The Blowout - By Salon Owners for Salon Owners

#0023 - THE BUDGET: How Much More Can Salons Take?!💇🏼‍♀️ Wella Professional: https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GBIn this episode of the Blowout Podcast, hosts Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward discuss the recent budget and its implications for salon owners and the beauty industry. They express frustration over the lack of meaningful changes, particularly regarding VAT and minimum wage increases, and highlight the challenges faced by salon owners in navigating employment laws and maintaining profitability. The conversation also touches on the importance of mentorship and the future of the beauty industry amidst ongoing economic pressures.The Blowout is the no-filter podcast by salon owners, for salon owners. Hosted by Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward, this show dives into the real conversations behind running a successful salon — from building a strong team and managing money, to navigating burnout, boundaries, and bold business decisions. Expect honest advice, relatable stories, and practical takeaways you can actually use behind the chair and behind the scenes. If you’re ready to grow your salon without the fluff, The Blowout is your weekly seat in the chair.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AGUDraVqTouQmKq2Ujgb9?si=Am8vbwJ7Te6tkWkfkPWa0QApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-blowout-by-salon-owners-for-salon-owners/id1866607946Thank you for watching this episode, and stay tuned for the next one, where we will continue to explore industry transformations and innovation strategies!Chapters00:00 Post-Budget Reflections03:10 The Impact of VAT and Business Rates06:01 Challenges Facing Salon Owners09:04 The Minimum Wage Dilemma12:08 Navigating Employment Laws15:05 The Future of the Beauty Industry18:00 The Role of Self-Employment21:01 Mentorship and Growth in the Industry24:07 Final Thoughts on the Budget and Industry Challenges

The Blowout is the no-filter podcast by salon owners, for salon owners. Hosted by Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward, this show dives into the real conversations behind running a successful salon — from building a strong team and managing money, to navigating burnout, boundaries, and bold business decisions. Expect honest advice, relatable stories, and practical takeaways you can actually use behind the chair and behind the scenes. If you’re ready to grow your salon without the fluff, The Blowout is your weekly seat in the chair.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AGUDraVqTouQmKq2Ujgb9?si=Am8vbwJ7Te6tkWkfkPWa0QApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-blowout-by-salon-owners-for-salon-owners/id1866607946Thank you for watching this episode, and stay tuned for the next one, where we will continue to explore industry transformations and innovation strategies!0:00 - "Profit" as a dirty word1:25 - Podcast introduction1:42 - Why salon owners shouldn't feel guilty about profit8:07 - Profit targets: 5% versus 10%9:38 - Understanding payroll costs and profit and loss12:50 - Key numbers salon owners should know15:03 - Tracking a few key metrics consistently17:15 - How to start a basic profit and loss19:23 - Increasing turnover and controlling costs24:51 - Profit versus cash flow29:46 - A towel switch that could save money31:03 - Reviewing payment processing costs33:31 - Teaching teams to understand the profit and loss36:34 - The "profit circle" team exercise40:35 - Why time and productivity are what salons sell41:44 - Closing thought: profit isn't a dirty word

The Blowout is the no-filter podcast by salon owners, for salon owners. Hosted by Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward, this show dives into the real conversations behind running a successful salon — from building a strong team and managing money, to navigating burnout, boundaries, and bold business decisions. Expect honest advice, relatable stories, and practical takeaways you can actually use behind the chair and behind the scenes. If you’re ready to grow your salon without the fluff, The Blowout is your weekly seat in the chair.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AGUDraVqTouQmKq2Ujgb9?si=Am8vbwJ7Te6tkWkfkPWa0QApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-blowout-by-salon-owners-for-salon-owners/id1866607946Thank you for watching this episode, and stay tuned for the next one, where we will continue to explore industry transformations and innovation strategies!Episode timestamps00:00 Episode preview01:17 Welcome to the episode01:51 Why staff appraisals matter04:02 Creating the right environment for reviews06:08 Monthly check-ins vs annual appraisals07:50 Should appraisals be mandatory?09:43 Sickness reviews and return-to-work interviews12:43 Structuring appraisals around performance and KPIs13:41 The red flags of a difficult team member15:44 Spotting a long-term decline in performance17:18 Dealing with toxic situations quickly20:36 Supporting employees while remaining performance-driven23:21 The hardest conversations bosses must have25:22 Delivering uncomfortable feedback with kindness28:01 What happens when an entire team lacks self-awareness?30:42 Managing conflict within your team32:29 Your salon is a sports team, not a family34:06 When should a boss intervene?36:58 Becoming a secret shopper in your own salon38:15 Is managing a large salon actually easier?40:51 Why team social events matter44:43 Profit is not a dirty word45:31 Nothing is bigger than the badge47:00 Should product wastage affect commission?48:11 Knowing when a toxic employee needs to go50:19 Does every team need a bad apple?

