Thriving Stylist Podcast

You feel like you're on a hamster wheel, doing everything you can, but your clientele and income aren't growing. But what if the metrics you're tracking, like pre-booking and retail sales, are actually irrelevant to your success?  I am not a fan of coaching systems and coaching models where every stylist needs to reach the same level of metrics in order to be deemed successful. Times are changing...

Are you running a hybrid salon model and constantly struggling to find the right balance between your dedicated employees and your independent booth renters? You're not alone! Many salon owners are seeing a massive shift as stylists trade independence for the benefits of employment, but making this model work for everyone is the real challenge, and I want to talk about it here today on the podcast...

Why are so many salon owners adopting the parts and labor pricing model right now, and is it truly the best strategy to future-proof your business? Today, we're tackling this buzzy industry debate - head-on!  This episode was inspired by a specific review asking, "How do we price in 2026 if parts and labor is the model?" I'm sharing my strong (perhaps biased) opinion, but more importantly, I'm giv...

Are you ready for a hard truth that the professional beauty industry doesn't want you to talk about? I'm laying it all out on the table today: I'm predicting the collapse of retail sales in our industry, and I'll show you exactly why it's already happening.  We need to stop blaming diversion and look at the structural changes that have made your favorite professional brands no longer exclusive. Di...

Why do some salon policies feel more like business destroyers than solutions? Today, I'm diving deep into this topic that is causing a major divide in our industry. Is your business model built on long-term solutions for short-term problems? We'll explore how the post-COVID boom led many of us to create strict, complicated policies that are now pushing clients away. You'll hear real-life stories,...

Are you ready to discover what's really coming for the salon industry in 2026? What if everything you've been told about pricing, marketing, and client retention is about to change? Every year, you wait for this episode on The Thriving Stylist Podcast, and this year, it's more crucial than ever. Today, I'm bringing it to you with the help and input of Coaches Nine and Carly!   In this episode, I'm...

What if life was better, or easier? What if you didn't have mom guilt or work guilt? Are you a stylist or salon owner feeling overwhelmed and out of control? Join me on this episode of The Thriving Stylist Podcast as I share how I've transformed my life and business by breaking free from the "hustle culture" mentality. In this episode, I introduce a strategic 30-day challenge that will help you fi...

You know you want to get off the tools, but how do you actually do it without your business running in the red? Do you worry that your team will resent you for not being on the floor, or that your business won't survive without your service revenue? What if I told you that the most successful, profitable salons are led by owners who have the capacity to lead, and that means getting out from behind...

Have you ever looked at other salon owners and wondered, "How is she doing that?" Do you feel like you're grinding every single day, but have nothing to show for it? Today, we're taking a look at a data goldmine I've collected from recent surveys of Thriver Society members, my Instagram and email lists, and my exclusive X Club and Thriving Leadership Boot Camp surveys. The results give us a true c...

Ever feel like you're stuck in the endless cycle of "do it all yourself" as a salon owner? Have you thought about bringing on employees or booth renters but feel overwhelmed by all the legal jargon and don't know where to start? Today, we're diving into the nitty-gritty of hiring in the salon industry, and I'm specifically sharing the 5 things you absolutely need before you hire your very first em...

Are you a stylist who hasn't raised your prices in years, feeling the pinch and wondering where to even begin? Do you suspect you're dramatically below market value, even though your schedule is packed? Today, we tackle a question submitted by a listener just like you: what do you do when the business model for hairstylists has fundamentally changed, and what worked five, seven, or even ten years...

Are you tired of those pesky credit card processing fees eating into your profits? Wondering if passing them on to clients is the right move for your business? This episode was inspired by another question from a listener, and we're diving deep into the hot (and often complex!) topic of credit card surcharges.  Today, we'll explore what clients really think about these fees and whether it's becomi...

