The end of financial year is fast approaching... So what does that mean for you as a business owner? There have been a lot of changes of late, especially when it comes to HR, so you can't afford not to be on top of things so your business is doing the right thing.

Today's special guest is Annie Cross, who is the manager of the AHC HR Connect team, a group of 8 specialised HR experts who are available exclusively for AHC members (from 7.30am-8.30pm AEST) to answer any queries they have on HR and staffing matters, all as part of their AHC membership. If we could give this team 11 stars out of 10 we would, as the positive feedback we receive from our members is outstanding! It's definitely one of the best benefits from our AHC membership.

Today Annie talks to us about what business owners should be doing right now when it comes to the EOFY lead up. We're talking about the recent minimum wage increases, which are due to be announced once the Fair Work Ombudsman has published the final determinations amending the award rates. Then there are all the payroll obligations and reporting to the ATO. And have you remembered the superannuation increase that kicks in from July 1st?

There's so much to be aware of as a business owner to ensure you are compliant - which is why so many salon owners join the AHC. We take away all the confusion and support you with great resources such as Annie and her HR Connect team - all included as part of your membership. Find out more here: https://www.theahc.org.au/memberships

Have you got your tickets for Hair Festival?  We can't wait!

From education, inspiration, shopping, networking, and of course, partying - there's so much to do at this year's event. And to give us the complete rundown on what you must-do at Hair Festival this year,  we caught up with Instyle Editor-in-Chief Cameron Pine for a quick chat. 

This June long weekend, make sure Hair Festival is on your to-do list. You can grab your tickets and explore the complete program here: https://hairfestival.com.au/

On today's podcast we are talking about managing expectant employees - that's mums and dads who are expecting a child - and the importance of supporting their mental health and wellbeing, from the pregnancy announcement through to the return to work.

Our special guest is Vanessa Miles, Psychologist and head of Perinatal Workplace Wellbeing, from Transitioning Well, who chats to us all about new and expectant parents in the concept of the workplace.

"We are all psychologically vulnerable during transitions, and the transition to parenthood is one of the biggest changes people go through in their lives," Vanessa tells. "The workplace can play a really critical role in that risk to mental health."

To learn more about this subject, visit: https://theparentwell.com.au/
This website has some great advice and resources for managers, employees and small business owners.

The June long weekend has always been a 'hairy' weekend for many of those in the industry... And this June coming is no different! 🤩

Here we chat with with wonderful Jo Cowan from Hair Festival about all the goings on at this year's event, taking place at Carriageworks in Sydney on Sunday 11 and Monday 12 June. From the free marketplace, education sessions, business seminars, look'n'learns, hair competitions, and of course, the Wonderland party, there are so many opportunities to learn, shop, compete and unite with your fellow hair lovers. 🥳

For more information on Hair Festival, and to purchase your tickets, please visit: 👇https://hairfestival.com.au/

PS - AHC members, don't forget to use your AHC discount code when purchasing your tickets for special member pricing! 😉

No matter how experienced a business owner you might be, it can be tricky navigating all of the elements required if you decide you want to sell your business.

To help you through every step of the way, today we chat to AHC Associate Member Ian Jones from Merchant Business Brokers. Ian leads an experienced team of business broking specialists with over 50 years combined experience in all aspects of business sales, management, franchise sales, mergers and acquisitions.

If you'd like to learn more about how Ian may be able to support you in your business sales journey, you can get in touch or learn more here: https://www.merchantbrokers.com.au/

Hair Aid Inc. is an Australian non-profit organisation that works globally to make a difference and create change by teaching people living in poverty the skill of hair cutting.

On today's podcast, we welcome founder of Hair Aid, Selina Tomasich, to explain what Hair Aid does and the international projects that hairdressers can join to help teach impoverished communities around the world basic haircutting skills so that they can earn an income and support their families and communities.

Being a not-for-profit organisation, Hair Aid relies predominantly on fundraising to support these vital global projects. Its biggest event is the upcoming Hair Aid Global Cut-a-Thon on Tuesday 18 April, where hundreds of hairdressers from around the world collectively help to change the world, one haircut at a time. This event will raise awareness and essential funds to enable Hair Aid to continue its vital work. 

