Beauty Behind The Brand
Welcome to Beauty Behind The Brand, the podcast where entrepreneurship meets real life.I'm your host, Nicole Manion—founder of Miskoka Beauty, entrepreneur, and boy mom. After spending over a decade building and successfully selling my spa business, I've learned that every brand has a story, every pivot has a purpose, and every challenge holds a lesson.Each week, I take you behind the scenes of building a business, growing a personal brand, navigating motherhood, embracing mindset, and creating a life that aligns with your biggest goals. You'll hear honest conversations about entrepreneurship, marketing, product development, social media, leadership, resilience, an...
You're the Brand: Why Authenticity Is Your Biggest Advantage | Eden Sammy
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We're kicking off a new season of Beauty Behind the Brand with our first guest, Eden Sammy, founder of Eden Sammy Studios! 🎙️✨
In this episode, I'm chatting with Eden about all things personal branding, entrepreneurship, creative direction, and what it really takes to build a brand that stands out in today's digital world.
Eden specializes in helping entrepreneurs and businesses bring their vision to life through branding photography, videography, creative campaigns, and one-on-one business mentorship.
We dive into why showing up authentically matters...
So You Want to Start a Beauty Brand? Here’s What No One Tells You
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Have a product idea but no idea how to actually turn it into something you can sell?
After receiving a listener question about how I developed Miskoka Beauty products, I wanted to pull back the curtain on what creating a beauty product actually looks like.
In this episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned from years of product development—from finding manufacturers and developing custom formulations to sampling, packaging, Health Canada compliance, pricing, margins, minimum order quantities and all of the unexpected costs that come with b...
How I Went From Aesthetician to Beauty Brand Founder
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“What do you do for work?”
That question used to be easy to answer: I own a spa.
Now? The answer is a little more complicated.
With James starting daycare and Nicole stepping into a new season of work and motherhood, she's taking you behind the scenes of what she actually does for a living and what running Miskoka Beauty really looks like.
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole goes all the way back to the beginning: identifying gaps in t...
I Thought I Needed the City to Be Successful
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For a long time, I thought moving to the city might give me more of what I was craving as an entrepreneur, more connections, more opportunities, more networking and a bigger environment to grow in.
But every time I drove back to Muskoka, I realized something: the city never really felt like home.
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, I’m talking about my experience splitting my life between Muskoka and Toronto, overcoming my fear of driving to the city when Jon an...
I Don’t Want My Old Life Back… But I Miss Her
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Have you ever felt caught somewhere between the person you used to be and the person you're becoming?
You're not unhappy. You don't necessarily want your old life back. But something feels unsettled. You're craving growth, change and a new version of yourself and at the same time, parts of your old identity are surprisingly hard to let go of.
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole gets personal about the identity shifts that have come with motherhood, selling the business she built for...
There’s No Maternity Leave When You’re the Boss
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What does maternity leave actually look like when you're self-employed?
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole opens up about preparing for motherhood while running multiple businesses—and why her version of maternity leave looked very different from the traditional year away from work.
Years before having James, Nicole knew that if she wanted the freedom to step away from the treatment room and eventually become a mom, she needed to build a business that didn't depend entirely on her being physically present.
...
You’re Not Lazy, You’re Distracted
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Feeling overwhelmed? House a mess? Laundry piling up? Feeling like there are never enough hours in the day? Before convincing yourself you need more time… check your screen time.
In this solo episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole shares what she's noticed since becoming much more intentional about putting her phone down—and how something as simple as one uninterrupted hour can completely change the way a day feels.
After coming home from a busy week away to an upside-down house, no groceries, piles of laun...
Your Younger Self Would Be So Proud of You
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When was the last time you stopped to appreciate how far you've actually come?
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole shares a candid conversation about reflecting on your journey, celebrating the milestones you often forget, and giving yourself permission to stop chasing the next thing for just a moment.
From rediscovering old notebooks filled with dreams that eventually became reality, to selling her spa after 10.5 years, building Miskoka Beauty, becoming a wife and mother, and navigating entrepreneurship in a completely new season of...
Why I'm Done With 5-Year Plans
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After years of chasing the next goal, building businesses, leading a team, and constantly planning five and ten years ahead, I found myself asking a simple question…
What if success isn't about doing more?
In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that's been changing everything for me after selling my spa, becoming a mom, and going all in on building a business that supports the life I actually want.
We chat about:
Why I'm letting go of five and ten-year pl...Why I Sold My Spa After 10.5 Years
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After 10.5 incredible years of owning Muskoka Aesthetics, I officially closed one of the biggest chapters of my life.
In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of why I made the decision to sell the business I built from the ground up. I share the emotions that came with letting go, the identity shift that followed, and how becoming a mom completely changed the way I define success.
