Level Up with Lacey

Join The Assistant University Here⤵️ https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/AUpresale In this week's episode, Lacey is nervously opening up about why she made the switch from commission to rental inside Salon lace.  She is being vulnerable and letting you know the entire process of how the switch changed the entire trajectory of her business.  She is answering the question ‘can you scale a rental salon?’ and so much more! This episode is 🔥, Listen now!  Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ ⁠⁠https://forms.gle/gbvrjqTuhbmBc3S46⁠⁠ Follow us on social! Instagram: @lacey_gebo Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training

The top 10 qualities in our top producing assistants inside Salon Lace. Does this mean that you should let your assistant go if they don’t meet all of these qualities?  Absolutely not.  BUT, I can guarantee if they hit all 10 of them, they are so much more likely to be successful inside your business.  The top producers inside Salon lace. today had every single one of these qualities and are CRUSHING it inside their business today, and even have their own assistants within a YEAR of graduating.    Listen now to know what to look for in your next assistant!  Get your Free Mini Ultimate Assistant Guide here-  https://lg-education.ck.page/miniuag Get the full Ultimate Assistant Guide here-  https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/offers/pai5vrSG/checkout Apply for LEAD Here- https://www.honeybook.com/widget/lg_education_229356/cf_id/62c33ace23027f0dd2e4790a Follow us on social! Instagram: @lacey_gebo Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training

Before we dive in, I want to personally invite you to my upcoming free live training — The Co-Stylist Confidence Workshop!! It is BACK and better than ever!!If your goals this year include hiring stylists, working less behind the chair, making more money, and building real systems in your salon, this training is for you!Inside the workshop, I’m teaching:A simple way to pay a Co-Stylist or assistantMy 39-week assistant training outlineHow to create work-life balance as a salon ownerWhen you show up live, you’ll also get a copy-and-paste Google Sheet with my actual systems from Salon Lace — plus my social media batching training in the first few minutes.👉🏼Save your seat here:https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/costylistconfidenceworkshop1?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Episode+163Now let’s get into today’s episode.I hear this fear from stylists and salon owners constantly:“What if I train them and they leave?”“What if I invest the time, money, color, foils, and education… and it doesn’t work out?”Here’s the truth: Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will.So many of you are making decisions based on something that hasn’t even happened yet.Ask yourself:Can you afford to be in the exact same place one year from now?Can you keep doing everything yourself?Can you keep trading time for money?There comes a point where you have to use your brain 🧠 more than your hands. 👐🏼And if they leave? Let them.Just like Mel Robbins says — let them. This is a business decision. Stop taking things so personal.Let your dreams be bigger than your fears.Get uncomfortable. Take action. 💪🏼Because nothing changes if nothing changes.And if this episode is hitting you, I’ll see you inside The Co-Stylist Confidence Workshop.Sign up here: https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/costylistconfidenceworkshop1?utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Episode+163

If you’re booked out, exhausted, drowning behind-the-chair and trying to keep the salon afloat… yet you keep telling yourself “I need help”… This episode is for you.Most salon owners aren’t avoiding hiring because they don’t want the support.They’re avoiding it because they’re scared as hell and unsure of the unknown.In this episode, I’m getting real and personal about:One of my first assistants I ever hired… and how she literally never came back from her lunch break 😳The false stories that experience planted in my head (and how they kept me stuck)The TOP 5 fears I hear from salon owners all the time when it comes to hiring help and why those fears feel so realWe’re breaking down fears like:“I’m scared I won’t be able to afford an assistant.”“What if I train them and they leave?”“What if my clients hate it?”“I don’t have time to train someone.”“What if I hire the wrong person?”And I’m not just calling you out — I’m walking you through:What’s actually underneath these fearWhy staying comfortable is a dangerous place to beSimple, tangible steps to move forwardThis episode is part mindset shift, part tough love, and part practical strategy!✨ You can stay comfortable, or you can keep growing. You don’t get both.✨ Courage > Confidence (confidence comes after the reps)✨ The biggest risk isn’t hiring an assistant… It is staying exactly where you are one year from now.If you’ve been feeling called out just reading this… Hit play right now!This one might change the way you see hiring forever. 🎧

