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Apprenticeships in the Modern Salon – How to Build Talent From Scratch

In this episode, Todd flips the script and interviews Jen on a topic she knows better than most: apprenticeships in the modern salon industry.

With cosmetology schools closing, rising education costs, and owners struggling to find talent, apprenticeship programs might be the most powerful (and misunderstood) solution salons have.

Jen breaks down how apprenticeships work, why they matter, how to structure one, how to pay apprentices, and what owners get wrong about developing future stylists.

Key Takeaways

• Apprenticeships can bridge the talent gap when schools become limited or expensive
• One-on-one training accelerates skill development exponentially
• Owners must stop hiding behind “I don’t have time” — leadership means problem-solving
• Structure > winging it
• Cleaning, booking, and front-desk tasks are real education
• Apprenticeships are not “free labor” — they’re a foundational investment
• Non-competes damage culture more than they protect it
• Speed does not equal skill
• Systems, benchmarks, and accountability matter more than talent alone
• Not every apprentice will stay — and that’s okay
• Apprenticeship success requires the right educator

Posts & Perspectives — New Mini-Segment!

• Is a la carte pricing dying?
• Should senior stylists get higher commissions — or better opportunities?
• Do you need a cosmetology license to open a specialty salon?
• Why bundled online booking helps clients (and revenue)

Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Opening takes, anniversary tea, intro to apprenticeships
 [02:30] Why owners say “I don’t have time” (and why that’s not true)
 [04:00] Partnership agreements & mistakes we made early
 [05:00] Profit myths, retail misconceptions, pricing for profit
 [07:30] The “glass of water” analogy: letting go as leadership
 [10:00] Apprenticeship vs assistant — structure, expectations, growth
 [12:00] One-on-one education vs beauty school classrooms
 [14:00] Growing stronger stylists faster through mentorship
 [17:00] Culture fit: apprentices as future team members
 [18:00] Flexibility, schedule support, backbar & shampoo help
 [19:00] Posts & Perspectives segment — online booking confusion
[21:30] Bundled services vs à la carte pricing
[22:00] Hybrid salon struggles: blurred expectations
[23:00] Commission vs culture vs opportunity (real reason people stay)
[27:00] Structuring your apprenticeship: phases, benchmarks, timing
[30:00] Treating apprentices as future pros, not task robots
[31:00] How to select the right apprentice (traits to look for)
[33:00] Team buy-in & how apprentices bond culture
[36:00] Entitlement, skipping steps, speed vs skill
[38:00] Anxiety, slowing down, and craft mastery
[40:00] How to pay apprentices + compensation models
[42:00] Cleaning, phone, front desk = real education
[43:00] Why non-competes damage trust and culture
[45:00] ROI expectations for apprenticeship programs
[47:00] Developing internal educators
[49:00] The future of salon apprenticeships + success rate
[50:00] Tips f

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