Beyond The Mirror

Hosted by Adrienne Varga and Jodie Fielden

Business Arts Education

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Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-AU

About the show

Welcome to "Beyond the Mirror," your go-to podcast for business insights in the hair, skin, beauty, and wellness industry. Hosted by Adrienne Varga and Jodie Fielden, we're your guides on a deep dive into these dynamic sectors. Discover industry secrets, actionable strategies, and inspiring success stories that drive business growth. From essential business tips and effective marketing hacks to crafting exceptional client experiences and staying updated on industry trends, we leave no topic unexplored. Join us to unlock your business potential, elevate your brand, and embrace limitless opportunities beyond the mirror. Tune in for a transformative journey you won't want to miss!

Listen to episodes

41 recent

September 28, 2026Episode 4159 min

She Opened Her First Salon at 23 - Here’s What Changed Her Business

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you open your first salon at just 23 - and realise that being a great hairdresser is only part of what it takes to build a successful business? In this episode of Beyond the Mirror, Jodie and Adri speak with Cayla Young about her journey from young hairdresser to salon owner, and the business changes that helped her become more confident in herself and the way she runs her salon. Cayla shares what she learned about: Why being busy doesn't necessarily mean being profitable How getting her pricing right changed her confidence Why policies and boundaries matter when you're your own boss How she handles client objections around pricing, rebooking and retail Why quiet periods can become opportunities to work on your business The importance of showing up consistently and following through Why getting help early can prevent bad business habits Her vision for building a salon that can eventually work without her If you're a salon owner who feels overwhelmed, overworked or unsure whether there's a better way to run your business, Cayla's story is a reminder that you don't have to figure everything out alone. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

May 13, 2026Episode 4023 min

When Your Salon Becomes Your Anchor During Hard Times

Send us Fan Mail In this emotional and powerful podcast episode, Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga speak directly to salon owners who are carrying the pressure of salon business, life, burnout, responsibility, and trying to hold everything together. If you’ve ever felt emotionally exhausted while running your salon… If you’ve questioned whether you can keep going… If you’ve felt lost, overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself… This conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: • Why your salon can become your anchor during hard seasons • The emotional side of salon ownership nobody talks about • How showing up for clients rebuilds confidence and purpose • Why salon owners struggle silently behind the scenes • The pressure of leadership, growth, and responsibility • How to keep moving forward when motivation disappears • Why one day you may look back and appreciate this stage of business Sometimes the thing holding you together… is the very thing you feel like walking away from. This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all together — you just need to keep showing up. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

May 5, 2026Episode 3931 min

When Life Falls Apart But Your Business Needs You | Salon Business Mindset

Send us Fan Mail Running a business doesn’t stop when life gets hard… and neither can you. In Episode 39 of our podcast, we’re getting real about what it means to show up when your personal life feels like it’s falling apart. As salon owners, entrepreneurs, and business partners, we’ve lived through the moments where everything feels heavy — yet clients, staff, and responsibilities keep moving. This episode isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about resilience, consistency, and building the version of yourself your future depends on. We talk about: ✨ Why personal struggles don’t pause your business ✨ The dangerous myth of “I’ll just take a break” ✨ How to keep showing up without burning out ✨ What showing up actually looks like in hard seasons ✨ The mindset shift every salon owner needs Whether you’re a salon owner, clinic owner, or entrepreneur trying to grow your business, this conversation will remind you why staying consistent — even imperfectly — matters more than ever. Because one day… you’ll wish you were back in the position you’re in right now. If you’re ready to turn your passion into profit and build the business you’ve always wanted — you’re in the right place. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

December 18, 2025Episode 3856 min

What Thriving Salon Owners Do in January (While Everyone Else is Waiting)

