341 Are Apprenticeships Still Financially Viable for Salon Owners?

The economics of running a salon have changed, and if your approach to training assistants hasn't changed with it, your margins are going to keep shrinking. In this episode, I answer the questions salon owners are actually grappling with right now: Is it still worth taking on apprentices, how quickly should they be contributing, and what does it look like when a salon actually gets training right?If you've been winging it or leaving it to chance, this episode gives you a clear framework and five practical takeaways you can act on straight away.IN THIS EPISODE:Why condensing the apprenticeship timeline isn't lowering standards, it's a financial necessityThe difference between income-producing and non-income-producing staff and why it mattersHow quickly a new assistant should be contributing to your salon revenue (and what to do if they're not)Why most salons' training problems are self-inflicted, and what good training ownership actually looks likeFive clear takeaways for building a structured, productive assistant pathway in your salonEPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Introduction[00:28] Can you condense a two-year apprenticeship without lowering standards?[01:21] How assistants contribute to revenue[02:41] Income-producing vs. non-income-producing staff[04:37] The shift required to make apprenticeships viable[05:40] A brief history of apprenticeships[09:00] Are employment-based salons restructuring the assistant pathway?[11:27] What the best salons are doing differently[12:33] Five takeaways for salon ownersWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteRATINGS & REVIEWS🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.I love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony

Most salon owners believe their biggest problem is not getting enough new clients, but what if that’s not true? In this episode, I break down why focusing on client attraction alone is keeping you stuck, and what’s really stopping your salon from growing consistently.I share the simple (but often overlooked) three-part marketing formula that every high-performing salon is built on. The reality is, most salons are already getting enough new clients, but they’re losing them just as quickly. And that’s where the real problem lies.If you’re tired of constantly chasing new clients and want to build a salon business that grows predictably, with loyal clients who keep coming back, then this episode will shift how you think about marketing forever.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:25] What do you picture when you think of a million-dollar salon?[01:02] Why high-performing salons are simpler than you think[02:00] Why understanding the real problem matters before you hear the formula[03:06] The retention numbers that should stop you in your tracks[04:53] The three-part marketing formula[05:44] Where most salons drop the ball [07:59] Why the three pieces must work together, not in isolation[11:03] What million-dollar salons do differently[11:28] The importance of tracking your numbers[12:25] Industry benchmarks and what to aim for[12:53] Why you need to run retention reports by individual stylist[14:01] The marketing course, what's inside and how to join[17:06] Wrapping up, the formula, the course, and see you next weekRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out moreWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteRATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony

The difference between a good salon and a world-class one isn’t talent. It’s standards, and the leadership to hold them.In this episode, I take inspiration from the Netflix series Being Gordon Ramsay and unpack what it really takes to build a world-class business, whether that’s a restaurant or a salon. Because when you strip it back, the fundamentals are the same. It’s not about talent alone. It’s about standards, leadership, and the culture you create.I talk about the obsession with detail that separates good from exceptional, why leadership isn’t always comfortable (but it is necessary), and how the best teams operate as a unit, not a group of individuals. These are practical insights you can apply immediately in your salon.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction and why this matters for salon owners[00:48] Lessons from The Bear and restaurant culture[02:21] Why Being Gordon Ramsay is worth watching[04:00] The 3 pillars: standards, leadership, and pride[04:31] Why standards, not talent, drive excellence[06:30] The power of attention to detail[07:40] Leadership, clarity, and responsibility[08:44] Finding the breaking points in your business[10:12] Respect for craft and raising standards[12:12] From employees to custodians of the brand[13:35] The big question: what are you building?WANT MORE TO HELP YOU GROW?🎓 Salon Marketing Course - now open for enrolment - Find out moreRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Being Gordon Ramsay (Netflix)  Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara The Bear (TV series)  RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODEIf you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 322: The Beautiful Chaos of Building a Team→ Listen here👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | WebsiteRATINGS + REVIEWS🙏 Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony

Instagram marketing for salons is constantly evolving, and if you're relying on strategies from even a year ago, there are changes you need to know about. In this episode, I’m joined once again by Instagram specialist Hayley Mears to unpack what’s working on Instagram right now and what salon owners need to be doing differently in 2026.We dive into the simple three-step structure that every successful Instagram carousel needs, why hooks are more important than ever, and how to create content that people actually save and share. Because, as you’ll hear, the algorithm has shifted and likes are no longer the metric that matters the most.We also talk about AI, why hashtags are becoming increasingly irrelevant, and how salon owners can use Instagram to amplify the one thing technology can’t replace, the human experience. This episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using straight away.IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:✅ The 3-step structure every successful Instagram carousel needs✅ Why hooks are critical to getting people to swipe✅ Why the algorithm now values saves and shares over likes✅ Whether hashtags are becoming irrelevant✅ How to use AI without losing your authentic voice✅ Three practical Instagram strategies for salon owners in 2026EPISODE TIMESTAMPS:[00:05] Introduction to the episode and what listeners can expect[00:47] Introducing Instagram specialist Hayley Mears[02:00] The 3-step structure every successful Instagram carousel needs[04:49] Why writing a strong hook is the hardest part of a carousel[07:46] Calls to action that actually work on Instagram[11:33] Using AI for captions without losing your authentic voice[14:47] Why Instagram now rewards saves and shares over likes[21:42] Why Instagram is showing more content to non-followers[23:07] Are hashtags becoming irrelevant?[27:00] Three actionable Instagram strategies for salon owners in 2026RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Join us on our upcoming free Salon Marketing Masterclass on 16th & 17th March. From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back. SAVE YOUR SEAT 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW SIX UNDERGROUND MEDIA!Instagram | WebsiteRATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony

Most salon owners think they have a marketing problem. In reality, what they usually have is a clarity problem, a positioning problem, and a consistency problem. And until those things are fixed, no amount of posting, boosting, or discounting is going to change the outcome.In this episode, I break down what marketing actually is, not the social media version, not the trend-driven version, but the strategic version that builds predictable growth. I talk about the difference between image building and business building, the four layers of effective marketing, and why so many salons are stuck in a cycle of reactive tactics.If you’re tired of unpredictable bookings, blaming the algorithm, or hoping things will “pick up soon,” then this episode will give you a framework to think differently and more strategically about marketing your salon.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction and why most salon owners misunderstand marketing[00:00:49] The real problem: clarity, strategy and consistency[00:03:10] Activity vs strategy: why busy doesn’t mean effective[00:03:10] Image building vs business building marketing[00:04:44] What marketing actually is[00:05:00] The four layers of marketing explained[00:05:25] Layer 1: Clarity - knowing your ideal client[00:05:50] Layer 2: Positioning - why clients should choose you[00:06:41] Layer 3: Visibility - and why most skip the foundations[00:07:30] Layer 4: Client conversion - where money is often lost[00:07:55] The real cost of weak marketing[00:08:39] Why unstable revenue damages culture and productivity[00:09:00] What good marketing actually feels like[00:10:14] The industry-wide marketing framework problem[00:10:37] Invitation to the free marketing training[00:11:19] Why predictable growth requires predictable marketingWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/👉 Register your interest for my FREE webinar From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back.RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Register your interest for my FREE webinar From Random Tactics to Fully Booked: How to Create a Salon Marketing System That Gets Clients In and Keeps Them Coming Back. 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website

AI is changing Google search faster than most salon owners realise, and whether you like it or not, it’s going to impact your business. In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest Phil Evans from Salon Guru, and we're diving into what AI is doing to Google search and what that means for your salon business.We break down how Google's AI is already showing up in your potential clients' search results, what's actually driving which salons appear at the top, and why content and reviews still remain the foundation of everything.We also get into the practical stuff, how to use AI tools like ChatGPT without sounding like a robot, why you need to know your traffic and rank numbers before anything else, and the simple phone test you can do today that will tell you exactly where your salon stands. Phil's homework at the end of this episode is worth the listen alone. IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction and marketing course waitlist announcement [01:13] Welcoming Phil Evans from Salon Guru back to the show [02:00] What AI has actually changed about Google search [03:15] How AI search works in practice, with real examples[07:57] The numbers behind salon website traffic (and what "good" looks like) [09:13] What determines which salon ranks first for "best balayage near me" [10:00] Why content and reviews are 90% of the job [11:31] The three most important things a small salon owner should focus on [16:00] How to use AI writing tools without sounding like a robot [19:25] What happens if a salon ignores AI and search over the next few years [21:00] How to make your existing content AI-ready [22:39] Three practical takeaways you can action today [23:08] The free rank report from Salon Guru (and how to find your numbers) [25:10] How local search radius works, and the wake-up call most salons need Want MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Join the waitlist for our Online Salon Marketing CourseSalon Guru - Rank Report 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW SALON GURU!Instagram | Website