How does it work? Basically individual stylists and/or salon teams, can donate the funds received from one haircut - or as many as you like - on Tuesday 18 April - to Hair Aid. Not only will you be part of an amazing global campaign, raising funds for the vital work Hair Aid does, but you will also go into the draw to win a place on the Hair Aid Indonesia (Bali) 18-22 September 2023 project! Each hair cut gives you one entry to the competition. This prize includes project costs and flights and is valued at more than AUD$3,500.

Imagine travelling to Indonesia and training people in need; people that live in critical poverty, women in jail, or people that have been rescued from the sex trade or drug lords, how to cut hair.  Imagine how life-changing that is for them and for you.

Now is your chance to join this project by participating in the 2023 Hair Aid's Global Cut-a-Thon.

Simply follow the link below to find out more or register. The Hair Aid team will be providing you with support, tips, action plans and step-by-step instructions on how to run the Cut-A-Thon and also how to share this with your local community and supporters, all of whom will want to celebrate your involvement.

https://hairaid.org.au/pages/global-cut-a-thon

Do you consider yourself a counsellor as well as a hairdresser?

There is no doubt that there is a hidden skill gap when it comes to doing a client’s hair, then being prepared to handle and deal with what they tell us or offload onto us. Cancer, depression, grief and loss, anger, suicide, abuse, mental health issues… and so the list goes on.

As hairdressers, we love our clients - well many of them anyway - and it’s in our nature to try and help where we can. But often we don’t know how to help, what to say, or how to respond appropriately. Not to mention, there is a certain ‘burden’ to your own wellbeing when someone confides in you. Multiply that several times a week, and the load can be unbearable. 

In today’s episode we chat to a couple of experts in this field who are hairdressers as well as counsellors / mentors / coaches in this space. Say hi to Jenny de Oliveira and Sophia Clewley from SJ Heart Collective, as they share with us advice on how to bridge that hidden skill gap between being a hairdresser and a counsellor. The ladies will also give you some helpful tips on how to look after you and your client when it comes to communicating on subjects of such a delicate and personal nature. 

If you’d like to know more about the work that Jenny and Sophia do and their programs, including an introductory skills for hairdressers program, please email [email protected] or visit: http://sjheartcollective.com.au/

We are now four years post the start of the pandemic, and whilst it's not 'back to usual', things are certainly more routine and easier to manage.
But there are still things that Covid has left us with that we need to be mindful of when negotiating a business lease.

For example, some businesses didn't make it through Covid, so you might have noticed more vacant shop fronts than usual. It seems as though landlords are continually putting up rents, but with so many vacancies, it's super important to understand the value of your lease TODAY. 

In today's Business Snips, we've invited back our AHC member and leasing expert Kelly Cunningham from Your Leasing Co, who recently celebrated saving our AHC more than $1 million in leasing fees. Kelly chats about the leasing landscape post pandemic and what you can do to save those important $$$ when it's time to re-evaluate your business lease.

If you'd like to learn more about Your Leasing Co, visit their website here: https://yourleasingco.com.au/

These days cybersecurity is a concern for everyone, particularly small businesses. We've all heard about the elaborate scams where people have lost a lot of money, or had their personal or business data compromised - and it shows no sign of slowing down. In fact, small businesses are being aggressively targeted now more than ever.

So how can you keep your business safe? Today we chat to Rosemary Sinclair from auDA all about cybersecurity,  and the measures you can take to keep your records, IP, data and money, out of the hands of hackers.

If you'd like to know more about auDA, visit this link: https://www.auda.org.au/

Today on the AHC Podcast we are launching our next episode of The Schmooze with two very special guests and also long time AHC members, Emily and Ily Cardiello, co-founders of Foil Me  🌈

Despite neither being hairdressers, Emily and Ily quickly fell in love with the industry when they collectively made the decision to career change into entrepreneurs by launching Foil Me. Both from very different backgrounds, the duo chat about resilience, creativity, family, and also the Foil Me empire, which grew from an idea into a hugely successful business that is now expanding into other arenas outside of hairdressing. It's a very inspiring story! 🤗

If you’d like to know more about Foil Me, learn more at: https://www.foilme.com.au/