In this episode, Jenn Cody sits down with Jess Tergesen, the Director of Education at Strategies, for a heartfelt conversation about leadership, empowerment, and the future of beauty business education. Jess shares her unexpected journey from reluctant cosmetology student to industry leader, her 11-year tenure at a values-based team company, and her vision for transforming how beauty professionals learn and grow.

Whether you're a salon owner looking to build a stronger team culture or a stylist wanting to step into leadership, this episode delivers powerful insights on creating businesses where everyone thrives.

Key Topics Covered

• From Behind the Chair to Director of Education: Jess's unconventional path into the beauty industry and why she stayed at one company for 11 years
• Values-Based Business Culture: What it really means to lead with values and how it shapes team loyalty and retention
• Leadership Is Not a Title: Why everyone in your business can (and should) be a leader, regardless of their role
• Empowerment Through Self-Trust: Jess's personal definition of empowerment and the growth cycle every leader experiences
• The Future of Strategies Education: A complete breakdown of N.E.X.T. Austin 2026 and the new CoLab class format
• Team + Owner Collaboration: How shared language around numbers, leadership, and culture creates transformation
• Felt Experiences vs. Taught Information: Why education should be experienced, not just absorbed

Episode Highlights

On Choosing Hair School: "I had my daughter when I was in high school and I was like, what am I going to do with my life to quickly get a job, be independent? I'm super creative and I like to talk to people. So I thought, I could be a hairstylist."

On Leadership Being a Behavior, Not a Title: "Leadership is not a title. Anybody can be a leader no matter what their tenure is, no matter how long they've worked there. I believe that people can lead at each and every level."

On Her Definition of Empowerment: "Empowerment comes from within. It means learning to trust yourself as a leader. It starts with humility, saying 'I don't know everything and I am willing to learn.'"

On Building Shared Language: "When you're anchored in your values, when everybody knows why you're doing what you're doing, it becomes easier to coach to the behaviors that are required to hit the goals."

On the New CoLab Education Format: "CoLab stands for collaborate and L.A.B. stands for Leadership, Action, and Breakthroughs. I wanted collaboration between owners and team members, and collaboration between diverse topics."

What's Coming in 2026: N.E.X.T. Austin

Strategies is launching a reimagined education experience March 2-4, 2026 in Au

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

Frizz doesn’t need to flatten your personality. Andrew Caruso from Pure Brazilian joins us to rethink what “Brazilian” means today, breaking down the difference between smoothing and straightening, how modern formulas protect curls and coils, and why a clean, low-odor service changes everything for clients and teams. If you’ve been wary of fumes, downtime, or harsh grow-out lines, this conversation gives you a fresh, practical playbook.

We dig into the science in plain terms: where an ingredient sits on the label signals potency, how hydrolyzed keratin works alongside superfoods like cocoa seed butter and açaí, and why you can reduce frizz, boost shine, and speed up blow-dry time without sacrificing texture. Andrew shares what salons really want to know—how to grow revenue now. The Express Blowout slots into services you already do, adds four to eight shampoos of smooth hair, and creates a natural path to the full 90-minute treatment that lasts three to four months. No ponytail bans, no multi-day restrictions, and a client experience that feels lighter, cleaner, and repeatable.

We also talk pricing and positioning so you charge confidently for 90 minutes of high-value work, whether your market tops at $250 or supports $600. With fewer visits and tighter schedules, smoothing becomes a strategic lever: better average ticket, faster appointments, and stronger rebooking built on results rather than obligation. Round it out with retail that shares the same hydrolyzed keratin DNA to maintain results between visits, plus simple messaging—texture management, frizz control, reduced blow-dry time—that clients immediately understand.

Ready to keep the curls and lose the chaos? Hit play, then subscribe, share with a stylist friend, and leave a quick review so more pros can discover smarter, safer smoothing.

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

The future of beauty leadership doesn’t live in hustle culture or lone-wolf success stories—it lives in healthy companies where people grow, paychecks are stable, and culture drives the numbers. Robert Maraglia sits down with Barbara and Brett Pierce to share why they bought a three-decade education company and how they’re modernizing it without losing the backbone: financial clarity, team-based pay, and no-compromise leadership.

We unpack what changed our own salons from stressed to strong: real systems, clear values, and a team model that unlocks more than just “two hands.” Barbara explains how focusing on whole-person contribution—education, mentorship, guest experience, and innovation—reduces burnout and lifts results. Brett gives a grounded take on no-compromise leadership: hold fast to goals and values, stay flexible on methods, and build the consistency that creates trust and stable incomes.

You’ll hear how Strategies is evolving education with the online Academy, small-group collabs, and packed in-person events designed for both owners and teams. We talk practical solutions for today’s challenges—churn, no-shows, cancellations—plus the early expectations and clear career paths that keep new talent in the industry. From AI-enabled systems to hands-on workshops, every tool points to the same outcome: resilient, people-first salons that last.

