Salon Rising

What happens when the babies on hips become teens with attitudes, endless school events and bigger problems…but business still needs you too? In this raw, funny and very real episode, Sam and Jen return to one of the Inner Sanctum’s most loved topics... Motherhood in Business . And dive into what it really looks like when you’re raising kids while running a salon and carrying the mental load of it...

In this bite-sized chat, Jen is joined by Brayden from Your Salon Support, for a jargon free breakdown of the marketing terms every salon owner thinks they should know… but often doesn’t. From marketing plans to AIO, social strategies to loyalty systems, Bray strips it all back so you know what matters, what you can ignore, and what actually moves the needle depending on whether you’re a solo oper...

What a year!! In this raw, honest, and surprisingly uplifting episode, Sam and Jen sit down to unpack the real 2025. The chaos, the curveballs, the court battles, the soaring rent, the unexpected grief, the kids’ schedules, the moments of magic, and the beautiful anchor that their salons have become. From navigating explosive life seasons to rediscovering joy in small team culture, this conversati...

What’s really working for salons right now...and what isn’t? In this Mini Moment, Jen sits down with Jeanette from Salon First to unpack findings from her Business Success 2025 Survey, which gathered insights from over 200 salon owners across Australia. The results reveal what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and where salon owners should really be focusing their energy this year. From retenti...

What happens when life forces you to do the hard thing and you come out steadier, wiser, and more at peace with who you are? In this raw and generous conversation, Alex Fuchs — APAC Colour Master for KEVIN.MURPHY and owner of Fuchs Hair in Sydney, opens up about army bunkers, resilience, court battles, leadership wobbles, and the journey back to a client first salon he truly loves. We go deep on i...

What if the secret to stronger, thicker, and more beautiful hair starts where you least expect it...your scalp? In this Mini Moment. Samara and Jen are joined again by the amazing Monique McMahon . Owner of Que Colour and MCM Beauty , to talk about the growing movement that’s redefining the beauty industry: scalp care. Fresh from her US masterclass tour and the global launch of the Christophe Robi...

What happens when a tech minded gamer swaps code for colour and decides to make salon tech & marketing sexy? In this episode in the Inner Sanctum, we sit down with Brayden, founder of Your Salon Support and host of the podcast talk show, Can We Go Live, to unpack how salon owners can make tech and marketing feel sexy, simple, and smart again. Brayden shares his journey from the video game indu...

Culture is the heartbeat of your salon, but it needs constant attention to stay strong. In this episode, Samara and Jen give a behind the scenes look at the Culture Reset Masterclass , where they’ll unpack what it really takes to build a team culture that’s calm, connected, and accountable. They share personal lessons from years of leadership, the moments that worked, the ones that didn’t, and the...

What happens when you press play on your very first podcast episode two years later? In this special episode, Samara and Jen go back to where it all began. Episode 1 of Salon Rising: The Podcast. What started as two best friends sharing insights about business, life, and salon ownership has since grown into a platform of connection, community, and real conversations. Listening back, some things ma...

Choosing a colour brand isn’t just about tubes of tint, it’s one of the biggest financial and cultural decisions you’ll make as a salon owner. In this mini moment, Jen sits down with the incredible Monique McMahon , salon owner and Wella Colour Ambassador, to unpack how to make the right choice for your business and your team. Monique shares why opportunities should be at the top of your list, how...

What does true success in the beauty industry look like? And how do you stay authentic while building it? In this inspiring episode, Jen sits down with Jeanette, General Manager of Beauty Wholesaler, Salon First , who has spent 27 years growing, adapting, and thriving alongside the ever changing beauty industry. From the days of “Back Scratches” in 1989 to leading one of Australia’s most trusted d...

What if you built your salon around the life you actually want? Not what others expect. In this Mini Moment, Samara, Jen, and Taryn from Brow Substance dive into the powerful (and often overlooked) question: What do you really want your business and life to look like? From the pressure to “progress” into salon ownership, to the reality of balancing family, staff, and clients, this episode explores...

