Salon Stories

Episode 233

27 February 2024

My guest on today’s episode is Mario Verrilli, owner of the Onaré Salon in Mississauga, Ontario, and author of a book titled, ‘The Fall of the Hair Salon and What to Do About It: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Future of the Beauty Salon Industry.’

The salon industry is under constant reinvention, and Mario has many years of first-hand experience with the changes that are taking place. This has led him to learn the invaluable skill of “getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

Some of the challenges that the hair and beauty industry is facing
The importance of creating clarity for your team’s career path
The value of ongoing personal development…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[01:54] A brief overview of Mario’s career trajectory to date.

[02:54] What motivated Mario to open his own salon.

[05:41] Messages that Mario wants to impart to others through his book, ‘The Fall of the Hair Salon and What to Do About It.’

[09:04] How the suite model is faring in Canada.

[13:33] The benefits of working for someone rather than owning your own salon.

[15:18] The business model at Onaré.

[16:34] Mario’s approach to people management.

[21:26] The experience Mario has had working with Gen Z’ers.

[25:37] “Communicating with empathy;” why Mario sees this as the key to good leadership.

[26:55] What Mario wishes he had done differently in his early days of being a salon owner.

[28:48] Mario’s personal development journey.

[31:37] Advice for people starting out their careers in the salon industry.

[34:16] Advice for people who have been salon owners for many years.

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 Mario 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

Onaré Salon

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Book

Mario Virrelli

Email | Instagram

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Episode 232

20 February 2024

Owning a salon business will always come with a multitude of challenges, and when you’re in the midst of a struggle, it’s easy to focus on the negatives, which can very quickly lead you to overwhelm and burn out.

However, if you can change your mindset and start to see the positive side of things, you’re far more likely to overcome whatever hurdles you face.

My guest on today’s episode is Martha Lynn Kale, a salon owner who has grown her business from a 1000 square foot space with 5 chairs and 7 staff to a 4000 square foot space with 19 chairs and 42 staff (and counting!) despite an incredibly challenging economic climate.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

Knowing when it’s time to expand
How to create a team of productive hairstylists
Hiring and creating a culture that no one wants to leave
Developing a personal brand…
Tips for creating a level system

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:08] Martha Lynn’s professional journey to date (and the biggest lesson she has learned over the past few years).

[06:07] The revenue goal Martha Lynn has set for her new salon space.

[08:42] An overview of Martha Lynn’s business model and her approach to employee benefits.

[16:03] Why the staff turnover at Mirror Mirror is so low.

[20:04] The reasons behind Martha Lynn’s decision to expand and the strategy she adopted to do so.

[24:44] The staff structure at Mirror Mirror.

[26:22] The values that inform the Mirror Mirror culture.

[30:51] What Martha Lynn believes young people are looking for when they enter the working world.

[34:04] Martha Lynn’s approach to handling team members who want to leave.

[36:48] What to expect from Martha Lynn’s soon-to-be-released book, ‘Ambitious Stylist.’

[37:53] The importance of building a personal brand.

[40:05] Advice for expanding your client base.

[45:51] Exploring the retail side of Mirror Mirror.

[48:42] How the level system at Mirror Mirror works.

[51:15] Where Martha Lynn looks for inspiration.

[52:09] How Martha Lynn keeps her team motivated.

[54:39] What Martha Lynn is driven by.

[56:05] The flexibility that Martha Lynn has worked into her business model.

[1:00:28] Martha Lynn’s thoughts on the value of coaching and a golden nugget from her coaching experience.

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.

Special thanks to Martha Lynn for sharing their insights with me for this week’s episode. Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Martha Lynn Kale

Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook

Mirror Mirror

Website | Instagram | TikTok | Facebook

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Episode 231

13 February 2024

“Find your why because it will get you through anything.”

The majority of our listeners are salon owners, and many of you are also parents, both of which come with a whole host of challenges and rewards.

My guest today is salon owner and father CJ Morello, and for him and his wife, the work-life balance struggles have been exacerbated by the fact that their two young children are profoundly autistic.

As you will hear today, the journey hasn’t been an easy one, but his inner strength combined with the depth of his love and commitment to his family has resulted in something truly remarkable.

In today’s podcast we will discuss:

CJ’s personal and professional lives
The importance of knowing your “why”
Dealing with the challenges life throws at you…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[02:55] An overview of CJ’s professional journey over the last 6 years.

[09:27] What it means to “know your why.”

[09:58] Some of the challenges that CJ has overcome as a salon owner.

[11:13] CJ’s “why.”

[12:16] How their autism diagnoses have impacted CJ’s children’s lives.

[18:08] Why CJ has a “100 year plan.”

[22:54] The problem with not having a “why.”

[24:02] CJ’s approach to leadership.

