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So many salon owners spend their time looking sideways instead of forward. They watch what everyone else is doing, copy systems, pricing, commission structures, and branding, and hope that if it worked for someone else, it will magically work for them, too.

In this episode, we talk about why copying is one of the most dangerous habits in business. Not because learning from others is wrong, but because blindly copying skips the most important part: understanding your numbers, your values, your clients, and your vision.

We break down why templates, playbooks, and “just follow this person” advice often fail, how copying becomes a shortcut for thinking, and why running someone else’s business will never build confidence or long-term stability. We also talk about pricing, commission models, culture, AI, education, and why learning principles matter more than memorizing answers.

If you want a salon that feels aligned, sustainable, and truly yours, this episode will challenge you to stop copying and start building.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.
Borrow the principles. Build your own systems.

Key Takeaways

• Copying is often a shortcut for thinking.
• Templates don’t replace understanding your own business.
• Blindly following others skips responsibility and learning.
• Pricing without knowing your numbers is dangerous.
• Being great technically doesn’t mean you’re ready to run a business.
• Borrow principles, not full systems.
• Culture becomes shallow when it isn’t built on your own values.
• Copying guarantees you’ll always be second best.
• Confidence comes from building something you understand.
• Small, intentional changes beat massive overhauls.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Welcome + why people copy
01:00 – Jen’s opening take: have the conversation
05:00 – Todd’s opening take: AI, tools, and base knowledge
10:00 – Why copying feels safer than deciding
13:00 – Pricing without knowing numbers is dangerous
15:00 – Technician skill ≠ business skill
17:00 – Why copying avoids responsibility
20:00 – Facebook advice vs real problem solving
22:00 – Copying skips learning
25:00 – Dunning-Kruger effect in business
28:00 – Borrow principles, not templates
30:00 – Cooking analogy: recipes vs techniques
32:00 – Discounts don’t fix broken systems
35:00 – Copying creates a shallow culture
37:00 – You can only be second best when you copy
39:00 – What to ask instead of “what should I charge?”
42:00 – Build the business you want to work in
44:00 – Small changes > total overhauls
46:00 – Final thoughts: build your own path

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We see so many salon owners who are busy every day but still feel stuck. They’re cleaning, reorganizing, researching, scrolling, and “preparing,” yet nothing meaningful seems to change. The problem isn’t effort. The problem is direction.

In this episode, we talk about momentum and what actually moves the needle in your business. We break down why busy work feels productive but rarely compounds, why indecision often disguises itself as preparation, and how small, boring decisions create far more progress than flashy ones.

We share real examples from our own journey, from complicated booking systems and tree-named stylist levels to endless research on vacuums, software, and tools that ultimately don’t matter. Momentum isn’t built through perfection. It’s built through action, testing, and refining.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.

Momentum comes when you stop waiting for certainty and start making decisions that actually shape your future.

Key Takeaways

• Busy work creates motion, not momentum.
• Momentum is built through decisions, not perfection.
• Simple systems outperform creative but confusing ones.
• Endless research often hides fear of commitment.
• Owners must make the uncomfortable decisions others can’t.
• Reputation and culture compound faster than tactics.
• Boring work usually produces the biggest growth.
• Systems don’t need to be perfect to be powerful.
• Indecision is more expensive than mistakes.
• Momentum grows when action replaces hesitation.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Welcome + defining momentum
01:00 — Jen’s opening take: simple booking beats creative systems
03:00 — Todd’s opening take: sunk cost fallacy
05:00 — Why busy ≠ progress
07:00 — Technician vs entrepreneur mindset
09:00 — The danger of endless research
11:00 — Social media consumption vs real work
13:00 — What momentum actually creates (clients + hiring)
15:00 — Reputation and culture compound
17:00 — Shortcuts vs long-term leadership
19:00 — Boring work builds businesses
21:00 — Indecision disguised as preparation
23:00 — Decisions only owners should make
25:00 — Systems, standards, and consistency
27:00 — Discomfort is part of momentum
29:00 — Final thoughts + new year momentum

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The start of a new year often comes with pressure: new goals, new systems, new ideas, and a long list of things people think they should be doing. But more often than not, that approach creates chaos instead of clarity.

In this episode, we talk about how to kick off a new year in your business without overcomplicating it. We break down why adding more isn’t usually the answer, why pausing to assess matters more than rushing forward, and how clarity, simplicity, and focus create real momentum.

