FREE & FIERCE: REDISCOVER YOUR GROOVE
Finding Your Lost Freedom
Remember that rush when you first opened your salon or spa? That “Ahhh yes, this is why I did it!” feeling. Freedom, autonomy, creativity—all rolled into one. No boss, just you calling the shots. Order what you want, take the afternoon off—living the dream, right? But then, success hit...
Success, the Double-Edged Sword
Your salon’s booming, your books are full, but now freedom’s swapped with stress, pressure, and nonstop demand. Where did the dream go? Is it even worth it anymore?
Growth Means Change
As your biz grows, you’ve got to level up too. New roles, new moves, new you. Each stage of growth demands a different version of you. Today, let's break down these roles and how to crush each one.
The Operator
Most salon owners kick off as The Operator. You're hands-on, serving clients, loving the daily hustle. With a small team, you’re tight-knit, sticking together and vibing daily. This is your comfort zone. But as your studio grows, so does your team, and soon enough, you’re diving into the next role...
The Manager
Welcome to The Manager phase. Now you’ve got 4-8 people, and it’s time to juggle team management along with client care. Managing humans is a whole new ball game, and it’s tough. You might not connect with everyone like before, and team dynamics can get tricky. You’re wearing all the hats: operations, client care, accounts, marketing, hiring, firing—you name it. And guess what? You might start earning less than before. It’s a grind, but there’s a way out...
Make the Move!
Don’t sweat it, The Manager phase isn’t forever. Sometimes, all it takes is one or two strategic moves. Maybe it’s hiring another team member or creating a management structure. Know what your ‘thing’ is? What’s stopping you? Fear. It’s the biggest blocker. Whether it’s fear of losing clients or stepping back, it’s holding you back.
Check out my podcast on overcoming fear, and start making that big move. Write it down:
- What’s the big move you need to make?
- What’s the fear stopping you?
Writing it down works like magic. Be brave, make the move, and step into your next role...
The CEO
Once you’re past The Manager phase, welcome back to freedom! As The CEO, with 8-9+ people in your biz, what worked before now needs tweaking. You can’t manage everyone solo. It’s time to lead and train a manager. If stress and frustration creep in, you haven’t fully embraced your CEO role.
Step away from daily ops, think long-term. Create space to strategize. It feels weird not being “in demand,” but that’s the goal—to focus on what’s next and drive the biz forward. Feel the passion and drive kick in. Your team benefits from this new momentum. This is the ultimate goal, right?
Keep Growing
No matter which stage you’re at, there’s always room for growth. Feeling stuck? Just a little self-awareness, grit, and determination can get you where you want to be. You got this!
Ready to Level Up?
If you're ready to level up your leadership, boost your revenue and profitability, and break free from the daily grind of service provision, reach out to The Beauty Biz Agency.
Why stay stuck when you can have step-by-step processes to follow? And why let it take forever when you can have an expedited process at your fingertips? Let's make your dream salon a reality—contact us today and start your journey to success! 🚀🌟
Hey, go-getters! In this fast-paced world, squeezing every drop of productivity out of our day is crucial. So, I'm dropping three epic tools that help me stay on top of my game. Let’s dive in!
1. Evernote: Your Digital Sidekick
Evernote is my ride-or-die for capturing ideas, notes, and to-dos on the fly. Picture this: I'm cruising down the street, no laptop, no frantic typing, just chatting into my phone. Evernote’s voice note feature grabs my thoughts, and I can whip them into blog posts, social media gold, or emails later.
Perfect for those who need a digital notepad that syncs across all devices. Save time and keep your creativity flowing, even on the go. Evernote’s basic plan is free and jam-packed with features. Check it out here.
2. Asana: The Project Management Beast
Asana is the ultimate tool for managing tasks and projects. Think of it as your digital command center, where you can create to-do lists, set reminders, and track progress. From weekly goals to major projects, Asana keeps everything organized and on point.
I use Asana for planning my week, smashing goals, managing events, and syncing with my squad. It’s perfect for keeping everyone in the loop, no matter where they are. And yep, the basic version is free. Jump in here.
3. Do Not Disturb: Silence the Noise
This might not be an app, but it’s a game-changer. Activate your phone’s Do Not Disturb mode and watch your productivity soar. No more endless notifications, pointless calls, or distracting pings. Only calls from your favorites or emergencies get through.
Studies show it can take up to 20 minutes to refocus after an interruption. Imagine working in uninterrupted blocks of time—pure bliss. Essential calls still come through, so you won’t miss any real emergencies. Find this lifesaver in your mobile settings.
