Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Growth sounds like the obvious goal for any salon owner, but chasing a bigger business without a plan can break the one you've already built. I've seen owners open a second location only to end up with two salons that struggle instead of one that thrives. So what would your business actually need to look like if it grew the way you truly want? In this episode, I share the five things I believe every salon owner needs before they scale: a clear vision, real systems, people who can lead, a handle on the numbers, and the willingness to grow as a leader. You'll get a practical insight to decide if growth is the right goal, and how to build a business that gives you the life you want. IN THIS EPISODE • The five things you need in place before you scale a salon business • Why expansion doesn't just duplicate what was already working; it duplicates the problems as well. • How to build systems that let your business run without you • Why business growth is really people growth , and how to develop leaders under you EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:33] Why there is no single definition of salon business success [03:15] The assumption that bigger automatically means better, and why it isn't [04:02] The five things you need in place for growth to be sustainable [06:16] The mistake most salon owners make when they open salon number two [07:47] How growth reveals whether you built a business or just a job [10:00] Why business growth is really about growing people, not just adding them [12:24] Why you need to know the numbers before you think about expanding [14:22] Why evolving as a leader is the hardest part of growing a business [16:09] The owner who believes nobody can do it as well as they can [17:00] A recap of the five things sustainable salon growth actually requires [18:11] Where to find the free video series on salon management skills RESOURCES MENTIONED Free Management Video Series – Four Essential Lessons in Salon Management to Set You Up For Success, a free four-part video series (each video around 15 minutes) that also explains how the management course and coaching program work. 👉 Register here https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-video-series and get them sent straight to your inbox Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS & REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, click here (read the steps below first): https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/grow-my-salon-business-podcast/id1456014220 - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on 'Write a Review' I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

Every salon owner learns eventually that to manage a salon business, you first have to manage yourself. It's easy to focus on the team, the standards and the accountability conversations you'd rather avoid. But before any of that works, you need to look honestly at your own time, habits and follow-through. This week I look at why being busy and managing well are two different things, why giving someone a task without also giving them the authority to make decisions isn't really delegating, and why so much of good management is invisible to your clients even though they feel the result of it. Manage yourself properly, and the rest of the business gets easier to run. IN THIS EPISODE: Why being busy and managing well are two completely different things The diary test that shows what you're actually prioritising, not just what you say matters Why delegation fails when you hand over the task but not the authority The difference between managing things and leading people , and why both matter EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: Why the hardest person to manage is the one running the salon [01:28] The uncomfortable realisation that your own standards set the tone for everyone [03:37] Why being busy and managing well are two completely different things [06:00] The two very different jobs of a stylist and a salon manager [07:21] What your diary actually reveals about your real priorities each week [10:57] Why you manage things and systems, but you have to lead people [12:32] Why clear expectations do more for standards than being hard or controlling [13:00] Why "obvious" means something different to every single person on your team [16:00] What clients actually feel when a salon business is genuinely well managed [20:11] Why knowledge alone never changes a business, only implementation actually does [23:02] The one question every owner needs to ask about their own business RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎥 4 Essential Lessons in Salon Management (free video series) – sign up and get one short video a day for four days, straight to your inbox, starting the 14th September – Join the free video series Want MORE to help you GROW? 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 363: Why the Most Successful Salons Keep it Simple. Listen here 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

Most salon owners assume their business feels complicated because it needs to be. But after years inside salons at every level of the market, I've noticed the opposite. The businesses that thrive are simple, while the ones that struggle are usually a collection of good ideas picked up along the way that were never designed to work together. So ask yourself: does your business actually function as one connected whole, or does it just feel like separate parts that don’t quite work together as they should? I'll share why keeping things simple takes real work, why most owners build their business one decision at a time, and why the real job of management is making sure every part connects to everything else. If your business feels harder than it should, this episode will help you see why. IN THIS EPISODE: Why the most successful salons are simple, not complicated How joined up thinking turns one small decision, like pricing, into a ripple across the whole business Why removing something from your business can matter as much as adding something new The real difference between a simple business and one that depends on you EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: [00:00] Introduction [00:43] The one question people most often ask about salon success [01:54] The jigsaw puzzle metaphor for building a business that works [03:56] Why so many salon owners end up building the plane while flying [06:46] Why you need the picture on the box before you build [08:35] How one pricing decision ripples through every part of your business [10:00] The two sides of management: systems and processes versus people [13:16] Why removing something from the business can matter as much as adding [14:02] The real difference between a simple business and a dependent one [18:08] Why the goal is making the pieces you have work together [19:00] The free management checklist and course mentioned in this episode RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

