Delusional

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If running your beauty business feels like you’re juggling every little detail yourself, this episode is your guide to stepping back, scaling up, and leading with confidence.

In Part 5 of our CEO Series, I’m joined once again by Elli from the Beauty Business Society to unpack why micromanagement is holding your growth hostage - and how building smart systems is the key to sustainable success. You’ll hear real client stories from TLB Laser Skin Lashes Clinic and Glow Artistry, who transformed their businesses by streamlining processes and empowering their teams.

Inside this episode:
✨ Why micromanagement keeps even the best CEOs stuck in survival mode
✨ The essential systems that free up your time and fuel scalability
✨ How to emotionally (and practically) let go of control without sacrificing quality
✨ The game-changing role virtual assistants can play in your beauty business
✨ What you can expect at the upcoming Beauty Industry Leaders Retreat - and why it’s designed to help you scale with ease

This conversation is your roadmap to trading overwhelm for organization and building a beauty business that grows without burning you out.

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

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From teenage YouTuber to award-nominated salon owner, Jacob Stella’s story proves that the beauty industry rewards courage, creativity, and consistency.

In this episode, I sit down with Jacob to unpack how he went from filming makeup tutorials at 15 to running a thriving brow, lash, and makeup studio that’s a finalist for Salon of the Year 2024. Jacob shares the pivots, lessons, and behind-the-scenes realities that shaped his career - and the unexpected glow-up that no one saw coming.

Inside this episode:
 ✨ How Jacob transitioned from YouTube videos to building an in-demand personal brand
 ✨ The leap from MAC counter to salon ownership - and the lessons learned along the way
 ✨ Why introverts can thrive in an extroverted industry (and how Jacob makes it work)
✨ His approach to leading a team, investing in training, and creating a standout salon culture
✨ The role of mindfulness and intuition in navigating business pressures
✨ Rapid-fire insights: Jacob’s favorite products, biggest misconceptions in beauty, and his top career lessons

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling to the next level, Jacob’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and staying true to yourself in an ever-evolving industry.

Connect with Jacob

https://www.instagram.com/andthatsjacob/ 

https://www.instagram.com/bocajbeauty/ 

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

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If managing money in your beauty business feels more like guesswork than strategy, this episode is your roadmap to turning financial clarity into sustainable growth.

In Part 4 of our CEO Series, I’m joined once again by Elli from the Beauty Business Society to tackle the financial foundations every salon owner needs for 2026 and beyond. Together, we get real about why most beauty businesses stumble when it comes to money - and how shifting your mindset (and systems) can transform not just your profits, but your confidence as a CEO.

Inside this episode:
✨ The biggest financial pitfalls salon owners face (and how to avoid them)
✨ Why cash flow, not just revenue, determines your freedom to grow
✨ How Elli said “yes” to opportunities during one of the busiest seasons of her life - and what it taught her about money and momentum
✨ Sammy’s hard-earned lessons from costly financial struggles (and how they reshaped her approach to growth)
✨ Why “cutting costs first” is keeping you stuck - and the profit-first principles that actually move the needle
✨ The power of financial transparency with your team and how it fuels buy-in for growth goals

This conversation is your permission slip to stop guessing with your money and start leading with strategy.

And if you’re ready to put these lessons into action, join us at the Beauty Industry Leaders Retreat, where guest expert Tara Shaw will show you exactly how to implement profitable membership models in your business.

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

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If you’ve ever poured money into Facebook or Instagram ads only to see little (or no) return, you’re not alone - and you’re definitely not doomed.

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Mitchell, founder of Sunny Store Marketing and The Ad Lab, to uncover why so many beauty business owners struggle with ads - and what to do instead. Stephanie shares her own journey from traditional marketing into the beauty industry, proving you don’t need to be a beauty professional to understand what makes clients click.

Together, we unpack the biggest myths about Facebook ads, the role of a strong strategic offer, and how to overcome the fear of visibility that holds so many beauty pros back. Plus, you’ll hear real success stories from students who’ve turned struggling campaigns into consistent client growth.

