Level Up with Lacey

Tired of holiday promos that flop or feel forced? In this episode, Lacey shares the story behind Salon Lace’s most successful holiday promotion ever - Luck of the Draw. It boosted retail sales, built team momentum, and turned the salon into a place of pure excitement all month long.

1. The Concept:
Every guest drew a card when they walked in- and their discount depended on it:
2–10 = 15% off, Face cards = 20%, Ace = 25%, Joker = BOGO.
Once guests held that discount in their hand, they couldn’t resist stocking up.

2. The Team Incentive:
Stylists kept the cards from guests who purchased retail and built poker hands throughout the week.
Best 5-card hand won prizes - everything from gift cards to a Redken Symposium ticket.

3. The Vibe:
Poker decorations, upbeat music, and cards taped to mirrors the whole salon came alive.

“Don’t just decorate your salon - activate it. The energy should hit your guests the second they walk in.”

4. Why It Worked:

• Created momentum and competition

• Boosted sales instantly

• Strengthened salon culture

Don’t overcomplicate your holiday marketing. All you need is creativity, a competitive twist, and a team that’s excited to play the game.

We’ve got you covered -grab a peek at our Luck of the Draw Inspiration Folder 👉🏼 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PLE9q1gYl_x661RrOzUC8JR806cEjjmJ?usp=sharing 

Tag @laceygebo if you run this promo- she wants to see your poker hands and holiday setups!

“Am I too intense? Do I expect too much? Am I the problem?”

If you’ve ever asked yourself those questions, you’re not alone.

In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on a conversation that so many salon owners are having behind closed doors. Maybe you’ve had a stylist say, “This job is too mentally taxing.” Maybe a team member made you feel like your standards are “too much.” And maybe, just maybe, you’ve found yourself softening your expectations out of guilt.

I get it. I’ve been there. I even had one of my own leaders tell me that everything we were doing inside Salon Lace, one-on-ones, assistant classes, extension training, photoshoots, retreats, train-the-trainers was “TOO MUCH.” And I’ll be honest, for a moment, it made me want to shrink back and do nothing at all.

But here’s the truth: high expectations are not a weakness. They’re a leadership strength when they’re clearly communicated.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✨ Why guilt creeps in when your team pushes back, and how to stop doubting yourself.
✨ The difference between a wrong fit and a right fit (and why the wrong ones will always call your standards “too much”).
✨ Why lowering expectations doesn’t protect your salon, it destroys your culture.
✨ The balance of grace: how to show compassion without lowering your standards.
✨ How to set crystal-clear expectations from Day 1 so your team knows exactly how to rise to the bar.

Here’s the reframe: it’s not about lowering the bar. It’s about finding people who are willing and excited to rise to it.

Because the right people? They’ll call your standards home.

This week, I want you to audit your expectations.

Where have you lowered the bar out of guilt? And how can you reset it clearly with your team?

Need help creating those expectations?

Grab our Dress Code → https://lg-education.kit.com/2e4e9f724d

Grab our Ultimate Assistant Guide → https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide 

It’ll give you the systems, visuals, and clarity you need to lead with confidence.

Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ 

https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training

If you avoid conflict to keep the peace, you start a war inside yourself...

Sit with that for a second.

In this episode, I’m diving into one of the toughest, but most necessary parts of salon life: conflict. We’re talking about why so many stylists bounce at the first sign of tension, why it’s destroying salon culture, and how you can start repairing instead of replacing.

I’ll share personal stories from my own leadership journey (yep, the messy conversations I wish I didn’t have to have), plus practical tools you can use to face conflict without blowing up relationships. By the end, you’ll walk away with a simple framework that works in any salon conversation owner to stylist, stylist to stylist, or anywhere in between.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why “cancelled culture” is killing growth in salons and shortening careers.

• The mindset shift from replace to repair  and why it multiplies trust.

• The REPAIR framework: six steps to navigate tough conversations.

• Team agreements that keep culture strong (and prevent ghosting + gossip).

• The difference between protecting your peace and canceling conflict.

• How to coach yourself and your team to handle conflict with confidence.

Conflict avoided becomes conflict compounded. Conflict processed becomes trust deposited.

If you’ve been peace-keeping to avoid a scene, it’s costing you more than you think. This is your challenge: water your own grass. Have the hard conversation. Growth is on the other side.

👉🏼 Tune in now to hear why cancel culture doesn’t belong in your salon and how to start building a culture of repair instead of replacement.

Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ 

https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

Back in 2020 when we switched to a rental/hybrid model, I made a big mistake: I brought in renters from other salons who weren’t aligned with our culture. They were talented, sure… but they didn’t know our systems, our standards, or the “Salon Lace way.” And honestly? That was on me.

That’s when I realized: chair rental without structure = chaos.

In this episode, I’m sharing how we turned things around and why, at Salon Lace, the cost of admission is simple, every renter goes through our Assistant Program. It protects our culture, sets clear expectations, creates consistency for guests, and builds a team that feels connected (even in a rental model).

We’ll also talk about what to do with experienced stylists, how to market chair rental the right way, and why your culture is the real selling point.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to protect your culture, avoid the chaos, and build something lasting.

👉🏼 And if you need a step-by-step framework to onboard and train your Assistants, grab my Ultimate Assistant Guide, normally $299, but right now it’s just $99 with code 2025. ⤵️

https://lg-education.mykajabi.com/ultimateassistantguide

✨ Mentioned in this episode: Here are 3 post options you can use when hiring for a booth renter 👇🏼

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FfEbRG48lsE5uxUjSAOA8-HfX0ik5swvzt8J9yCMXc0/edit?usp=sharing

Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ 

https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

Minimum wage in Oklahoma has been $7.25 since 2009 and for years that’s exactly what I paid my assistants. Later, I raised it to $10 an hour… and nothing changed. So why do salon owners feel pressured to pay assistants “well above” minimum wage?

In this episode, I’m sharing the pros, cons, and my perspective on paying assistants minimum wage, how to set pay based on your numbers (not guilt), and why your culture and education matter far more than the hourly rate.

What You’ll Learn:

• The real pros and cons of minimum wage pay
• How to calculate what your salon can actually afford
• Why assistants don’t choose salons based on $1–$4/hour differences
• Simple ways assistants can earn more beyond base pay
• My POV: pay what’s sustainable and release the guilt

Key Takeaway
Assistants don’t join your team for a paycheck, they join for your leadership, culture, and training. Build a program so clear and valuable that growth opportunities, not just wages, make them feel invested.

Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️ 

https://forms.gle/ThasbxyzUSVv6i2w8

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 12 of my favorite activities we’ve used to grow future leaders. These aren’t fluffy icebreakers… they’re the exact exercises that have shaped my team, strengthened our culture, and created lasting impact. They’re practical, interactive, and you can start using them with your team right away.

I even created a free companion resource for you! 🎉

It’s called Leadership + Personal Development Activities for Your Future Leaders, and it has all 12 activities (plus more!) laid out step by step so you can easily implement them in your salon.

👉🏼Grab your free guide here: https://lg-education.kit.com/4ccedb98dc

One of the activities I love most is our Full Focus Annual Goals Deep Dive. If you’ve been around for a while, you know I swear by the Full Focus Planner, and I use it with my team to help them dream big, set aligned goals, and take ownership of their growth. If you don’t already have one, you can grab it here → https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737211955?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=1737211955&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1

These activities don’t just create stronger trainers, they create confident, heart-led leaders who know how to pour into others. When your culture is built on leaders like that? Everything changes.

Suggest Podcast topics here 👇🏼

https://forms.gle/eP3MmFFc8hNJSh9v8 

Life has seasons and sometimes morning routines just don’t fit. If you’re a new mom or in a messy season, give yourself grace. Your time will come.

In this episode, I share my current playbook, my three morning non-negotiables, and the simple hacks that keep me grounded as a salon owner, mom, and business coach. It’s not about a “perfect routine” — it’s about consistency, rituals that fit your season, and giving yourself permission to keep it simple.

What You’ll Learn

✨ Why consistency always beats intensity
✨ My 3 non-negotiables for a “win” every morning
✨ A peek at my weekday routine + productivity hacks
✨ How to build rituals around your season of life

Links & Resources

• Daily Devotional-  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1424552869?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=1424552869&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin 
• Day of the Week Closet Dividers- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09QT54DK9?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=B08BC1TH3W&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1
• Kettle- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZ77B7RG?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=B0CZ77B7RG&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1
• Cinnamon Tea- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0065JA1IQ?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=B0065JA1IQ&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1
• Full Focus Planner- https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737211955?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzlaceygeb-20&creativeASIN=1737211955&asc_item-id=amzn1.ideas.3HX9TWMWKLOJT&ref_=aip_sf_list_spv_ons_mixed_d_asin&th=1 

• Skylight Calendar - Get $20 off your Calendar by using the following discount code: FRIEND-XV2MSH8. You can use this discount when purchasing a new Calendar at https://myskylight.com/products/skylight-calendar

Final Thought

Your routine doesn’t have to look like mine but it should feel like yours. Anchor your day, protect your peace, and give yourself grace when it’s messy.

