The Elevate Podcast

This episode breaks down the truth most people avoid.

Growth and leadership have nothing to do with what’s happening around you and everything to do with what you’re willing to take responsibility for. When you stop blaming your team, your clients, your circumstances, and your past, you step into real power.

In this episode, we go beyond surface level mindset work and into the spiritual side of personal responsibility. You’ll learn how your external world is a direct reflection of your internal leadership, how your ego keeps you stuck, and why ownership is the fastest way to transform your business and your life. If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated, this is the shift you’ve been avoiding and the one that will change everything.

The elevate insider:

https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz

The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint

12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 

1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching

Socials:

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

The beauty industry is facing a major shift and most people are not fully understanding what is happening. Federal changes to student loan accountability are putting pressure on beauty schools to prove their graduates can actually earn enough to justify the cost of education. At the same time, apprenticeship programs are being pushed forward as an alternative, especially in Illinois. But what does that really mean? In this episode, I break down the facts behind the new federal regulations, how they impact cosmetology programs, and what could happen if schools begin losing access to federal funding. I also walk through the Illinois apprenticeship bill, including the legal requirements around pay, supervision, training hours, and the often misunderstood 180 hours of supplemental instruction. Most importantly, we are having the conversation no one is having: Are apprenticeships actually solving the problem, or are they shifting the cost and responsibility from the student to the salon owner? If you are a salon owner, stylist, or someone considering entering the industry, this episode will give you the clarity you need to understand where beauty education is headed and what it means for your future.

https://www.tiktok.com/@beyondthechairco?_r=1&_t=ZT-96M1yqWuebt

If your books aren’t full, it’s probably not a marketing problem. It’s a retention problem. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly what we’re implementing inside my salon to increase client retention, grow average tickets, and create consistent, predictable income behind the chair. We’re talking about strategic add on messaging at the beginning of the week, how to structure your first, second, and third client visits to build loyalty, why most stylists are rebooking wrong, and how to use treatments to create real client attachment. These are simple systems, but they completely change how your business runs when you actually implement them. If you’re tired of constantly chasing new clients and ready to finally feel booked and stable, this episode is for you. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTh3uopsu/ The elevate insider: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training  1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Socials: Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/ Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

Most salon owners think their team isn’t motivated. But the truth is it’s not a motivation problem it’s a systems problem. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why quarterly bonuses work and how they completely shift behavior inside your salon when they’re structured the right way. I’m sharing how I’m coaching my team to actually build their books instead of just throwing ideas at them, how we’re tracking real growth through KPIs, and the accountability system we put in place using Band that’s already changing how my stylists show up. I also walk you through exactly what I implemented: Setting aside 1% of total revenue into a separate account for quarterly bonuses Creating public accountability inside our team communication Tracking numbers weekly instead of guessing Coaching based on data, not emotion And I’ll be honest… this process didn’t just expose my team it exposed me. It forced me to actually know my numbers, track performance monthly, and lead at a higher level. If you feel like you’re constantly repeating yourself, giving ideas that go nowhere, or wondering who on your team is really putting in the work… this episode is going to give you a clear path forward.

The elevate insider: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz

The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint

12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 

1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching

Socials:

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

What actually separates an average salon from one clients rave about, return to, and refer nonstop? It’s not just talent. It’s the experience.

In this episode, I’m giving you a real behind the scenes look at the client experience training we’re implementing inside my salon. This is the exact kind of training that shifts a team from just doing hair to creating moments that build loyalty, trust, and long term growth. If you’ve ever felt like your team is inconsistent with how they treat clients, missing opportunities to elevate the experience, or struggling to retain guests, this episode will open your eyes. I’m walking you through the standards we set, the expectations we hold, and how we train our team to think differently about every single client interaction from the moment they walk in to the moment they leave. This is also an episode you should absolutely share with your team. Use it as a conversation starter. Use it as a reset. Use it to raise the standard. Because the truth is, most salons are not losing clients because of bad hair. They’re losing them because of a forgettable experience.

In this episode, we cover:

• What client experience really means and why most salons get it wrong

• The small details that make a massive impact on retention and referrals

• How to train your team to create consistency across every client interaction

• The mindset shift your stylists need to stop “just doing hair”

• Why experience is your biggest competitive advantage in today’s market

Who this is for: Salon owners ready to elevate their standards Stylists who want to build a loyal, high quality clientele Teams that need alignment, consistency, and growth How to use this episode: Send it to your team chat Listen together at your next meeting Turn it into a discussion and implement immediately If you want a stronger team, higher retention, and clients who can’t stop talking about your salon, this is where it starts. If this episode hit for you, share it with your team and start raising your standard today. And if you’re ready for deeper support, check out The Elevate Insider for more trainings like this.

The elevate insider: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout?preview=true

The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint

12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 

1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching

Socials:

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

What does your next top stylist actually look like?

Not on paper. Not in a résumé.

But in mindset, behavior, and how they show up before they ever become “successful.”

In this episode, I sit down with one of my newer stylists who I already know is going to rise to the top. Not because of time behind the chair, but because of how she thinks, how she moves, and how she takes ownership of her growth.

