I’ve been a listener for 2+ years and have listed to the episodes over and over again! Britt and The Thriving Stylist does not disappoint! I do have a question though! I am currently going through a rebrand. I have changed my name from The Blonding Bar to Tehya Rose Beauty, because it was getting confusing for clients as I’m an independent contractor in an established salon. The rebrand has been received well and everyone loves it! However, I’m a total ghost on Google now. Anytime I search hairstylist in *my city* or hair salon in *my city* I don’t show up! At all! I’m wondering if this is why I’m growing slow.. a break in my funnel?? I have 13 reviews currently and a website linked to the google business profile.. what am I missing???

I’ve been a hairstylist for 32 years and a salon owner for 21 technology has been a part of my business from the get-go and I can 100% say that Britt Seva’s podcast and her program our society is the most up-to-date and informative information out there for a hairstylist, looking to grow or scale their business. Thank you Britt you really deliver.

I am in my third year of listening to this podcast religiously. I was a Thriver in the past, took a brief break, and i am back! Britt is so knowledgeable, she teaches based on evidence and research THAT I can get down with. The things I’ve learned from The Thriving Stylist Podcast throughout my journey of becoming a solo salon suite owner are life-changing. The confidence I’ve gained, the knowledge along with the statistical facts behind the knowledge, the community support have all propelled me into being extremely successful. My business grew 124% last year, and I can credit a lot of that to the teachings Britt continues to share. Thank you so much Britt for being consistent, reliable and passionate. I just listened to the latest episode on why pre-booking could be hurting our businesses. I’m totally on board but my burning question is what do we do instead? I’ve only briefly seen some things on clients taking charge of booking online exclusively but I have no idea what the details are. I’m so curious, what do you suggest?

I’ve been a stylist for 28 years and Thriving Stylist is going to change my life. Britt is so easy to listen to and she makes so much sense. I’ve been struggling in a career I love but not had the tools to take care of myself. Thank you Britt and I can’t wait to be in the life I’ve always imagined.

Britt, I LOVE this podcast. I am a Thriver and also take advantage of all of your free education and listen to the podcast often. This podcasts keeps me motivated and keeps going and aiming to really narrow down my brand and have all TM clients in my chair! My question is, how do I nicely let go of my clients who are not my target market? Also, how do I lightly turn away new non TM clients? Thank you!!

First of all I LOVE the podcast. So many free goodies in here and truly stands alone in the industry. I’ve been a thriver before and have since been on maternity leave for the last few years. I do have a question that I hope Britt touches base on in the podcast. I see a lot of discourse on social media especially TikTok regarding hairstylist charging too much and not Being worth their “value.” I then look at the comments and almost the whole comment section-I’m assuming all clients and not stylists-seen to agree. I truly do not understand where all this hate towards hairstylists pricing has taken a turn for the worst.

So enjoying all of your content! Just a couple weeks ago I came across this podcast and have listened to many dozens of episodes now. Feeling inspired and educated by your approach. Very interested in the Thrivers program but since my business model is slightly different than what you seem to coach to, I’ve found myself wondering if I should sign up… So here’s my Podcast questions/ request: Overlap in the salon and spa industry. As salon and day spa owner, I can certainly see how the tools and content you are sharing could very easily span further than just the hair stylists you typically coach to and could benefit estheticians, massage therapists, and nail care providers as well. My curiosity is if your coaching programs could apply to the luxury day spa market as well. My business is about 30% booth rental salon / 70% commission spa. (So my real desire is to scale the spa side of my business). While salon + spa combos are a common business model, I feel like the placement of your business is very intentional intentional about not hitting the spa market. This sparks my curiosity … Does your program ever coach to spa’s? What are the biggest difference you see between the salon and spa industries? Anticipated growth? Challenges? How they scale differently? Business models? I would imagine this is a question you frequently field in your business. So I would really love to hear your high level perspective the rest of the salon/ spa / self care sectors and if your business model could still be inclusive and beneficial to these other “cousins” in the industry.

