The Station

Most salon and spa owners think of their lease as just another monthly bill — but very few realize how deeply that decision affects pricing, payroll, staffing, stress levels, and long-term profitability.In this episode, Brie & Chandra break down how salon leases quietly shape your entire business model, why signing a space before building the right financial structure creates pressure, and what owners need to understand about rent, overhead, and minimum performance requirements.We talk about how space size connects to pricing, why bigger or prettier locations don’t automatically mean better businesses, how leases influence pay structures and productivity expectations, and what to look at if your rent constantly feels heavy.You’ll also hear guidance for owners who are already locked into a lease and feeling the weight of it, including how to evaluate your numbers, where to adjust first, and how to start shifting the business so your space supports you instead of draining you.If your salon feels busy but not profitable, or if rent feels like the thing you’re always chasing, this episode will help you understand why — and what to do about it.This conversation is a must-listen for commission salon owners and spa owners who want a more stable, predictable, and profitable business.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com 📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon and spa owners start the year with big goals, strong motivation, and a long list of things they want to accomplish — and by February or March, many already feel behind, discouraged, or unsure why nothing is sticking.In this episode, Brie & Chandra break down why traditional New Year resolutions don’t work for most beauty business owners, and why a reset is far more powerful than setting another goal. We talk about what’s really happening when progress stalls, how to recognize when your business needs recalibration instead of more motivation, and what it looks like to shift from goal-setting to structure-building.You’ll hear coaching around mid-year resets, identifying hidden bottlenecks, understanding where your systems are breaking down, and how to rebuild momentum without burning everything down or starting over. This episode covers leadership mindset, business clarity, decision-making, and the difference between being busy versus building something stable.If you’ve felt stuck, off track, or frustrated that your goals aren’t turning into results, this conversation will help you understand why — and what to focus on instead.This episode is a must-listen for commission salon owners and spa owners who want to stop relying on motivation, build real consistency, and create a business that actually supports growth.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com 📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Salon retail has changed more in the last few years than most owners realize. In this episode, we sit down with a leading beauty distributor to break down the real retail trends happening inside the salon industry right now — from shifting client buying habits, to supply chain changes, to how salon retail sales are being affected by Amazon, online shopping, and new product education models.We talk about how salon retail strategy has evolved, what brands are focusing on in 2025, how distributor partnerships actually work, and what owners need to understand if they want consistent retail revenue inside a commission salon. You’ll hear insider insight on inventory management, product pricing, retail margins, stylist retail training, client trust, add-on sales, retail KPIs, and the role of product knowledge in building a profitable salon retail system.If you’ve been struggling with low retail sales, inconsistent stylist participation, or clients buying online instead of in your salon — this conversation will help you understand what’s changed, why it changed, and how to rebuild your salon retail system in a way that actually works. We cover the difference between old-school retail tactics and modern, client-focused retail education that supports higher ticket sales, stronger client experience, and higher profitability.This interview is a must-watch for salon owners who want to improve retail performance, train their team with confidence, increase product sell-through, and build a salon business model that thrives, even as the beauty industry continues to evolve. Whether you're trying to boost retail numbers, educate your team, or shift your salon culture around retail — this episode gives you the strategies, insights, and leadership tools you need.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon owners think going deskless will automatically save money, streamline operations, and fix their front-of-house problems — but that’s not always true. In this episode, we break down the real differences between a deskless salon system and a traditional front desk, and how each one impacts profitability, client experience, retention, rebooking, and overall salon operations.We walk through what works, what breaks, and what actually creates consistency inside a growing commission salon. From front desk roles, guest management, phone systems, booking workflows, check-in/check-out, and salon leadership, we get into the details that most owners overlook.If you’ve ever wondered whether your salon should keep a front desk, transition to a hybrid model, or go fully deskless — this episode will help you understand the systems, staffing, KPIs, benchmarks, and client-flow strategies that truly support a profitable, scalable salon.This conversation is a must-watch for any owner wanting stronger salon systems, better team accountability, smoother client journey, and leadership that doesn’t rely on putting out fires all day.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

