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© 2026 Beauty Industry Leaders
Description
Welcome to the no-BS podcast for beauty entrepreneurs who are here to lead.
This is for the ones raising the standards - not just in their own business, but for the entire industry.
Not for hobbyists or side hustlers. This is for those who are all in.
Each episode brings together raw, unfiltered conversations with beauty business owners - from service providers and product creators to educators and consultants, plus guest experts who are leading in their field. You’ll hear the real stories behind their success, the mistakes they’ve made, and the lessons that helped them evolve.
Hosted by Sammy Kennedy, a 7-figure entrepreneur, business strategist, and multi-industry disrupter - the Beauty Industry Leaders podcast, a show where legacy and leadership collide to spark industry evolution. With 17 years of hands-on experience in small business (across 8 family-run ventures and 3 of her own), Sammy delivers a fresh, strategic lens on what it actually takes to grow a profitable, scalable, and values-driven business in today’s competitive landscape.
In each weekly episode, you’ll hear real, raw conversations with small business owners, CEOs and guest experts covering everything from:
🔥 Mindset, Imposter Syndrome and your CEO Identity
🔥 Profitable Pricing & Cashflow Clarity
🔥 Leadership, Culture and Team Performance
🔥 Brand Positioning & Social Impact
🔥 Marketing Strategy That Converts
🔥 Sales & Client Conversion
🔥 Client Experience & Retention Strategies
🔥 Smart Systems & Business Efficiency
We shine a light on the silent achievers behind the scenes, the rising stars who are building with purpose, and the leaders at the top redefining what success looks like in the ever-changing beauty industry.
It’s a space to celebrate those doing incredible work behind the scenes, spotlight those who are shaping the future of our industry, and share practical, powerful insights that move us all forward.
Whether you’re leading the way or just finding your stride, you’ll feel at home here.
This podcast pays it forward - for the betterment of you, your business, and the beauty industry as a whole.
Subscribe to the podcast now so you don’t miss a moment and get ahead of the rest of the pack in this competitive industry.
Connect with Sammy and Join the Beauty Industry Leaders movement
https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedycoach/
https://www.instagram.com/beautyindustryleaders/
90 Episodes
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I’m recording the very first episode inside our new Beauty Industry Leaders Podcast studio, and I’m joined by husband-and-wife founders Kiri and Wesley of AMPERNA® - the topical postbiotic, microbiome-friendly skincare brand created for sensitive and reactive skin. Kiri shares the deeply personal journey that led to building the brand, from pustular acne and rosacea to topical steroid withdrawal and the grief of losing her father. Wesley explains how his background in operational systems beca...
I’m breaking down what actually makes a business sustainable long term and why popularity or fast growth isn’t enough. Drawing from my experience across multiple family ventures, from bowling alleys and arcades to festivals and Wild West Bowling - alongside my own journey in the beauty industry, I share the three important traits I believe every sustainable business must have. In this episode: ✨ Why repeat customers matter more than reach ✨ The difference between revenue and profit ✨ How to b...
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a personal reflection on how the rooms you sit in shape the life and business you build. At 19, during Miss Universe, I was navigating a cancelled university degree, a scoliosis diagnosis, and the physical strain of running a lash business that was hurting my body. Through a pageant sponsor, I stepped into a contractor role applying protective film to luxury watches, which allowed me to earn more, work fewer hours, and ultimately get into rooms with high-net-wo...
In today’s episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at a hectic week while preparing for our upcoming Beauty Industry Leaders retreat, and using it to highlight the biggest mistake most business owners make when they want to scale. I talk through everything from last-minute travel prep and investing in new videography equipment, to onboarding calls, creative marketing inspired by Love Island, and designing a seamless attendee experience. I also open up about an unexpected health scare af...
Today I’m sharing some honest reflections - the kind of things I’d tell you if we were sitting down together over a coffee. I start with a personal update on what’s been happening behind the scenes lately, from juggling projects and staying consistent with updates, to the progress of building out a new podcast studio. I also share where things are at with preparations for the upcoming Beauty Industry Leaders retreat in Vietnam and what’s been going into making that experience meaningful and a...
Today I’m talking about how to start investing, even if you don’t have lots of money. I’m sharing a few reflections from my stay at the 1 Hotel in Melbourne, and what stood out to me about their customer experience and sustainable approach. I also give you an update on the Beauty Industry Leaders Business Retreat in Vietnam, including some of the incredible attendees and guest speakers who’ll be joining us. Then I take you through my own investment journey and what I’ve learned about building...
Today we’re wrapping up the Marketing Series with Part 6 - and this episode brings everything together. I’m breaking down how to structure any piece of content so it not only lands with your audience, but actually drives action and conversion. I also reflect on the lingering challenges coming out of 2025, the delayed setup of my podcast studio, and the wider sense of uncertainty I’ve been hearing in conversations across the beauty industry. Using the transition from the Year of the Snake to t...
