[277] [285] While the neurodiversity movement has helped pave the way for a lot of changes in how society thinks about autism and other neurological differences, there is still a lot more work to be done. Isolation, exclusion, and loneliness remain all too common experiences for autistic people. In this heartfelt discussion with Kate Owens-Heins, Founder and CEO of the Sensory Safe Solution (@sensorysafesolution), we explore some of the challenges that autistic individuals face when going to...

[285] How might we increase salon retail sales outside of the often go-to opportunities that are upselling clients while they're in the chair and building an online store? From strategies for creating events that don't just charm but convert to finessing product placement through visual merchandising, we explore an array of techniques to not only captivate clients' attention but also significantly boost your bottom line. With another two reruns in one, we're dishing out all the secrets to...

[284] Ever wonder why some salons can charge the big bucks while others struggle to make ends meet? This episode rerun, featuring salon industry coach David Barnett (High Performance Stylist), is a goldmine for owners looking to nail their pricing strategies. We discuss the elusive balance between cost and value, break down how understanding your break-even point can lead to a thriving, profitable business model, and share wisdom on identifying when your salon (or staff) is ready for a price...

[283] Although numbers can provide valuable insights into an employee's performance, relying solely on figures can be misleading. Without context, numbers are just numbers. In this episode rerun, hear Hellen Ward (@hellenward), industry-renowned hair and beauty consultant and co-founder of Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, discuss the power of a lean KPI approach, the importance of team ownership over these metrics, and the need for recognizing achievements beyond the numbers, ensuring your...

[282] For thirty years, Strategies has set the paradigm for what it means to build a true "Team-Based" salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, or lash studio. They have helped thousands of owners transition from being reactionary and fearful to confident and thriving business leaders. In this 2-in-1 episode rerun, you'll first hear Michael Yost (President) and Dennis Gullo (Certified Coach) share a "road trip essentials" analogy they use to talk about salon finances and numbers, discuss what it...

[281] Employees all over the world are craving better wellbeing, making it a non-negotiable for businesses to tend to. In this episode rerun, you'll hear Life & Business Wellbeing Coach Sonia Magnier's (@soulfully_sonia) take on how wellbeing and wellness play into how we show up at work, how energy doesn't lie, the importance of holding space for one another, how we "should" on ourselves way too much and her tips for inspiring salon teams while fostering introspection and self-care as...

[280] Consumers are looking for two-way dialogues and relationships with brands. Still, scaling real-life relationship qualities within vast online communities remains full of complexity. Through the storytelling of personal experiences, this discussion with industry-renowned expert business coach Britt Seva (@brittseva) explores the essence of authenticity, vulnerability, the delicate equilibrium between private life and public persona and the implications of presenting a filtered version of...

Nina Tulio — industry-leading salon mentor — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer on the day before her keynote at the Salon Owners Summit 2024, which was all about the highs and lows of her career and the five steps leaders need to take to move from a fearful mindset to a confident mindset. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about Nina Tulio: https://ninatulio.com/ @ninatulio Read the transcript and subscribe to the...

Vish, the cutting-edge colour management software, was back as an event partner for the Salon Owners Summit 2024, showcasing how salons can revolutionize colour services in their salon and exhibiting their incredible technology. In this Live From... bonus episode, Tom Bentley-Taylor — Managing Director EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) at Vish — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer to discuss exciting updates coming to Vish in 2024. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit...

Fry Taylor — Co-founder and GM of The Green Salon Collective — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer for a long overdue catch-up ahead of his Salon Owners Summit workshop with Professor Denise Baden on some of the latest solutions coming out of innovative research and organisations for greener salon practices. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about The Green Salon...

David Meade — award-winning researcher and renowned organisational facilitator, business coach and broadcaster — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer to share his thoughts on the Salon Owners Summit 2024 event and discuss some of the actionable changes he spoke about on stage in regard to transforming the way we think, act and behave in business and life. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about David...

[279] Few introverts can claim to have made a name for themselves by facilitating over 250 podcast conversations, but Alex Bélisle-Springer (@a.belspring) is not your typical introvert. As the Global Content Education Lead at Phorest and resident host of the PhorestFM podcast, Alex has made inspiring contributions to the salon community over the past seven years, resulting in various speaking opportunities and content collaborations featured in renowned print and digital industry media. Since...

[279 BONUS] We all have stories to share. Some shape or empower us, and others change our lives — but if there's one thing Alex Belisle-Springer (@a.belspring) has learned from nearly a decade of sharing stories from the salon floor, it's familiarity more than knowledge that colours people's perspectives and allows them to embrace discomfort. Only when we take the time to listen and connect with one another do we open the door to vulnerability, acceptance and long-lasting positive change. In...

