The Elevate Podcast

To get a preview of my 12 Week Training Program, purchase it here https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/qLbT6zSt/checkout or join The Elevate Insider to receive it for free https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/insider  To purchase the entire 12 Week Training Program for only $199, visit https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/GoqUSPim/checkout  Hiring is a constant struggle for salon owners. We need stylists to work for us, but when new stylists just out of school that need a lot of training and support apply to work for us the overwhelm sets in. Training is a lot of time, energy, effort, and money. But when you implement a training program in your salon, it doesn't have to be so stressful and expensive. I offer new hires access to my 12 Week Training Program, which allows them to work on my 4 pillars of success: technical skills, client experience, mindset, and marketing/social media. When stylists work on these 4 pillars, they become confident stylists that are ready to take clients.

To get your supporting PDF, visit https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/g2KCiLSt/checkout  Many salon owners believe that luxury is about a beautiful space, high-end products, or fancy beverages. The truth? Luxury is a standard, not a vibe. In this episode of Insider, we dive into what it truly takes to create a luxury salon experience. You’ll learn how to: Anticipate client needs and deliver before it’s expected (like cleaning hairlines, informing about external disruptions, or offering thoughtful conveniences). Provide an impeccable client experience every single time. Deliver exceptional customer service with integrity and attention to detail. Train your team to consistently deliver a high-end experience, ensuring every client leaves feeling valued. We also break down lessons from the Ritz-Carlton and Disney on going above and beyond for clients, and how you can apply these standards in your salon immediately. If you’re ready to elevate your salon beyond aesthetics and products, and make luxury a repeatable standard, this episode is for you.

To purchase the supporting guide for this episode, visithttps://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/LR2MKcXp/checkout Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz?coupon_code=INSIDER To get the full episode + supporting guides, join The Elevate Insider! https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/insider  The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   At the beginning of the year, I sent out a survey that completely opened my eyes. I received hundreds of responses, and most found our online booking confusing or difficult. I immediately went into problem solving mode and spent hours researching which company to switch to. This year alone, I've used 3 booking systems and have tried 4 in total in my 14 years of business. Throughout this process, I've had many realizations. The biggest one? No booking system is perfect. Tune in to hear the pros and cons of the 4 systems I tried, and what you need to be mindful of if you're ready to make a switch!

To purchase the supporting guide for this episode, visit https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/ZEALFXUz Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz?coupon_code=INSIDER To get the full episode + supporting guides, join The Elevate Insider! https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/insider  The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   Would you believe me if I told you that I don't motivate my team? No pep talks, no bonuses, no seminars. Instead, I move forward with a clear strategy that begins during the hiring process. I'm discovering my team's "why," learning what they value, and helping them build confidence. Motivation is fleeting, leading your team based on their personal values is what sticks.

Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz?coupon_code=INSIDER  The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   To download today's PDF that will help you support independent stylists going back to a commission salon, click here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/ByTUtzph/checkout Over the last 3 months, I've had not one... not two... but three independent stylist start working for me at my commission salon. With the rise of independent stylists and suite rental over the last 5 years, I was curious why they decided to make the switch back to commission. And I took it a step further: I asked them why they decided to choose my salon over all the other salons in the area. Their answers were honest and clear. Doing everything on your own isn't easy, and sometimes the payout isn't worth it. I share my thoughts and how we can support independent stylists who want to go back to a commission salon in this episode!

Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz?coupon_code=INSIDER The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   To download today's PDF that will help you audit your client experience + get 40 ways to instantly elevate your salon, click here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/W4ejVQCu/checkout  This summer my husband and I booked a dinner reservation at Alinea, a Michelin Star restaurant in Chicago, and the experience was incredible. As I was reflecting on my experience, there was one thing that stood out. It wasn't that we had an amazing meal, it was that every single tiny detail was amazing! It made me think about our industry, and where salons are missing the mark. In this episode, I recount my time at Alinea and discuss ways we can create the same sort of experience at our salon.

Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here. The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   Gaining momentum as a business owner is exciting, but losing it is super scary. This lead me to discover new and fresh things to grow my business, one of them being paid ads. I spent countless hours of my life trying to run Meta ads with little to no success. I knew something had to change, and I needed to hire this out to an expert. After much research and countless calls with companies, I settled on running my ads through Fill Your Books. They were well known in the industry, and they were one of the few companies that allowed you to keep what they built out for you. Since my ad launch in May, I've received hundreds of messages with eager clients ready to book. And without my ads, maybe they would've never found my salon. So instead of trying a million things yourself and seeing what sticks, I recommend hiring an expert to help you expedite this growth. To learn more about how Fill Your Books can help you grow your client base, book a walkthrough and be sure to mention I sent you! https://fillyourbooks.com/ 

Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here. The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   How many times have you ignored the red flags for the sake of revenue? Recently I ignored some major red flags and am now picking up the pieces. In this episode, I share my recent story, what I learned, and what I'll do differently moving forward. This is an eye opening episode for all salon owners!

