Level Up with Lacey

What's your biggest fear about hiring an assistant? For most salon owners, it isn't finding someone... it's investing time, money, and energy into training them only to have them leave. In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that completely changed the way I look at hiring and growing a team. We talk about why fear keeps so many salon owners stuck, why courage comes before...

Grab your FREE LG Education Tracker here ⤵️ https://lg-education.kit.com/79e22eb54f One of the questions I get asked all the time is… "Should I pay for my assistant's education and certifications?" In this episode, we're diving into one of the biggest debates in the salon industry. Should salon owners cover the cost of extension certifications, education, and training? Or should...

If you've ever told yourself, "I'll start Monday," "I just need more motivation," or "I can't seem to stay consistent," this episode is for you. This week on The Level Up with Lacey Podcast, I'm joined by the very first repeat guest in podcast history, Jess from White Fox Styling! 🎉 We're diving into the daily rituals, habits, and routines that ha...

If your salon team has been showing up a little too casual lately, you’re not imagining it… and you’re definitely not alone! In this episode, we're getting real about that moment every salon owner dreads: when your once-polished, on-brand team starts looking more “Sunday Target run” than “$100/hour luxury service.” But don’t worry… we’re not here to shame anyone or stir up drama. We’re here to...

Let's have a real conversation today... If you've ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, worried about what other people might think, or hesitated to make a big move in your business because it felt scary AF... this episode is for you. I'm sharing some personal stories, lessons I've learned through building my business, and the reality of what it takes to grow. Because the truth...

We are doing something a little new and exciting this summer!! This episode is part of our Summer Replay Series. ☀️ Where we’re bringing back some of the most downloaded, most shared, and most impactful episodes in The Level Up with Lacey Podcast history. These are the conversations that sparked huge breakthroughs, major mindset shifts, and BIG lightbulb moments for salon owners everywhere… and th...

Let’s talk about one of the BIGGEST fears salon owners have when growing a team… “How do I put a brand-new stylist on the floor without clients freaking out?” Because the truth is… most salon owners are terrified that the second a guest hears the word “new”, they’ll immediately assume inexperienced, low quality, or risky. But here’s the reality: Your fully booked senior stylist was once the stylis...

This one might hit a nerve… but we’re saying it anyway. Assistants are SLOW in the beginning. That’s normal. That’s expected. That’s part of the process. But here’s where things start to go sideways…They stay slow—and you start getting frustrated—without ever giving them a clear target to work toward. In this episode, I’m breaking down the difference between normal beginner slowness and a full-blo...

If I had to rebuild my salon from the ground up… I wouldn’t do ten things differently. I’d do THREE. That’s it. Because when I look back, most of the struggles I went through weren’t random… they were the result of what I wasn’t doing yet. In this episode, I’m breaking down the three things that would have changed everything for me sooner—and will for you too. We’re talking about: Why hiring from...

Let’s be real for a second… How many decisions are you NOT making right now because of what someone might think? Raising your prices. Changing your schedule. Having that hard conversation. Starting something new. Instead… you overthink it. Sit on it. Push it off. I’m calling this out because I’ve caught myself doing the SAME thing lately. And I know I’m not the only one. So today, we’re talking ab...

The one-hour weekly habit that changed everything in my business. Alright… we made it to the FINAL Money Monday 😭 And I’m not letting you leave this series without something you can actually implement immediately. I’m giving you my exact monthly profit margin spreadsheet — the same one I use in my business… every single month. And here’s the best part… I only track THREE numbers. Simplicity Wins....

Credit cards are either one of the most powerful tools in your business… or the fastest way to completely wreck your finances. And the truth is… most salon owners fall into one of two categories. They either avoid credit cards completely… or they use them with absolutely no system at all. Inside today’s Money Monday, I’m pulling back the curtain on exactly how I use credit cards inside my business...

Welcome back to Money Monday — the series where we talk about the numbers, habits, and financial systems that most salon owners avoid… but desperately need to understand. In this episode, I’m walking you through exactly what I do with every single dollar that hits my business bank account — the weekly system that completely changed the way I run my salon. Quick disclaimer before we dive in: I’m no...

