Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Antony Whitaker
  • 4.8 (45)
  • 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. 5 days ago

    360 The Numbers Don't Lie

    One of the bigger challenges the salon industry has always faced is getting reliable data. Fortunately, that is changing for the better, and today I break down a new industry benchmark report that has been put together by leading salon management software brand Zenoti. You'll hear why client retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth, what's really behind falling new client numbers, and why one number, utilisation, might be the biggest opportunity sitting inside your business right now.  In this episode, I pull out the numbers that actually matter, the ones that tell you something real about salon industry benchmarks and business trends so that you can stop guessing and start knowing how your salon is performing.  IN THIS EPISODE: Why new client numbers are falling across every part of the industry, and why that's not automatically your faultThe client retention approach that's driving almost all industry growth right nowWhy salons with membership programs are growing four times faster than salons without oneWhat calendar inflation really means, and why 72% of first rebooked appointments never happen as planned EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction  [00:25] Why "is that good?" is the wrong question to start with  [01:47] The moment benchmarking changed how I ran my own salon  [04:07] Numbers are facts, not feelings  [06:59] Same salon revenue is still growing despite the uncertainty  [07:56] New client numbers are falling across every sector measured  [09:16] Why retention, not marketing, is driving industry growth  [11:39] Membership programs and the eight percent growth gap  [13:13] Calendar inflation and the 72 percent rebooking problem  [15:40] Where AI actually helps, and where it doesn't  [17:15] The 30-point utilisation gap between average and top salons  [20:00] This week's challenge: 30 minutes with your own numbers RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The 2026 Beauty and Wellness Benchmark Report by Zenoti: Download the free benchmark report here Want to see how your business compares? Head to the Zenoti benchmark scorecard Enter your numbers to see where you stand against industry benchmarks. Interested in a personalised consultation with Zenoti and 50% off for the first 3 months. 👉Head here to arrange a personalised consultation   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW ZENOTI! Instagram | Website THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY ZENOTI 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

  2. 4 Aug

    359 Two Salons, One Family, 25 Staff with Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman

    Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman own the Tribe Salons group in London and Kent. In this episode, we discuss what it takes to build a successful family salon business and how they've evolved their employee-based salon culture to meet the expectations of today's workforce. You'll hear how they've built communication and shared values into the way they lead their team, why they moved away from a traditional commission-only pay structure, and how learning to manage cash flow gave them the confidence to invest, expand and finally feel in control of the financial side of the business. IN THIS EPISODE: Why clear communication and shared core values matter How different learning styles shape the way you train your team, and why one teaching style never works for everyoneWhy a pay structure based only on commission can work against the business you're trying to buildHow a cash flow forecast turns "we just need to make more money" into an actual planWhy entering awards and competitions can have a bigger impact on your business than chasing a larger social media following EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction  [00:47] Meet Billy Ryan and Elle Foreman from Tribe Salons  [01:41] How Tribe Salons grew to two locations and 25 team members  [03:23] The pros and cons of running a business with a sibling  [07:39] Bringing in new ideas while an older generation resists change  [12:55] The top things that make a family business work  [17:29] Why Tribe is built as a fully employed salon, not chair rental  [21:31] How a ten-year age gap changed the way they train their team  [30:00] How the GMSB courses shaped their business decisions  [32:48] The cash flow forecast that changed everything financially  [40:16] Why they rebuilt their pay structure around more than commission  [45:33] What hairdressing awards have done for their business and their team RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: GROW Business School - The complete blueprint for building a successful salon business - Courses, Coaching and Community Money Course – A step-by-step course covering cash flow forecasting, pricing and financial control for salon owners – Find out more  👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW TRIBE SALONS! Instagram | Website 👉 FOLLOW ELLE Instagram 👉 FOLLOW BILLY Instagram 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