💇🏼‍♀️ Wella Professional: https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GB💊 Glowwa: https://www.glowwa.com/This episode follows Suzanne Cooper, founder of Glowwa, as she shares how her own hair loss journey led her to create a nutrition-led brand for the professional salon channel. It matters because the conversation goes beyond product development and digs into why education, trust, and salon-first distribution can shape long-term brand loyalty. We discuss how Glowwa started with no marketing budget, how Suzanne built credibility through salon education, and why she has resisted the push to move mass or undercut salons online. She also explains what’s driving more hair loss today, from stress and ultra-processed diets to GLP-1 weight loss injections.The Blowout is the no-filter podcast by salon owners, for salon owners. Hosted by Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward, this show dives into the real conversations behind running a successful salon — from building a strong team and managing money to navigating burnout, boundaries, and bold business decisions. Expect honest advice, relatable stories, and practical takeaways you can actually use behind the chair and behind the scenes. If you’re ready to grow your salon without the fluff, The Blowout is your weekly seat in the chair.Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6AGUDraVqTouQmKq2Ujgb9?si=Am8vbwJ7Te6tkWkfkPWa0Q⁠Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-blowout-by-salon-owners-for-salon-owners/id1866607946⁠Thank you for watching this episode, and stay tuned for the next one, where we will continue to explore industry transformations and innovation strategies!Timestamps00:00 - Overnight hair loss and the decision to bet on herself02:09 - What triggered Suzanne’s hair loss journey03:45 - When the shedding became impossible to ignore04:28 - Why ingredient quality and label reading mattered06:17 - Targeting inflammation, hormones, and stress07:43 - Turning an idea into a manufactured product08:30 - Giving the first stock away to salons for free09:05 - Leaving a full-time job to build Glowwa10:54 - Why salon education matters so much13:26 - Choosing salons over mass retail15:01 - The two questions behind every business decision16:50 - How Glowwa drives consumers back to salons18:51 - Making salon purchase more attractive than buying online20:37 - Why the brand is called Glowwa22:23 - Why hair loss is rising now23:19 - Supporting clients using GLP-1 weight loss injections24:12 - Why Glowwa expanded into collagen25:12 - Collagen as a low-pressure retail conversation starter26:00 - Why the brand will not launch shampoos or oils26:54 - International growth and expanding carefully29:03 - Choosing the right distributors31:43 - Moving into skin clinics and aesthetics32:44 - Why education is the missing gap for many stylists33:18 - Free training and charity seat-holder fees35:12 - Staying independent while scaling39:51 - Working with her partner and keeping work boundaries42:26 - The warehouse damage setback that nearly broke the business44:40 - How Glowwa trusts its UK manufacturers and ingredient sourcing46:58 - Why betting on herself mattered49:06 - How Suzanne switches off and maintains her routine50:09 - Whether supplements should be used continuously

👑 Little Princess Trust: https://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/https://www.instagram.com/officiallittleprincesstrusthttps://www.facebook.com/officiallittleprincesstrusthttps://x.com/LPTrustUK💇🏼‍♀️ Wella Professional: https://www.wella.com/professional/en-GBIn this episode, Wendy Tarplee-Morris shares the inspiring story behind the Little Princess Trust, how hair donations support children with cancer, and how salons can get involved to make a difference. Discover the impact of community efforts and the future of childhood cancer research.The Blowout is the no-filter podcast by salon owners, for salon owners. Hosted by Haylee Benton and Hellen Ward, this show dives into the real conversations behind running a successful salon — from building a strong team and managing money to navigating burnout, boundaries, and bold business decisions. Expect honest advice, relatable stories, and practical takeaways you can actually use behind the chair and behind the scenes. If you’re ready to grow your salon without the fluff, The Blowout is your weekly seat in the chair.Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AGUDraVqTouQmKq2Ujgb9?si=Am8vbwJ7Te6tkWkfkPWa0QApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-blowout-by-salon-owners-for-salon-owners/id1866607946Thank you for watching this episode, and stay tuned for the next one, where we will continue to explore industry transformations and innovation strategies!Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Little Princess Trust and Wendy's story02:24 How the charity started after Wendy's daughter's passing07:26 The journey from initial donations to a nationwide charity12:43 The process of donating hair and making wigs17:10 Minimum hair length requirements and donation guidelines22:42 The global reach of hair donations from 129 countries30:48 Supporting children with wigs and the importance of training32:25 Current challenges and future needs of the charity33:40 Expanding support to childhood cancer research36:28 The impact of high-profile donations and awareness campaigns39:09 The role of AI and technology in cancer research42:30 How listeners and salons can get involved45:34 The tangible impact of fundraising and community support46:49 Wendy's message of hope and legacy