Beyond The Salon Chair

Natasha sits down with Sasha Cowell, founder of The Salon Owners Club, to unpack the transformative journey from burnt-out stylist to thriving, hands-off business owner. Sasha opens up about the harsh realities of hitting the VAT threshold, racking up £25k in debt while fully booked, and taking the bold £18k leap into business coaching that changed everything. 

Discover how salon owners can stop being hostages to their appointment columns, set boundaries with clients, implement bespoke high-ticket offers, and build sustainable enterprises that run—and profit—without them.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Being Fully Booked Does Not Equal Being Profitable: You can have a two-page waitlist and a packed schedule yet still make zero profit if you don't understand operating costs, pricing, and financial thresholds like VAT.

Treating Your Craft and Running a Business Require Different Skill Sets: Great technical artistry builds an initial client base, but scaling sustainably requires learning financial planning, systemisation, and operations.

Transition in Stages to Protect Time and Energy: Stepping out from behind the chair doesn't have to happen overnight; phasing down client days (e.g., from six days to four, then three, then two) creates essential capacity to work on the business rather than just in it.

Be Wary of Whose Advice You Follow: Solicit guidance only from people who have successfully walked the path you want to take, rather than well-meaning friends or family who don’t understand industry-specific pressures.

High-Ticket Offers and Clear Positioning Drive Freedom: Implementing high-value, "profitable irresistible offers" alongside magnetic messaging attracts ideal, loyal clients and provides predictable cash injections without endless hours behind the chair.

BEST MOMENTS

"We put clients first before ourselves, before our family, before our own needs... we then become trapped and we become the hostage of our own success and our own business." 

"I led every decision through an emotional decision... rather than actually looking at my business as a business. It's like, Sasha, you've got to make decisions with a business head, not an emotional head." 

"You can only go so far with what you know. It’s what you don’t know is what takes you to the next level." 

"Do not listen to people that aren't where you want to be. Because quite often we go to family, we go to friends for advice, that have never actually walked our path." 

"People can be loyal to their need of you, but not actually loyal to you."

OUR LINKS

⁠⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media.⁠ ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this insightful episode, Natasha sits down with Elena Apalkova, the CEO and founder of Mindset to Results. Elena shares her deeply personal journey of achieving massive financial success only to lose it all to betrayal, and eventually being forced to flee the war in Ukraine with nothing but her documents and warm clothes. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Mindset trumps mechanics: Generating income is only part of the equation; without the right internal programming and self-image, financial success cannot be sustained long-term.

The Law of Cause and Effect: We are the ultimate cause of our circumstances. 

Recognising this allows us to stop playing the victim, take radical responsibility, and reclaim our personal power.

Audit your circle: Your network significantly impacts your net worth and your energy. Surrounding yourself with the right people and recognising those who drain you is crucial for sustainable growth.

Resilience is a learned skill: Rebuilding your life is entirely possible even after losing everything, provided you focus on internal growth and invest in the right mentorship.

Purpose fuels perseverance: Having a massive "why," such as Elena's goal to build the Thousand Smiles foundation in Costa Rica, provides the intrinsic drive needed to overcome catastrophic external setbacks.

BEST MOMENTS

"It is less about outside factors and more about us, about knowing who we are, what self-image we have, what we expect, and also understanding how powerful we are."

"Having a money goal is not enough. Because when we just make money work or just work for money and don't have that big 'why' ... it will not give us happiness and satisfaction."

"Everything has cause and effect. According to the law of cause and effect, we become the cause of everything. And everything else what happening to us ... it is just results of our own self."

"Success, as everything else, it has a recipe. And there are different ingredients which you have to collect together exactly like when we cook the cake."

"People who do much more in life, it is not because they are more genius or they know more. No, just because they have different self-image."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this special one-year anniversary episode, Natasha sits down with martial arts entrepreneur and global franchise owner, Matt Fiddes. Matt shares his incredible journey from a bullied teenager who left school with no qualifications to building the largest martial arts franchise in the world, starting with just a £100 bank loan. Along the way, he discusses the reality of scaling a business, dealing with devastating early failures, and his ten years working as the personal bodyguard to Michael Jackson. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Start small but dream big: Matt launched his first martial arts school as a teenager with a £100 loan from Barclays Bank, working as a lifeguard for £2.75 an hour to raise the funds. 

