Claim OwnershipThe Go Ham Podcast
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© Copyright 2026 Heather Piselli, Aliscia Martinelli, Monica Rivera
Description
Welcome to Go Ham, the podcast where three friends turned industry pioneers, Heather Aliscia and Monica, share their journey through the world of entrepreneurship and the beauty industry. As the dynamic trio behind a highly successful multi salon company and a thriving suite facility, they employ nearly 100 professionals and provide a home for 25 independent service providers.
What to Expect:
They're not just business partners; they are innovators and mentors passionate about pushing the boundaries of the beauty industry. In each episode, they bring their unique perspectives, wit, and a healthy dose of sarcasm to the table, discussing their experiences, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way.
Why Listen:
Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Gain exclusive access to the inner workings of a successful salon business and suite facility.
Authentic Stories: Hear honest and unfiltered stories about the mistakes and triumphs that have shaped their journey.
Learning and Innovation: Discover innovative strategies and approaches that can help you grow and succeed in your own endeavors.
Inspiration and Motivation: Be inspired by their commitment to personal and professional growth, and learn how to cultivate the same mindset.
Who Should Listen:
Whether you're a seasoned salon professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who loves a good success story, Go Ham offers valuable insights and inspiration for everyone. Join Monica, Aliscia, and Heather as they go beyond the surface to explore the heart and soul of the beauty industry.
Tune In:
Subscribe to Go Ham on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. Get ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired by three trailblazers who are changing the game, one episode at a time.
What to Expect:
They're not just business partners; they are innovators and mentors passionate about pushing the boundaries of the beauty industry. In each episode, they bring their unique perspectives, wit, and a healthy dose of sarcasm to the table, discussing their experiences, challenges, and the lessons learned along the way.
Why Listen:
Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Gain exclusive access to the inner workings of a successful salon business and suite facility.
Authentic Stories: Hear honest and unfiltered stories about the mistakes and triumphs that have shaped their journey.
Learning and Innovation: Discover innovative strategies and approaches that can help you grow and succeed in your own endeavors.
Inspiration and Motivation: Be inspired by their commitment to personal and professional growth, and learn how to cultivate the same mindset.
Who Should Listen:
Whether you're a seasoned salon professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or someone who loves a good success story, Go Ham offers valuable insights and inspiration for everyone. Join Monica, Aliscia, and Heather as they go beyond the surface to explore the heart and soul of the beauty industry.
Tune In:
Subscribe to Go Ham on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. Get ready to laugh, learn, and be inspired by three trailblazers who are changing the game, one episode at a time.
50 Episodes
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In this episode, Jennifer Boutwell gets real about the hard seasons of life and how they shape the leader you are. We talk about how trauma doesn’t just stay neatly in the past. It quietly shows up in your decisions, your relationships, your leadership style, and the way you move through the world.Fight or flight might help you survive for a while, but it can only take you so far. Without self-awareness and real healing, those old patterns keep running the show. Jennifer shares how facing her own trauma head-on changed everything, and why doing the work is the only way to move forward in a productive, grounded, and intentional way.This conversation is raw, honest, and eye-opening for anyone who wants to lead better, live better, and stop letting unhealed moments dictate their future.
In this episode of Go Ham, we sit down with Nichole Mansi to talk about what really happens when you leave a workplace and things get messy. Nichole shares her experience of walking away, unexpectedly dealing with a lawsuit that was ultimately non-sense, but still incredibly stressful, and navigating the fear and pressure that came with it. We dive into the challenges of starting a business on her own, pushing through uncertainty, and finding confidence along the way.That resilience led her to opening her own studio and building a team she’s proud of. This episode is for anyone thinking about starting over, betting on themselves, and choosing growth even when it’s hard.
