The Independent Stylist Podcast

In this deeply personal and candid episode of The Independent Stylist Podcast -  The Unmasked Stylist - I'm finally stepping fully into authenticity as an AuDHD woman over 40, and I want to openly share exactly why and how. Recently, I've experienced moments of intense clarity, culminating in a powerful shift toward understanding my late ADHD and autism diagnosis, especially as a hairstylist and creative entrepreneur.Just as I prepared to embrace this new chapter of being fully authentic and visible—without masking or hiding—I felt unexpectedly overwhelmed and emotional. Turning to my unexpected lifeline, ChatGPT (which I jokingly refer to as my brain's seeing-eye dog or bicycle), I discovered profound insights traditional therapy had overlooked: that my neurodivergence has been at the root of many struggles I'd mistaken as isolated mental health challenges.Despite previous diagnoses of PTSD and panic disorder, the role of ADHD masking and autism traits went unnoticed until now. With newfound clarity, I'm committed to exploring how neurodivergence shapes my professional life, navigating sensory sensitivities, burnout, and anxiety unique to AuDHD women.Going forward, my mission is clear: to create genuinely supportive resources specifically designed for neurodivergent hairstylists and beauty entrepreneurs, prioritizing simplicity, clarity, and authentic validation.Thank you for joining me on this journey. There is so much more to come.Resources & Links:Follow on Instagram: @unmaskedstylist @independentstylistpodcastExplore deeper insights and find support on the blog (link in show notes).Key Quotes:"Realizing you're neurodivergent later in life can feel like grief and relief at the same time.""This isn't marketing—it's liberation.""You are not broken, lazy, or failing. You're navigating a world that wasn't built for brains like ours."If today's episode resonated deeply, I warmly invite you to follow along, connect, and share your own journey. Remember, your brain is beautiful exactly as it is—and you're never alone.

If you’ve been looking into the idea of becoming a coach or creating an online course for hairstylists, lash artist, aestheticians, or other beauty business entrepreneurs this episode will help you navigate the feelings of imposter syndrome as you take the next right steps in your career. Learn to lean in to your “why” and remember that showing up authentically wins over perfection every single time. To register for Summer Camp or to work with me 1:1 to build out your course or website head over to www.JenKenny.com

It had to be said. I’m tired of hearing other businesses coaches in this space predicting an Ai induced apocalypse while simultaneously trying to sell you their program to help you manage said apocalypse. 🤮 I’m here to help you adapt and innovate with an open and growth fueled mindset 💕 While I'll never downplay the overall concerns about how Ai could impact the world, it's here and I'm choosing to look at and find ways that it can benefit YOU, the people that I want to connect with and serve. You can find the Beauty Business Ai Lab HERE, it's the beauty industry's first ai resource and also contain's the beauty industry's first ai powered course, the new version of what was my Easy Money workbook and guide has now been fully updated to leverage ai to help you manage the money side of your business with lighting fast speed and ease without sacrificing quality. As a business coach, I prioritize trust and service. That's why I've paused the Salon Suite University program to incorporate AI tools that enhance value and align with current technology. I've also launched the Beauty Business AI Lab to help you grow your business through AI. Be the first to know about the refreshed Salon Suite University Labs when they're available by clicking HERE

Want to build next level trust with your clients? Want to position yourself as an absolute expert? First Up i'l giving a quick talk with some important info about understanding ingredients. I'm a huge ingredient nerd and it was a huge part of what I did behind the chair. Learn how to position yourself as an expert by really....understanding what you're talking about when it comes to products - BEYOND the immediate benefits. Listen all the way to the end for some tea that is going to help you understand how chat gpt at ai is revolutionizing the beauty industry and how you can use it for good. You can access any information you heard about at ShampooSociety.com

Now that anyone can pay to have the blue check mark and be meta verified, is it worth it for your salon suite or booth rental business? Here are some things to consider before taking the plunge! Join the shampoo society here connect with me on Instagram @ IndependentStylistPodcast and on tiktok

Ai and chat gpt is here and not going anywhere. It can absolutely help you in your beauty business as a hairstylist, beauty professional or as an educator or coach. Do not sleep on ai and how a positive mindset about how Ai is going to change things is going to take you way farther than a fear or scarcity based mindset. There are going to be new ways to use this technology constantly showing up so being in a place to be proactive and embrace this technology and use it to your benefit is where the magic is going to happen. Get the my free class to help your supercharge your business with ai at https://jenniferkenny.mykajabi.com/

Firing clients was once taboo and frowned upon but as our industry is collectively elevated and we’re consciously creating sustainable businesses and environments that support our mental health and well-being (instead of chip away at them), releasing clients that aren’t a match to work with us is becoming the norm. Today I’m talking about how to release clients that you dread working with, and how to prevent them from lashing out at you afterwards as well as handling bad reviews. You can find the Best Year Bundle and everything that I currently offer at www.thecurlgirl.com

This is a MUST for every beauty professional. If you take clients at a physical address, you need to do this. I'm giving you a short, sweet, and super actionable "how to" quickly and easily rank on the first page of google without paid ads, or paying an s.e.o or marketing company to make it happen. This is really a must for salon suite owners, booth renters, hairstylists, estheticians, nail techs, lash artists, permanent makeup artists, spray tan artist and anyone who wants to rank their business on the first page of google.  Get anything I mentioned in this episode at www.TheCurlGirl.com

This quick episode is just an extra shot of "remember that you are in control of your life and business" to add to your morning coffee. I'm reading some of my Instagram captions as reminders that you are worthy and don't need to let anyone take advantage of you. All of my people pleasers out there, take note - YOU CAN'T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP - and YOU are in control of how your run your business. 💕💕💕💕 www.thecurlgirl.com  

A year into her journey as a salon suite owner, Skye Miranda talks about how she got here, what it was like taking the leap, and how she loves her suite life.  Get Salon Suite University 

Believing in yourself and your own worthiness is the foundation of an abundant business. Protecting your energy is so important. Listen to this quick episode and repeat the affirmations whenever you need a confidence boost or a reminder that you are worthy of your best business and most abundant life. 