Send us Fan Mail FREE Team Meeting Checklist https://drive.google.com/file/d/1To9QGZ4W8wm7YifbZOAaosN2aG12qVzP/view?usp=sharing We’ve included a downloadable checklist to help you plan your beginning-of-year team meeting step-by-step January and February don’t kill salon businesses — poor planning does. In this episode, we show salon owners how to use the quiet season to build stronger teams, higher profits, and real freedom. January and February can feel scary for salon and clinic owners — but they don’t have to be. In this episode of Beyond The Mirror , we break down exactly how successful salon owners use the quiet season to prepare, reset, and grow instead of panicking. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why January & February are prep seasons, not dead seasons How to run a powerful beginning-of-year team meeting The difference between being a boss vs a leader How to involve your team without losing control What KPIs your staff should understand (and why transparency matters) How systems, policies, and delegation create real freedom Common mistakes salon owners make during annual meetings If you want a profitable salon, motivated team, and a business that doesn’t rely on you 24/7 , this episode is essential. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

November 11, 2025Episode 3740 min

Salon & Skin Business Secrets: Lessons from 25 Years of Success with our special guest Sarah Hudson

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga sit down with Sarah Hudson, founder of Skin by Sarah Hudson , to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving, high-end skin clinic in today’s beauty industry. Sarah shares her biggest business mistakes from straying from her niche to dealing with the wrong contractors and how she turned those challenges into lessons that helped her build one of Australia’s most respected aesthetic skin brands. Discover how rebranding, creating her own skincare line, and continuously investing in technology transformed her business. Whether you own a salon, spa, or skin clinic, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you grow profitably while staying true to your brand identity. What You’ll Learn: The #1 mistake that almost cost Sarah her business How staying in your niche builds credibility and profit The truth about contractors and injectables in clinics Rebranding secrets that elevate your client experience How to create and launch your own skincare line Smart reinvestment strategies for sustainable growth Why mentorship and patience are the real beauty business superpowers Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

October 13, 2025Episode 3621 min

Building Your Brand From The Ground Up With Our Special Guest - Sarah Hudson

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Your Salon Can Be Everything , Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga sit down with the incredible Sarah Hudson —Aesthetic Practitioner with over 25 years of experience in skin health and aesthetic therapies. ✨ What you’ll learn in this episode: The power of staying true to your brand and why consistency matters. Why niching down is your superpower (not a limitation). How to stop making fear-based business decisions . Real stories of growth, resilience, and building a brand clients truly trust. Whether you’re a salon owner , beauty entrepreneur , or just starting your business journey, this conversation will inspire you to align passion with profit and build a business that lasts. Don’t forget to subscribe for more salon business strategies, mindset shifts, and inspiring interviews. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

August 27, 2025Episode 3529 min

5 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting a Salon | Save Time, Money & Stress

Send us Fan Mail Thinking of starting a salon or already running one but feeling stuck? In this episode, Jodie and Adri share the 5 biggest lessons they wish they had known before starting their salon business. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Separate your profit from your wage (and why it matters) ✅ Shift your mindset for real growth ✅ Find the right people to support your dream ✅ Build salon systems that save you time and stress ✅ Trust yourself and take action sooner These tips will help you avoid burnout, manage your money better, and grow a salon business you actually love. Book a FREE demo https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/demo-booking/a Timestamp: 00:00 Intro 01:52 Welcome 02:39 Tip 1: Your Profit is Not Your Wage – and Your Wage is Not Your Profit 09:24 Tip 2: Your Mindset Towards Growth is SO Important 12:25 Tip 3: You Don’t Need to Do it Alone – Find the Right People to Support Your Dream 16:29 Tip 4: Systems Save You – Build Them Early 22:42 Tip 5: Trust Yourself Sooner Follow us on Instagram,tiktok & Facebook: @focusgdt Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube📺 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt If this helped you, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video with another salon owner who needs it! Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