Color is one of the largest expenses in your salon… and yet most owners are still guessing. 😬In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly how we track, upcharge, budget, and invoice color for booth renters at Salon Lace.If you’re eyeballing color, “doing your best,” or avoiding the numbers altogether… this one’s for you.Here’s what I’m walking you through:Why tracking every single drop of color is a non-negotiable in 2026The real reason we provide color for our booth renters (and why most salons don’t)How an all-inclusive color bar elevates creativity, consistency, and the guest experienceThe big mistake I made early on by not upcharging — and how I fixed itExactly how we upcharge renters for color (and what that fee actually covers)How we invoice renters monthly — clean and simpleOur weekly color budgeting method (this is GOLD)The step-by-step system we use to order, stock, and track inventoryHow to get your team fully on board with tracking colorThe hard truth about what happens when someone doesn’t follow the systemI’m also sharing real standards, real policies, and real lessons that I learned the hard way… so you don’t have to!If you don’t track it, you can’t charge for it, and if you can’t charge for it, you’ll resent it.🎧 Press play if you’re ready to protect your profit, clean up your systems, and finally stop bleeding money through your color bar.Click here if you would like to see an example of one of our Rental Invoices 👉🏼 Sample Rental Invoices

✨ Final episode of The Level Up with Lacey Podcast for 2025 ✨I’ll be honest, I’m really bad at celebrating how far I’ve come. I move the goalpost fast, judge myself even faster, and usually skip right past the “wow” moment straight into “what’s next?”In this final episode of 2025, I’m sharing the mindset shift that completely changed my peace, confidence, and anxiety this year- learning how to live in the gain instead of the gap.We’re talking about:Why high-achievers and salon owners constantly feel behind (even when they’re winning)The difference between measuring yourself against the future vs. honoring your growthHow living in the gain doesn’t kill ambition — it actually makes it healthierThe exact moment I realized I was standing in a life I once prayed forPowerful reflection questions to help you close out 2025 feeling proud instead of pressuredPlus… I’m sharing a heartfelt thank you and celebrating what WE built together this year — and the growth of this podcast honestly blew my mind 🤍If you’ve been grinding, growing, building, and still feeling like it’s not enough — this episode is for you.Let’s pause. Let’s reflect. Let’s finish 2025 in the gain.I love you guys.See you in 2026, SO many fun things ahead ✨🎉

If assistants feel frustrating, inconsistent, or exhausting… this episode is for you.Because here’s the truth: that’s usually a leadership and systems issue, not a people issue… Mic drop. 🎤In this episode, I’m breaking down the 6 standards I would absolutely be holding my assistants to in 2026 — not to be controlling, but to create clarity, structure, and confidence for everyone involved.We’re talking about:Why your assistant must know and track their numbers (and yours)What “hands-on with every guest” should actually look likeOwning the guest experience- every single timeDaily + weekly debriefs and why silence kills cultureTreating this career like a business, not a hobbyWhy assistants need to actively invest in themselves and their futureThese aren’t random rules.They’re standards that protect your time, your energy, and your business.If something in this episode hits a nerve… good. That’s usually where the growth is.✨ Free 3-Day Training InviteAt the end of December, I’m hosting a behind-the-scenes training inside my Instagram Close Friends calledYour 2026 Habit Reset: Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s Bullshit.📅 December 28–30📍 Inside the green circle (nothing live, no Zooms)💬 DM me “Close” on Instagram @lacey_gebo to get in.Want the systems to support these standards?Grab the Ultimate Assistant Guide- the exact structure I use to train assistants behind the chair. → https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguideHit play, take notes, and let’s raise the standard going into 2026.