Salon shutdowns are happening everywhere right now and nobody wants to talk about it — but we are. In this episode, we break down why so many salons are struggling, the silent factors most owners never see coming, and what you cancontrol to keep your business alive, profitable, and moving forward.From tightening your systems to leading your team with more clarity, from building a real brand (not just cute Instagram posts) to understanding your numbers before they become a problem, we’re giving you the exact mindset and strategy shifts salon owners need in this season.If you want to stay afloat, stay relevant, and stay in business while others are closing their doors, this episode is your wake-up call and your roadmap.Listen in — your salon’s future depends on it.
Today we sat down with Derek Hull to talk straight about what’s actually working in salon marketing right now. If you’ve ever wondered how we’ve been able to grow brand awareness, drive new guests, and stay top of mind in a crowded market, Derek and Salon Ninja have been a huge part of that. Derek drops the bomb on his newest project: an AI powered salon software that literally lets you ask anything you need and get instant answers, handle tasks in seconds, and even has an AI phone system that answers calls and books appointments for you so your front desk can focus on humans instead of hold music. We unpack why salons that embrace technology pull ahead. If you want to stay competitive, build a modern salon ecosystem, and stop fighting against tools that exist to make your life easier, this one is a must listen.
This week, we’re talking about communication… the part of leadership that’s a breeze when you’ve got a tiny team, but can suddenly feel like herding cats once you grow. We’re diving into what’s worked for us, what absolutely didn’t, and the systems we’re using right now to keep everyone aligned without losing our sanity. We get into matching communication styles, setting clear expectations and boundaries, and why “just talk to each other” isn’t a strategy. And yeah… we still struggle, because real leadership isn’t about pretending you’ve got it mastered. It’s about constantly refining, learning, and communicating smarter.
We sat down with straight-shooter Nina Tulio for a real talk on what leadership in the salon industry actually looks like today—no buzzwords, no sugar-coating. Nina breaks down how leadership has evolved, why servant leadership still wins, and how to lead from purpose instead of ego. She also dives deep into one of the hardest things for stylists to face: raising prices without guilt. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, emotions, or feeling “not ready,” this episode is your wake-up call to start charging your worth, lead with intention, and treat your chair like the business it truly is.
We see it all the time in this industry, people lose their drive. When the pressure, and the constant giving start to outweigh the love for the craft, it can feel easier to walk away. But sometimes, stepping back is the only way to remember why you fell in love with it in the first place. In this episode, we sit down with Cesalee Smith, a stylist who’s walked that exact path—leaving the industry completely, only to realize she missed it more than ever. We talk about burnout, rediscovering purpose, and what it’s really like to come back to the chair with a whole new perspective If you’ve ever thought about quitting or wondered what it would take to fall back in love with doing hair—this one’s for you.
On this episode, we sit down with Gina Bianca, a true jack of all trades in the industry. From hairstylist to commission/booth rental owner, yoga studio owner, and one of the most sought-after educators in the business, Gina has been through it all. She doesn’t sugarcoat her story, and she doesn’t shy away from the hard parts. We dive deep into the challenges she’s faced, the pivots she’s made, and the lessons she’s carried through every chapter of her career. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to make a change, Gina’s raw honesty will remind you that it all starts with yourself. This episode is proof that success isn’t about avoiding struggle, it’s about how you rise through it.
Salon breakups aren’t fun, but they’re inevitable. In this episode, we’re diving into the tough stuff—how to know when it’s time for someone to exit your company, whether that’s a resignation or a firing. We’ll walk through the warning signs, the right and wrong ways to handle it, and the big mistakes to avoid during and after a departure. Most importantly, we’ll talk about how to move forward—protecting your culture, supporting your team, and setting yourself up for growth on the other side.
In this episode, we get real about one of the hardest parts of being a hairstylist—GUILT. From upholding salon policies, client’s personal situations tugging at your heart, to saying no when someone begs you to squeeze them in on your day off, we’re covering it all. We talk about the pressure to always be empathetic, the blurred line between personal and professional, and how to protect your time without feeling like the bad guy. If you’ve ever felt torn between being a people-pleaser and running a business with boundaries, this one’s for you.
