Grow My Salon Business Podcast

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.<...

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...

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 c...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 mig...

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 e...

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...

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...

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 be...

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 y...

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...

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, w...

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 v...

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.

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...

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 alwa...

Instagram marketing for salons is constantly evolving, and if you're relying on strategies from even a year ago, there are changes you need to know about. In this episode, I’m joined once again by Instagram specialist Hayley Mears to unpack what’s working on Instagram right now and what salon owners need to be doing differently in 2026.

We dive into the simple three-step structure that every successful Instagram carousel needs, why hooks are more important than ever, and how to create content that people actually save and share. Because, as you’ll hear, the algorithm has shifte...

Most salon owners think they have a marketing problem. In reality, what they usually have is a clarity problem, a positioning problem, and a consistency problem. And until those things are fixed, no amount of posting, boosting, or discounting is going to change the outcome.

In this episode, I break down what marketing actually is, not the social media version, not the trend-driven version, but the strategic version that builds predictable growth. I talk about the difference between image building and business building, the four layers of effective marketing, and why so many salons are stuck in...

AI is changing Google search faster than most salon owners realise, and whether you like it or not, it’s going to impact your business. In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru, and we're diving into what AI is doing to Google search and what that means for your salon business.

We break down how Google's AI is already showing up in your potential clients' search results, what's actually driving which salons appear at the top, and why content and reviews still remain the foundation of everything.

We...

There are many responsibilities that come with being a salon owner, and if we're honest, most of us give very little thought to them before we open our doors. One of the biggest blind spots is the ongoing training and development of our teams. Too many salon owners assume their people will arrive fully formed and ready to perform. But it just doesn't work like that.

In this episode, I'm asking the question: have we created an industry where owners and managers are afraid to be the leaders we're meant to be? Because when there's no...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gerard Scarpaci, co-founder of Hairbrained and host of the Hairbrained Conversations podcast. 

We talk about the big shifts happening in hairdressing right now, how the next generation learns differently, and why the old business models have been turned on their head. Gerard shares what excites him most about the industry today, but he’s also refreshingly honest about the risks, particularly around lack of direction, mentorship, and the pressure many hairdressers are carrying without even realising it.

We also dig into job satisfaction, education, live events...

Nearly four years ago, I recorded an episode about why hairdressers should be recommending professional retail. And yet, here we are, still having the same conversation. The fundamentals haven’t changed, but the world we’re operating in absolutely has. Inflation, online shopping, influencers, and changing client behaviour… all of it has added new layers to old objections.

In this episode, I break down why so many stylists still avoid recommending retail and, more importantly, what’s really sitting underneath those objections. I walk through the most common excuses I hear, grouped into skill issues, mindset issues...

In this final episode of our three-part series on the five pillars of salon success, I take a different approach by talking you through the journey of Sarah, a real salon owner who in many ways reflects the journey that salon owners everywhere go through.   

Sarah’s a very good hairdresser, and she definitely doesn’t have a work ethic problem, but despite working harder than ever, doing everything “right” as a stylist, her business was barely surviving. She was exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if she’d made a huge mistake.

Over 12 months of working t...

In this episode, I’m diving deep into the Money Pillar of salon success, because after more than 20+ years of coaching salon owners all over the world, I know this to be true: you can have a full appointment book, a talented team, and great marketing, and still be broke. Being busy does not automatically mean you’re profitable, and for a lot of salon owners, that realisation is both confusing and exhausting.

I talk through the three biggest money problems that keep salon owners stuck: not knowing if they’re actually profitable, underpricing services based on fea...

After 20+ years of coaching salon owners, I can spot the pattern in under 5 minutes. Talented stylist opens dream salon, becomes overwhelmed operator, wonders what went wrong. If you're working harder than ever but not getting ahead, if you're the busiest person in your salon but still stressed about money, you're not alone.

In today’s episode, I'm revealing the #1 mistake that keeps talented salon owners stuck. The problem is that you're trying to solve business problems with technical skills instead of business skills. You cannot solve business problems by doing more hair.

