Marketing

Episode 268

There are many changes impacting the hair and beauty business, and one area that is impacting every industry is the continual advancement and use of tech, particularly the advancement of AI. 

Today's guest is Sudheer Koneru, co-founder of Zenoti Salon Software.

After a background working at Microsoft, Sudheer embraced semi-retirement, and after exploring yoga, meditation and the wellness industry, he became the owner of a small group of spas that incorporated salons, beauty, fitness and yoga. 

Frustrated by the software solutions available at the time, Sudheer decided to develop his own, and Zenoti was the result. 

Today Zenoti operates in over fifty countries in a total of approximately 30,000 businesses in the beauty and wellness industry. 

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

• The role of AI in the salon industry today

• Predictions of the impact that AI will have in the immediate future

• The advantages of having only one piece of software that handles everything from being a point of sale and booking platform to all your marketing, management and business analytics…

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[01:08] Introducing Sudheer Koneru and Zenoti

[02:36] Sudheers transition from tech to beauty and wellness

[12:25] The birth of Zenoti from Sudheers personal wellness journey

[23:33] Discussing Zenoti's apps for both stylists and clients

[35:12] AI's impact on the salon industry

[43:32] Future predictions for AI in the salon industry

[50:15] Conclusion and where to find Zenoti

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

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Zenoti

Website | Linkedin | Instagram

👉 FOLLOW US!

Instagram | Facebook | Website

Episode 265

If this era of hairdressing will be remembered for anything specific I believe it will be the rise of the self-employed.

Regardless of where in the world you’re located, the self-employed business model in its various forms has made a huge impact on the industry and is continuing to do so.

Today's guests are Ross and Jack Williams-Hirst, the co-founders of Williams & Hirst, a new co-working salon space in the heart of London’s Soho district.

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

• The co-working salon business model and what’s driving the independent hairdressing movement.
• How Williams & Hirst aims to elevate the freelance salon experience by offering a luxe environment alongside comprehensive support.
• The importance of having rental packages that work for everyone…

And lots more!

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:53] Introducing Williams & Hirst: A new co-working salon in London’s Soho

[02:20] Jack and Ross’s journey to freelance and co-working

[04:49] Navigating the challenges of self-employment

[08:03] Understanding VAT and its impact on freelance hairstylists and salon owners

[11:29] Balancing business and personal life in a business partnership

[16:49] The importance of clear business boundaries

[24:57] Discussing legal definitions and independent contractor agreements

[31:09] Navigating the grey areas of commission split models

[33:04] Professional use inventory and supply store within Williams & Hirst

[34:41] The importance of a staff lounge

[37:01] Transparent pricing and business models

[45:36] Understanding the financial viability for hairdressers when going freelance

[53:19] Conclusion and final thoughts

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW
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/

🙏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

– 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:

Williams & Hirst

Instagram | Website

Ross Williams-Hirst

Instagram

Jack Williams-Hirst

Instagram

👉 FOLLOW US!

Instagram | Facebook | Website

Episode 252

My guest today is Hellen Ward who as well as being a wife, mother, author, lecturer, educator, and managing director, is also the co-founder along with her husband Richard of the Richard Ward hair and Metro Spa located in the heart of London’s Chelsea.

Hellen is highly regarded in the industry for not just having built a great business that is undoubtedly one of the country's leading salons but also for her passion, commitment and common sense insights when it comes to the UK hairdressing industry…

So, in today’s podcast we will discuss:

• The meaning of Luxury in the salon industry
• Having Royalty as part of your clientele …and
• The challenges and opportunities that the industry is facing

And lots more!

In this Episode:

01:13 Introducing Helen Ward: A multifaceted hair industry leader

01:44 Defining luxury in the salon industry

07:54 An overview of the Richard Ward Salon

15:11 The unique services of Richard Ward Hair and Metro Spa

17:53 The importance of customer experience

24:38 Serving royalty: A peek into the royal clientele

28:48 Challenges of scaling and outsourcing

30:19 Advice for growing salon owners

32:17 The importance of delegation

35:45 Guest artists and diversifying services

37:59 The rise of chair rental and its implications

42:40 Team retention and leadership lessons

48:38 Flexibility in the modern workplace

53:50 Final thoughts and connecting with Helen Ward

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

Richard Ward Hair & Metrospa

Website | Instagram

Hellen Ward

Instagram

Episode 236

Most businesses don’t last more than a few years, so if you reach your 10th birthday, congratulations because you’re already one of the lucky ones! However, as the years go by, it’s essential that you don’t become too stuck in your ways because continuous evolution is a foundational principle for any successful business. 