There are many responsibilities that come with being a salon owner, and if we're honest, most of us give very little thought to them before we open our doors. One of the biggest blind spots is the ongoing training and development of our teams. Too many salon owners assume their people will arrive fully formed and ready to perform. But it just doesn't work like that.In this episode, I'm asking the question: have we created an industry where owners and managers are afraid to be the leaders we're meant to be? Because when there's no real training culture in a salon, the cost is real: poor retention, fragmented culture, no career path. And that lack of leadership is one of the key drivers pushing good stylists towards self-employment.But this episode isn't just about the problem; it's about the solution. What does a salon with a real training culture actually look like? And what changes for your team and your business when you stop waiting for people to show up ready and start developing them yourself?IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Welcome [00:45] Why salon owners expect too much before they've given enough [02:06] The transition from stylist to salon owner, and what gets missed along the way [03:00] How teams are left to pick up bits and pieces from social media and product events [07:28] The real cost: poor retention, no culture, no career path [07:58] Why the self-employment exodus is a leadership problem, not a people problem [09:20] What a real training culture actually looks like [10:40] You don't have to do it yourself, but you do have to make it happen [12:25] The numbers that tell you whether your stylists really know their stuff [13:11] The leverage you have as a leader: productivity and pay [13:57] What real leadership looks like in practice [14:59] The takeaway: it's your responsibility to develop them [15:40] How structured training changes everything[16:00] Final thoughts and next steps Want MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘  Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:The Super Stylist Online program - Find out moreFree Masterclass  - Creating a Productive and Profitable Salon Culture - Save your seat  👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Gerard Scarpaci, co-founder of Hairbrained and host of the Hairbrained Conversations podcast. We talk about the big shifts happening in hairdressing right now, how the next generation learns differently, and why the old business models have been turned on their head. Gerard shares what excites him most about the industry today, but he’s also refreshingly honest about the risks, particularly around lack of direction, mentorship, and the pressure many hairdressers are carrying without even realising it.We also dig into job satisfaction, education, live events, the changing relationship between salons and manufacturers, and why content creation is becoming one of the biggest opportunities for young hairdressers today. This is a wide-ranging, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a sustainable, fulfilling career in today’s salon business.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Welcome and Introducing Gerard Scarpaci [01:48] What excites Gerard about the industry today[05:00] The concerns and risks of increased independence[09:00] The Hairbrained Confidence Index explained[12:36] Why industry data is emotional, not scientific[16:26] What successful salons are doing differently[17:56] Job satisfaction, pressure, and performance[23:08] Learning, relevance, and modern education challenges[29:36] Fundamentals vs "timely and relevant" learning[32:32] The changing relationship between brands and salons[37:00] Online education, live events, and what's working now[44:28] Opportunities for the next generation of hairdressers[48:00] Where to connect with Gerard and closing thoughtsWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website👉 FOLLOW HAIRBRAINED!Instagram | Website👉 FOLLOW GERARD SCARPACI!Instagram

Nearly four years ago, I recorded an episode about why hairdressers should be recommending professional retail. And yet, here we are, still having the same conversation. The fundamentals haven’t changed, but the world we’re operating in absolutely has. Inflation, online shopping, influencers, and changing client behaviour… all of it has added new layers to old objections.In this episode, I break down why so many stylists still avoid recommending retail and, more importantly, what’s really sitting underneath those objections. I walk through the most common excuses I hear, grouped into skill issues, mindset issues, fear issues, and systems issues and explain why teaching product knowledge or scripts alone will never fix the problem.This isn’t about being pushy or “selling.” It’s about professionalism, service, responsibility, and ultimately the sustainability of your business. If you’re a salon owner or a stylist who wants stronger client relationships, better results, and a more profitable salon, this is a conversation you can’t keep avoiding.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Intro: Retail version 2.0: what’s changed[01:58] Same salon, same clients, very different retail results[02:43] Why scripts and commissions don’t solve retail[03:22] The three real reasons hairdressers should recommend retail[06:49] The 4 categories behind all retail objections[07:39] Skill issues: “I don’t know how” and product knowledge[09:40] Mindset issues: “It’s not my job”[12:09] Fear issues: The fear of being pushy or transactional[20:06] Systems issues and retail culture in salons[26:30] Final thoughts Want MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!Antony 👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website

In this final episode of our three-part series on the five pillars of salon success, I take a different approach by talking you through the journey of Sarah, a real salon owner who in many ways reflects the journey that salon owners everywhere go through.   Sarah’s a very good hairdresser, and she definitely doesn’t have a work ethic problem, but despite working harder than ever, doing everything “right” as a stylist, her business was barely surviving. She was exhausted, overwhelmed, and wondering if she’d made a huge mistake.Over 12 months of working together, everything changed, not because she worked harder still or took on more clients, but because she stopped trying to fix business problems with hairdressing skills. Instead, she learned how to run her business the right way. Over the course of 2025, we focused on leadership, systems, money, marketing, team development, and culture and the results were incredible and became the blueprint for my Business School Intensive program. This episode shows you what real change actually looks like when you commit to learning the business side of running your salon properly. And if you see yourself in this story, it might just help you decide what you’re going to do next.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Introduction & recap of the five pillars series[01:30] The moment how I saw my business changed[03:34] “You don’t own a salon, you own a business that happens to do hair”[04:27] Meet “Sarah” a talented stylist drowning as an owner[05:37] What her life really looked like behind the scenes[09:29] The night she finally faced her numbers[10:37] Making the decision to get business education[20:44] Where Sarah is today, the results after 12 months[25:08] Final thoughts and choosing a different futureWant MORE to help you GROW?📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/RATINGS + REVIEWS🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.👉 Here's what you do:- On your phone, Click here  (Read steps below first)- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏Until next time!AntonyRESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Free 3-part video series ‘The 5 Things Holding Your Salon Back From Growing (and how to fix them)’ Register and get them sent straight to your inbox  👉 FOLLOW US!Instagram | Facebook | Website