Thriving Stylist Podcast

The IRS is now using AI to search tax records and open audits, but what exactly does this mean for stylists and salon owners? Today, I want to talk about how this latest news from the IRS could significantly impact your business, and I break down the key areas where the IRS’s AI is likely to focus, while sharing strategies to help mitigate risks and ensure your tax filings are accurate. Whether you're a solo stylist or own a thriving salon, it's important to stay informed about the latest tax developments. While this all might sound alarming, understanding the implications can help you stay compliant and protect your hard-earned money, and I hope this episode helps you avoid any potential tax troubles that may trip you up!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

It’s important to normalize the reality that not everything is always perfect, and it’s just a fact that there are a number of unexpected challenges that studio suite owners often face.  Recently, I put up a question box to ask about the biggest struggles you have when building your business as a studio suite owner, and today we're going to talk about those issues and find solutions for you so that you can thrive in your studio suite. Whether you’ve been wondering about balancing work and life, financial management, overcoming burnout or navigating relationships with co-tenants (or maybe something else) I've got you covered and will be addressing it in this episode!    Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

As we step into a new presidential term in 2025, uncertainty looms large. How will these shifts impact our daily lives? From healthcare and taxes to retirement and social security, the implications are far-reaching. A lot of this is speculative, but today I wanted to dive into the facts and figures of how this administration could impact us. I realize that these are the issues that matter most to you and your family, and I hope this episode helps you navigate what is to come in the near future!   Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

If you’ve been listening to the podcast for awhile now, you’ve heard me talk about the great divide that’s happening in our industry. In fact, the industry is splitting in a way that I've never seen before, and we are seeing clients push back. In this episode, I reveal the reasons why your business may have gotten complacent, and I share actionable strategies you use if you find that your business is shrinking, or if you are proactively looking to prevent stalling out. I want to be here to support you through these next few years, and although things are going to be harder, we can do this. For those of you who choose to double down with these strategies, you will find greater success than they have ever seen before!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

“Shrinkflation” isn’t a new phenomenon, and you’re most likely experiencing it right now in your day-to-day experiences as a consumer. We are in a tight economic spot at the moment and service-based industries have had many challenges in the economic downturn, so I believe this is a relevant conversation to be having right now for stylists.  In this episode, I reveal the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to shrinkflation and how it all applies to our industry, and I share what will help you determine if a similar strategy is a good fit for your business!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

The hair extension industry has seen a meteoric rise in popularity, driven by social media and influencer culture. While early adopters reaped the rewards of high demand and low competition, the market has since become saturated with stylists. This has led to concerns about quality and customer satisfaction. So, is the extensions bubble about to burst or not?  If you currently offer hair extensions in your salon, or you’re thinking of adding the service, you may be asking yourself this very question. In this episode, I break it all down and share the data and insights to help you determine if the market for extensions is oversaturated, or if there is a golden opportunity for you to succeed in it!   Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast/ 

I absolutely love reading the ratings and reviews we get on Apple Podcasts, and I read them every single week. In fact, a lot of the questions that get asked there I use for my podcast episode ideas, but I can't always get to all of them or some I can't make an entire podcast episode on. In today’s episode, I thought it would be fun to try something different and turn some of those questions into a quick question mashup to get some of these questions answered for you. So, if you like this style and format for the podcast, make sure to let me know so I can bring you more of this type of content!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode like this one? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Social media marketing, business growth, economics and consumer behavior are things that I am deeply interested in and obsess over, and this episode touches on all these topics as I talk about building a thriving social media presence. Today, you’ll hear exactly what I did to grow an Instagram account completely outside of our industry by 800 followers - in just 8 months! When the opportunity came to manage my son's highly-competitive travel baseball league social media account, I took that on and want to share how I built this account up, what worked and what didn’t go so well, and how I used this experience to see the real power of social media outside of our industry. Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Small Business Saturday is fast-approaching, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact on your community while boosting your business. That’s why for this episode, I want to give you actionable strategies to maximize your participation and build strong relationships with both current and potential customers. In our industry, it is very much about reciprocity as we are in the relationship business. So, for this Small Business Saturday I want you to really think about how you can love on others in your network and your community and give love to other small businesses. Do this, and I think you will be amazed at how it all comes back to you too!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

When we talk about scalability in business, the big question is can we grow without burning ourselves out or working more hours? The answer is YES, it's absolutely possible, and I know this because we did it this year! In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I revamped my business in 2024 to achieve more while working less. It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it. If you’re looking to level up your business without overworking yourself, the 9 tips I share in this episode could be game-changers for you! Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Recently, there’s been a surge in viral TikTok videos and Instagram Reels where clients are speaking out against the beauty industry, particularly targeting hair stylists. In this episode, I take a closer look at one TikTok user’s perspective and how (and why) her content is resonating with both clients and stylists alike. Instead of getting defensive, it’s crucial to understand that these opinions reflect the mindset of a significant portion of today’s consumers. By embracing this alternative viewpoint, we can uncover valuable insights that will help us improve how we serve our clients and grow our businesses. As an industry, I feel that we need to get back to the art of customer service. As you know, it’s a fast-changing landscape, which is why I want to continue discussing the key shifts we’ll need to make in order to stay ahead, thrive, and meet the evolving expectations of our clients!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Have you implemented a gratuity free pricing model but found that it's not working as you had hoped? If so, you're not alone because I’ve been receiving messages from stylists recently who are asking how to effectively transition back to accepting gratuities, which is why I wanted to record this episode for you today.   Yes, there is a way for you to carefully work it backwards and get back to being open to accepting gratuities, and today I will show you how!   Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

