In this episode, I’m joined by Hayley Mears, former hairdresser, branding expert, and the driving force behind Six Underground Media. Hayley is also one of the guest educators inside our marketing course, and she brings a level of insight into social media, branding, and digital trends that most salon owners simply don’t have access to.

We dive deep into what salon owners should expect from Instagram in 2026, why the platform is about to shift in a major way, and how AI is going to become a natural part of your marketing workflow, whether you like it or not. Hayley also opens up about outsourcing, building teams globally, why email addresses are more valuable than followers, and how Canva has democratised design for salon owners everywhere.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, understand what’s changing, and get practical, real-world advice from someone who lives and breathes digital marketing for salons, you’re going to love this conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:23] Instagram trends coming in 2026
[04:26] Auto-responses, ManyChat, and in-app automations
[06:00] The overwhelm salon owners feel around tech and social media
[07:26] Should salons outsource or DIY their social?
[08:59] Why capability and confidence aren’t the same thing
[09:39] The shift in what salons need from social agencies
[17:41] Three things to focus on for Instagram in 2026
[18:21] Why storytelling matters more than ever
[21:04] How to use AI for content and campaign ideas
[27:27] Canva: why every salon should be using it

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

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- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Online Marketing Course - Join the waitlist - Enrolment opening January

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In this week’s episode, I’m tackling the flip side of a happy, high-performing team, what to do when things are not going smoothly. Because after the recent episode titled “The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team,” I received a flood of emails from salon owners struggling with people issues.

So today, I’m breaking down the key elements that set your team up to succeed, and what to do when they don’t. From defining the vision for your business, to recruiting for cultural fit, to onboarding properly, communicating clearly, and embracing change… this episode is all about the fundamentals of strong leadership in the salon industry. If you want a team that performs consistently, this one’s for you.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Welcome and listener shout-out

[00:42] Why this topic matters — and the emails that prompted it

[01:56] The big question: “How do I get people to do what I want?”

[02:35] First question to ask: How did you set them up?

[03:39] Point 1: Define your vision, culture, and systems

[05:21] Point 2: Recruit for values and alignment
[06:32] Point 3: Onboarding isn’t handing over a manual

[07:50] Point 4: Communication solves more than it causes

[09:26] Point 5: Don’t be afraid to manage performance

[10:14] People who resist change — and what to do about them
[12:57] Taking over an existing team = friction guaranteed
[14:13] Addressing toxic behaviour head-on
[17:17] Kaizen — why continuous improvement matters

[18:13] Wrap-up — see you next week!

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

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In this week’s episode, I sit down with someone who’s grown up alongside one of the most respected salon organisations in the United States.

Today's guest is Coco Wagner, daughter of David and Charlie Wagner owners of the Juut Salon Spa’s. 

Coco brings a fascinating blend of global experience, fresh perspective, and deep respect for the culture her family has built over 40 years. What I love about this conversation is how open and thoughtful she is about stepping into a leadership role in a family business, especially one with 450 team members and multiple locations across the country.

We dive into everything from evolving an established brand to navigating the changing needs of today’s workforce, to earning the trust of long-standing team members when you’re “the owner’s daughter.” Coco also shares why structure matters more than ever for Gen Z stylists, and how Juut has managed to keep more than half their team earning six-figure incomes while working fewer hours post-COVID.

It’s a generous, insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and the future of salons, and I think you’ll take a lot from it whether you’re a salon owner, a leader in your business, or simply someone wondering how the next generation is shaping our industry.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:24] The Juut story and global context

[01:30] David Wagner, Horst, and the early Aveda connection

[07:01] Growing up in the salons and earning trust

[11:18] Digital transformation: SEO, website, and social

[15:18] Maintaining culture across locations

[17:26] Leading without being a hairdresser

[20:28] Team buy-in when changing culture

[21:32] What Gen Z wants from salons today

[23:01] Hours, flexibility, and six-figure incomes

[24:52] Suite life vs. salon life — and the boomerang stylists

[34:28] Family dynamics in a family business

[36:52] Where to connect with Coco and Juut

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

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👉 FOLLOW COCO WAGNER!

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I've been thinking a lot about what really makes a great salon, and it's not always what you might think. Sure, brilliant technical skills matter, but what really sets exceptional salons apart is the energy, the culture, and the people.

A coaching client told me recently about the atmosphere in her salon, no drama, no bitchiness, just fun, laughter, and genuine support. Her clients connect with that positive energy the minute they walk through the door. 

