In this episode of Grow My Salon Business with host Antony Whitaker, Antony is talking with Eric Taylor. Eric is the founder of the Salon Republic, salon suite business in California. Salon Republic is booming with 21 locations and a total of over 2000 individual suites. On top of that, Eric is also a fantastic podcaster and has a podcast called The Hair Game. Listen in as we discuss:Why the salon studio model started.Who started it and where. What is driving the growth? Things to consider when looking at leasing a suite.Who is a fit for the suite atmosphere?They compare the differences between a commission-based salon and the salon suite model. The pros and cons of both, and what that looks like from both an industry and a client perspective. Eric also talks about the average cost of having a salon suite, what that cost covers, and the new beauty supply store they have in house.Eric believes that what is driving the salon suite business model is the flexibility it offers,  you set the hours, you set the prices and you set the days of the week you want to work. It is the ability to own your own business without all of the overhead of actually owning a stand-alone salon. But as Antony points out, “it’s not for everybody!” If you are a stylist and are thinking wow I want to do that! Listen as Eric fills us in on why it is an excellent option for the right person. He is so knowledgeable about the industry, has grown his business exponentially and is looking to expand further. Whether or not you like the salon suite model this is a conversation that you need to hear in order to understand the changes impacting on the industry and what is driving those changes. In This Episode:[01:32] Welcome to the show, Eric![02:15] Eric discusses what the salon studio model concept is, why, and where it started.[06:50] Antony talks about the scale of suite models and how many can fit in a 20,000sq ft warehouse.[09:27] Each studio is an individual business with four walls and a door, and the stylist is in charge of everything from services to rates.[10:10] What is the most prominent reason stylists like the studio model?[12:37] This is more for stylists with a good client base; there are not enough walk-ins to build a business.[15:40] Antony plays devils advocate and askes Eric why commissioned salon owners should take new stylists out of school, help them build a clientele for them to leave, and open up their own suite?[17:53] Eric says the reality is that each salon model has its pros and cons.[22:27] What is the mindset that has allowed this model to explode in Texas and California?[28:51] They speak about clients wanting to be in a bustling salon and not in one chair, one mirror kind of environment, and who likes it.[31:46] What was the response from traditional salon owners when you first started this suite model?[34:27] What does an average suite cost, and what does the cost cover?[37:04] Eric discusses what the expense of a suite covers at Salon Republic and about the beauty supply store they have available.[42:17] The industry average of people who leave salons, in general, is 30%, but at Salon Republic, the turnover is about 15%.[44:53] How important is social media for marketing what stylists have to offer?[46:46] Eric believes that the studio model doesn’t necessarily rely on social media; word of mouth is the best marketing tool.[48:48] How many studio stylists use it as a stepping stone to open up their own salon?[52:33] Eric says that his studio stylists do bring on assistants and are training the next generations.[53:20] How long are the leases at Salon Republic studios?[54:29] What is a typical suite owner?[57:24] Eric says that in the next five years, there will be more studio offerings nationwide and will continue to grow.[01:00:15] Any plans on international expansion for Salon Republic?[01:02:03] Thank you, Eric, for giving us your time on a Friday night!Find Eric@loveerictaylorInstagram@salonrepublicInstagram | LinkedIn | FacebookThanks for listening!Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons at the side or bottom of this post.Also, I’d love it if you’d leave an honest review for The Grow My Salon Business Podcast. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show, and help other people find my podcast, I also love to hear what’s been helpful!And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or  Google to get automatic updates Special thanks to Eric for sharing his words of wisdom with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Welcome to this episode of Grow My Salon Business with host Antony Whitaker. Antony’s guest today is Vivienne Mackinder, she is a hairdresser, educator, innovator and industry leader. She talks to us about training, leadership, awards, and succeeding as a woman in business.Vivienne says she is still a student and still learning after all of these years, and she finds it delicious. Her most prominent teacher right now is her website, HairDesignerTV. It is regularly teaching her something new from things like communication skills, telling stories, and how to be more efficient. Vivienne started the website to share the knowledge of hairdressers from different places. It’s a training platform with over 900 videos on cutting, dressing hair, color, leadership, and motivational videos. She had the vision years before it was technically possible, but that didn’t stop her from planning and waiting for the right time. Vivienne says that timing is everything in business, and if you are too far ahead, it is as dangerous as being too far behind.Listen in as Vivienne and Antony discuss salons, the lack of client consultations and the reason they are so important. They talk about the fact that you are a leader when you are behind your chair and the need for your clients to trust that you understand what they want. The confidence to customize a cut to fit your client’s bone structure and angles, the knowledge to get the color just right, and how these are some of the things you can learn from HairDesignTV plus so much more.You won’t want to miss this fantastic conversation with a hugely successful businesswoman but more than that, an exceptional person. She gives us insight into her thoughts and shares her knowledge about hair design, running a business, leadership, and life choices. Grab a pen and paper, sit back, put your feet up, and get ready to be schooled on how to be the best at what you do. In This Episode:[01:35] Welcome to the show, Vivienne![02:04] Vivienne talks about where she is in her career today.[04:31] Confidence comes from knowledge, so at the beginning and don’t be afraid to be the dumbest one in the room.[06:12] When was the inception of hairdesignertv? What was the inspiration to start it?[10:17] They speak about the website, what it includes, and how to it.[12:50] She tells us a story about going to a high-end salon in London and being surprised that there was no consultation.[18:39] Vivienne talks about the course she built around the consultation and how it has increased the stylist business.[21:29] To be a person of influence behind your chair means that you are a leader because you are leading someone. Don’t abuse it; listen to your clients.[24:10] Do you know how to interpret what a client wants, to make it work for their face and their hair texture?[26:13] Vivienne speaks about being confident about customizing hair cuts, knowing angles, and cutting to bone structure.[28:30] Doing hair cuts can be a money issue because customizing a cut can take more time than doing a basic generic cut.[30:33] Hairdesigntv can be used as a training tool to get stylists up to the level you need them to be for your salon.[31:32] Vivienne tells us about what she saw on a YouTube video where someone was cutting a fringe, they used seven techniques, but why?[34:57] Are awards as relevant today as they were in the last 30 to 40 years?[38:13] She speaks to us about her documentary called ‘Not Just a Hairdresser.’[42:31] Have you ever wanted to own a salon? [43:55] Vivienne believes that leadership is the most important thing of all, surrounding yourself with people who are extraordinary and lead by example.[49:44] Being from England, how has living in America changed you as a hairdresser and as a businesswoman?[51:36] Vivienne’s advice to young women today is, design your lifestyle first then back your career into it. What’s most important to you? Career? Family?[57:11] Vivienne, thank you so much for sharing all of your beautiful thoughts. Links and Resources Grow My Salon Business Sadh GuruFind VivienneHairDesignerTV@viviennemackingerInstagram | Facebook |  LinkedIn |  YouTube

