The REFINE Network

One of the hardest leadership moments you'll face as a salon owner is when an employee gives notice and asks to stay for a few more weeks. Do you let them finish out their schedule? Do you ask them to leave immediately? How do you protect your team, your culture, and your business while still treating people with respect? In this episode, Christopher and Evan discuss the factors every leader shoul...

What helps some stylists grow faster than others? It's not just technical skill. In this conversation from ABS Chicago, Ruthie and Alondra of Silver Salon share the mindset shifts that have shaped their careers in just two years behind the chair. They talk about building a strong foundation before chasing every new opportunity, creating unforgettable client experiences, receiving feedback without...

In this episode, Erin Silver shares what happened when she went through SCALE for a second time and why the experience landed differently than it did the first time. Erin opens up about stepping fully into her role as an owner, uncovering financial realities that were limiting her salon's growth, and using data to create greater clarity and buy-in across her team. The conversation explores pricing...

What does it actually feel like to go through a major salon pricing shift? In this episode, Christopher sits down with Megan from Mercer Hair Studio to talk about her experience going through SCALE and the emotional reality of raising prices as a stylist. From anxiety and overthinking to confidence and clarity, Megan shares what it looked like to navigate pricing changes inside a growing salon, co...

What actually happens when you raise your salon prices? In this episode, Crystal Mercer joins the podcast to talk about leadership, culture, pricing psychology, and building a salon team that can truly thrive. The conversation dives into the emotional side of price increases, why so many owners stay stuck playing small, and how fear around money impacts both leaders and stylists. Crystal also shar...

What do you do when a stylist keeps getting redos? It’s easy to jump to firing. But most of the time, that’s not actually the solution. In this episode, we break down what’s really going on when clients keep coming back for adjustments. From rushed consultations to skipping steps, to pride getting in the way of growth. We talk through how to identify whether it’s a skill issue, a process issue, or...

If you’ve been hearing us talk about SCALE and wondering what it actually is—this episode is your inside look. We break down where SCALE started, how it’s evolved, and what it’s becoming as we move into a more streamlined, software-driven experience. We also talk through: Why so many salon owners feel disconnected from their numbers What’s typically happening behind the scenes in growing salons Ho...

Great service is expected. Hospitality is what makes you unforgettable. In this episode, we break down what “unreasonable hospitality” actually means for salon owners — and why it may be the single greatest competitive advantage you have. We talk about: - The difference between service and hospitality - The problem with “good enough” - Why connection always comes before systems - How small, though...

Most stylists aren’t lacking talent. They’re lacking structure. In this episode, we sit down with Gareth to talk about Classic Cutting — the foundational system that has guided every haircut he’s done for over 30 years. We unpack: • Why so many stylists feel confident with color but uncertain with cutting • The gap between cosmetology school and advanced education • Why “advanced” classes don’t wo...

We sat down with a simple question: What used to feel like success… that no longer does? What started as an icebreaker turned into a real conversation about ego, leadership, humility, and what actually defines success. Because at some point, success stops being about the car, the title, or the applause… and starts being about legacy, culture, and how you show up for the people around you. In this...

We sit down with Cynthia and Olga to talk about what actually keeps a leadership team together — not in theory, but in real life. After working side by side for over 16 years, they share what’s made their partnership last: trust, autonomy, and being willing to have the hard conversations most leaders avoid. We get into how their roles evolved, how respect and clear lanes reduce friction, and why s...

In this episode, we sit down with Crystal Mercer for an honest conversation about identity, integrity, and what it really means to lead in the salon industry. Crystal shares her perspective on staying true to who you are as a leader, why trying to perform or shape-shift for others leads to burnout, and how clarity builds trust with both teams and clients. We talk about her journey from teenage mot...

In this episode, Evan sits down with Siobhan McCaffrey, a longtime leader at Phorest, to talk about the evolution of salon technology and what’s coming next for the industry. Siobhan shares her journey from Ireland to Philadelphia, where she helped launch Phorest’s North American expansion. They dive into the differences between the U.S. and European salon markets, what it was like onboarding mass...

