Cutting Through It | Hair Stylists, Clientele, Income, Salon, Cosmetologist

Before You Say Yes to That Client… Have you ever been halfway through a service and thought, "I wish I had never started this." Every hairstylist has experienced that sinking feeling at least once. Sometimes it isn't about whether you have the technical skills to perform the service. It's about recognizing the warning signs before you begin, setting realistic expectations, and having the confidenc...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking... "I'm not good enough." "Everyone else is doing better than me." "Maybe I made the wrong decision." If so, you're not alone. As hairstylists, the hardest conversations we often have aren't with our clients. They're the conversations we have with ourselves. In this episode, I'm sharing three of the biggest lies I see hairstylists tell themselves and, more im...

Episode 40: 3 Habits That Could Change Your Business in the Next 30 Days What if growing your clientele faster isn't about finding a new marketing strategy, posting more on social media, or working longer hours? What if it's about a few simple habits that most hairstylists overlook? In this episode, I'm sharing three habits that helped me take ownership of my business, make better decisions behind...

If you're struggling to build a clientele, before you worry about social media, marketing, or getting more clients in your chair, there's one question I think you need to ask yourself first. Where are you right now? Not where you want to be. Not where the stylist on Instagram is. Not where your mentor is. But where YOU are in your hairstylist journey One of the biggest mistakes I see hairstylists...

When hairstylists first get licensed, it's easy to believe that success comes from working harder, posting more, or trying to do what the successful stylists around us are doing. The problem? Most of us are trying to build a business without understanding where we are on the journey. In this episode, I'm sharing what I would do differently if I had to rebuild my clientele from scratch today. I als...

Why Some Clients Know You're Their Stylist Before They Ever Meet You Episode Description: Have you ever had a client tell you, "I knew you were my stylist before I ever met you?" That's exactly what happened to me this week. A client shared that she had watched my videos before ever booking an appointment and knew I was the right fit for her. It reminded me of an important lesson that every hairst...

  If you've ever looked around and wondered why some hairstylists seem to have clients waiting to get into their chair while you're still trying to fill your books, this episode is for you. After more than 40 years behind the chair and rebuilding my business multiple times, I've learned that being fully booked isn't always about being the most talented stylist in the room. In this episode, I'm sha...

  What if the secret to building loyal clients isn't having better haircutting skills... but building a stronger connection? In this episode of Cutting Through It, I'm sharing a recent story about a client who was incredibly quiet and difficult to connect with at first. By the end of her appointment, not only did she rebook her next three visits, but she also booked additional services. So what ch...

Have you ever wondered if you could rebuild your clientele if life forced you to start over? In this episode of Cutting Through It, I’m sharing the personal story of rebuilding my business behind the chair multiple times throughout my career — including relocating, starting over in a new city, and rebuilding my clientele from scratch after major life changes. But what surprised me most… I wasn’t a...

  Do you constantly feel stressed about your schedule behind the chair? Are you always trying to figure out where your next client is coming from… worrying about gaps in your books… posting nonstop on social media… and still feeling anxious about inconsistent income? In this episode of Cutting Through It, I’m talking about one of the biggest mindset shifts hairstylists need to make if they want to...

Most hairstylists think clients leave because of bad haircuts.   But honestly?   That’s usually not the real reason.   In this short bonus episode of Cutting Through It, I’m sharing three of the biggest things that quietly push clients away — even when you’re talented behind the chair.   Because clients don’t just remember the hair…    they remember how you made them feel.   If you’ve ever struggl...

Thinking about going independent behind the chair… or already there and realizing it feels much harder than you expected? In this episode of Cutting Through It, I’m sharing the honest truth about what many hairstylists experience after going independent... the emotional stress, inconsistent income, pressure, isolation, and business responsibilities that nobody really prepares you for. Because the...

Ever had a moment behind the chair where panic started setting in? Maybe you forgot something… got overwhelmed during a service… or suddenly felt unsure of yourself while your client was sitting right in front of you. Every hairstylist has been there. In this short bonus episode of Cutting Through It, Sherri shares how an unexpected real-life moment reminded her of what panic can feel like behind...

