Independent Stylist + Educator Insights: Amanda Harsche, Forma Collective Salon + Danger Jones
In this episode, we welcome Amanda Harsche, an independent stylist, educator, and content creator from Denver, Colorado to the pod. Amanda shares her journey to becoming a hairdresser, despite initial resistance from her parents, how she built a salon clientele in a small town, authenticity and simplicity in creating content, and her unwavering commitment to making hair education accessible to all. We talk about Amanda’s struggles with mental health, her incredible milestone of achieving six months of sobriety, the importance of self-care as a hairdresser, and the value of a strong support system. You can find Amanda on the socials here and at Forma Collective Salon here. Thank you Amanda for being our guest and sharing your insights, experiences, and wisdom. We LOVE you!
Episode Highlights
Amanda’s Journey to Becoming a Hairdresser
Building a Salon Clientele in a Small Town
Becoming an Educator and Content Creator
Creating Authentic Content
Amanda’s Sobriety Journey
Prioritizing Mental Health and Self-Care
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Your experience matters. We would be so grateful if you shared your experience with our podcast by leaving a review wherever you enjoy your podcasts so others can discover it. It matters to us, and so do you. Thank you- Nina
Salon Owner Insights: Brenda Amaral of Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa + True Hair Education
In this episode, Nina welcomes back Brenda Amaral, owner of Gwen Mireille Salon & Spa in Raynham, Massachusetts, and founder of True Hair Education. Brenda shares her journey transitioning from booth renter to an employment-based salon owner, emphasizing the importance of overcoming fears and regrets. She speaks about her early challenges in leadership and the significance of having mentors. Our conversation dives into True Hair Education’s mission of providing unbranded, fundamental hair color education to empower stylists to make more informed, confident decisions. Brenda also discusses the importance of self-care, healthy boundaries, and continuous learning in her professional journey. You can find Brenda and True Hair Education on the web here and on the socials here. Thank you Brenda for being our guest, we LOVE you!
Episode Highlights
Brenda’s Journey to Salon Ownership
Early Lessons in Leadership
Building a Clientele
True Hair Education
Learning from Mistakes
Overcoming Fear in the Industry
Empowerment Through Knowledge
Combating Misinformation
The Importance of Fundamentals
True Hair Education Programs
Navigating Leadership and Self-Care
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Your experience matters. We would be so grateful if you shared your experience with our podcast by leaving a review wherever you enjoy your podcasts so others can discover it. It matters to us, and so do you. Thank you- Nina
Salon Owner Insights: Sean Paisant of Entrust Hair
In this episode, Nina welcomes Sean Paisant, Owner of Entrust Hair in Portland, Oregon, and seasoned haircutting educator. Sean shares his journey of building, leading, and growing Entrust Hair over the past 14 years, the origins of Entrust, the shift from an employment-based to a lease-based salon model, the importance of focusing on community and connection between clients and other hairdressers in the salon, and valuable insights into building a loyal clientele through offline word-of-mouth and elevated salon experiences. Sean also shares his view of some of the challenges and changes in the salon industry, the significance of having a routine, and finding his rhythm. You can find Sean on the socials here and Entrust Hair here. Thank you Sean for being our guest, and my awesome neighbor, we love you!
Episode Highlights
The Journey of The Entrust Hair Brand
Challenges and Changes in the Salon Industry
Building a Loyal Salon Clientele Through Offline Word of Mouth
Navigating The Rhythms of Family and Work
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Spotify
YouTube Podcasts
Your experience matters. We would be so grateful if you shared your experience with our podcast by leaving a review wherever you enjoy your podcasts so others can discover it. It matters to us, and so do you. Thank you- Nina
Five Questions To Help Create Your Salon Brand Promise
Trust is built on promises kept
From Module 1 of Creating Your Awesome Brand, A Complete Course for Beauty Professionals
What is a brand promise?
• How you solve the problems of the clients you serve
• The experience you deliver
• The expectations you set
• How you want your clients to feel
Different Audiences, Different Promises
When crafting your salon brand story, you likely have more than one audience unless you are a solo independent.
• Employment-based salons
Clients and team members
• Lease based salons
Clients and tenants
Example Brand promise for clients
Your clients may value relaxing experiences because previous salons they’ve been at feel chaotic.
Brand promise for teams
Your team may value working in an environment that is grounded and relaxing because their previous salon was toxic and chaotic.
Five Questions To Help Create Your Salon Brand Promise
1. What does your salon brand experience look and feel like?
2. How does your salon brand solve the problems of your people?
3. What is the expectation you are setting for the experience of your salon brand?
4. How do you want your people to feel?
5. What do you want your people to say about your salon experience?
Having clarity of your salon brand story, which includes your salon brand promise, helps you simplify your decision-making process, make more aligned decisions for your salon business, set clear expectations, and connect with the people you wish to serve, whether it be salon clients, salon teams or salon tenants.
With that clarity, you will save a ton of time you waste not making decisions, or making ones that are not aligned with your visions and goals, have more confidence, and courage, and feel so much more joy.
This is just one of many tools and strategies inside the Creating Your Awesome Brand, a complete course for beauty professionals. Because when you have clarity around your salon brand, you have a strong foundation to make more aligned decisions, save a ton of time, money, and energy, and feel more confidence, courage, and joy. Click here to learn more.
Much love, in service to you-
Nina