S.P.A. Business Podcast

Thinking about hiring your first esthetician but something keeps stopping you? Maybe you've been burned before, or you're worried about losing control, or you simply don't know where to start. In this episode, I'm walking you through the real obstacles you'll face when going from solo provider to multi-practitioner spa, and why most of them have nothing to do with what you think. In this episode,...

Feeling frantic because you can't fit everyone in? Before you panic-hire during your busiest season, listen to this. I'm breaking down why hiring during Q4 chaos often backfires, what to do instead, and the exact metric I use to know when it's actually time to add another esthetician to your team. You'll hear about: • The moment I watched nearly a thousand dollars walk out the door and what it tau...

Sometimes the most powerful business strategy is knowing when to slow down. In this episode, I'm sharing my year-end ritual, the biggest lesson 2025 taught me, and the two words that are guiding everything I'm building in 2026. You'll hear about: • The simple gratitude practice I've used every year since 2018 to intentionally close out the year • The personal moment that completely shifted how I d...

Your Google Business Profile exists and you have a few reviews, but consistent new clients are still not coming in. If SEO feels too technical or too expensive, you are not alone. The truth is SEO does not require a big budget or an agency. It requires consistency with the right foundational steps. In this episode, you will learn: • The four SEO factors that matter most for local service businesse...

Your spa may be showing up on Google, but are your estheticians getting booked evenly? If one team member is consistently full while others have openings, the issue is likely visibility. Google rankings help clients find you, but Google reviews are what get you booked. Reviews that mention an esthetician by name play a major role in who stays fully booked and who does not. In this episode, you'll...

Stop hoping clients will find you. This method helps spa owners and estheticians get discovered by the people already searching for your services on Google. By answering real client questions through video and written content each week, you'll build a sustainable online presence that works for you 24/7, no ads required. One year of consistent effort creates a foundation that keeps bringing clients...

In this episode, I'm joined by my ads manager, Pamela Howe, spa owner, LMT, and Meta ads strategist, to bust the biggest myths spa owners still believe about Facebook and Instagram ads. We break down:  Boosting vs real ads How much you actually need to spend What targeting works best for local spas Why simple ads convert better  The most common mistakes spa owners make What results to expect in yo...

Forget resolutions! What your spa really needs is focus. In this episode, Amanda walks you through a simple but powerful way to start the year with clarity and momentum. Instead of overwhelming yourself with a long to-do list, you'll learn how to reflect, celebrate, and choose one aligned goal that actually moves the needle for your business. You'll learn: A quick year-in-review exercise to see wh...

January doesn't have to be scary. While many spa owners dread the first quarter because clients are "broke from the holidays" or "too busy with resolutions," the truth is you don't have to wait around for it to be slow. In this episode, Amanda shares simple, practical strategies to take control of Q1 and set your spa up for a strong start to the year. You'll discover: How to pre-book December clie...

In this episode, I sit down with functional medicine esthetician Samantha Dench to explore what's really going on beneath the surface when a client's skin won't cooperate. We talk about the deeper root causes behind acne, inflammation, hormonal shifts, and gut-skin imbalances, and how spa owners can better support clients who feel stuck, frustrated, or like they've "tried everything." Samantha bre...

Most spa owners treat holiday gift cards as "extra" sales but done right, they can fund your entire January. In this episode, Amanda breaks down how to create a gift card promotion that rewards your loyal clients, brings in brand-new ones, and keeps cash flow steady when business usually slows down. You'll learn: How to structure your offer without discounting your main services The smartest way t...

In this episode, Amanda sat down with Brittany Hagemann, The Esthetician Coach, to talk all about building a profitable solo esthetician business without burning out. Brittany left the corporate world in 2015 to pursue her passion for skincare and makeup. After earning her Esthetics license, she opened her own acne-focused business, BLH Beauty, in San Diego, and grew from $62K to $112K in revenue...