Originally wrote this about episode 317…… This episode really resonated with me on so many levels. I hit my “pause” in November, December, and part of January. I called it the more popular term “wintering” or “hibernating”. I was feeling bored, down, and just all around not motivated in my business and in my personal life. But I new it couldn’t last forever. So I started catching up on your podcast, and taking some of your free classes. I feel like everything I have listened to I take SOMETHING away from. Your episode 317 also hit home when you mentioned not willing to do the work that makes me uncomfortable. I am not the most tech savvy person, probably like a lot of people in my industry feel, and I listened to you and got a, at least, basic website up. I told myself that was good enough because I didn’t know what I was doing. But now, thanks to your podcast, I am working on it. Don’t judge it yet I am getting things prepared and will hopefully launch soon. It might not even be perfect when I do that but it will be better! But I wanted to thank you. I appreciate what you do and how you’ve helped with me.

I have been listening to Britt for the last 4 years. I started implementing some of the things she coaches to in this podcast and saw an increase in guests and pay. I then signed up for Thrivers and my career has taken off. One of the reasons I love this podcast is because Britt does a great job of thinking out her episodes before recording. They are very to the point and being less than 30 mins helps my squirrel brain stay focused. I wish there were more well thought out industry podcasts because I don’t have an hour+ every week to listen. Time is money and thank you for respecting that Britt!!!

Episode 238 knocked me over. Thank youuuuuu!

I love this podcast! And following on instagram too! Keeps me in check with my goals and what to do and not do. Would really love to learn more about investments (Roth/sep/contributions) once other goals are hit. I feel lost with that part of being a self employed stylist. Look forward to all that is still to come. Thank you!

This podcast has a great way of telling you what many of us are failing at, however she doesn’t explain solutions. It feels like fear mongering, and after I’m filled with internal crisis that I’m doing everything wrong but have ZERO insight as to how to nurture clients, keep up with inflation, build my business. Perhaps she offers the actual solutions in her thrivers society, but I’m not willing to sign up for it because I truly don’t know if she details solutions to any of these problems that she discusses. “Clients don’t care about offering snacks, or a cute decor, or a free gift, everyone does this..it’s not special …they want to feel nurtured.” HOW Britt? I’ve often listened twice thinking I missed something, but no. When you bring up problems weekly on your podcast, but then never offer insight as to how to fix these things… personally, it leaves me feeling frustrated and confused.

Hey Britt! Your episode a couple weeks ago about how prebooking becomes your achilles heel really really hit me hard. Like HUGE wake up call. This really is hurting my business and my mental health. I’m constantly stressed and constantly overwhelmed by the amount of standing appointments I have scheduled. I do not want to sound ungrateful to be busy because I am truly thankful for so much love and support in my chair but it has put me in a very tough position. I was taught to prebook, prebook, prebook and I’m not sure how to go about unteaching myself and my clients this. I definitely have those clients that absolutely want 3pm on tuesday every 4 weeks. Like many other stylist reviews I am uncertain how to make this mindset shift. I don’t want to turn away new clients but I’m only one person and can not keep working the amount of hours I am working, I feel burn out brewing! Please make another episode elaborating on this topic. 🙏

Britt always delivers. The information about shifting mindsets about who’s time is important, how to adapt, and where to focus is stellar. Delivered by a true educator.

Hello!!! I love your podcast! I have listened to almost every episode! I just finished the one with your daughter (she was still in Cos school). I would love to hear how she is doing and where she is in her career!