If you’ve listened to the podcast for a while now, you know that I’ve released past episodes with my predictions for the upcoming year. Historically, my predictions have been spot on, and in this episode, I’m bringing you my 2025 predictions.  My main goal of sharing these predictions with you is to get the conversation started on what's coming in 2025, and this one is coming to you earlier than usual because I believe that we are stepping into an unprecedented time of the industry. As you’ll hear, I feel that things are only going to get harder, so I am trying to give you as much time as possible to prepare. Ultimately, it’ll be your ability to adapt, stay nimble and change that is what is going to make or break you going forward.  I would love to help serve you in all of these areas, and I can’t wait to see where we land at the end of 2025 with all of these predictions that I reveal today!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

In a time where the cost of living is steadily increasing, salon owners face the challenging decision of whether to absorb rising expenses or pass them on to their booth renters. In this episode, we take a deep dive into a DM I received from a booth renter salon owner, as I break down her current pricing model and analyze whether raising the rent is the right move or if it’s time to consider a new salon strategy all together. I can tell you that money alone won’t solve this challenge, but marketing and really looking at what it’s going to take to create a highly desirable space that people want to work in is going to be the solution here!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

This episode is a bit more of a vulnerable one that I'm a bit nervous, and excited, to bring to you today. I’m revealing how I personally overcame burnout, as well as what I learned from researching the key symptoms of burnout, and the profound changes I have made in my health, family, and professional life.  As you’ll hear, I truly feel like I am still achieving everything that I want to achieve, but for the first time ever, I’m as close to balanced as I possibly could be. If burnout is holding you back, I hope this episode offers you the inspiration and tools you need to reset and recharge as well!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

As salon owners, it's crucial to ensure that our businesses are sustainable for ourselves, our stylists, and our overall growth. But when we talk about being "fair," what does that really mean in the context of payroll? In this episode, I tackle the age-old question: “Can a salon afford to pay 45%+ commissions?, while diving deep into the numbers and exploring the significant impact payroll has on the bottom line for salon owners today. By the end of this episode, I aim to give you a new perspective on this often misunderstood topic. It’s time to move away from vague ideas of “fairness” and instead focus on calculating a compensation model that’s truly beneficial for everyone in the salon—owners and stylists alike!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

As a service-based industry, it is really easy to focus on the feels and the vibes because we are in this pressure cooker of an economy, and we start to make emotional decisions that are not good for business. I sat down to record this episode in urgency, because I want everyone to take a step back and really check the math on a piece of advice that has been going around Instagram about using a loyalty pricing model.  This is a new pricing strategy that could be incredibly detrimental to your income, so I want to work through a number of different scenarios so that you really know what’s happening if you decide to use a system like this in your business!   Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Today’s episode is inspired by a message I received from an incredible Thriving Stylist podcast listener who is asking for guidance on how to build and grow her career as a commission-based stylist, while not having complete control over her career.  As a stylist, I know that you want to grow, and you need to be in an environment where growth is supported. When you’re in this type of environment you’ll be in the driver seat of your career and in control of your future, and when you’re successful, the salon owner is too - it’s a win-win partnership!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast   

Recently an Instagram post came across my feed that I have not been able to stop thinking about since seeing it, so I want to share this clip with you today so you can hear the powerful message around perceived value in our industry.  In this episode, we are going to dig into the fatal flaws of how you are talking about price and cost and give you the new approach to talking price with clients!  The Stand Out & Grow Fast Bootcamp for Hair Stylists- The 7-day training program for stylists that will keep your demand sky high, eliminate no-shows and guarantee retention. Click here to join now! Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast 

Times are changing in our industry, as well as consumer behaviors, and the things that used to work just don't anymore. That is why today I want to shed some light on the amenities that don't hold the power that they used to, and give you the categories that used to be considered amenities that are now just par for the course and expectations of your clients. As well, I want to give you my thoughts on what is coming on the horizon, because it’s so important to always anticipate change and look ahead. I want you to be able to have longevity in this industry and stay ahead of the economic growth, so really think about the tones and vibes that you set and how you want to be perceived by your clients, and I hope this discussion helps you do that!  Do you have a question for me that you’d like answered in a future episode? A great way to do that is to head over to Apple Podcasts and leave a rating and review with your question. I'm looking forward to answering your question on a future episode on the podcast!  If you’re not already following us, @thethrivingstylist, what are you waiting for? This is where I share pro tips every single week, along with winning strategies, testimonials, and amazing breakthroughs from my audience. You’re not going to want to miss out on this. Learn more at: https://thrivingstylist.com/podcast