Before we dive in, don’t forget, I’m hosting a 3-day mini training on my Instagram Close Friends list called Your 2026 Habit Reset: Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s Bullshit. It’s happening Dec 28, 29, 30 and everything will live in that little green circle.To join: DM me the word “Close” on Instagram → @lacey_gebo → https://www.instagram.com/lacey_gebo/Now let’s get into the purchases that kept me alive, sane, and functioning this year. Every item mentioned is linked below!Productivity + Home + Life ManagementSkylight Calendar → https://myskylight.com/products/skylight-calendar/Code: FRIEND-XV2MSH8Full Focus Planner → https://amzn.to/44X7LhrAro Box → https://goaro.com/products/aro-boxStanding Desk (Flexispot) → https://www.flexispot.com/l-shaped-standing-desk-e1lAcrylic Cord Organizers → https://amzn.to/4rUSp6XTG90 Power Bank → https://amzn.to/4rTDTwnHealth + Wellness + FitnessMyFitnessPal → https://www.myfitnesspal.com/Nutrition Coach (Turner Hall)📱 Text: 918-232-8766IG → https://www.instagram.com/hall_l.i.f.t.nutrition?igsh=MWplZ243Zzg0bGxoNQ==Creatine Gummies → https://amzn.to/4rRUukfViome Health Test → http://rwrd.io/k84wzjv?cChatGPT (Chippy 😉) → https://chatgpt.com/Prompt- "Build a 4 meal macro friendly plan with high protein, low fat dinners for a family of four. Include make-ahead tips, freezer-friendly swaps, and a grocery list by aisle, and make sure that it’s not too spicy, because my kids don’t like spicy. I would like to incorporate some of the items we have left over from last week and some items we have in the pantry and fridge that we need to use. If I give you a list of the items we have, can you build our meals around using these items?" Mom Life + FamilyTonie Box → https://amzn.to/3XUKLfcAtlantis Bahamas → https://www.atlantisbahamas.com/Bengal Cat Breeder → https://www.swaincattery.com/Self-Care + Cozy Girl EraBig Ass Candle → https://bigassluxuries.com/collections/all-candlesAlo Shoes → https://www.aloyoga.com/products/a0685u-alo-x-01-classic-natural-white-gumSunday Citizen Bedding → https://sundaycitizen.co/products/snug-bamboo-duvet-cover?variant=39678118363234Business + Personal GrowthThe Milly Club / Amy PorterfieldWebsite → https://www.amyporterfield.com/Podcast → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-amy-porterfield-show/id594703545Join the 3-Day Close Friends TrainingYour 2026 Habit Reset: Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s BullshitDec 28–30 • On Instagram Close Friends→ DM me “Close” on IG to get added: @lacey_gebo →  https://www.instagram.com/lacey_gebo/

If you want support setting YOUR 2026 SMARTER goals, come join my Close Friends List on Instagram! December 28–30, I’m teaching a free 3-day mini series:Your 2026 Habit Reset- Because You Can’t Do 2026 with 2025’s Bullshit.DM CLOSE on IG (@lacey_gebo) to join.Why SMARTER Goals MatterA goal without a plan is just a wish.Last year I hit 7 of my goals, missed 2, and learned that clarity + simplicity always win. The goals with a clear path? I nailed. The vague ones? I outgrew or ignored.Achievement Goals = one result.Habit Goals = ongoing behavior.You need both, but not too many.2026 rule of thumb:• Max 8 annual goals• Max 4 habit goals (one per quarter)• Max 4 professional goalsYou become what you repeatedly do.Start With the LifeScore AssessmentIf you don’t know where to begin, take the LifeScore Assessment (linked below). It scores nine areas of your life so you know exactly where to focus heading into the new year.🔗 https://assessments.fullfocus.co/lifescore/SMARTER Goal RefresherSpecific • Measurable • Actionable • Risky • Time-Bound • Exciting • RelevantYour goals should stretch you without breaking you and they need a plan behind them.What I’m Sharing in This EpisodeIn this episode, I’m taking you behind the scenes of:What worked and didn’t work in 2025The biggest lessons I learnedWhy I’m shifting my approach for 2026How I’m structuring my Achievement + Habit GoalsThe exact SMARTER Goals I’m committing to for the yearWant to hear my full 2026 SMARTER Goals?→ You’ll have to listen inside the episode 😉Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now.You don’t have to wait for January, you just have to decide.Want help setting your goals? DM CLOSE on Instagram (@lacey_gebo) to join my 3-Day Habit Reset on Close Friends.