When it comes to marketing, many salon owners pour their time into Instagram, hoping it brings new clients through the door. My returning guest Phil Evans, founder of Salon Guru, has analysed over four and a half million visits to salon websites, and the results show that social media is not driving potential clients to your website in the numbers that you might expect. So here's a question worth reflecting on: if your marketing time is going to the wrong place, what is that actually costing your salon? In this conversation, Phil breaks down exactly where new clients are really coming from, what Google's EEAT framework means for your website, and why most reviews fall short of what Google and AI are looking for. By the end of this episode, you'll know where to put your marketing time so it actually brings in bookings, not just likes. IN THIS EPISODE: Why only 1.5% of website visits come directly from social media, and where the rest actually come from The four-part framework Google and AI use to decide which salon to recommend How to structure your Google reviews so they build real trust and authority, not just star ratings What to search on your own phone to check whether your salon is visible on Google and AI TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction [00:51] Introducing returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru [01:44] Inside the new Salon Guru trends report and why it exists [03:42] Google versus social media, the surprising split in the data [05:26] Why social media rarely closes the booking on its own [09:16] How AI is reshaping the way clients search for salons [11:39] Is AI about to replace Google search entirely [18:14] The EEAT framework Google and AI use to pick a salon [22:00] Why detailed Google reviews matter more than five-star ratings [27:17] Where to focus five hours a week of marketing time [32:34] What clients actually want to see on a salon website [38:00] Inside Showcase and the early results from beta salons RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Salon Guru Trends Report – New data on where salon clients really come from and how to be found on Google and AI 👉 Download the report Showcase Webinar – Phil's live walkthrough of the new website tool built from the trends report data, going live 31st August 👉 Send it to me Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU! Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

Treating your team like family feels warm and caring, but it might be working against your leadership and having a negative impact on the business. A family relationship and a business relationship serve two very different purposes, and in a business, when the boundaries are blurred, accountability gets harder, standards slip, and you start making exceptions you'd never normally allow. In today's episode, I walk through five practical shifts that replace the family myth with something stronger, a team built on genuine care and clear standards. You'll come away with a better way to handle the conversations you've been avoiding, and a level of clarity that serves everyone in the business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why family belonging is unconditional , while team membership comes with real expectations How holding people accountable is one of the most caring things you can do The difference between supporting your team and carrying every problem in their lives Why blurred boundaries between friend and employer make hard conversations even harder A better metaphor than family for building loyalty, trust and belonging EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:15] Why calling your team family can create serious problems [02:31] Families and businesses exist for completely different reasons [02:42] Word from our sponsor: Zenoti [04:46] The unconditional nature of family versus the realities of a team [06:34] Why caring about people does not mean avoiding accountability [07:57] The hidden cost of protecting one person from feedback [08:53] You are not responsible for fixing everyone's problems [10:03] How the family mindset creates a one-sided psychological contract [11:26] Why blurred boundaries make leadership so much harder [17:33] Recap: five things to remember about your team [18:58] Where to find the free salon management checklist Want MORE to help you GROW? ➡️ Zenoti – all-in-one salon management platform with AI-powered client communications and automation. GMSB listeners get 50% off their first three months – Find out more 🆘 Salon Management Checklist – a free download to help you assess where your salon's management currently stands – https://growmysalonbusiness.com/free-resources RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

