Beauty and the Boss

What if the biggest thing holding your bridal business back isn’t your talent… but your pricing?

In this episode of Beauty & the Boss, I sit down with bridal hair and makeup artist Shakayla Canaday from Phoenix, Arizona, to share her journey through my Bridal Pricing & Profit Intensive.

After more than a decade in the bridal industry, Shakayla realised she had been significantly undercharging. Once we worked through the numbers together, she discovered she’d need to complete more than 200 weddings a year at her current pricing just to reach her income goals.

That moment changed everything.

We talk about the mindset shifts that come with increasing your prices, why understanding your numbers gives you the confidence to make better business decisions, and how creating profitable packages can give you more freedom without simply working more.

Whether you’ve been avoiding your numbers, questioning your pricing, or wondering if your business is actually paying you what it’s worth, this episode will challenge the way you think about profit.

💡 You’ll Learn:

• Why being fully booked doesn’t always mean you’re making good money.
• The pricing mistakes many bridal artists don’t realise they’re making.
• How understanding your numbers builds confidence to increase your prices.
• How Shakayla completely restructured her pricing after discovering the true cost of running her business.
• The mindset shifts that helped her charge sustainably and build a business she actually enjoys.

💬 Notable Quotes

“The point was never busyness. It was freedom.”

“If you’re not making enough profit, you’re creating a prison for yourself.”

“Understanding my numbers gave me the confidence to increase my pricing.”

“I realised I didn’t need more weddings—I needed a more profitable business.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned

One to One Pricing & Profit Intensive

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/offers/ZjdRLgkw

Free Bridal Pricing Audit Call

https://oncehub.com/PAGE-2F1414CAE8

Booked & Profitable – Bridal Pricing Reset Workshop

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

The Bridal Artist Collective

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/offers/2DoCgJia/checkout

Free Facebook Group for Bridal Artists

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Follow Levarna on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach

Follow Shakayla on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/btbeautyaz/

If you enjoyed this conversation, I’d love it if you followed Beauty & the Boss and left a rating or review. It helps more bridal hair and makeup artists discover the podcast and build profitable and sustainable businesses.

In this insightful episode of Beauty and the Boss, Levarna chats with Indi, founder of Studio Eighty Five, a systems and automation studio transforming how bridal hair and makeup artists run their businesses. A former bridal makeup artist herself, Indi knows firsthand the burnout and overwhelm of endless admin and inconsistent bookings. Today, she’s the go-to expert helping creatives streamline their client experience with elegant, automated systems so they can focus on artistry, not emails.

Indi opens up about her pivot from makeup artist to systems strategist, the mental blocks holding artists back from charging their worth, and the key habits that will separate thriving artists from struggling ones in 2026. If you’ve ever felt buried in admin, stuck in your business, or afraid to raise your prices, this episode will completely shift how you see your work and your worth.

💡 You'll Learn:

• Why automations aren’t just for big businesses and how they free you to grow faster.
• The truth about pricing, profit, and why most artists are undercharging without realizing it.
• How to create a luxury client experience through seamless systems and branding.
• The mindset shift that transforms “I’m not ready” into “I’m unstoppable.”
• Why innovation, not imitation, will define the successful artist in 2026.

💬 Notable Quotes

“You can’t grow your business if you don’t have time and you can’t get time back if you’re stuck in your inbox.”

“Your systems are only as good as the strategy behind them.”

“Stop comparing yourself to people living a life you don’t even want. Focus on you.”

“Automating clunky processes won’t save you, it’ll just make your chaos run faster.”

“You are in business to do what you want. Forget the rules.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Free facebook group for bridal artists:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Booked & Profitable - Bridal Business Rest workshop

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

Book More Brides - Artist Academy waitlist

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

Levarna’s Instagram to follow for more tips

https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach

Studio Eighty Five Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/studioeightyfive_?igsh=MTliemFuYjJ1M3psaA==

If you loved this conversation, make sure to follow and rate the Beauty and the Boss Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

Screenshot this episode, tag @levarnabusinesscoach and @studioeightyfive_, and share your biggest takeaway so we can spread the inspiration to more beauty entrepreneurs!

Episode Summary:

In this inspiring episode of Beauty and the Boss, Levarna sits down with Selena Marchand a powerhouse bridal makeup artist, educator, and industry influencer. Selena has grown from earning $100K a year to over $430K annually while building a combined social media following of more than 1 million across TikTok and Instagram.

Selena shares her journey from starting out in bridal makeup 20 years ago to becoming a global educator and content creator. You’ll hear how she built passive income streams, why she believes delusional self-confidence is essential, and her unfiltered thoughts on pricing in the bridal industry.