Today we dive into Part 5 of the Marketing Series - and this is an important one. I’m breaking down why relying on a single post will never convert your audience, no matter how good it is, and how using multiple content formats strategically is what actually drives results. Different formats exist for different reasons, and understanding how they work together is key to moving your audience from awareness to action. In this episode, I’m covering: ✨ Why having a dedicated studio space can elev...
In the first episode of 2026, I’m breaking down how to review the past year in a way that actually creates momentum for the next one. This isn’t about rewriting goals or setting unrealistic expectations - it’s about understanding what worked, what didn’t, and how to design a year that supports both your business and your life. In this episode, I’m covering: ✨ Why most annual reviews fail — and how to review your year so it leads to real change ✨ How to properly document wins, mile...
If you’re posting consistently but still not seeing bookings, the issue usually isn’t your effort, it’s the lack of a structured campaign. In Part 4 of our Marketing Series, Elli and I move beyond revenue targets and into execution. This episode breaks down how to build an intentional content campaign that warms cold followers, builds trust, and guides the right people toward booking - without relying on constant posting or short-term tactics. Rather than chasing visibility, we focus on strat...
If you’re creating marketing campaigns based on hope, intuition, or “what feels right” - you’re likely skipping the most important step: the math. In Part 3 of the Marketing Series, we shift from messaging and audience clarity into the numbers that actually make marketing work. Because before you design a campaign, choose a platform, or write a single piece of content, you need to know exactly what your marketing is required to produce. In this episode, we cover: ✨ A personal catch-up as Elli...
If you’ve ever wondered why your marketing sounds good on paper but isn’t converting - there’s a strong chance you’re marketing to who you think your clients are, not who they actually are. In Part 2 of the Marketing Series, we move beyond surface-level assumptions and into the real drivers behind buying decisions. Because effective marketing isn’t about guessing, trends, or copying what’s working for someone else - it’s about precision, clarity, and deep audience understanding. In this episo...
If you’ve ever felt like your marketing just isn’t landing - or you’re making decisions based on gut feelings rather than real data - this episode is going to completely reshape the way you approach your brand strategy. Today, I’m kicking off a brand-new Marketing Series by breaking down the foundation every successful beauty brand starts with: market research. This is the step most entrepreneurs skip… and the reason so many marketing plans fall flat. In this episode, I’m diving into: ✨ A beh...
If you’ve ever wondered why some brands effortlessly attract high-quality clients — while others struggle to stand out - this episode is going to shift the way you think about visuals forever. Today, I’m diving into the psychology behind brand imagery: why it matters, what it says about you, and how the smallest visual choices can completely transform who you attract. I’m sharing: ✨ The wild growth of this podcast - over 16,000 downloads in 814 cities - and why consistency is so rare in this ...
If AI still feels overwhelming, confusing, or “not for you,” this episode is going to completely shift the way you think about technology, creativity, and the future of your beauty business. Today, I’m sitting down with the brilliant Em Gee - a former teacher turned tech-savvy marketing mentor who has built six businesses in seven years, mentored over a thousand women, and written two best-selling books. Em is known for her no-fluff education style, bold strategy, and her unique ability to ma...
If you’ve ever braced yourself for the dreaded “slow season” in Jan/Feb, this episode is going to completely shift the way you think about bookings, client behaviour, and your business strategy. Today, I’m sitting down with the incredible Bec Barwick - a true veteran of the beauty industry with over 30 years of hands-on experience. Bec has done it all: skin therapist, multi-salon owner, leader of high-performing teams, and now a key educator and industry expert at ZO Skin Health. She even fle...
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s smarter to hire a team or rent out rooms in your salon, this episode is going to give you so much clarity and confidence. Today, I’m sitting down with Clarissa Saco - a cosmetic tattoo artist, mentor, investor, and salon owner who’s built an incredible career in the beauty industry. Clarissa bought her first salon at just 22 years old, and her journey since then has been filled with lessons about growth, resilience, and redefining success on her own terms....
If you’ve ever felt like your brain just works differently - and that running a business sometimes feels like juggling chaos with creativity - this episode is for you. Today I’m pulling back the curtain on what it’s really like to run a business with ADHD - the challenges, the hidden strengths, and the systems that have completely changed the game for me. I’m sharing: ✨ My ADHD diagnosis journey and what finally made the puzzle pieces click ✨ How ADHD shows up in my daily work habits — from h...
If you’ve ever felt the growing tension between nurses and skin therapists, or wondered how the new TGA rules are reshaping Australia’s aesthetic landscape, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. I’m sitting down with Katy Hirst, a registered nurse with 18 years of experience (nine of those in cosmetic nursing) and the founder of The Aesthetic Lounge in Cairns. From working in fast-paced chain clinics to building her own boutique business in regional Queensland, Katy shares what it’s rea...
If you’ve ever wondered what really moves the needle in business - beyond the latest marketing hack or viral trend - this episode is for you. I’m diving into the one strategy that’s made me more sales than any other tactic I’ve ever tried: storytelling. In this episode, I’m breaking down how sharing your story (and your clients’ stories) builds connection, trust, and loyalty - the kind that turns followers into real, paying clients. I also catch you up on some of my recent adventures - from a...
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