[276] In back-to-back episodes with Pepper Pastor (@pepperpastor) — a dynamic professional passionate about collaborating with entrepreneurs, creatives, and tech startups, founder of Purpose & Policy (@purposeandpolicy) and who many may also know from her work as a celebrity hairstylist specializing in fine/thinning hair — we'll be discussing brain-based strategies to improve your leadership and organizational effectiveness and potential. With a solid foundation in neuroscience, Pepper...

[275] In back-to-back episodes with Pepper Pastor (@pepperpastor) — a dynamic professional passionate about collaborating with entrepreneurs, creatives, and tech startups, founder of Purpose & Policy (@purposeandpolicy) and who many may also know from her work as a celebrity hairstylist specializing in fine/thinning hair — we'll be discussing brain-based strategies to improve your leadership and organizational effectiveness and potential. With a solid foundation in neuroscience, Pepper...

... we're back! And with lots to celebrate together — including Phorest's 20th birthday, PhorestFM's 300th episode milestone, more of the Live From… episodes and, of course, plenty more stories from the salon floor to enjoy on your commutes, dog walks, mornings or evenings, with or without your team! To make sure you don't miss a beat this year, subscribe to the Phorest FM email newsletter and follow both Phorest Salon Software (@phorestsalonsoftware) & Alex Bélisle-Springer...

[274] As we gear up for the Salon Owners Summit 2024, Geno Stampora (@genostampora), a visionary, passionate and compassionate leader with broad experience in the beauty industry, sets the stage for an enriching keynote presentation that will foster a fresh perspective on leadership. In this episode, hear his thoughts on what he considers to be distinguishing factors between a good and a great salon as we discuss the significance of building strong client relationships, practising curiosity...

[273] Have you ever wondered why some people are highly allergic to hair dye while others seem immune to its effect? The global hair colour market generated a value of about 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 and is forecasted to reach nearly 42 billion U.S. dollars by 2029. Yet, there is still a blatant lack of standardized policies and protocols when it comes to allergy screening in the industry. Deep dive into the complexities of hair dye allergies with renowned expert toxicologist Dr David...

[272] Adversity comes in all shapes and forms — and it doesn't discriminate. In a slightly different delivery than your weekly PhorestFM episode, business coach Steve Gomez (@saloncoachsjg) will take us on his journey of overcoming pancreatic cancer, underscoring the role of psychological resilience, social support and adaptive coping strategies amid adversity. This episode dives into the essence of shifting mindsets, acknowledging our feelings, and the power of resilience in overcoming not...

[271] Brands such as Vish, Sustain Beauty Co., Ecoheads, Green Circle Salons and Green Salon Collective, are, at this point, all well-known within the global sustainability sphere of the hair and beauty industry. But there's one business, originally known as Affordable Salon Equipment Repair, that began in 1996 as a small beauty equipment servicing business in San Diego, CA, who, years before sustainability was needed for public buy-in, saw a need in the industry for reliable beauty equipment...

[270] For people within the industry wanting to blend their career and giving back initiatives with a global and almost immediate impact, empowering individuals living in conditions of poverty by equipping them with the necessary resources to not only survive but thrive with a career in the salon industry helps them connect to a larger purpose through the universal language of hair. Mandy Pulse (@mandy_saloninspire), the owner of Salon Inspire in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of those people,...

Robert Miraglia — Certified Strategies Coach — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about how he got started with coaching, share some personal stories of salon ownership and give some insight into growing a successful, thriving salon, spa, or medspa with Strategies looks like. Also featured in this episode are Ana & Trent from @RusticSalon and Jessica from Couture Lash Lab. Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz Read the transcript and...

Ariel Sims, Spa Director at Absolutely Fabulous Spa @absolutelyfabulousspa in Frisco, Texas — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about her role within the organization, discuss working with Strategies' coaching, training and systems, and last but not least, the culture shift the team has seen over the past year. Also featured in this episode are Jeff Lingley from @BrushABlowdryBar, Ana & Trent from @RusticSalon & Kelly Swan from @LetEmHaveItSalon. Find out more about...

Katlin Liell-Kok @bbysnakes — Education Director/Manager & Purefessional Colorist at Omagi Salon & Spa— joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about leadership and what she gets out of going to conferences & events like Strategies' Team-Based Experience as well as share some insight into what went into the salon's application for the "No Compromise Business of the Year" award. Also featured in this episode are Amanda Maddalena from AM Salon @a.madd_hairdesigns & Ana...