Colour

Episode 294

Some people love data! But let's be honest and say that for most hairdressers, studying the numbers in their business is not their favourite pastime.  

My Guest today is a returning Guest, Tom Bentley-Taylor, who, amongst other things, originally got the Salon Software brand Short Cuts established in the UK and is currently Managing Director at Vish in the UK. 

Tom is unashamedly a numbers guy. He loves data, but more importantly, he loves what data tells you about what's working and what isn’t working in the business.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

• The importance of using data in business

• What is the most important data to track in the salon business?

• How data creates clarity for business owners and fairness for their team. 

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[1:30] Welcoming Tom Bentley-Taylor and his background in salon software

[3:05] The evolution from Shortcuts to Vish and why colour management matters

[6:55] Are salons undercharging for colour? The problem with guesswork

[8:40] How technology reveals the true cost of delivering services

[11:10] Why data creates clarity for owners and fairness for teams

[13:15] Empowering vs restricting: how stylists respond to numbers

[18:06] Mistakes owners make when introducing change

[22:45] Pricing, margin, and why protecting profit isn’t optional

[25:20] “Creative freedom” vs business responsibility

[28:10] The difference data makes to accountability

[32:40] How Vish works with existing systems

[34:02] The data that helps drive decision-making

[36:40] The mindset of high-performing salon owners

[38:55] Final advice from Tom: stop guessing and start tracking

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 

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👉 FOLLOW TOM BENTLEY TAYLOR at VISH!

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Episode 288

In this episode, I sit down with Sydney-based salon owner and colourist Kirby Lago. I’ve had the pleasure of watching her grow her business from a small salon to a thriving luxury business five times the size.

Kirby is a great example of combining the life of being a very active behind the chair hairdresser with being a true business visionary and being prepared to put in the hard work and personal sacrifices that go with it.

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

• How the modern salon of today is evolving
• Salon design, branding, and creating an unforgettable client experience
• How Kirby uses Instagram to grow her business and attract her ideal clients
• As well as finding the balance between family life and running a business

And so much more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] – Intro: Welcome and podcast growth updates

[01:15] – Meet Kirby Lago: From small salon to luxury empire

[02:35] – Salon design for a high-end experience

[05:00] – The importance of branding and client perception

[07:09] – The transition to a color-focused salon for profitability

[10:28] – Why cutting skills are declining and how trends shape business

[14:19] – Hair restoration and holistic hair health services

[18:23] – Building the right team and outsourcing wisely

[23:09] – Salon culture: Setting expectations and maintaining a positive team

[25:50] – Why client experience is everything (and how to elevate yours)

[27:57] – Marketing and personal branding: How Kirby became the face of her business

[31:45] – Instagram strategy: The three content pillars that drive engagement

[35:49] – Balancing personal life with business and social media presence

[38:41] – Closing thoughts: Key takeaways for salon owners

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!

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👉 FOLLOW PELO BY LAGO!

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👉 FOLLOW KIRBY!

Instagram

Episode 286

Is the future of professional hair colour undergoing a massive reinvention?

Today's guests are Leilani Macedo, a seasoned salon owner, and Charles Brown, a tech entrepreneur who is passionate about applying Artificial Intelligence to real-world problems. And together they cofounded CLICS to create a solution for the problems around the current model of professional hair colour.

So if you’re interested in tech, entrepreneurship, the salon business and what could be the future of professional hair colour, then this episode is for you…

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

✅ The problems with the existing model around professional hair colour and how CLICS uses AI to solve those problems

✅ Pricing and Automated hair colour Inventory management

✅ How CLICS is totally changing the professional hair colour game

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:17] Introducing Leilani Macedo, a seasoned salon owner with industry wisdom, and Charles Brown, a tech entrepreneur passionate about using AI to transform traditional models.

[02:42] How Leilani and Charles crossed paths—a serendipitous meeting that sparked their collaboration and set the stage for a revolutionary approach to hair colour.

[04:19] The Birth of Clics: how a simple idea evolved into Clics—laying the groundwork for what would become a groundbreaking solution in the industry.

[10:32] Hear how an unexpected source of inspiration at Home Depot ignited innovative thinking, reshaping ideas about service and product delivery.

[13:37] Examine the technological obstacles faced by the industry and explore the creative solutions that are pushing the envelope in hair colour tech.

[19:54] Discuss why effective inventory management is essential in the salon business and how automation can streamline operations.

[32:21] Understand the intricate challenges involved in developing and launching an innovative hair colour line.

[33:33] Learn why maintaining consistency is crucial for building customer trust and a strong salon reputation.

[34:15] Explore the integration of AI in the mixing process and its potential to deliver precise, customized colour results.

[43:34] Discover how the smart bowl concept is not only enhancing precision but also playing a key role in waste reduction.

[45:26] Look at how innovative inventory solutions are revolutionizing salon operations and boosting efficiency.

[51:57] Learn about customized strategies designed to give independent stylists and boutique salons a competitive edge in a changing market.