Thanks Britt for all your teachings! I value your principles and information you provide within the industry. I’ve been apart of Thriver’s, done the Best Year Yet workshop and I have taken the website building class which was extremely helpful. Could you and your team create a workshop class on how to write up a business proposal. How to productively organize and put together a business concept. How to prep for such an endeavor financially (personal savings, loan, investor(s)). I have been in the industry for 14 years and I’ve always said I don’t want to be independent (I love working with a team) but here I am independently and I do really enjoy it. I have also said I don’t desire to open up a salon BUT time after time I visit this salon concept in my head and I wonder, what if? As a stylist I have ALWAYS felt as though I have more to offer than just being behind the chair. As I add more years of experience and knowledge within industry I am trying to plan/figure out what’s next for me. For the first time I am unclear what is next. Maybe diving deeper into the salon ownership world is my ‘what’s next.’ Clearly I’ve proven myself wrong before. Thoughts, opinions, lessons and teachings are much appreciated! Thanks so much!!

Thank you to Brit and her team for being a guiding light in our industry! I’m now at the point in my career where my demand is high, business is booming, but now I feel like it might be TOO much. Two of my clients this past week needed to reschedule and I didn’t have an opening for either of them close to 6 weeks out. Normally I wouldn’t have a problem coming in on a day off to accommodate as I work a 4 day work week, but this year I am prioritizing my health and want to keep my days off if I can. I know you coach against prebooking for this reason, and you also coach again never closing your books and not accepting new clients…. So how do I slow down and make it more possible to nurture my current clients while still staying in the algorithms and not tanking my business? Thanks so much for your time! Xo, Melissa

Hello Britt! Love the podcast, been listen for a few years and have subscribed to Thriving Stylist method and seen RESULTS. I’m excited to see you in May in Chicago and continue learning more. I know that the industry as a whole says we’re so over saturated with industry educators. But my dream since 2018 was to become an industry educator. I’m finally in the space, have the finances, the time, and the resources to really begin educating. I’m just wondering how you would recommend new educators navigate our changing industry, market ourselves to stand out, and have long term success?

I love your podcast. I really love your insight on the industry. I’m a behind the chair salon owner in Northern California. (Sonoma County)I’m booked 6 weeks out ish.. here is my question, I’m having trouble with my stylist that graduated during Covid. She is a booth renter, that we have hand fed clients for the last 4 years. But she doesn’t have a full clientele yet. I was so burnt out from the pandemic that I take responsibility for not giving her the basics for retention. So fast forward to today, she’s basically mad at me she’s slow now. I’m trying to explain to her how it works, she doesn’t listen. I don’t know where to go from here.

Hi Britt, I love your take on Gen Z & I agree I think they are something truly special and I learn from them everyday! My experience with Gen Z stylists has been their struggle to market themselves and grow a book of business. I want to help them with this and market to new clients from the salon for them. What are some ways you would market to new clients without discounting their first visit?

Hi Britt! I just wanted to reach out to say THANK YOU! I have implemented your Website Academy 2.0 along with the Thriving Stylist Method and Scaling Stylist Method. I have only been a salon suite owner for two and a half years and my business is flourishing! I had a 25% increase in one year! I know there are so many more things I have to work on and improve in my business but you truly helped me build a solid foundation. Again, thank you! It’s a lot of work to keep a business thriving and you’ve helped me tremendously.

I love listening to this podcast but I don’t agree with the thirsty hungry newcomers to the industry. I know people trying to recruit at beauty schools and they are hearing each new class is getting smaller and smaller. I agree with the consumer behaviors but not the new stylists coming. But hope they do!

Brit, you are wonderful and we are so grateful for all of your help!! My business partner, and I have been following you for three years now! We have started a very successful Salon with your guidance and are now working through the thriving leadership course! After listening to your end of 2023 podcast this week, we are stuck on the question of wether pre-booking should continue on our books or not. We are both currently booked out about eight weeks with a waitlist. We understand that pre-booking so far out is hurting us, however, we are unsure how to go about ending it/changing the method. Our fear is that if we do not pre-book our guests before they leave, they will have trouble getting in later, or people will go online and book their appointments out anyway. Any insight you have for this would be so so appreciated! Xoxo

I’m so grateful I listened to this podcast. I have seen consumer behavior changing in my business, and now I know where to focus. I joined Thrivers Society this year and I’ve never felt more confident in my business strategy. Thanks Thrivers Society Team!