One of the bigger challenges the salon industry has always faced is getting reliable data. Fortunately, that is changing for the better, and today I break down a new industry benchmark report that has been put together by leading salon management software brand Zenoti. You'll hear why client retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth, what's really behind falling new client numbers, and why one number, utilisation, might be the biggest opportunity sitting inside your business right now. In this episode, I pull out the numbers that actually matter, the ones that tell you something real about salon industry benchmarks and business trends so that you can stop guessing and start knowing how your salon is performing. IN THIS EPISODE: Why new client numbers are falling across every part of the industry, and why that's not automatically your fault The client retention approach that's driving almost all industry growth right now Why salons with membership programs are growing four times faster than salons without one What calendar inflation really means, and why 72% of first rebooked appointments never happen as planned EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [00:25] Why "is that good?" is the wrong question to start with [01:47] The moment benchmarking changed how I ran my own salon [04:07] Numbers are facts, not feelings [06:59] Same salon revenue is still growing despite the uncertainty [07:56] New client numbers are falling across every sector measured [09:16] Why retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth [11:39] Membership programs and the eight percent growth gap [13:13] Calendar inflation and the 72 percent rebooking problem [15:40] Where AI actually helps, and where it doesn't [17:15] The 30-point utilisation gap between average and top salons [20:00] This week's challenge: 30 minutes with your own numbers RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The 2026 Beauty and Wellness Benchmark Report by Zenoti: Download the free benchmark report here Want to see how your business compares? Head to the Zenoti benchmark scorecard Enter your numbers to see where you stand against industry benchmarks. Interested in a personalised consultation with Zenoti and 50% off for the first 3 months. 👉 Head here to arrange a personalised consultation 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW ZENOTI! Instagram | Website THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ZENOTI RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman own the Tribe Salons group in London and Kent. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a successful family salon business and how they've evolved their employee-based salon culture to meet the expectations of today's workforce. You'll hear how they've built communication and shared values into the way they lead their team, why they moved away from a traditional commission-only pay structure, and how learning to manage cash flow gave them the confidence to invest, expand and finally feel in control of the financial side of the business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why clear communication and shared core values matter How different learning styles shape the way you train your team , and why one teaching style never works for everyone Why a pay structure based only on commission can work against the business you're trying to build How a cash flow forecast turns "we just need to make more money" into an actual plan Why entering awards and competitions can have a bigger impact on your business than chasing a larger social media following EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction [00:47] Meet Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman from Tribe Salons [01:41] How Tribe Salons grew to two locations and 25 team members [03:23] The pros and cons of running a business with a sibling [07:39] Bringing in new ideas while an older generation resists change [12:55] The top things that make a family business work [17:29] Why Tribe is built as a fully employed salon, not chair rental [21:31] How a ten-year age gap changed the way they train their team [30:00] How the GMSB courses shaped their business decisions [32:48] The cash flow forecast that changed everything financially [40:16] Why they rebuilt their pay structure around more than commission [45:33] What hairdressing awards have done for their business and their team RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: GROW Business School - The complete blueprint for building a successful salon business - Courses, Coaching and Community Money Course – A step-by-step course covering cash flow forecasting, pricing and financial control for salon owners – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW TRIBE SALONS! Instagram | Website 👉 FOLLOW ELLE Instagram 👉 FOLLOW BILLY Instagram RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

The way hairdressing education is delivered has changed dramatically since I started in this industry, and it will continue to evolve as new technology emerges. In this episode, I talk about those changes and the impact it has on salons, trainees, standards and productivity. And I ask the question I think salon owners are wondering: “What does the future of education look like and how will it impact the way I run my business? I explain why information has become cheap while experience has become more valuable than ever, and why that changes what you should actually be looking for in education. I also share seven practical lessons on building a culture of learning, why you need to be training apprentices who contribute quickly, and staying ahead as the industry keeps moving. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why information has become cheap while real experience has never been more valuable The real reason AI won't replace great educators , and how it exposes the poor ones Why your apprentices should be productive within six months , not left to find their feet for years The difference between being a great hairdresser and being a great teacher Why you can't rely on colleges or government training programs to finish the job for you Seven practical lessons on education every salon owner needs to hear IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [02:19] Antony asks the big question: where is salon education heading next [03:15] How live seminars and academies defined the early years of education [04:00] The internet and social media put educators in everyone's pocket [05:07] The moment Antony realised business education mattered more than technical skill [06:23] Why salon owners started asking about branding and leadership, not just hair [07:41] How COVID forced the whole industry to learn online almost overnight [09:00] What actually separates a genuinely good coach from a mediocre one [10:36] Why online retail during COVID changed manufacturers for good [13:05] How artificial intelligence is reshaping salon education right now [14:04] Why information is cheap but real experience is priceless [17:29] Antony's seven practical lessons every salon owner needs on education [21:12] The one thing that never changes no matter how the industry evolves Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