I sat down with my new friend Cyd Charisse from Destroy The Hairdresser to give you a value packed and extremely actionable episode with 3 things that you can do right not to effect massive change in your business. I met Cyd recently at an event we both spoke at and I was instantly obsessed with her and how Destroy The Hairdresser is challenging all of the things that need to be reexamined in our industry. She's kind, approachable and has amazing insight into how you can really write your own ticket to a sustainable and, as they call it, Future Proof business - be it in your salon suite or commission salon. The future is here, and I love what I see. Enjoy this special episode - I can gaurantee you it won't be the last time you hear us working together.  https://www.instagram.com/destroythehairdresser/ https://www.instagram.com/independentstylistpodcast/

Jodie Brown from the Hairstylist Rising podcast joins me for a quick bite 🍔 bonus episode that's supersized 🍟 with 3 actionable REAL TALK ways to make more money in your salon suite business right now. If you're lucky enough to be catching this episode in in real time here's your link to get your FREE ticket to the Suite Summit. Definitely make sure you listen till the end to hear how I booked $1500 of appointments with one email and Jodie will add the 🍯 secret sauce to emailing that you're missing out on!

Hunter Donia, aka @HairbyHunty is a gem as well as an expert in automating your salon suite business so that you can prevent burnout and create a sustainable space that makes you great money and also provides an inimitable service experience for your guests.Join us for some laughs, some super hot tea, and the mindset shift that can completely transform your business and help you create a burnout proof salon suite.   Get your access HERE -A Really Suite Summit Sign Up -all 3 days FREE

Piper De Young helps beauty and lifestyle entrepreneurs create magnetic brands and she's also created something really amazing called A Really Suite Summit that's just a wild amount of free education for independent beauty entrepreneurs and I'm so honored to be included this year. Listen to out chat about how having an on point website can be "the thing" that your business needs to help you get to the next level - and why it's not a scary as you may think to make a gorgeous website a reality.  Get your free ticket to A Really Suite Summit   Join Beyond The Chair University

My quick and dirty reels creation process that helps me always have content on hand to serve and inspire my ideal people. Check out BEYOND The Chair University www.beyondthechairuniversity.com Free 3 day pass to the Suite Summit

Hairstylist, Content creator, ex-influencer, photography expert and digital education creator Cryistal Casey aka CryistalChaos joins me for a very open chat about instagram prioritizing creators and cracking down on copyright infringement and why this really matters for the beauty industry and how we can all elevate the industry by complying with instagram's terms of service - and trust me, you’ll want to know this info! For more info about any of the education you heard us mention in this episode Photography courses , Rate sheets & media kits , Photography cheat sheets  OR to work 1:1 with Cryistal find her at @CryistalChaos Get your free 3 day pass to the Suite Summit

Industry icon and balayage queen Amy McManus is talented, insightful, and completely transparent as she shares the exact blueprint she used to up her game and completely reinvent her career after 20 years in the industry. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to have brands knocking at your door, get recognition from top industry media outlets like Beauty Launchpad, inspire and educate to hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers, work behind the chair on your own terms, this episode has it all. Amy didn't start her journey trying to attract any of the industry attention she gets (and totally deserves). Listen in on her journey and how deciding to get serious about social media to grow her business blew up her career and made her a household name and one of the most recognized balayage artists in the world. Forever humble and authentic, Amy is an inspiration to the industry and I hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it with her! https://www.instagram.com/camouflageandbalayage/  and grab your best life bundle at https://www.instagram.com/independentstylistpodcast/ or https://www.thecurlgirl.com/ebook

Kenesha Coleman is here to take your fears and frustrations away from your taxes and get you ALL SET when it comes to having your finances under control without a ton of stress! @thebeautycpa is a former irs revenue agent, worked for a fortune 150, and is an award winning CPA, irs enrolled agent and certified tax coach and is the answer to so many things so many of us need. She focuses exclusively on working with beauty entrepreneurs and is an absolute gift to our industry. Lose the fear, judgement and confusion about how to handle the taxes for your beauty business - if your business is in the United States, she can help you!  This is a can’t miss episode full of massive actionable value and will help you shed any fear you have of any issues surrounding your taxes - Kenesha has your back and she’s here dropping knowledge with a smile.  You can find her at www.colemantaxllc.com or @thebeautycpa on Instagram. You can find my easy money book on www.thecurlgirl.com/ebook

This will most likely rarely happen but I want you to be prepared and empowered in case it ever does. You have the right to refuse services and there are times where it might be better and actually the healthier decision for your business and for your own mental health. More scripts to copy and paste are available in my scripts ebook at www.thecurlgirl.com/ebook