Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Antony Whitaker
  • 4.9 (42)
  • FASHION & BEAUTY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever. Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    321 Courage, Culture, and Conscious Living with Rita Marcon

    In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Rita Marcon, whose story perfectly captures the courage it takes to follow your intuition and reinvent yourself. Rita is a former hairdresser who climbed the corporate ladder to become the Australian General Manager for one of the biggest haircare brands before taking a leap of faith to start her own business, I Am Conscious Living. Rita’s journey is full of wisdom about courage, leadership, and self-awareness. We talk about what it takes to leave the comfort of the known, how to stay grounded when everything’s changing, and the difference between leading others and truly leading yourself. Her approach to conscious living and human leadership is something every salon owner can learn from. Whether you’re leading a team, running a salon solo, or just looking to find more meaning and calm in the chaos, this conversation will leave you inspired to breathe, be brave, and lead with heart. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:00] Meet Rita Marcon, from salon floor to global leadership[04:50] Finding the courage to change direction[07:30] Lessons learned from 28 years in corporate life[10:10] Knowing your value and self-worth as a leader[13:00] The role of culture and communication in leadership[17:00] Applying corporate lessons to small business and solo ownership[23:00] Practical ways to bring conscious living into daily salon life[33:00] Preventing burnout and finding balance[36:20] When to follow your gut vs. data in decision making[42:50] A powerful story of resilience and self-leadership[46:45] One conscious habit for every salon owner[48:30] How to connect with Rita and learn more about I Am Conscious Living 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   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW RITA MARCON! Instagram | Website

    50 min

  2. 4 NOV

    320 The Culture-Building Potential of a Staff Christmas Party

    As the end of the year approaches, it's tempting to push for maximum productivity, rush through holiday celebrations, and then collapse in a heap on Christmas Eve and call it done. But I want to challenge that. In this week’s episode, I’m talking about the power of celebration, why your team party isn’t just a party, but a culture-building strategy disguised as fun. I share stories from my own salons, where what started as a Christmas party evolved into something far more meaningful, a night of reflection, recognition, and connection. You’ll hear why celebrating your people is one of the smartest leadership moves you can make, and how simple, intentional gestures can anchor your team culture for the year ahead. So before you dive into 2026 planning, hit pause, listen in, and get inspired to make this year’s celebration something your team will never forget and set your salon up for the year ahead. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:07] Why the end of the year matters for reflection and gratitude[02:00] The evolution of my salon’s Christmas parties[03:13] Turning parties into powerful culture-building moments[04:42] The importance of team culture and belonging[06:13] Creating in-house awards and recognising achievement[07:52] Praise, purpose, and progress, what people crave at work[08:25] Building culture through moments, not KPIs[10:18] A framework for planning your end-of-year celebration[11:17] Creative salon award ideas to strengthen connection 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   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

    14 min

  3. 28 OCT

    319 No One’s Coming to Save You. The Power of Self-Ownership with Blake Dufault

    In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Blake Dufault, whose story is as raw as it is inspiring. From a turbulent childhood filled with chaos and heartbreak to finding purpose through hairdressing, Blake’s journey is one of relentless growth and unshakable resilience. His book I Am_____ captures that journey beautifully, reminding us that our past doesn’t define us, our choices do. We talk about how hairdressing quite literally saved him, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and his powerful belief that no one is coming to save you; you have to choose growth for yourself. Blake also opens up about how his personal story evolved into a mission to make the industry better, leading him to create AIVA, an AI-driven salon management system built to give stylists their time back. This conversation is a reminder that success isn’t about shortcuts or luck; it’s about doing the work you’re avoiding, learning from failure, and never giving up on what’s possible. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and introduction to guest Blake Dufault[02:00] Why Blake wrote his book I Am Blank[06:30] Blake’s tough start in life and the lessons it taught him[09:45] How hairdressing became the turning point that saved him[12:30] Doing the work you’re avoiding – the real key to growth[14:00] The power of taking ownership: “No one’s coming to save you”[23:00] The writing process – ten years of reflection and refinement[26:30] From student to salon owner – building culture and systems[28:45] What successful salons are doing right today[31:00] How AI will reshape the future of salon business[34:00] Introducing AVA – the AI-driven virtual assistant for salons[41:00] Building technology that serves stylists, not the other way around[42:30] Why Blake walked away from social media (and how it worked)[44:30] Where to find Blake’s book and AIVA online 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: I AM - Book by Blake Dufault AIVA - runwithaiva.com   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW BLAKE DUFAULT! Facebook