We also discuss education, leadership, systems, and why so many businesses stay stuck repeating the same problems year after year. From writing things down instead of keeping them in your head, to choosing one problem to solve instead of ten, this episode is about building a stronger foundation before you try to build anything new.

If you’re entering the year feeling motivated but overwhelmed, this conversation will help you slow down, refocus, and move forward with intention, one step at a time.

Key Takeaways

• The new year doesn’t require more ideas — it requires clarity.
• Education, leadership, and systems should serve the people they impact.
• Simplicity is harder than complexity — and far more effective.
• Keeping things “in your head” guarantees confusion for your team.
• Written systems reduce repeated questions and owner burnout.
• Solving one problem well is better than touching ten problems poorly.
• Real change takes time, testing, and patience.
• Promises to your team only matter if they’re delivered.
• Busy work creates noise; focused work creates progress.
• You don’t need a full reset — you need a clear next step.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Welcome + first episode of 2026
01:00 — New year pressure and doing too much too fast
02:00 — Jen’s opening take: education should serve others, not ego
04:00 — Todd’s opening take: simplicity beats overwhelm in education
06:00 — Why “dazzling” people doesn’t equal teaching
08:00 — Foundations matter more than advanced techniques
09:30 — Adding more vs assessing what already exists
11:00 — Getting ideas out of your head and onto paper
12:30 — Mission statements, SOPs, and clarity for teams
14:30 — Why teams get confused when systems aren’t written
16:30 — Staff asking peers instead of owners (and why it happens)
18:00 — Choosing one problem to solve first
19:30 — Why slow progress is still progress
21:00 — How long real change actually takes
23:00 — What Hello Hair focused on last year
25:00 — Promises vs delivery and owner accountability
27:00 — Reordering priorities as the year unfolds
29:00 — Noise, trends, and low-impact decisions
31:00 — Why busy doesn’t mean productive
33:00 — What actually grows a business
34:30 — One system, one number, one relationship
36:00 — Final thoughts: simplify, focus, and move intentionally

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This is our final episode of 2025, and instead of predictions or tactics, we wanted to pause and reflect.

We discuss what we’ve seen this year in the salon industry: the widening gap between growing and struggling businesses, the mindset shifts that set Tier-A salons apart, and why customer service, leadership, and long-term thinking matter more than ever.

We share real stories from inside our salon, mentoring moments, client experiences, leadership decisions, and hard truths about where the industry is headed. We talk about gratitude, resilience, and why quitting too early often means missing the moment when things finally start to work.

This episode is about perspective, patience, and staying human in an industry that sometimes forgets it’s a service business.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others. As we head into 2026, our message is simple: keep going.

Key Takeaways

• Gratitude and consistency matter more than viral moments.
• Confidence is often the missing piece — not technical skill.
• Leadership includes teaching people how to succeed, not just telling them to try harder.
• Collaborative salons create better client experiences and stronger teams.
• The industry is splitting between businesses that evolve and businesses that blame.
• Customer service is becoming the ultimate competitive advantage.
• Short-term thinking destroys long-term opportunity.
• Grace builds loyalty faster than rigid policies.
• Leaders don’t need all the answers — they need curiosity and resources.
• If you believe in what you’re building, don’t quit too early.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Welcome + final episode of 2025
01:00 — Todd’s opening take: gratitude, not quitting too early
05:00 — Jen’s opening take: leadership, confidence, and mentoring Piper
09:00 — Teaching confidence vs teaching technical skill
11:00 — Collaboration over scarcity with clients
14:00 — Industry reflection: struggling salons vs growing salons
17:00 — Customer service as the real differentiator
19:00 — The “artist over service” mindset problem
21:00 — Short-term thinking vs lifetime client value
24:00 — Grace, cancellation policies, and long-term loyalty
27:00 — Not needing all the answers as a leader
29:00 — Asking better questions, finding better resources
31:00 — What’s coming to the podcast in 2026
33:00 — Final thoughts, gratitude, and closing

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Slow seasons happen in every industry, and the salon industry is no exception. But while slow periods are predictable, panic is optional.

In this episode, we talk about why seasonal slowdowns shouldn’t feel shocking, why reacting emotionally makes things worse, and how both salon owners and stylists can prepare ahead of time instead of scrambling at the last minute. We break down the difference between panic and passivity, why discounting usually backfires, and how to build systems that keep your business steady year after year.