Inside this episode:
✨ Why most Facebook ads fail - and the simple shifts that make them work
✨ How to create offers that convert instead of wasting ad spend
✨ The truth about “boosting” posts vs. running real campaigns
✨ Practical steps to test, track, and improve your ad results
✨ How Stephanie helps beauty professionals feel confident showing up online
✨ Inspiring success stories from beauty businesses who got it right

If you’re ready to stop throwing money at ads that don’t deliver - and finally start attracting the right clients on autopilot - this conversation is your roadmap.

Connect with Stephanie

Instagram: www.instagram.com/stephaniemitchellmarketing/

Free class: www.salonadsmadeeasy.com/freeclass

Ad Lab: https://www.joinadlab.com/

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

If you’re feeling like your business growth is chained to the hours you spend online, this episode is your wake-up call to a smarter way of scaling.

In Part 3 of our CEO Series, I sit down with Elli from the Beauty Business Society to break down the power of a strategic marketing funnel - because more hours on social media is not the solution to more clients.

Together, we unpack why so many beauty business owners fall into the trap of chasing likes instead of building a system that turns visibility into consistent, high-value bookings. You’ll discover how to create a client journey that works for you (and your bank account) even when you’re offline.

Inside this episode:
 ✨ The hidden cost of relying solely on social media (and why it leads to burnout)
 ✨ The key stages of a high-converting marketing funnel that attracts dream clients
 ✨ How to optimize every touchpoint - from first click to five-star review
 ✨ Real strategies for building consistent revenue without adding more hours to your week
 ✨ A sneak peek into the Beauty Industry Leaders retreat and how it can help you audit + upgrade your funnel

If you’re ready to maximize every minute in your business and finally step into the CEO role you’ve been dreaming of, this episode will show you how.

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

If you’ve ever felt like your formal beauty training left you unprepared for the real world - this episode is your wake-up call to raise the standard in your career and your client results.

Today, I sit down with Isabella Loneragan, internationally recognised dermal therapist, trainer, and Founder of The Dermal Diary, Isabella Loneragan Skin (Sydney and Bowral), Ragan Skin and now the Skinformé Academy. Isabella has spent the last year scaling her business, building an international education platform, and revolutionising how facial massage is taught and valued in our industry.

We go deep into the gaps in traditional beauty education, why advanced facial massage is a game-changer for both results and client loyalty, and how to bridge the divide between qualifications and real job readiness. Isabella also shares the realities of running multiple business streams while parenting, the role social media has played in her growth, and why continuous professional development is the ultimate career insurance.

Inside this episode:
✨ How Isabella turned her expertise into an international education platform
✨ The missing links in formal beauty training - and how to fix them
✨ Why facial massage is more than “pampering” (and the science behind its results)
✨ Balancing business, family, and self-growth without burning out
✨ The mindset shift that transforms both your confidence and client care
✨ How to foster a positive, collaborative beauty industry

If you’re ready to elevate your skills, boost your confidence, and deliver unmatched value to your clients - this conversation will show you exactly how to get there.

Connect with Isabella

Instagram: www.instagram.com/isabellaloneragan

Website: skinformeacademy.com

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

If you’re tired of discounting your way to burnout, this episode is your roadmap to building a beauty business that thrives on value - not price wars.

Today, Elli and I dive deep into the strategies top beauty CEOs are using to stay ahead in 2026 by crafting high-value, irresistible offers that elevate their brand and their income. Spoiler alert: it’s not about running more promos - it’s about leading with purpose, clarity, and strategy.

I share my personal evolution from burnout to breakthrough, including how investing in mindset, mentorship, and Booked, Banked, and In Demand course transformed my confidence and my clients’ results.

Inside this episode:
✨ Why competing on price is keeping you stuck (and what to do instead)
✨ The real ROI of value-driven offers - and how to create them
✨ Key strategies for understanding your clients' pain points and crafting aligned offers
✨ How to leverage your client journey and marketing messaging for stronger results
✨ Using data to plan smart, profitable promotions (no more guesswork)

If you’re ready to ditch the hustle of discounts and step into the CEO version of yourself - this episode will show you how.