So thankful Britt was born. She provides Incredible information for hairstylist's that hasn't been available until these last few years. We finally have the information to ‘run a business’ and not just ‘do hair’. Id love to know more about how to get started with AI. Yet another thing that will be terrifying to use until Britt breaks it down.

I’ve been doing hair for 14 years, and the last 5 specifically made it seem like tiktok and instagram are the only ways to build more clientele. I was trying to accept that this was as good as it gets. But after this past episode i definitely feel i am more in control of my business and it’s not just an online presence. I would love more insight on how to truly stand out from other stylists. How to create an better experience for my guests.

I love your podcast! I’ve been listening for three years now, and I’ve learned a lot throughout the years. I just opened an employee based salon I was at a salon suite for almost 4 years I outgrew the space. With that being said, I only hire W-2 employees, hourly and commission. My hourly staff is assistants in training to become commission stylists. My current commission employee only comes to work when she has clients. My concern is she doesn’t feel that she needs to help with duties such as cleaning for example, laundry, sweeping trash. She feels that those duties belong for the assistants they get paid hourly. How should I address this? I want all of us to feel like a team it’s a small boutique salon and a little help goes a long way. When my assistants are busy helping me, it would be helpful if my commission stylists would help out with light cleaning duties to keep the salon tidy. I offered to of course pay them hourly for staying to clean a bit after they finished their clients for the day but that doesn’t change anything.

I’m so happy that this podcast was one that was recommended to me by a friend. I have listened to so many podcasts and this is my favorite industry specific one. Britt is real, down to earth, and just a day it like it is type of girl. I would love to hear the type of things we should be tracking on a regular basis (KPI’s.) I track quite a few things but recently have decided that maybe I am focusing on the wrong areas. Please help!

I was wondering what your thoughts were on taking care of co-workers clients while they’re on vacation/maternity leave/sick leave. My coworker and I are certified in different extension methods. While she was on vacation, she texted me that 2 of her clients need to come in to get their end beads fixed. She recently did my extensions and another coworkers extensions and we are having the same problem as the clients. Is it wrong of me to try to poach them and convert them to a method I feel is better for them??

Brit, I hope you see this because I desperately need your guidance. I will try to keep this simple and as straightforward as possible. I worked in an upscale departmentalized commission salon for 6 years. Management unfortunately severely micromanaged and lacked leadership, so slowly colorists and stylists left the salon. Eventually I couldn't take it either and left with 3 other girls where we became booth renters (2 stylists & 1 colorist). It was great because we were able to own our businesses but still work side by side with each other like we did at the commision salon. We have been at this booth rental together for 7 years. Business as been good but not at the level where I thought I would be at this point of my career. I found myself lost and didn't know what to do. After Googling and researching how to grow my business, I stumbled across your podcast. Everything you coach to hit home and I HAD to become a Thriver. Ever since joining, I revamped my website through Website Academy, rebranded my business and now have a clearer vision of where I want to go. I have only been a part of Thrivers for a short time and I already see a glimmer of hope. I cannot wait until I am further into the program and see where my career takes me. With that being said, I have invested my time and money on building my business but the girls I work with, don't have the same drive. I'm starting to get resentful because the more I'm zoned in on growing my business, they benefit from it since we share clients. They don’t do anything to change or evolve. They don't even have a website or consistently show up on social media. When I grow, they grow because they cut and I color. They complain about the same thing with their businesses but they don't seem to want to do anything about it. Recommended your podcast/program and provided suggestions on how we can better network to enhance our businesses. However, they strictly see that they are OWN businesses and they have no desire to build a culture together. Which is unfortunate because I feel like we would kill it if we were on the same page. Not to mention I LOVE the owner of the salon but she lacks updating the space and the little she does to spruce up the place is done very cheaply and clients are starting to notice. This is ruining my brand that I have worked so hard for. ​I MIGHT have another opportunity 6 minutes away from the salon I am currently at with another salon that provides booth rentals. So far she has many perks you coach to like, a week free rent for vacation, reduced rent for maternity leave and extra amenities for my clients. Her space is also so my vibe and I can tell she just cares more. If this works out I'm worried i'll lose my clients because it is very convenient for them to get a cut and color back to back instead of making two separate appointments. I'm also worried it will cause tension among the girls I work with because it's going to affect them in some capacity too. I don’t know how to tell my clients about the move if I decide to do so and avoid putting them in an awkward position. I mentioned this opportunity and suggested we move together but they aren't too receptive or open to the idea. I just feel like I'm being held back and I don't want to ruin what I already worked so hard for. HELP!