Salon owners… we’re going there today.Because every December, we all have the SAME question running through our minds:“What the heck do I even get my assistants for the holidays?”How much is normal?What’s too much?What if money is tight?How do you show appreciation without blowing your entire December revenue on gifts?This episode breaks it ALL down- honestly, clearly, and with zero fluff.Inside the episode, we dive into:🔥 Why holiday gifts should never become a financial burden🔥 What gifting looks like for small teams vs. bigger teams🔥 Why intentions matter more than the price tag🔥 What not to do (YES, there is a list)🔥 What SMART gifting actually looks like and why it’s a total game-changer🔥 The exact savings strategy we use inside Salon Lace so the holidays don’t feel heavy anymoreAnd because I love you… here’s a little sneak peek at one of my favorite SMART gift ideas:✨ The Full Focus Planner — my go-to planner that helps stylists stay organized, intentional, and focused heading into a new year.👉🏼 I’ll drop the link for you right here: https://amzn.to/3X5HRnz But that’s just ONE of the ideas…I’ve got a whole list waiting for you inside the episode, for every budget, every team size, and every season of salon ownership.If you want gifting to feel thoughtful, smart, aligned, and stress-free…This is your episode.🎧 Listen now to hear the full list and the mindset shifts that will completely change how you approach holiday bonuses this year.Suggest podcast topics here 👇🏼⁠https://forms.gle/Vq9JMXrhPrUmesrR8⁠  

As we head into Thanksgiving week, I wanted to slow things down… just a little. This season has a way of making us breathe deeper, notice more, and really reflect on what truly matters. Inside Salon Lace, we call it Gratitude Friday and today, I’m bringing that same energy straight into this episode.In this heartfelt conversation, I’m sharing the things, and people who carried me, challenged me, strengthened me, and shaped me this year. From the moments that brought joy to the moments that nearly broke me… this episode is all about honoring the blessings that matter most.We talk about the relationships that kept me grounded, the support systems that held me up, the growth that surprised me, and the hard seasons that refined me in ways I never expected. This one is honest, vulnerable, and straight from the heart.This episode is a reminder to slow down… to notice what’s right in front of you… and to remember that gratitude isn’t just something we feel  it’s something we express.If you listen to anything this week, let it be this.Your heart might walk away feeling just a little bit lighter. 💛Suggest Podcast topics here ⬇⁠https://forms.gle/vAjcHPWjnhEkbQog7⁠ 📧 ⁠⁠assistantcourse@lgeducation.online⁠⁠📱 Text Line: 218-392-9054💖 Instagram: ⁠⁠@lacey_gebo⁠

If you’re juggling a full salon, a booked client schedule, DMs, team drama, color orders, laundry, walk-ins, phone calls, and somehow trying to remember to pee and eat lunch… this episode is going to feel like a deep exhale.I know that feeling of having 462 tabs open in your brain while wondering, “Why am I so forgetful? Am I getting old? What is happening?”You’re not alone. Every salon owner I know is asked to hold a thousand things at once and without the right systems, it’s impossible to keep up.This episode is the one I wish I had years ago. I’m sharing the exact time management strategies, boundaries, and habits that truly SAVED my sanity and my business while I was still behind the chair. These are the tools that helped me stop drowning in overwhelm and start leading with clarity, intention, and confidence.Why This Episode MattersTime management isn’t just “being organized.” It’s the foundation of:Hitting your goalsLeading your teamProtecting your energyKeeping your business profitableActually enjoying your life outside the salonAnd reducing that constant mental load you carry every single dayInside this episode, I share my personal turning point, the moment I realized my lack of boundaries was costing me more than time. It was costing me memories with my husband and kids. I’ll walk you through how I rebuilt my days, my routines, and my mindset so I could show up fully for my family and my business.What You’ll LearnThis episode breaks down the three exact strategies that changed everything for me:1. My Ideal Week Framework:How to plan your week around your energy, your responsibilities, and the work that actually moves your business forward. 2. The Daily Big 3:Why your 119-item to-do list is failing you… and how choosing three intentional tasks can completely change your productivity and your mindset.3. Work Day Startup & Shutdown Rituals:The rhythms that keep me grounded and help me start every day with clarity and end every day without chaos hanging over my head.I also walk through my three non-negotiable boundaries (word-for-word), how we use ClickUp to stay organized, the power of saying “no,” and the tiny habits that create massive momentum.If You’re Feeling Scattered, Overwhelmed, or Behind…This episode will help you reset, refocus, and rebuild your time with intention. You’ll walk away with clear action steps you can implement TODAY to feel more organized, more productive, and more in control of your business and life.How you use your hours determines the success of your business.Salon owners who manage their time well not only grow their income and their teams, they create a life outside the salon they never thought was possible.Links mentioned in this episode- 1.) Full Focus Planner- https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737211955?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=1737211955&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1 2.) ClickUp- Clickup.com 3.) Aro Box- https://goaro.com/products/aro-box 4.) Hour Glass Timer- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KVR8LFT?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=B08KVR8LFT&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.1U99BSBP8JEF5&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1 5.) Digital Timer- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09M46DWPJ?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=B09M46DWPJ&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=16.) Atomic Habits-  https://www.amazon.com/dp/0735211299?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=0735211299&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asinSuggest Topics Here 👇🏼https://forms.gle/tpgKV1CDexAjJN386Follow on social- @lacey_gebo