In this episode, Christopher sits down with Joanne to talk about what it really takes for a salon to grow through systems—not guesswork. From resetting her front desk, to grounding her service providers, to bringing an associate through The Artist Academy, Joanne shares the real-time shifts she’s making to simplify onboarding and strengthen her team. They dive into how clarity creates momentum, wh...

In this episode, Christopher sits down with Tim Howard, Co-Founder & Chief Innovation Officer of Vish, to dive into the technology that’s transforming the color bar — and the profitability of salons everywhere. Tim shares how Vish was born from a simple but game-changing insight: salons were using their most expensive inventory with zero tracking. Together, they break down how color waste real...

Leadership isn’t just strategy — it’s resilience, intention, and the courage to keep showing up even when it’s hard. In this episode, Christopher Hartl and Evan Silver sit down with Erin Jenkins, owner of Canvas Salon & Day Spa, live from L’ANZA’s Healing Center Forum in Cancún. Together, they unpack the reality of salon ownership: walkouts, rebuilding trust, strengthening culture, and leading...

Building a thriving salon team takes more than talent — it takes systems, clarity, and shared language. In this episode, Christopher and Erin dive deep into the evolution of the Refine Artist Academy — a digital education system designed to help salons scale education, strengthen culture, and free up time for owners and leaders. They break down what it really looks like to move from chaos to consi...

At L’ANZA’s Healing Center Forum in Cancún, this conversation with Brandie Huether, Executive Vice President of Global Sales at L’ANZA, dives into what it means to lead with both heart and results. Brandie shares her approach to leadership that balances strategy with humanity—building teams and partnerships through empathy, accountability, and joy. From her daily ice cream ritual to her “heart-cen...

Erin takes over the mic and puts Christopher and Evan in the hot seat to talk about what truly sets The Refine Network apart. From the origins of Refine to the heart behind salon growth, leadership, and pricing — this episode pulls back the curtain on how two salon owners turned their shared experience into a movement that’s making growth simple. 🎧 In this episode: Erin flips the script and inter...

In this episode, Evan and Chris dive into why high-performing stylists and service providers leave — and what leaders can do to keep them. They unpack three core reasons top talent drifts away: leadership, goals, and purpose. From unlearning old habits and coaching differently to creating clear career paths and connecting your team to something bigger, this conversation will challenge how you thin...

Every leader is faced with opportunities—but not everyone takes them. In this episode, we unpack seven ways leaders can recognize, step into, and maximize the moments that move their life and business forward. From passion and initiative to resourcefulness, courage, and celebrating wins with your team, you’ll hear real stories and practical insights you can apply right away.

What’s the difference between venting and gossip — and why does it matter for your team? In this episode, we react to a fiery Dave Ramsey clip and explore how negativity shows up in salons, why it damages trust, and what leaders can do to protect their culture. From handling complaints with solutions to setting clear team standards, we unpack the ongoing work of maintaining a healthy environment w...

Ever feel like you’re just showing up, unlocking the doors, and going through the motions? In this episode, we talk about what to do when the passion fades — and how to reconnect with the purpose behind your work. We break down the “ladder of the 4 P’s” (Paycheck → Passion → Philanthropy → Purpose) and share real stories from the salon floor and beyond about finding your magic again. Whether you’r...

In this episode of The Refine Network Podcast, we sit down with Joe DiFalco, Senior Partnerships Manager at Phorest, one of the leading salon software platforms, to talk about where the industry is headed and how technology is shaping the future of salons. From the rise of goal-setting features to the power of data-driven decision making, Joe shares insights from over 7 years at Phorest — includin...

What do people actually regret at the end of their lives—and how can leaders like you avoid the same fate? In this episode, David Naim returns to share three powerful reflections from his late father’s legacy that every leader should hear: the importance of reflection, relationships, and risk. If you're building a business, a team, or a life with purpose, this one will hit home. Whether you're in...