Want the full episode + supporting PDFs? Join my podcast coaching program, The Elevate Insider. Get your first month free by clicking here. The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   How are you finding new stylists in 2025? I recently started a new strategy for attracting stylists on social media and that has landed me twelve interviews in just 2 weeks! The bottom line? Show up, show who you are, and set up those interviews!

To get the full episode + the exact survey I used, join The Elevate Insider: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   Surveys are a simple but powerful tool to get inside your clients' heads, but pressing the send button isn't easy. Last month I reached out to every single client who hasn't been in my salon in over 9 months or more. The feedback I received was eye opening. And it stung. A lot. I saw some clear trends and knew exactly where I needed to shift thanks to this brutal feedback. I share all the details, including the survey template, in today's episode of The Elevate Insider!

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   As you grow and develop your team, they will need more support outside of just their technical skills. It's your responsibility to develop them into leaders. In this episode, I share why it's important to include this sort of training in your salon and how to get started! You'll be able to give your team more growth opportunities, take more off your plate, and build a stronger salon culture.

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   I don't care how many times I have to say this... You need a front desk. A front desk/support staff's job is not to sit around, answer phones, and fold towels. They should be in a sales role, going above and beyond for clients, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks. I share all the details in this week's episode!

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured In a digital world that's full of advice, it's easy to feel lost. And now more than ever, it's easy to feel divided. As salon owners, we put a lot on the line. And it's not all glamorous. In this episode, I share how I think we can become a more united industry, and how stylists and salon owners can work together to create careers that are absolutely fulfilling.

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured New salon owners are turning to trusted people in our industry to guide them on the right path to success. New salon owner Kaili Nihil opened her salon Forest Moon Collective just two years ago, and decided to follow some popular advice at the time. To her surprise, her salon wasn't growing like she thought. Kaili took matters into her own hands and completely transformed her business, resulting in more profit, more team members, and a better experience for clients. As entrepreneurs, pivoting will save your business- just like it did for Kaili.

To complete the listener survey & receive my 7 Power Moves to Elevate Your Salon Playbook, visit: https://53fgjwjm0yd.typeform.com/to/kdrUYXFj  Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   You can't do it all as a salon owner, and that includes working full time behind the chair. As a salon owner, you have to shift your time and energy from working with clients to leadership, team and client retention, marketing, and so much more. In this episode, I explain why no salon owner should be working full time behind the chair, and what you should be doing instead. The main focus? Your team.

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   There are so many moving parts to opening a salon. Most of the time we get wrapped up in permits & build outs, and other important things like policies, onboarding, culture, and leadership aren't even discussed. I wish I had clear, solid answers to the 10 questions I'm sharing with you today. It would have saved me so much stress in the long run. To get the full episode which includes questions 6-10, click here: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/insider 

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   As a salon owner, it's your responsibility to grow and develop your team. And if you don't, it usually turns into a breeding ground for a host of issues. In the full episode, I share tactical ways to grow a unified team and explain why a growth plan can help you achieve this. Be sure to become an Insider for the full episode & supporting PDFs! Click here to join.

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured   Lena Mar Reitz, owner of Hair Boss Professional & Omar Herrera, VP of Taxco talk about the pros and cons of W-2s vs 1099s and why W-2s are the best option. To connect with Omar, visit https://www.taxcousa.com/ or call 562-293-8012

Join The Elevate Insider for full episodes: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured Get the full episode (and your first month FREE): https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout?coupon_code=INSIDER  The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching  Hands-On & Virtual Extension Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/extensions  Social Media Support: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/socialmedia  Free Education: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/free    Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/  Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured    Today I sit down with Lena Mar Reitz, owner of Hair Boss Professional & Omar Herrera, VP of Taxco and have a candid conversation about 1099 vs W-2 employees, tax implications, workers' comp, & so many other things that directly impact your salon every single day. We pick Omar's brain from a salon owner perspective and get a grip on how to run your business legally. To connect with Omar, visit https://www.taxcousa.com/ or call 562-293-8012