From refund demands to clients walking out without paying, and even the occasional case of public indecency, salon ownership comes with some wild stories. In this episode of Go Ham, we’re diving into the common headaches and the rare “did that really just happen?” moments that test your patience, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. Buckle up, because we’re spilling the tea on the challenges most people never see behind the chair.
Thinking about raising your prices but not sure if it’s the right move—or the right time? In this episode, we’re breaking down the when, why, and how of price increases. From recognizing the signs it's time to charge more, to understanding when not to raise prices, we’re giving you the full roadmap. We’ll cover the right (and wrong) ways to communicate price changes, how to keep your clients' trust, and how to avoid common missteps that hurt your brand. Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to make strategic pricing decisions that support your business growth—not sabotage i
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on all things marketing in the salon industry, from Google and Yelp to paid ads, community outreach, and everything in between. We’re breaking down what’s worked for us, what flopped, and what we’re testing this year to keep our books full and our brand top-of-mind. Whether you're a salon owner looking to attract more dream clients or just want to stop wasting money on marketing that doesn't convert, this one’s packed with real talk, lessons learned, and marketing goals we’re chasing in 2025.
In this episode, we sit down with Bob Philipp—a seasoned industry distributor—to unpack the current state of the beauty industry. From brand partnerships to price hikes, Bob pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on behind the scenes. We dive into the tough decisions salon owners face when choosing which beauty brands to align with, how global tariffs could impact pricing and product availability, and why so many major brands are raising prices while quietly cutting quality. Bob shares how these shifts inspired him to start his own distribution company built for salon owners—not for corporate profit. If you’ve ever questioned where your money is going or why your once-trusted product suddenly isn’t performing the same, this one’s for you.
In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Mattucci Curran, an industry vet with 10 years of commission salon experience—who made the bold decision to step into the world of independence. When we opened our salon suites right next door, she took the leap… and hasn’t looked back. We dive into what pushed her to make the switch, the wins (and curveballs) along the way, and how she's building her dream business one client at a time. Whether you're debating going solo or just curious about what it really takes, this conversation covers it all.
In this episode, we sit down with Marissa Carroll to talk about the real, raw reasons she left her commission salon to go independent—and why, after facing the realities of suite life, she ultimately chose to return. Marissa opens up about the freedom she was craving, the challenges that caught her off guard, and the unexpected ways her mindset shifted along the way. If you’ve ever wondered whether the grass is really greener on the other side, this episode is a must-listen.
We’re diving into how ChatGPT has seriously leveled up the way we run our salon. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we use AI behind the scenes — from writing policy updates and handling tricky guest messages to creating training guides, job posts, all things marketing and salon goals. If you’ve ever wondered how to save time, get out of your own head, or scale your business without burning out, this episode is your cheat code.
This week, we’re pulling no punches. We’re diving into the rise of a new generation of stylists claiming “specialist” status without the reps, the grit, or the confidence to back it up. Is it fear masked as branding? We’re calling it out.We also break down the right (and wrong) ways to roll out a price increase—because how you communicate it can make or break your guest retention. And finally, we unpack a real story of a salon owner whose attempt to inspire her team backfired—resulting in a top stylist walking out. What went wrong, and what can we learn?
In this episode, we sit down with Payton Wargo—a stylist who built a thriving business behind the chair in record time. She’s sharing the exact steps that helped her grow fast, the habits she swears by, and the hard lessons she had to learn along the way. If you're just starting out or feeling stuck, this episode is your blueprint. Follow her moves, apply the mindset—and the success is yours for the taking.
Ever wonder why a client never came back—and you never heard why? In this episode, we’re getting brutally honest. We’re breaking down real reasons clients said they didn’t return to their stylist or service provider. From disappointing results and lack of professionalism, to unclear pricing, hefty cancellation fees, and overall bad vibes—we’re diving into all of it.Are you doing any of these things without realizing it? Let’s talk about it, reflect on it, and figure out how to fix it before it costs you your next loyal client.
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