Ready to Slay?
With Evernote, Asana, and Do Not Disturb, you’re set to dominate your day. These tools help you stay organized, focused, and efficient. Time to level up and crush those goals!
Keep hustling, productivity warriors! 🚀
Ever had one of those days where you’re searching everywhere for your mojo?
Checked under the couch? Scoured the junk drawer? Even peeked in the fridge? Yep—it's totally MIA.
Same here.
Some days, it feels like your internal battery is stuck at 1%, and everything’s lagging. You’re refreshing emails, doom-scrolling Facebook, and somehow checking the same app on both your phone and laptop like it’s going to change (Karen had a great bike ride—again).
Today’s one of those days for me. And honestly? The best way I know to shake off the funk is to talk about it—and help you shake it off, too.
Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of salon and spa owners feeling the same way. Is it the moon? The weather? Mercury doing gymnastics in retrograde? Who knows. All I know is I just buried the wrapper of a king-sized vegan chocolate bar under the trash like it was a crime scene. Time to snap out of it.
Here’s what’s helping me get my groove back (and might help you too):
1. Give Yourself a Break
First off, stop stressing about off days. We all have them. Some days you’re a productivity
powerhouse, and others, not so much. It’s your body’s way of saying, “Hey, take a break.”
2. Listen to Your Body
Sometimes you just need to chill. If you’re exhausted and can sneak in a nap without your kids
turning the house into a circus, do it. Or take a luxurious bubble bath. Your body will thank you.
3. Get Moving
Shake off the stale vibes by getting active! Whether it’s star jumps, a walk, or a full-on workout,
just move. It’s a great way to reset.
4. Blast Some Tunes
Remember that song you used to play only on weekends because it made you want to dance?
Play it now. Find a song that makes you happy and gets you moving. Instant mood booster.
5. Do Something Fun
Work doesn’t have to be all-consuming. If you’re feeling flat, spice things up with some fun!
Watch a funny movie, chat with your favorite person, or play with your dog.
6. Dream a Little
When I hit a mental wall, I look up vacations. It reignites my fire and motivates me to work out
and hustle hard. Dream about what excites you—be it vacations, dream homes, cars, or
designer shoes. Visualize your dreams coming true.
7. Check Off One Task
Even on a “meh” day, getting just one thing done can make you feel accomplished. Pick the
easiest task on your list and power through it. Then reward yourself with a treat (unless you
already snuck one, like me).
At the end of the day, don’t beat yourself up. Everyone has “meh” days. But with a little self-care and a few mindset shifts, you can reset and rise up.
Tomorrow’s a fresh start. Let’s get it.
Revenue is VANITY, PROFIT is Sanity
In the business world, there’s a common saying: “Revenue is vanity, but profit is sanity.” It’s easy to get caught up in top-line revenue numbers, boasting about six or seven-figure sales, but at the end of the day, what truly matters is what’s left after expenses—your profit. That’s where your profitability grade comes into play, and understanding it can be the key to long-term financial success.
WHAT IS A PROFITABILITY GRADE?
Your profitability grade is essentially a measure of how effectively your business converts revenue into actual profit. Think of it like a financial report card, assessing how well your business is performing beyond just sales figures. It considers key metrics such as:
- Net Profit Margin – The percentage of revenue that remains after all expenses are paid.
- Gross Profit Margin – The profit left after deducting the cost of goods sold (COGS), showing how efficiently you price and manage costs.
- Operating Profit Margin – The profit generated from core operations before interest and taxes.
- Cash Flow Health – Whether your business is actually making money or just cycling cash through expenses.
- Revenue Per Team Member – How much revenue each employee is responsible for generating relative to their wages and operational costs.
A high profitability grade indicates a strong, sustainable business, while a low grade signals potential financial instability, even if revenue appears impressive.
WHY PROFITABILITY MATTERS MORE THAN REVENUE
Many business owners make the mistake of focusing solely on revenue growth without considering if their profits are keeping up. Here’s why profitability is the ultimate sanity check:
- Revenue Alone Doesn’t Pay the Bills
- If your expenses are eating up most (or all) of your revenue, your business isn’t financially stable. A company bringing in $500,000 per year but keeping only $10,000 in profit is in worse shape than one making $150,000 and keeping $50,000.