Inspired by an email from a listener, in today’s episode, I discuss what a business rebrand might entail, how to determine whether you need one, and how to approach team members who are resistant to change. 

Change isn’t a choice, it’s inevitable. So, for the sake of your business, make sure you’re changing with the times! 

In this Episode:

[01:22] The email that inspired today’s episode. 

[02:11] Why continuous evolution is essential to remaining relevant. 

[04:44] What a full business rebrand encompasses. 

[07:14] The potential upsides of undergoing a business rebrand. 

[07:34] The potential downsides of undergoing a business rebrand. 

[10:03] Problems that can’t be fixed with a fresh coat of paint and a new website. 

[11:49] Advice for dealing with resistance to change amongst your team. 

[14:13] A foundational value that should be present in any business. 

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 | TikTok | YouTube

Episode 235

As a salon owner, one of the biggest challenges affecting a salon's growth is that first-time clients are simply not returning, with numerous studies showing that after their first visit, 65% of clients are not going back to that same salon a second time.

My guest on today’s episode is Kati Whitledge, who has developed a piece of “matchmaking” marketing software, Mya, that not only assists salon owners in attracting new clients but matches them with the stylist who is most likely to connect with them and, as a result, increase client retention. 

In today’s episode, we discuss: 

• Salon marketing
• Client recruitment and retention
• Mya the matchmaking software

And lots more! 

In this Episode:

[02:27] An overview of Kati’s successful business journey. 

[04:32] How the hair and beauty industry changed Kati’s life. 

[08:08] The evolution of Kati’s marketing software, Mya.

[10:26] A hard truth about client retention and how Mya can change this for your business.

[16:07] Kati explains how Mya works and why it is so beneficial for salon owners. 

[00:53] Why Mya is integrated with point-of-sales platforms. 

[22:27] How Mya impacts salon staff and client retention. 

[24:11] Where Mya is currently available.

[25:03] How Mya clients are marketing the software through their media channels. 

[27:25] Examples of the questions in the Mya Matchmaker Quiz.  

[30:24] Mya for solopreneurs: coming soon! 

[31:57] An overview of the Mya subscription model. 

[32:38] The average return on investment for Mya. 

[33:05] A real-world Mya success story. 

[35:09] A rapid-fire round with Kati. 

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 Kati 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

Mya

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Podcast

Episode 224

For our last episode of 2023, we’re joined by a guest who always brings a unique, highly informed perspective on the hair and beauty industry. There is nobody more fitting to share an overview of the business trends that have come to the forefront over the past year and what the future may hold.

Gordon Miller is the CEO and President of Beauty Cast Network, a platform that connects young people with potential employers, and the host of two podcasts, Mastering Beauty and Social Beauty Makers.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

• The impact AI has had on the salon industry over the past year
• An overview of the various social media apps
• The problem of fake news…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:45] The goal of Beauty Cast Network, the platform of which Gordon is the CEO and president.

[05:08] Why many businesses have downsized since the pandemic.

[09:01] An overview of the employee-benefit environment in the United States.

[14:19] The huge problem of fake beauty news.

[19:12] Pros and cons of some of the most prevalent social media platforms.

[23:33] The social media platform that Gordon is most interested in (and why).

[25:30] LinkedIn’s target audience.

[26:54] The benefits of YouTube for salon industry professionals.

[29:53] Tension between entertainment and education on TikTok.

[33:48] How AI has changed (and will continue to change) the salon industry (and the world).

[41:16] Use cases for generative AI.

[48:30] What the event space looks like post-pandemic and Gordon’s predictions for what it will look like in the future.

[54:00] How the current global chaos is affecting the salon industry.

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 Gordon for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Gordon Miller

Social Beauty Makers Podcast | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook

Beauty Cast Network

Website | Instagram | Mastering Beauty Podcast

The New York Times

The Restaurant Revolution Has Begun

Episode 214

You may have heard the expression, “Where the rubber meets the road.”

I think that it’s used as a metaphor to say, “This is the moment of truth!”

In today's short episode, I talk about the moment of truth in the salon as being the time of engagement between the stylist and the client because that's where everything comes together.

That’s where the training, the salon marketing, the decor, the client experience, and the price point all come together to produce a measurable result.

That result is both an immediate financial impact and the opportunity to have turned someone into a long-term loyal client who continuously adds value to the salon or into someone you never see again.

In this Episode:

[00:42] The expression that inspired today’s episode.

[01:01] Exploring the opposing ends of the quality spectrum of a salon business.