Do you ever feel like your team meetings last about two days before everyone slips right back into old habits? 🙋🏼‍♀️ Been there.For years, I poured my heart (and hours) into monthly team meetings- snacks, agendas, motivation, the works, only to leave frustrated and drained. Everyone nodded, smiled, and then… nothing changed.Until I made one tiny shift that completely transformed how my team communicated, followed through, and took ownership.I stopped holding team meetings altogether and started doing monthly one-on-ones.And let me tell you… accountability skyrocketed.In this episode, I’m walking you through:✨ What wasn’t working (and why traditional team meetings fail)✨ How monthly one-on-ones created real accountability and trust✨ The exact format I use for every single meeting (including the questions I ask)✨ And why clarity and consistency always outperform motivation.If you’ve been craving a team that takes action without constant reminders , this episode is your roadmap.🎁 Bonus: I’m sharing my exact One-on-One Framework- the same system we use inside my salon. You’ll get the prep form, action plan template, and how my team books their time slots. Grab it here- https://lg-education.kit.com/34c2734255Suggest podcast topics here 👇🏼https://forms.gle/Vq9JMXrhPrUmesrR8 

Four years ago, I made one of the scariest decisions of my life, I walked away from behind the chair. My books were full, the money was great, and from the outside, everything looked perfect… but I was exhausted. I knew deep down that if I wanted to hit big numbers and do big things, I couldn’t keep operating the same way.Sometimes, you have to quit really cool, money-making things to get to where you actually want to be.This week’s episode is a raw, behind-the-scenes look at the five things I quit that helped me hit my first million-dollar year. These shifts didn’t happen overnight, but they changed everything about how I lead, grow, and think as a CEO.Here’s a peek inside:☑ The moment I quit doing hair (and how that single decision tripled our salon’s revenue)☑ Why doing it all yourself keeps you small and how hiring the right help changed the game☑ The uncomfortable truth about avoiding your numbers (and how data became my superpower)☑  What happened when I stopped holding onto money so tightly and started investing strategically☑ The costly mistake of “hiring anyone with a heartbeat” and how I fixed our culture for goodThis episode will challenge you to look at what you might be white-knuckling in your own business, the things that feel safe but are actually keeping you stuck.If you’re ready to make more by doing less, this one’s for you.✨ Your permission slip: Quit something on purpose. Because once you do, the coolest opportunities start to open up for you.🎧 Listen now and start thinking like the million-dollar CEO you’re becoming.Grab the Ultimate Assistant Guide Here 👉🏼 https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide Use code 2025 to get $200 off! Suggest Podcast topics here ⬇https://forms.gle/vAjcHPWjnhEkbQog7 

