Level Up with Lacey

Salon owners… we’re going there today. Because every December, we all have the SAME question running through our minds: “What the heck do I even get my assistants for the holidays?” How much is normal? What’s too much? What if money is tight? How do you show appreciation without blowing your entire December revenue on gifts? This episode breaks it ALL down- honestly, clearly, and with zero fluff....

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I wanted to slow things down… just a little. This season has a way of making us breathe deeper, notice more, and really reflect on what truly matters. Inside Salon Lace, we call it  Gratitude Friday and today, I’m bringing that same energy straight into this episode. In this heartfelt conversation, I’m sharing the things, and people who carried me, challenged me,...

If you’re juggling a full salon, a booked client schedule, DMs, team drama, color orders, laundry, walk-ins, phone calls, and somehow trying to remember to pee and eat lunch… this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale. I know that feeling of having 462 tabs open in your brain while wondering, “Why am I so forgetful? Am I getting old? What is happening?” You’re not alone. Every salon owner I...

Do you ever feel like your team meetings last about  two days  before everyone slips right back into old habits? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Been there. For years, I poured my heart (and hours) into monthly team meetings- snacks, agendas, motivation, the works, only to leave frustrated and drained. Everyone nodded, smiled, and then… nothing changed. Until I made one tiny shift that completely transformed how my team...

Four years ago, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life, I walked away from behind the chair. My books were full, the money was great, and from the outside, everything looked perfect… but I was exhausted. I knew deep down that if I wanted to hit big numbers and do big things, I couldn’t keep operating the same way. Sometimes, you have to quit really cool , money-making things to get to whe...

This one’s hands-on! Grab your planner, Google Calendar, or wall calendar because we’re mapping out  every single  major date, goal, and event for 2026. From one-on-ones and education days to retreats, content days, and (yes!) your own vacations, this episode will help you build the kind of rhythm and structure your team needs to thrive. If it’s not on the calendar… it’s not happening! Let’s plan...

Everyone loves the idea of having a team… until they actually have one. When I hired my first assistant at 23, I thought it would make my life easier… instead, it made me a better leader. It gave my body a break, but not my mind. “New level, new devil. New opportunities come with new challenges.” Fantasy vs. Reality We all think once we hire, everything will get easier. But in reality, chaos comes...

Tired of holiday promos that flop or feel forced? In this episode, Lacey shares the story behind Salon Lace’s most successful holiday promotion ever - Luck of the Draw.  It boosted retail sales, built team momentum, and turned the salon into a place of pure excitement all month long. 1. The Concept: Every guest drew a card when they walked in- and their discount depended on it: 2–10 = 15% off, Fac...

“Am I too intense? Do I expect too much? Am I the problem?” If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone. In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a conversation that so many salon owners are having behind closed doors. Maybe you’ve had a stylist say,  “This job is too mentally taxing.”  Maybe a team member made you feel like your standards are “too much.” And maybe,...

If you avoid conflict to keep the peace, you start a war inside yourself... Sit with that for a second. In this episode, I’m diving into one of the toughest, but most necessary parts of salon life: conflict. We’re talking about why so many stylists bounce at the first sign of tension, why it’s destroying salon culture, and how you can start repairing instead of replacing. I’ll share personal stori...

Back in 2020 when we switched to a rental/hybrid model, I made a big mistake: I brought in renters from other salons who weren’t aligned with our culture. They were talented, sure… but they didn’t know our systems, our standards, or the “Salon Lace way.” And honestly? That was on me. That’s when I realized: chair rental without structure = chaos. In this episode, I’m sharing how we turned things a...

Minimum wage in Oklahoma has been $7.25 since 2009 and for years that’s exactly what I paid my assistants. Later, I raised it to $10 an hour… and nothing changed. So why do salon owners feel pressured to pay assistants “well above” minimum wage? In this episode, I’m sharing the pros, cons, and my perspective on paying assistants minimum wage, how to set pay based on your numbers (not guilt), and w...

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 12 of my favorite activities we’ve used to grow future leaders. These aren’t fluffy icebreakers… they’re the exact exercises that have shaped my team, strengthened our culture, and created lasting impact. They’re practical, interactive, and you can start using them with your team right away. I even created a free companion resource for you! 🎉 It’s called Leadership...

