Inside Chat with Valerie & Amy

In this episode, Amy & Valerie are tackling a common but frustrating issue in the salon, spa and aesthetics industry - your team is moaning about being busy. As a business owner, busy periods should be a sign of success, not a source of negativity. So why is your team resisting the growth you’ve worked hard to create? They break down what these complaints really mean, how to shift the mindset...

You’re finally ready to step back and delegate more within your salon, spa or aesthetics business but your team doesn’t want to take it on. Whether it’s resistance, lack of confidence or just plain avoidance, this episode with Valerie & Amy breaks down what to do when your team makes delegation difficult. They share how to shift mindset, build trust and create a culture of ownership and accoun...

You’ve created clear procedures and systems for your salon, spa or aesthetics business but some team members still aren’t following through. In this episode, Amy & Valerie dive into why having processes isn’t always enough and what to do when your staff just doesn’t seem to “get it.” Learn how to identify the root of the disconnect, improve team accountability and lead with clarity and confide...

In this week’s episode, Valerie & Amy dive into the growing struggle between business owners and the younger generation entering the workplace. Are Gen Z employees entitled or are they simply setting boundaries we never felt we could? As business owners, we’re the ones left trying to bridge the gap navigating high expectations, lower tolerance for pressure and an environment that often views f...

In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy explore the subtle signs that you're micromanaging, especially when it's simply become your default way of working. If you’re someone who thrives on control, tries to do it all and struggles to delegate, this conversation is for you.  Valerie's highly rated book, I'd Rather Do It Myself: From Micromanagement to Leadership, delves f...

In this episode, Valerie & Amy are discussing what it really means to be approachable as an owner, while still maintaining professionalism and boundaries with your team. It’s all about striking the right balance, creating a supportive environment without losing leadership presence. Access the Free Download mentioned in this weeks episode: https://thedelforgegroup.podia.com/refine-your-leadersh...

In today’s episode, Valerie & Amy dive into a tricky and uncomfortable topic: ex-staff members stealing clients after they’ve left your business. You’ve put in the time, the effort and the trust to grow relationships with your clients, so it’s disheartening when former employees try to take them with them when they leave. This episode gives tips what you can do to protect yourself from losing...

In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy are diving into the reality of decision making as an owner: the pressure, the responsibility and the mindset it takes to move forward even when there’s no 'perfect' choice. Whether you're new to leadership or deep in the journey, this is a discussion exploring the human side of running a business and a reminder to ourselves that uncerta...

In this weeks episode, Valerie and Amy break down the pros and cons of employed vs self employed therapists/stylists, ultimately discussing which path aligns best with your business. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subscribe to our channel and press that notification bell so you can catch all new epi...

In this video, Valerie & Amy discuss the importance of budgeting and why burying your head in the sand isn't a solution. Ignoring your finances can leave you feeling overwhelmed but getting on top of your numbers can completely transform your confidence. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Remember to subsc...

In this episode, Valerie & Amy discuss navigating the challenge of staff using their holiday allowance to avoid working Saturdays, leaving you short staffed on your busiest days. They explore practical strategies to balance employee needs with business demands, set clear policies and allow for open communication to prevent scheduling headaches. As part of our Exclusive Members Group, we recent...

We’re back for our first episode of the year and we’re diving straight into how 2025 is shaping up so far. Valerie and Amy reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, the struggles and the key lessons we can take into this year. In January, we focused on taking control of your stock and this month we’ve been deep into financial planning, a service that’s been hugely popular among our members. If you’re...

We've just wrapped filming for Series 8 of Inside Chat and one thing's for sure — the bloopers never disappoint! Enjoy these hilarious moments from way back in Series 1 up until now. We'll be back soon with fresh content this month, but in the meantime, catch our recent episode where we count down the top episodes of all time.    • Inside Chat Ep 76 - Our Top 5 Episode...  We can’t...

Since launching Inside Chat at the start of 2023, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, diving deep into the nitty-gritty of what it’s really like to be a business owner and the challenges that come with it. These are our top 5 episodes of all time, each covering relevant and practical topics for business owners and even managers. A huge thank you to all our listeners who have been with us since...

In 2024, thanks to the popularity of one of our Inside Chat episodes, we launched our Mystery Shop service. In this bonus episode, listen to Valerie as she shares the story of a Mystery Shop that went wrong and the consequences that followed. If you'd like access to a written copy of this case study, along with the audio, you can download it below. Discover why we’re so passionate about Myste...

And that's a wrap on 2024! What an incredible year of Inside Chat, packed with fascinating topics and thought provoking discussions. Here are our top episodes of the year! Stay tuned for brand new episodes coming soon as we gear up for another year of Inside Chat in 2025. 5) Ep 52 | Minding Your Language Around Your Team 4) Ep 54 | New members of my team are never working out, what am I doing...

As this year draws to a close, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our wonderful community throughout 2024. It's been another amazing year of Inside Chat and we are so grateful for the all support from our viewers and listeners. Wishing you all a well deserved, restful Christmas & an incredibly successful 2025. Jo...

In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the importance of having structure in your business and how to harness the unique strengths of every individual on your team. They discuss how structure brings organisation, clarity and the ability to plan for long-term success. Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside Chat, where Valerie and Amy will answer your burning questions. Re...

As a business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing everything yourself. You’ve built this business from the ground up and letting go of control can often feel impossible. In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into how to shift your mindset and take actionable steps toward relying more on your team and manager. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I doing it all?”, this episode...

In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy discuss how to manage commission structures effectively, balance healthy competition and build a retail culture that empowers each team member individually. They share their tips on how to eliminate commission-based competition and create a commission plan that benefits both your business and your entire team. A great watch for salons, spas and anyone in the...

In this episode, Valerie and Amy dive into one of the most crucial yet challenging aspects of effective leadership: consistency. How you show up every day, how you interact with your team, and even how your mood sets the tone for your business. But being consistent as an owner goes beyond daily routines—it requires intentional processes and procedures to make your team feel valued and motivated. W...

In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy revisit our mystery shop case study, showcasing how it highlights key improvements for the Front of House and the overall customer journey. This complimentary case study was released to accompany the recent launch of our new Mystery Shop service, offering valuable insights into where businesses can make impactful changes, starting from the moment a cl...

In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy discuss the importance of assessing your leadership skills and how it impacts your salon/spa team's performance. It's easy to spot issues in the team, but how often do we reflect on our own leadership? Our new downloadable guide, 'Refine Your Leadership Skills,' includes self-assessment tools and team feedback to help you improve a...

This week, Valerie and Amy explore the crucial steps behind effective performance management. Before any formal actions like disciplinary measures, having a structured process in place is key. They’ll discuss why it’s essential to follow these steps to ensure fairness and productivity. Plus, Valerie reveals her exclusive Delforge 1,2,3 Method for performance management—an approach to handling empl...

In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into Amy's latest obsession—Google Business! Building a strong online presence is crucial for driving your business forward, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. From Google Business to your website, social media, and understanding how they all work together, there are so many pieces to the puzzle. Recently, we've teamed up wit...