 Most stylists think they have to rent a booth to make six figures — but that’s not true. In this episode, we break down how stylists are hitting six-figure income inside commission salons using structure, level systems, benchmarks, upsells, and strong leadership. We’re joined by Amber, a stylist who started as an apprentice and is now on the brink of six figures working around 30 hours a week. If you’re a stylist or salon owner who wants real income growth without burnout, this episode proves what’s possible when the systems are right. Resources & Links:✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

 Slow seasons happen. Cancellations, a stylist on leave, a busted water heater — and suddenly the salon’s cash flow feels shaky. This episode shows salon owners how to build real cash reserves so one slow month doesn’t trigger panic decisions. We cover profit vs cash, how much an emergency fund should be (in payroll weeks and monthly expenses), where to pull the cash from (pricing, budget, cost controls), and a simple plan to build reserves without starving growth. If you want a stable, profitable beauty business, start here. Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Every salon has the stylist who’s “good enough” — they’re dependable, they’re pleasant, they don’t create drama… but they also don’t grow. Their numbers stay flat, their retail is low, and their rebooking never moves. And because they’re not a “problem,” you let it slide — even though they’re quietly draining profit and slowing your salon’s growth.In this episode, we uncover the hidden cost of stagnant stylists, why “good enough” is often the most expensive seat in your salon, and how fear, guilt, and avoidance keep owners from having the conversations that would change everything. You’ll learn how to coach better, set performance standards, and protect your revenue without feeling like the bad guy.Sometimes the stylist draining your growth isn’t causing chaos — they’re quietly holding your business back.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Salon partnerships can be powerful — shared vision, shared responsibility, shared passion. But inside the beauty industry, partnerships often become complicated long before they ever become catastrophic. What starts as excitement and possibility can slowly shift into tension, resentment, and misalignment as the salon grows and the owners evolve in different directions.Most salon partnerships don’t fall apart because of a dramatic fight. They unravel quietly. One owner takes on more responsibility. One stops growing. One becomes the leader by default. The definition of success starts to look different for each person. Financial decisions feel uneven. Communication gets heavier. And the partnership slowly turns into pressure instead of support.In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes when two people share ownership of a salon — from leadership conflicts to money problems to completely different management styles. We talk about the common warning signs salon owners miss, the behaviors that signal misalignment, and how to recognize when a partnership is no longer serving the health, profit, or future of the business.You’ll learn how to protect yourself legally and financially, what conversations should happen before you ever sign a partnership agreement, how to navigate difficult discussions with your co-owner, and the steps to take when you realize you’re carrying more than your share. Whether you’re already in a salon partnership, considering one, or trying to figure out whether yours can be repaired, this episode gives you clarity, direction, and truth.Because you can love your business deeply… and still make the hard decision to lead it differently.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

When a stylist leaves your salon — whether it’s a top performer, a newer stylist, a manager, or someone in a crucial support role — it can shake the entire business. Schedules shift, clients panic, emotions run high, and your team starts quietly wondering what this means for their future. And if you’re not prepared, one resignation can feel like a full-blown crisis.In the beauty industry, turnover is normal… but chaos doesn’t have to be. Most salon owners never build an exit strategy, never communicate expectations around departures, and never prepare their systems for the moment someone walks out. That’s why a stylist quitting can cause panic, breakdowns in culture, profit loss, and gaps in the client experience.In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how to protect your salon business before someone leaves — and how to lead with calm, clarity, and confidence when it happens. You’ll learn how to stabilize your salon culture during transitions, how to communicate with clients so they stay loyal, how to prevent revenue loss, and how to support the team without feeding drama or fear. We also dive into the systems salon owners need to have in place so employee exits don’t disrupt the entire business: documentation, rebooking strategies, communication plans, leadership expectations, service redistribution, and internal boundaries.If you’ve ever experienced a stylist walking out, a sudden resignation, or the sinking feeling of losing a key team member, this episode gives you the tools to prevent chaos and keep your beauty business strong. Turnover is inevitable — but when your structure is strong, your salon won’t fall apart when someone leaves. Your systems will carry you.