    46 min

  4. 21 OCT

    318 How to Fix the Leaks in Your Salon Marketing

    This is part three, the final episode, in my three-part salon marketing series, and today it’s all about solutions. If you’ve listened to the first two episodes, you’ll know that the biggest problem in most salons isn’t attracting new clients, it’s keeping them. So in this episode, I’ll show you how to identify where your business is leaking clients, how to use your data to pinpoint what (and who) needs improvement, and how to start fixing it. You’ll learn the key retention metrics to track, how to interpret them, and how to turn those numbers into action, through training, coaching, and better systems. Because the key to sustainable growth isn’t through endless promotions and constantly chasing new clients, it comes from keeping the ones you already have. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome to part three of the salon marketing series[01:00] Recap: what marketing really is and why most salons lose clients[02:00] The Starbucks lesson, “one client at a time”[03:00] Why data is your most powerful marketing tool[03:39] Understanding new vs. existing client retention[05:01] Benchmarks: what your retention rates should look like[06:33] Why individual stylist data matters more than salon averages[07:39] Using data to identify what (and who) needs improvement[08:53] Recap of the three-part marketing framework[12:00] Final message: growth happens one client at a time Want MORE to help you GROW? Online Salon Marketing course enrolment opening 27th October - Join the waitlist for all the info 📚 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: Online Salon Marketing course enrolment opening 27th October - Join the waitlist for all the info   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

    12 min

  5. 14 OCT

    317 Turning New Clients into Regulars: The Missing Link in Your Marketing

    This is part two of my three-part series on salon marketing, and today we're diving into why most salons are reasonably good at attracting new clients but not nearly so good at keeping them. If you listened to last week's episode, you'll know that 60% of new clients never return for a second visit, and only one in ten make it to six visits. Today, I'm explaining exactly why that happens and what marketing really has to do with it. Here's the thing most salon owners get wrong: they think marketing stops once the client walks through the door. But that's actually when the second function of marketing begins. I'm talking about the client experience, the quality of your work, and the relationships your team builds.  If you've been pouring money into advertising but still struggling with retention, this episode will change how you think about marketing forever. Next week, in part three, we'll get into the actual solutions, but today is about understanding where it all goes wrong. IN THIS EPISODE: [01:00] Quick recap of part one: the three functions of marketing[02:32] Why getting clients through the door isn’t the problem[03:20] What the second function of marketing really is[04:12] Two main reasons clients don’t come back[05:19] How to give clients a reason to return[06:31] When expectations don’t match experience[08:51] Why every detail in your salon is marketing[10:04] The role of your team in delivering on your marketing promise[11:12] Wrapping up and preview of part three: the solutions 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: Online Salon Marketing Course - Jump on the waitlist Want to share a photo of where you're listening to this podcast, tag us @growmysalonbusiness or email antony@growmysalonbusiness.com   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

    13 min

  6. 7 OCT

    316 What Most Salon Owners Get Wrong About Marketing

    In this episode, I’m kicking off a brand-new three-part series on one of my favourite topics - marketing. When I had salons, marketing was something I loved, and it even won us a few awards. But here’s the thing: most salon owners completely misunderstand what marketing actually is. So today, we’re starting at the beginning, with the real definition of marketing. I’ll walk you through what I call the three functions of marketing: attracting, converting, and retaining clients. You’ll see why most salons only ever master the first part and how that keeps them stuck on a hamster wheel of constantly chasing new clients instead of building a business full of loyal ones. By the end of this episode, you’ll see marketing in a whole new light, not as something you only do on Instagram, but as everything you do from the moment a client hears about you to the moment they decide to come back again and again. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:51] The question every salon owner needs to answer: What is marketing? [02:16] Three definitions that redefine how you see marketing [03:01] Why most salons are good at attracting clients — but not keeping them [04:16] The maths behind one new client a day [06:13] The “leaky bucket” metaphor for salon marketing [08:51] The real work of marketing happens inside your salon 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: Online Salon Marketing Course - Jump on the waitlist   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