Most salon owners already know what they should be doing to build salon success. They know they should raise their prices, have the tough conversation with an underperforming team member, or get on top of their numbers, and they still don't do it. After more than 30 years working with salon owners in dozens of countries, I've watched the same four disciplines show up in every real success story, and none of them are a shortcut. I break down the four words I believe underpin real success in this industry, whether you're behind the chair or running the business. You'll learn why mastering them matters more than chasing the next new idea, and what separates people who talk about change from people who actually make it happen. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why information on its own has almost no value anymore, and why most people still don't change The first discipline every master of any craft, hairdressing or business, never outgrows Why mastering the fundamentals of your salon's finances matters more than any new marketing hack The difference between doing something once and true implementation , and why real mastery looks effortless Why innovation only works once you've earned the right to it through mastery Why endurance is the discipline that separates the real success stories from everyone else IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [00:51] Why knowing what to do isn't the real problem [02:21] The four words that underpin every success story [03:34] The first discipline: mastering the fundamentals [05:08] The Guido Palau lesson on practising at the very top [06:38] Why salons fail without understanding the financial fundamentals [07:00] The second discipline: implementation [09:00] The third discipline: innovation [10:36] The fourth discipline: endurance [11:30] The mentor who embodied endurance more than anyone [13:00] Recap: the four disciplines that build lasting success Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 40 with Guido Palau – Find out more Episode 41 with Guido Palau – Find out more Episode 229 with Annie Humphries – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony

Every salon owner has dealt with a difficult team member who is brilliant one week and impossible the next, leaving the whole team tiptoeing around them. Most owners have no idea whether to show compassion or hold the line, especially when a health issue might be part of the picture. This week, I talk to leadership coach Nina Kovner about handling it without making it personal. Nina breaks down the difference between compassion and excusing bad behaviour, and shares the three-step process to decide when and how to step in. You will come away with language you can use in the moment, a clearer sense of where your responsibility as a leader starts, and a plan for protecting your whole team's culture. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ Why most difficult team behaviour comes down to unclear brand promises and agreements , not personality ✅ How to separate the behaviour from the person so conversations stay objective ✅ The pause, process, proceed method for deciding when and how to address an issue ✅ Where the line sits between showing compassion and excusing harmful behaviour ✅ How to build psychological safety so your team will actually tell you what's going on ✅ Why letting one person's behaviour slide damages trust with the whole team TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [01:24] Antony's story about a stylist struggling with PMDD and her team [04:33] Where salon owners go wrong when behaviour becomes a problem [06:17] Separating a team member's behaviour from who they are [07:33] Holding high standards while still genuinely caring about people [14:17] Why health issues do not excuse harmful behaviour at work [16:41] The difference between showing empathy and making assumptions [18:09] Building psychological safety so your team feels safe to speak up [25:21] Deciding whether to deal with behaviour now or later [25:52] A simple three-step method for handling difficult conversations [28:42] Why letting one person's behaviour slide is unfair to everyone else [37:19] Advice for salon owners nervous about discussing women's health issues [42:14] Nina's rules for leading through emotionally difficult situations Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW NINA KOVNER! Instagram