We also share practical ways to use slow seasons productively: tightening systems, improving consultations, planning financially, strengthening client relationships, and maintaining strong team morale.

Slow doesn’t mean broken; it means you have information, time, and opportunity to improve your business.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.

Slow seasons don’t have to derail you — they can actually make your business stronger.

Key Takeaways

• Slow seasons are predictable patterns, not sudden failures.
• Panic and passivity are both reactive — leadership is proactive.
• Data and year-over-year numbers matter more than feelings.
• Planning removes stress when business slows.
• Discounts attract price-first clients, not loyal ones.
• Strong consultations and rebooking conversations drive stability.
• Marketing works when it’s consistent, not reactive.
• Slow periods are ideal for systems, training, and leadership work.
• Small experience upgrades build massive client loyalty.
• Panic is optional — preparation is powerful.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Welcome + holiday context
02:00 — Jen’s opening take: systems fail (even trash bags)
05:00 — Todd’s opening take: gratitude, perspective, slowing down
07:00 — Slow seasons are patterns, not emergencies
09:00 — Panic vs passivity (and why neither works)
11:00 — Seasonality, weather, and predictable slowdowns
13:00 — Why confirmation bias online keeps owners stuck
15:00 — What salon owners can work on during slow periods
18:00 — Budgeting, staffing, reserves, and planning ahead
21:00 — Marketing consistency vs last-minute scrambling
23:00 — Opportunities hidden inside open schedule space
25:00 — What stylists can do to prepare before slow seasons
27:00 — Rebooking conversations that actually work
29:00 — Retention, education, referrals, and visibility
31:00 — Executing during slow seasons without panicking
33:00 — Leadership, morale, and coaching during downtime
35:00 — Social media is not a panic button
37:00 — Why discounting hurts more than it helps
41:00 — Client experience upgrades that don’t involve discounts
44:00 — Small details that create loyalty
46:00 — Final thoughts: plan, embrace, panic is optional

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We see it constantly: salon owners saying they’re overwhelmed, stressed, exhausted, and unsure what to work on next. They’re putting in the effort, working long hours, and still feeling behind, and it doesn’t have to be that way.

In this episode, we break down why overwhelm shows up so often for salon owners and why it’s usually not a time or effort problem. We talk about bad advice, vague soundbites, echo chambers, and the pressure to do everything at once, and how all of that creates mental fatigue instead of progress.

We also share practical ways to reduce overwhelm immediately: narrowing priorities, identifying what season your business is in, eliminating services and tasks that don’t serve you, focusing on one problem at a time, and replacing multitasking with focused work that actually moves your business forward.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you slow the noise, regain clarity, and take back control — one decision at a time.

Key Takeaways

• Overwhelm is usually a priority problem, not a workload problem.
• Vague advice and soundbites create confusion, not clarity.
• Multitasking increases stress and reduces meaningful progress.
• Focused work outperforms scattered effort.
• Small wins build momentum; something is always better than nothing.
• Simplifying services and tasks reduces mental load.
• Every business moves through seasons; you can’t work on all of them at once.
• Money, people, demand, and systems are the most common constraints.
• Systems reduce chaos and decision fatigue over time.
• Overwhelm fades when clarity, focus, and ownership increase.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Why salon owners feel overwhelmed
01:00 — Jen’s opening take: saying no, staying in your lane
04:00 — Todd’s opening takes: technician vs owner + complacency
06:00 — Bad advice, soundbites, and industry echo chambers
09:00 — Why vague guidance creates paralysis
11:00 — Multitasking, task-switching, and mental fatigue
13:00 — Focused work blocks and the “accomplished list”
15:00 — Small wins > doing nothing
16:00 — Confirmation bias and online noise
18:00 — Eliminating services, simplifying menus, reducing friction
20:00 — Business seasons: growth, repair, stabilization, preparation
22:00 — Stop trying to do every season at once
23:00 — Common constraints: money, people, demand, systems
25:00 — Systems reduce chaos and decision fatigue
27:00 — Avoidance, uncomfortable tasks, and leadership growth
29:00 — Final thoughts: focus, clarity, one step forward

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We hear it all the time: “Stop working in your business and start working on it.”
The problem? Almost no one explains what that actually means.

In this episode, we break down what salon owners should really be working on when they’re not behind the chair and why so many owners step back only to feel stuck, unproductive, or pulled right back into old habits.