This year I've spent a lot of time in the United States with John Paul Mitchell Systems presenting one of my favourite seminars that I call ‘GROW MY COLOR BUSINESS' which is something we should all be focused on.   As hairdressers, it’s essential that we know how to consult and design and apply a colour. But it’s equally important that we know how to make money from it.   I'm currently sitting in a Hotel room in Las Vegas and for today's podcast, I'm online talking with Alicia Soulier in Saskatchewan Canada. Aleisha is a hairdresser, salon owner and founder of tech company SalonScale.com which is a hair colour app that amongst other things ensures that you know the exact cost of product in every colour service leaving the salon - Which means that you can, therefore, price your colour services accordingly.   I think that there are two stories here, one is the Salon Scale story and how the app can help salon owners and hairdressers. And the other is about a young woman who is a hairdresser who starts a tech company and succeeds against all odds…   Amongst other things, we will discuss The problems that SalonScale solvesHow to maximise the profitability of your colour servicesHow should you price salon colour servicesWhat is the typical percentage of a colour service that should be product cost?Thanks for listening!Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons at the side or bottom of this post.Also, I’d love it if you’d leave an honest review for The Grow My Salon Business Podcast. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast, I also love to hear what’s been helpful!And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on iTunes or  Google to get automatic updates Special thanks to Alicia for sharing her inspiring story with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