I’m a struggling salon suite owner in Chicago. After listening to your podcast and being a thriver for years I’ve morphed into an aspiring salon owner. I currently own a salon suite in salon lofts in an area of town recently voted one of the coolest neighborhoods in the city. But I’m struggling to hire. After listening to podcasts on what new stylists want I check most of the boxes EXCEPT ENVIRONMENT. MY suite is gorgeous. I built it out to three chairs, and I’m always getting compliments. Even the landlord brings potential renters by my space. But it’s still a suite. And I’m gathering that students want a salon. I was hoping to build a team before locating a space. In Chicago, I’d like to make the investment to own over rent a store front. I figure if I’m going to pay the taxes, utilities, AND rent (as most leases go) it may as well be an investment in property and I should own it! But everyone said build the team before the space. Padding the #’s of the business will sweeten the deal on the loan. Now I’m not so sure. Especially when environment is so important to students. Now that Freddie Mac has sweetened the deal on putting only 5% down on commercial properties, I’m wondering what comes first, the team or the space? If I build it, will they come? Or should I stick it out in an overpriced suite until I have the team?

Britt, Back in 2018 I started listening to your podcast. It was pure gold 6 months later I signed up for Thrivers, and it has been magic in my business. I scaled in my salon suite and opened a salon 3 years ago. You always have the right topic to talk about at the right time and I love how I can search back to refresh on something. These are great and I hope they never stop!

Hey Britt! Do you have any episodes on how to start your own retail product line? It has always been a career goal of mine and I’m ready to make this dream a reality…I just don't know where to start. I have done some light google research but wanted to know if you had any insight on this topic! Thank you!!

10/10!!! Thank you for helping our industry

Hi! I’ve been listening for a few years and this has opened my eyes to soo much! I know you pull inspiration for podcast epidsodes, I’ve been at my salon for about 7 years, since the pandemic it seems like the Salon owner doesn’t care and has a lack of drive/passion. There has been talk of new services but no commitment. I’ve talked to them and expressed my frustration but nothing has changed. My guests have noticed and I’ve lost lots of clients l, plus my books look like they did when I first started doing hair. I feel like the salon is holding me back and I'm ready to leave

