Positive Image Podcast

Just because you're a great hairstylist, does that mean you'd make a great salon owner?

Nicole says YES. Alicia says NO. And neither is backing down easily.

In this episode of our controversial conversations series, we're tackling a question that might ruffle a few feathers: Can anyone become a successful salon owner, or does it take a certain type of person?

Nicole believes that with enough determination, self-awareness, and willingness to learn, anyone can be a successful salon owner. Alicia sees things a little differently. She believes some people naturally have the entrepreneurial mindset, risk tolerance, and drive needed to build and sustain a business—and not everyone is cut out for it.

They get into the realities of going from behind the chair to running a business, including leadership, managing people, financial responsibilities, problem-solving, and the never-ending learning curve that comes with being the boss.

They also share their own experiences, the skills they've had to develop along the way, and why knowing your strengths, recognizing your weaknesses, and learning when to switch off might be just as important as being an incredible hairstylist.

So, can anyone learn salon ownership, or do you need that entrepreneurial spark from the beginning?

Would you take the leap, or are you happier behind the chair?

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas, suggestions, or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

Your salon brought in HOW much?! You must be making a fortune… right?

Well, not exactly.

In this episode, Nicole and Alicia tackle another controversial salon conversation: should you share your business financials with your team, or are those numbers nobody's business but yours?

They talk about why salon owners can be so protective of their numbers, the fear of employees seeing a big revenue number without understanding the expenses behind it, and what happened when they started opening up the books with their own teams.

From payroll and taxes to colour, retail, gloves and yes… fancy pickle foils, there's a lot of money going out the door before a salon owner ever gets paid.

Nicole and Alicia share how financial transparency changed the way their teams looked at waste, expenses and the overall health of the business—and why you don't necessarily need to share every dollar and cent to start having these conversations.

They also get into setting salon revenue goals, helping your team understand how their individual numbers contribute to the bigger picture, and why sharing more about the financial side of salon ownership can actually build trust and help future salon owners understand what running a business really costs.

So, should your team know your numbers? Or should what happens in the bank account stay in the bank account?

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas, suggestions, or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

Welcome to Season 7—and we're shaking things up.

This season, Nicole and Alicia are diving into some of the more controversial conversations happening in the salon industry. They're sharing their perspectives, asking the uncomfortable questions, and talking about the things they don't always agree on.

First up: Should consultations and bang trims be free?

Nicole and Alicia compare how they handle both in their salons—and surprise, surprise… they don't completely agree. They get into when a consultation should be complimentary, when your expertise and time deserve a fee, and why a "quick" bang trim can end up taking a lot more space in your schedule than you think.

They also talk about consultations as more than just deciding on a colour or cut. It's about setting expectations around time, price, maintenance and take-home products—and sometimes recognizing that you and a potential client simply aren't the right fit.

So, should every minute behind the chair have a price tag? Or are some complimentary services simply part of building a great client experience?

There might not be one right answer—and that's exactly the point of this season.

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas, suggestions, or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - Law of Colour

The laws of colour are the same for a painter as it is for a hairstylists.

This short form educational audio - clearly goes through how colour theory work.

These educational audios were created by Nicole Manzer

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - an interview with Sales Rep Julia Rego:

What does a sales rep actually do—and just as importantly, what don't they do? In this episode of the Positive Image Podcast, Nicole and Alicia sit down with Julia, a seasoned sales consultant with a background in hairdressing and salon ownership, to uncover the real role of a sales rep in a salon's success.

They discuss how to build a strong, transparent relationship with your rep, navigate hard conversations about budgets and boundaries, and leverage your rep's expertise to grow your business—without overspending. Plus, they dive into the hot topic of tariffs in the beauty industry, how they could impact pricing and product availability, and why salon owners should stay informed.

If you've ever wondered how to maximize your partnership with a sales rep or how upcoming changes in the industry might affect your bottom line, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!

Julia's info:

Follow Julia on Instagram

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - 4 categories of hair colour

Nicole takes a deep dive into the differing types of hair colour from dipping our toes in to a full cannon ball jump!

These educational audios were created by Nicole Manzer

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - Leading with Impact

Great leadership goes beyond managing a team—it's about inspiring, empowering, and recognizing the potential in others. In this episode of the Positive Image Podcast, Nicole and Alicia explore what it takes to be an effective leader in the salon industry.

They discuss the difference between listening and truly hearing your team, how to identify and nurture strengths, and ways to encourage growth before your team even realizes their full potential. Plus, they share ideas for team acknowledgment, from bonuses to creative ways to show appreciation.

And of course, they list what they believe are the top six qualities of a great leader. Want to know what they are? Listen to learn!

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - how hair colour works

This episode dives into how hair colour works.

These educational audios were created by Nicole Manzer

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - Adapting to the many changes of our salon and aligning with our brands goals

In this episode of the Positive Image Podcast, Nicole and Alicia explore the rapid changes reshaping the salon industry, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Together, they discuss how adapting to new mindsets—like staff valuing flexibility and work-life balance—can lead to growth and sustainability. Nicole shares her innovative approach to building vacation pay into paychecks, while both emphasize the importance of consistency and leading by example to maintain a positive work environment.

They also tackle essential topics like scheduling team meetings, setting clear communication guidelines, and navigating the use of cell phones and social media in the salon. The duo dives into gratuity-free pricing, quoting prices with tax included, and even optimizing salon layouts for better team dynamics.

Finally, Nicole and Alicia highlight the importance of aligning business practices with your brand's values and clientele. From questioning trends to returning to your business foundation, they share actionable insights to help salons thrive authentically.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on adapting, aligning, and embracing change in the salon industry.

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]

One of our Top 10 most listened to episodes was this one here - Hair characteristics

Nicole dives into the ins and outs of hair and how she uses that knowledge to decide on the end result/

These educational audios were created by Nicole Manzer

Find us on Instagram @hello.positiveimage @nicole.manzer @aliciacreate

Email us any ideas suggestions or comments at [email protected]

Work with Nicole - [email protected]

Work with Alicia - [email protected]