I love it anytime I meet someone successful, and especially so, ‘when they are successful hairdressers’. I travel a lot and I meet many hairdressers who complain about the industry, the millennials, gen Z, the competition, Amazon and whatever else they can use as an excuse to blame and justify their lack of success. But then occasionally you meet someone who defies all the reasons as to why you can’t do something and they get on and do it anyway… and that is my guest today.   Her name is Jyl Craven from Jyl Craven Hair Design in Canton Georgia. Jyl is on track to achieve personal sales this year of 600,000 US dollars which many salons with half a dozen staff never achieve and what makes it all the more remarkable is that Canton is a small city with a population of 30,000.   In today's podcast we discuss:   What it takes to be a productive hairdresserHow she achieves a personal retail result of around $3000 per weekHow to pay your teamWhat motivates people todayWhy developing culture takes time but is worth the waitAnd loads more. There is a lot of wisdom here, so get a pen and paper and a cup of coffee it’s note-taking time…

The Hairdressing industry means different things to different people, but when all's said and done ‘it’s a business’ and yes businesses are about people and creativity and creating opportunity… But businesses are also about numbers!   And although in many ways as an industry we are often slow to embrace technology, it is technology that gives us easy access to the numbers and information that allow us to build better businesses.   In todays Podcast I am talking with Ronan Perceval CEO of an Irish hairdressing industry success story ‘Phorest salon software’. Amongst other things we will discuss…   How Phorest continues to evolve as a companyWhat the main KPI’s are that salon owners should focus on.What are some of the differences in salon performance depending on the country you live in… andThe ‘Phorest’ ownership model… and that’s just to start

In today's Podcast I am talking with Derek Hull who has a wealth of knowledge in many areas of the hairdressing industry.   Amongst other things, we will discuss The salon memberships business modelThe changing employee business modelsThe legal definitions that determine whether someone is an employee or an independent contractorThe laws around employee ’deductions’, service charges or ‘product charges’The changing professional retail model  Although today's guest is from the United States most of what we discuss is relevant no matter where your business is based.   So without further ado lets get into today's show…

On today's Podcast we are talking about hair colour, my guest is Skyler Hanna owner of ‘Skyler London’ a specialist ‘colour only salon’. She is a passionate hair colourist and savvy business woman who has some groundbreaking approaches to running a colour salon. So let’s get into it!   On today's podcast amongst other things we talk about; The concept behind a ‘colour only salon’Some of the unique marketing and client experiences that the business offers.The menu and pricing system at Skyler LondonThe home hairdressing colour market

For an industry that is probably 80% female and 20% male there is often a disparity between the recognition and high profile that the male hairdressers get against what the leading female hairdressers achieve. One notable exception is today's guest on the Grow My Salon Business Podcast, London based Hairdresser Sally Brooks.   On today's podcast we will discuss: The hairdressing documentary by Sally Brooks and Gabriel MaciucaHairdressing awards andThe challenges and opportunities’ the industry presents today

On today's Podcast, I am talking with a young lady by the name of Natalie Anne who is amongst other things is an Australian social media superstar! Her business is growing exponentially and includes ‘being a digital creator, a salon owner, her own hair products, online education, seminar work and I get the feeling she is just getting started.On this podcast amongst other things we discussWhether or not you should outsource your social mediaWhether you should have a ‘social media policy’ to protect your business when team members leaveThe value in looking after ‘social influencers’And the pro’s and cons of some of the social platformsAnd that's just the beginning…

Hairdressers everywhere often speak about the ‘role of the councillor’ that many hairdressers have with their clients. Mental health is a subject that has risen up the list of things that are not only acceptable but essential to talk openly about.   Unfortunately though, for a range of reasons many people today suffer from poor mental health. As a result suicide rates in many countries - particularly amongst young men - are higher than ever.   On todays Podcast I speak with Australian hairdresser Stevie English, who is creating an online hairdressing education platform with the aim of raising ‘awareness and support’ for the issues surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.   Regardless of where you are in the world this is well worth listening to.

