In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia speaks to independent hairstylists who are tired of creating big New Year goals that fizzle out by February. Instead of another pretty planner that never gets used, Hunter walks you through the exact way he planned his most successful year so far and what needs to change if you want a 2026 plan that actually sticks.

Whether you are aiming for more consistent income, a lighter schedule, or finally following through on the projects that have been sitting on your list for years, this conversation will help you create a plan that feels realistic, sustainable, and genuinely supportive of your life behind and beyond the chair.

Key Takeaways

📌 Create the plan you actually need
Learn why most stylists either overshoot with impossible goals or choose what feels comfortable, and how to set targets that match your real numbers, capacity, and business season.

📌 Set attainable goals you can work backward from
Hear how to choose revenue and project goals that you can reverse engineer with simple math, so you know exactly what needs to happen month by month instead of guessing.

📌 Focus on what the business truly needs
Understand the difference between shiny ideas and the unglamorous projects that actually move the needle for bookings, retention, and profit.

📌 Build inspiration and accountability into your year
Get Hunter’s process for pairing discipline with built in motivation, check ins, and community support so you are not relying only on willpower when life gets busy.

📌 Recalibrate instead of quitting on your plan
Learn how to check in on your goals throughout the year, adjust when circumstances change, and tweak your targets without slipping into all or nothing thinking.

Why You Should Listen

If you have ever bought a planner, written out beautiful goals, then lost momentum a few weeks later, this episode is for you. Hunter will help you create a 2026 plan that feels doable on your actual schedule, supports both your income and your energy, and gives you clear direction for the entire year instead of another burst of motivation that fades away.

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Listen to "Real Stories of 10k Months, Big Growth & Bigger Confidence — Mastermind Roundtable" HERE

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia opens up about what happens after you hit your goals and still feel weirdly disconnected from your work. If your books are full, your revenue is steady, and you are technically “successful” but you feel numb, restless, or unsure what is next, this conversation is for you. Hunter and Jodie Brown talk honestly about using work as your only source of fulfillment, what happens when that rush wears off, and how to reconnect with your purpose without burning everything down.

Whether you are tempted to blow up your business, keep overworking just to feel productive, or you simply feel off and cannot explain why, this episode will help you see what is really going on underneath. You will learn how to shift your focus toward a life that feels good outside of the salon, while still protecting and growing the business you worked so hard to build.

Key Takeaways:

💬 When success stops feeling exciting
Why the early stages of growth feel so addictive, what changes once your income is stable, and why slow steady growth can feel disappointing even when it is exactly what you need. 

🏠 Building a life outside of your business
How Hunter realized he was using work to avoid his personal life, the shifts he made in therapy, and why your hobbies, relationships, and environment matter just as much as your booking rate.

⏰ Trading revenue goals for time goals
What to focus on once you have moved past “I do not know how I will pay this bill” and into sustained success, including how to think about getting your time back instead of only chasing higher numbers.

🧱 Doing the boring work that actually scales
Real examples of unsexy projects like tracking pre booking data over months, why these experiments feel dull in the moment, and how they quietly transform your long term sustainability. 

🧠 Noticing self sabotage and disconnection
How high achieving stylists unconsciously create chaos to feel something again, and what it looks like instead to make aligned decisions that support both your business and your personal life.

Why You Should Listen:

If your business looks good on paper but you do not feel how you thought you would feel at this stage, you are not alone. This episode gives language to that foggy disconnected season and offers a calmer path forward. You will walk away with a clearer picture of what you actually want next, how your business can support that vision, and small grounded changes that help you reconnect with your purpose again.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown share advanced marketing moves for stylists who are already booked and want to keep growing. If you feel like you have hit a glass ceiling with pricing and demand, this conversation shows the next level strategies that help you attract higher ticket clients and earn more without adding more days behind the chair. 

Whether you are ready to build an email list, test video consultations, or put a small budget behind ads, you will learn how to layer new systems onto what already works so your growth is not capped by the algorithm or your calendar. 

