Brayden kicks off Season Two of Can We Go Live, the hair and beauty industry’s late night confessional, where industry pros spill their secrets, share marketing wins, and talk about what’s really happening behind the chair.

This episode features Sherri from Timely, and it’s a masterclass for salon owners on protecting revenue, avoiding burnout, and embracing the future of bookings.

The No-Show & Cancellation Crisis

Sherri dives into one of the industry’s biggest headaches, the surge in cancellations since COVID. She breaks it down:

• The fix: deposits and online bookings.
• She shares a raw story about losing three new clients on a Friday and how that moment pushed her to implement cancellation fees, a move that felt scary but ultimately protected her business and created healthy boundaries.

Solo Operators & the Power of Online Booking

Sherri calls online booking the hardest but most powerful step for solo operators to take. Why? Fear of losing control.

But the stats speak for themselves:

• 37% of bookings happen outside business hours.
• 65% of online bookings come from new clients.
• Sherri urges salon owners to “switch it on” and reap the benefits.

Designing the Client Journey

Solo operators aren’t just hairdressers, they’re business owners. Sherri talks about using tools like approval features and digital consultation forms to set expectations and avoid surprises (like the client who turned up wanting blue hair!). These forms can even gauge interest in upsells or other services.

Burnout vs. Overwhelm

The conversation turns personal as Sherri and Brayden discuss the realities of burnout.

• Overwhelmed? Outsource tasks.
• Burnt out? Take a holiday.
• Sherri reminds owners it’s okay not to know everything, getting help is part of running a business sustainably.

Wellness Driven Clients

Finally, they explore post-COVID consumer shifts: clients want more than just hair. From natural looks to wellness inspired add ons (think saunas and self-care services), salons have an opportunity to tap into this growing movement.

Timestamps:

• Introduction (00:00 – 01:20)
• No-Show & Cancellation Crisis (02:11 – 05:52)
• Deposits & Healthy Boundaries (05:53 – 09:10)
• Solo Salon Operators & Online Bookings (09:59 – 13:33)
• Consultation Forms & Client Journey (14:47 – 17:20)
• Tools, Tech & Checklists (17:20 – 18:38)
• Burnout vs. Overwhelm (18:38 – 21:08)
• Marketing & Automations (21:48 – 25:17)
• Post-COVID Consumer Trends (26:22 – 30:41)

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