August 13, 2025Episode 3425 min

How to Fix Salon Communication Issues in One Step

Send us Fan Mail 📥 Get your FREE Communication Style Test here: https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/rep-systems-test 📥Get your Personalised Team Dynamics Report here: https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/team-dynamics Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:36 Welcome 02:22 The Real Problems Behind Team Frustration 03:36 Why Understanding Communication Styles Changes Everything 08:04 Real Salon Scenarios 17:37 The Solution – A Simple Test That Changes Everything 18:14 The Power of the Team Dynamics Report 22:20 Call to Action – Download the Test for Free Are you frustrated with your salon team not following instructions or missing details—no matter how many times you explain? 🤯 In this episode of Beyond the Mirror Podcast , Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga reveal why your team’s challenges might not be about motivation or attitude… but miscommunication. Discover the simple Communication Style Test that can transform how you train, manage, and inspire your salon team. 💡 You’ll learn: Why some team members “just don’t get it” (and it’s not laziness!) The 4 main learning styles & how to adapt your leadership Real salon scenarios where a small change made a big difference How to use the Representational System Preference Test for instant clarity The power of the Team Dynamics Report to unlock your team’s full potential 🎯 Perfect for: Salon owners • Hair stylists • Spa managers • Beauty business leaders • Team managers 📲 Follow us on Instagram,tiktok & Facebook: @focusgdt Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube📺 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt Book a FREE demo https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/demo-booking/a Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

July 16, 2025Episode 3339 min

Turn Salon Clients Into Recurring Revenue with Smart Memberships

Send us Fan Mail Are your salon packages costing you more than they make? In this episode of the Beyond the Mirror Podcast, Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga break down how to build profitable salon memberships and packages that drive recurring revenue without draining your time or energy. Successful salon memberships require strategic planning and accurate cost analysis to ensure profitability while delivering value to clients. When designed thoughtfully, memberships increase client retention, provide predictable revenue during quiet months, and encourage higher spending. • Know your numbers – calculate exact costs of services including product, time, wages, and overhead • Build memberships based on real profit margins, not arbitrary industry standards • Focus on adding value rather than discounting to maintain profitability • Keep membership structures simple with maximum three tiers that clients can easily understand • Include high-margin, low-labor services as membership benefits • Launch memberships alongside price increases to ease the transition for clients • Prepare your team thoroughly – they must understand and believe in the membership value • Create transparent terms and conditions to build trust with clients • Test new membership structures organically before launching marketing campaigns • Leave room for upselling – clients who prepay are more likely to add services If you're interested in creating a profitable membership structure for your salon, book a complimentary Salon Accelerator session with Jodie. Find us on Instagram and Facebook @focusgdt or click the link in the description. Whether you’re a salon owner, beauty entrepreneur, or just starting out this episode will change how you think about pricing and client loyalty. 🕒 Timestamps: 02:00 welcome 03:02 Why Pricing and Profit Margins Come First 05:20 Top 5 Membership/Package Mistakes 21:39 What Makes a Great Membership or Package 33:51 Benefits of Memberships & Packages — Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube 📺https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Listen to Beyond The Mirror Podcast while you're on-the-go! — Subscribe to the channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

May 11, 2025Episode 3227 min

Profitable Salons: The Uncomfortable Truth

Send us Fan Mail Building a profitable salon business requires investment of time, money, energy, mindset and willingness to embrace discomfort - it's not for the faint-hearted. • Most salon owners want change but aren't willing to change themselves • Profitable salon owners know their numbers and can communicate effectively • Setting boundaries with clients and team members is crucial for business success • Growth doesn't come from perfection but from imperfect action outside your comfort zone • The right business mindset includes ownership, grit, and problem-solving abilities • Your business is a reflection of you - you are the only one who can truly fix it • Surrounding yourself with successful people forces you to level up • Time and money must be sacrificed for growth - success requires restructuring priorities • The 80/20 principle applies: 80% of salon owners aren't willing to do what the 20% will do • Taking risks and being comfortable with discomfort separates profitable owners from the rest Book a free demo of our Salon Accelerator program. We guarantee results in 90 days or you don't pay. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... I ncrease your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!