SUMM IT UP

Hosted by Summit Salon Business Center

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127

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Oct 2026

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About the show

SUMM IT UP is a podcast from Summit Salon Business Center that engages salon, school, barbershop and spa professionals on our shared path toward happiness in the beauty industry. Hosted by stylist, salon owner, educator, and “Top 30 Colorist Under 30” Blake Reed Evans, SUMM IT UP brings you frank conversations with changemakers from all corners of the beauty world, with a focus on business and interpersonal relationships. New episodes every Wednesday.

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60 recent

October 7, 202639 min

Struggling with retail? Try this experiment

If your salon offers retail, chances are you'd like to be selling more product than you currently are. Retail sales boost profit margins, enhance client loyalty, and help clients maintain salon-quality results. But there are a number of reasons we fall short of our retail goals. For instance, providers get busy and don't find the time to talk to their guests about home care; suggesting a guest increase their total ticket can feel icky (especially in a time of high food and gas prices); and service providers aren't motivated by commission. Our guest this week is Lisa Musgrove, owner of LoneStar Salon & Spa in Tumwater, Washington. Lisa noticed that for all of her stylists, from newbies to veterans, the one common struggle was retail. So, she tried an experiment. Lisa launched the LoneStar Retail Lab, a four-week voluntary program. The Retail Lab combined introspection, education, collaboration and experimentation. It was eye-opening for Lisa. She learned that service providers were projecting their own financial anxieties onto their guests, and that many weren't familiar with the products her salon carries. The Lab also gave participants the opportunity to try new strategies, and bond with each other. "It was a rare and special time with the team. I didn't have to just track KPIs. I really got to know everybody on a much deeper level and explore together how to be successful in that," she says. The results were phenomenal and earned Lisa the 2026 Salon Today Retail and Merchandising Innovation Award. In this episode -- full of actionable insights -- Lisa lays out the roadmap for the Retail Lab. Blake and Lisa discuss: The self-sabotaging mindsets that hold us back from offering retail The positive mindset shifts into "solving not selling" How to assess guest needs and spending power and offer home care accordingly The power of intake forms Why promotions should be fun, and even a little silly (because it works!) And more. Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisaloveslonestar . Read the Salon Today article featuring Lisa Musgrove and the Retail Lab, "Rethinking Retail in the Era of E-Commerce." Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

September 23, 202636 min

Decoding the generations on your salon team

Salons professionals span a particularly wide range of ages, from 18 to 60+. That means you probably have three or four generations working together at any given time. Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, and Gen Z each bring something different and valuable to the table -- but we don't always understand each other. Maybe you're a service provider trying to figure out what your Gen X boss wants from you, looking for more clear direction. Or if you're an owner, you're trying to figure out what motivates Gen-Z service providers, or how to grow a Millenial stylist into a leadership role instead of losing them to a suite. Carrie Rutt is here to help. She's a Summit Salon Coach, a guest experience specioalist and a veteran salon owner, and a Gen X'er. Host Blake Reed Evans, co-owner at Shear Art Salon in Tampa, Fl. and a Redken Pro artist and educator, brings us behind the scenes of up-to-the-minute salon leadership decisions, and his own Millenial perspective. Learn more about Carrie and schedule a 20-minute discovery call. Follow Carrie on Facebook and Instagram . Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

September 9, 202633 min

Juggling your passions with salon owner/ brand artist Cody Evans

Cody Evans is the co-founder or Colour Collective Salon in Mobile, Alabama, and a L'Oréal Professionnel artist. In this episode, Blake sits down with Cody Evans to get real about what it looks like to juggle salon ownership, brand artistry, education, and still have a life. Cody opens up about the journey from behind the chair to business owner, the persistence it took to become a L'Oréal Professionnel artist, and the less-glamorous side of flying home at midnight only to be back behind the chair at 8 AM the next morning. Topics covered: The leap from commission stylist to salon owner Becoming a brand artist — the Ambassador Network, immersion program, and why persistence pays off "Work-work-life balance" — why perfect balance is a myth Giving up Saturdays and why clients magically figure it out Burnout while opening a salon and traveling to teach — and how reconnecting with your "why" helps Self-care that actually counts: massages, chiropractic care, therapy, and Head Up Keys (mental health resource from L'Oréal Professionnel) Advice for first-time salon owners: set firm timelines with contractors and be tough — you're the client Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

