I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever. Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!
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
354 Why Hairdressers Don't Earn Enough (and What to Do About It)
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
Hopefully your salon is busy, clients are coming through the door, and money is being taken at the till every day, so if that's the case, then why is salon financial management still such a struggle? This is the reality for a lot of salon owners: the numbers just don't add up, and the stress that comes with that is real. In this episode, I walk you through a 10-part framework for following the money trail in your business. This isn't a finance lesson, and it's not about spreadsheets. It's a practical way of thinking about your business that gives you clarity and control, because right now, with costs up and clients spreading out their appointments, you can't afford to keep guessing. IN THIS EPISODE: The difference between knowing your numbers and understanding your business in real time Why budgets aren't about restriction, they're the single most important tool for weekly profitability What cashflow forecasting actually looks like and why a 13-week rolling forecast changes everything How to think about productivity-based pay so your team's performance is tied to the salon's financial health EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: The reality of a busy salon that still isn't profitable [00:50] Why the financial picture behind the scenes rarely matches the front [01:14] This isn't about how hard you work, it's about structure [01:38] The biggest misconception: thinking someone else is watching the numbers [02:22] Why understanding your finances is your job, not your accountant's [03:10] What following the money trail actually means in practice [03:53] Introducing the 10-part financial framework for salon owners [06:47] Why budgets matter more than most salon owners want to admit [08:07] Cashflow forecasting and why 13 weeks ahead changes everything [09:32] Pricing for profit and why "charge your worth" isn't a strategy [10:47] Recap: how many of the 10 points are you actually doing? [13:01] The free webinar: Where Does All the Money Go? RESOURCES MENTIONED Where Does All the Money Go? (Free Webinar) Antony breaks down the 10-part framework in full and shows you how to apply it practically in your salon - Register here 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
Salon profitability is under more pressure than it has been in years, and the hard reality is that being busy isn't the same as being profitable. In this episode, I get into the financial fundamentals that too many salon owners avoid, because understanding your numbers is the only way to get in front of the problem before it becomes a crisis. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where to look in your business to find the leaks, whether you have a pricing problem or a productivity problem, and what your real options are for increasing profit margins. This isn't about cutting everything to the bone. It's about making smarter decisions with the facts in front of you. IN THIS EPISODE: Why being fully booked doesn't mean your salon is profitable, and what that means for your business right now How to use your profit and loss report to separate the facts from the feelings and make better financial decisions The difference between a pricing problem and a productivity problem, and which one your salon actually has The three ways to increase salon income, and which one delivers results the fastest EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: Why salon profit margins are under pressure right now [00:27] The things you can control when times are tough [02:07] Why competitive pricing creates a crunch point for salon owners [03:04] How to use your profit and loss report correctly [04:29] What the numbers in a typical salon P&L actually look like [05:42] Pricing problems vs productivity problems: knowing which one you have [06:21] How to approach cutting costs without losing what matters [08:05] Why the miscellaneous line in your P&L deserves more attention [09:22] The three ways to increase your salon income [11:44] Why a price rise is the fastest lever available to you [12:38] Which services are actually profitable when you look at the real margins [13:25] Using technology and AI to create efficiencies in your business [14:16] Recap and your next action step 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
Running a successful salon for nearly 40 years in one of the most competitive cities on the planet takes more than talent. It takes the willingness to keep evolving your model, your mindset, and even the words you use with your team. My guest today, Scott Buchanan of the Manhattan-based Scott J Salons, has done exactly that. With around 90 employees across two locations, Scott's story is one of grit, reinvention, and a business built around culture and community. In this conversation, we get into the real numbers behind a thriving employee-based salon, why he treats his team as partners rather than employees, and what it actually takes to keep an employee-based salon competitive in today's market. If you want to build a business that still works 40 years from now, this is the episode to listen to. ✅ Why calling your team "partners" changes the way they show up every day ✅ The KPIs Scott tracks obsessively and why guest count matters more than top-line revenue ✅ How Scott uses "wellness check-ins" instead of performance reviews to drive better results ✅ How Scott thinks about AI, retail, and the future of the salon experience in the next five to ten years ✅ The one piece of advice from a 40-year career that every salon owner needs to hear IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: 40 years in Manhattan and what longevity really takes [00:50] Scott's current business: two locations, 93 staff, and a long road to get here [03:29] Is the age of the big salon over? Scott's honest take on boutique vs. large [05:37] Why Scott considers his team partners, not employees [07:18] Wellness check-ins: reframing performance reviews to drive real change [10:25] How to keep an employee-based team in the age of salon suites [13:55] The blowout story: why you have to be there when the client wants to be there [20:11] How Scott is using AI now and where he sees the salon industry heading [27:33] The key numbers Scott watches most closely, and what they reveal [37:07] Intercoiffure America/Canada: building a community for employee-based salon owners [43:57] Scott's one piece of advice for lasting 40 years in this industry 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. 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: 🎓 Intercoiffure America/Canada – A community for employee-based, salary-based salon owners in North America – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SCOTT BUCHANAN! Instagram 👉 FOLLOW SCOTT J SALONS Instagram | website