Key Takeaways:

📚 Lead magnets that capture the right clients
Offer a simple guide that solves a real problem for your ideal client, collect the email, and use that owned channel to nurture interest until they are ready to book. Include affiliate links when it makes sense for added revenue. 

🎥 Video consultations that close
Treat video consults like a true sales call that builds trust and helps clients commit to higher ticket services. Test paid versus free to see what brings the best leads for your market. 

✉️ Email nurture that does the follow up for you
Build a short automated sequence that addresses pain points, answers objections, and shows next steps so clients move from curious to confident without extra manual work. 

💳 Paid ads when the organic ceiling hits
Use a small geo targeted budget to promote your best-performing content or lead magnet so you reach more of the exact people who are likely to book with you. 

🧪 Test then scale
You already have proof that your core marketing works. Add one advanced lever at a time, measure results, and scale the winners so your time and money go further. 

Why You Should Listen:

If you are booked yet want more freedom and higher earnings, this episode gives you a practical path to grow beyond the chair hours you have now. You will leave knowing which advanced strategy to try first and how to set it up quickly using the momentum you already have. 

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown tackle a very real problem for stylists who are over social media yet still want consistent results. Hunter reframes consistency as a non negotiable business task and breaks down the root causes that keep stylists from posting. You will hear simple ways to remove those blockers so showing up becomes practical instead of perfect. 

Whether your book has new gaps or you just do not feel like posting, this conversation gives you a repeatable plan. From building a light marketing structure to batching captions first and pairing visuals later, Hunter shows how to keep the faucet on without burning out. 

Key Takeaways:

🧭 Treat consistency like a business essential
Think of posting as a faucet you keep on to drive results now and later. 

🧱 Remove the four big blockers
Time and energy burnout, lack of results, overthinking, and weak systems are common and solvable. 

🗂 Build a simple plan you trust
Create a basic marketing plan, know your topics, and batch captions first so pairing photos is easy. 

📸 Make content collection effortless
Take photos at every appointment to signal pride in your work and strengthen client loyalty. 

✍️ Post without overthinking
Your photo and caption do not need to match perfectly. Focus on getting valuable words out. 

🧰 Use ready to go tools
Templates and caption starters reduce friction so you can post faster and more often. 

⏳ Short term sacrifice for long term gain
A season of steady posting creates the demand and freedom you want later. 

Why You Should Listen:

If social feels exhausting and your results have slowed, you will leave with a realistic plan to stay consistent and a few quick switches that make posting doable on your busiest weeks. Then go post something today before the day ends. 

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia brings a real roundtable of hairstylists to share what is actually working for last minute cancellations and no shows. You will hear how peers use cards on file, when they charge the fee, when they waive it, and how they communicate without burning bridges. This is a practical look at boundaries and grace so you can protect your time and income with confidence. 

Whether you are tightening policies for high ticket services or navigating edge cases with loyal clients, you will learn simple scripts and decision points that keep relationships intact while keeping your book running smoothly. 

Key Takeaways:

💳 Card on file that clients accept
How stylists position the requirement, what pushback looks like, and why it filters for clients who respect your time. 

🧾 When to charge the fee
Clear lines for no shows, case by case choices for late cancels, and how direct communication after a first strike sets expectations. 

🧠 Boundaries with grace
Where stylists make exceptions, how loyalty and circumstances matter, and how to avoid the trap of endless exceptions. 

🗣 Scripts that work
What to say when a new client refuses to leave a card and what to send after a missed appointment so the next step is clear. 

🚫 When to block and move on
Signs it is time to stop online booking for a client and how to close the loop professionally. 

Why You Should Listen:

If last minute gaps and no shows are draining your revenue and energy, this conversation gives you peer tested ways to prevent them and a plan for what to do when they happen. You will leave with policy language you can use today and the confidence to enforce it without losing the clients you want to keep. 

Connect with these stylists on Instagram below:

Stephanie Lantgen: @manereflection_stephlantgen

Jordana Lorraine: @jordanalorraine_hairstylist

May Luu: @mayidoyourhair

Gina Vernamonti: @luxestudiobygina

Samantha Hathaway: @hairbysamanthahathaway

Kelsi Morrison: @kelsimhair

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The Fully Booked Bundle: Holiday Edition - http://hunterdonia.com/bf

In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown share a simple holiday plan that protects your energy while growing your revenue. If you are wondering what to push and what to pause during the busiest weeks of the year, Hunter breaks down why client gifts are optional, how to raise your average ticket without adding more days, and what to do now so January and February do not slow down. 