Most salon owners can rattle off a client's colour formula from three visits ago without blinking, yet ask what their actual profit margin was last year and you'll get a shrug. In this episode, I break down what profit really is, why it gets confused with your own wage, and why accountants often have a dozen different names for the same numbers. You'll learn the real difference between profit and profit margin, why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says otherwise, what a realistic profit benchmark actually looks like, and the only two ways you can genuinely increase what you keep. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why your own wage is not profit , even when the business feels like it's doing well The real difference between profit and profit margin , and why growing one can shrink the other Where your profit actually goes, from cash buffers to reinvestment and owner drawings Why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says you're profitable A realistic profit margin benchmark for a salon your size, not a generic Google average The only two ways to increase profit in any business, and where to focus first IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [01:03] The profit question most salon owners cannot honestly answer [02:31] The real definition of profit and why it surprises owners [03:14] Why your own wage is not the same as profit [04:17] The confusing language accountants use for profit and expenses [04:53] Gross profit versus net profit and what each one reveals [05:42] Profit versus profit margin and why the difference matters [07:28] Where your profit actually goes once you have made it [10:24] Why your bank account can look empty despite a profitable P&L [12:31] How much profit you should actually be aiming for [14:42] The only two ways any business can increase profit [16:37] Why a solo operator's claimed profit margin is misleading RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Money Course – a step-by-step course on profit, cash flow and break-even for salon owners – [Find out more] Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

The most common stereotype about hairdressers is that they don't earn enough. And in most cases, it's true. But the reason behind it is rarely discussed; you can only earn relative to what you produce. In this episode, I get into why so many stylists stay stuck and what it actually takes to change that. If you're a salon owner who wants to pay your team more, or a stylist who wants to earn more, this episode is for you. You'll hear what high-performing stylists consistently do differently, why training is a leadership responsibility that too many salon owners quietly ignore, and what has to change for productivity and pay to go up together. IN THIS EPISODE: Why hairdressers' income is directly linked to productivity , and what that means for your team's earning potential The specific habits and behaviours that high-earning stylists have in common, and why talent alone is not one of them Why "charge your worth" is a social media soundbite that the market will ultimately ignore Why structured training is a leadership responsibility , not an optional extra for salon owners EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: The stereotype that hairdressers don't earn enough [01:39] The number one reason stylists don't earn enough [02:12] Why part-time hairdressing affects income in ways most people accept [02:40] What high-earning stylists all have in common, and it's not talent [03:56] Why demand is the market's way of telling you what you're worth [05:22] What "being excellent" actually means beyond doing great hair [06:00] Whose responsibility is it to develop a stylist's skills? [07:13] Why salon owners forget about training once the doors open [08:41] Why leadership in salons gets negotiated instead of led [09:57] What training should actually focus on to drive income growth [11:06] The performance benchmarks that matter before asking for more pay [12:25] Bringing it all together: productivity, pay, and what salon owners can do Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Unlocking Your Stylists' Potential (Free Masterclass) Discover the 5 steps to building a productive, profitable salon culture where every stylist takes ownership of how busy they are and how much they earn. 👉 Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

When I opened my first salon I was passionate about hairdressing but like most salon owners I knew very little about business, and negotiating with product suppliers was where my naivety was fully exposed. This week I take you behind the scenes of what's really happening when you deal with a manufacturer or distributor. You'll come away understanding how the commercial side works: list price, rebates, the size of the pie, and the difference between a real partnership and a shiny distraction. My aim is simple. I want you walking into that conversation informed, prepared, and able to build a deal where both businesses genuinely win. IN THIS EPISODE: Why the list price is never the real price , and what sits behind it The size of the pie : how much value a supplier can actually offer you How rebates really work , including the catch that traps a lot of owners How to prepare before you negotiate so you hold the stronger position Why the real goal is a partnership where both businesses win EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [00:20] The dark arts of negotiating with your product suppliers and manufacturers [02:07] Why nobody actually pays the full list price on the page [03:07] Manufacturer versus distributor, and why that structure changes everything behind the scenes [05:08] The list price is just the start of a commercial conversation [08:23] The experience gap between you and the person across the negotiating table [09:50] The size of the pie: the concept that underpins every deal [11:04] How you get to choose where that value lands in your business [13:10] Rebates explained, and the two important realities that owners often overlook [15:54] Shiny object syndrome, and the seduction of events and luxury experiences [17:41] Why putting your business out to tender is simply smart, professional practice [19:13] How to prepare properly before you ever sit at the table Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