[26:19] Reasons that CJ has a waiting list of hairdressers hoping to work in his salons.

[29:17] Examples of how CJ’s children’s diagnoses have impacted his and his wife’s lives.

[33:51] The philosophies and coping strategies that CJ and his wife use to deal with their challenges.

[39:10] CJ’s approach to self-care.

[42:24] The fundraiser that CJ is organising for Giant Steps, his children’s school.

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.

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

Antony

Links and Resources:

Giant Steps

Website | Come Together Fundraiser

AH Salon

Website | Instagram

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Episode 229

30 January 2024

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.

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

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Episode 228

23 January 2024

2024 started off on a very sad note for the hairdressing world with the passing of Angus Mitchell.

Angus was the son of the late Paul Mitchell, who was the co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems.

As someone who had the privilege of having a close working relationship with the company, I was fortunate enough to ‘on occasion’ have spent a little time with Angus, and he was always full of life and love and genuine kindness.

This week's podcast is a re-release of episode 46, which I originally recorded in 2020. I’m re-releasing it as a tribute and thank you to Mr Angus Mitchell. He will long be missed and loved by many.

In this episode, we discuss

Why Hawaii is the spiritual home for JPMS.
The early days of the Paul Mitchell company
The importance of philanthropy and environmental issues.

[02:47] Angus shares memories of his father and why Hawaii is so spiritual to him.

[05:25] He speaks about his father having a strict diet, meditating and doing yoga.

[06:20] Remembering his father's first studios in New York

[07:40] Discussing the company's first significant success, the first sculpting lotion product.

[18:06] Angus speaks about some great hairdressers he was on stage with and how nervous he was during his first show.

[21:30] Sharing his career path as an educator.

[23:50] Angus speaks about opening a salon where he hired people straight out of beauty school.

[26:15] How Angus managed owning a salon while being a co-owner of John Paul Mitchell Systems

[28:41] Being environmentally savvy in Hawaii and how his father lived.

[36:13] Angus discusses how John Paul's daughter Michaeline is now running the company and is just as talented in the business.

[37:35] Angus speaks about the school side of JPMS

[39:43] Angus shares that they are looking for a location for an advanced school for JPMS.

[47:08] Angus is building his father's dream car in his garage even though he doesn't do the work; it's his vision that they are following.

Links and Resources

Grow My Salon Business

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Episode 225

3 January 2024

“Information given without emotion is very rarely remembered.”

So much has changed in the two years since Gianni Scumaci was last on the podcast, including the incredible growth his digital education platform has experienced, his new academy space outside of Rome, and the development of an exciting new app that is sure to enhance the salon experience for owners, hairdressers, and clients everywhere!

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

Gianni’s “heart to hand” philosophy
How digital education is evolving
The soon-to-be-launched MeMo app…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[00:49] Where you can find out more about our online Money Course.

[02:28] How Gianni’s business has evolved and expanded over the past two years.

[07:49] The many benefits that Gianni’s new academy space affords his clients and himself.

[15:33] The “heart to hand” philosophy that Gianni and his wife and business partner live by.

[18:16] Why listening is an essential skill for hairdressing success.

[22:54] Gianni’s definition of suitability.

[23:50] An overview of the soon-to-be-launched app, MeMo, of which Gianni is a co-founder.

[26:44] MeMo’s target audience.

[27:00] How MeMo differs from other salon-focused apps.

[30:41] The value of MeMo for hairdressers and their clients.

[35:54] How the app protects salon owners.

[39:52] How the app enhances hairdressers’ motivation levels.

[42:53] Characteristics that make MeMo’s offerings unique.

[51:47] The cost of a MeMo subscription.

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.

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

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Gianni Scumaci

MeMo

Demo | Instagram | App Store | Google Play | Website

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Episode 223

19 December 2023

The end of the year is a time for reflection, gratitude, appreciation, and most of all, kindness. The single most important gift you can give yourself and others is the gift of kindness.

As we begin to wrap up 2023, we want to wish you all a joyful festive season; one in which you have the opportunity to celebrate your wins, forgive yourself for your mistakes (we’ve all made them, don’t worry!), and make a positive difference in the lives of those around you, whether it’s the clients in your chair, the people on your team, or even a stranger on the street.

I’ll be back next week with our final episode for the year, but until then, have a safe and happy Christmas!

In this Episode:

[00:36] A moment of appreciation for our listeners.

[01:50] The importance of reflecting on the year that is about to end.

[03:03] Why emotions often run high at this time of year.

[04:40] Things to be grateful for this festive season.

[05:41] How you can make a big difference in the lives of your clients and your team.

[06:41] The single greatest gift you can give yourself and others.

[08:29] What to expect from our next episode.

[08:47] A reminder of the free resources you can access on our website.

[09:26] Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday!

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.

Until next time!