[02:48] The four elements required to create a 5-star client experience in your salon.

[05:43] Where salons commonly fall short in terms of client experience.

[06:24] Where the rubber meets the road in the salon industry.

[07:51] The journey to becoming a successful salon owner.

[09:53] One of the biggest problems that salon businesses struggle with.

[11:25] How to make impeccable service an integral part of your salon culture.

[13:14] Benefits of attending my online Super Stylist Course.

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 | TikTok | Super Stylist Course

Episode 203

At one end of the salon spectrum, you have budget or value salons. At the other end, you have premium or luxury brands. They all serve a purpose, and they all attract a clientele and a team that represents what the business offers.

In a city like London, the luxury end of the market is very competitive, and brands regularly come and go. But occasionally, you come across a business that stands the test of time. The Michael Van Clarke salon in Marylebone is an example of a luxury salon that, after 35 years in business, is going stronger than ever!

My guest on today's podcast is the founder of this iconic luxury brand, Michael Van Clarke.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

• What it takes to create a luxury brand
• The Michael Van Clarke limited liability partnership model
• The importance of training your team…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:25] Michael shares some of the highlights of his 45-year hairdressing career.

[08:30] How Michael curates a luxurious experience in his salons.

[14:46] Prices you can expect to pay for hairdressing services at the Michael Van Clarke Salon.

[16:26] The deli component of the Michael Van Clarke Salon and the value it adds to the business.

[20:20] Lessons learned from Michael’s coffee shop experiment.

[23:31] The importance of carefully considering the titles given to salon staff.

[25:43] How Michael educates his staff about the cultural elements of his business.

[27:44] Apprenticeship to partnership: Michael’s explains how his business model works and the high staff retention rates it has resulted in.

[33:09] Skills that are essential for sustainable success in the salon industry.

[36:09] Michael’s thoughts on work/life balance.

[39:36] The record-breaking number of awards won by the Michael Van Clarke Salon.

[41:23] Michael’s experience of creating a product line and how it has benefited the salon.

[48:04] How the pandemic altered Michael’s approach to marketing.

[50:23] The difference between an industry hairdresser and a client-focused hairdresser.

[53:54] 3“ More Inches; the inspiration behind the name of Michael’s products.

[58:59] The most important lesson Michael has learned during his career.

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 Michael for sharing his insights with me for this week’s episode.

Until next time!
Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Michael Van Clarke Salon

Website | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok |

Episode 201

Despite the changes in the social media landscape, using Instagram effectively is still one of the most important tools to help you grow your salon business!

My guest on today's podcast is Vivienne Johns, a UK-based Instagram expert. At this point in time, being competent (at least) in using this social media channel (alongside the others) is a skill that you can’t afford to ignore.

On her own admission, Vivienne was late to embrace Instagram, but she has certainly made up for lost time and has established herself as a very relatable educator in a fast-moving space.

On this week’s podcast, we will discuss:

• The ever-changing social media landscape
• How people are consuming content today
• How to manage and set guidelines around your salon's social

And lots more.

In this Episode:

[03:13] Vivienne shares the story of her career and her initial thoughts about social media marketing.

[05:18] The moment Vivienne realized she needed social media.

[09:04] Why Vivienne has chosen to prioritize Instagram rather than other social media channels.

[15:33] The benefits of using a variety of social channels for marketing purposes.

[19:46] Why the “post and ghost” approach doesn’t work on social media anymore.

[23:36] How to get the most out of the different social channels.

[27:00] Advice for enhancing the quality of your content and ensuring it is seen by your target clients.

[35:14] Why Vivienne believes engagement is the most important social media metric to focus on.

[39:19] How to create an Instagram aesthetic that showcases your unique brand identity.

[52:02] The importance of having your social media guidelines down in writing.

[52:32] Different ways of collaborating with your team members in the management of your salon Instagram account.

[1:04:09] Vivienne’s motivation for The Hairdresser’s Social Club and the value that it offers to salon owners everywhere.

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 Vivienne 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

The Hairdressers Social Club

Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

Episode 178

If you stopped ten hairdressers in the street and asked them what marketing is, you would probably get ten different answers.

I’m going to guess and say that a big percentage of them would say that marketing is advertising.

And a big percentage of people these days would talk about marketing as being social media.

The majority would also probably say that marketing is about getting ‘New Clients’ into the salon, and perhaps that’s where the problem starts. Because although they are not wrong, marketing is about so much more than that.

In today’s podcast, I talk about what the purpose of marketing really is.

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 | TikTok

Grow 4 Marketing Book https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

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