[01:01:30] Conclude the episode with key takeaways, final reflections from our guests, and all the contact details for staying in touch.

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!

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👉 FOLLOW CLICS!

Instagram | Instagram – Leilani Macedo | Website | LinkedIn Leilani | LinkedIn Charles

Episode 267

What does it take to produce half a million dollars a year behind the chair? 

Turns out it’s not being a celebrity stylist, or a fashion week back stage superstar stylist or having a huge social media following. 

Instead, it’s about stability, relationships, giving clients a great experience, word-of-mouth referrals, being organised, being goal-oriented, looking after yourself, consistency, flexibility, listening, hard work, making genuine connections, and genuinely being a nice person. 

Today is another episode where I am talking to a hairstylist who you may not have heard of before.

But amongst other things, what makes her so special is that she produces very high revenue figures behind the chair… 

And I want to find out what it takes to do that. 

My guest on today's Podcast is Maxwell Snow from the Van Michael salons in Atlanta, Maxwell is one of those hairstylists who produces around half a million dollars a year behind the chair…

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

• What’s the key is to doing extraordinary numbers behind the chair…
• The benefits of working a four-day week 
• Finding balance

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:49] Meet Maxwell Snow: High-earning hairstylist 

[02:53] Discussing Maxwell's revenue and earnings breakdown

[04:45] Maxwell’s work ethic and clientele

[08:43] Daily routine and work schedule

[10:39] Maxwell’s specialisation and services

[15:59] Motivation, personal drive and overcoming challenges

[22:11] Embracing life after a near-death experience

[23:59] The importance of authenticity and hard work

[25:43] Balancing work and personal life

[27:39] Upselling and rebooking strategies

[36:33] Lessons learned and advice for newcomers

[42:59] Final thoughts and social media presence

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Key to Six-Figure Salon Success with Brandon Darragh 

What Does it Take to do Over Half a Million Dollars a Year Behind the Chair? with Denise Deering 

From Small City to Big Sales: Jyl Craven's Path to $600,000 

👉 FOLLOW US!

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👉 FOLLOW MAXWELL!

Instagram

Episode 246

Every salon owner I’ve ever met wants to know how to better manage their business expenses so that they can be more profitable. And so they should. 

Ultimately what that all comes down to is looking for ways to increase the income and reduce the outgoings which results in improved profit margins. Both of those topics are covered in depth in our online ‘Money course’. 

But amongst the many potential solutions to help manage costs and increase profit is to use a ‘Colour Management System’ which will help reduce waste and improve consistency. 

My guest on today’s episode is Janine Simons, another entrepreneurial salon owner who is also the founder of Colour Bar Manager.

In today’s podcast we will discuss:

• The day Janine woke up and decided the world needed a new colour management app.

• How the colour bar manager works.

• What it does differently to its competition.

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:12] How the idea of colour bar manager came to Janine.

[05:43] What is colour bar manager, and how does it work?

[19:04] Discussing how the salon's colour records are recorded and the security around that.

[22:45] How the ordering and inventory management side of things works.

[31:36] The resistance points that salon owners, stylists, and colourists have around using colour management systems.

[37:20] Where you can connect with Janine.

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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Janine Simons 

Instagram personal | Instagram Business |

Color Bar Manager

website

Episode 229

The word icon is totally overused in the hairdressing industry, but some people deserve that recognition, and Annie Humphreys is definitely one of them.

Annie is a true icon in the world of hairdressing. As a former part-owner of Vidal Sassoon salons and schools, she was an important part of the brand's success.

Today, she is widely acknowledged the world over for her groundbreaking creativity and dedication to the art of hair colour.

Annie paved the way for every passionate hair colourist today and influenced a generation of expert hair colourists that span the globe.

Join us as Annie shares her experiences in the ever-evolving salon industry from the 1950s to the 21st century.

Annie has now retired, and although this interview was recorded in 2015, the lessons she shares are timeless.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Sassoon revolution
• What it takes to succeed in the salon industry
• Colour, colour, colour…

In this Episode:

[02:32] Annie’s journey to becoming the salon industry icon she is today.

[07:25] What it was like working for Vidal Sassoon in the late 1950s.

[11:14] Invaluable advice for aspiring hairdressers and new salon owners.

[13:27] Annie’s experience of the salon industry in the 1970s.

[16:13] When colour came into the mainstream and how it transformed Annie’s career.

[22:12] Some of the reasons behind the many highs and lows of Sassoon.

[30:08] How Sassoon revolutionised the salon industry.

[33:12] How to identify a good colourist.

[34:52] Annie’s philosophy for dealing with mistakes.

[35:49] What it takes to develop a strong salon team.

[37:05] How Annie approaches failures.

[38:39] How the colour industry has evolved since the early days of Annie’s career.

[42:51] What Annie hopes to be remembered for.

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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to Annie for sharing her insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Sassoon Academy

Episode 124

The fact that you are listening to this means that you are probably a salon owner and therefore could probably be loosely described as an entrepreneur. 