Whether you love the holiday rush or feel tapped out by it, you will learn how to keep the faucet on with consistent marketing, how to choose add ons and retail that make sense, and how to set yourself up so the season is profitable and sustainable. 

Key Takeaways:

🎁 Client gifts are optional
Avoid setting a precedent that strains your margin and your time. There are better ways to make clients feel special all year that do not create holiday pressure. 

🕰 Work the same hours and earn more
Inflated demand means you can focus on average ticket rather than extra days. Protect your energy and let strategy do the heavy lifting. 

📈 Easy ways to raise average ticket
Lean into simple add ons and well chosen retail that fit the season so clients happily spend a little more without a hard sell. 

📅 Keep the faucet on
Plan content and promos now so you stay visible through the rush and into the new year. Consistency today prevents a slow January and February. 

🧠 Choose profit and presence
Use boundaries that let you enjoy time with loved ones while meeting your goals. The money matters and so does your well being. 

Why You Should Listen:

If you want a holiday season that pays well without burning you out, this episode gives you clear moves that you can implement right away. You will leave with a plan to skip the busywork, raise your average ticket, keep your marketing consistent, and roll into the new year with momentum. 

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down the newest Instagram features and call out which ones hairstylists should actually care about. Instead of chasing every shiny update, they walk through a smash or pass style rundown so you know which tools can genuinely help you get booked and which ones you can ignore without guilt. 

Whether you feel like Instagram changes every time you open the app or you just want a simple plan for using new features with intention, this episode shows you how to plug the right tools into the marketing you are already doing. You will learn how to use reposts, broadcast channels, close friends, notes, trial reels and more to nurture clients, fill gaps, and keep your page working for you instead of overwhelming you. 

Key Takeaways:

📣 Reposts that actually grow your reach
Learn how reposts function as a feed version of story shares and why creating highly shareable content matters more than begging people to repost you.

📢 Broadcast channels and close friends for clients and leads
Turn broadcast channels into a client only space where you can quietly fill last minute openings and share updates, and use close friends to stay top of mind with warm leads who are not quite clients yet.

💬 Notes that spark curiosity and engagement
Use short, hook style notes at the top of the inbox to tease new posts, open spots, or fun updates so followers click through to your profile without you posting more content.

🎞 Trial reels for testing what works
Use trial reels to experiment with hooks, topics, and potential ad content in front of non followers so you can see what lands with a cold audience before you spend money.

🧩 Grid customization for client journey
Hear how grid tools and pinned posts can make your profile easier to understand at a glance and help visitors move from first impression to confident decision to book.

🧠 What to ignore without hurting your growth
Get honest takes on features like the friends tab in reels and longer notes so you can stop stressing about every rumor and focus on what actually moves the needle for a beauty business.

Why You Should Listen:

If Instagram updates make you feel like you are always behind, this episode will calm the noise and give you a clear priority list. You will leave knowing which new features to lean into, how to use them in a way that supports bookings and retention, and which ones you can happily skip while still growing a modern, sustainable hairstylist business.

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown walk you through three platforms that can bring new local clients without relying on Instagram. If you want practical steps to show up where people are actually asking for stylist recommendations and searching with real intent, this conversation gives you a clear plan you can implement this week. 

Whether your goal is to spark client word of mouth on Reddit, appear in AI powered search results, or reach more locals on TikTok, you will learn how to position your work, what to write, and how to mobilize happy clients so your name shows up in the right threads and feeds. 

Key Takeaways:

🧭 Why these platforms work now
People want human experiences and unfiltered opinions. That is why local recommendation threads convert. Learn how to get mentioned where decisions are made. 

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Reddit for local proof
Find existing “best hairstylist in City” threads, collect the links, and invite clients to share their experience just like a testimonial. Keep it specific to your specialty. 