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your business beyond services and into true financial freedom, this episode is packed with strategies and real talk you won’t want to miss.

💡 You'll Learn:

• The exact shifts that took Selena from $100K to $430K in annual income.
• Why showing your face on camera is the secret to explosive social media growth.
• The truth about bridal pricing and why content creation is key to charging premium rates.
• Why “being delusional” and backing yourself is a business superpower.

bookings or followers).

💬 Notable Quotes

“You have to get comfortable being uncomfortable if you want to grow.”

“Followers do matter, if no one knows you exist, how are you going to get the opportunities you want?”

“I never struggled raising my prices because I have the demand and the social media to back it up.”

“You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to back yourself and keep showing up.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Free facebook group for bridal artists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Booked & Profitable - Bridal Business Restworkshop:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

Book More Brides - Artist Academy waitlist:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

The Ultimate Bridal Makeup Artist Costs and Time Checklist

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/cost-time-checklist

Levarna’s Instagram to follow for more tips https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach

Selena’s Instagram and Tiktok account

https://www.instagram.com/selenamup?igsh=MTg2ajZ4dWZzaTRpNQ==

https://www.tiktok.com/@selenamup?_t=ZS-9073iyxohsn&_r=1

✨Enjoyed this episode? Follow Selena on Instagram and TikTok, subscribe and review the podcast, and share your takeaways by tagging us, we’d love to celebrate with you!🥂

Episode Summary:

After a short break, Levarna is back with one of the most important topics in the bridal beauty industry—pricing. In this episode, she shares a snippet from her live workshop revealing why so many MUAs undercharge despite being fully booked or popular online.

You’ll hear Levarna break down the top reasons MUAs undervalue themselves and struggle financially, plus what to do about it. She also introduces her brand-new program Booked and Profitable: The Bridal Business Reset Workshop a step-by-step workshop designed to help you:

• Clarify your niche so you attract the right clients.
• Build irresistible bridal packages that sell themselves.
• Finally price for profit with confidence.
• Use her interactive profit calculator to know exactly what you’re making on every single service.This episode is a wake-up call for bridal artists who are ready to stop scraping by and finally build a profitable, sustainable business.

💡 You'll Learn:

• Why most bridal artists undercharge and the five hidden reasons behind it.
• The difference between revenue and profit and why profit is the real measure of success.
• How fear, judgment, and comparison stop artists from confidently raising prices.
• What true success looks like in business (profitability + lifestyle, not just bookings or followers).

💬 Notable Quotes

“We are undercharging. We are extremely undervaluing ourselves compared to other vendors on a bride’s wedding day.”

“Profit is what you’re left with after all expenses and paying yourself properly not just revenue.”

“Copying other artists’ pricing is dangerous. Busy doesn’t always mean profitable.”

“Success in business is profitability. That is success, and it's profitability without being completely burned out.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Free facebook group for bridal artists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Booked & Profitable - Bridal Business Restworkshop:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

Levarna’s Instagram to follow for more tips:

https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach

Want the full Bridal Pricing Workshop replay plus the chance to ask Levarna your questions directly? 🎉

You can access the complete training (and so much more) inside her free Facebook group for bridal artists.

Episode Summary:

In this transformative solo episode, Levarna dives deep into the “how” of building a business that doesn’t just pay the bills but funds your dream life, supports your family, and gives you total freedom.

Inspired by the incredible response to last week’s episode with Kellsie Bain, Levarna takes it a step further by walking you through the 3 powerful shifts every creative entrepreneur needs to build a truly aligned, profitable business.

Levarna shares her own personal journey, how she turned a bridal side hustle into a six-figure, freedom-based business as a single mom, and how she built a team and structure that allows her to work on her terms.

This is more than just business advice. It’s a wake-up call for artists and entrepreneurs who are done playing small, done guessing their prices, and ready to step into profitable, purposeful entrepreneurship.

💡 You'll Learn:

• How to design your business around your dream life instead of burning out in a business that doesn't serve you.
• The key financial numbers every makeup artist must know to stop undercharging and start earning real profit.
• Why most artists unknowingly sabotage their income goals and how to fix your money mindset.
• How to confidently price your packages so you're not just working more weddings, but working smarter.
• What it really takes to go from side hustle to full-time success as a bridal beauty business owner.

💬 Notable Quotes

"If you don't know what you want, it's really hard to create it."

"It's not about what you charge, it's about what you keep. Profit is the real measure."

"You can't out-strategize a limited money mindset."

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Free facebook group for bridal artists:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Booked & Profitable - Bridal Business Restworkshop:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

Book More Brides - Artist Academy waitlist:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

Connect with Levarna: https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

Learn how to price for profit, define your niche, and build irresistible packages. → DM “workshop” on Instagram to get all the details and join the training!