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon owners are running a business that looks successful on the outside — busy chairs, steady clients, a strong team — but behind the scenes, their paycheck tells a completely different story. If you’re constantly last on your own payroll list, taking whatever scraps are left after everyone else gets paid, or avoiding your numbers because they feel heavy, you’re not alone. Most salon owners were never taught how to build a profitable beauty business that actually pays them like the CEO.In this episode, we’re breaking down everything salon owners and solo stylists need to know about paying themselves the right way. We talk about salon finances, profit planning, commission structures, owner compensation, and the real math behind a healthy owner’s paycheck. You’ll learn what a sustainable paycheck looks like for a salon owner, how to calculate it using real profit numbers, and the systems you need in place so the business can support your income — not drain you emotionally and financially.We dig into why so many beauty business owners struggle with money, why salon profit disappears every month, and how pricing, service structure, color usage, payroll, and commission rates impact your ability to earn. You’ll hear the truth about financial habits, owner identity, and how to shift from surviving the money roller coaster to actually paying yourself consistently.If you’re a salon owner or solo stylist trying to understand your numbers, build stronger salon systems, grow profit, or finally feel financially stable, this episode gives you the clarity you’ve been missing. Because at some point, the salon has to work for you — and that starts with paying yourself like the CEO instead of the person always cleaning up the mess.Resources & Links:✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Running a salon on “good vibes” sounds great in theory — until the day the vibe disappears and you realize there were never any real standards holding the team together. In the beauty industry, salon culture isn’t created through energy, personality, or hoping everyone gets along. Salon culture is built on consistency, accountability, and clear expectations that every stylist understands and lives out every day.In this episode, we break down the truth about salon culture: the difference between vibe-based culture and values-based culture, why “good energy” can’t replace leadership, and how unclear expectations lead to resentment, inconsistency, and breakdowns inside your salon team. If you’ve ever felt like the culture in your salon is slipping, confused, or depends too much on individual moods, this conversation will help you see exactly where the cracks are.You’ll learn how to define what your salon culture actually stands for, how to set standards your team can understand and follow, and how to enforce expectations without feeling harsh or controlling. We also dig into why salon owners struggle with enforcement, why stylists sometimes push boundaries, and how shifting your leadership style creates a stronger, more stable beauty business.We talk about accountability, professionalism, stylist performance, communication, boundaries, and what it really takes to maintain a healthy team environment in a commission salon or spa. You’ll walk away knowing how to protect the culture you want, correct the culture you have, and rebuild trust inside your salon — not through vibes, but through leadership.If you’re ready to stop chasing “good vibes” and start creating a salon culture built on values, clarity, and consistency, this episode will show you exactly where to begin and how to lead your team with confidence.✨ Resources & Links✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

One of the hardest parts of running a salon or leading a beauty business isn’t the services, the numbers, or even the systems — it’s the people. Your team, your clients, your leadership identity, and the pressure you carry as a salon owner or solo stylist can make it incredibly easy to assume the worst: that your team is ignoring you on purpose, that a stylist is resisting direction, that a client is trying to take advantage, or that no one cares about the salon as much as you do.But in the beauty industry, where communication, trust, and team culture matter more than anything, assuming the worst will drain you faster than any busy season ever could.This episode dives deep into what it looks like to lead your salon through the lens of positive intent — a mindset shift that changes the way you interpret situations, the way you hold conversations, and the way your team responds to you. Leading with positive intent doesn’t mean letting things slide or ignoring accountability. It means choosing to believe that most stylists, employees, and clients are coming from a place of good intentions, even when the execution is messy or the communication is off.We talk