Life has seasons and sometimes morning routines just don’t fit. If you’re a new mom or in a messy season, give yourself grace . Your time will come. In this episode, I share my current playbook, my three morning non-negotiables, and the simple hacks that keep me grounded as a salon owner, mom, and business coach. It’s not about a “perfect routine” — it’s about consistency, rituals that fit your se...

If you’re still scrubbing toilets, restocking color, or running your salon’s Instagram… this episode is your wake-up call. ✨ Most salon owners hold onto tasks way too long, thinking they’re saving money or staying in control. The truth? That mindset keeps you stuck, burnt out, and blocks your growth. In this episode, I’m sharing the  five specific tasks I’ve learned to delegate, who should take t...

Sometimes leadership comes with tough choices, and yes, that includes hitting “mute” or “unfollow” on social media when a team member leaves your salon. In this episode, I’m getting real about why protecting your energy isn’t pettiness- it’s self-care, boundaries, and emotional maturity. If you’ve ever felt that gut-punch when someone moves on from your team, this episode gives you permission to d...

We’re switching gears this week, friends… because sometimes you just need a good laugh (and maybe a leadership reminder snuck in at the end). In this episode, I’m spilling the tea on the most outrageous,  did-that-really-just-happen  wardrobe disasters from behind the chair, mine, my team’s, and even my students’. We’re talking: The Great Sticky Boob Slip of 2018  – when your “support system” aban...

Are you constantly signing up for courses, masterminds, or memberships… but nothing is actually changing in your business? In this episode, I’m calling out the Serial Signer-Uppers, the stylists and salon owners who are stuck in a never-ending season of “yes.” You know the drill: you sign up for the thing, download the workbook, watch a few trainings… and then it collects digital dust. 😵‍💫 Here...

Being a salon owner means stepping into leadership—even when it’s hard. In this episode, I’m getting real and sharing the 3 toughest conversations I’ve ever had with team members… and what I learned from each one. 💥 A loyal stylist who spiraled into addiction and chaos 💬 A team member I didn’t speak my truth to—and wish I had 💔 Ending a business partnership that changed everything If you’ve eve...

If you’ve ever thought, “I  want  help… but I’m scared,” this episode is for you. Hiring an assistant is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make behind the chair — and the fear that comes with it is  real . In this episode, I’m breaking down the  3 most common fears  I hear from stylist & salon owners (and have felt myself), and how to shift them so you can lead and grow with confidence. “Wha...

If  you  don’t feel confident in your assistant program… your assistant can feel that too. In this episode, Lacey is breaking down the subtle signs that your training program might not be as strong as you think — and what to do about it. Whether you’re constantly second-guessing yourself or saying, “I’m going to do it differently next time,” this one is for  you. Inside this episode: ✨ Why “wingi...

If you’ve been running on fumes, wondering if you’re the problem… this episode is for you. In today’s raw and honest conversation, Lacey unpacks the  real reason so many salon owners are burning out  — and it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because you’re doing it  alone. Inside this episode: 💥 The sneaky signs of burnout too many salon owners ignore 💥 Why hiring help  isn’t  a luxury...

If you're a salon owner thinking about hiring your first assistant—or you're already in the thick of it—this episode is for  you . I’m diving deep into the truth behind what it really takes to bring someone onto your team… and it’s probably not what you’ve been told. We’re talking about why most salon owners wait  way  too long to hire, the uncomfortable (but necessary) mindset shifts, and...

In this episode of  Level Up with Lacey , I’m taking it back to the beginning — to the version of me who was scared to spend a dime on her business. The one who second-guessed every investment, worried about every dollar, and didn’t yet understand what true growth required. Whether you're just starting out or you're standing on the edge of your next big move, this one’s for YOU. I’m sharin...

What happens when you find yourself in back-to-back rooms with some of the most powerful women in business? This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most surreal weeks of my business journey — from a private mastermind in Nashville with my coach and mentor Amy Porterfield, to hopping on a plane and joining Britt Seva and the Thrivers Community at the X Retreat in San Antonio. Talk ab...