We break down:

• What motivated, high-performing stylists are really looking for in a salon

• What turns them off immediately during the interview process

• The difference between someone who “wants it” and someone who actually builds it

• How culture is not what you say, it’s what you reinforce

• The mindset shifts that separate average stylists from future leaders

This episode is your behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to attract, identify, and develop top talent inside your salon. If you’re tired of hiring based on hope and ready to start building a team of driven, accountable, growth-focused stylists, this is the standard.

The elevate insider: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz/checkout?preview=true

The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint

12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 

1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching

Socials:

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/#

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

If you want to improve your salon culture, increase stylist retention, and become a stronger leader, you do not need a massive leadership overhaul. Most leadership transformation happens through small behavioral shifts that compound over time. In this episode, Patricia breaks down seven simple leadership habits you can start implementing today that will dramatically improve communication, trust, and performance inside your salon. From how you respond when a stylist asks a question to how you handle mistakes and coach your team, these small moments shape the culture of your salon every single day. If you are a salon owner who wants a stronger team, better communication, and a more positive salon environment, this episode will give you practical leadership tools you can start using immediately. For the full episode and more salon owner education, subscribe to The Elevate Insider. The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint 12 Week Training Program https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training 1 On 1 Coaching https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching Socials Business Instagram https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/ Personal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro

For full access to this episode and exclusive leadership trainings, subscribe to The Elevate Insider: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/mfWaCmoz 

The Salon Owner Blueprint & My Salon Owner Community: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/blueprint

12 Week Training Program: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/training

1 On 1 Coaching: https://www.opulentbeautypro.com/coaching

Socials:

Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opulentbeautypro/

Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricia_nowakowski_obs/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@opulentbeautypro/featured

Part One: The Foundational People Patterns Running Your Salon Why does one stylist spiral after feedback while another resists every new policy? Why do some team members quietly avoid difficult conversations while others burn themselves out trying to be perfect? In this episode, we break down the foundational survival patterns that show up inside almost every salon environment:

The Approval Seeker

The Rebel

The Perfectionist

The Avoider

You will learn: What each behavior actually looks like in real salon scenarios How to identify the pattern in real time The core fear driving the behavior Where it often originates psychologically And how to lead someone out of survival mode and into professionalism without shaming, weakening authority, or overreacting This episode is not about labeling your team. It is about understanding the fear underneath the behavior so you can stop taking it personally and start leading strategically. If you want a calmer culture, stronger emotional maturity inside your business, and leadership that feels grounded instead of reactive, this is where it begins. Leadership is not about controlling behavior. It is about understanding what is driving it.

Opulent Beauty Pro is in a temporary pause, but new episodes of The Elevate Podcast continue every other Monday. Connect with me on Instagram @patricia_nowakowski_obs, get access to my free courses on YouTube, and join my email list to be the first to know about when I'm back!

Free Salon Amenity Guide: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/amenityguide

Free Lead Like An Owner E-Book Preview: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/ebook

Private 1:1 coaching remains available with limited availability.

1 Session: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/pLzGMNnR/checkout

2 Sessions: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/sbzzEr9X/checkout

4 Sessions: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/gn5p6TP2/checkout

Most leadership problems aren’t mindset issues, they’re nervous system issues.

In this episode of The Elevate Podcast, we’re breaking down how nervous system dysregulation impacts the way you lead, communicate, make decisions, and show up for your team.

When your nervous system is stuck in survival mode, everything feels urgent, personal, and overwhelming. But when it’s regulated, you lead with calm, clarity, emotional intelligence, and grounded authority.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What nervous system dysregulation actually looks like in leadership

Why so many salon owners and leaders live in chronic fight-or-flight

How stress shuts down your ability to think strategically

Simple, practical tools to regulate your nervous system in real time

Long-term strategies to build emotional resilience and regulated leadership

This is not a self-care conversation. This is about learning how to lead without reactivity, fear, or burnout.

Opulent Beauty Pro is in a temporary pause, but new episodes of The Elevate Podcast continue every other Monday. Connect with me on Instagram @patricia_nowakowski_obs, get access to my free courses on YouTube, and join my email list to be the first to know about when I'm back!

Free Salon Amenity Guide: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/amenityguide

Free Lead Like An Owner E-Book Preview: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/ebook

Private 1:1 coaching remains available with limited availability.

1 Session: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/pLzGMNnR/checkout

2 Sessions: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/sbzzEr9X/checkout

4 Sessions: https://opulentbeautypro.mykajabi.com/offers/gn5p6TP2/checkout

Hospitality is not customer service, it’s how you make people feel.

In this episode, we explore what true hospitality looks like inside a modern luxury salon and why it’s the foundation of retention, referrals, and reputation.

You’ll learn:

The difference between customer service and hospitality

Why emotional safety, care, and connection drive client loyalty

How small, consistent details create a five-star experience

Where many salons unintentionally break the guest experience

This episode sets the stage for understanding hospitality as a mindset, not just a checklist, and why it must be intentionally trained inside your salon.