I have been listening to your podcast for a few years now and I have learned so much from you. I was also just at the Vagaro conference you just spoke at, and you were amazing 👏🏽 I know you sometimes use these questions for podcasts, so I thought I would ask you about some problems I’m having, in hopes you can help! I own a booth rent beauty studio. Many of the stylists used to be employees, but we made the switch to booth rent a few years ago. I have 3 people on my team out of 13 that are fully booked. The other stylists are partially booked or have only a few clients per week on their schedule. I have noticed they have a hard time retaining clients. I have given them the option to be on our online booking on Vagaro, and I would estimate that 85% of their clients come from online bookings from my website. It pains me when stylists get a new booking from Vagaro, and that client comes once or twice and then never comes back again. I also struggle with the way clients don’t see the stylists as individual business. they see them under my brand, or think that they are my employees. so If a client is unhappy with the stylist, they are ultimately unhappy with my business, and I have received complaints where the client expects me to make it right. There are benefits of having them on our Vagaro: it is helpful to track data, keep an eye on client retention and if renters are cancelling /moving clients around a lot. it’s a benefit from a renter perspective because in addition to getting an influx of new clients online, they also can book clients on team members schedules if they go out of town. Am I being too generous by letting stylists be on my booking site? Does it make confusing from a client perspective when booking ? They think they are booking with my brand but it’s really a stylist just renting space at my salon. Do you think it would be reasonable to charge a referral fee for every first time client that I book for a renter ? I have considered doing this or charging a higher monthly fee to be on my Vagaro. I know our culture & atmosphere/environment is strong , but the online bookings are also a major draw for them. We are technically a booth rent salon but kind of acting like a commission salon (as I am doing a lot of hand holding and giving so much guidance) I am happy to help them grow, but I also don’t feel like I’m being compensated properly for the amount of hand holding I’m doing and clients I’m giving to them.

Hey Britt! Absolutely love your content and teachings! You’re wisdom has helped guide me from being in a commission salon for 9 years and recently made a fun life move and now doing really well in my home studio suite! I’m 8 weeks preggo and I know how my leave went last time being in a big salon, I was able to refer my clients to fellow stylist while I was away then when I returned most came back & then I gained some new clients it was great. Now that I’m working by myself how would you recommend I go about taking my 3 months of me story leave pre-booking wise? I’m ok with returning more part time and slowly going back into full time by the time my baby is 12-18 months. I know I will lose some clients this way and I’m ok with with that but how would you recommend I strategize the clients I don’t want to lose? Where I’m located there’s a huge demand for what I offer so I know when I want to go back to full time I won't have a problem gaining clients again, like you said before if I’ve done it once I know the steps to get there again. Those first few months and year with baby is so precious so I’m not focused on being a work horse at that time but I also don’t want to neglect my business and good clients that I want to keep with me. Just wondering your thoughts! Thank you 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

I have only been in the extensions scene for a few years. I offer most techniques and have been certified by several brands. I’ve narrowed it down to mostly offering hand tied/machine and hybrid wefts, as well as keratin bond and micro bond extensions. My extensions clients are only about 15% of my business, which is fine with me. I’ve had several clients in the last few months complaining about excessive shedding. It seems to be a real issue, as big as the issue of matting in my opinion. One of those clients had several different colors of wefts layered in a row. When I removed them to reinstall, the top weft (which had been a brunette) had completely disintegrated. All that was left was the seam with two very small tufts of hair on each end. Whaaat?? Luckily I had some leftover hair in that particular color to replace the weft, but the next time I saw her the same thing had happened on another row. It made me question if they had a defective batch. I also had another client complaining of excessive shedding almost immediately after installing her new hair. She sent me pictures almost every time she washed her hair. I’m very frustrated and was considering a brand change before I listened to this podcast. Now I’m more concerned than I was before, as it sounds like it may be happening everywhere and within all of the brands!! Are they truly trying to make us replace hair every 6 months now? I can tell you that when I tell my clients that they now have hair meant to last 6 months instead of 12, they aren’t going to be happy. I feel as if I’m going to lose their confidence and trust. Thank you for addressing this, Britt. Hopefully airing this dirty laundry in public will make the manufacturers step up to the plate and address this issue, or at the very least explain the situation and circumstances regarding the decline in the quality of their wefts. As always, Britt, your podcasts are timely and on point. Excellent! 💗

I used to worry about having my best week ever. Not in a million years did I even consider having my best year ever! I started with the podcasts and listened for a little over a year, then I signed up Thrivers. Then I signed up for website Academy, I am slow at technology and a bit of a perfectionist so it took me about 3 1/2 months to finish my website. Only to figure out that I actually loved doing it, thanks to Britt Seva. I recently sat down to look at my numbers and realized I have surpassed what I made last year and still had four months left in the year. I didn’t even know I was missing this in my business. I have been behind the chair since 2002 and never in my wildest dreams thought I could do this well. I definitely think I will win this year with six figures. If you don’t know where to start in this program, start here! If you’ve already started here, and don’t know what steps to take next join thrivers. It has been the best investment I have made behind the chair. Thank you Brett Shiva, and your team of amazing people for believing in all of this.

