“The SOS Small Business Success Podcast helps salon and spa owners navigate the waves of leadership, growth, and strategy. Hosted by industry coach Bonnie Bonadeo, each episode delivers practical tools, inspiring stories, and proven systems to keep your business sailing smoothly toward success.”
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May 20, 2026Episode 15016 min
SOS Navigate the Numbers
What Small Business Stats Are Really Telling Us About the Course Ahead“On the water, numbers matter. Wind speed. depth. fuel. distance. direction. You don’t sail by hope. You sail by reading the conditions. Business is the same. The stats aren’t there to scare us; they’re there to help us lead smarter.” Today's episode is a stat attack on some numbers I learned at the Data Driven Conference about small businesses and our salon industry. Listen now, you will want to know these numbers.
May 6, 2026Episode 14849 min
SOS ALERT- 92% of Beauty Schools Will Close
The future of our industry is on the line—this is your call to lead, not watch.This is not just another industry conversation—this is a moment that could redefine the future of beauty education as we know it. In this urgent SOS Alert episode,Bonnie Bonadeo sits down with Shelly Gitthens, Academy of Hair Design, Heather Sinclair-Hello Gorgeous Barber College, and Leah Longest-Shawnee Beauty College to break down a proposed bill that could eliminate funding for—putting up to92% of beauty schools at risk of closing. These leaders share firsthand insight into how heavily schools rely on federal financial aid and why flawed Department of Education metrics could devastate not only schools but the entire pipeline of future professionals. But this conversation goes far beyond the classroom. The ripple effect affects salon owners, workforce development, small-business growth, and even public safety standards across the industry. With timelines tightening and a critical May 20th deadline approaching, this episode outlines exactly what’s at stake—and more importantly, what must be done. From submitting public comments to contacting legislators and unifying the industry voice, this is a call to action for every salon, spa, wellness leader, and licensed professional. The question is no longer “What’s happening?”—it’s “What are you going to do about it?” Listen now and take action here. MYAACS/ORG/SUBMIT-YOUR-COMMENT/
April 22, 2026Episode 14826 min
EP 148 -SOS Captain the Strategy Not Just the Ship
Defining Ownership from Leadership for Maximum Growth. Ownership and leadership are not the same skill set—and confusing the two is where most businesses get stuck.In this episode, we break down why strategy must come first, and how your ability to communicate that strategy determines whether your team executes… or drifts.Because it’s not enough to run the ship—you have to captain the direction, align the crew, and lead with clarity.Listen Now... and Download your Free One-Page Plan or Purchase the Salon Success Blueprint for $99 and Receive 2 free Strategy Sessions with me!
April 9, 2026Episode 14716 min
Sea of AI Sameness
Are you Navigating or Drifting? Everything is starting to sound the same—AI, marketing, leadership advice. But what if that’s not the problem? In this episode, I challenge you to look deeper at the message, what it’s promising, and how to use it to become more efficient, more effective, and a stronger leader through better strategy and communication.Join me for my monthly Introduction to Heart and Edge Leadership Master Class or find out what kind of leader you are today. SOS Leader Quiz
March 25, 2026Episode 14210 min
SOS-You're Not Selling Services. You're Selling the Voyage.
“Most salon owners think they’re in the service business… but you’re not. You’re in the experience business. PEOPLE to PEOPLE, and right now, most of you are letting your clients drift instead of leading the journey.”“You’re Not Selling Services… You’re Selling the Voyage”What if your business isn’t a service… but a voyage?In this episode, I break down the Experience Economy and how today’s clients are no longer buying what you do—they’re buying how you make them feel.Whether you’re behind the chair or at the helm of your business, your role is to design an experience worth coming back for. Because without a clear captain, even the most beautiful boat just drifts.
March 11, 2026Episode 14520 min
SOS! Are your Really the Captain of Your Ship?
Why most business owners stay stuck as technicians.Many salon owners think they’re the captain of their business—but are they really? In this episode, Bonnie Bonadeo explores the core lesson from The E-Myth and why great technicians often struggle as business owners. Learn the difference between crew, first mate, and captain—and what true leadership looks like behind the chair and beyond.Join me Every 1 and 3rd Wednesday at 10:00 am EST for the SOS (salon owner solutions) Virtual Roundtable- Live FB Page or email me at bonnie@bonniebonadeo.com for a direct Zoom link. Join me each month for the Introduction of Heart and Edge Leadership... go here to search dates
February 19, 2026Episode 14429 min
EP 144-Can't Call Them Crew if They're are not W2
The Missclassification Confusion in our Industry. In “Can’t Call Them Crew If They’re Not W2,” Bonnie Bonadeo and CPA April McDaniel break down worker misclassification in the salon industry, explaining the legal differences between W-2 employees, 1099 independent contractors, and booth renters. They cover IRS control factors, payroll tax risks, and the impact of improper classification on salon owners and stylists. This episode is essential listening for beauty business owners who want to stay compliant, avoid costly penalties, and build a sustainable employee-based salon model.Watch this session on YouTube.
February 19, 2026Episode 14358 min
Ep 143 SOS Navigating the New Tip Tax Laws
Plus, your 2026 Blueprint for Success. CPA April McDaniel and industry leader Bonnie Bonadeo unpack the new 2025 tip tax deduction, employer FICA tax credits, IRS reporting rules, and what beauty businesses need to know now. This session combines tax clarity with strategic leadership planning for a stronger 2026.Watch this session on YouTubePurchase your 2026 Salon Success Blueprint here
December 31, 2025Episode 14221 min
EP 142 SOS- We Bought a Boat
Welcome to 2026, Season 5-Episode 142What does buying a boat have to do with owning a salon or small business? Everything.In this episode of SOS Small Business Success, Bonnie Bonadeo shares a real-life experience that became a powerful metaphor for business ownership and leadership. Just like many entrepreneurs, she jumped into something exciting—only to realize how much there was to learn to truly enjoy it.Bonnie breaks down why many salon owners are seeing flat or slightly declining performance and why the solution isn’t working harder—but working smarter. She explains the importance of mastering the fundamentals of leadership, systems, sales, and mindset, and why focusing on just 1–3 key initiatives per quarter can create real momentum.You’ll also hear insights on:• Leadership and people management most owners underestimate• Using technology to improve efficiency and client experience• Why personal responsibility is the fastest path to growth• How investing in yourself and your team changes the trajectory of your businessIf you want your business to feel less like stress and more like freedom, this episode will help you take back the wheel.Listen Now, Plus watch this on YouTube!
August 6, 2025Episode 14119 min
SOS- Lost at Sea
In this episode, we drop anchor on the real-life struggles salon and spa owners face when trying to grow their business. From missed sales goals to half-implemented strategies, many leaders feel like they’re drifting without direction—overwhelmed, under-supported, and unsure of what to do next.After speaking at multiple industry events, I uncovered a pattern: the biggest challenge isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s implementing the right ones consistently.Join me as we navigate why so many beauty business owners feel "lost at sea" when it comes to strategy, sales, and sustainable growth—and how to find your compass, course-correct, and turn small, powerful actions into lasting results.Because you're not alone... you're just missing the map. 🧭
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