August 26, 202631 min

Listen again: Guiding newbie styists with Lisa Giles

If you're a newbie or baby stylist or a salon owner looking to grow and retain new stylists, this episode is for you. Guest Lisa Giles is a digital creator and educator who specialiizes in working with stylists brand new to the industry, or as she likes to call them "guppies." She runs the education and mentoring platform Straight Out of Cosmo , where she teaches classes including "Make Box Color Your Bitch" and "The Bull Sh*t Behind the Business." She's a hair stylist and a Paul Mitchell Pro partner, based in Orange County, California. In this episode, Lisa and Blake cover: Understanding market rates and charging a rate that's fair to yourself, even when you're new Creating customized incentives for new stylists, especially for retail sales Building a clientelle through guest education Goal and budget-setting Skills not always taught in cosmetology school, like client experience and working with box-dyed hair And more. Follow Lisa Giles on Instagram @LifeofLisaG. This episode was originally published in May 2025 Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

August 12, 202636 min

Level up your retail game with Inovshop ft. Martin Spritzer

Salon retail can be a tough nut to crack. Salon products available to clients from big retailers at just a few taps on a phone. Inovshop's interactive digital displays give stylists a leg up by sparking guests' curiosity and providing education right in the salon, increasing sales. And with AI, these tools are becoming ever-more customizable to your individual customers. In this episode, Summ it Up executive producer Tim Fisk sits down with Martin Spritzer of Inovshop USA to unpack the evolving world of salon retail. They explore how digital displays, user-generated content, AI-driven personalization, and interactive technology are reshaping the in-salon shopping experience — and why salons that ignore these trends risk losing revenue to big-box retailers like Ulta and Sephora. Learn more and sign up for a free consultation at Inovshopusa.com Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

July 29, 202633 min

Building a $6 million business from the ground up w/ Urban Betty's Chelle Neff

Based in Austin, Texas, Urban Betty Salon is one of Summit's longest running and most successful salon clients. In this episode we meet the woman behind the juggernaut, founder Chelle Neff. Chelle started hair school back in high school, and her first job was at Supercuts. She opened her first Urban Betty location in 2005 as a booth rental. Now Urban Betty is a 3-location commission salon company and they're trending to hit $6.7 million this year. It wasn't easy, and Chelle is candid in this interview. You'll hear about: The importance of having a coach who doesn't handle you with kidgloves Overcoming self-worth issues around making and discussing money in a women-dominated industry Building Urban Betty's brand through early, aggressive social media adoption — collecting emails, engaging followers, and entering industry awards Growing pains from opening a third location and having to rebuild SEO/local presence from scratch Advice on scaling: delegate leadership contact points instead of being the sole point of contact; find a coach or mastermind group of like-minded owners Plus, Chelle spills the tea on getting through some of Urban Betty's toughest moments, including catching a team member embezzling, break-ins, and a walk out. Where to find her: Instagram @urbanbetty and @urbanbettysalon , and chelleneff.com Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

