The Conscious Salon

Hosted by Nicola and Tessa

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Episodes

218

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to The Conscious Salon. Here for the real talk salon owners actually need. The Conscious Salon Podcast is where salon owners get clear guidance without the fluff. Hosted by Nic & Tess, we break down leadership, team culture, money, client journey, systems and numbers into simple moves you can use this week. Expect straight talk, real stories, lots of laughs and practical frameworks that help you lead well, grow profit, and have a life outside the salon. You will hear from salon owners, industry leaders and working mums who have done the hard yards. We cover mindset that holds under pressure, meetings that improve your team culture, and the habits that build a self led team. Follow the show and start with leadership posture, client journey design, and money mindset. Listen in, implement, and stay conscious.

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60 recent

October 25, 2026Episode 21948 min

How it feels to be SEEN - with The Salon Photographer, Keira Maloney

Your photos can be technically perfect and still feel completely wrong.In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with Keira Maloney , The Salon Photographer , who has built a reputation in the Australian hair and beauty industry for creating images that don't just look beautiful. They actually feel like the person in them.Keira shares what happens when someone walks into a branding shoot feeling guarded, uncomfortable, or worried about how they're going to look on camera. Instead of simply chasing the "perfect" shot, she focuses on creating enough safety and connection for people to relax, drop the performance, and allow their real personality to come through. They explore Keira's unique creative process, including the way she visualises an image before it exists and knows when a photograph has finally "clicked." They also unpack identity, confidence, alignment, and the deeper desire many people have to be seen for who they really are, not who they think they're supposed to be. The conversation also gets practical for salon owners and personal brands. From receiving a gallery and immediately picking yourself apart, to copying Pinterest aesthetics and creating a brand that doesn't actually feel like you, this episode challenges the idea that great branding needs to look perfect. And with AI-generated imagery becoming increasingly common, Keira and the team explore why humanity may be your greatest branding advantage—real laughter, real connection, real people, and the culture that makes your business uniquely yours. In this episode, you'll learn: 📸 Why technically perfect photos can still feel completely wrong 🤍 How creating safety helps people relax and show up authentically on camera ✨ What happens when you stop performing and your real confidence comes through 🧠 How identity and past expectations can influence the way you see yourself 💭 Why we can be so much harder on ourselves when we see our own photos 🌱 How to give yourself the same kindness and perspective you naturally give your clients 🎯 Why copying Pinterest or other brands can flatten your own unique identity 🤖 Why real people, real connection, and real culture are becoming even more valuable in the age of AI imagery 💼 How salon owners can use authentic photography to build trust and strengthen their personal brand Whether you're preparing for your next branding shoot, updating your salon website, building your personal brand, or simply learning to feel more comfortable being seen, this conversation will change the way you think about photography. Because the goal isn't to create photos of who you think you should be. It's to create images that feel like you. Follow Keira's journey on Instagram: the_salonphotographer Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

October 18, 2026Episode 21823 min

The Leadership Confessions every Business Owner can relate to

What if the thoughts you've been quietly carrying as a salon owner… are the exact same thoughts everyone else is having too? In this episode, Nic, Tess, and Tae dive into a series of anonymous "Salon Owner Confessions" —real thoughts, fears, and struggles shared by salon owners who simply wanted to know, "Am I the only one who feels this way?" From questioning whether you still love your business, to wondering if your team would cope without you, to feeling guilty for wanting more time for yourself, this conversation is an honest reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about navigating the messy middle with courage. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, isolated, or questioned whether you're cut out for leadership, this episode will remind you that you're far from alone. In this episode, you'll hear about: 🤍 Why it's normal to fall in and out of love with your business😔 What to do when you've built your dream salon but still don't want to go to work 💭 Why so many salon owners secretly think about selling their business 💪 How vulnerability can actually strengthen your leadership🧠 The mindset shift that helps overcome resentment towards your team ✂️ Why bigger isn't always better—and redefining what success really means 🌱 The importance of protecting your own wellbeing before trying to lead everyone else ❤️ How honest conversations create stronger, more connected teams Whether you're leading a team of 20 or working behind the chair on your own, this episode is a powerful reminder that leadership is a journey—and you don't have to walk it alone. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR.https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

October 11, 2026Episode 21719 min

The 5 reasons clients will leave your salon

Have you ever wondered why loyal clients suddenly stop booking? The truth is, clients rarely leave without a reason, and most of the time, it's not because of price.In this episode, Nic, Tess, and Team Leader Tae unpack the five biggest reasons clients leave a salon and, more importantly, what you can do to keep them coming back. From consultations and client experience to rebooking, home care, and managing expectations, they share the practical systems that have helped them achieve exceptional client retention. If you're tired of seeing gaps in your appointment book or wondering why clients aren't returning, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement straight away. In this episode, you'll learn: 💬 Why poor consultations are one of the biggest reasons clients leave ⭐ How consistency in your client experience builds trust and loyalty 📅 Why rebooking is about creating a plan—not just filling your calendar 🧴 How home care recommendations protect your results and increase client satisfaction 🎯 The importance of setting clear expectations from the very first appointment 🤝 How to become the trusted expert your clients never want to leave🚀 Simple systems that help increase client retention and build long-term loyalty. Your clients want to feel heard, valued, and confident that you have a plan for them. When you consistently deliver on those expectations, you're not just creating happy clients, you're building a thriving , sustainable business . Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

October 4, 2026Episode 21616 min

The removal of surcharges - WTAF do we do?