Feeling discouraged as a new hairstylist? If you’re in your first few years behind the chair and wondering why it’s not happening as fast as you thought it would… 👉 you are not alone. In this episode of Cutting Through It, Sherri shares real, honest insight into what it actually takes to build a successful career as a hairstylist, so you don’t quit in the middle of the process.  What You’ll Learn...

 Not sure what to do when a client shows you a photo? Every hairstylist has been there… A client sits in your chair, shows you an inspiration photo, and you’re thinking: 👉 “Will this actually work for them?” But you don’t want to second-guess yourself… and you definitely don’t want to lead them in the wrong direction.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode In this episode of Cutting Through It, Sherr...

Feeling like your books are slow as a hairstylist? If you’ve been noticing fewer appointments, gaps in your schedule, or wondering if the economy is the reason your clientele isn’t growing… You’re not alone. But here’s the truth most hairstylists aren’t talking about: 👉 It’s not just the economy. In this episode of Cutting Through It, I’m sharing a different perspective on why some hairstylists c...

If you’ve ever felt like you need more clients to make more money… I want to challenge that. Because what if the answer isn’t more clients… 👉 it’s what you’re doing with the ones already in your chair? In this episode, I’m sharing 3 simple shifts that can help you start making more money behind the chair — without working more hours and without adding more clients. These are things I’ve personall...

Have you ever felt like you want more behind the chair… More clients. More confidence. More income. More stability. But no matter how hard you try… it just doesn’t seem to click? If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what your next step should be — this episode is for you.   In this episode, I’m sharing a simple story that opened my eyes to something I see happening with hair stylis...

Have you been thinking about renting a chair… opening a salon suite… or going out on your own as a hair stylist? Wanting more freedom… more control… and a bigger piece of the income? I understand exactly why this feels like the next step. But before you make that move, there are some things you need to understand — because going out on your own isn’t just about doing hair anymore… It’s about runni...

Have you been feeling anxious behind the chair… like something just isn’t clicking? Do you ever question if you’re in the right place… or if you’ll actually be able to build a successful career as a hairstylist? Are you working hard… but still feeling overwhelmed, unsupported, or unsure of your direction? If any of that resonates with you, this episode is for you. In this episode, I’m talking abou...

Have you ever had a moment behind the chair where you wondered if you chose the wrong career? Do you ever feel burned out as a hairstylist and start thinking a 9-to-5 job might be easier? Are you in a season where building your clientele feels hard and you’re questioning whether it’s worth it to keep going? If you’ve ever thought about quitting hairstyling, this episode is for you.   In this episo...

What if I told you that most new clients who sit in your chair will never come back? Not because they didn’t like you. Not because they didn’t like their haircut. But because of something most hairstylists never do. In this episode of Cutting Through It, Sherri Brodie shares one of the biggest mistakes stylists make after a new client appointment—and the simple system that can turn a first-time gu...

Why do some hairstylists stay fully booked without advertising… while others constantly feel like they’re chasing their next client? It’s not talent. It’s not luck. And it’s not social media. It’s three simple business habits most hairstylists avoid. In this episode, I break down the 3 growth habits that build loyal clients, increase five-star reviews, generate referrals, and dramatically improve...

Have you ever finished a full day behind the chair and felt completely emotionally drained — not just tired, but empty? If you’ve experienced emotional exhaustion as a hairstylist, this episode is for you. In the beauty industry, we don’t just cut hair. We hold space. We listen. We absorb energy. We carry stories. And if you don’t learn how to protect your energy, burnout becomes inevitable. In th...

Are difficult client conversations draining your confidence behind the chair? If you’re struggling with late clients, no-shows, last-minute cancellations, price objections, or unrealistic inspiration photos — this episode is for you. Most hairstylists don’t struggle with skill. They struggle with client communication and setting boundaries in their salon business. And when we avoid uncomfortable c...