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The salon industry is changing fast. From how stylists learn, to how salons use technology, to what clients expect from their experience, there’s a major shift underway. 

In the first part of our 2026 Salon Predictions series, Todd and Jen break down the changes already happening in education, AI and salon tech, and client behavior, and why salons that move now will have a serious advantage.

This episode isn’t about fear or hype; it’s about understanding the direction the industry is actually going, so you can plan ahead instead of reacting later.

Whether you’re a commission salon owner, a suite renter, or someone planning to open a salon in the next couple of years, this episode will help you see what’s coming and how to position yourself to win the long game.

Key Takeaways

• A lot of “education” is entertainment. Growth happens in small, focused, actionable sessions.
• Micro-education and mentorship will outperform large-stage education events.
• Salons that practice inside the salon outperform salons that “wait to find the time.”
• Technology is no longer optional; online booking, automation, and AI are becoming client expectations.
• GPTs and AR consultations will change how salons communicate, book, and guide clients.
• Hospitality is the new luxury: clients want to feel cared for, not impressed.
• Younger clients choose salons for vibe, fun, shareability, and convenience.
• Clients leave because of complacency, not pricing.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 | Welcome + Why we re-recorded this series
01:00 | Structure of the 3-part predictions series
02:00 | Opening Take (Jen): Unlearning beliefs about pricing and worth
03:30 | Opening Take (Todd): Humans already work like LLMs + misunderstandings about AI
06:00 | Prediction #1: Education splits into entertainment vs education
08:00 | Challenge: Use large events as team culture, not skill development
09:00 | Prediction #2: Rise of Micro-Education + skill-specific training
11:30 | Challenge: Find educators who teach exactly what you need
12:30 | Prediction #3: Stylists begin seeing education as an investment, not an expense
14:30 | Challenge: Ask for pricing, stop assuming you can’t afford it
15:30 | Prediction #4: Salons that integrate education into workflow will win
17:00 | Challenge: Schedule internal education now, don’t “hope it happens”
18:00 | Technology Prediction #1: The “Digitally Resistant” salons get left behind
19:00 | Why convenience + frictionless booking matters more than ever
21:00 | AI becomes your operational silent partner
23:00 | Real example: Losing a client → AI brought her back two years later
24:00 | GPT Agents on salon websites: what’s coming next
27:00 | AR Consultations: visualizing outcomes before services begin
29:30 | Prediction: Data becomes the new scissors
32:00 | Prediction: “Good Enough” collapses skill is not differentiation
34:00 | Client Trends: Hospitality > Luxury
36:00 | Businesses > Individuals. Clients want reliable teams
38:00 | Frictionless service = non-negotiable
40:00 | Brand Identity is emotional, not aesthetic
43:00 | Influencer culture declines, authenticity wins
45:00 | What younger clients really want: fun, vibe, shareability
48:00 | Why clients leave,

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