July 15, 202634 min

What the heck are shareholders? Your people, your legacy with Lisa Lipani

If you own a salon company by yourself or even with a partner, it can be lonely at the top. Every major decision comes down to you, including how to exit the company when you're ready to retire or take a different path. Plus, you probably have valuable employees looking for ways to grow and considering striking out on their own. Shareholder programs can be a beautiful way to share risk and decision making, retain talent, and grow the next generation of salon owners. And while they're an established part of Summit systems, they're still relatively rare in the salon industry, and we get lots of questions about them. Our own host Blake Reed Evans is a shareholder and service provider in a large group at Shear Art Salon in Tampa, Florida. Guest Lisa Lipani is the founder and CEO of Carl Michael Salon, with locations in Danvers and North Reading, Massachusetts, and a Summit Salon coach. Lisa opened the company in 2006, and now runs it as part of a shareholder group of six. In this episode, Lisa and Blake answer questions including: Are shareholders owners? Why start a shareholder program and how do you know when it's the right time? What characteristics in a staff member make for a good potential shareholder? How do you train and oboard new shareholders? How do shareholders make difficult decisions in a salon company? What mistakes have other salon owners made along the way? More questions? Get in touch with Lisa Lipani at llipani@summitsalon.com. Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

July 1, 202631 min

Navigating cancer as a (young) salon leader with Sarah Hooper

To be a salon owner requires ambition, commitment and hustle. But you're also human. So how do you balance responsibility with self care when difficult things happen -- and also in the every day? When Sarah Hooper got diagnosed with late-stage cervical cancer it came as a shock, followed by a million questions and endless medical appointments. And on top of that, she had to come up with a plan for how her salon company would run while she was in treatment, and reassure her shareholders and team that it would be okay. Sarah Hooper is the owner of Paradigm Salon & Company in Bel Air, Maryland, and a Summit salon coach, and is back at work 16 months after her diagnosis. In this highly personal interview, Sarah talks about what it was like to step back as a leader, and how that actually created space for her team members to grow. Blake and Sarah also discuss how to find the balance between hustle and rest, the value of a 32-hour workweek, and why Sarah decided not to go back behind the chair. Plus: Advice on how to advocate for yourself as a patient and take control of your health journey. Follow Sarah Hooper on Instagram @sarah_paradigm . Interested in coaching? Book a discovery call with Sarah. Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

June 17, 202631 min

Travel stylist and thriving with Trish Vereze

Does summer have you wishing for more vacation time or a bigger travel budget? What if you could travel and do hair at the same time? Trish Vereze is an independent stylists specializing in color correction who splits her time between Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Honolulu. It was a rough road at the beginning, but now Trish stays booked and busy. Just five years into becoming a hairstylist, she bought her first condo. In this episode, Trish and Blake discuss: How she got started as a travel stylist How she finds clients on social media Her killer work ethic How she avoids re-do's Her tricks of the trade when it comes to color correction Whether you're interested in traveling for work or not, you're sure to learn something from Trish. Find Trish Vereze on Instagram and TikTok @hairbytrishv. Curious about in traveling internationally for stylist education? Check our our episode with the Hair Nerds! This episode was originally released in March 2025. Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.

June 3, 202634 min

Future-proof salon: AI & the human touch ft. Phorest's Ronan Perceval

Guest Ronan Perceval began his journey in the beaty industry as a receptionist at a busy salon in Dublin, Ireland. While he loved the salon culture and people, he found that constant "admin-y conversations" -- like explaining the parking situation or cancellation policy -- were sapping taking time away from more meaningful client interactions. Now founder & CEO of Phorest Salon Software , Ronan designs AI tools that handle the admin, so service providers can focus on what we do best -- making our guests look and feel great. Phorest AI handles admin like booking, consultation forms and self check-in, but now there's so much more. Stylists can use mobile apps to track their tickets, tips and progress toward earling goals, with gamification features. Phorest even integrates with Instagram to help you micro-target ads to the perfect clients in your area. And once you have a returning client, Phorest will track their services and retail purchasing patterns so you can be ready with the next recommendation. Listen for the human side of the story. Follow Summit Salon Business Center on Instagram @SummitSalon , and on TikTok at SummitSalon . SUMM IT UP is now on YouTube! Watch extended cuts of our interviews at www.youtube.com/@summitunlocked Find host Blake Reed Evans on Instagram @BlakeReedEvans and on TikTok at blakereedevans . His DM's are always open! You can email Blake at bevans@summitsalon.com . Visit us at SummitSalon.com to connect with others in the industry. SUMM IT UP is produced and edited by Andrea Muraskin. The executive producer is Tim Fisk.