This wasn't a story of burnout or failure, it was about recognizing that life has seasons, trusting...
The Energy Shift Everyone is Feeling
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Lately it feels like everyone is entering a new era… and honestly, I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole dives into the energy shifts happening lately — from career pivots and identity changes to intentional living, intuition, alignment, and learning how to trust uncomfortable seasons of growth.
We chat about:
✨ evolving beyond hustle culture
✨ becoming more intentional with your life & energy
✨ entrepreneurship, burnout & pivoting
✨ trusting your intuition
✨ releasing what no longer aligns
✨ stepping int...
How I Used AI + ChatGPT as My Personal Stylist & Closet Consultant
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Okay… I think I accidentally unlocked the future of shopping and getting dressed as a busy mom and business owner.
In this episode, I’m sharing something that completely changed the way I shop, get dressed, and think about my wardrobe… I used AI (yes, ChatGPT) as my personal stylist.
As a busy mom and business owner, getting dressed had started to feel overwhelming. I had a closet full of clothes but still felt like I had nothing to wear. So instead of continuing to shop random...
How I Gave My Spa a Facelift Without Breaking the Bank
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole reflects on how far she’s come — both personally and professionally — inspired by the “look how far you’ve come” trend circulating on Instagram.
After 10 years in business, Nicole shares a behind-the-scenes look at refreshing and evolving her spa without overspending. From updating ceiling tiles and fresh paint to simplifying furniture and bringing back a more intentional, pre-COVID layout, this episode is all about creating impact through smart, strategic changes — not massive renovations.
She also dives into how...
How Google Forms Transformed My Beauty Business
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n this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole shares one of the most powerful (and underrated) tools she’s used to grow both her spa and product line — Google Forms.
From gathering anonymous client feedback to collecting honest staff insight, Nicole breaks down how simple surveys have helped shape pricing decisions, improve client experience, strengthen team culture, and even guide rebranding decisions.
Let’s be honest — asking for feedback takes confidence. It requires being open to productive criticism and separating emotion from data. But when...
Building a Beauty Brand While Becoming a Mom: How I Scaled Miskoka Beauty in One Summer
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole shares the story of how a vision turned into a thriving beauty brand.
In 2019, Nicole took her entrepreneurial spirit to new heights with the launch of Miskoka Beauty Inc. — a luxury lash and brow product line rooted in quality, innovation, and results. Built by a beauty professional, for beauty professionals, the brand quickly earned trust within the industry for delivering products that truly perform.
Nicole dives into one of her most defining seasons yet: selling ov...
Are You Actually Profitable?
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You might be fully booked — but are you actually making money?
In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole dives into one of the most important (and most avoided) topics in the beauty industry: knowing your numbers. From service pricing and product margins to hidden costs that quietly eat away at profit, this episode is all about moving from busy to profitable.
Nicole breaks down how to audit your services, evaluate product profitability, and understand where your money is really going — without overwhelm. With...
New Year New You
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Beauty Behind the Brand is a podcast for beauty professionals who want to grow a business that supports their life — not consumes it.
Hosted by Nicole Manion, this show explores the behind-the-scenes of spa ownership, entrepreneurship, motherhood, leadership, and personal growth in the beauty industry.
Through real stories, mindset shifts, and business strategy, Nicole helps you build confidence, clarity, and sustainability in both business and life.
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Know Your Numbers: Are You Actually Making Money in Your Spa or Salon?
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Today on Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole dives into one of the most overlooked parts of running a spa or salon — your numbers. 💰
You might be fully booked, but are you actually profitable?
Nicole shares how to break down your service costs, product margins, and hidden expenses so you can see where your business is truly thriving (and where it’s quietly losing money).
From understanding your cost per service to setting healthy markups on retail, this episode...
Why Enforcing Your Cancellation Policy Will Save Your Business
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Today, Nicole dives into a must-listen topic for every spa & salon owner: cancellation policies.
As we head into the busy season, it’s more important than ever to stand your ground and stick to your policies — it can save you money, time, and a serious headache down the road.
Nicole shares:
Why knowing your worth mattersHow to stop people-pleasing and enforce boundariesSimple scripts you can use to confidently communicate policieTips from 10+ years of running a successful spaThis episo...
Feeling Overstimulated? Break Through the Wall with Practical Salon Business Tips
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Running a salon business can feel like a constant juggling act — and when the pressure builds, it’s easy to feel stuck. In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole Manion shares practical, real-world tips to help you push past the frustration and tackle the overwhelm head-on. Whether you're struggling with time management, team challenges, or just feeling burnt out, Nicole offers simple strategies to help you regain control and keep moving forward. It’s time to stop spinning your wheels and start building the business you’ve been dreaming...