    11 min

  7. 1 OCT

    315 Education, Leadership, and Legacy in the Salon Industry with Kristin Firrell

    In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kristin Firrell, who after more than 40 years in the professional beauty industry, is stepping into the next chapter of her life. Kristin’s story is all about connection, trust, and education. From the very beginning, when Kristin realised that in hairdressing she had found her people, to stepping into leadership roles at John Paul Mitchell Systems, her career has been shaped by authentic relationships and a passion for helping others grow. We talk about the importance of reinvention, why trust is the cornerstone of success, and how education, culture and the client experience will define the future of salons. This is a conversation about legacy, lifelong learning, and remembering that at its heart, hairdressing is always a people business. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction and welcome [00:50] Kristin’s early beginnings and finding her people in hairdressing [09:15] From stylist to educator to corporate leader [13:40] The power of trust and transferable skills [16:20] Going back to school at 43 and the importance of lifelong learning [25:30] What salon owners really need to understand about their business [29:00] Culture, gratitude, and creating great client experiences [31:00] Why education is at the heart of growth and connection [38:00] Advice, wisdom, and lessons from mentors [41:00] Reflections on legacy, authenticity, and relationships [42:30] Closing thoughts and gratitude 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: Paul Mitchell Pro - Instagram Paul Mitchell - Website   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW KRISTIN FIRRELL! LinkedIn

    43 min

  8. 23 SEPT

    314 When Is the Right Time to Expand? Luke Reynolds on Vision, Risk, and Reward

    In this episode, I’m joined once again by salon owner Luke Reynolds, who’s just taken a massive step that so many owners dream about, moving from a 50-square-metre boutique salon into a stunning, purpose-built space. Luke and I talk through the entire journey: the decision to expand, the design process, managing a ballooning budget, and the lessons learned along the way. If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll know when it’s time to grow, or what it really takes to pull off a move like this, you’ll love Luke’s honest insights. From cash-flow pressures to a 75% revenue jump and a 600% growth in colour services, it’s a conversation packed with practical advice and inspiration for any salon owner with big ambitions. IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Welcome and episode intro [01:01] Luke shares the dream of a bigger salon [04:25] Knowing when it’s time to expand [08:50] Planning, design, and the power of a great architect [15:25] Budget surprises and cost-engineering tips [21:58] An eight-week build—how the team pulled it off [24:50] New space, new systems: what broke and how they fixed it [31:24] Competing with the independent model through culture and pay [41:46] Luke’s advice for owners considering expansion [47:46] Growth results and lessons learned after one year [50:16] Wrapping up and where to connect with Luke 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: Check out the stunning transformation of Luke Reynolds Hairdressing over on our new blog! Podcast Episode 301 - Why Salon Culture Starts with Personal Development with Luke Reynolds    👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW LUKE REYNOLDS HAIRDRESSING! Instagram | Website 👉 FOLLOW LUKE REYNOLDS! Instagram

    52 min
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4.9
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

I know that being in business isn’t always easy. Along with the many highs and ‘a ha’ moments it can sometimes be soul destroying, frustrating and a very lonely place to be. Being a business owner is one of life’s greatest educations and it gives you two clear choices, either you continually learn, adapt and grow, or you resist change, stagnate and perish. We live in ever changing and sometimes challenging times, so being informed and constantly inspired is more important than ever. Join Antony Whitaker talking to thought leaders on the business side of the hairdressing industry discussing insightful, provocative and inspiring ideas that matter. Get ready to learn, get ready to be challenged, get ready to be inspired and most importantly get ready to grow your salon business!

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