This one’s hands-on! Grab your planner, Google Calendar, or wall calendar because we’re mapping out every single major date, goal, and event for 2026. From one-on-ones and education days to retreats, content days, and (yes!) your own vacations, this episode will help you build the kind of rhythm and structure your team needs to thrive.If it’s not on the calendar… it’s not happening! Let’s plan smarter, lead intentionally, and set your year up for success.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:1. Why Planning Now MattersStop leading in reactive mode, leadership is intentional. Learn how early planning shapes your energy, confidence, and clarity all year long.2. How to Organize & Communicate Your CalendarFrom Google Calendar to Slack or Facebook Groups, get a simple system to keep your team aligned and accountable.3. What to Schedule for 2026One-on-Ones & Assistant ClassesTeam Retreats & PhotoshootsEducation Days & PK ClassesLeadership “Train-the-Trainer” EventsPromotions, Recruitment, and Gratitude FridaysVacations + Financial Review Days (yes, both!)4. How to Lead ProactivelyPlan now so your team always knows what’s coming next. When your year is organized, your culture thrives.Mentioned in This Episode:One-on-One Framework: https://lg-education.kit.com/34c2734255 Photoshoot Inspo Folder:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-gtqkkVV-eff4CADOaUp4Jzi2pq7C84E?usp=sharing Pinterest Boards for Photoshoot Ideas:#1- https://pin.it/6kHPbeNRv #2- https://pin.it/5lwIil9qh  #3- https://pin.it/7acGydQl6Team Retreats Episode:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-lacey/id1680369235?i=1000665041550 Train-the-Trainer Episode:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-lacey/id1680369235?i=1000624382657Train-the-Trainer Guide:   https://lg-education.kit.com/4ccedb98dcYour 2026 Action Step :Pour a coffee (or glass of wine 😉), open your calendar, and block out your entire year. Your future self will thank you.📧 ⁠assistantcourse@lgeducation.online⁠📱 Text Line: 218-392-9054💖 Instagram: ⁠@lacey_gebo⁠

Everyone loves the idea of having a team… until they actually have one. When I hired my first assistant at 23, I thought it would make my life easier… instead, it made me a better leader. It gave my body a break, but not my mind.“New level, new devil. New opportunities come with new challenges.”Fantasy vs. RealityWe all think once we hire, everything will get easier. But in reality, chaos comes first. You go from working in the business to growing people.Assistants: The Most Misunderstood RoleAssistants aren’t “help.” They’re our right hand, our Co-Stylists, our future leaders. When you hire out of desperation, you create misalignment not culture.“You can’t lead people until you’ve learned how to train them.”The Hard TruthsYou’ll be the bad guy sometimes. You’ll lose sleep. You’ll care more than they do. But every tough moment shapes you into the kind of leader your team deserves.“If you avoid confrontation to keep the peace, you’ll start a war inside yourself.”Why We Do ItBecause it’s worth it, the lightbulb moments, the growth, the legacy. Leadership stretches you. It’s hard as hell, but it’s the most meaningful work you’ll ever do. Ready to start training your first assistant the right way? Grab our Ultimate Assistant Guide for $99 👇🏼https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide

Tired of holiday promos that flop or feel forced? In this episode, Lacey shares the story behind Salon Lace’s most successful holiday promotion ever - Luck of the Draw. It boosted retail sales, built team momentum, and turned the salon into a place of pure excitement all month long.1. The Concept:Every guest drew a card when they walked in- and their discount depended on it:2–10 = 15% off, Face cards = 20%, Ace = 25%, Joker = BOGO.Once guests held that discount in their hand, they couldn’t resist stocking up.2. The Team Incentive:Stylists kept the cards from guests who purchased retail and built poker hands throughout the week.Best 5-card hand won prizes - everything from gift cards to a Redken Symposium ticket.3. The Vibe:Poker decorations, upbeat music, and cards taped to mirrors the whole salon came alive.“Don’t just decorate your salon - activate it. The energy should hit your guests the second they walk in.”4. Why It Worked:Created momentum and competitionBoosted sales instantlyStrengthened salon cultureDon’t overcomplicate your holiday marketing. All you need is creativity, a competitive twist, and a team that’s excited to play the game.We’ve got you covered -grab a peek at our Luck of the Draw Inspiration Folder 👉🏼 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PLE9q1gYl_x661RrOzUC8JR806cEjjmJ?usp=sharing Tag @laceygebo if you run this promo- she wants to see your poker hands and holiday setups!