If you’ve been watching from the sidelines, consider this your nudge. Test one new play, pilot a clearer path, and see what happens when your culture and numbers finally pull in the same direction. Subscribe, share with a fellow owner, and leave a review with the one change you’ll make this month—we’ll feature our favorites in a future episode.

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

What if your clients chose your salon for the experience and results, not the name on the station? We sit down with Cindy Reynolds, owner of Mermaid Hair Extensions in Seattle and Kirkland, to unpack a brand-first, team-based model that turns marathon extension services into a smooth, three-hour transformation. Instead of booking a stylist, guests book the salon. The calendar reads “Team Mermaid,” the pricing is transparent and all-inclusive, and the systems guarantee speed, consistency, and hospitality.

Cindy walks us through the mechanics: two to three stylists on a service, overlapping roles, and an apprenticeship pipeline that keeps prep and finishing seamless. When a client cancels or someone calls out, the brand absorbs the shock—appointments aren’t tied to a single person, so the promise holds. That reliability survived a full post-pandemic rebuild and fueled a 65% surge in 2022. The Starbucks analogy applies: people return for the product and experience, even if their favorite barista moves on; consistency builds trust, and trust builds retention.

We also dig into hiring and culture. Candidates choose between building a solo brand or joining a salaried team with strong benefits, paid medical, a 401k match, and predictable income. Mermaid offers flexibility—unlimited unpaid time off with notice—while holding firm to full-day shifts and daily huddles that keep the machine aligned. With high-ticket packages, a 1.5 stylists-per-column cadence, and clear roles, the business funds education, travel, and a real career path. Most importantly, the mission stays front and center: give women more hair, more confidence, and more joy—those “hugs and tears” moments that make the work matter.

If you’re ready to strengthen client loyalty, stabilize your book, and elevate your team’s careers, this conversation lays out the playbook. Subscribe, share with a salon owner who needs fresh thinking, and leave a review to tell us which system you’ll try first.

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

UPDATED NOTES!

Laws have been updates since this was recorded. Important updates are time stamped:

7:36     Start discussion about $25k tip income deduction.

10:52   Reminder that laws are still being written.

11:35  Reminder that this is a Federal law, States may or may not do something, FICA still applies. Must file joint return if single.  NEW – must have income to take deduction

15:10   Shift to owner’s discussion.

15:58  Could be eligible for $50k if both have tip income.  NEW - We now have law that says it will be limited to $25k per return.

16:56  NEW - 1993 FICA tip tax credit started for restaurants.  Originally it was indicated as early 80s.

20:34  FICA Tip Tax Credit is the amount paid and will get back what paid.  CLARIFY – If not paying tax, may be carried back 1 year and/or carried forward a max of 20 years. Treated like other general credits so there are many different factors based on the personal taxpayers’ situation.  This is a FICA tax credit – not a state deal. 

Tax talk that actually puts money back in your pocket starts here. We sat down with April McDaniel of Kopsa Otte to decode the new rules on tips for the beauty industry and map out simple steps that protect your income, benefits, and long-term security. From why 100% of tips must be reported to how the new incentives work, we connect the dots so employees and owners can act with confidence.

First, we break down the $25,000 employee tip deduction: who qualifies, how to document tips correctly on a W-2, what “modified adjusted income” means for phaseouts, and why FICA still applies. We also cover special cases like self-employed artists keeping separate tip records, married filing status pitfalls, federal versus state differences, and the 2025–2028 window that makes this a timely priority. The message is clear: clean records now lead to smoother filings and bigger benefits later.

Then we shift to the owner’s playbook. April explains how the long-standing FICA tip credit, claimed on Form 8846, now applies to salons and spas. We detail the payroll and reporting steps that unlock the credit, when minimum wage rules limit eligibility, and how the credit flows through for S corps and partnerships. You’ll hear practical policies that eliminate off-book cash and app tips, ways to leverage salon software for accurate reporting, and a simple compliance framework that stops leaving money on the table.

This conversation champions a mindset shift: tips are not coffee money, they are real income that should fund goals, build credit, and secure benefits. If you’re ready to level up your business, align your team, and claim what the law now offers, this is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with your team, and leave a review to help more beauty pros grow smarter and stronger.

Find out more about April and Kopsa Otte at h

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

In this episode, we’re joined by Sydney Lopez, a social media expert and stylist with over a quarter million followers on Instagram, to explore how salon and spa owners can revolutionize their approach to social media. Sydney shares her client-centered strategy that shifts the focus from showcasing services to celebrating the real stars of your business: your clients. Learn how to create an online community, craft compelling content, and highlight your salon’s unique culture to drive real growth.

Whether you’re struggling to engage your team in social media efforts, attract new clients, or recruit top talent, Sydney’s practical tips will empower you to elevate your online presence. Discover how to turn social media from a chore into a tool for building relationships, boosting bookings, and showcasing your salon’s culture and values.