It got me reflecting on something I talk about in my new marketing course, that we need reminding, and that is, “We're in the people business”. But with all the focus on algorithms, followers, and SEO, we sometimes forget that the best marketing is creating an incredible experience that people want to tell their friends about. 

I also make a comparison between my favourite TV series, The Bear, and why it reminds me of the salons I've worked in and owned. And how there's something special that happens when you bring diverse personalities together with a shared commitment to excellence and to each other.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:52] A coaching client’s story about a vibrant team culture
[01:43] The real source of positive salon energy
[02:36] Offline vs. online marketing, and what actually matters
[03:30] How marketing used to work before the internet
[03:47] The benefits of combining offline and online worlds
[04:19] Re-centring the industry on human connection
[04:47] My favourite TV series: The Bear and why it resonates
[06:49] Why team culture is both the best and hardest part of running a salon
[09:25] Work families and the power of belonging
[10:37] The leader’s role in directing team energy
[10:59] Final thoughts: business is people

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘  Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Bear TV Series

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In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rita Marcon, whose story perfectly captures the courage it takes to follow your intuition and reinvent yourself. Rita is a former hairdresser who climbed the corporate ladder to become the Australian General Manager for one of the biggest haircare brands before taking a leap of faith to start her own business, I Am Conscious Living.

Rita’s journey is full of wisdom about courage, leadership, and self-awareness. We talk about what it takes to leave the comfort of the known, how to stay grounded when everything’s changing, and the difference between leading others and truly leading yourself. Her approach to conscious living and human leadership is something every salon owner can learn from.

Whether you’re leading a team, running a salon solo, or just looking to find more meaning and calm in the chaos, this conversation will leave you inspired to breathe, be brave, and lead with heart.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] Meet Rita Marcon, from salon floor to global leadership
[04:50] Finding the courage to change direction
[07:30] Lessons learned from 28 years in corporate life
[10:10] Knowing your value and self-worth as a leader
[13:00] The role of culture and communication in leadership
[17:00] Applying corporate lessons to small business and solo ownership
[23:00] Practical ways to bring conscious living into daily salon life
[33:00] Preventing burnout and finding balance
[36:20] When to follow your gut vs. data in decision making
[42:50] A powerful story of resilience and self-leadership
[46:45] One conscious habit for every salon owner
[48:30] How to connect with Rita and learn more about I Am Conscious Living

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

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As the end of the year approaches, it's tempting to push for maximum productivity, rush through holiday celebrations, and then collapse in a heap on Christmas Eve and call it done.

But I want to challenge that. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the power of celebration, why your team party isn’t just a party, but a culture-building strategy disguised as fun.

I share stories from my own salons, where what started as a Christmas party evolved into something far more meaningful, a night of reflection, recognition, and connection. You’ll hear why celebrating your people is one of the smartest leadership moves you can make, and how simple, intentional gestures can anchor your team culture for the year ahead.

So before you dive into 2026 planning, hit pause, listen in, and get inspired to make this year’s celebration something your team will never forget and set your salon up for the year ahead.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:07] Why the end of the year matters for reflection and gratitude
[02:00] The evolution of my salon’s Christmas parties
[03:13] Turning parties into powerful culture-building moments
[04:42] The importance of team culture and belonging
[06:13] Creating in-house awards and recognising achievement
[07:52] Praise, purpose, and progress, what people crave at work
[08:25] Building culture through moments, not KPIs
[10:18] A framework for planning your end-of-year celebration
[11:17] Creative salon award ideas to strengthen connection

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

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In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Blake Dufault, whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. From a turbulent childhood filled with chaos and heartbreak to finding purpose through hairdressing, Blake’s journey is one of relentless growth and unshakable resilience. His book I Am_____ captures that journey beautifully, reminding us that our past doesn’t define us, our choices do.

We talk about how hairdressing quite literally saved him, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his powerful belief that no one is coming to save you; you have to choose growth for yourself. Blake also opens up about how his personal story evolved into a mission to make the industry better, leading him to create AIVA, an AI-driven salon management system built to give stylists their time back.