Resilience in the face of failure is crucial: His very first planned martial arts class had zero attendees because it tragically coincided with the morning Princess Diana died. Despite this massive setback and losing his initial investment, he persevered, re-booked the hall, and eventually filled it with over 100 students.

Focus on the right priorities: Matt emphasises a strict hierarchy for a successful life: health first, family second, and business or money third. He also stresses the importance of having three distinct plans for your health and fitness, personal finances, and business.

Surround yourself with the right people: To achieve massive success, you must place yourself in rooms where you are the least successful person. Matt credits his network, including high-level mentors and his close connection to Michael Jackson, for elevating his mindset and business acumen at a young age.

Franchising requires a proven model: If you want to franchise a business, like an aesthetic clinic or a hair salon, you must first have a profitable, proven model with at least one year of good financial accounts.

BEST MOMENTS

"When you're backs up against the wall and you got nothing else you can do and no qualifications, you don't have a lot of choice really, Natasha."

"Great minds think about ideas, medium minds think about things, small minds talk about people, gossip. You need to be in the great minds."

"I was always the poorest person in the room by about several billion, so I was part of the greatest mastermind at 19 years old."

"Money's the byproduct of you being successful. You need to focus in the right order: health, family, money."

"If you don't love what you do, it will become work and when it's work you don't love it."

TO CONNECT WITH MATT 

inktr.ee/mattfiddes01

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Natasha welcomes leadership and wealth mentor Julie Hobbin, who shares her transformative journey from a career in accountancy to becoming a champion of conscious leadership. Julie discusses her early experiences with ineffective management and how they inspired her to pursue a path of better leadership practices. Julie emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, integrity, and the interconnectedness of personal and professional growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Self-Awareness is Crucial: Understanding oneself and recognizing habits is essential for personal growth and effective leadership. Self-awareness allows individuals to identify what aspects of their behavior serve them and which do not.

Authenticity and Integrity: Being authentic means being true to oneself, but it must be coupled with integrity. Authenticity without integrity can lead to negative behaviors, while integrity provides a moral compass for decision-making.

Embrace Change: Change can be challenging, but it is often necessary for growth. The mindset with which one approaches change—whether viewing it as hard or easy—can significantly influence the outcome.

The Importance of Reputation: Reputation is built on both personal actions and online presence. It is crucial to be aware of how one is perceived by others, as this can impact opportunities and relationships.

Coaching vs. Mentoring: Mentors have experience in the specific area you want to learn about, while coaches focus on unlocking your potential through questioning and reflection. 

BEST MOMENTS

"When leaders wake up to who they really are, they start consciously creating results, their organizations, and their wealth."

"One comment, one statement, one word, can ruin everything. Once we've said something, you cannot take it back."

"There are a lot of people out there that may be scared to... they're in that safety net and security and just think, 'Oh, I can't do that.'"

"Our feelings are our choice. We make our choices from either a reaction to something or a response."

"When we change, we are the one that becomes the alien to everybody around us who's always known us."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Natasha welcomes Dana Shdeed, an accomplished AI human rights researcher with over 20 years of experience in international development projects. Dana shares her inspiring journey from her early career in Lebanon, where she witnessed the impact of war on human rights, to her current focus on integrating AI with human rights objectives. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Passion for Human Rights: Dana's journey into human rights began with her early experiences in Lebanon, where she witnessed the impact of conflict on society. This motivated her to advocate for human rights and sustainable development goals.

Integration of AI and Human Rights: Dana emphasizes the importance of aligning artificial intelligence with human rights objectives. She believes that AI can empower individuals and enhance the ethical use of technology in society.

Educational Journey: Dana's academic path includes a degree in computer engineering and ongoing PhD studies focused on AI for human rights. Her mother's encouragement to pursue higher education played a significant role in her commitment to lifelong learning.

Future Plans: Dana is developing the World Human Conscience Framework, which aims to promote conscience-based decision-making in various sectors, including business and NGOs. This initiative seeks to bridge personal values with universal principles to enhance social impact.

Consultancy and Training: Dana offers consultancy and training programs to help businesses measure their social impact. She provides initial free consultations to introduce her framework and assist organizations in understanding the value of their contributions to society.

BEST MOMENTS

"AI is now being used everywhere and we need to make sure that it works in alignment with the human rights objectives and that it continues to boost human rights."