💖 Loved this episode?Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to the podcast, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating, and share it with a fellow makeup artist who needs this! Tag @levarnabusinesscoach on Instagram so we can say thank you!

Episode Summary:

In this value-packed episode of Beauty and the Boss,Levarna sits down with the incredibly inspiring Kellsie Bain an internationally recognized makeup artist, educator, and mentor with over 149,000 followers on Instagram. From doing $40 makeup gigs in her small country town in Australia to building a luxury bridal business that takes her across the globe, Kellsie shares her raw, real journey to success.

Levarna dives into how Kellsie went from a corporate insurance job to a global beauty entrepreneur. Kellsie shares how showing up online transformed her career, the mindset shifts that helped her raise her rates, and how one TikTok post sparked an industry-wide conversation around pricing and value.

Whether you’re a freelance artist or creative entrepreneur, this episode will inspire you to stop undercharging and start owning your worth.

💡 You'll Learn:

• How to grow from a hobbyist to a high-end artist
• Why showing your face online builds brand trust
• The power of content, education, and consistency
• How Kelsey booked her first destination job
• The mindset shift from being busy to being profitable
• Practical advice for raising your rates confidently
• Why your location doesn’t limit your worth💬 Notable Quotes

“Success doesn’t mean being booked and busy. It’s charging more and working less.”

“You don’t have to chase your best clients they’ll find you.”

“Don’t let your location hold you back.”

“Authenticity builds trust. That’s when everything changed for me.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Free facebook group for bridal artists:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/bookmorebridesfreegroup

Booked & Profitable - Bridal Business Restworkshop:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/booked-and-profitable

Book More Brides - Artist Academy waitlist:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

Connect with Levarna: https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

Connect with Kellsie: https://www.instagram.com/kellsiebainmakeup/

Tag us on Instagram with your favorite takeaway and don’t forget to leave a review. Every share helps inspire more beauty bosses like you. 💄

Episode Summary:

In this special solo episode, Levarna shares a powerful behind-the-scenes training pulled directly from her signature course, Bridal Ads Mastery. Although a guest interview was postponed, listeners are treated to one of Levarna’s favorite topics: how to get more YESes from bridal clients.

Levarna dives into five proven strategies to help bridal beauty pros double their bookings without adding more work. She breaks down how personalizing your communication, tracking your leads, and refining your follow-up process can make all the difference in closing deals. She also addresses how energy and excitement can transform client interactions and why systematizing your process will set you up for consistent success.

Whether you're new to the bridal industry or refining your booking process, this is an actionable masterclass on improving conversions.

🎧 You'll Learn:

• How to personalize your quote process to stand out
• Why phone calls can convert better than emails
• Tools to track, follow up, and manage bridal leads
• How to communicate like a true expert
• Why excitement and energy matter more than you think

💬 Notable Quotes

“If you put yourself in their shoes… and only one of the artists actually picks up the phone and speaks to them—that could be all it takes to win that booking.”

“Your bride doesn’t want to feel like another number. Ask questions, show interest—make her feel seen.”

“Nobody reads emails properly, stop assuming they do. Share your value everywhere you can.”

“If you’re not where you want to be in your business… then what you're doing right now isn’t working as well as it could. That change has to come from within you.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

• Waitlist for the next intake of Book More Brides Artist Academy:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

• Book More Brides Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16M6XuHnY1/

Connect with Levarna: https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

💖 If this episode sparked a lightbulb moment, share it! Screenshot and tag @levarnabusinesscoach on instagram or DM Levarna with your favorite takeaway.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Beauty and the Boss, Levarna sits down with relationship expert Beck Thompson from The Relationship Circle to explore how your romantic life can directly impact your business success. Beck shares insights on navigating love as a female entrepreneur, setting healthy boundaries, and recognizing when a relationship is supporting or sabotaging your goals. They dive into attachment styles, why successful women often fall into unhealthy dating patterns, and how to trust your gut when it comes to love and business. Whether you're single, dating, or in a long-term relationship, this conversation offers practical advice and real talk about balancing your personal and professional life without losing yourself in the process.

🎧 You'll Learn:

• How to tell if your relationship is draining your business energy
• Why successful women often fall into unhealthy dating patterns
• Essential relationship boundaries every female entrepreneur needs
• How attachment styles affect your dating life and business focus
• The importance of not dimming your light or downplaying your success when dating

💬 Notable Quotes

“As women, I think a lot of us blame ourselves—that’s the fine line, isn’t it? Being able to self-reflect but realizing when you are actually doing enough.”

“I feel like I almost have to hide myself when I’m dating... But owning it is really important.”