I know you touched on how very few stylists mentioned wanting to teach methods but this is absolutely a concern to me. There is an overwhelming number of methods out there, I myself have paid several thousands of dollars in two major methods at this point. My frustration is that so many of these method techniques overlap but it feels like they all want to monopolize their education. It’s incredibly weird and honestly feels very culty sometimes. I work as an educational associate program director at our salon and I would like to support, incentivize and even attract new stylists to our salon who are eager to learn how to do extensions using multiple techniques that exist within MANY different methods. I’m even willing to lose my certification to do so if it means building and fostering an actual materialized community within our salon with a team who’s eager to learn a variety of different techniques. I’d like to clarify, I have no intention of claiming I teach a specific method. I see many mixed methodology educators online who I know for a fact have been educated in some of these methods (they don’t disclose which ones but it’s not hard to tell) but have adapted and expounded on them and offer subscriptions to their education. Seems like our local salon should be able to market extension education just like we would market any other in house education. Id really like to not get sued though. I know you can’t give legal advice, I guess I’d like some perspective and advice. I really don’t feel like my intentions or desires to support and build our salon utilizing multiple techniques is wrong. I can’t begin to tell you how trapped I feel and it frankly feels really gross to me. Help! I’d appreciate it! Love love love your perspective and your podcast! Gives me life!

Truly substantial advice. I absolutely love how incredible valuable this podcast is! I have been in the industry for 30 years. I am successful behind the chair. Brit made me even more successful, she actually knows what she is talking about! So grateful for this pot cast! Just what I needed to hear !

As an Extension Stylist, I was intrigued to listen to your take on such a hot topic in this segment of our industry and Britt, you did not disappoint🙌🏽 Love know that you listened to the stylists concerns and you delivered your view in such a matter of fact way(as you always do) and I very much appreciate that. Thank you for always being so encouraging of our industry as a whole and bringing up the latest issues/concerns and delivering the facts. 🫶🏽 Ada Hagggard

Hey Britt! I opened a salon with a friend almost one year ago. The space is incredible, the stylists are amazing (learned so much from thriving leadership as I was opening) and business is booming. BUT the relationship between me and my friend is going down…fast. We are 50/50 partners and have a legal contract for us too. Legally we are ready for whatever. But honestly I’m miserable. I’m more business oriented, looking towards the future, setting goals, and she is not. At all. A part of me hoped I could encourage her and mead by example, but her negative attitude and energy (even in front of clients) has me anxious every time we work together. This salon is my dream and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep it afloat, but at what cost? I have the option to buy her out plus some, and she couldn’t afford to do the same to me. I’m stuck and struggling. Any advice?

I have listened to you for years and get so much knowledge and motivation from you. I have been in the industry for 14 years and almost feel lost with the "new ways" of the Salon world. I would love to get an assistant, but not sure how or what assistants expect. I know you've done a podcast on that but can you go more in depth with the business side of it. IE: legalities, how to pay, expectations ect. I can't wrap my brain around the employment side of it

I love your podcast so much. I know that you’re doing a partnership with Vagaro now. We used Garo currently. I just wonder why you can’t search for appointments with some sort of filter. For example, if a client needs Mondays, why can’t I just look at Mondays? Or a certain time of day. I hope that makes sense and you are doing well. Thanks for all you do.

