Make That Money with Nina Tulio

Most salon owners think leadership is a personality trait. It's not. It's a skill and most of us had to learn it the hard way.

In this episode I sit down with one of my fav people, Traviss, owner of Noel-Sy Salon in Philadelphia, to talk about what it actually takes to lead a salon in 2026. Real culture vs. the version people post about. Why empathy is leading the way in leadership and how to lead with empathy and keep the standards high.

We are just two people who've been in the trenches and want to share it with you.

Check out Traviss here

The beauty industry is shifting and the way we lead has to shift with it. In this episode, Nina sits down with salon owner and educator Blake Reed Evans to talk about what leadership actually looks like in 2026.

This is real talk about building cultures that work, leading teams that stay, and letting go of the old playbook that's holding you back. Join us

Connect With Blake Reed Evans

Salon ownership isn’t just pretty spaces and full books.

In this episode, Veronica, the owner of Sage and Oak Salon in Pleasanton CA, shares what it’s really like to open and build a salon over the past few years — the pressure, the risk, the growth, and the leadership it demands.

We talk about:

• Opening during uncertain times
• The build out and construction phase
• Salon Structures
• Making hard calls without a safety net

This is a real conversation with a real owner living it every day.

If you’re building, stretching, or questioning yourself as a salon owner — this episode will remind you you’re not alone.

You’ve probably heard about the Big Beautiful Bill — but what does it actually mean for you, your money, and your salon business?

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Cook, CPA, to break down how this new tax law impacts stylists and salon owners in real life — what’s changing, what you can take advantage of, and the simple steps to make sure you’re actually benefiting from it.

Check out Michelle's free guide below.

GRAB IT HERE

In this episode, I will walk you through a practical 2026 Financial Prep Checklist designed to help salon owners and stylists create stability and confidence managing your finances.

From mastering cash flow and budgeting to intentional revenue growth, tax planning, and smarter marketing investments, this conversation focuses on what actually keeps money in your business.

I know it doesn't sounds fun, BUT! Avoiding your finances is a NON negotiable in 2026. If you’re ready to lean in and start leading your finances with clarity, this episode is your guide and checklist .

Tease of What’s Inside This Hot New Episode:

• The 5 natural cycles every salon will experience.

• Why some seasons feel like unstoppable growth—and others feel like a plateau.

• How to protect your business no matter which season you’re in.

  Tune in for an eye opening episode!

Small, fear-based price increases feel safe—but they’re keeping your salon stuck. In this episode, I’m breaking down why that $5 bump may not be the solution—and how it can actually hurt your profit, your energy, and your long-term growth.

What you’ll learn:
Why a $5 increase is fear-based, not fact-based
Why it’s not keeping up with rising expenses
How it fuels burnout when your demand is already high
The illusion of profit—and what real profit actually takes

Safe doesn’t build wealth. Strategic, confident pricing does.

Let's get into it!

Salon owners and stylists—this one’s a game changer. If you’ve ever fixated on your commission percentage and still felt like you’re barely getting by… you’re not alone. But here’s the truth: your commission % doesn’t hold all the weight without the right pricing behind it.

In this episode, I’m breaking it all the way down:

🔍 Why a “higher commission” can still leave you wanting more
💸 A real numbers breakdown comparing 46% vs 48% commission—and how pricing makes or breaks your take-home
📊 What stylists are looking for in a compensation package and what to focus on to actually make more money (hint: it’s not chasing a bigger %)

Whether you're a stylist or a commission salon owner, this is the clarity you’ve been needing.

👉 Grab your calculator, take some notes, and let’s talk about how to work smarter—not harder.

ninatulio.com

This Episode Isn’t About Making More Money—It’s About Taking Care of YOU.

If your thoughts are too loud to meditate… I get it. I’ve been there too. That’s why this conversation is so special. I'm co-hosting with my friend Corey from @hairdustry, and we’re joined by the incredible Light Watkins—author, meditation teacher, and mindset master.

In this heart-opening episode, Light breaks down why presence feels so hard, how to actually start feeling better, and what it really means to take care of your mind without trying to "fix" it.

We’re talking:

• Doing less and receiving more

• Why 1 minute of presence is more powerful than you think

• Tiny habits that create real peace

• Letting go of perfection in meditation

• The travel mindset shift that can change your entire life

💡 “Light says- you’re always on two trips: the one you plan, and the one life gives you.”
When the detour comes, presence is your ticket.

If you're ready to quiet the noise and reconnect to yourself—this one’s for you.
You'll leave feeling "lighter"

Join me and special guest Ryan Weeden for a nitty-gritty, real talk conversation on what it takes to grow your business.

Ryan is not only a good friend, he’s the Founder and CEO of Masters of Balayage . MOB brings top-level training to aspiring hair stylists across the world, through both live events and online education.

In this episode, we are opening up about what it really feels like to rebuild your business—emotionally and financially.

Whether you’re coming back from burnout, navigating a shift in your career, or entering a new season of growth, I want you to know this: You’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from experience..

💬 Ryan and I dive into:

• What rebuilding actually looks like—and why it’s totally okay

• How to shift your mindset when confidence takes a hit

• What you can do right now to start building (or rebuilding) your client base with target clients

• A few surprising stats that prove why client experience = retention + income

  
  

  You can find Ryan and his teachings at https://www.ryanweeden.com/

  https://www.mastersofbalayage.com/