Black Friday is the biggest money weekend of the year—but only if spa owners plan it right. In this episode of Bougie & Boring , Amanda shares a simple Black Friday blueprint to help spas maximize sales now and make future years even easier. Listeners will learn: ✨ Why one irresistible offer is more effective than multiple confusing ones ✨ How to market early and often instead of waiting until t...

Most spa owners make the same mistake every year: they wait until January to start planning and by then, it's too late. In this episode of  Bougie & Boring , Amanda shares how to map out a spa's 2026 calendar now, so owners can walk into the new year with clarity, confidence, and far less stress. Listeners will discover: ✨ Why planning promotions, memberships, and events in advance sets the stage...

The spa industry is shifting fast and 2026 is going to separate the spas that thrive from the ones that close their doors. In this episode, Amanda is sharing her top predictions for what's coming: ✨ Why employee-based spas are about to make a big comeback ✨ How AI will divide the successful from the struggling ✨ Why strict, complex policies are driving clients away ✨ The make-or-break truth ab...

Some spa owners need immediate relief. Others need a total reset. Which one are you? Knowing the answer changes everything about how you run your spa. In this episode, Amanda helps you figure out whether you're in quick win mode (and need fast cash strategies) or big picture mode (and need a 90-day reset). You'll walk away with clarity on what you need most right now and the next step to take. Wha...

So many spa owners say they want to get out of the treatment room but the  why behind that decision looks different for everyone. For some, it's  burnout. For others, it's family and time freedom. And for many, it's money and growth. In this episode, Amanda helps you uncover your true why so you can stop feeling guilty about stepping back and start creating a transition plan that works for your li...

In this episode, we're diving into what it really looks like to own a business while rewriting the rules of motherhood. For so long, women have been told they had to choose between being a present mom or building a successful career. But what if that's the lie? Motherhood doesn't kill ambition, it multiplies it. It sharpens your vision, fuels your drive, and forces you to get clear about what real...

Your spa feels stuck... but is it because you don't have enough new clients, or because you can't keep the ones you already have? In this episode, Amanda breaks down how to tell the difference between a marketing problem and a retention problem, plus what numbers to check so you can stop guessing and start fixing the real issue. Want help creating a year-round plan to smooth out the highs and the...

Cancellations. Reschedules. Clients slipping through the cracks. If you've been worrying about retention in your spa, you're not alone. But here's the truth: it might not be the economy, your pricing, or even your clientd... It might be your positioning. In this episode of Bougie and Boring , Amanda breaks down why so many spa owners are seeing retention struggles and why her spa consistently hold...

Are you running your spa… or is it running you? If you feel like you're the therapist, the fixer, the backup receptionist, and the face of the business all at once, you're not alone. Leadership in the spa world often comes with an invisible load: team emotions, client expectations, payroll stress, and the constant pressure to hold it all together. In this episode of Bougie and Boring , Amanda shar...

You love your spa. But when your partner gently asks, "Is this actually paying off?" it hits hard. In this episode, Amanda dives into a moment that many spa owners face (but rarely talk about): when your spouse starts to question if the business you've built is really working - for your  family . You'll learn: Why the five-year mark often triggers this conversation What your partner's concerns rea...

Your spa looks successful but you feel exhausted, resentful, and like you're barely holding it together. In this episode, Amanda gets honest about a reality too many spa owners face but rarely talk about - burnout. The bookings are there. The team is running. But inside? You're done. You'll learn: Why burnout doesn't go away with more hustle (it usually gets worse) The key signs you're past "tired...

If your spa only works when you do, you don't own a business, you've built a job with fancy wallpaper. In this episode Amanda shares why so many spa owners feel stuck, overworked, and unable to scale. The root issue? You're the glue holding everything together and that's not scalable. You'll learn: The top signs your spa is too dependent on you Why this happens (and why it's not just about ego) Ho...

Are you working hard but still not seeing the profits you expected? You might be making one (or more) of these common money mistakes. In this episode of Bougie and Boring , we're breaking down the five biggest financial missteps spa owners make and what to do instead. From underpricing your services to ignoring retail and overspending in the wrong areas, these silent profit-killers can keep even t...