“The dating scene is such a blind spot for myself and for a lot of women because I’m so big on manifestation in business, but I forget it applies to love too.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

• Waitlist for the next intake of Book More Brides Artist Academy:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

• Book More Brides Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16M6XuHnY1/

Connect with Levarna: https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

Connect with Beck: https://www.instagram.com/the_relationship_circle/?hl=en

If you enjoyed this episode, follow, rate, and share Beauty and the Boss Podcast. Your support helps reach more bridal artists building a freedom-filled business with real, relatable advice.

Episode Summary:

In this impactful episode of Beauty and the Boss, Levarna uncovers the often-overlooked secret to a thriving bridal beauty business: the client journey. While flawless artistry matters, she explains that what truly sets top artists apart is how they make clients feel before, during, and after the service.

From inquiry to post-wedding follow-ups, Levarna breaks down a luxury client experience system you can implement right away. Learn how to automate and personalize every touchpoint, build brand loyalty, and stand out even in a saturated market.

She also shares practical tips on email automation, welcome kits, booking workflows, and adding warmth to your systems. If you’re ready to work smarter and stop losing clients to less talented but more organized artists, this episode is for you.

🎧 You'll Learn:

• How to build automation systems that still feel personal and warm
• How to structure post-wedding follow-ups for reviews and referrals
• Why branding consistency builds trust and authority
• How to handle constructive feedback and avoid negative reviews
• Real-world examples of luxury service touches (like thank-you cards and gifts)

🧭 The Five-Star Client Journey Framework:

1. The Inquiry Stage

2. The Onboarding Process

3. Pre-Wedding Communication

4. Wedding Day Experience

5. Post-Wedding Follow-Up

6. Systematizing It All

💬 Notable Quotes

“The client journey is what builds loyalty, trust, and referrals not just the makeup.”

“You can be the best artist in town, but if you ghost a bride after the inquiry, she won’t remember you.”

“Luxury service is how you make her feel—not just what you apply to her face.”

“Brides love knowing what’s next. That’s the real magic behind professional systems.”

📚 Resources & Tools Mentioned:

Dubsado HoneyBook Manychat

• MUA Ideal Client workbook

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1emb4LQt3pGmQDn2BflQMHPISvtUHS0ZM/view?usp=sharing

• Waitlist for the next intake of Book More Brides Artist Academy:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

• Book More Brides Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16M6XuHnY1/

Connect with Levarna: https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

Loved this episode? Share it and join the Book More Brides waitlist!✨

Episode Summary:

In this intimate and inspiring episode, Levarna sits down with her long-time hairdresser and now powerhouse salon owner, Hannah Stechman. From humble beginnings as a teen looking for a way out of school, Hannah's journey is one of transformation, self-discovery, and strategic growth. Now the proud owner of Splendid Hair, a cutting-edge home salon, and a brand ambassador for international haircare brands, Hannah opens up about the realities of burnout, the perks and challenges of running a home salon, building a dream team, and evolving creatively as a hairstylist and businesswoman.

Listeners will be treated to honest reflections, business-savvy insights, and empowering advice on how to build a thriving business rooted in authenticity, creativity, and freedom.

🎧 You'll Learn:

• How Hannah went from uncertain teen to pro stylist
• What makes her home salon feel like a true sanctuary
• Balancing personal and professional life at home
• Tips for boundaries and mindful salon design
• Building a creative, empowered team culture
• Using social media and aesthetics to attract clients
• Stepping into educator and ambassador roles
• Behind the scenes of her wedding styling biz
• Why supporting her team’s personal brands boosts the salon

💬 Notable Quotes

“If I was opening a salon on the main street, it would still look just like Splendid. This isn’t a garage with a chair in it—it’s a creative sanctuary.”

“Everything in my space is intentional. If it’s photo-worthy from every angle, clients will post. That’s free marketing.”

💡 Levarna’s Key Insights:

• When you help your team build their own personal brands, it builds your business too.
• Facing fear and discomfort is a sign you’re on the right track toward personal and professional expansion.

📚 Resources Mentioned:

• Splendid hair website: https://splendidhair.gettimely.com/

• Hannah Stech Hair https://www.hannstechhair.co.nz/

• Splendid Hair Instagram https://www.instagram.com/splendidhairnz/?hl=en

• Waitlist for the next intake of Book More Brides Artist Academy:

https://levarnabusinesscoach.mykajabi.com/bmb-artist-academy-waitlist

• Book More Brides Facebook Group

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16M6XuHnY1/

Connect with Levarna:

https://www.instagram.com/levarnabusinesscoach/

Connect with Hannah:

https://www.instagram.com/hannstech_hair/?hl=en

💬 Loved this episode? Share it and tag us!