If you’re still scrubbing toilets, restocking color, or running your salon’s Instagram… this episode is your wake-up call. ✨

Most salon owners hold onto tasks way too long, thinking they’re saving money or staying in control. The truth? That mindset keeps you stuck, burnt out, and blocks your growth.

In this episode, I’m sharing the five specific tasks I’ve learned to delegate, who should take them over, and why it’s non-negotiable if you want to build a succesful salon and a confident team.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why delegation is a growth strategy (and not a luxury).

• The 5 tasks you should never touch again as a salon owner—and who should handle them instead.

• How delegation creates freedom, structure, and empowered leaders inside your business.

• The ripple effect delegation has on your salon culture and your life outside the chair.

💡 Quote to remember: “When you delegate the small things, you free yourself to lead the big things.”

👉🏼 Quick announcement: Our Culture Community is officially open for enrollment—but not for long! Doors close Tuesday, September 2nd at 11:59pm. Culture is for past AU students and Online Assistant Course students come together to take the next step in building confident teams and strong salon cultures that last. Inside, you’ll find:

• Monthly Q&A’s

• Bi-monthly Hot Seat sessions

• Monthly Assistant Classes (where we actually train your assistants!)

• Ongoing leadership coaching, accountability, and community

Check your email for the link to join before doors close!

🎧 Press play to discover the 5 tasks you must let go of to finally step into your role as a true salon leader. And after you listen, DM me on Instagram @lacey_gebo and share your delegation win—I’d love to celebrate with you!

Suggest podcast topics here ⤵️

https://forms.gle/as32WJsRDWTRHbuWA

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

Sometimes leadership comes with tough choices, and yes, that includes hitting “mute” or “unfollow” on social media when a team member leaves your salon. In this episode, I’m getting real about why protecting your energy isn’t pettiness- it’s self-care, boundaries, and emotional maturity.

If you’ve ever felt that gut-punch when someone moves on from your team, this episode gives you permission to do what’s best for YOU while continuing to grow as a leader.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why I mute or unfollow former team members: Protecting your energy isn’t about bitterness it’s about healing and growth.

• How to handle the emotions: It’s okay to hurt, but still do what’s best for your mental and emotional health.

• Boundaries as self-respect: Social media doesn’t need to control your peace.

• The truth about social media vs. real life: Seeing every move someone makes doesn’t mean it serves you.

• Permission to take intentional space: This isn’t permanent- do what’s right for you without explanations.

This isn’t about pettiness- it’s about presence, purpose, and peace. Your role as a leader is to stay grounded. Sometimes that means stepping back and putting yourself first. Mute the noise, protect your peace, and never apologize for doing what keeps your heart steady and your eyes forward.

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training 

We’re switching gears this week, friends… because sometimes you just need a good laugh (and maybe a leadership reminder snuck in at the end).

In this episode, I’m spilling the tea on the most outrageous, did-that-really-just-happen wardrobe disasters from behind the chair, mine, my team’s, and even my students’. We’re talking:

• The Great Sticky Boob Slip of 2018 – when your “support system” abandons you mid-appointment and suction cups itself to the salon mat in front of your guest.

• Ripped & Exposed – the day a pair of pants decided to give up on life in the middle of a service.

• The Bebe Breakdown – a jumpsuit, no underwear, and a full crack-to-collarbone rip (plus a heroic husband with a needle and thread).

You will laugh. You will cringe. You will never look at your backup outfit stash the same way again.

But don’t worry this isn’t all chaos. I’m also sharing:
✅ What to do in the moment when a team member has a wardrobe malfunction.
✅ Why your dress code policy matters for your brand.
✅ A ready-to-use script for having those sometimes awkward dress code conversations.

Because yes, you can laugh until you cry and still lead like a pro.

💡 Key Takeaway: What you permit, you promote. Your team’s wardrobe matters for your culture and your brand—so keep it classy (or at least keep it covered).

Follow us on social!

Instagram: @lacey_gebo

Facebook: The New Era of Assistant Training