Gift Card Marketing Secrets to Boost Revenue & Word of Mouth
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This episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole Manion pulls back the curtain on one of the most powerful — yet often overlooked — tools in your salon business: gift cards. Nicole shares her favorite marketing tips and creative tactics to make gift cards work for you — not just during the holidays, but all year long.
You'll learn:
💳 Smart strategies for offering gift card discounts and value-adds
📈 How to track and pay yourself back using savings accounts
🗣️ A step-by-step guide to using vouchers for organic word-of-mouth gro...
Why Spending Smart Pays Off: Our Warehouse Journey One Year Later
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In this episode, Nicole shares the behind-the-scenes story of how investing in a warehouse changed the game for Miskoka Beauty. From streamlined order fulfilment to more efficient inventory management, she dives into the real, tangible ways this move has improved operations. You’ll also hear her honest take on what it really means to spend money wisely in your business — and why some expenses are actually long-term investments. If you're scaling your brand or considering a big move, this episode is for you.
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A New Chapter: Motherhood, Belonging & the Unknown
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After three months off the mic, host Nicole Manion returns for an intimate solo episode of Beauty Behind the Brand—this time with a whole new perspective. Nicole opens up about one of the biggest transitions of her life: becoming a mom.
In this raw and vulnerable conversation, she shares what it’s been like stepping into motherhood while navigating the familiar uncertainty of entrepreneurship. From spending her 20s building a brand and often feeling like she never quite fit in, to now finding a deeper sense of belo...
Look and Feel the Part – Stepping Into Your Spa CEO Energy
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In this empowering episode, Nicole Manion shares the mindset shifts and daily habits that help you truly embody your role as a spa CEO—from the inside out. It’s not just about running the business; it’s about showing up as the face of it.
Nicole dives into the importance of elevating your personal presence—whether it’s spending a few extra minutes on your hair and makeup, curating a professional and confidence-boosting wardrobe, or upgrading to flattering, functional scrubs. These intentional choices don’t just affect how you feel...
Why Mangomint Will Change Your Business for the Better
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole Manion dives into a game-changing tool that’s transforming the way beauty businesses operate—Mangomint. And no, this isn’t a sponsored episode—we just believe in giving you the best tools to grow, scale, and stand out in today’s competitive beauty market.
Tired of the manual guesswork that slows you down? Struggling to streamline your booking, manage your team, or elevate your client experience? Mangomint is here to take your business from chaos to clarity.
💡 ...
Making Marketing Matter with Mckenna Smalley of Howdy Studio
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, we're sitting down with Mckenna Smalley—owner of Howdy Studio and a creative force in the marketing world—to unpack what it really means to see a return on investment when hiring a marketing specialist.
From making social media actually fun again to strategically attracting your dream clients, Mckenna shares her fresh take on how salons and spas can grow online while staying true to their brand. She dives into how smart, intentional marketing not only gets new clients through the...
From Room Rentals to Real Growth: Robyn’s Business Makeover
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In this episode, host Nicole Manion sits down with her longtime friend and inspiring entrepreneur Robyn Hobbs to talk all things business. Robyn shares the journey of transforming her spa from an employee-based model to a thriving room-rental business, all while moving into a bright new space in her hometown of Espanola, Ontario — just north of Sudbury.
With her calendar booked out months in advance, Robyn has built more than just a successful spa — she’s created a vibrant boss babe community. In under a year, she’s scaled h...
Stupid Simple Spa Success: Ditch the Noise
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In this refreshingly real episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole cuts through the chaos of overthinking and constantly chasing the "next big thing" in the spa industry. Owning a spa doesn’t have to be complicated—and Nicole’s here to prove that keeping it stupid simple might be your smartest business move yet.
She dives into how clarity and confidence—both in your brand and your team—can be the true game-changers. From questioning whether your marketing actually speaks to your dream clients, to realizing you might not...
Grow Your Spa Without Moving Walls: Maximizing the Space You Already Have
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, your host Nicole gets real about growing your spa business—not by moving to a bigger location, but by reimagining the space you already have. She shares her personal journey of transforming two underused storage rooms into fully functional treatment areas, downsizing her waiting and retail space to create three new revenue-generating service areas, and how these small but strategic changes led to big growth.
Nicole also dives into how she used ChatGPT to help visualize and design her new la...
Navigating Career Shifts in Beauty: Transform Your Skills into New Opportunities
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, host Nicole Manion dives deep into the exciting world of career evolution within the beauty industry. Whether you're a beauty professional looking to pivot, grow, or transition into a new phase of your career, Nicole explores the endless opportunities available. From starting a beauty supply store and mentoring others to exploring franchise options or diversifying your services, Nicole shares valuable insights on how to take your current job or business to the next level.
