Patrice Hector is a 30-year industry veteran with a passion for short hair - and for sharing with others her experience in creating success. Patrice is the owner of K.P. Images Salon in Atlanta, an educator, and the newly published author of “The Ultimate Blueprint for Beauty Professionals”. Focused on sharing how to best build a great brand as a pro while growing your income from behind the chair, The Ultimate Blueprint is about the big ideas that long-term success can be built on.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #37

Being part of a team that provides structure, systems, support & and education is the proven gold standard for creating a strong foundation for long-term success in the professional beauty industry - no matter your career goals (across business models). Sport Clips CEO Edward Logan and Julie Vargas, Vice President of Career Opportunities & Talent Engagement, share their best advice for creating long, sustainable & and satisfying careers.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #16

This week, BCN shares a special episode of the Artists, Icons, and Entrepreneurs podcast. Hosts Lulu Benavidez and Sue Krokonis Hanson interview Penny Burns, Beauty Cast Network’s Founder. Penny discusses her journey from owning cosmetology schools to creating a digital platform that connects beauty graduates with employers. The conversation explores the challenges faced by students, the importance of quality education over hours, and the evolving role of tech in building successful careers. She also shares insights from her leadership roles and upcoming initiatives aimed at promoting beauty as a first-choice career path.

To view this conversation and other episodes from Lulu and Sue, go to

https://www.youtube.com/@ArtistsIconsEntrepreneurs

Sam Brocato, one of the industry's most iconic hairdressers, salon owners, educators, and artists, offers up his very best advice - culled from a 50+ year career (and still going strong!). From the importance of 'living within your means' and 'paying yourself 1st" to the power of networking and learning that is seriously planned for, this episode is filled with golden nuggets of wisdom! Follow Sam at @sambrocato and @sambrocatosalon.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #21

Alexis Thurston is a 30-year pro beauty industry veteran and master colorist who is the co-founder and co-owner (along with partner David Thurston) of Danger Jones Creative, the iconic Butterfly Lofts Salon and Spa ...and co-founder and former co-owner of the revolutionary Pulp Riot Hair. Alexis shares her best advice, lessons learned, and proven best practices for creating a long, happy career - as well as sharing with us an update on Danger Jones Creative - a color and lifestyle brand that is taking the industry by storm.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #24

Salon ownership is the goal of many—if not most—professionals. Today, there are multiple paths to achieving that dream, but one option that’s rarely discussed is the growing franchise salon category. Sport Clips franchisee Whitney Bradley, a licensed professional, transitioned from working behind the chair to managing a franchise salon before ultimately becoming the owner of her own Sport Clips location. In this conversation, Whitney shares her journey to ownership and highlights the advantages of having the support of a national salon organization in building both careers and businesses.

Iconic barber, educator, and mentor Ivan Zoot shares his take on the power of "service" in building long, sustainable careers. Studies have long shown that clients care as much (if not more) about how a professional makes them feel versus their take on the quality of technical work received. Ivan shares his experiences supporting this big idea - as well as his best advice on building a long and satisfying career.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #29

Perhaps more so than ever before, success today comes in many forms, while the foundational ideas behind getting there are familiar and mostly unchanging across decades of serving the public as beauty, barbering, and wellness professionals. Leading educator and business/career coach Ambrosia Carey offers up her very best advice gleaned from her 15 years of experience as a working professional, successful salon owner, and brand ambassador. This is part 1 of a soon-to-be 2-part conversation.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #32

Award Winning Salon Owner, Business Educator, Coach, and Mentor Keri Davis talks about the tremendous value of coaches and mentors, a foundation for the success of so many pros and owners. Importantly, we looked into how to best take action around finding the best resources for YOU. Keri is the owner of San Diego's Gila Rut Salon and founder of @keridavisconsulting.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #31

Today, the pro beauty industry is having a big conversation on social media and beyond about the varied nature of career opportunities and how such options can extend careers for many over time. Today's guest, Astoria Stubbs, is a great role model - given her career as a working cosmetologist/barber, educator, artist, former salon manager, and today a member of the Great Clips National Design Team. Having done all of this and more while employed by Great Clips, Astoria also sees herself one day owning a Great Clips salon as a franchisee of the largest salon organization in the world - as a natural extension of her past experiences.

*Note: this episode was published originally as #34