The Hairdresser Strong Show

Hosted by Hatching Imagination, LLC

Business Entrepreneurship Arts Education

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200

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.⁠

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June 15, 202635 min

Building Your Investment Plan as a Beauty Pro | Nicole C. Carson, CFP®, MBA | Founder & Financial Planner | 2nd Story Wealth Planners

You do not need to be rich to start investing. But you do need a plan.In this episode, Nicole Carson, CFP®, MBA and founder of 2nd Story Wealth Planners, breaks down how beauty professionals can start building an investment plan around real-life factors like debt, uneven income, taxes, retirement goals, and fear of the market. She explains why investing is not only for wealthy people and how consistency, time, and a clear plan can help beauty pros build long-term financial security.🚨🎤 Nicole Carson will be taking the stage at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where we’ll go deeper on how beauty pros can stop putting wealth-building off, understand their investment options, plan for retirement, and create a simple framework to start building long-term financial security from where they are now.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅You do not need to be wealthy to start investing - Nicole explains that investing is not only for millionaires, and many people can begin with a small monthly amount.🔅Debt does not always mean you have to wait - Nicole says paying down debt and investing can happen together, depending on the type of debt, your goals, and your timeline.🔅Your investment plan starts with your goal - Retirement, buying a home, building wealth, or creating more freedom all require different strategies.🔅Uneven income needs a system - Beauty pros often have income that changes week to week, so looking at your average income over time can help you choose a realistic amount to save or invest.🔅Emergency money should stay accessible - Money you may need quickly, like emergency savings or tax money, should usually be kept somewhere easier to access.🔅Time in the market matters more than timing the market - Nicole explains that trying to wait for the perfect time can keep people stuck, while consistent investing helps build over time.🔅Investing feels emotional because money is emotional - Fear of losing money, choosing the wrong investment, or not knowing enough can stop people from starting.🔅Taxes have to be part of the plan - For 1099 workers, suite owners, and business owners, saving for taxes regularly is part of building financial stability.🔅Wealth is usually built through consistency - This conversation is not about getting rich quick. It is about steady habits, clear goals, and staying committed over time.RELATED LINKS👉Follow Nicole on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicolecarson.fp/👉Follow 2nd Story Wealth Planners on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/2nd_storywealth/The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

June 8, 202628 min

Retention, Loyalty, and the Client Experience | Jozlyn Miller | Manager of Education & Industry Expert | Boulevard

In this episode, Jozlyn Miller, Manager of Education and Industry Expert at Boulevard, breaks down why retention may be one of the most profitable growth strategies beauty professionals are underusing.She shares how improving the client experience, rebooking conversations, service add-ons, memberships, and client education can help salons and spas increase revenue from existing clients.🚨🎤 Jozlyn will be taking the stage at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where we’ll go deeper on untapped revenue, elevating the client experience, empowering your team, and the proven retention strategies that help beauty pros stop chasing new clients, drive fierce loyalty, and unlock the profit already sitting in their existing books.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅Your next revenue opportunity may already be in your client list - Jozlyn explains that current clients, past clients, and loyal repeat clients all create opportunities to increase revenue without only chasing new business.🔅Retention starts with the full client journey - Booking, consultation, service, checkout, rebooking, follow-up, and return visits all shape whether a client comes back.🔅Rebooking needs more intention - Instead of simply asking, “Do you want to rebook?” guide the client toward the timing, reason, and value of their next appointment.🔅Client experience creates word-of-mouth growth - When clients feel valued, cared for, and treated like VIPs, they are more likely to talk about the business and refer people.🔅Your team needs to understand the vision - If owners want a better client experience, the team needs education, language, and tools to deliver it consistently.🔅Add-ons, memberships, and packages can grow revenue - The opportunity is not just offering them, but training the team to communicate their value without sounding salesy.🔅Retention is a revenue strategy - Better communication, education, consistency, trust, loyalty, and referrals all connect back to stronger revenue.🚨🎤 Jozlyn will be taking the stage at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where we’ll go deeper on untapped revenue, elevating the client experience, empowering your team, and the proven retention strategies that help beauty pros stop chasing new clients, drive fierce loyalty, and unlock the profit already sitting in their existing books.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchRELATED LINKS👉Follow Jozlyn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jozlyn.deshawn/👉Follow Boulevard on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joinblvd/Boulevard is an all-in-one business management and client experience platform purpose-built to streamline daily operations for salons, spas, and independent beauty professionals. It empowers hairdressers by handling online booking, smart calendar scheduling, automated client reminders, marketing, and point-of-sale checkout in one seamless system, allowing you to maximize your revenue and focus on your craft.The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

