The Conscious Salon

Hosted by Nicola and Tessa

Business Entrepreneurship Health Fitness

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Episodes

214

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

EN-AU

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.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

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/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

August 16, 202645 min

Meet the New Owner of Our Salon with Jess Attard

What happens when a team member who wants more progression ends up holding the keys to the salon? In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with Jess Attard, the new owner of Ahead , to share the real story behind their salon sale. What may look simple from the outside was actually a journey filled with leadership, trust, timing, courage, and a whole lot of patience. Jess shares her winding path from hairdressing to running a home studio, managing a gym, stepping into the corporate world, and eventually finding her way back to the industry she loved. She opens up about the personal challenges that shaped her, the pressure she puts on herself, and the mindset shift required to move from being a team member to becoming the person responsible for leading a growing business. Then they go behind the scenes of the salon purchase itself, from the initial conversations and negotiations to lawyers, accountants, lease transfers, landlord approvals, and the long periods of waiting when nothing seemed to be moving. Throughout the conversation, Nic, Tess, and Jess share what helped them protect their relationship through the transition and why a successful succession is about so much more than signing paperwork. It's about trust, communication, and creating an opportunity where both the outgoing and incoming owner can step into their next chapter with confidence. In this episode, you'll learn: 💇‍♀️ How Jess went from team member to becoming the owner of a thriving salon 🌱 Why creating opportunities for team progression can completely change someone's career 🧠 The mindset shift required to step from employee into leadership and ownership ❤️ How personal challenges can shape the way you lead and build your business 🤝 Why trust and strong relationships are essential when selling a business to someone you know 📋 What the salon purchase process actually looks like behind the scenes ⏳ The reality of navigating lawyers, accountants, leases, landlords, and unexpected delays 🚀 Jess's vision for creating more opportunities for her team and building deeper community connection Whether you're a hairdresser dreaming of salon ownership, a salon owner thinking about succession, or a team member ready for your next level of growth, Jess's story offers an honest look at what it really takes to make that transition. Sometimes the biggest opportunities begin with simply having the courage to say, "What if I could?" ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

August 9, 202620 min

We Sold Our Salon: Why We Walked Away After 13 Years

What happens when the business you've poured your heart into no longer feels like the room you're meant to be in? In this honest and emotional episode, Nic and Tess open up about the decision to sell their salon and the leadership lessons they've learned throughout the process. Together, they discuss the emotions of letting go, navigating change as a team, communicating openly during uncertain seasons, and why creating a self-led business sometimes means stepping aside so someone else can take it even further. Whether you're considering selling your business, stepping into a new season, or simply wondering if you've outgrown the role you're in, this conversation is a powerful reminder that leadership isn't about holding on. It's about knowing when to let go. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌱 How to recognise when you've outgrown the business you built 💭 Why letting go can be one of the greatest acts of leadership 🤝 The importance of honest communication during seasons of change ❤️ How to support your team through uncertainty and transition 🚀 Why building a self-led business creates opportunities for everyone to grow 💡 The mindset shift that helped Nic and Tess confidently sell their salon 🌟 How stepping out of one room creates space for someone else—and yourself—to thrive If you're navigating change, wrestling with a big decision, or wondering what the next chapter looks like, this episode will encourage you to trust your instincts, embrace growth, and lead with courage. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

August 2, 202623 min

Founders on the Couch: Our team leader put us in the hot seat

What happens when your own team puts you in the hot seat? In this special episode, the tables are turned as Team Leader Tae takes over the podcast, asking Nic and Tess the questions they weren't expecting. What starts as a fun role reversal quickly becomes one of the most honest and vulnerable conversations they've ever shared. Together, they reflect on the moments that shaped who they are as leaders, from childhood experiences and personal challenges to grief, motherhood, business ownership, and the lessons that continue to influence how they lead today. This isn't a conversation about having all the answers. It's about becoming more self-aware, leading with intention, and recognising that great leadership begins with understanding yourself. In this episode, you'll learn: 🎙️ What happened when Nic and Tess swapped seats and became the ones answering the questions 🌱 How childhood experiences continue to shape leadership, relationships, and decision-making 🧠 Why nervous system regulation is one of the most underrated leadership skills ❤️ The lessons grief, motherhood, and challenging seasons taught them about resilience 💬 How "proving energy" can quietly impact the way you lead your team and your life ⏳ Why you don't need to have everything figured out by a certain age 🌟 The leadership moments they're most proud of, and why they have nothing to do with business success Whether you're leading a salon, growing a business, or simply navigating a season of personal growth, this episode is a reminder that conscious leadership starts from within. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon

July 26, 202649 min

The leadership lessons that built multiple award-winning salons | Maria Unali

What does it really take to build a salon that thrives without relying on you every single day? In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with award-winning salon owner Maria Unali to explore the leadership journey behind building multiple successful salons, creating an incredible team culture, and learning how to step back without sacrificing growth. Maria shares the lessons she's learned over decades in the industry, from taking over her father's salon, navigating motherhood while growing a business, embracing conscious leadership, and using AI to streamline operations and create more freedom. This is an honest conversation about leadership, resilience, personal growth, and building a business that supports the life you want to live. In this episode, you'll learn: 💼 How Maria built multiple award-winning salons and a thriving salon culture 🌱 Why conscious leadership transformed the way she leads her team 🤝 The importance of hiring for values and building long-term team alignment 👩‍👧 How motherhood changed her approach to leadership and business 💬 Why the conversations you avoid today become the problems you face tomorrow 🚀 How to create a salon that can grow without relying on you every day 🤖 How AI is helping salon owners save time, create systems, and lead more effectively Whether you're growing your first salon or leading a large team, Maria's story is packed with practical leadership lessons and mindset shifts that will leave you thinking differently about what it means to build a successful business. To follow Maria's journey: https://www.instagram.com/maria_unali/ ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ To follow our journey: Instagram @aheadhair_ @the_conscious_salon