business bite, Susan tackles the foundation of true salon and clinic success: defining and attracting your ideal client. It is incredibly easy to get swept up in social media metrics and the endless chase for new bookings, but trying to be everything to everyone often results in a book full of one-off visitors rather than loyal fans.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Stop Trying to Appeal to E...

It is easy to get completely wrapped up in the daily grind of running a business, but sometimes the greatest growth happens when you finally step back and give your team the space to breathe. This special compilation episode brings together the absolute best highlights and golden nuggets from previous conversations with industry powerhouses like Lara Morgan, Amanda Winwood, and Helen Portman-Brook...

Imagine a massage where you never have to turn over, your makeup stays intact, and you drift away on a bed of perfectly heated water. This isn't a futuristic luxury—it's the reality of a face up Hydrotherm treatment. Long-term wear and tear on a therapist's hands and wrists can end a career prematurely, but switching to a fluid, water-supported method preserves your body while offering an exceptio...

Ever feel like you’re shouting into an empty void on social media, spending hours making reels that get plenty of likes but zero new clients? Chris Taylor has built an entire business on the philosophy that you don’t need millions of followers to make serious money. In this high-energy conversation, the founder of Social Salon shares how he accidentally fell into the industry by documenting his ow...

Ever been told "no" and felt it just wasn't the right answer? Amanda Winwood has built an entire wellness legacy on asking "why." From witnessing her mother’s holistic lifestyle in a tiny Cheshire village to leading a movement in oncology massage, Amanda is a true force of nature in the beauty and hospitality sectors. In this episode, we dive into the 26-year evolution of Made for Life Organics an...

Ever wondered what it takes to keep a salon thriving for over three decades—and keep staff for over twenty years? Alison Laws joins us to share her incredible journey from opening a tiny "broom cupboard" salon in the Metro Centre to running Jesmond Beauty, a multi-floor landmark in the North East. In this candid chat, we dive into the secret sauce of her team’s longevity, including her "Rising Sta...

Ever felt like the beauty industry treats multicultural skin and textured hair as an "afterthought"? Lola Maja is on a mission to change that narrative through Tones of Beauty. In this vibrant chat, Lola shares her journey from being a 14-year-old beauty enthusiast to becoming a world-renowned MUA and educator. We explore the massive expansion of the Tones of Beauty Expo at London ExCeL—a groundbr...

Ever felt like a headless chicken running between multiple locations, only to realise you were basically earning a McDonald's wage for the stress of it? Rachel Cobley has been there, done that, and bought the four salons to prove it. In this candid chat, we dive into the "busy-ness" trap that many salon owners fall into and why bigger isn't always better. From her early days as a competitive swimm...

Walking into a clinic and seeing a wall full of certificates used to be enough to feel safe, but the reality behind those frames is becoming a bit of a minefield. With the aesthetics industry still finding its feet in terms of regulation, it’s easier than ever for practitioners to get caught out by "fast-track" courses that aren't worth the paper they're printed on. Magda Jizerska joined me to tal...

Imagine walking away from a legal career to bet everything on a "cream box with batteries" in the middle of a 90s recession. That’s exactly what Dean Nathanson did, and 34 years later, CACI International is a global powerhouse found in over 100 countries. Dean joins the show to share the incredible "big top" origins of the brand, the moment Princess Diana’s endorsement sent demand through the roof...

Ever wondered why that viral skincare product left your skin irritated or patchy? It’s because for decades, the industry simply wasn't formulated with melanin in mind. Today’s guest is changing that narrative from the lab up. Dr. Vanita Rattan, a medical doctor and master cosmetic formulator, joins us to share her incredible journey from treating 40,000 hyperpigmentation cases in her London clinic...

Ever wondered if that one-day "Masterclass" certificate is actually worth the paper it’s printed on? In this episode, Susan Routledge sits down with industry powerhouse Joan Scott, CEO of Habia (Hair and Beauty Industry Authority). They peel back the curtain on the confusing world of hair and beauty qualifications, revealing why the term "accredited" has become a dirty word in professional circles...

Are you accidentally running your business like a charity? In part two of this deep dive, top business coach Shari Teigman joins Susan Routledge to expose the common pitfalls that trap service-based entrepreneurs. From the "friends and family" pricing trap to the burnout that comes from having 50 different "bosses" (aka your clients), Shari reveals why most business problems are actually leadershi...

Ever wondered what it takes to build a beauty empire while navigating the most turbulent waves of personal loss and professional scrutiny? In this episode of Beauty Business Matters, host Susan Routledge sits down with the irrepressible Lisa Comber, a serial entrepreneur who has spent over 20 years turning grit into glamour. From her early days as a mobile technician in Gran Canaria to the helm of...

If you feel like you’re doing everything “right” in your business but still feel completely disconnected from your results, you aren’t failing—you’re likely just wearing a mask that’s suffocating your success. In this high-energy debut episode of Beauty Business Matters, host Susan Routledge sits down with the inimitable Shari Teigman, an international performance coach and creative strategist who...

In this deeply human follow-up conversation, Susan welcomes back Alex Belisle-Springer from Phorest, fresh from the 2026 Phorest Summit, to go further into what really matters as technology accelerates: care, connection, community, and belonging. Alex reflects on the ripple effect of his unforgettable 2024 Phorest Summit keynote (no longer publicly available), sharing how personal storytelling can...

At just 23 years old, armed with a marketing degree and personal experience of sun damage, Tracey made a bold decision: bring a little-known South African brand called Environ to the UK. What started as a spark of belief in Vitamin A, and products made in a plastic surgeon’s kitchen, became a global, science-led movement in skin health. In this episode, Tracey shares: How Environ was born from a m...

Susan interviews Alex Belisle Springer, the global content creator for Phorest Salon Software and co-host of the Phorest FM podcast. Alex shares his unique journey from a sound recording background to becoming a key figure in the beauty industry, highlighting his experiences at the recent Phorest Summit, which saw record attendance. The conversation delves into the evolution of the podcast, the im...

Susan welcomes Lara Waldman, the renowned wealth activator and author, to discuss her transformative journey from struggling actress to successful healer and wealth coach. Lara shares her personal experiences of overcoming depression, trauma, and financial challenges, emphasising the importance of listening to one's body and intuition. The conversation delves into the concept of manifestation mast...

You wouldn’t ignore a client standing at your reception desk, yet so many businesses unknowingly ignore potential clients online. We are all glued to our phones, but are you actually reaching your customers where they spend their time? Paul Green, a former commercial airline pilot turned marketing funnel expert, joins the show to dismantle the myth that automation makes you robotic. In fact, it mi...

Susan welcomes back entrepreneur Lara Morgan for a deep dive into the intersection of wellness, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Lara shares her journey from founding Pacific Direct to her current venture, Scented, which focuses on using fragrance to enhance well-being. The conversation explores the importance of mindfulness, the power of scent, and the role of personal experiences in shaping...

In this episode of Beauty Business Matters, Susan sits down with celebrity, multi-award-winning facialist William Foley to explore his inspiring journey through the beauty, aesthetics, and wellness industry. From starting out in fitness and holistic therapy to working with global luxury brands like ESPA and Rodial, and now running his own highly successful clinic and skincare brand, William shares...