The Go Ham Podcast

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Philipp—a seasoned industry distributor—to unpack the current state of the beauty industry. From brand partnerships to price hikes, Bob pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on behind the scenes. We dive into the tough decisions salon owners face when choosing which beauty brands to align with, how global tariffs could impact pricing and product availa...

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Mattucci Curran, an industry vet with 10 years of commission salon experience—who made the bold decision to step into the world of independence. When we opened our salon suites right next door, she took the leap… and hasn’t looked back. We dive into what pushed her to make the switch, the wins (and curveballs) along the way, and how she's building her dre...

In this episode, we sit down with Marissa Carroll to talk about the real, raw reasons she left her commission salon to go independent—and why, after facing the realities of suite life, she ultimately chose to return. Marissa opens up about the freedom she was craving, the challenges that caught her off guard, and the unexpected ways her mindset shifted along the way. If you’ve ever wondered whethe...

We’re diving into how ChatGPT has seriously leveled up the way we run our salon. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we use AI behind the scenes — from writing policy updates and handling tricky guest messages to creating training guides, job posts, all things marketing and salon goals. If you’ve ever wondered how to save time, get out of your own head, or scale your business without...

This week, we’re pulling no punches. We’re diving into the rise of a new generation of stylists claiming “specialist” status without the reps, the grit, or the confidence to back it up. Is it fear masked as branding? We’re calling it out. We also break down the  right  (and wrong) ways to roll out a price increase—because how you communicate it can make or break your guest retention. And...

In this episode, we sit down with Payton Wargo—a stylist who built a thriving business behind the chair in record time. She’s sharing the exact steps that helped her grow fast, the habits she swears by, and the hard lessons she had to learn along the way. If you're just starting out or feeling stuck, this episode is your blueprint. Follow her moves, apply the mindset—and the success is yours for t...

Ever wonder why a client never came back—and you never heard why? In this episode, we’re getting brutally honest. We’re breaking down  real reasons  clients said they didn’t return to their stylist or service provider. From disappointing results and lack of professionalism, to unclear pricing, hefty cancellation fees, and overall bad vibes—we’re diving into all of it. Are  you &nbsp...

Thinking about opening a salon? In this episode, we get real about how much things have changed in just the past few years. From rising construction and supply costs to navigating tenant improvement negotiations, the financial side looks different—and you need to be more strategic than ever. But it doesn’t stop there. We talk about why salon culture isn’t just a buzzword, it's a  must-have &n...

In this episode, we’re diving into some spicy but necessary conversations every salon owner and stylist needs to hear. Where’s the line between being the boss and being a friend? Is it a red flag when salons refer to their team as “family”? We break down what healthy boundaries really look like. We also open up about the biggest money lessons we’ve learned in the industry, getting comfortable with...

In this episode, we sit down with one of our top stylists,  Mia Gomez , whose journey is nothing short of inspiring. From the moment she joined our team, Mia committed herself to growth—rising through multiple promotions, and ultimately becoming a powerful mentor to the next generation of stylists. Mia opens up about the struggles she faced early on, the mindset shifts that helped her grow, a...

Getting a bad review or dealing with a client redo can feel like a punch to the gut—but it doesn’t have to wreck your confidence or your business. In this episode of  Go Ham , we’re breaking down how to handle negative feedback with professionalism, turn redos into opportunities, and set boundaries to protect your time and energy. Whether you're a stylist, salon owner, or service provider, th...

Thinking about stepping back behind the chair? In this episode, we break down the pros and cons of hands-on work in the salon VS running the show behind the scenes. Whether you’re a salon owner looking to boost revenue, reconnect with clients, or fill gaps in your team, we discuss what needs to happen before making the decision. Plus, we’ll cover who should consider it, who shouldn’t, and how to s...

In this episode of  Go Ham , we sit down with powerhouse lash artist and entrepreneur  Alejandra Uribe , who came to the U.S. from Colombia with a dream and built an unstoppable  lash empire —now spanning  three locations and a thriving education hub . Alejandra shares her inspiring journey, the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur, and how she turned passion into a business...

In this powerful episode, we’re diving into a topic often brushed under the rug—the stigma of drugs and alcohol in the salon industry. We discuss how substance use sometimes gets a pass in the beauty world and the pressures that can make it feel ever-present. From exploring why substance abuse is so common in service industries to challenging the unfair stereotype that all hairstylists are involve...

In this episode, we're diving deep into what it takes to have a successful Apprentice Program! Join us as we sit down with our lead educator, Carrie Smith, who shares her insights on training new cosmetology graduates. We'll discuss the expectations graduates bring, the process we use to get them floor-ready, and the unique strengths and areas for growth we see in this new generation of stylists....

Curious about the different paths in the salon industry? In this episode, we break down the three main salon business models—booth rental, commission, and salon suites—and explore how they vary from the East Coast to the West Coast. We sit down with Aubrey Vautrin, who shares her journey of leaving our commission salon to try her hand in California’s salon scene. After experiencing each business m...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with our social media manager, Lexi Fredericks, to tackle the ever-changing world of social media trends! From what’s working (and what’s not) for our salon’s online presence to tailored strategies for different types of content on each platform, we cover it all. Lexi also shares why having someone driven and tuned into the social media landscape is a must-have...

In this episode of Go Ham: Unleashed, we’re talking all things trending on Instagram that are shaking up the beauty industry. We’re joined by Jayde Yorgey, a talented Gen Z stylist who shares her fresh perspective on retention, tipping culture, and what it takes to keep clients coming back. Jayde also opens up about her journey from a challenging start to becoming a successful stylist with our tea...

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on how we plan for a successful year in our salon business. Join us as we dive into the collaborative process with our leadership team, where we analyze sales plans, identify what’s working (and what’s not), and brainstorm strategies to overcome challenges. It’s a real talk about setting goals, addressing struggles, and creating actionable plans to e...

In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Hilden, a powerhouse stylist who recently pulled in an impressive $5,000 in service sales in a single day. Lindsay shares her journey from where she started to the strategies, mindset, and work ethic that have paved the way for her success behind the chair. We dive into the planning that goes into big days like this, the core services that make up the brea...

As salon owners, we’re all trying to make as few costly mistakes as possible, but let’s face it—that’s just not realistic! In this episode, we’re diving into the top mistakes every salon owner should avoid, breaking down everything we wish we’d done differently. From hiring a coach to investing in subpar equipment, we’re covering it all so you don’t have to learn the hard way. Whether you’re a cur...

Thinking about opening a salon? In this episode, we sit down with Dayna Bushong, our newest partner who opened Prive Salon at Malvern in February. Dayna shares the real deal on the challenges of launching a salon, including the financial investment, navigating the shift from working behind the chair to leading a team, and balancing it all with life’s curveballs. If you’re curious about what it tak...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the hottest topics in the salon world: strategies for taking new clients. Some stylists choose to close their books completely, others stick to strictly referrals, and some are all about welcoming new guests. We explore the different perspectives, weighing the pros and cons of each approach. Plus, we break down some of the most controversial social media p...

In this episode, we’re getting real about the challenges of balancing the demands of being a hands-on mom while also having a career. It’s not easy to juggle the roles, but we’re here to share the organizing hacks and strategies that have helped us stay on top of it all. Tune in as we talk about finding that balance—how to stay present with your kids while having the energy and focus to face the d...

In this episode, we’re excited to welcome special guest and salon coach Kierstin Nemer from Summit Salon Business Center! We dive into the common challenges that salon owners face—from managing teams to growing their businesses—and explore how having the right guidance can make all the difference. Kierstin shares the key benefits of hiring a coach, including personalized strategies, accountability...