This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about shortcuts or luck; it’s about doing the work you’re avoiding, learning from failure, and never giving up on what’s possible.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Welcome and introduction to guest Blake Dufault
[02:00] Why Blake wrote his book I Am Blank
[06:30] Blake’s tough start in life and the lessons it taught him
[09:45] How hairdressing became the turning point that saved him
[12:30] Doing the work you’re avoiding – the real key to growth
[14:00] The power of taking ownership: “No one’s coming to save you”
[23:00] The writing process – ten years of reflection and refinement
[26:30] From student to salon owner – building culture and systems
[28:45] What successful salons are doing right today
[31:00] How AI will reshape the future of salon business
[34:00] Introducing AVA – the AI-driven virtual assistant for salons
[41:00] Building technology that serves stylists, not the other way around
[42:30] Why Blake walked away from social media (and how it worked)
[44:30] Where to find Blake’s book and AIVA online

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘  Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

I AM - Book by Blake Dufault

AIVA - runwithaiva.com

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Facebook 

This is part three, the final episode, in my three-part salon marketing series, and today it’s all about solutions.

If you’ve listened to the first two episodes, you’ll know that the biggest problem in most salons isn’t attracting new clients, it’s keeping them. So in this episode, I’ll show you how to identify where your business is leaking clients, how to use your data to pinpoint what (and who) needs improvement, and how to start fixing it.

You’ll learn the key retention metrics to track, how to interpret them, and how to turn those numbers into action, through training, coaching, and better systems. Because the key to sustainable growth isn’t through endless promotions and constantly chasing new clients, it comes from keeping the ones you already have.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Welcome to part three of the salon marketing series
[01:00] Recap: what marketing really is and why most salons lose clients
[02:00] The Starbucks lesson, “one client at a time”
[03:00] Why data is your most powerful marketing tool
[03:39] Understanding new vs. existing client retention
[05:01] Benchmarks: what your retention rates should look like
[06:33] Why individual stylist data matters more than salon averages
[07:39] Using data to identify what (and who) needs improvement
[08:53] Recap of the three-part marketing framework
[12:00] Final message: growth happens one client at a time

Want MORE to help you GROW?

Online Salon Marketing course enrolment opening 27th October - Join the waitlist for all the info

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Online Salon Marketing course enrolment opening 27th October - Join the waitlist for all the info

👉 FOLLOW US!

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This is part two of my three-part series on salon marketing, and today we're diving into why most salons are reasonably good at attracting new clients but not nearly so good at keeping them. If you listened to last week's episode, you'll know that 60% of new clients never return for a second visit, and only one in ten make it to six visits. Today, I'm explaining exactly why that happens and what marketing really has to do with it.

Here's the thing most salon owners get wrong: they think marketing stops once the client walks through the door. But that's actually when the second function of marketing begins. I'm talking about the client experience, the quality of your work, and the relationships your team builds. 

If you've been pouring money into advertising but still struggling with retention, this episode will change how you think about marketing forever. Next week, in part three, we'll get into the actual solutions, but today is about understanding where it all goes wrong.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:00] Quick recap of part one: the three functions of marketing
[02:32] Why getting clients through the door isn’t the problem
[03:20] What the second function of marketing really is
[04:12] Two main reasons clients don’t come back
[05:19] How to give clients a reason to return
[06:31] When expectations don’t match experience
[08:51] Why every detail in your salon is marketing
[10:04] The role of your team in delivering on your marketing promise
[11:12] Wrapping up and preview of part three: the solutions

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Online Salon Marketing Course - Jump on the waitlist

Want to share a photo of where you're listening to this podcast, tag us @growmysalonbusiness or email [email protected]

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In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series on one of my favourite topics - marketing. When I had salons, marketing was something I loved, and it even won us a few awards. But here’s the thing: most salon owners completely misunderstand what marketing actually is.

So today, we’re starting at the beginning, with the real definition of marketing. I’ll walk you through what I call the three functions of marketing: attracting, converting, and retaining clients. You’ll see why most salons only ever master the first part and how that keeps them stuck on a hamster wheel of constantly chasing new clients instead of building a business full of loyal ones.

By the end of this episode, you’ll see marketing in a whole new light, not as something you only do on Instagram, but as everything you do from the moment a client hears about you to the moment they decide to come back again and again.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:51] The question every salon owner needs to answer: What is marketing?

[02:16] Three definitions that redefine how you see marketing

[03:01] Why most salons are good at attracting clients — but not keeping them

[04:16] The maths behind one new client a day

[06:13] The “leaky bucket” metaphor for salon marketing

[08:51] The real work of marketing happens inside your salon

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘  Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! 

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Online Salon Marketing Course - Jump on the waitlist

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