“Am I too intense? Do I expect too much? Am I the problem?”If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone.In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a conversation that so many salon owners are having behind closed doors. Maybe you’ve had a stylist say, “This job is too mentally taxing.” Maybe a team member made you feel like your standards are “too much.” And maybe, just maybe, you’ve found yourself softening your expectations out of guilt.I get it. I’ve been there. I even had one of my own leaders tell me that everything we were doing inside Salon Lace, one-on-ones, assistant classes, extension training, photoshoots, retreats, train-the-trainers was “TOO MUCH.” And I’ll be honest, for a moment, it made me want to shrink back and do nothing at all.But here’s the truth: high expectations are not a weakness. They’re a leadership strength when they’re clearly communicated.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✨ Why guilt creeps in when your team pushes back, and how to stop doubting yourself.✨ The difference between a wrong fit and a right fit (and why the wrong ones will always call your standards “too much”).✨ Why lowering expectations doesn’t protect your salon, it destroys your culture.✨ The balance of grace: how to show compassion without lowering your standards.✨ How to set crystal-clear expectations from Day 1 so your team knows exactly how to rise to the bar.Here’s the reframe: it’s not about lowering the bar. It’s about finding people who are willing and excited to rise to it.Because the right people? They’ll call your standards home.This week, I want you to audit your expectations.Where have you lowered the bar out of guilt? And how can you reset it clearly with your team?Need help creating those expectations? Grab our Dress Code → https://lg-education.kit.com/2e4e9f724d Grab our Ultimate Assistant Guide → https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide It’ll give you the systems, visuals, and clarity you need to lead with confidence.Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8Follow us on social!Instagram: @lacey_geboFacebook: The New Era of Assistant Training

If you avoid conflict to keep the peace, you start a war inside yourself...Sit with that for a second.In this episode, I’m diving into one of the toughest, but most necessary parts of salon life: conflict. We’re talking about why so many stylists bounce at the first sign of tension, why it’s destroying salon culture, and how you can start repairing instead of replacing.I’ll share personal stories from my own leadership journey (yep, the messy conversations I wish I didn’t have to have), plus practical tools you can use to face conflict without blowing up relationships. By the end, you’ll walk away with a simple framework that works in any salon conversation owner to stylist, stylist to stylist, or anywhere in between.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:Why “cancelled culture” is killing growth in salons and shortening careers.The mindset shift from replace to repair  and why it multiplies trust.The REPAIR framework: six steps to navigate tough conversations.Team agreements that keep culture strong (and prevent ghosting + gossip).The difference between protecting your peace and canceling conflict.How to coach yourself and your team to handle conflict with confidence.Conflict avoided becomes conflict compounded. Conflict processed becomes trust deposited.If you’ve been peace-keeping to avoid a scene, it’s costing you more than you think. This is your challenge: water your own grass. Have the hard conversation. Growth is on the other side.👉🏼 Tune in now to hear why cancel culture doesn’t belong in your salon and how to start building a culture of repair instead of replacement.Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8Follow us on social!Instagram: @lacey_geboFacebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

Back in 2020 when we switched to a rental/hybrid model, I made a big mistake: I brought in renters from other salons who weren’t aligned with our culture. They were talented, sure… but they didn’t know our systems, our standards, or the “Salon Lace way.” And honestly? That was on me.That’s when I realized: chair rental without structure = chaos.In this episode, I’m sharing how we turned things around and why, at Salon Lace, the cost of admission is simple, every renter goes through our Assistant Program. It protects our culture, sets clear expectations, creates consistency for guests, and builds a team that feels connected (even in a rental model).We’ll also talk about what to do with experienced stylists, how to market chair rental the right way, and why your culture is the real selling point.🎧 Tune in to learn how to protect your culture, avoid the chaos, and build something lasting.👉🏼 And if you need a step-by-step framework to onboard and train your Assistants, grab my Ultimate Assistant Guide, normally $299, but right now it’s just $99 with code 2025. ⤵️https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide✨ Mentioned in this episode: Here are 3 post options you can use when hiring for a booth renter 👇🏼https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FfEbRG48lsE5uxUjSAOA8-HfX0ik5swvzt8J9yCMXc0/edit?usp=sharingSuggest podcast topics here ⤵️ https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8Follow us on social!Instagram: @lacey_geboFacebook: The New Era of Assistant Training