In this episode of The Conscious Salon Podcast, we welcome Tess back after her six-week maternity leave. Tess candidly shares her experiences of becoming a mother, from the nerve-wracking moments of early labor to the euphoric birth of her son River. 

She discusses the challenges and revelations she faced while balancing motherhood with running multiple businesses. 

Join us as we delve into the emotional rollercoaster of new parenthood, the importance of choosing how and when to return to work, and the gratitude for supportive family and business partners. 

Whether you're a new mum, a business owner, or both, this episode is packed with heartfelt stories, practical insights, and a lot of laughs.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Join us in this episode of the Conscious Salon Podcast where we dive deep into handling client feedback and maintaining team alignment. Co-host Tae steps in for Tess, who is on maternity leave, to discuss a recent client experience that didn't go as planned. 

We explore the importance of listening, addressing egos, and using feedback as a growth opportunity. Learn practical tips for managing stressful situations, fostering team cohesion, and turning negative feedback into positive outcomes. 

Tune in to see how vulnerability, communication, and leadership play crucial roles in maintaining high standards and consistency in your salon.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Welcome to another solo episode of The Conscious Salon podcast. While Tess is on maternity leave, enjoying her time with her new son River, I wanted to share some valuable insights into one of our most essential practices at our brick-and-mortar salon – the client journey. In this episode, I'll provide you with our complete client journey blueprint, delving into everything from initial client inquiries to post-appointment follow-ups. Learn how to create a flawless and consistent client experience that sets your salon apart, fosters client loyalty, and boosts retention rates. We'll cover topics such as online booking, deposit policies, consultation processes, salon tours, and the importance of personalised client interactions. Join me as I reveal the key steps and secrets behind our success, designed to be easily implementable for immediate results in your own salon.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Welcome back to The Conscious Salon podcast! 

In this special episode, I chat with my amazing boyfriend, Pete Young, about our journey together over the past 17 years. Pete shares insights into his unique jobs, including working at a fruit shop and running a cactus farm. We delve into the challenges we've faced, especially in balancing our relationship with my demanding role as a salon owner. 

Pete offers valuable advice for partners of business owners on how to be supportive while maintaining healthy boundaries. We also discuss the importance of mentorship, how it transformed our lives, and the balance between working on your personal growth while staying present in your relationship. 

Join us for a heartfelt and candid conversation filled with practical tips and a lot of love.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

In this episode of the Conscious Salon podcast, Nicola welcomes back guest Rache Mahon. Rache reflects on her promise to keep things together during this recording, especially after a previous experience that went awry. The conversation dives into Rache's year-long journey of transitioning off the tools at Pearl and Sage in Bendigo, focusing on nurturing and growing her team. Rache also talks about the launch of season two of her podcast, The One Left Behind, which chronicles her adoption story and search for her biological family. Highlighting the massive transition from being heavily involved in the business to a more managerial role, Rache shares her challenges and revelations. She discusses the evolution of her salon from a small waxing salon to a thriving, two-level establishment offering various beauty services. Central to this episode is the theme that 'bigger isn't always better,' as Rache emphasises the importance of self-trust, quality over quantity, and maintaining a balanced work-life dynamic. Nicola and Rache also explore the impact of having a smaller, more aligned team, and how it nurtures a stronger workplace culture. The episode touches on the importance of boundaries and self-care, making this a must-listen for business owners and beauty professionals alike.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Welcome back to the Conscious Salon Podcast! Join us as we sit down with our special guest, Tae, who shares her incredible journey of personal and professional growth through mentorship. 

From her initial overwhelming experience at a personal development conference to becoming a key part of our team, Tae reveals how various mentorships have impacted her role and mindset. Listen in to hear about the power of personal development, the importance of support systems, and how mentorship can transform both individuals and businesses. 

This episode is packed with insights and heartfelt moments that underscore the value of continuous learning and development in a professional setting. 

Don't miss Tae's inspiring story and her encouragement for all salon owners to invest in mentorship for the betterment of their teams and themselves.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

In this special episode of The Conscious Salon Podcast, we're recording live from the salon and I have the pleasure of introducing our newest team member, Jess.

 Join us as Jess shares her incredible journey over the past few years: from being a successful hairdresser and running her own studio, to opening a group training gym with her husband just before COVID-19 struck, and then transitioning into a corporate role. 

Jess offers insight into the challenges and learnings she faced, including the struggle of splitting her time between the salon and the gym, navigating the complexities of the pandemic, and managing her role within the corporate sphere. Jess also provides an inspiring account of how she found her way back to her true passion—hairdressing—and the serendipitous moment she discovered the job opening at Ahead. 

Listen in as Jess and I discuss the importance of alignment, the impact of feedback in different work environments, and the deep sense of fulfilment that comes with finding a workplace where values match your own. Perfect for anyone interested in personal growth, career transitions, and the beauty industry.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Welcome to the Conscious Salon podcast! Today, I'm flying solo to share a deeply personal and transformative story about our journey into mentorship, self-development, and self-discovery. Tess and I founded Melbourne's first mindful salon 12 years ago with no experience, no money, and no clients. Despite numerous challenges and skepticism from others, we built a successful business through sheer hustle and an unwavering commitment to providing an exceptional client experience.

However, our turning point came when we invested in a mentorship program despite severe financial strain. This leap of faith completely transformed our business strategies, financial management, and personal lives. The mentorship not only provided us with essential business skills but also deeply impacted our self-belief and leadership qualities. Over time, we've continually engaged with various mentors—covering business, mindset, nutrition, and even credit card points—helping us to grow both personally and professionally.

We now thrive with a team of six, operate a comprehensive personal development program, and enjoy a level of freedom and flexibility we never imagined possible. This episode is a heartfelt invitation to explore mentorship, take risks, and believe in your potential to create an expansive and inspiring life. Thank you for joining me on this reflective journey. Stay conscious!

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

Welcome to the Conscious Salon podcast! In this episode, Nicola and Tessa explore their past struggles with high cortisol levels and share practical tips for maintaining balance and reducing stress. As salon owners, they discuss the addiction to cortisol often found in entrepreneurs and offer three actionable steps to ensure a healthier lifestyle. Join us for an insightful conversation on achieving work-life harmony.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon

In this deeply emotional episode of The Conscious Salon podcast, we dive into our personal experiences with loss and grief, sharing stories of loved ones who have passed away and the impact of those events on our lives. Tess discusses the emotional challenges of losing her best friend Allie, while Nicky opens up about her experience with pregnancy loss. We reflect on how these traumatic moments have shaped us and the importance of taking time to process grief and hold space for oneself. By sharing our stories, we hope to provide insight, support, and comfort to those who might be going through similar situations.

To follow our journey:
Instagram @aheadhair_
@the_conscious_salon