- High Revenue Can Mask Poor Financial Health
- A business can look successful on paper but be drowning in costs. If your pricing is too low, overhead is too high, or inefficiencies are cutting into margins, revenue growth won’t fix those fundamental issues.
- Profit Fuels Sustainable Growth
- Profitability means you have the resources to reinvest in your business—whether it’s hiring, marketing, or upgrading technology—without constantly needing loans or outside funding.
- Financial Stability Reduces Stress and Burnout
- Chasing high revenue while struggling to pay bills is a recipe for burnout. A well-managed, profitable business allows you to have more control, flexibility, and financial peace of mind.
- Each Team Member Should Contribute to Profitability
- Your profitability grade is directly tied to how much revenue each team member is responsible for bringing in. If a stylist, esthetician, or massage therapist is only generating enough income to cover their paycheck and expenses but not contributing to overall business profit, they aren’t truly helping the company grow. Tracking revenue per team member ensures that everyone is operating at an optimal level, bringing in more than they cost. If certain roles or providers aren’t meeting that threshold, it may indicate pricing issues, inefficiencies, or a need for better coaching and performance management.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PROFITABILITY GRADE
If your profitability isn’t where you want it to be, there are several ways to improve it:
- Audit Your Expenses – Cut unnecessary costs and streamline operations to reduce waste.
- Price for Profitability – Ensure your pricing structure includes enough margin to sustain and grow your business.
- Increase High-Margin Services or Products – Shift focus to offerings that yield the highest profit percentage.
- Improve Efficiency – Automate, delegate, or optimize processes to reduce overhead costs and labor inefficiencies.
- Monitor Key Metrics Regularly – Track your profit margins, cash flow, and other financial indicators to stay ahead of potential issues.
- Evaluate Employee Profitability – Ensure each team member is generating enough revenue to cover their costs and contribute to overall business growth.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Revenue can be exciting, but profit is what truly determines a business’s success. Your profitability grade is the clearest indicator of whether your business is thriving or just surviving. Instead of getting lost in vanity metrics, focus on building a financially sound, high-profit business that provides real stability, growth potential, and long-term success.
Remember: Revenue is what you brag about. Profit is what keeps you in business.
Ghosting Clients: Why They're Skipping Appointments
Why Are My Clients Ghosting?
Hey Hey! We’ve been chatting with salon & spa owners worldwide, and there’s a common theme: clients are spacing out their appointments, skipping on services, and not picking up products like they used to.
What's Poppin'?
It’s easy for the team to blame the clients: “They’re saving money. Everyone’s on a budget. We’re in a recession. My targets are slipping because clients don’t want to come in as often.”
And yeah, sales can get a bit stale, which is a real challenge. Keeping that growth momentum can feel stressful because you don’t want anything to derail your progress.
Icky Economy
Sure, this economy threw a massive boulder into our path. But blaming it won’t help because not everyone’s struggling. Let’s focus on what we can control.
4 Cash-Flow Kickstarters
Crunch the Digits
Sales plateauing? Profits dipping? Growth slowing? You can’t change what you don’t track. If you’re not tracking, how do you know what’s working?
Pro Tip: Info is the Real MVP! Start crunching those numbers to find your rockstar service—the one that's high profit, in demand, and easy to serve.
The Fab 5 Meeting Method
When things get tough, go back to basics. Don’t let these meetings drop:
- Morning Huddles: Quick, daily check-ins to set the tone and boost income.
- Team Meetings: Weekly syncs to keep communication and performance high.
- Training Workshops: Group sessions to upskill your team without overloading you.
- One-on-Ones: Regular check-ins tailored to each team member’s needs.
- Leadership Meetings: Structured agendas to avoid “hallway management.”
Make It a Blast
We get it, the grind can feel repetitive. Keep the vibe light and fun. Motivate your team with creative promotions and inject some fun into daily routines. Trust us, a happy team hits targets.
Unleash Your Sales Mojo
Remember, you’re a salesperson. You’re not just selling hair or skin services; you’re selling time. Train your team to manage appointments and upsell services seamlessly. Sales don’t have to be pushy—keep it fun and client-focused.
The 1% Factor
Combine numbers, meetings, fun, and sales for that magic formula. Put these steps in motion, and you’ll see clients coming back and your team hitting targets. No more blaming clients. Build a winning salon culture where everyone thrives!
Let’s Crush Together!
Start tracking data, schedule those team meetings, plan upskilling workshops, and add some fun to the mix. Don’t let the Covid boulder hold you back. These tactics will help you beat the recession and rock the remainder of the year!