AI in the salon is no longer something you can put off, and ignoring it won't make it disappear. This week I'm joined by Martha Lynn Kale, owner of Mirror Mirror in Austin, Texas, who has spent the past year building AI into how she leads, hires, trains and markets. We get practical about what she uses it for, where it earns its place, and the mistake that trips most owners up. If you're curious about AI but unsure where it fits, or a bit nervous about it, this episode will help ground you. You'll come away knowing how to find the balance between using AI to increase efficiencies, but still protect the human side of your salon. Most importantly you’ll understand the work you have to do first so AI actually has a foundation of knowledge to build on. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ The practical jobs AI can take off your plate so your team is more present for clients ✅ Why you have to do the work on your values and systems first before AI is any use ✅ How to keep AI invisible to clients while it sharpens everything behind the scenes ✅ The "start with one problem" approach that beats asking AI to build everything at once ✅ Where to begin if you're nervous or sceptical about AI in your business IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [02:37] Does using AI make you lazy, or sharpen your thinking? [04:08] Why AI works best as an enhancement to what you already do [05:14] The platforms Martha Lynn uses and why ChatGPT knows her [06:13] Typing versus talking: finding the input style that suits you [09:08] Using AI to tighten org charts, roles and career paths [11:46] The finance angle: driving revenue and solving slow Saturdays [13:52] Keeping the human touch as salon software gets smarter [15:46] Marketing with AI: brainstorming, captions and the branding challenge [20:29] The front desk slip that revealed human first, policy second [24:27] Rebuilding the apprentice program with feedback and AI [28:58] The work you must do before AI can help you [33:13] Where to start if AI still makes you nervous Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE 👉 If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 348: Practical AI in the Salon with Frank Westerbeke Listen here RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW MARTHA LYNN KALE! Instagram 👉 FOLLOW MIRROR MIRROR! Instagram | Website

Most salon owners who struggle with their team have never stopped to ask whether the problem starts with them. Salon management is one of the hardest parts of running a salon business, and most people learn it by trial and error, often at the expense of their team's morale and their own sanity. In this episode, I'm sharing five things that will make you a more effective manager and leader, starting with a distinction that changes everything. If your team feels stuck, resistant, or disengaged, this episode will help you figure out why, and what to do about it. You'll finish with a clearer picture of what good leadership in a salon actually looks like, and a few things you can start doing differently this week. IN THIS EPISODE: Why managing people and leading people are two completely different things, and why it matters The real reason your team might not be doing what you ask, and why that starts with you How to delegate properly so that people build confidence, not dependency Why your job as a leader is not to motivate your team but to stop demotivating them The simple habits around accessibility and attention that build trust faster than any team meeting How to create a culture where your team starts asking "what else can we do?" instead of "that's not my job" EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: are you actually a good salon manager? [00:30] The difference between managing people and leading people [01:17] Why your two main objectives as a leader pull in different directions [02:13] Why people need a completely different approach to processes and systems [02:41] Point one: designing a system that sets your whole team up to succeed [04:00] Point two: learning to delegate properly, and what that actually means [05:38] Why team culture problems are ultimately a leadership problem [07:19] The goal of getting your team to think more like an owner [08:32] Point three: why motivation is not what you think it is [10:28] The habits, traditions, and systems that shape team morale [11:16] Point four: being accessible when your team needs you most [12:25] Point five: the power of paying full attention in the moment [13:24] Final thoughts on building people with unlimited potential Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Grow My Salon Business Management Course - a deep dive into systems, leadership, and building a team that runs properly - Find out more One-to-One Coaching with Antony - personalised coaching to work through the specifics of your salon business - Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