  3. 28 Jul

    358 Seven Lessons on Education Every Salon Owner Needs to Hear

    The way hairdressing education is delivered has changed dramatically since I started in this industry, and it will continue to evolve as new technology emerges.  In this episode, I talk about those changes and the impact it has on salons, trainees, standards and productivity. And I ask the question I think salon owners are wondering: “What does the future of education look like and how will it impact the way I run my business? I explain why information has become cheap while experience has become more valuable than ever, and why that changes what you should actually be looking for in education. I also share seven practical lessons on building a culture of learning, why you need to be training apprentices who contribute quickly, and staying ahead as the industry keeps moving. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why information has become cheap while real experience has never been more valuableThe real reason AI won't replace great educators, and how it exposes the poor onesWhy your apprentices should be productive within six months, not left to find their feet for yearsThe difference between being a great hairdresser and being a great teacherWhy you can't rely on colleges or government training programs to finish the job for youSeven practical lessons on education every salon owner needs to hear IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction  [02:19] Antony asks the big question: where is salon education heading next  [03:15] How live seminars and academies defined the early years of education  [04:00] The internet and social media put educators in everyone's pocket  [05:07] The moment Antony realised business education mattered more than technical skill  [06:23] Why salon owners started asking about branding and leadership, not just hair [07:41] How COVID forced the whole industry to learn online almost overnight  [09:00] What actually separates a genuinely good coach from a mediocre one  [10:36] Why online retail during COVID changed manufacturers for good  [13:05] How artificial intelligence is reshaping salon education right now  [14:04] Why information is cheap but real experience is priceless  [17:29] Antony's seven practical lessons every salon owner needs on education  [21:12] The one thing that never changes no matter how the industry evolves 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

  4. 21 Jul

    357 The 4 Disciplines Behind Every Salon Success Story

    Most salon owners already know what they should be doing to build salon success. They know they should raise their prices, have the tough conversation with an underperforming team member, or get on top of their numbers, and they still don't do it.  After more than 30 years working with salon owners in dozens of countries, I've watched the same four disciplines show up in every real success story, and none of them are a shortcut. I break down the four words I believe underpin real success in this industry, whether you're behind the chair or running the business. You'll learn why mastering them matters more than chasing the next new idea, and what separates people who talk about change from people who actually make it happen. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why information on its own has almost no value anymore, and why most people still don't changeThe first discipline every master of any craft, hairdressing or business, never outgrowsWhy mastering the fundamentals of your salon's finances matters more than any new marketing hackThe difference between doing something once and true implementation, and why real mastery looks effortlessWhy innovation only works once you've earned the right to it through masteryWhy endurance is the discipline that separates the real success stories from everyone else IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction[00:51] Why knowing what to do isn't the real problem[02:21] The four words that underpin every success story[03:34] The first discipline: mastering the fundamentals[05:08] The Guido Palau lesson on practising at the very top[06:38] Why salons fail without understanding the financial fundamentals[07:00] The second discipline: implementation[09:00] The third discipline: innovation[10:36] The fourth discipline: endurance[11:30] The mentor who embodied endurance more than anyone[13:00] Recap: the four disciplines that build lasting success 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/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Episode 40 with Guido Palau – Find out moreEpisode 41 with Guido Palau – Find out more Episode 229 with Annie Humphries – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 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

  5. 14 Jul

    356 Brand Promises, Team Agreements and Difficult Behaviour with Nina Kovner

    Every salon owner has dealt with a difficult team member who is brilliant one week and impossible the next, leaving the whole team tiptoeing around them. Most owners have no idea whether to show compassion or hold the line, especially when a health issue might be part of the picture. This week, I talk to leadership coach Nina Kovner about handling it without making it personal. Nina breaks down the difference between compassion and excusing bad behaviour, and shares the three-step process to decide when and how to step in. You will come away with language you can use in the moment, a clearer sense of where your responsibility as a leader starts, and a plan for protecting your whole team's culture. IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL LEARN: ✅ Why most difficult team behaviour comes down to unclear brand promises and agreements, not personality ✅ How to separate the behaviour from the person so conversations stay objective  ✅ The pause, process, proceed method for deciding when and how to address an issue  ✅ Where the line sits between showing compassion and excusing harmful behaviour  ✅ How to build psychological safety so your team will actually tell you what's going on  ✅ Why letting one person's behaviour slide damages trust with the whole team TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction  [01:24] Antony's story about a stylist struggling with PMDD and her team  [04:33] Where salon owners go wrong when behaviour becomes a problem  [06:17] Separating a team member's behaviour from who they are  [07:33] Holding high standards while still genuinely caring about people  [14:17] Why health issues do not excuse harmful behaviour at work  [16:41] The difference between showing empathy and making assumptions  [18:09] Building psychological safety so your team feels safe to speak up  [25:21] Deciding whether to deal with behaviour now or later  [25:52] A simple three-step method for handling difficult conversations  [28:42] Why letting one person's behaviour slide is unfair to everyone else  [37:19] Advice for salon owners nervous about discussing women's health issues [42:14] Nina's rules for leading through emotionally difficult situations 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 NINA KOVNER! Instagram