We talk about why cleaning, hovering, answering phones, and “being available” aren’t owner work; how avoiding leadership decisions keeps businesses from growing; and why simply changing your location in the salon doesn’t change your role.

We explain the four buckets that owners are soley responsible for — money, people, growth, and systems — and how to structure your time so that the work you’re doing compounds, removes friction, and creates long-term stability.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others, and that starts with stepping into the work only you can do as an owner.

Key Takeaways

• Stepping away from the chair without redefining your role can lead to stagnation.
• Cleaning, answering phones, and hovering are not owner work.
• Owners avoid leadership decisions by defaulting to “busy” tasks.
• Pricing must be rooted in math, not emotion or staff opinion.
• Owners are responsible for money, people, growth, and systems — no one else.
• Support without direction creates dependency, not growth.
• Marketing only when slow guarantees continued slow seasons.
• Systems create freedom, consistency, and trust.
• Owner work should compound, remove friction, and create clarity.
• Fifteen focused minutes a day beats zero intentional effort.

Timestamps

00:00 — Why “working on the business” is rarely explained
02:00 — Opening takes: decision fatigue, snowstorms, and perspective
05:00 — Why pricing must be math-based, not emotional
07:00 — The mistake owners make after stepping away from the chair
09:00 — Changing your role vs changing your location
11:00 — Low-level work vs owner-level work
14:00 — Owner Bucket #1: Money (P&L, break-even, pricing, allocation)
18:00 — Why owners must own pricing decisions
20:00 — Owner Bucket #2: People (hiring, onboarding, training)
23:00 — Apprenticeships, assistants, and development pipelines
26:00 — Support without direction creates dependency
28:00 — Owner Bucket #3: Growth (marketing, branding, partnerships)
31:00 — Why marketing only when slow keeps you slow
33:00 — Owner Bucket #4: Systems and direction
36:00 — SOPs, standards, and consistency
38:00 — Hovering, over-availability, and lack of trust
40:00 — Owner self-development and mentorship
42:00 — How to audit your work: compounding, clarity, friction
44:00 — Weekly action steps + closing thoughts

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Slow seasons have a way of making people freeze. Owners hesitate. Teams lose momentum. Decisions get postponed while everyone waits to “see what happens.” But the truth is simple: nothing changes when you pause; everything changes when you lead.

In this episode, we talk about how to stay in motion when business feels slow. We break down why slow periods are often misdiagnosed, how mindset and leadership energy impact your team more than you realize, and why this time of year can actually be one of the most valuable windows for growth if you use it intentionally.

We also talk about knowing your numbers, using downtime to train and systemize, creating momentum instead of waiting for it, and why busy weeks are not a reason to take your foot off the gas. This conversation is about shifting from reaction to leadership, even (and especially) when things feel uncertain.

Your business should serve you, so that you can serve others.

Leadership doesn’t show up when things are easy — it shows up when it would be easier to wait.

Key Takeaways

• Slow seasons don’t hurt businesses — inaction does.
• Leadership energy matters more than words during downtime.
• Shiny new ideas won’t solve foundational business problems.
• Knowing your numbers reduces stress and clarifies decisions.
• Downtime is the best time for training, systems, and planning.
• Busy weeks still require marketing, content, and follow-through.
• Repeating “this month is always slow” guarantees it stays that way.
• Momentum comes from small, intentional actions — not waiting.
• Mentorship and outside perspective help you regain focus.
• Progress doesn’t require perfect conditions, just movement.

Time Stamps

00:00 — Welcome + why this episode is intentionally relaxed
01:00 — Jen’s opening take: self-care, sustainability, and planning ahead
04:00 — Todd’s opening take: shiny objects don’t fix real problems
07:00 — Why pausing during slow seasons makes things worse
10:00 — Leadership during downtime: keeping teams in motion
13:00 — Training, laundry, content, and creating positive momentum
16:00 — Why blaming the economy doesn’t help your business
18:00 — Knowing your numbers changes everything
21:00 — Reading your P&L and removing financial anxiety
23:00 — Busy weeks vs slow weeks — both require leadership
26:00 — Marketing, content, and staying visible year-round
29:00 — Fixing “October is always slow” thinking
32:00 — Automation, systems, and building stability
34:00 — When you feel stuck: get outside your echo chamber
36:00 — Mentorship, focus, and staying in forward motion
39:00 — Final thoughts + holiday reset

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