The salon industry is constantly changing. It always has and it always will. Some of the changes you’ll like and others you won’t. Either way, understanding what drives change allows you to anticipate the future and prepare for the opportunities that come with change. In this episode, I walk through 10 drivers of change that are reshaping how salons operate, who clients are becoming, and how the competitive landscape is shifting in ways that will catch a lot of people off guard. Some of what I cover will feel familiar. Some of it might surprise you. But the final point on my list is the one I think very few people in the industry are talking about, and I genuinely believe it could be the most significant shift we see over the next decade. If you care about where your business and this industry are heading, this one is worth your time. IN THIS EPISODE: Why the competitive landscape is shifting and what it means for employee-based salon owners specifically How economic pressure and changing consumer behaviour are forcing salons to operate differently The generational shift happening at both ends of the workforce and what it means for salon ownership Why AI will not replace hairdressers, and how it could actually free salon owners up to focus on what matters most The surprising prediction about who the salon owner of the future might be and why it could be good news for the industry What the Anthropic report on AI and employment reveals about where hairdressing sits relative to other industries EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: thinking about the future of the salon industry [01:14] Understanding the forces that drive change before they arrive [01:42] Driver 1: Where competition is now coming from in hairdressing [03:00] Driver 2: Rising costs, slim margins, and a changing economy [04:00] Driver 3: How government regulation is reshaping how salons hire [05:00] Driver 4: How employee expectations have fundamentally shifted post-COVID [06:12] Driver 5: What clients want now and how appointment patterns are changing [07:16] Driver 6: Generational change from Gen Z to ageing baby boomer owners [09:05] Driver 7: Environmental pressures and what they mean for salons [10:00] Driver 8: How salon design is evolving to reflect a changing world [10:17] Driver 9: Technology, AI, and why the human side of hairdressing gets more valuable [12:36] Driver 10: Who will actually own salons in the future [13:15] The Anthropic report and what it says about hairdressing and AI risk [15:00] Why disrupted professionals may turn to the salon industry next [16:02] What this all means for you and where to get help Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Anthropic report on AI and employment, you can check out the graph here. 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

AI has already and will continue to impact the salon industry. One area that is getting a lot of attention is the front desk and the role of AI in streamlining the client booking process, capturing missed calls and directly having a positive impact on salon revenue. My guest today is Universe Walker, a hairdresser, salon owner, and the founder of Beauty Desk AI, whose AI receptionist Eve answers calls and texts, books appointments, handles escalations, and never puts anyone on hold. We dig into how she built it and why online booking alone isn't enough. If you've ever lost a client because nobody answered the phone, this episode will hit home. You'll walk away understanding exactly what an AI receptionist can and can't do, how it fits alongside your front desk team, and whether an AI receptionist could be the solution your front desk needs. EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: AI is changing how salons handle every incoming call [01:06] Meet Universe Walker, salon owner, hairdresser, and founder of Beauty Desk AI [03:26] The problem Universe set out to solve after COVID changed everything [05:06] Why 75% of salons no longer have a front desk, and what that costs [07:00] What Eve actually does: voice, SMS, bookings, and the all-in-one dashboard [10:12] How Eve integrates with your existing booking platform [12:09] Latency, the "army of Eves," and why conversations feel surprisingly human [16:06] The 200-call experiment: what happened when nobody answered the phone [21:20] How Eve is trained to understand your salon's specific services and language [26:12] Real examples of Eve's empathy, from nervous kids to tsunami evacuations [29:00] How salons with a full reception team use Eve as a backup [36:41] The business insights Eve unlocks that no booking platform can give you Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week . If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. 👉 Here's what you do: - On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first) - Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews' - Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars - Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Beauty Desk AI, the AI receptionist built specifically for salons: answers calls, texts, and books appointments 24/7 Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW UNIVERSE WALKER! Instagram 👉 FOLLOW BEAUTY DESK AI! Instagram | Website

AI in the salon industry is moving fast, and most salon owners genuinely don't know where to start. My guest this week is Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe, a multi-generational salon group with six locations and nearly 300 staff in Tucson, Arizona. Frank's been using AI across his business for years, not just for Instagram captions, but for people management, financial analysis, team communication, and the client experience. What you'll hear in this conversation will make AI feel far less intimidating. Frank is not a tech person. He's a salon person. And the way he talks about AI, as a bridge, not a replacement, will shift how you think about it. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: AI in the salon industry and what's at stake [01:04] Meet Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe [02:09] Running 6 salons and 300 staff, Frank's role as the human connector [04:14] How Frank uses AI voice on the drive to a salon before a tough conversation [06:44] Why Frank gave his managers permission to use AI and what changed [10:23] Turning managers into leaders with AI as the bridge [18:07] Why Frank's marketing team uses AI to enhance creativity, not replace it [22:45] The client experience: where AI helps and where the human must stay [27:00] Using AI to free up human connection in the salon [41:42] Frank's advice for salon owners who haven't started yet RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! Until next time! Antony RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Gadabout and VerVe Salons – Frank Westerbeke's salon group based in Tucson, Arizona – Visit Website Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/ 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW FRANK WESTERBEKE! Instagram | Website