Connect with Sydney on Instagram: @sydneyannlopezhair

Register for Sydney's 2-day Digital Branding & Social Media Workshop: https://strategies.com/seminar/digital-branding-social-media-crosswalk-03-25

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/YVajfMz8BIk

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

In this episode, we sit down with Tim Howard from Vish to uncover how salons can dramatically cut color waste, improve profitability, and create a more sustainable business. Learn how Vish’s groundbreaking technology reduces waste from 40% to just 5%, while making every service on your menu equally profitable.

Tim shares insights into the latest trends in salon data and practical tips on how to maximize your color bar's efficiency. Discover how smarter pricing strategies and streamlined systems can empower you to take control of your salon's finances and create a better client experience.

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/KN5x-nGlEQU

Connect with Vish: https://hubs.ly/Q02-1K3T0

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

In this episode, we sit down with Ben Atanga, a dynamic entrepreneur who is reshaping holistic wellness. Ben shares his path from studying child psychology to founding The Stretch Loft, a cutting-edge business that harnesses the power of stretch therapy and guided breathing to release tension and promote healing. His personal experience with injury recovery led to the creation of The Stretch Loft and The Stretch Loft Academy, where over 200 practitioners have been trained under his guidance. With the successful launch of his seventh studio, Ben offers insights into how this innovative approach addresses muscle tension in a way no other modality does.

We also explore the untapped potential of integrating stretch therapy into existing businesses, boosting both diversification and revenue. Discover how adding this service can transform a simple appointment into a comprehensive wellness experience, enhancing client engagement for hairdressers, massage therapists, and spa owners alike.

Learn more about The Stretch Loft: https://thestretchloft.com/
Follow The Stretch Loft on Instagram: @thestretchloft
Email Ben: [email protected]

Conversation highlights:
1:03 What is stretch therapy?
3:30 The difference between stretch therapy and other holistic wellness services
6:05 What does a stretch therapy session look like?
10:40 The mobility assessment that tells the story of your body
12:58 Diversifying your business with stretch therapy services
16:29 How being team-based supports the franchise model
20:53 How being team-based changed the Stretch Loft's culture

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/LLzJyensi_0

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

Join us as we sit down with Eva DuPont from Infiniti HR and Heather Watkins, a waxing studio owner thriving with Human Resources support, to uncover the invaluable benefits of HR services for even the smallest of beauty businesses. Hear firsthand how HR expertise not only ensures compliance with essential laws but also acts as a vital safety net during challenging situations, like when a viral social media mishap strikes. Heather shares her journey with Infiniti HR, proving that tailored HR solutions can empower your employees and help your business grow.

Book an appointment with Eva: www.evadupont.com

Conversation highlights:
2:45 How human resources applies to beauty businesses
4:35 How to know when you need HR support
6:59 The 4 hidden labor costs
10:00 The difference between payroll and HR services
12:39 Offering benefits to your salon/spa employees
15:30 How HR services can work for a small beauty business
21:58 The benefits Heather experienced after utilizing HR services

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/6Sf4MiRkIpM

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.

Join us as we sit down with Ameet Kallarackal, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Glammatic, who reveals the secrets to dominating your digital presence. Ameet shares compelling insights showing that a whopping 72% of potential clients search for salons and spas on Google first, making it imperative to rank high in search results. He unpacks the pitfalls of relying solely on platforms like Facebook and Instagram and underscores the necessity of maintaining a robust and credible online image.

In this episode, Ameet walks us through practical strategies for setting your salon/spa apart through strong branding and team visibility. Ameet also dives into the tools and tips for maintaining an active and engaging online presence, ensuring your brand remains top of mind for both loyal and new customers.

Learn more about Glammatic: www.glammatic.com

Conversation highlights:
1:51  Why it's important for your business to have a strong online presence
4:34  Where most businesses go wrong with their online presence
6:30  The mystery of Google's algorithm
9:05  Matching your online presence to your in-person client experience
10:40  Where to start with optimizing your online presence
14:24  How to simplify and automate your online marketing
17:03  How to stand out in people's email inbox
18:50  The time investment for maintaining your online presence
21:37  The ROI of a great online presence
23:20  The social media platforms you HAVE to be on as a beauty business
26:13  How Glammatic helps beauty businesses build their online presence
29:00  An exclusive offer from Glammatic for the Strategies Community

Watch the video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/ZOSFJPBm8CE

To learn more about how Strategies can help you create more profit, fun, and growth potential for you, your business, and your team, schedule a free 60-minute strategy session:


Strategies: https://www.strategies.com
Salon/Spa Business Coaching: https://strategies.com/memberships/
In-Person Salon/Spa Seminars: https://strategies.com/education
Podcast: https://strategies.com/podcast/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strategiesteam
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strategies
Online Education Portal: https://learning.strategies.com/

The Beauty Business Strategies Podcast is designed to give salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, and lash studio owners, just like you, quick tips to make more money, inspire your team, and create world-class client experiences.