June 1, 202626 min

Missed Messages, Missed Money: How Communication Gaps Cost You Clients | Shawna Murphy | Founder, Style Smart VA | Hairstylist & Educator

In this episode, Shawna Murphy, Founder of Style Smart VA, breaks down one of the easiest ways beauty professionals lose money without realizing it: missed or unmanaged client communication.She explains how auditing your DMs, texts, emails, forms, and follow-ups can help you capture more inquiries, book more clients, increase repeat visits, and stop letting revenue slip through the cracks.🚨🎤Shawna will be leading the VIP session at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where we’ll go deeper on missed DMs, delayed responses, follow-up gaps, and the communication systems that help beauty pros capture more inquiries, book more clients, and increase retention.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅Missed messages can mean missed money - Shana calculated her own missed opportunities and found that dropped client communication was costing her around $2,500 a month.🔅Audit every place clients reach out - DMs, texts, emails, booking software, forms, website chats, and Facebook messages all need to be checked so potential clients do not fall through the cracks.🔅Capture contact information before they disappear - If someone reaches out but does not book, get their phone number and email so you can stay in front of them later.🔅Treat inquiries like sales opportunities - Every person who messages, calls, or fills out a form has potential revenue attached to them, even if they are not ready to book today.🔅Track people who do not book right away - Add them to your booking software, CRM, or email list so you can follow up instead of losing them completely.🔅Follow up after the appointment - A personal follow-up can confirm they are happy, create space for adjustments, encourage reviews, and help bring them back.🔅Retention starts with communication - The client experience starts before they walk in and continues after they leave, which means stronger communication can lead to more rebooking, referrals, and long-term revenue.RELATED LINKS👉Follow Shawna on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shawnaarielhair/👉Follow Style Smart VA (Virtual Assistants) on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stylesmartva/🚨🎤Shawna will be leading the VIP session at the 4th annual Beauty Business Brunch on July 19th in Washington, DC, where we’ll go deeper on missed DMs, delayed responses, follow-up gaps, and the communication systems that help beauty pros capture more inquiries, book more clients, and increase retention.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchThe Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

May 25, 202637 min

Systems & Scaling Locations | Jannay McIver | Owner, Asili Hair Care Center | www.asilihaircarecenter.com

In this episode, Jannay McIver, Owner of Asili Hair Care Center, breaks down what salon owners need to have in place before scaling to multiple locations. From documenting every part of the client experience to knowing your numbers, trusting your team, and building systems that work without everything living in your head, this conversation is a practical look at what it really takes to grow a salon business.🚨🎤Jannay will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅Your first location needs to work without you - Before opening another location, your current salon should be profitable without you being the main revenue source.🔅Trust has to be built into the business model - Scaling requires trusting other people with your brand, your standards, and your client experience.🔅Write down the small details - Budgets and handbooks matter, but so do the words used during consultation, checkout, the shampoo bowl, and rebooking.🔅Put systems where people use them - Don’t just leave processes in a Google Drive. Put scripts, checklists, and reminders where the work actually happens.🔅Know your numbers before you grow - Accurate bookkeeping, accounting, payroll, product costs, marketing spend, and staff costs all need to be clear before expansion.🔅Your POS system is part of your growth strategy - Client information, booking, forms, reminders, email marketing, and access permissions should be organized before adding locations.🔅Not every problem is a fire - A bad review, mistake, or hiccup may be a signal that something needs to be clarified, not a reason to take everything back over yourself.🔅Leadership changes when the business grows - At a certain point, everybody cannot be your friend. Standards need to be consistent across locations.🔅Everyone does not want what you want - One of Jannay’s lessons in scaling was realizing not everyone wants to operate like a business owner or professionalize the same way.🔅Rooms like BBB matter because business can feel isolating - Jannay talked about the value of spaces where beauty professionals can talk about money, systems, leadership, marketing, growth, and what actually works.RELATED LINKS👉Follow Jannay on Instagram👉Follow Asili Hair Care Center on Instagram🚨🎤Jannay will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchThe Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