about how this approach lowers defensiveness, reduces conflict inside the salon, strengthens team relationships, improves stylist performance, and helps salon owners respond instead of react. You’ll hear how this shift creates a healthier salon culture, improves leadership confidence, and makes tough conversations easier to navigate — whether you’re managing a commission team, guiding a new stylist, running an associate program, or working solo and trying to improve how you communicate with clients.And the best part? When salon owners and stylists learn to lead with positive intent at work, the ripple effect shows up everywhere else — in your relationships, in your household, in the way you see challenges, and in the way you speak to yourself.If you want to grow your leadership, build a stronger salon culture, communicate with more clarity, and stop feeling like you’re constantly bracing for the worst, this episode will shift the way you lead and the way you live.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Salon associate programs can completely transform a commission salon… or they can quietly drain your profit, overwhelm your lead stylists, and create confusion instead of growth. In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what really makes an associate program successful — and what makes it fall apart.We talk about how to properly structure an associate program in a commission salon, what owners should look for in new hires, how to build a training system that actually prepares stylists for the floor, and the benchmarks associates should hit before graduating. We also break down the financial side: what makes an associate profitable, where salons lose money without realizing it, and how to know if your current program is supporting your bottom line or quietly hurting it.You’ll learn the red flags that signal an associate program isn’t working — unclear expectations, stylists staying in training way too long, inconsistent coaching, no timeline for development, and associates who never reach productivity. We’ll also talk about the success factors that lead to strong retention, better stylist performance, and long-term growth inside a commission salon.Whether you're thinking about starting an associate program, trying to fix one that isn’t working, or simply want more clarity on how to develop strong stylists without losing your profit, this episode gives you the real-world perspective every salon owner needs.This is the truth about associate programs — the good, the bad, and the long-term impact they have on your entire beauty business.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon owners and solo stylists set goals every year — more clients, higher revenue, better retention, stronger leadership, bigger months behind the chair — yet nothing really changes. And it’s not because you aren’t ambitious or motivated. It’s because goals don’t work without the internal shift, the systems, and the daily structure to support them.In this episode, we dig into why salon goals fail over and over for beauty professionals. We talk about the disconnect between the goals you set and the habits you repeat, why the right systems matter more than raw motivation, how your identity behind the chair impacts your consistency, and the real reason so many beauty pros feel stuck even when they genuinely want to grow.You’ll hear the truth about why salon owners start each year strong and fade out by spring, why solo stylists struggle with follow-through even when they want more clients or higher pricing, and the difference between setting a goal and actually becoming the person who can carry it. We’ll walk through the mindset shifts you need, the structure that supports real growth, and the changes inside your beauty business that make your goals feel possible instead of overwhelming.If you’re trying to grow your income, strengthen your salon leadership, build six-figure systems behind the chair, improve your team performance, or finally feel in control of your business instead of chasing your tail, this episode will give you clarity and direction.This is the foundation every beauty professional needs before the goals can actually work.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Tired of feeling like your salon is the industry’s best-kept secret? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.The truth is, being great at what you do isn’t enough if nobody knows about it. Too many salon and spa owners rely on word-of-mouth alone and end up wondering why growth feels painfully slow. The difference between a hidden gem and the business everyone’s talking about isn’t luck—it’s strategy.In this episode, we’re breaking down how to build a reputation that spreads. You’ll learn the key moves that take you from being overlooked to unforgettable: how to leverage client experience as your strongest marketing tool, how to create systems that drive consistent referrals and reviews, and how to position your salon as the go-to authority in your community.If you’re ready to stop waiting for clients to “just find you” and instead create buzz that fills your books and grows your profit, this conversation will show you exactly how to make it happen.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Want to stop having the same conversations with your team on repeat? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.Here’s the reality: you can set all the benchmarks in the world—rebooking, retail-to-service ratio, productivity percentage—but if you’re not sitting down one-on-one with your team and connecting those numbers to their personal growth, nothing changes. Most owners either avoid these meetings altogether, or they turn into quick check-ins that never move the needle.In this episode, we’re showing you how to transform one-on-ones into the most powerful growth tool in your salon. You’ll learn how to structure these conversations so they go beyond surface-level accountability, how to tie KPIs directly to career path progress, and how to use them to build trust, drive performance, and prevent turnover.If you’ve ever felt like you’re leading a team that isn’t improving no matter how many times you remind them of the “goals,” this episode will give you the missing link between tracking numbers and seeing real growth.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Want to stop guessing at team growth and finally lead with confidence? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.Most salon owners think giving a raise or adjusting commission is the answer to growth—but without structure, those changes create entitlement instead of performance. The truth? If you don’t have a clear level system and benchmarks in place, your team has no roadmap to follow—and you end up carrying the weight of all the decisions yourself.In this episode, we’re unpacking exactly how to create a performance-based level system that rewards growth, not tenure. We’ll show you which KPIs actually matter—things like rebooking, retail-to-service ratio, client retention, and productivity percentage—and how to set benchmarks that keep your payroll healthy while motivating your team to climb the ladder the right way. You’ll also learn why flat commission rates hold salons back, and how sliding scale structures tied to measurable results create both fairness and profitability.If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to reward your team and needing to protect your profit, this conversation will give you the clarity and tools to build a system where growth is visible, measurable, and sustainable.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Want to start leading with more structure today? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.Most salon owners chase the wrong numbers—busy schedules, booked-out weeks, or followers on social media—and still wonder why profit feels out of reach. The truth? Those metrics don’t pay the bills. Profit comes from tracking the benchmarks that actually matter.In this episode, we’re breaking down the key numbers that drive real growth in your salon: payroll percentage, cost per hour, rebooking rate, and retail-to-service ratio. We’ll explain what healthy benchmarks look like, why flat commission rates will always hold you back, and how to use these numbers to make smarter decisions about pricing, promotions, and team performance.If you’re tired of feeling “booked and busy” but not seeing the profit to match, this conversation will give you the clarity and structure to stop guessing, start measuring, and finally lead your salon with the confidence of a true CEO.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Want to start leading with more structure today? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.Let’s be honest—most salon owners aren’t really taking days off. You might not be behind the chair, but you’re still glued to your phone, putting out fires, and running the business from your “day off.” That isn’t freedom—that’s working for free.In this episode, we’re talking about the false sense of rest owners create for themselves and how it keeps you trapped in burnout. We’ll unpack why stepping away feels impossible, the hidden cost of always being “on call,” and the leadership systems you need to build so your business can run without you.If you’ve ever said you want more freedom but can’t remember the last time you truly disconnected, this conversation will give you the clarity and structure to reclaim your time, protect your energy, and actually take the days off you’ve been promising yourself.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Confused about what the PRO Act really means for salon owners and stylists? Grab our free Power Moves: Salon Strategy Edition—a no-fluff guide packed with the mindset shifts and strategic actions every salon owner needs—and start leading like the CEO you are.There’s a lot of noise out there about the PRO Act, 1099 vs W-2, and how misclassification could completely reshape the beauty industry. In this episode, we’re cutting through the confusion and breaking down exactly what the bill says, what it means for booth and suite rentals, and how commission salon owners can protect themselves.We’ll talk about why “contracts” and third-party payroll companies don’t make an illegal setup legal, how to avoid the financial and legal risks of misclassification, and what changes you need to be preparing for now. This is one of the most important conversations happening in our industry—and you need to be informed, not blindsided.Tune in to get the clarity you need, the facts (not the fear), and a roadmap to keep your business strong, compliant, and profitable no matter what happens next.Resources & Links: ✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok 📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com