How you pay your salon team is one of the most confusing decisions you'll make as a salon owner. Salon owners often compare pay structures with other salons, copying what seems to be working elsewhere. But the real problem isn't which pay system you're using. It's that most salon owners have never stopped to ask what a good pay system actually needs to do. In this episode, I cut through the noise around salon pay structures and explain why there is no universal right answer. Instead, I walk through the fundamentals of salon pay structures and why understanding your own numbers matters far more than benchmarking against the salon down the road. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear framework for evaluating your own pay structure, a benchmark worth knowing when it comes to employee costs, and a clearer understanding of whether your pay structure is working for the business or against it. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why copying another salon's pay structure without understanding your own numbers is a recipe for financial stress The one test that tells you instantly if your pay system is broken Why staff retention problems aren't always about money, and what actually drives people to leave The 40% benchmark for employee costs, what it means, and when exceptions apply How to build a pay structure that is simple, transparent, and trusted by your whole team IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The question every salon owner worries about [00:26] Why salon pay is one of the biggest sources of confusion in the industry [01:00] The dangerous myth of a perfect universal pay system [01:32] Who this episode is and isn't for: employed income-producing staff only [02:07] The seminar exercise that reveals how different every salon's system really is [03:02] When your pay structure is so complicated nobody else can understand it [03:58] Why salon owners get themselves into legal trouble with pay [05:00] Your responsibility as the business owner to know the law where you operate [06:00] The five things every salon pay system must achieve [08:00] Why profit isn't optional [11:31] Why your payroll decisions can't be made in isolation from the rest of the business [12:22] The 40% benchmark and what happens when payroll climbs beyond it [14:00] Recap: what a good pay system actually looks like and where to get more help RESOURCES MENTIONED The Money Course - the online course covering pricing, wages, profitability and salon financial benchmarks – Find out more Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

Most salon owners don't have a money problem, they have a ‘lack of understanding’ problem. You can be fully booked, your team can be flat out, and yet you can still be running at a loss without realising it. That's what happens when you're managing your business without awareness of a few key numbers. On today's podcast, I'm walking you through the five numbers that, in my experience, determine whether a salon owner feels in control of their finances or is controlled by them. These aren't complicated. You don't need to love spreadsheets or become an accountant. But knowing these five numbers changes the way you make decisions, and the decisions you make determine the business you build. If last week's episode resonated with you, this one is the practical follow-up you've been waiting for. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why your salon can be fully booked and still be running at a loss and the one number that highlights the reality. What net profit margin actually means and why checking it once a year with your accountant is already too late Why copying a competitor's pricing could mean your services are running at a loss. How a 13-week rolling cashflow forecast removes the financial anxiety that hits every time something unexpected goes wrong Why these five numbers are all connected and what pulling on one thread does to the rest IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The salon that looks busy but can't explain the numbers [00:26] Why this episode follows directly from last week's [00:44] The real reason salon owners feel financial fog [01:19] Why gut feel is not a strategy for running your finances [01:42] Number one: your breakeven point and why it matters most [02:52] You can be fully booked and still be running at a loss [03:47] Number two: net profit margin and what it actually measures [04:55] The story of Clarissa: from 2.5% to 8.4% profit margin [06:16] Number three: staff costs as a percentage of total revenue [08:11] Number four: which services on your menu are actually profitable [09:56] Number five: understanding your cashflow over the next 13 weeks [11:53] Billy's story: from breaking even to £80k profit [12:08] How all five numbers connect to each other [13:39] The free 10-question salon financial reality check [13:57] Free live masterclass: Where Does All the Money Go? Want MORE to help you GROW? ➡️ 10 Question Salon Financial Reality Check – A free 60-second quiz to identify exactly where your financial knowledge gaps are – Find out more ➡️ Free Live Masterclass: Where Does All the Money Go? – Monday 11th May, one hour, completely free – deeper than this episode and the logical next step if this resonated – Register here RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 345: Where Does All the Money Go? The 10-Part Financial Framework for Salon Owners Listen here RATINGS + REVIEWS 🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website