May 18, 202642 min

Why Cosmetology Schools Are at Risk and What the Industry Needs to Know | Charles Riser JR, Co-CEO & Co-Founder, Paul Mitchell Temple Academies (Annapolis & Frederick)

In this episode, Charles Riser Jr., Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Paul Mitchell Temple Academies in Annapolis and Frederick, breaks down the federal rule changes that could affect cosmetology schools, student funding, and access to beauty education.He explains why the wage metrics being used are flawed, how the data fails to reflect the real earning power of licensed professionals, and why the industry needs to get louder, more informed, and more involved.📣🚨Submit your comment by Wed. May 20 - https://myaacs.org/submit-your-comment/Key Takeaways:🔅Understand what is actually being measured - The issue is not simply whether cosmetology graduates make money, but how the government is comparing graduate earnings against flawed high school graduate wage data.🔅The data comparison is not apples to apples - Charles explains that the rule compares cosmetology graduates about three years out of school to high school graduates roughly fourteen years out, creating a distorted wage comparison.🔅Part-time work changes the picture - Industry data shows many beauty professionals work part-time early in their careers, which can make annual income look lower even when hourly earning power is strong.🔅Access to education is what is really at stake - If schools lose access to federal funding, students who rely on Pell Grants and federal loans may lose their pathway into cosmetology, barbering, aesthetics, and related trades.🔅This impacts more than one school or one state - Charles explains that the issue could affect accredited cosmetology schools nationally, especially because accredited institutions train a large share of industry graduates.🔅Do not confuse accountability with bad data - Holding schools accountable is one conversation, but using flawed wage metrics to determine program value creates a separate and serious problem.🔅The industry needs a seat at the table - Regulations affecting licensure, education, sanitation, funding, and schools are being discussed whether beauty professionals are paying attention or not.🔅One person can change policy - Charles gives examples of individual people influencing legislation, including mobile salons and blow-dry licensing in Maryland.🔅Claiming tips matters beyond taxes - Underreporting income affects borrowing power, long-term financial stability, and the way the government measures the value of the profession.🔅Take action before May 20 - Charles says the industry needs to submit comments before the May 20 deadline, contact representatives, and get loud before the regulation moves forward. If the rule goes into place in July, the first round of pass/fail data could come out shortly after, putting schools on a path toward monitoring and potential loss of federal funding.Dive Deeper & Learn More📣🚨Submit your comment by Wed. May 20 - https://myaacs.org/submit-your-comment/SALON SPA AND BARBERSHOP GUIDE:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iHeQnVZoCNbe2f6BSZaT6qp1fI7_adaB/viewIntended for employers. This guide translates the same core issues into workforce language, focusing on hiring, time to earnings, hours worked, tips, flexibility, and the importance of access to accredited training programs for maintaining a worker pipeline. It also encourages employers to submit their own public comments.MODERN SALON ARTICLE: https://www.modernsalon.com/1097189/americas-beauty-and-wellness-industry-under-threat-from-proposed-regulations-nowPBA LETTER TO Department of Education: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12atDVoND2zsluj9PVGpJJOMVrw35YMO3/view2024 Salon Chain Compensation Study - https://www.qnityforschools.com/blog/new-chain-salon-study-reveals-critical-insights-beauty-school-educatorsThe Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