5 stars for the 5 years I’ve been a Thriver! My question…I’m having a hard time knowing when to put the cap on purchasing items my team is wanting. My product cost has gotten a little out of hand. While still within my budget, it’s beginning to be more about waste at this point then it is over spending. I have a hybrid salon with 6 renters, and 7 employees. Our salon is busy and I’m grateful! But it seems like every time I turn around I’m placing a new order with different then the last time items. I don’t want to deny them the things they need to perform their job at the best of their ability I just don’t want to go over board either. And I don’t know how to address this with them without making it seem like money is short. I’m just not into waste, or even having SO MANY options. I’ve done the financial reset course, and the 8 week color cleanse. Created a par, order based on par. I just feel like I’m missing something. Can you give any suggestions? TIA -Jen

Brit! You are incredible- It’s as simple as that. I just heard your amazing podcast on last-minute cancellations. I get so many of these and I just had a client cancel because (get this) she can’t afford it and gave me less than 24 hours notice. I was honestly disappointed/upset because now it puts me in a spot with absolutely zero regard for my end . When I have to cancel clients due to illness close to their appointment or also within my policy I have felt obligated and given them an add on complementary service even though I often times waive their fees for “them.” I almost walked out of my own business today I literally said I can’t do this anymore. I am quirky and fun and also serious and I feel like nobody takes me serious. It’s hard to connect with people when you feel like the effort of trying to create a genuine connection doesn’t matter at the end of the day, whether they burn you, NO SHOW/GHOST left you on (READ) etc. I’m just starting to feel like throwing in the towel. I’ve been doing this for 17 years. I’m also burnt out because I’m talking all day to my clients while waxing and I’ve started letting them know it’s hard for me to focus and talk at the same time. I try to make them feel comfortable and let them know it’s OK to relax and zone out. I know it’s standard to talk but for me, it drains me to the point where I can’t talk to my husband after work. My job is a very fast paced anf physical like all of our jobs and requires a lot of concentration (for me). Lastly, I just moved into a new space after 10 years at my old location which took a a lot of final decision, making before I left my old spot. I love this new spot. It had no competitors nearby. I live in a tiny town, and then my new landlord put a competing business that charges 20-40% less than I do right next-door to me in a very small town. COOL! I feel like I have no idea what I’m doing. I can definitely use help. I’m starting to wonder if I’m in the right job or if these are normal concerns to have thank you so much Brit.

This podcast is so informative and never a waste of time. Britt gets straight to the point. Her information is always backed by extensive research and rarely just her opinion. I love it! Britt, I’m curious if you could do a podcast on choosing a product line for retail and back-bar. My salon is considering Aveda, but I’d be curious if there is a strategic strategy for this decision. Thank you ❤️

I have been listening for years to your podcasts and also did your program and website Academy. Thank you! I did all this during the 2 years it took for my new salon to open(yes 2 years!) anyways, that’s another story. I have been open since January 10th and I love it. I love going to work every day and my book and clientele is thriving! My problem is hiring. I thought I would build this beautiful space, in a great location and change up the commission structure and stylists would be flocking to me. It’s just not the case. Not one stylist with any clients has interviewed so I am carrying this 5 chair salon alone. I hired a new stylist to train but 6 Months in she still seems to lack the confidence to really do hair. And I hired another stylist that isn’t new but new to the area and I am struggling to get guests in her chair. I am grateful I do have a great book so I can keep it afloat as long as possible but I haven’t paid myself at all because I’m just putting it back in the business. I know there are stylists out there unhappy at there salon that want to be part of a team. How do I find them?!

Britt, you are an amazing educator and host and I am so thankful you put these business snippets out there for us to learn from. I would love to get your thoughts on the Amazon affiliate program as a way to earn commission on products. I know you say retail isn’t dead, and while I believe that is true, things have definitely changed. With many top brands now being in big retail stores and distributors, is it best to follow suit and still earn commission if you can? I am an independent stylist in a booth rental salon, but is this something I need permission from my salon to do as it would take away from me selling in salon?