This ones a short and sweet one!

I'm hearing so many salon owners who don't have the time to work on their business and constantly feel like they're trying to catch up, while also doing hair, managing staff and everything in between. 

So in this episode, I'm sharing everything I'm investing in right now that is helping me save time, and pour more energy into the things that matter, my team. 

I'd love for you to share in the comments or send me a DM something you're investing in right now!

Give me a follow on IG: @hairbysamlacoste 

What if everything you assume about Gen Z's work ethic is wrong? 

In part two of this conversation, Stephanie Russell returns to unpack leading different generations in the salon industry. - 

• Why younger stylists aren't lacking work ethic so much as missing specific skills shaped by growing up through COVID
• Why older generations were once accused of the exact same thing.

Stephanie makes the case for salon owners to move from "survival of the fittest," tossing new stylists in and hoping they figure it out, to "survival of the nurtured"; coaching, up-skilling, and mentoring the next generation before the industry loses them to one of the highest attrition rates of any field.

This is part two of a two-part conversation. Make sure to listen to Part One on mental health in the salon industry.

Stephanie's Instagram: @psychologicallysafesteph

At Redken Symposium, a speaker asked a room full of hairstylists one question: has anything caused you stress or anxiety in the last week? Every single person stood up.

That moment is where this conversation with Stephanie Russell, Psychological Health and Safety coach, educator, and repeat guest, begins. 

Stephanie shares her own burnout story, from working three roles with zero days off to breaking her hand after finally cracking under the pressure, and the anxiety diagnosis that followed years later. 

She breaks down why 65% of hairstylists face burnout, depression, or anxiety at some point in their career, and the small daily resets that can change that trajectory, including the one-line mental reframe she uses on herself every day: "it's not your first thought, it's your second thought that counts."

This is part one of a two-part conversation. Part two tackles leading different generations in the workplace.

Stephanies Instagram: @psychologicallysafesteph

You know I love talking business and today I'm sharing some of my top takeaways I had at Redken Symposium Business Forum. 

From mental health wellness to AI, they covered everything! 

Take a listen and let me know what your favourite takeaway was!

Speakers:
Ryan Leak https://www.instagram.com/ryanleak/
Ken Hughes https://www.instagram.com/kenhughesie/
Samantha Cusick https://www.instagram.com/samantha.cusick/
Anna Manukyan https://www.instagram.com/amanukyan/
Hayley Jepson https://www.instagram.com/the.resilient.hairdresser/
Sophia Hilton https://www.instagram.com/hiltonsophia/
Stuart Sandman https://www.instagram.com/breathpod/
Summit Salon Business Center https://www.instagram.com/summitsalon/
Christina Black https://www.instagram.com/cristinablack/
Erika Dhawan https://www.instagram.com/ericadhawan_/

Dive into this exciting episode with myself and Social media queen, salon owner and educator, Alice Muraru!

If you follow her on social media, you know she likes you to "get in her brain" and that's exactly what we're doing.

We're covering social media, organization, growing your clientele, waking up at 5am and so much more. 

Leave a comment to let us know what you think!

Links:
Alices IG

I can't believe I had the ICONIC Adrienne Dara on the podcast and you know I had some questions for this one!

Take a listen to find out how she keeps it real, and a little weird, consistent and ultimately killing it in the education realm. 

We had so much fun with this conversation, so take a listen now!

Links:

Adriennes IG

It costs 1000's of dollars and 100's of hours of your time to hire stylists. So why not make sure you are hiring the right stylists?

We've all heard the phrase "Hire slow, fire fast" but what does that hiring process look like?

I'm breaking down not only the hiring process, but also thinking about what type of stylist you are wanting to hire, and what the pro's and con's are. 

Take a listen now!

Links:

Sign up for the full Hire With Intention program April 27! (For Redken accounts, use your C5A points!)

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/redken-canada-salon-success-building-a-team-that-grows-with-you-tickets-1981523119993?aff=oddtdtcreator

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hairbysamlacoste/

We're covering everything and more today as I bring Sandra Couto, your hair bestie, to talk all things Salon Ownership & the internal struggles we have, being an influencer and managing social media while also being a mom and stylist, and being an educator, our self imposter syndrome and hustling everyday!

Listen now and make sure to subscribe!

Links:

Sandras Instagram

April's Salon Ownership Virtual class

Secret Life of a Hairstylist IG

I've heard the question, "Should it be the responsibility of the salon owner to put clientele in to their stylists chair?"

In this episode I'm giving my two cents to this question, as well as some easy tips to help salon owners & stylists make marketing more easily, consistently and how to market the salon and your own personal brand in harmony. 

Take a listen!

Samantha's Instagram

Salon Owners Program SALON SUCCESS: Building a Team That Grows with You

The first guest of 2026!! 

I couldn't have brought anyone else on than the girl I talk TV binges, business, hair & life with, Annie Savage. She is a Redken Artist, Educator & Hairstylist killing it in the industry. 

We're talking life, how we got in the industry, imposter syndrome, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, the importance of connection in our industry and getting in your creative zone in 2026. 

This episode has everything rolled into one, so take a listen!

Shownote links:

Annie's IG: https://www.instagram.com/anniestayssharp/

Goal Planner: https://mailchi.mp/c86c64c7cdb1/2026-goal-planner 

Sign up for the newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/446cd7a679a5/welcome 

Save the dates: (links coming soon!)

• April 12: Regina - Shades ALK Launch
• March 30: Halifax - Power Painting & Balayage
• April 27: Virtual Salon Owner Program - Salon Success: Building a Team That Grows With You