In this episode, we get real about one of the hardest parts of being a hairstylist—GUILT. From upholding salon policies, client’s personal situations tugging at your heart, to saying no when someone begs you to squeeze them in on your day off, we’re covering it all. We talk about the pressure to always be empathetic, the blurred line between personal and professional, and how to protect your time without feeling like the bad guy. If you’ve ever felt torn between being a people-pleaser and running a business with boundaries, this one’s for you.

From refund demands to clients walking out without paying, and even the occasional case of public indecency, salon ownership comes with some wild stories. In this episode of Go Ham, we’re diving into the common headaches and the rare “did that really just happen?” moments that test your patience, professionalism, and problem-solving skills. Buckle up, because we’re spilling the tea on the challenges most people never see behind the chair.

Thinking about raising your prices but not sure if it’s the right move—or the right time? In this episode, we’re breaking down the when, why, and how of price increases. From recognizing the signs it's time to charge more, to understanding when not to raise prices, we’re giving you the full roadmap. We’ll cover the right (and wrong) ways to communicate price changes, how to keep your clients' trust, and how to avoid common missteps that hurt your brand. Whether you’re a new business owner or a seasoned pro, this episode will give you the confidence and clarity to make strategic pricing decisions that support your business growth—not sabotage i

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on all things marketing in the salon industry, from Google and Yelp to paid ads, community outreach, and everything in between. We’re breaking down what’s worked for us, what flopped, and what we’re testing this year to keep our books full and our brand top-of-mind. Whether you're a salon owner looking to attract more dream clients or just want to stop wasting money on marketing that doesn't convert, this one’s packed with real talk, lessons learned, and marketing goals we’re chasing in 2025.

In this episode, we sit down with Bob Philipp—a seasoned industry distributor—to unpack the current state of the beauty industry. From brand partnerships to price hikes, Bob pulls back the curtain on what’s really going on behind the scenes. We dive into the tough decisions salon owners face when choosing which beauty brands to align with, how global tariffs could impact pricing and product availability, and why so many major brands are raising prices while quietly cutting quality. Bob shares how these shifts inspired him to start his own distribution company built for salon owners—not for corporate profit. If you’ve ever questioned where your money is going or why your once-trusted product suddenly isn’t performing the same, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Mattucci Curran, an industry vet with 10 years of commission salon experience—who made the bold decision to step into the world of independence. When we opened our salon suites right next door, she took the leap… and hasn’t looked back. We dive into what pushed her to make the switch, the wins (and curveballs) along the way, and how she's building her dream business one client at a time. Whether you're debating going solo or just curious about what it really takes, this conversation covers it all.

In this episode, we sit down with Marissa Carroll to talk about the real, raw reasons she left her commission salon to go independent—and why, after facing the realities of suite life, she ultimately chose to return. Marissa opens up about the freedom she was craving, the challenges that caught her off guard, and the unexpected ways her mindset shifted along the way. If you’ve ever wondered whether the grass is really greener on the other side, this episode is a must-listen.

We’re diving into how ChatGPT has seriously leveled up the way we run our salon. In this episode, we’re breaking down exactly how we use AI behind the scenes — from writing policy updates and handling tricky guest messages to creating training guides, job posts, all things marketing and salon goals. If you’ve ever wondered how to save time, get out of your own head, or scale your business without burning out, this episode is your cheat code.

This week, we’re pulling no punches. We’re diving into the rise of a new generation of stylists claiming “specialist” status without the reps, the grit, or the confidence to back it up. Is it fear masked as branding? We’re calling it out.We also break down the right (and wrong) ways to roll out a price increase—because how you communicate it can make or break your guest retention. And finally, we unpack a real story of a salon owner whose attempt to inspire her team backfired—resulting in a top stylist walking out. What went wrong, and what can we learn?

In this episode, we sit down with Payton Wargo—a stylist who built a thriving business behind the chair in record time. She’s sharing the exact steps that helped her grow fast, the habits she swears by, and the hard lessons she had to learn along the way. If you're just starting out or feeling stuck, this episode is your blueprint. Follow her moves, apply the mindset—and the success is yours for the taking.