Confidence as a salon owner is a funny thing. You can be incredible in the chair, calm with clients, talented as hell… and still feel completely rattled by team stuff, quiet weeks, money pressure, reviews, or the fear of being judged.

In this episode, Sam and Jen unpack the invisible weight salon owners carry and why confidence doesn’t mean “nothing goes wrong”, it means you keep leading even when things do.

We talk about the difference between winging it as a stylist (with foundations underneath) versus winging it as a business owner (and accidentally winging the outcome). This is your reminder that confidence is built through clarity, numbers, boundaries, brave conversations, and keeping promises to yourself. Not through pretending you’re smashing it when you’re secretly drowning.

What we cover

1. Why confidence gets shaken by team issues, quiet weeks, reviews and judgement
2. The difference between “faking it” and leading with real foundations
3. Why business owners lose confidence when they don’t know their numbers
4. How systems, boundaries and clarity create calm leadership
5. Why brave conversations (and owning your mistakes) build trust fast

In short: confidence isn’t something you magically have. It’s something you build, one clear decision, one hard conversation, and one honest look at your numbers at a time.

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Summary

02:50 Confidence and Team Dynamics

06:58 Handling Judgement and Self Worth

11:07 Continuous Learning and Adaptation

23:33 External Validation and Self Worth

28:02 Living the Day Twice

28:29 Financial Planning and Sacrifices

29:11 Support Systems and Confidence

30:55 Boundaries and Business Decisions

36:28 Systems and Procedures

37:31 Knowing Your Numbers

39:41 Leading with Clarity

43:58 Brave Conversations

51:02 Building Confidence

53:18 Homework for Confidence

Mentioned in this episode:

First Align, then Redesign — Live Masterclass

If you’ve been moving from one season to the next without really stopping, this is for you.

Align Masterclass

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

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Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

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https://www.salonrising.com

🎧 Event Spotlight: THIS GENERATION

THIS GENERATION, presented by Monique McMahon, is a one-day, industry-led education experience bringing together three hair artists and three unique creative perspectives.

Joining Monique on the day are Taylah Jones and UK award-winning colourist Luci Green, sharing modern technique, global trends and ideas you can take straight back behind the chair.

The day also includes a business and mindset conversation supported by Salon Rising, with Jen and Samara attending on the day.

📍 Edwards & Co Fortitude Valley

🎟 Tickets are limited — find all the details via the link below 👇

This Generation