Grow My Salon Business Podcast

303 What 30+ Years in Salons Taught Me About People, Pay, and Purpose with Keri Davis-Duffy


Listen Later

In this episode, I sit down with long-time industry leader Keri Davis-Duffy, whose career as a salon owner and educator spans more than three decades. Keri shares the wisdom earned through real-life experience, leading employee-based salons in a state that turned compensation models on their head, navigating leadership challenges, building culture, and bouncing back from the inevitable setbacks every salon owner faces.


We talk candidly about staff walkouts, transitioning to hourly pay, creating flexible schedules for today’s workforce, and the crucial difference between being a great hairdresser and being a great business owner. Keri doesn’t sugarcoat it; salon ownership today is a different game entirely, but she offers grounded, inspiring advice for those brave enough to take it on. If you’re serious about building a business that lasts, you’ll want to soak up every minute of this conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

  • [00:00] Welcome and guest introduction
  • [00:56] Keri’s salon history and business model
  • [04:17] Why she built an employee-based salon in a booth rental world
  • [09:44] How California’s labor laws changed compensation models
  • [15:14] Designing an hourly pay system that rewards productivity
  • [19:35] Tracking performance and managing seasonal fluctuations
  • [24:07] Wisdom for new salon owners in 2025
  • [30:13] The walkout that changed everything
  • [34:05] Lessons in leadership and communication during crisis
  • [38:26] Adapting to Gen Z and flexibility in scheduling
  • [41:36] Biggest challenges facing the salon industry today
  • [43:14] Quick-fire insights: manufacturers, educators, tragedy, drama & more
  • [51:24] The value of mentorship and giving back

Want MORE to help you GROW?


📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/


🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/


RATINGS + REVIEWS


🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. 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.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:


 

👉 FOLLOW US!

Instagram | Facebook | Website

👉 FOLLOW KERI DAVIS-DUFFY!

Instagram | YouTube | Website


Got 5 minutes? We’d love to hear from you.
We’re creating new content and resources to better support salon owners, and your insights will help us shape what comes next.
In return? You’ll get our full bestselling GROW audiobook series – normally £60 / US$80 – completely FREE!

👉 Click here to take the survey and get your audiobooks now.


...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Grow My Salon Business PodcastBy Antony Whitaker

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

99 ratings


More shows like Grow My Salon Business Podcast

View all
Motivation with Brendon Burchard by Brendon Burchard

Motivation with Brendon Burchard

3,626 Listeners

Build Your Salon with Phil Jackson by Build Your Salon with Phil Jackson

Build Your Salon with Phil Jackson

3 Listeners

Salon Owners Collective by Larissa Macleman

Salon Owners Collective

41 Listeners

How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry by Hairy Media Productions

How To Cut It in the Hairdressing Industry

27 Listeners

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

7,003 Listeners

Thriving Stylist Podcast by Britt Seva

Thriving Stylist Podcast

2,100 Listeners

the bossbabe podcast by Natalie Ellis

the bossbabe podcast

1,959 Listeners

Profitable Salon Owner Podcast by Jason Everett, Kayla Swanson

Profitable Salon Owner Podcast

29 Listeners

Law of Attraction Changed My Life by Francesca Amber

Law of Attraction Changed My Life

1,699 Listeners

Nip, Tuck, Not Giving A... by Lauren Harris & Ashley Stobart

Nip, Tuck, Not Giving A...

48 Listeners

Working Hard with Grace Beverley by Grace Beverley

Working Hard with Grace Beverley

208 Listeners

Social Beauty Makers by Gordon Miller

Social Beauty Makers

49 Listeners

Mastering Beauty from Beauty Cast Network by Gordon Miller

Mastering Beauty from Beauty Cast Network

15 Listeners

BigDeal by Codie Sanchez

BigDeal

757 Listeners

We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson by WNTT

We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson

264 Listeners