Training a salon manager is one of the things salon owners often get wrong, and most don't realise it until they've already hired the wrong person, put them on payroll, but still end up doing everything themselves. In this episode, I share a five-step framework for getting it right, from figuring out whether your business can actually support a manager right now, to the mindset shift that changes everything about how you lead. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly what to define before you hand anything over, why hiring another version of yourself backfires, and how to release control in a way that builds real capability over time. Done right, a great manager doesn't take things away from you. They give you your life back. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: The two pillars that underpin good management, and why most people are usually only good at one Why you need to consider the size of your business before you hire anyone into a management role The case against hiring a mini you and what to look for instead How to train for outcomes, not just tasks, so your manager can think, not just tick boxes The "let the leash out slowly" approach to handing over control without chaos Why getting it out of your head and onto paper is the non-negotiable first step EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: The challenge of training a salon manager [00:30] Why hiring a manager isn’t as simple as it sounds [01:19] The real question: how do you let go without losing control? [01:45] The two pillars of management: people skills vs systems [03:18] Why most salon owners lean heavily to one side [04:11] The moment you realise you need help [05:04] The fear of hiring and trusting a manager [06:00] The two biggest obstacles: no systems and financial pressure [06:40] Why most salons can’t afford a non-producing manager [07:18] Delegating vs dumping chaos [14:49] Recap of the 5-step framework [15:41] Why a great manager gives you back your life [16:04] How to get help RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Salon Management Course - A complete blueprint for building a salon that runs with or without you - Find out more 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. 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 economics of running a salon have changed, and if your approach to training assistants hasn't changed with it, your margins are going to keep shrinking. In this episode, I answer the questions salon owners are actually grappling with right now: Is it still worth taking on apprentices, how quickly should they be contributing, and what does it look like when a salon actually gets training right? If you've been winging it or leaving it to chance, this episode gives you a clear framework and five practical takeaways you can act on straight away. IN THIS EPISODE: Why condensing the apprenticeship timeline isn't lowering standards, it's a financial necessity The difference between income-producing and non-income-producing staff and why it matters How quickly a new assistant should be contributing to your salon revenue (and what to do if they're not) Why most salons' training problems are self-inflicted , and what good training ownership actually looks like Five clear takeaways for building a structured, productive assistant pathway in your salon EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction [00:28] Can you condense a two-year apprenticeship without lowering standards? [01:21] How assistants contribute to revenue [02:41] Income-producing vs. non-income-producing staff [04:37] The shift required to make apprenticeships viable [05:40] A brief history of apprenticeships [09:00] Are employment-based salons restructuring the assistant pathway? [11:27] What the best salons are doing differently [12:33] Five takeaways for salon owners Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check ou t our Bestselling GROW Books 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free 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. 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 believe their biggest problem is not getting enough new clients, but what if that’s not true? In this episode, I break down why focusing on client attraction alone is keeping you stuck, and what’s really stopping your salon from growing consistently. I share the simple (but often overlooked) three-part marketing formula that every high-performing salon is built on. The reality is, most salons are already getting enough new clients, but they’re losing them just as quickly. And that’s where the real problem lies. If you’re tired of constantly chasing new clients and want to build a salon business that grows predictably, with loyal clients who keep coming back, then this episode will shift how you think about marketing forever. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:25] What do you picture when you think of a million-dollar salon? [01:02] Why high-performing salons are simpler than you think [02:00] Why understanding the real problem matters before you hear the formula [03:06] The retention numbers that should stop you in your tracks [04:53] The three-part marketing formula [05:44] Where most salons drop the ball [07:59] Why the three pieces must work together, not in isolation [11:03] What million-dollar salons do differently [11:28] The importance of tracking your numbers [12:25] Industry benchmarks and what to aim for [12:53] Why you need to run retention reports by individual stylist [14:01] The marketing course, what's inside and how to join [17:06] Wrapping up, the formula, the course, and see you next week RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out more 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. 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 difference between a good salon and a world-class one isn’t talent. It’s standards, and the leadership to hold them. In this episode, I take inspiration from the Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay and unpack what it really takes to build a world-class business, whether that’s a restaurant or a salon. Because when you strip it back, the fundamentals are the same. It’s not about talent alone. It’s about standards, leadership, and the culture you create. I talk about the obsession with detail that separates good from exceptional, why leadership isn’t always comfortable (but it is necessary), and how the best teams operate as a unit, not a group of individuals. These are practical insights you can apply immediately in your salon. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and why this matters for salon owners [00:48] Lessons from The Bear and restaurant culture [02:21] Why Being Gordon Ramsay is worth watching [04:00] The 3 pillars: standards, leadership, and pride [04:31] Why standards, not talent, drive excellence [06:30] The power of attention to detail [07:40] Leadership, clarity, and responsibility [08:44] Finding the breaking points in your business [10:12] Respect for craft and raising standards [12:12] From employees to custodians of the brand [13:35] The big question: what are you building? WANT MORE TO HELP YOU GROW? 🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out more RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Being Gordon Ramsay (Netflix) Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara The Bear (TV series) RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 322: The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team → 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. I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏 Until next time! Antony