What actually makes teams high performing (and salons sustainable)? Leadership & culture coach Emma Campbell joins Samara to unpack why a sense of safety and purpose at work is the secret to performance, profit, and long term team loyalty. Together, they explore how salon owners can step out of the bottleneck, empower their teams, and create a culture where people feel supported to bring their...

What happens when you need to step away from your salon, for a holiday, maternity leave, or even an unexpected 10 months...and you still want the business to thrive? In this Mini Moment, Samara sits down with Brodie from Smooth Hair to unpack how she set her salon up to run without her. From building trust in a manager, to breaking down the numbers, to avoiding money sitting idle in stock, Brodie...

What does success look like when you’ve been in beauty for 22+ years...and still love it? In this episode, Samara and Jen sit down with Taryn from Brow Substance to unpack reinvention, pricing with confidence, and building a business that serves your life (not the other way around). From Yellow Pages days to TikTok, from home studio to shared clinic space, Taryn shares the mindset and money shifts...

Sick leave is never easy to manage. But how you handle it says more about your salon culture than you might think. In this Mini Moment, Samara and Jen unpack how to handle sick leave without burning out your team. From setting boundaries with staff, to managing client expectations, to recognising when sick leave is really a sign of deeper cultural issues, they share lessons every salon owner can u...

What happens when life throws you the unimaginable and you’re still responsible for a business and a team? In this raw and deeply moving episode, Samara sits down with Brodie, owner of Smooth Hair in Alstonville, who opens up about the most challenging year of her life. What began as a five week family holiday turned into a nine month stay in Perth after her 2 year old daughter was diagnosed with...

In this powerful Mini Moment, Nicki from Salon Purpose returns to talk about the early lessons that helped her grow from a solo operator into the leader of a 19 staff salon. If you're still doing everything yourself, from stock to scheduling to xero, this one’s for you. Nicki shares how she finally got out of her own way, why hiring a bookkeeper was her first move, and how letting go of perfection...

This week in the Inner Sanctum, we welcome back the incredible Monique McMahon , owner of Que Colour and global ambassador for Christophe Robin . In this heartfelt and honest episode, Monique shares how small shifts in efficiency have transformed her business. Why profitability doesn’t always mean having more staff. And the personal changes that are fuelling her success. From cutting out coffee an...

Thinking about hiring your first team member...but feeling the fear? You’re not alone. In this honest and practical Mini Moment, Samara and Jen break down the real emotions and strategy behind that first hire. From burnout and back to back days on the floor, to making space for growth, they share the personal and financial checkpoints every salon owner should consider. The girls discuss their own...

What if your salon could be known for more than just great hair? In this heart filled episode, we sit down with Nicki from Salon Purpose . A salon owner who built her entire business model around kindness, integrity and impact. From starting in a 15 square metre backyard salon to leading a 19 staff team and raising over $100,000 through her “With Love” campaign, Nicki shares how purpose has shaped...

Ever feel guilty for stepping away from the salon floor to work on your business? You’re not alone. In this Mini Moment, Jen is joined by Sherri to unpack why taking time off the tools isn’t just okay, it’s essential. They share real talk about charging your worth, tracking every dollar, staying inspired, and avoiding the burnout spiral so many salon owners fall into. 🎧 Listen now to learn: Why w...

Ever felt trapped by the very business you built? In this powerful episode, Ashlin from The Elk Collective shares why she walked away from her 10 staff salon to build a thriving home based business aligned with her life and purpose. She opens up about the burnout of running a big team, the pressure to look “successful,” and how coming back to her why transformed her work, family life, and finances...

Going solo doesn’t mean going it alone. In this Mini Moment, Jen is joined by Sherri from Timely to unpack what really happens behind the scenes of solo businesses. From the emotional weight of doing it all, to the turning point most business owners hit at 18 months, they explore the silent struggles and simple shifts that can make solo life feel less… solo. 💬 Inside: Why “solo” doesn’t mean unsu...

Ever felt knocked flat by burnout, public criticism, or self doubt? In this raw and honest chat, Kelly Christie, aka The Skin Queen and also owner of The Facial Bar on the Gold Coast, joins Samara and Jen to share the unfiltered truth behind building two successful businesses. From the realities of online hate to the behind the scenes lessons of leadership, resilience, and growth. This episode is...