🤖 Be findable in AI search
Use the same language real clients use in your site copy and profiles so AI summaries and search features can match you to the right queries. 

📍 TikTok that reaches locals
Guide the algorithm with city and state names plus your specialty in your bio, titles, captions, hashtags, and naturally in your spoken words. 

🎥 Content ideas that travel
Consultation clips, authentic moments, and even calming B roll can pull viewers in and showcase your chair experience. 

Why You Should Listen:

If your Instagram reach has stalled, this episode gives you three timely channels and the exact first steps to get discovered by people who are ready to book. You will leave with a checklist you can use today to claim Reddit threads, update your copy for AI search, and post TikToks that bring local clients through your door. 

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown show you how to use the same platforms you rely on for discovery to also deepen retention. If your marketing has been focused on new clients only, this conversation reveals how existing clients are seeing that content too and how to turn every post and story into a relationship builder that keeps people coming back. 

Whether most of your clients arrive from word of mouth, Instagram, or Facebook, you will learn simple ways to bring them onto your socials, keep them on your email list, and show up in stories with content that feels human and helpful. You will also hear why storytelling builds loyalty and how to make clients excited about new possibilities in your chair. 

Key Takeaways:

📣 Marketing that serves two audiences
Your new client content is seen by current clients. Treat feed posts and stories as touchpoints that strengthen trust and spark referrals. 

🧭 Get clients onto your platforms
Use a quick in chair ask and a simple QR code to move clients to Instagram or Facebook and onto your email list so you can stay visible between visits. 

📱 Let stories do the retention work
Stories reach existing clients most reliably. Share helpful micro updates, quick education, and light personal moments to keep relationships warm. 

🗣 Tell client stories
Show the journey from consultation to result so people see what is possible next for them. Storytelling keeps clients engaged and eager to return. 

✨ Make the service feel exciting
Retention climbs when clients believe they can try something fresh with you. Share new techniques and ideas so visits feel like an experience rather than a chore. 

👀 Curate who you follow to spark real engagement
Use the followed tab and a focused list so client posts appear, then comment and interact with intention. The right feed creates daily touchpoints. 

Why You Should Listen:

If you want your social content to fill the chair and keep it filled, this episode gives you a simple plan to market for discovery and loyalty at the same time. You will leave knowing where to show up, what to share, and how to turn everyday posts into retention that compounds visit after visit. 

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In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown pinpoint the hidden break in your funnel that stops excited followers from becoming first time clients. If people are engaging with your posts but disappear after they hit your website, this conversation shows you how to turn your site into a true decision page and guide every new client through one clean path that you can measure and improve. 

Whether your traffic comes from Instagram, Google, or referrals, you will learn how to route visitors to a short digital consultation form, collect the details you need, and remove objections before they can stall the booking. You will also hear why most clients are happy to complete a form when it leads to the right time estimate and an accurate quote. 

Key Takeaways:

🧭 Make your site a decision page
Cut the info dump and design a single path from landing to request so visitors know exactly what to do next. Your website should facilitate a decision, not create more questions. 

📝 Form before booking
Link from Instagram and search to your website, then to a new client request form. Keep public booking links off social and give returning guests their link privately. This protects safety, reduces admin headaches, and improves data quality. 

📊 Track the right steps
Measure website to form, form to approved request, and requests to butts in chairs. This shows exactly where the leak is so you can fix the right thing. 

✅ Clients will fill the form
Most clients are willing to complete a short digital consultation if it leads to the correct timing and a fair quote. Make the form clear, guided, and easy to finish. 

🛑 Delete objections on the page
Address the but that stops someone who already likes your work. Name and answer the real concerns for your specialty so visitors feel confident to request. 

🔒 Fewer DMs more clarity
A smart form cuts back and forth messages, speeds up responses, and triggers simple automations that upgrade the client experience. 

Why You Should Listen:

If your engagement looks strong but new client requests are flat, this episode gives you a practical conversion plan. You will leave knowing how to structure your website, what to measure, and how to guide every visitor from curiosity to a clear request that lands the right clients in your chair. 

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