Antony

Links and Resources:

Grow My Salon Business

Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

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Episode 222

12 December 2023

The last few years have seen a change in how hairdressers and salon owners access and present education.

Online learning platforms have become a well-established option to complement live education and have the dual benefit of providing quality learning opportunities for people across the globe and expanding the skill sets of hairdressers themselves.

Over the past few months, I’ve interviewed several industry educators who have embraced the online space and today I’m going to be speaking with another; Johnny Othona, the co-founder of Ena, Allilon, and Allilon Plus.

In today’s podcast, we will discuss:

The philosophies that underpin everything Johnny does as an educator
The concept of suitability and whether you can “teach feeling”
How online education is evolving…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[04:22] The meaning behind the names of Johnny’s businesses; Ena and Allilon.

[07:24] How Allilon has evolved since the pandemic (and why evolution is essential for success in the salon industry).

[12:15] The “golden nugget” that will make your business stand out.

[14:17] The benefits of training hairdressers on mannequins.

[15:13] Challenges of conducting online classes and how Allilon tweaked their business model in response.

[16:16] How Allilon one-to-one sessions work and the skills Johnny and his team have acquired as a result.

[18:36] Johnny’s commitment to honesty.

[19:11] Characteristics that make Allilon unique (and an announcement about an exciting upcoming feature!).

[25:07] Allilon’s variety of offerings and an overview of how their digital platform works.

[30:14] Johnny’s definition of a great educator.

[33:28] How Johnny defines and teaches suitability.

[38:54] Why Johnny doesn’t follow fashion.

[47:20] The art form that Johnny is trying to salvage.

[53:20] A rapid-fire round of questions with Johnny.

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.

Special thanks to Johnny 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

Johnny Othona

Allilon

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Episode 221

5 December 2023

The Sassoon brand will be celebrating its 70th birthday next year, and it is as relevant as ever before.

Like many businesses, the last couple of years forced the Sassoon leadership team to reevaluate the way forward because if a business is to stay relevant, it mustn't be afraid to reinvent.

The result is House of Sassoon, a concept that combines different salon models, hair education, ambassador programs, and more under one roof in arguably the coolest part of London.

On this week’s episode, I speak with Sassoon CEO Debbie Webster about the launch of House of Sassoon and how it has breathed new life into the business.

In today’s podcast, we discuss:

The relaunch of the brand as House of Sassoon
How the company has evolved over the past few years
Trends taking place in the hair education space…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:03] An overview of the House of Sassoon launch.

[05:34] How Debbie chose the location for House of Sassoon.

[08:49] The motivation behind the consolidation of the Sassoon salons.

[11:14] Elements that make House of Sassoon such a visionary concept.

[19:25] Debbie’s thoughts on how to ensure your brand stays relevant in the long term.

[21:04] Plans for the future of the House of Sassoon.

[26:59] The complementary relationship between Drybar and Sassoon.

[31:35] Benefits of Sassoon’s online education platform.

[33:55] Trends that are taking place in the hair education industry.

[41:36] An overview of the different Sassoon retail categories.

[45:14] How Debbie sees the salon industry evolving in the coming decade.

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.

Special thanks to Debbie 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 | Episode 102

Debbie Webster

Instagram | LinkedIn

House of Sassoon

Drybar

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Episode 219

21 November 2023

“If you lead an inspired life, it’s a lot easier not to get burnt out.”

The world we live in is overflowing with information, but what we really need more of is wisdom, and wisdom comes with experience.

Geno Stampora has a lifetime of experience in the salon industry and he joins us on the podcast this week to share some of the most valuable lessons that he has learned along the way.

Among other things, Geno is a hairdresser, former salon owner, and motivational speaker and in today’s podcast, we will discuss:

How you can’t solve today’s challenges with yesterday’s problems
The impact that technological advancements are having on salons
Avoiding burnout by living out your purpose…

And lots more!

In this Episode:

[03:56] Geno’s entry into the salon industry and how he made such a success of himself.

[06:08] The timeless philosophies that Geno lives by.

[12:08] Overlooked impacts that the pandemic has had on society and how Geno is helping people overcome these.

[14:36] Value that the salon industry offers its customers.

[15:13] Why adaptability is essential to achieving success in the salon industry.

[19:28] Geno’s thoughts on the future of the self-employment trend.

[22:38] Benefits of “giving 100%,100% of the time.”

[30:19] The purpose that drives Geno and the importance of finding yours.

[35:38] The combination of tools that salon owners should use to stay relevant.

[39:24] Fundamentals of creating a salon environment that retains top talent.

[45:35] How to equip yourself to be able to better handle changes and challenges.

[49:12] Advice for cultivating autonomy amongst your employees.

[51:58] Geno’s approach to continuous self-improvement.

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.

Special thanks to Geno 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

Geno Stampora

Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | X | Email Address

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