She discusses how lifestyle changes, such...
How ChatGPT is Revolutionizing My Spa & Beauty Business
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In this episode of Beauty Behind The Brand, host Nicole Manion shares how she’s revolutionized her spa and beauty line business by integrating ChatGPT into her daily operations. From automating customer service and booking appointments to offering personalized product recommendations, Nicole dives deep into the practical ways she uses this AI tool to enhance customer experience, save time, and scale her business. Whether you're a small spa owner or part of a growing beauty brand, Nicole’s insights will help you understand the power of AI in streamlining processes, buil...
Clarity + Confidence: Boost Your Beauty Business Financial Health This Year!
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Join Nicole Manion, host of Beauty Behind The Brand, as she takes a deep dive into the financial landscape of the first quarter of 2025. In this episode, Nicole unpacks the importance of reviewing your business finances early in the year and how to build a solid financial foundation for long-term success. With her expert insights, she’ll help you navigate the numbers that matter most to your beauty business, offering tips on budgeting, managing expenses, and maximizing profitability.
Whether you're running a spa or selling beauty products, Nicole sh...
How to grow your salon / spa profits by 100k
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, host Nicole Manion shares her expert tips on how to grow your salon or spa to an extra $100K in profit this year! Nicole dives into the importance of mindset and money beliefs, offering actionable strategies to shift your financial outlook and set your business up for success. She breaks down how to create more efficient schedules that maximize every minute of your day, making room for high-profit margin services. Plus, learn how to optimize consumable costs, add easy revenue-generating add-ons, and...
Embracing Change in Your Beauty Business (Product and Service-Based)
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In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, Nicole, the founder of Miskoka Beauty, to discuss the big changes she recently made to her product line. From shifting her brand’s focus to introducing new products, Nicole shares the challenges, fears, and triumphs she faced along the way. She opens up about how embracing change and staying adaptable ultimately led to even greater success for her business. If you’ve ever faced uncertainty or hesitation about pivoting in your beauty business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in for an insp...
How to Build Multiple Income Streams in Your Beauty Business
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In this episode of Beauty Business Mastery, host Nicole Manion shares actionable insights on how to create multiple streams of income in your beauty business. Whether you're a salon owner, makeup artist, esthetician, or beauty entrepreneur, Nicole dives deep into strategies that will help you build wealth and scale your business beyond just offering services.
From launching your own product line and offering online training courses to building passive income streams through affiliate market
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Hiring for Values and Growth - Building Your Dream Team
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In this episode of Beauty Behind The Brand, host Nicole Manion dives into the art of building a value-based team that supports your business vision and growth. Nicole shares her insights on how to attract and hire dream team members who not only bring the right skills but also align with your company’s core values. She discusses the importance of understanding your first key hire, creating a safe and comfortable interview process, and the power of personal connections in finding the right fit.
Nicole also tackles the co...
Stepping Out & Leveling Up in 2025!
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Are you ready to break free from your comfort zone and tap into your next level of genius? In this episode of Beauty Behind the Brand, host Nicole Manion dives into the power of pushing boundaries—both in life and business.
From mastering new beauty skills and evolving your personal brand to optimizing your mindset and wellness, we’re uncovering the habits, strategies, and bold moves that will elevate you as a beauty entrepreneur in 2025.
If you're craving growth, fresh inspiration, and the confidence to t...
Duplicating Yourself: Building a Team That Runs Without You
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This week's episode of Beauty Behind the Brand is all about empowering busy beauty business owners to create a sustainable, efficient operation that doesn’t rely solely on them. In “How to Duplicate Yourself,” we dive into the strategies for building a strong, confident team that can take on more responsibility, freeing up your time and reducing burnout.
The episode covers everything from simplifying your business operations and organizing training programs to scheduling regular meetings that keep everyone on the same page. We’ll discuss how to instill a sense...
Pricing and positioning to standing out in the beauty industry!
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Pricing and positioning are key to standing out in the beauty industry. If you're a spa or salon owner, or run a beauty line, this episode is a must-listen! It offers fresh insights on how to rethink your approach, differentiate your brand, and price your services or products strategically for long-term success. Tune in and transform how you see your business!
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Season 4 Opening Episode: Kickstart 2025 with Purpose and Passion
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As we step into 2025, The Beauty Behind the Brand podcast is back and ready to help you start the year strong! In this opening episode of Season 4, host Nicole Manion reflects on how to build momentum and set meaningful goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re a beauty entrepreneur or just someone looking to bring clarity to your personal and professional journey, Nicole’s insights will help you start 2025 with intention.
Nicole dives into the power of choosing a Word of the Year, why setting clear resolutions matt...