What if the card surcharge changes everyone’s talking about… don’t actually need to be the business disaster you’ve been expecting? From 1 October 2026, card surcharges are being switched off across Australia, and if you’re a salon owner, you’ve probably already seen the panic posts. But instead of adding to the noise, Nic and Tess take a breath, look at the facts, and break down what this change really means for your salon. From EFTPOS fees and merchant rates to the temptation of going cash-only, this episode is about turning a noisy policy change into a practical plan that protects your profit without compromising your client experience.In this episode, you’ll hear about: 💳 What the card surcharge ban actually means for salon owners 💰 Why the “billions of dollars” headlines don’t tell the whole story 📱 Why going cash-only or bank-transfer-only may create more problems 🤝 How to negotiate your merchant fees and shop around for better rates 📊 How a small pricing adjustment can help absorb the difference 🧠 How to avoid the cortisol spiral every time something changes in your business 🔄 The quarterly habit that could help you save money across all your recurring expenses Because not every business change needs to become a crisis. Sometimes, you just need the facts, the numbers, and a practical plan. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community:https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

September 27, 202620 min

Stop mothering your team

Caring deeply about your team is one thing. But are you accidentally becoming their parent instead of their leader? In this episode, Nic and Tess unpack one of the biggest leadership traps salon owners fall into: rescuing, mothering, and micromanaging their teams. While it often comes from a place of care, these habits can unintentionally create dependence, limit your team's growth, and keep you stuck working in your salon instead of leading it. If you've ever found yourself solving every problem, answering every question, or feeling like your business can't function without you, this episode will help you shift from rescuing your team to empowering them. ✨ In this episode, you'll learn: 🚩 The signs you're parenting your team instead of leading them 💡 Why rescuing your team can actually hold them back 🧠 How to coach your team to think for themselves instead of relying on you 🗣️ Simple questions that build confidence, ownership, and critical thinking ✋ Why healthy boundaries create stronger, more self-led team members 🚀 How letting go of control helps you build a salon that doesn't rely on you 🌱 Why allowing mistakes is one of the fastest ways to grow confident leaders If your goal is to step off the salon floor, build a self-led team, and become a more conscious leader, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

September 20, 202615 min

This is what unalignment is costing your team

How much is an unaligned team member really costing your business? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, Nic, Tess, and Tae dive into the powerful connection between team alignment and business performance. Using real client data and real coaching experiences, they unpack how one unaligned team member can impact your culture, client experience, and financial results—and what happens when your entire team is working towards the same vision. They also share practical leadership strategies for identifying misalignment, having courageous conversations, and creating a team that's genuinely invested in your business goals. If you've ever found yourself saying, "They're great, but..." this episode is one you won't want to miss. In this episode, you'll learn: 📊 Why your numbers often reveal leadership challenges before people do 🎯 What true team alignment actually looks like beyond shared values 💬 How to identify when a team member is no longer aligned with your vision 🤝 Simple conversations that create clarity instead of conflict 🚀 Why courageous leadership creates opportunities for both your team and your business 📈 How one aligned team can dramatically improve performance and profitability 🌱 Practical ways to build a numbers-focused culture without overwhelming your team When your team understands the vision, believes in the process, and works towards the same goals, incredible results become possible. This episode will help you create a culture where accountability, ownership, and performance naturally thrive. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

September 13, 202648 min

The power of growing at your own pace as a Salon Owner | with Emily Mander

What happens when you've built a successful career, opened your dream salon, and then suddenly find yourself questioning who you are? In this deeply honest conversation, Nic and Tess sit down with salon owner, educator, and lived-in colour specialist Emily Mander to talk about the realities of rebuilding your life, business, and identity after becoming a mother. Emily opens up about moving from the UK to Australia at 34 weeks pregnant, leaving behind the salon she'd built from the ground up, navigating motherhood without a support network, and the emotional challenge of balancing ambition with family life. This episode is a powerful reminder that success doesn't always look the way we imagined—and that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is embrace the season we're in. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌊 How Emily built a thriving salon and personal brand across two countries 🤍 The identity shift that comes with motherhood and business ownership 🌱 Why it's okay to feel lost while rebuilding your life and career 💬 The importance of talking openly about the realities of motherhood 💪 How to embrace hard seasons without falling into victim mentality ✨ Why creating a business that can thrive without you creates true freedom ❤️ The power of leading with purpose, wellbeing, and genuine connection 🚀 How giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace changes everything Whether you're a salon owner, entrepreneur, parent, or simply navigating a season of change, this conversation will remind you that growth isn't always linear—and that you don't have to have it all figured out. To follow Emily's journey: https://www.instagram.com/emilymanderhair/ ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

