Secret Life of A Hairstylist

Hosted by Samantha Lacoste

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

AND WE'RE BACK! It’s no secret Hairstylists have the best job in the world. The ability to make connections with different people, make people feel beautiful, and transform others lives. But sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves, set aside time to work on our business not just in it, and take a moment to appreciate the amazing industry we get to be apart of every single day. My name is Samantha Lacoste and I am a hairstylist, salon owner & educator and I’m so excited that you are here to stay inspired and grow from some amazing people in our industry and I’ll let you in on a secret, you might just find out that you are not alone! We are all all human and have so much more to learn in this thing called life. Welcome to The Secret Life of a Hairstylist.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

September 1, 2026Episode 1117 min

Things I'm investing in as a Salon Owner

This ones a short and sweet one! I'm hearing so many salon owners who don't have the time to work on their business and constantly feel like they're trying to catch up, while also doing hair, managing staff and everything in between. So in this episode, I'm sharing everything I'm investing in right now that is helping me save time, and pour more energy into the things that matter, my team. I'd love for you to share in the comments or send me a DM something you're investing in right now! Give me a follow on IG: @hairbysamlacoste

August 10, 2026Episode 1030 min

Part 2: Stephanie Russell on leading different generations in the workplace

What if everything you assume about Gen Z's work ethic is wrong? In part two of this conversation, Stephanie Russell returns to unpack leading different generations in the salon industry. - Why younger stylists aren't lacking work ethic so much as missing specific skills shaped by growing up through COVID Why older generations were once accused of the exact same thing. Stephanie makes the case for salon owners to move from "survival of the fittest," tossing new stylists in and hoping they figure it out, to "survival of the nurtured"; coaching, up-skilling, and mentoring the next generation before the industry loses them to one of the highest attrition rates of any field. This is part two of a two-part conversation. Make sure to listen to Part One on mental health in the salon industry. Stephanie's Instagram: @psychologicallysafesteph

July 27, 2026Episode 943 min

Part 1: Stephanie Russell on Mental Health, managing yours (and your teams) anxiety, and burnout

At Redken Symposium, a speaker asked a room full of hairstylists one question: has anything caused you stress or anxiety in the last week? Every single person stood up. That moment is where this conversation with Stephanie Russell, Psychological Health and Safety coach, educator, and repeat guest, begins. Stephanie shares her own burnout story, from working three roles with zero days off to breaking her hand after finally cracking under the pressure, and the anxiety diagnosis that followed years later. She breaks down why 65% of hairstylists face burnout, depression, or anxiety at some point in their career, and the small daily resets that can change that trajectory, including the one-line mental reframe she uses on herself every day: "it's not your first thought, it's your second thought that counts." This is part one of a two-part conversation. Part two tackles leading different generations in the workplace. Stephanies Instagram: @psychologicallysafesteph

June 26, 2026Episode 834 min

11 Business Tips from the Top Experts in 30 Minutes.

You know I love talking business and today I'm sharing some of my top takeaways I had at Redken Symposium Business Forum. From mental health wellness to AI, they covered everything! Take a listen and let me know what your favourite takeaway was! Speakers: Ryan Leak https://www.instagram.com/ryanleak/ Ken Hughes https://www.instagram.com/kenhughesie/ Samantha Cusick https://www.instagram.com/samantha.cusick/ Anna Manukyan https://www.instagram.com/amanukyan/ Hayley Jepson https://www.instagram.com/the.resilient.hairdresser/ Sophia Hilton https://www.instagram.com/hiltonsophia/ Stuart Sandman https://www.instagram.com/breathpod/ Summit Salon Business Center https://www.instagram.com/summitsalon/ Christina Black https://www.instagram.com/cristinablack/ Erika Dhawan https://www.instagram.com/ericadhawan_/

June 9, 2026Episode 748 min

Getting in Alice's Brain with Alice Muraru

Dive into this exciting episode with myself and Social media queen, salon owner and educator, Alice Muraru! If you follow her on social media, you know she likes you to "get in her brain" and that's exactly what we're doing. We're covering social media, organization, growing your clientele, waking up at 5am and so much more. Leave a comment to let us know what you think! Links: Alices IG

May 4, 2026Episode 646 min

Keeping it Weird with Adrienne Dara

I can't believe I had the ICONIC Adrienne Dara on the podcast and you know I had some questions for this one! Take a listen to find out how she keeps it real, and a little weird, consistent and ultimately killing it in the education realm. We had so much fun with this conversation, so take a listen now! Links: Adriennes IG

April 14, 2026Episode 526 min

Inve$ting in New Team Members

It costs 1000's of dollars and 100's of hours of your time to hire stylists. So why not make sure you are hiring the right stylists? We've all heard the phrase "Hire slow, fire fast" but what does that hiring process look like? I'm breaking down not only the hiring process, but also thinking about what type of stylist you are wanting to hire, and what the pro's and con's are. Take a listen now! Links: Sign up for the full Hire With Intention program April 27! (For Redken accounts, use your C5A points!) https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/redken-canada-salon-success-building-a-team-that-grows-with-you-tickets-1981523119993?aff=oddtdtcreator Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbysamlacoste/

February 27, 2026Episode 448 min

Juggling salon ownership, Motherhood, Influencer Status & Education with Sandra Couto

We're covering everything and more today as I bring Sandra Couto, your hair bestie, to talk all things Salon Ownership & the internal struggles we have, being an influencer and managing social media while also being a mom and stylist, and being an educator, our self imposter syndrome and hustling everyday! Listen now and make sure to subscribe! Links: Sandras Instagram April's Salon Ownership Virtual class Secret Life of a Hairstylist IG

February 6, 202634 min

Should Salon Owners Advertise for their Stylists?

I've heard the question, "Should it be the responsibility of the salon owner to put clientele in to their stylists chair?" In this episode I'm giving my two cents to this question, as well as some easy tips to help salon owners & stylists make marketing more easily, consistently and how to market the salon and your own personal brand in harmony. Take a listen! Samantha's Instagram Salon Owners Program SALON SUCCESS: Building a Team That Grows with You

January 21, 2026Episode 257 min

It's Not That Deep with Annie Parker Savage

The first guest of 2026!! I couldn't have brought anyone else on than the girl I talk TV binges, business, hair & life with, Annie Savage. She is a Redken Artist, Educator & Hairstylist killing it in the industry. We're talking life, how we got in the industry, imposter syndrome, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, the importance of connection in our industry and getting in your creative zone in 2026. This episode has everything rolled into one, so take a listen! Shownote links: Annie's IG : https://www.instagram.com/anniestayssharp/ Goal Planner: https://mailchi.mp/c86c64c7cdb1/2026-goal-planner Sign up for the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/446cd7a679a5/welcome Save the dates: (links coming soon!) April 12: Regina - Shades ALK Launch March 30: Halifax - Power Painting & Balayage April 27: Virtual Salon Owner Program - Salon Success: Building a Team That Grows With You