May 11, 202643 min

Salon Team Building: Recruitment, Leadership, and Retention | Ash Fortis | Stylist & Owner, XO Hair Lab | Director of Education & Global Artistic Development, Sharkfin Shears

In this episode, Ash Fortis, owner of XO Hair Lab and Director of Education at Sharkfin Shears, breaks down what it actually takes to build and retain a strong salon team.From recruitment and assistant training to leadership, communication, boundaries, and retention, Ash shares how structure, support, and clear expectations create a salon culture where people can grow and stay.🚨🎤Ash will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅Recruitment cannot be reactive - If you wait until you desperately need someone, you are already behind. Strong owners build applicant flow and relationships before there is an emergency.🔅Hire for self-motivation and reliability - Ash names self-motivation and reliability as two of the top traits she looks for when building a team, no matter the role.🔅Create the environment for people to thrive - New talent needs clear expectations, support, education, and structure if they are going to succeed inside the business.🔅Give people systems before judging their performance - Handbooks, service lists, double-booking systems, downtime expectations, and clear salon policies help people understand how to meet the standard.🔅Assistants should feel utilized, not used - A strong assistant program includes mentorship, education, hands-on learning, and a visible growth pathway.🔅Growth timelines should be individualized - Some assistants may be ready in six months, others may need a year or two, depending on skill, timing, professionalism, and readiness.🔅Leadership is service, not control - Ash frames leadership as servitude, empathy, support, and helping people succeed while still upholding what the business needs.🔅Retention depends on communication - Regular check-ins, honest conversations, goal-setting, and listening help owners understand where team members are and what support they need.🔅Boundaries protect the culture - Heart-led leadership still requires clear lines, especially when personal relationships, loyalty, and team dynamics start to blur.🔅You have to make the right calls for the culture - Even talented people can damage the environment if they ignore standards or undermine the team. Culture requires protection.RELATED LINKS📸Follow Ash on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xostylistxo/📸Follow XO Hair Lab on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xohairlab/🌱Check out Ash's book "Hair to Dye for" - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hair-to-Dye-For/Ash-Fortis/9781681885049🚨🎤Ash will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunch🔑BBB is a full-day conference for stylists, barbers, owners, educators, and students who want more than just being busy. We're talking sustainability, money, professionalism, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

May 4, 202646 min

Heart-Led Leadership & Hard Decisions: Culture, Resilience, and Rebuilding a Salon Team | Ash Fortis | Stylist & Owner, XO Hair Lab | Director of Education, Sharkfin Shears

In this episode, Ash Fortis, owner of XO Hair Lab and Director of Education at Sharkfin Shears, shares how health challenges, financial pressure, sweat equity, and major business setbacks shaped the leader she became.From navigating a team walkout during COVID to rebuilding stronger, Ash breaks down the hard side of heart-led leadership: protecting the culture, making difficult decisions, and creating a salon team that can actually last.🚨🎤Ash will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchKey Takeaways:🔅Build proof before you ask for opportunity - Ash used a portfolio, before-and-afters, and professionalism early in her career to show salons what she could do before she had years of experience.🔅Sweat equity is part of building something real - Ash’s experience with education, brand building, and ownership shows that many opportunities require time, investment, and unpaid effort before the payoff comes.🔅Leadership requires hard decisions - Heart-led owners still have to protect the business, the brand, and the team, even when the decision is emotionally difficult.🔅Culture cannot survive constant exceptions - If one person is repeatedly violating the standards, it affects the rest of the team and weakens the trust in leadership.🔅Being respected matters more than being liked - Ash talks about having to shift away from needing validation and into stronger leadership, especially when making decisions that protect the salon.🔅Know your numbers before generosity breaks the business - Supporting your team matters, but Ash also had to adjust commissions, pricing, and financial systems so the salon could remain sustainable.🔅Recruitment should never stop - Strong owners are always building relationships, hosting education, creating visibility, and staying connected to people who may align with the brand later.RELATED LINKS📸Follow Ash on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xostylistxo/📸Follow XO Hair Lab on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/xohairlab/🌱Check out Ash's book "Hair to Dye for" - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Hair-to-Dye-For/Ash-Fortis/9781681885049🚨🎤Ash will be joining the Owner’s Panel at our upcoming Conference, Beauty Business Brunch 2026 in DC, where we’ll go deeper on leadership, management, growth, and what it really takes to build a strong beauty business from the inside.👀Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunch🔑BBB is a full-day conference for stylists, barbers, owners, educators, and students who want more than just being busy. We're talking sustainability, money, professionalism, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