And if you are a regular listener, you’ve probably gathered that I love nothing more than a good entrepreneurial story where we get an insight and an understanding into the highs and lows of what it takes each of us on our unique journey to turn the dream into reality. 

Because when we share our dream and the journey we take, it gives others the inspiration and courage to pursue their dream too.

My guest on this episode is Victoria Tarrant a hairdresser who has a dream to solve a problem that exists in every salon, and that is addressing the issue of colour wastage and everything surrounding that from the impact that has on salon profits to correct pricing of colour services, the environmental impact waste has and efficient inventory management.  

In this episode we discuss:

• What exactly is ‘SmartMix’?
• How it differs from competing brands
• The journey Victoria has taken to get it to the point it's at …

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:40] Victoria shares the origins of her hairdressing career and an overview of what her journey has looked like since.

[05:07] The issue that inspired Victoria’s app, SmartMix, and how her idea evolved over time. 

[09:00] Jerry Rihll; the influential role that he has played in the success of SmartMix.  

[14:40] Competition in the colour mixing space, and what makes SmartMix stand out.

[18:23] How Victoria funded SmartMix, and the process she went through to develop the app. 

[23:36] Pushback that Victoria received from stylists when SmartMix was launched, and how the app won them over. 

[27:34] A rundown of how to use the SmartMix app. 

[34:15] The charitable element that Victoria hopes to link to SmartMix.

[36:04] An experiment: the amount of colour waste that Victoria accumulated in the space of 38 weeks.

[37:50] The reporting system that encourages stylists to use the SmartMix app, and what Victoria found to be the most powerful incentive. 

[41:23] How stylists access the SmartMix app, and the other systems that it is linked to. 

[45:41] Plans that Victoria has for the future of SmartMix. 

[48:51] Characteristics that Victoria has which have helped her succeed. 

[50:38] Two valuable pieces of advice from Victoria for any aspiring entrepreneurs. 

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 also love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!

Special thanks to Victoria for sharing her story with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business 

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Precision Colour [SmartMix]

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Victoria’s Hair Design

Website

Victoria Tarrant 

LinkedIn

Episode 082

I am a great believer in using technology to help you succeed in business, unfortunately, though the hairdressing industry is sometimes slow in embracing technology to help them be more successful.

From a salon owners point of view, it's important to maximise efficiency in every area of the business and to use technology to help your salon run more efficiently and ultimately be more profitable.

My guest on today's Podcast is Tom Bentley-Taylor, who is VP of sales and partnerships at Vish, which is a colour management software app.

As a former salon owner, if I had a salon today, I would definitely be using colour management software as not only will it save you money, but it will also make you a better colourist.

In this podcast, we discuss:

• What colour management software does and why salons should use it.
• How the Vish App works and
• The pricing of hair colour services

And lots more!

In This Episode:

[02:49] Welcome to the show, Tom!

[03:15] Tom shares his background and his journey into the industry.

[06:07] What is Vish, and what do they do?

[08:34] Tom speaks about how he got involved with Vish.

[12:50] Tom explains how Vish adjusts the amount of colour used on any given client.

[14:57] Vish keeps colour incredibly consistent.

[17:31] How do you get around the fact that you might need multiple bowls with multiple colours?

[19:48] Tom discusses how Vish sets a threshold and then for every gram you go over gives an additional charge.

[22:52] After you weigh the colour, what is the next step?

[25:07] Vish is an iPad-based app with a Bluetooth rechargeable scale.

[28:14] In the US, Vish connects to over 200 points of sale systems.

[29:13] Where did the name Vish come from?

[30:10] Tom talks about the analytics involved with Vish.

[33:01] You've got waste in your bowl and waste on the head; extra training may be required.

[35:26] Vish is changing the dialogue. It's the solution to colour waste.

[37:28] Tom shares the financial savings he has seen Vish give back to the salons.

[38:56] Vish can bring the percentage of waste down to about 5%.

[40:39] What is the cost to salons to use Vish?

[44:08] Tom sums up Vish's point of difference.

[45:35] Tom discusses the challenges he finds when talking about the Vish program with salon owners.

[48:33] There is some fear involved because stylists don't want to be held accountable for too much waste.

[51:09] Tom speaks about pricing and how commissions should be paid.

[53:12] Does Vish have a way of adjusting the price on a tube of colour?

[55:40] This product is a game-changer when it comes to the product cost.

[57:12] Thank you for being on the show!

Thanks for listening!

Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it using the social media buttons at the side or bottom of this post.

Also, I’d love it if you’d leave an honest review for The Grow My Salon Business Podcast. 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 also love to hear what’s been helpful! Just click here to review, Click through to ‘Listen on apple podcasts’ scroll to the bottom, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you!

And finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple or Google to get automatic updates.

Special thanks to Tom for sharing his thoughts with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!

Links and Resources

Tom Bentley-Taylor

Vish

Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Episode 018