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

If the word sales still gives you the ick, then this episode will change that.

Today I sit down with Brooke Triplet, founder of She Sells and a global leader in heart-centered sales training. From her early days as a school teacher to scaling a multi-seven-figure sales education brand, Brooke brings the real talk around what it actually takes to sell with confidence - without selling out your values.

This is for the beauty pros who are done hiding, second-guessing, or feeling “too much” in their business. Brooke unpacks how leading with empathy, feminine energy, and unshakable self-belief can change not just your bank account, but your impact.

Inside this episode:
✨ Brooke’s journey from classroom to multi-seven-figure entrepreneur
✨ Why fear of selling isn’t a personality trait - it’s a mindset to shift
✨ How to lead with value and confidence in high-ticket sales
✨ Feminine energy vs. traditional sales tactics - and why it matters
✨ The must-have skill that makes clients say yes without pressure
✨ How to attract aligned clients who respect your worth

If you’ve ever felt like selling means being pushy, aggressive, or “not you” - this episode is your permission slip to do it differently.

Let’s normalize sales that feel as good as they perform.

Connect with Brooke
Instagram: www.instagram.com/shesellswithbrooke
Email: [email protected]

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

Learning business in paradise while connecting with like-minded women.
Secure your early bird spot for the business retreat in Vietnam 2026.  

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor - and in 2026, beauty business owners are done building businesses that drain them.

Today Elli and I sit down for a candid conversation about what it really takes to scale smart - without sacrificing your sanity. From moving out of side-hustle mode to building a business that supports your actual lifestyle, this episode is packed with real talk and strategic takeaways.

I also share a behind-the-scenes look at my upcoming retreat, including insights into product development, sponsorships, and what’s next for beauty CEOs ready to grow on their terms.

Inside this episode:

✨ Elli’s journey from side hustle to full-time CEO
✨ The #1 question to ask before scaling your business
✨ How to stop white-knuckling your to-do list and start delegating
✨ Why imposter syndrome can sneak in during seasons of growth
✨ What your business model needs to actually support your life
✨ A preview of the retreat that’s helping beauty leaders plan for 2026 with clarity and confidence

If you’ve been stuck in busywork, unsure if your current model can grow with you - this episode is your permission slip to shift, delegate, and design a business that actually fits your goals.

Let’s scale smarter, not harder.

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial 

Send us Fan Mail

Learning business in paradise while connecting with like-minded women.
Secure your early bird spot for the business retreat in Vietnam 2026.  

What happens when a bridal makeup artist and an Air Force engineer team up? A total transformation of how wedding vendors run their businesses.

Today I have a sit down with Indi and Heraldo of Studio 85, the power couple behind the world’s #1 ranked Dubsado consultancy for the wedding industry.

Indi shares how she went from burnout in a seasonal bridal makeup business to building a systems-first empire. Heraldo brings his background in engineering to the table, revealing how their processes have helped over 130 beauty and wedding professionals reclaim their time, boost client experience, and actually enjoy their businesses again.

Inside this episode:

✨ How a seasonal business led Indy to hit her systems breaking point
✨ The unexpected lessons from Heraldo’s Air Force background
✨ Why Dubsado is more than just automation – it’s about freedom
✨ How they helped creatives save 97% of their time
✨ What COVID taught them about pivoting, e-commerce, and resilience
✨ The exact systems every wedding vendor needs to go pro behind the scenes

If you're stuck in the admin overwhelm or relying on spreadsheets to run a luxury service - this episode is your invitation to think bigger, streamline smarter, and finally step into the CEO seat.

Let’s build backend systems that are as beautiful as the work you create. 💻💄

Connect with Indi and Heraldo

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/studioeightyfive_/

Website: www.studioeightyfive.info/

If you have any questions about the episode, have a burning question you would like me to answer on the show, connect with me and the rest of our incredible community on Instagram:

→ https://www.instagram.com/delusionalwithsammykennedy/
→ https://www.instagram.com/sammykennedyofficial