April 28, 20269 min

HdS NEWS: Economic Uncertainty + Spending Pullback + Client Behavior + Tech & Market Trends

In this HdS News update, we break down why clients are becoming more selective and how that’s showing up in your chair, your pricing conversations, and your bookings.From tighter spending to higher expectations, this episode explains what’s actually changing and what to do about it.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:🔅Clients are more selective, not disappearing - Bookings are still happening, but clients are questioning add-ons, spacing appointments, and thinking harder about spending🔅Ticket size is under pressure - You may not be losing clients, but you may be losing revenue per visit as clients adjust their habits🔅Pushback is emotional, not personal - Clients aren’t reacting to you, they’re reacting to rising costs in their everyday life, but you’re the one they express it to🔅Clients now need to be convinced - The shift from “I want this” to “is this worth it?” means clarity, consistency, and experience matter more than ever🔅High-value clients are still spending, but expecting more - Precision, customization, and a premium experience are now the baseline🔅Retention is the priority right now - This is not the time to overextend; it’s the time to strengthen systems, relationships, and consistency🔅You don’t own your audience on social - Real relationships and direct communication matter more than platform reach🔅The opportunity is in adapting - The professionals who win right now are the ones who understand the shift and adjust how they operateOne of our missions is to raise the esteem and perceived importance & value of hairdressers across the USA. HdS NEWS is part of that effort. We believe to achieve this goal, we must raise the bar of professionalism, service, and sophistication of hairdressers. We hope you enjoy the news and look forward to your comments!CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our Blog DISCLAIMER: Robert holds a B.A. in Business Administration with a Minor in Finance. Robert curates the news and explains his understanding. We suggest you use this information to talk with your financial advisor, business advisor, and/or CPA. Legal counsel may be required for some of your decisions as well. If you want business advice from Hairdresser Strong, you can hire us as a consultant/advisor, but we are not financial advisors, lawyers, or accountants.THIS IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE. THIS IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. IF YOU NEED LEGAL, TAX, OR FINANCIAL ADVICE, SEE A LAWYER, CPA, OR FINANCIAL ADVISOR, RESPECTIVELY

April 20, 202642 min

From High School Dropout to Industry Leader: Building Salons, Teams, and Opportunity | Scott J Buchanan | President, Intercoiffure America Canada | Multi-location Salon Owner, Scott J Salons

