The Go Ham Podcast

67 Episodes

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Booked and Busy Before 20: Iyonna's Story

2026-09-1444:33

In this episode, we sit down with Iyonna Elston, who proves that age has nothing to do with ambition. Iyonna found a way to begin cosmetology school at just 17 years old, built a thriving business behind the chair, and by 19, had the opportunity to do hair at Paris Fashion Week. We talk about the experiences that have shaped her into the businesswoman she is today, the lessons she’s taken from both challenges and opportunities, and the role faith plays in keeping her grounded and driven. Iyonna’s story is a reminder that when you stay focused, trust the path you’re on, and choose to learn from every experience, there’s no limit to how far you can go.

They Asked for a Blessing... They Got the Business

2026-08-2401:04:04

In this episode we sit down with Tara Davis and Sara Gardiner, owners of Blu Salons in Raleigh, to hear a story they never could have planned. After years behind the chair, they approached their salon owners hoping to get their blessing to open a salon of their own. Instead, they were handed an opportunity they never saw coming: the chance to take over all three salon locations. And then, just as they stepped into ownership, the world shut down. We talk about what it was really like going from stylists to salon owners almost overnight, navigating COVID as brand-new business owners, and eventually learning how to lead a company of nearly 100 employees. Tara and Sara share the highs, the hard lessons, the unexpected challenges, and everything that happened in between from figuring out leadership and managing a growing team to carrying the responsibility of a business much bigger than they originally imagined. If you’ve ever wondered what really happens when the opportunity you’ve been asking for shows up way bigger than you imagined, this episode is for you.

Turning Pain Into Purpose with Dom Mednick

2026-08-1051:55

What if your biggest setback became your greatest opportunity? In this episode, we sit down with Dom Mednick, who shares how her own hair loss journey led her to create a thriving topper business after feeling dismissed by the medical community and realizing extensions were no longer an option for her. We talk about how she turned a personal challenge into a solution that's helped thousands of clients and salons, how she leveraged social media to grow her brand, and what it's really like balancing life behind the chair, salon ownership, her topper business, and educating as a Redken Artist. This episode is packed with inspiration, resilience, and branding insights for anyone looking to turn obstacles into opportunities.

No One Warns You About This Part of Salon Ownership

2026-07-2733:34

In this episode, we're getting honest about what happens when leadership evolves and many of the responsibilities salon owners once owned are delegated or outsourced. Heather shares her personal story of feeling lost after stepping away from the day-to-day tasks she had always identified with, and the journey of rediscovering where she could make the biggest impact. Instead of trying to hold onto work that no longer served the business, she leaned into what she's always done best: obsessing over the guest experience and viewing every touchpoint through the eyes of the consumer. That ultimately led her to take over leading our front desk team and completely rethink how the guest journey should feel from the very first interaction.If you've been questioning your place in your own company, struggling to find your purpose as your business grows, or wondering how to reignite the passion that got you here in the first place, this conversation is for you.

How To Be Booked and Busy Without Going Viral

2026-07-1332:41

Everyone keeps saying you have to become a content creator to grow behind the chair in 2026... but is that actually true? In this episode, we're challenging the idea that social media is the ONLY path to a fully booked schedule. We break down the growth strategies that have consistently worked across our salons, from increasing your rebooking percentage and creating unforgettable guest experiences to generating referrals, word-of-mouth marketing, and turning existing clients into your biggest promoters. If you've been feeling slow, burned out trying to keep up with the algorithm, or wondering if you need to become an influencer to be successful, this episode is your reminder that there are still proven ways to build a thriving business without living on Instagram.

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