As you know, Instagram is always changing, and if you're a stylist or salon owner, you NEED to stay on top of it. Today, I break down the top 5 (okay, maybe 6!) crucial Instagram updates from the last year that are absolutely relevant to our industry right now. These Instagram updates might seem small, but they hold serious power when you know how to use them. Whether you're aiming to refine your...

This week on the podcast, I dive deep into something I know has been on everyone's mind: the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA). It's a mouthful, but trust me, what's inside this bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025, is going to impact our industry!  I'm not a CPA, but I've been doing my homework, researching, and listening to the experts I trust. My goal is to break down exactly how this mass...

Are you ready for an episode that's all about YOU? Ever wondered why stylists are leaving salons in droves, or what truly makes them press "apply" on a job listing? This week, we're diving deep into the honest, unfiltered feedback from stylists just like you, revealing what's really happening in our industry. I'm sharing incredible insights gleaned from thousands of responses. We cover everything...

What if everything you've been told about running your business is actually holding you back? In this "spicy" episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on some uncomfortable truths about common salon business strategies, and sharing with you the popular leadership advice I'd NEVER follow!  In this episode, I dive deep into critical topics like understanding commission structures, the real impact of se...

Are you a salon owner constantly feeling that squeeze, wondering why your best stylists might be eyeing the door? Listen, the urgency is here, right now, for salon owners to build phenomenal environments for our teams. That's exactly why, today, we're diving deep into what's really happening in our industry, uncovering the critical shifts you absolutely must make if you want to do more than just s...

Have you ever wondered what really goes on behind the gleaming facade of "successful" salons? Do you sometimes feel like you're the only business owner silently struggling, putting on a brave face for social media? I'm telling you, from coaching 17,000 stylists and salon owners, I've seen it all, and it's given me a unique perspective to answer those exact questions. Today, I'm sharing everything...

Have you ever wondered what it really takes to lead a salon, especially when thrown into the deep end? This is a situation I know all too well from my personal experience, and today I'm going to pull back the curtain and tell you about my rough start becoming a salon leader.  In this episode, I reveal how I started in salon leadership and why I really needed to work hard due to some of the choices...

As you can probably tell from the title of this episode, things are about to get vulnerable here on the podcast today, as I reveal how very recently I almost gave up and completely shut down Thrivers. In this episode, I want to share the untold story behind my darkest leadership low. From chaotic team expansion and communication breakdowns to the silent sabotage of misaligned visions, it all broug...

We're coming to you live from XClub Retreat 2025 in Texas, and bringing you something special today. I'm sitting down with Kaytlin Garland, a salon owner chosen for the "hot seat" with Joey Coleman, an incredible author and renowned retention expert who spoke at the retreat. Kaytlin and I dive deep into this experience and the transformative insights she gained from it, and the entire retreat as a...

Are you a salon owner feeling stuck in old routines, secretly wishing for a breakthrough? Get ready, because I have a full circle moment to share. Almost a year ago now, I released a podcast episode called the #ThrivingStylist60 Experience for Hairstylists & Salon Owners, which was a challenge to stylists on growth. What I was not expecting was the incredible impact it had on my life personally, a...

Have you ever wondered why talented hairstylists are packing up and saying goodbye to established salons? Stylists are leaving mediocre salons for amazing ones, as often happens in an economic downturn, and today, I want to share with you the real reasons why stylists are doing this. Forget the myth that it's all about studio suites and making more money. I want to talk about the underlying issues...

Ever feel like you're throwing darts at a pricing board blindfolded? We need to have a bigger conversation about all the pricing models that are out there, because some of these pricing models or methods can deeply affect your business, for better or for worse. I dove deep into researching this topic, and today, I pull the curtain back on the 7 pricing models that are actually out there and reveal...

Did you just get a surprise tax form you weren't expecting? Are your Venmo, PayPal, or even salon software tips suddenly under the IRS microscope?  If you are a stylist or a salon owner that uses Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Cash app, Tippy etc. and this has happened, then this episode is one you need to listen to.  Today, I discuss the 1099-K form that a lot of stylists were not expecting when it ca...