Being fully booked does NOT mean you’re profitable — and some of the busiest salon owners I know are the most financially stressed. In our very first Money Monday, we’re talking about the numbers and habits salon owners avoid but absolutely need if they want real financial freedom. This episode is all about the one-hour weekly habit that completely changed how I run my business and how I feel abou...

Because let’s be honest… Every salon owner has one. Had one. Or is currently avoiding one. 👀 If you’ve ever had a team member who: – Doesn’t listen – Pushes back on feedback – Skips meetings – Gossips – Drains your energy – Is wildly talented but slightly (or very) toxic This episode is for you. When you first open a salon, you think leadership is: - Hiring cool people - Training your team - Cele...

You say… “Not having enough time to train well.” “The time it takes to train.” “Not enough time in the day.” “My time is valuable and it takes time to train.” “No time to train.” Sound familiar? 👀 In this episode, I’m lovingly calling you out. Because I get it. I lived it. I built my salon in the “I’ll train when things slow down” era… and guess what? Things never slowed down. We’re diving into t...

Ever caught yourself thinking (or saying 😬): “My assistant is lazy.” “They don’t take initiative.” “I’ve told them a hundred times and nothing changes.” Can we please have an honest conversation. In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest misconceptions in the salon industry and it might be the ONE THING that is keeping you exhausted, frustrated, and stuck doing everything yourself. 👉...

…and this episode might be the most honest one I’ve ever recorded. This was not an overnight decision. This has been four years in the making , and inside this episode I’m sharing the real story behind it. In this episode, I walk you through: The one decision I made at 23 years old that created every ounce of freedom I have today Why stepping away from behind the chair was the hardest and best mov...

Before we dive in, I want to personally invite you to my upcoming free live training — The Co-Stylist Confidence Workshop!! It is BACK and better than ever!! If your goals this year include hiring stylists, working less behind the chair, making more money, and building real systems in your salon, this training is for you! Inside the workshop, I’m teaching: A simple way to pay a Co-Stylist or assis...

If you’re booked out, exhausted, drowning behind-the-chair a nd trying to keep the salon afloat… yet you keep telling yourself “I need help”… This episode is for you . Most salon owners aren’t avoiding hiring because they don’t want the support. They’re avoiding it because they’re scared as hell and unsure of the unknown. In this episode, I’m getting real and personal about: One of my first assist...

Color is one of the largest expenses in your salon… and yet most owners are still guessing. 😬 In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how we track, upcharge, budget, and invoice color for booth renters at Salon Lace. If you’re eyeballing color, “doing your best,” or avoiding the numbers altogether… this one’s for you. Here’s what I’m walking you through: Why tracking every single drop of color...

✨ Final episode of The Level Up with Lacey Podcast for 2025 ✨ I’ll be honest, I’m really bad at celebrating how far I’ve come. I move the goalpost fast, judge myself even faster, and usually skip right past the “wow” moment straight into “what’s next?” In this final episode of 2025, I’m sharing the mindset shift that completely changed my peace, confidence, and anxiety this year- learning how to...

If assistants feel frustrating, inconsistent, or exhausting… this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth: that’s usually a leadership and systems issue, not a people issue… Mic drop. 🎤 In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 standards I would absolutely be holding my assistants to in 2026 — not to be controlling, but to create clarity, structure, and confidence for everyone involved. We’re...

Before we dive in, don’t forget, I’m hosting a 3-day mini training on my Instagram Close Friends list called Your 2026 Habit Reset: Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s Bullshit. It’s happening Dec 28, 29, 30 and everything will live in that little green circle. To join: DM me the word “Close” on Instagram → @lacey_gebo → https://www.instagram.com/lacey_gebo/ Now let’s get into the purchases that...

If you want support setting YOUR 2026 SMARTER goals, come join my Close Friends List on Instagram! December 28–30, I’m teaching a free 3-day mini series: Your 2026 Habit Reset- Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s Bullshit. DM CLOSE on IG ( @lacey_gebo ) to join. Why SMARTER Goals Matter A goal without a plan is just a wish. Last year I hit 7 of my goals, missed 2, and learned that clarity + simp...