A new year always brings with it a sense of possibility. It’s that “that was then, this is now” moment where you get to draw a line in the sand and decide what happens next. But let’s be honest, for many salon owners right now, business feels tougher than ever. Clients are cautious, bookings feel unpredictable, and the world around us feels uncertain.

In this episode, I talk about the reality of running a salon in times like these and why focusing on everything outside your control is a guaranteed way to feel overwhelmed. Global u...

Not every hairdresser wants to be self-employed, and in this episode, I explain why that’s not only okay, but why it creates a real opportunity for salon owners to rethink what an employee-employer-based business can and should look like today. 

Too often, self-employment is sold as the only path to freedom, flexibility, and financial success, without anyone stopping to talk honestly about the real costs involved.

In today's episode, I talk about what many stylists don’t calculate before they make the leap: rent, tax, product, tech, training, marketing, lost holiday pay, and the t...

This short episode is a reflection on the real relationships we form with the people who sit in our chairs. I’ve often said that clients aren’t your friends, they’re your clients. And professionally, that boundary matters. But every now and then, those lines blur in ways that are deeply human.

I share a couple of stories from my time behind the chair that have stayed with me for decades. One client who reminded me never to underestimate the importance of kindness, and another who became part of my family in the most unexpected way. T...

At the end of every year, I like to take a step back and look at what’s really happening in our industry. Not just at a surface level, but underneath it all. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Gordon Miller for one of our now-regular “state of the nation” conversations, where we dig into the biggest shifts shaping the hairdressing industry right now.

We talk about the growing importance of data, what AI is actually being used for inside real salons, and why understanding the numbers is no longer optional if you want...

In this episode, I’m joined by Hayley Mears, former hairdresser, branding expert, and the driving force behind Six Underground Media. Hayley is also one of the guest educators inside our marketing course, and she brings a level of insight into social media, branding, and digital trends that most salon owners simply don’t have access to.

We dive deep into what salon owners should expect from Instagram in 2026, why the platform is about to shift in a major way, and how AI is going to become a natural part of your marketing workflow, whether you like it o...

In this week’s episode, I’m tackling the flip side of a happy, high-performing team, what to do when things are not going smoothly. Because after the recent episode titled “The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team,” I received a flood of emails from salon owners struggling with people issues.

So today, I’m breaking down the key elements that set your team up to succeed, and what to do when they don’t. From defining the vision for your business, to recruiting for cultural fit, to onboarding properly, communicating clearly, and embracing change… this...

In this week’s episode, I sit down with someone who’s grown up alongside one of the most respected salon organisations in the United States.

Today's guest is Coco Wagner, daughter of David and Charlie Wagner owners of the Juut Salon Spa’s. 

Coco brings a fascinating blend of global experience, fresh perspective, and deep respect for the culture her family has built over 40 years. What I love about this conversation is how open and thoughtful she is about stepping into a leadership role in a family business, especially one with 450 team members and mul...

I've been thinking a lot about what really makes a great salon, and it's not always what you might think. Sure, brilliant technical skills matter, but what really sets exceptional salons apart is the energy, the culture, and the people.

A coaching client told me recently about the atmosphere in her salon, no drama, no bitchiness, just fun, laughter, and genuine support. Her clients connect with that positive energy the minute they walk through the door. 

It got me reflecting on something I talk about in my new marketing course, that we need r...

In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rita Marcon, whose story perfectly captures the courage it takes to follow your intuition and reinvent yourself. Rita is a former hairdresser who climbed the corporate ladder to become the Australian General Manager for one of the biggest haircare brands before taking a leap of faith to start her own business, I Am Conscious Living.

Rita’s journey is full of wisdom about courage, leadership, and self-awareness. We talk about what it takes to leave the comfort of the known, how to stay grounded when everything’s changing...

As the end of the year approaches, it's tempting to push for maximum productivity, rush through holiday celebrations, and then collapse in a heap on Christmas Eve and call it done.

But I want to challenge that. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the power of celebration, why your team party isn’t just a party, but a culture-building strategy disguised as fun.

I share stories from my own salons, where what started as a Christmas party evolved into something far more meaningful, a night of reflection, recognition, and connection. You’ll...