September 6, 202645 min

My Adult ADHD Diagnosis as a Salon Owner with Jess Lewis

You can look like you've got everything together on the outside while your brain is running at full volume on the inside. In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with salon owner and educator Jess Lewis for a raw, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult—and why so many women spend years believing what they're experiencing is simply anxiety, overwhelm, or the pressure of having too much on their plate. Jess opens up about what finally prompted her to seek answers, what sensory overload feels like in real time, and how intrusive thoughts and mental spirals can affect relationships, parenting, confidence, and the way you show up as a business owner. The conversation also explores the reality of running a fully booked salon in a challenging economy while raising three children and carrying the constant responsibility that comes with business ownership and motherhood. Jess shares how hormones, exhaustion, and never-ending demands can impact your capacity—and why understanding what's happening in your brain can be such a powerful first step. They also get practical about what has helped Jess, from ADHD medication and creating boundaries to recognising masking, protecting her energy, and finding healthier ways to quieten the noise. Most importantly, this is a conversation about normalising the messy middle and creating space for women to talk honestly about what they're experiencing without shame. In this episode, you'll learn: 🧠 What led Jess to seek an ADHD diagnosis as an adult 💭 Why ADHD symptoms in women can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety or overwhelm 🔊 What sensory overload, intrusive thoughts, and mental spirals can actually feel like 👩‍👧‍👦 How ADHD, motherhood, hormones, and exhaustion can affect your capacity 💼 The reality of managing a busy salon while trying to be present at home 💊 What Jess has found helpful in quietening the noise and managing her ADHD 🚧 Why boundaries are essential for protecting your energy and capacity 🤍 How masking can affect the way neurodivergent women show up at work and in relationships 🌱 Why normalising the messy middle can help women feel less alone Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, are beginning to question your own experiences, or simply feel like your brain never stops running, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone—and that understanding yourself can change everything. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

August 30, 202623 min

How our Salon Manager feels about us selling the salon

Selling a salon might look clean and straightforward on paper—but living through it is anything but. In this episode, Nic and Tess are joined by Team Leader Tae for an honest conversation about what it's really like to navigate a salon sale from inside the team. With the business changing hands and the new owner coming from within the existing team, Tae shares the mix of sadness, excitement, overwhelm, and fresh energy that comes with what feels like the end of an era . They explore what happens to team culture when the ground starts shifting, how leaders can create stability during uncertain times, and the difficult question of when to tell your team about a potential sale. From communication and trust to managing expectations when timelines change, this conversation gets real about the human side of business transitions. The conversation also goes beyond the sale itself and into capacity, time management, and leadership focus . After an intense 24 hours of filming a leadership course, planning future podcast episodes, running a private client session, and still showing up to record, Nic and Tess unpack the belief that "I don't have enough time", and how distractions can quietly take us away from the work that actually moves our business forward. Because getting off the salon floor to think, plan, and lead isn't a luxury. It's part of building a healthy, sustainable business. In this episode, you'll learn: 💭 What it really feels like for a team leader when their salon is being sold ❤️ How to navigate sadness, excitement, uncertainty, and change within a team 🗣️ When to tell your team about a potential sale—and when to wait 🤝 How trust and communication can protect your team culture during major transitions 🧠 Why distractions can quietly steal your leadership capacity ⏰ How to rethink the belief that you simply don't have enough time 🚪 Why getting off the salon floor creates space for better leadership and decision-making 🌱 How stepping aside can be a powerful act of conscious leadership when it's time for a new chapter Whether you're a salon owner considering a sale, a team leader navigating change, or a business owner thinking about succession planning, this episode offers an honest look at the emotional and practical realities of handing over a business you've built. Sometimes leadership means holding the team steady through change. And sometimes, it means having the courage to step out of the room and make space for what's next. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

August 23, 202643 min

How to sell retail with Sonia Tomas the Salon Doctor

Does recommending retail products make you feel pushy or "salesy"? You're not alone. But what if you've been looking at it the wrong way? In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with Sonia Tomas, also known as The Salon Doctor, to unpack one of the biggest mindset shifts every salon owner and stylist needs to make: selling isn't about making more money, it's about serving your clients well. Drawing on more than 37 years in the hair industry and helping salons generate over $8 million in retail sales, Sonia shares why so many teams struggle to recommend products, the limiting beliefs holding them back, and how a simple shift in perspective can transform both the client experience and your salon's profitability. If you've ever felt uncomfortable recommending retail, this episode will completely change the way you think about sales. In this episode, you'll learn: 💡 Why selling is really about serving your clients—not pushing products 🧠 The mindset blocks stopping salon teams from confidently recommending retail 💬 How asking better questions leads to better client outcomes 🎯 Why consultations should focus on solving problems, not making sales 💰 How creating value naturally increases retail sales and client trust 🤝 Why your clients actually want your professional advice 🚀 Practical ways to increase retail sales without feeling pushy or uncomfortable Whether you're a salon owner wanting to grow your business or a stylist looking to build more confidence with client recommendations, this episode is packed with practical advice you can implement immediately. To follow Sonia's journey: https://www.instagram.com/thesalondr/ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

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