My guest today is Geno Stampora a hairdresser, author, speaker, business guru, consultant, entertainer and general all-round industry expert and nice guy. Geno has a passion and a level of enthusiasm for learning and sharing information that is infectious and rare to find. I think it’s fair to say that he has devoted most of his professional life to helping hairdressers ‘grow’. Very few people love hairdressers and the hair and beauty business quite like Geno.

One of the biggest challenges that the salon industry faces everywhere is ‘Recruitment’. So why isn’t there an online recruitment platform that specialises in the hairdressing industry, a sort of linked-in for hairdressers? Well now there is.   In today's Podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Jen and Matt Martinelli who are the founders of a new startup website recruitment platform called Canvas Recruit and it specialises in the hair and beauty space.   On this podcast we discuss: How salons today can market themselves to potential team membersHow team members can market themselves to potential salonsWhat’s driving change in the employee - employer model of the futureThe fluid nature of employment today

On todays podcast I talk with Chris Nedza founder of ZeeZor which is a hairdressing Productivity App. Although not a hairdresser Chris is a serial Entrepreneur and creative thinker and he developed ZeeZor as a real time mobile reporting tool so that his wife could better manage her chain of 43 salons. Although ZeeZor is currently only available in the US the thinking behind the technology is universally applicable. What you will learn about in this podcast is:The importance of using numbers and data to drive productivity and employee engagement.The need to give real time feedback.Using technology and data to increase employee engagement.The need for ‘real time’ mobile reporting.Using data to inspire and motivate.Using ’gamification’ to inspire and motivate.How to use competitions to drive productivity.

My guest today is Taelor Pleas hairdresser, presenter, salon industry coach and director of recruitment, hiring and training at the Cutting Loose Salon Group in Florida. In todays PODCAST we will cover:How much you want to earn isn’t a percentage, it’s a $ value.Finding balance in a family run business.Making 6 figures in a 4 day week.

On todays Podcast I am talking with Linton Husbands. Who although not a hairdresser has spent a life time in the hairdressing industry, primarily working with product companies. Now days he's very much on the salon side of things managing a group of 22 salons for Group Momentum which is the brand name for a collection of hairdressing salon chains in the South East of England. On this podcast we will cover…How do you value a salon business?The challenges with buying an existing businessThe secret to managing multiple salons?The importance of having exit strategies.When is the best time to sell a business.

My guest today is Meagan McCormack who has amongst other titles Chief Operating Officer of the Visible Changes salon group based in Houston Texas.Visible changes was started by Meagan's parents John and Maryanne McCormack but today is run by Meagan and her brother Johnny. I promise that you are going to love this podcast, Visible Changes is an incredibly inspiring salon business that everyone can learn something from.On this podcast we will cover the following key areas:The importance of recognition, celebration and reward in building a sustainable salon culture.The importance of giving back.What a family business really means.

In todays episode I’ll be talking with Clive Allwright an Australian Salon Owner who is also front man and founder of a start up website that addressees ‘two challenges' the industry has everywhere.The first being affordable and customised salon education, and the second being finding staff, specifically assistants.The first being affordable and customised salon educationThe second is finding staff, specifically assistants.Clive and his team have come up with a technology based solution that embraces the GIG economy… it’s a great example of an expression I once heard, “You won’t solve todays challenges with yesterdays thinking” We need new thinking for new age challenges and new solutions, and that’s what Clive and his team have done.

My guest today is Gordon Miller C.E.O of Hairbrained.Gordon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to us today acquired over the last 40 odd years working primarily in the education and media side of the hair and beauty industry, he is a passionate advocate and embracer of all things digital and today that is where we will focus.In todays podcast the focus is on digital disruption and the four key areas we discuss are:1. The new Chanel for professional product distribution being Amazon (primarily at this point in time mainly in the United States)2. What is the impact and future impact on the salon industry?3. How some manufacturers are approaching the Amazon model in a positive way for both clients and salons.4. What are 3 things a salon owner should do to capitalise on the in-salon take home opportunity.