In this episode, Scott J shares how a series of unexpected opportunities, relentless learning, and a willingness to say yes led him from a high school dropout to building a multi-location salon business and becoming President of Intercoiffure America Canada.He breaks down the realities of scaling, leadership, and why long-term success in this industry is built on education, community, and the willingness to say yes.Follow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:🔅Say yes to opportunity - Many of Scott’s biggest breakthroughs came from conversations and chances he didn’t plan for but chose to take🔅Education is the foundation of long-term success - Continuous training and staying humble enough to keep learning is what sustains a career over decades🔅You don’t need perfect conditions to start - Scott opened his first salon without money or a clear roadmap and figured it out as he went🔅Build businesses that create opportunity for others - Expanding to multiple locations was about giving his team room to grow, not just increasing revenue🔅Growth isn’t always scaling up - Moving from five salons to two was a strategic decision to build stronger, more focused businesses🔅Trust your instincts when making decisions - The right environments and opportunities often come from intuition, not overthinking🔅Relationships are the real asset - Long-term clients and team members are what create stability and longevity in this industry🔅Leadership evolves over time - Success shifts from personal achievement to serving your team, your community, and the industryRELATED LINKS📸Follow Scott on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scottj_dreambuilder_/📸Follow Scott J Salons on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/scottjaveda/📸Follow Intercoiffure America Canada on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intercoiffureac/⭐️Check out Intercoiffure America Canada's Website - https://www.instagram.com/intercoiffureac/The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com

April 13, 202648 min

From Toxic to Intentional: Why Clean Beauty Isn’t About Perfection, It’s About Better Decisions | Jacquelyn Rodriguez | Founder, The Clean Beauty Biz Coach & Enlightened Styles | Co-Founder & Educational Director, Green Beauty Community

In this episode, Jacquelyn Rodriguez shares how clean beauty went from a personal wake-up call to a more intentional way of running a salon. She walks through the challenges of shifting away from traditional products, the resistance and learning curve that comes with it, and why trying to be perfect often holds people back from starting.Instead, she makes the case for a more practical approach one rooted in better decisions that impact your health, your clients, and the long-term sustainability of your business.🚨 Jacquelyn will also be leading a 📚breakout workshop on 🌱Clean Beauty at our upcoming Beauty Business Brunch in Washington, DC. Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchFollow/subscribe to be the first to know when new episodes are released. Like what you hear? Leave us a review!Key Takeaways:🔅Clean beauty is not all-or-nothing - It’s about making better decisions over time, not trying to get everything perfect at once🔅If you don’t define your “why,” it becomes a trend - Without a clear reason behind your decisions, sustainability becomes something you start and stop instead of something you build into your business.🔅Education creates demand - Clients didn’t ask for clean beauty at first. Awareness was built through conversations behind the chair over time.🔅Your environment impacts your health - Long-term exposure to products and chemicals affects how you feel, not just how your work looks🔅Sustainability can reduce waste and cost - Reusing tools, reducing waste, and simplifying processes can lower expenses over time.🔅Overconsumption doesn’t equal better results - More products and more steps don’t always improve outcomes🔅Leadership is about direction, not perfection - Setting a standard and improving over time is what builds trustRELATED LINKS📸Follow Jacquelyn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cleanbeautybizcoach/📸Follow Green Beauty Community on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/greenbeautycommunityfoundation/?g=5🌱Check out Jacquelyn's Website - https://cleanbeautybiz.com/🚨 Jacquelyn will also be leading a 📚breakout workshop on 🌱Clean Beauty at our upcoming Beauty Business Brunch in Washington, DC. Learn more and join us: https://www.hairdresserstrong.com/beauty-business-brunchBBB is a full-day conference for stylists, barbers, owners, educators, and students who want more than just being busy. We're talking sustainability, money, professionalism, and what it actually takes to build something that lasts.The Hairdresser Strong Show is all about Salon Owners, Rising Stylists, and Seasoned Stylists sharing their experiences, successes, failures, and advice to inform, educate, and empower their Fellow Hairdresser. We won’t stop until we are all: Hairdresser Strong.CONNECT WITH US📬 Subscribe to our free newsletter📸 Connect on Instagram🎵 Connect on TikTok📺 Watch on YouTube📝 Check out our BlogThe views and opinions of our guests are theirs and important to hear. Each guest's views and opinions are their own and we aim to bring you diverse perspectives, career paths and thoughts about the craft and industry so you can become Hairdresser Strong! They do not necessarily reflect the positions of HairdresserStrong.com