"You need to feel it to know it. You need to do it to know it. And I think that if it's something on your mind, try it."

"Sometimes we have to live through things to really get the passion for it."

"What is missing is conscience-based decision-making... It's that voice inside of you that tells you this is right and this is wrong."

"I want to bring that into that space... to ensure that what we are providing is fit for purpose for as many as possible of the target audience we're working with."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode, Natasha welcomes Vaida Stone, an international speaker, author, and founder of the Always Enough Method. With over 25 years of experience in education and finance, Vaida shares her journey of discovering the deep connection between mind, heart, and money. Vaida discusses the importance of financial literacy, particularly for women, and how childhood experiences shape our relationship with money. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Connection Between Mind, Heart, and Money: The Always Enough Method emphasizes the importance of aligning one's emotions, mindset, and financial well-being to achieve true fulfillment and happiness.

Financial Literacy Gaps: Many educational systems fail to teach essential personal finance management skills, leaving individuals unprepared to handle their finances effectively in adulthood.

Childhood Influences on Financial Attitudes: Early experiences and family discussions about money significantly shape an individual's relationship with finances, impacting their confidence and financial decisions later in life.

Challenges and Resilience: Personal challenges, such as losing parents at a young age and navigating divorce, can serve as catalysts for growth and empowerment, motivating individuals to seek financial independence and inspire others.

Practical Guidance and Resources: The speaker offers practical tools and resources, including a workbook and a masterclass, to help individuals, particularly women, improve their financial literacy and foster healthier relationships with money.

BEST MOMENTS

"Sometimes it's not about how much money you're earning, but if your heart doesn't feel whole, you don't feel enough as a personality."

"If you don't have a foundation, how can you understand how everything is working?"

"There are a lot of people listening who actually may have financial fulfillment but might not still be happy."

"Money is not math. We need to look deeper into our relationship with money."

"You can be fulfilled and whole only if you connect your mind, heart, and money."

TO PURCHASE VAIDA’S BOOK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Always-Enough-Achieve-Financial-Freedom/dp/B0C7T1V2NJ

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this solo episode, Natasha delves into the crucial topic of the energy stylists bring to their work behind the chair. Natasha emphasizes the profound impact that a stylist's energy can have on clients, who often seek not just a haircut but an uplifting experience during their visit.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Energy Impact: The energy that stylists bring to their work is crucial, as it significantly affects the client's experience and overall mood during their visit.

Client Connection: Understanding the emotional state of clients is important; some may share their struggles while others may not, but all clients benefit from an uplifting atmosphere.

Self-Care for Stylists: Stylists must prioritize their own well-being and recharge to ensure they can provide positive energy to their clients.

Clientele Attraction: The energy of a stylist influences the type of clients they attract; high-energy stylists may draw in lively clients, while calm stylists may appeal to those seeking a more relaxed experience.

Salon Environment: The ambiance of a salon, including music and overall atmosphere, plays a significant role in shaping the energy and experience for both clients and stylists.

BEST MOMENTS

"The energy that you bring as a stylist behind the chair is so, so, so important."

"It's not just about doing the hair... it's more to do with the feeling on how they're made to feel."

"The energy that you attract behind the chair is so, so important for your business, for your communication, for attracting customers."

"If you're a high impact type of person, you more than likely can relate and will attract somebody of the same energy as yours."

"Be aware of the energy that you are bringing to the table, to the chair, to the salon, to the environment that you're in."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this solo episode, Natasha delves into the essential art of consultation within the beauty industry. Natasha emphasizes the importance of thorough consultations for every customer, highlighting how these interactions not only enhance the salon's reputation but also ensure that clients receive the right services tailored to their needs.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Importance of Consultation: A thorough consultation is essential for understanding customer needs and providing the right service, which enhances the salon's reputation and customer satisfaction.

Listening to Pain Points: Identifying and addressing the customer's pain points is crucial. This involves actively listening to their concerns and desires, whether related to hair, beauty treatments, or emotional well-being.

Personalized Approach: Each consultation should be tailored to the individual, considering factors like face shape, lifestyle, and personal preferences. Even long-term clients should be consulted to explore potential changes or updates to their style.

Staying Updated with Trends: Professionals in the beauty industry must keep abreast of the latest techniques, trends, and technologies to provide informed suggestions and enhance the consultation process.

