Is Your Salon Keeping You Up at Night?

After facing a significant health scare, Cally discovered the transformative power of setting boundaries and valuing time with family over material wealth. This personal revelation echoed a broader societal shift we've noticed, especially in a post-COVID world, where people are now more inclined to seek a balanced lifestyle despite financial pressures. In this episode, we share heartwarming stories and discuss how older generations are adapting. We'll also shine a light on the immense pressures that today's youth face regarding their financial futures. As parents make significant investments in private education and young adults navigate the rising costs of university, debt becomes a heavy burden.Lastly, we tackle the VAT debate within the salon industry, an ongoing challenge that we believe needs immediate attention. Salon owners are struggling with high VAT rates, and freelancers are opting for independence to escape these financial constraints. We explore potential solutions such as lowering the VAT rate and creating a supportive salon culture to retain staff.

What’s the secret to keeping the spark alive in a long-term relationship? In this episode of Hair Life, we share the tips and tricks we’ve picked up through personal experiences and conversations in our salons.We discuss the importance of prioritising time together, exploring shared hobbies, and keeping playfulness at the heart of their relationship. 

Are you putting off tasks you know you should tackle?In this episode of Hair Life, we dig into the all-too-common struggle of procrastination and why so many of us in the beauty industry (and beyond) fall into its trap. From delaying admin work to avoiding the final steps of a creative project, we explore the psychological triggers behind procrastination—and how to overcome them.Cally and I share our own procrastination confessions, from Cally distracting herself with her dog instead of finishing paperwork, to my tendency to stall when projects move from exciting ideas to tedious execution. We talk about the importance of recognising your weaknesses and how outsourcing certain tasks can be a game-changer in staying productive.We also explore the emotional side of procrastination, including the fear of failure and the self-doubt that many creatives feel. Plus, how accountability—from friends, colleagues, or coaches—can push you to follow through on your goals.

In this episode, we dive into the messy, hilarious, and oh-so-real world of parenting. From chaotic kid moments to navigating the teenage years (when all those parenting books seem to go silent), we share stories that will have you laughing and nodding in agreement.We also get into the financial reality of kids' ever-changing fashion choices, the struggle to keep up with "perfect parent" standards in the digital age, and the quirky dynamics of family group texts.Don't forget to follow us on socials, @HairLifePodcast.

Have you ever felt like your salon is running you, instead of the other way around?In this episode of Hair Life, we tackle the hot topic of burnout and the economic challenges facing salon owners today. Inspired by the eye-opening Creative Head article, "Is Your Business Keeping You Awake at Night?", we dive into the delicate dance between personal well-being and professional demands. Cally shares her story of taking on extra work to keep her salon's reputation intact during staff changes, and the toll it’s taking on her mental health. With one stylist traveling and another on maternity leave, she's in overdrive—juggling multiple clienteles and feeling the weight of it all. Is this sustainable, or is it time to rethink her approach?I bring a broader perspective, discussing how rising costs, interest rates, and VAT are squeezing the industry. I share my fear of losing clients when raising prices and how I’ve found a way to encourage open dialogue and understanding with my customers.Together, we explore how salon owners can navigate these financial pressures without losing our sanity—or loyal clients.

Is social media running your life, or are you in control?In this episode, we take a hard look at the grip that social media has on us—and how we can break free. From endless scrolling to social comparisons, we explore how social media seeps into our daily routines, impacts our attention spans, and shapes our relationships—especially with our kids.We ask the question, what’s the cost of constant connectivity? We get real about the anxietysocial media creates and the boundaries we need to set, both for ourselves and for the next generation.

What role does consistency play in shaping our lives?In this episode of Hair Life, we explore the power of sticking to routines and habits, even when things get tough. We reflect on how showing up consistently—whether it’s in the salon, in personal fitness, or within relationships—can create lasting benefits.We also explore how the challenges of maintaining health goals resonate with the feedback we receive from clients. Together, we discuss how small, consistent actions can lead to big rewards, both mentally and physically.If you’ve been struggling with sticking to goals, or you’re looking for that extra push to keep going, we’ve got real talk, insights, and encouragement to help you stay on track.

In this episode of Hair Life, Nathan and Callie sit down with PR powerhouse Sally Learmouth from Gloss Communications to uncover the secrets of successful marketing, branding, and public relations in the salon industry.Together, we explore the ever-evolving role of social media in PR and Sally, and Callie discuss how platforms like Instagram have become essential tools for connecting with clients and building a loyal community.Sally also shares what PR means—going beyond press releases to create impactful communication strategies that resonate with clients and build strong internal teams and the critical balance between meeting rapid consumer expectations and traditional PR's slow, steady work, emphasising that patience and consistency are essential to long-term success.

We can expect to take a few punches in life and business, but the ability to get back up truly defines us. In this episode of Hair Life, I explore the often-unspoken challenges of mental health and stress that come with navigating difficult times.I share my experiences with personal growth and how it positively impacts our teams and communities, emphasising the importance of leading by example.This episode also marks a new chapter for HairLife as I introduce a new co-host who brings a wealth of creativity and entrepreneurial prowess to our upcoming episodes.

In this episode Nathan Plumridge talks about being vulnerable, something that he’s had a lot of discussions about in the last few months, mainly due to an experience he had in early December which he shares with you. This is about learning from things both in business and from a health point of view. KEY TAKEAWAYS I’ve started thinking about health not just from a physical point of view, but from a mental side as well. Opening up, being vulnerable and sharing has helped me mentally and has enabled me to have some incredible conversations and opened up some incredible relationships. One of my best friends recently opened up to me about his childhood and the impact that it had on him and the direction it had taken him in his life until now. He started finding demons that had been buried and I was really blown away with what he shared with me. It was highly emotional, highly charged and as a result I had something click inside me which enabled me to firstly, open up about my childhood and my experiences, and how I could now see how the impact of that childhood was having an impact on me as a 45-year-old male. I can’t help but imagine how we all might feel if we opened up a little bit more and shared those things that we carry around with us, particularly men. Though I think it’s a generational thing, the younger generation seems to share everything – perhaps too much – but that’s something we can definitely learn from. The impact of being truly listened to with no judgement, no bias, no advice – so many people want to give you their advice and I don’t think that’s a good thing because a lot of those people are giving you the wrong advice. My friend listened to me so intently, with 100% focus, it was one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever had. What an incredible thing that is. How much stronger would your relationships be if you listened 100% to the person sitting in front of you? BEST MOMENTS ‘It wasn’t until someone had been vulnerable with me that it enabled me to be able to reciprocate the same thing. The impact of that was that I got very emotional. For two days I couldn’t stop crying, even in the salon.’‘My team was absolutely amazing. I think seeing their boss being vulnerable and truly open and showing them that you can’t always be this superhero type was incredibly powerful. It’s only done great things.’‘Opening yourself up and really showing your vulnerability gives you an incredible sense of relief, both emotionally and physically.’‘I’d like you to hear that voice that tells you not to do things to piss off!’ ABOUT THE HOST Welcome and thank you for reading this, I’m Nathan Plumridge salon owner and Hair Stylist. I’ve been in the industry for nearly 30 years and have been a salon owner for 23 of them. I have been fortunate enough to work and learn with some of the biggest names in the industry and this has given me the experience and drive to now be here with you sharing my experiences. CONTACT DETAILS  www.hairlifeshow.com Instagram is <a...