Human Interaction vs. Technology: While technology, such as AI booking systems, can streamline processes, the human aspect of consultation remains irreplaceable. 

BEST MOMENTS

"It's important that you have a thorough consultation with every customer that comes through the door."

"As hairdressers, we are the hair doctors... There is a pain that somebody is having, whether it's a hair problem or they're feeling down emotionally."

"You need to know what the new techniques are yourself... it will just make your consultation so much stronger."

"I strongly believe that human interaction will always outdo any technology."

"In the beauty industry, we are doctors repairing their pain, their agony, their emotional distress."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

This inspiring episode of Beyond the Salon Chair features award-winning jewellery entrepreneur and personal development expert Donna Lane. Donna details her remarkable career journey, starting with her time at L'Oreal, where she spearheaded groundbreaking marketing campaigns, such as flying clients to Paris on Concorde. She also candidly shares her personal struggles, including recovering from a toxic relationship and navigating the difficulties of motherhood after multiple miscarriages.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Personal Development Journey: The guest emphasises the importance of personal development, sharing experiences with renowned figures like Joe Dispenza, Paul McKenna, and Tony Robbins, which helped shape her understanding of the mind and its potential.

Overcoming Adversity: She discusses her journey of escaping a toxic relationship and the challenges of being a single parent, highlighting the significance of self-love and seeking help during difficult times.

The Power of Memory: The concept of the "Remembering Technique" is introduced, which focuses on using memory to manifest positive outcomes in life.

Manifestation through Visualisation: The guest explains how visualising positive experiences, such as a holiday, can lead to actualising those experiences in real life.

Practical Application: The guest shares her personal success stories, including overcoming obstacles to achieve her dream home and helping others through the Remembering Technique, demonstrating its effectiveness in various aspects of life.

BEST MOMENTS

"I managed to have a child at 45, which again broke all the records."

"The first and foremost, which I didn't realise, was to go get help."

"You are what you think you are, and you are right."

"I was with a fantasist narcissist... You think you're going mad because you know, and obviously it's never your fault."

"The mind cannot tell the difference between imagined and reality."

OUR LINKS

⁠www.exquisitesalon.co⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

Please Check Out Our Sponsor:

https://www.theupliftacademy.com/

In this episode of Natasha welcomes industry expert Natasha Johnson, who brings over two decades of experience in the hair and beauty sector. Natasha shares insights on the future of the industry and hints at exciting developments on the horizon, inviting listeners to connect with her on Instagram for updates.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Industry Experience: Natasha has over two decades of experience in the hair and beauty industry, beginning her career at a young age and progressing from junior roles to salon management and business consulting.

Education and Business Balance: She emphasizes the importance of combining creative education with commercial growth, highlighting that the beauty industry requires both artistic skills and business acumen to succeed.

Human Connection: Natasha believes that the hair and beauty industry is fundamentally about human interaction and personal touch, which cannot be replaced by technology or AI.

AI in the Industry: While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI for administrative tasks, such as online booking systems, Natasha expresses concern about its limitations in practical, hands-on services that require a human touch.

Future Plans: Natasha hints at exciting developments in her career for the upcoming year, encouraging listeners to follow her on Instagram for updates, while also acknowledging the challenges of managing multiple social media platforms.

BEST MOMENTS

"I often think in our industry, we're very creative and we forget the business side of stuff. I don't think it should just be a labor of love. We're here to make money too."

"I think often people come into our industry imagining that it's very easy. And it is absolutely not. It is not an easy, a lazy or a stupid option as many people think."

"We are in an industry that's people to people, and I think it's really important we don't lose that human touch."

"I mean, we're touching people, we're touching the hair... the practicality of our industry, I don't see AI fitting in it."

"I can see definitely the benefits of [AI], but also I find it just quite terrifying."

OUR LINKS

www.exquisitesalon.co

https://www.instagram.com/exquisite1hbs/⁠

HOST BIO

Natasha is a seasoned hairdresser with over 14 years of experience in the beauty industry, renowned for her passion, skill, and dedication to her craft. Specializing in creating personalized, stunning styles, she has worked with clients of all hair types, consistently earning a reputation for boosting confidence and empowering individuals through their hair transformations. Natasha’s approach combines creativity with precision, ensuring each client feels valued and understood. Natasha looks to share insights from the world of hairstyling, creativity, and inspiration, alongside real conversations and meaningful discussions

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/