  6. 7 Jul

    355 Why Your Bank Account Never Matches Your Profit

    Most salon owners can rattle off a client's colour formula from three visits ago without blinking, yet ask what their actual profit margin was last year and you'll get a shrug. In this episode, I break down what profit really is, why it gets confused with your own wage, and why accountants often have a dozen different names for the same numbers. You'll learn the real difference between profit and profit margin, why your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says otherwise, what a realistic profit benchmark actually looks like, and the only two ways you can genuinely increase what you keep. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why your own wage is not profit, even when the business feels like it's doing wellThe real difference between profit and profit margin, and why growing one can shrink the otherWhere your profit actually goes, from cash buffers to reinvestment and owner drawingsWhy your bank account can look empty even when your P&L says you're profitableA realistic profit margin benchmark for a salon your size, not a generic Google averageThe only two ways to increase profit in any business, and where to focus first IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction [01:03] The profit question most salon owners cannot honestly answer [02:31] The real definition of profit and why it surprises owners [03:14] Why your own wage is not the same as profit [04:17] The confusing language accountants use for profit and expenses [04:53] Gross profit versus net profit and what each one reveals [05:42] Profit versus profit margin and why the difference matters [07:28] Where your profit actually goes once you have made it [10:24] Why your bank account can look empty despite a profitable P&L [12:31] How much profit you should actually be aiming for [14:42] The only two ways any business can increase profit [16:37] Why a solo operator's claimed profit margin is misleading RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: The Money Course – a step-by-step course on profit, cash flow and break-even for salon owners – [Find out more] Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 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

  7. 30 Jun

    354 Why Hairdressers Don't Earn Enough (and What to Do About It)

    The most common stereotype about hairdressers is that they don't earn enough. And in most cases, it's true. But the reason behind it is rarely discussed; you can only earn relative to what you produce. In this episode, I get into why so many stylists stay stuck and what it actually takes to change that. If you're a salon owner who wants to pay your team more, or a stylist who wants to earn more, this episode is for you. You'll hear what high-performing stylists consistently do differently, why training is a leadership responsibility that too many salon owners quietly ignore, and what has to change for productivity and pay to go up together. IN THIS EPISODE: Why hairdressers' income is directly linked to productivity, and what that means for your team's earning potentialThe specific habits and behaviours that high-earning stylists have in common, and why talent alone is not one of themWhy "charge your worth" is a social media soundbite that the market will ultimately ignoreWhy structured training is a leadership responsibility, not an optional extra for salon owners EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: The stereotype that hairdressers don't earn enough [01:39] The number one reason stylists don't earn enough [02:12] Why part-time hairdressing affects income in ways most people accept [02:40] What high-earning stylists all have in common, and it's not talent [03:56] Why demand is the market's way of telling you what you're worth [05:22] What "being excellent" actually means beyond doing great hair [06:00] Whose responsibility is it to develop a stylist's skills? [07:13] Why salon owners forget about training once the doors open [08:41] Why leadership in salons gets negotiated instead of led [09:57] What training should actually focus on to drive income growth [11:06] The performance benchmarks that matter before asking for more pay [12:25] Bringing it all together: productivity, pay, and what salon owners can do 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: Unlocking Your Stylists' Potential (Free Masterclass) Discover the 5 steps to building a productive, profitable salon culture where every stylist takes ownership of how busy they are and how much they earn. 👉 Find out more   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

  8. 23 Jun

    353 A Salon Owner's Guide to Negotiating With Product Manufacturers

    When I opened my first salon I was passionate about hairdressing but like most salon owners I knew very little about business, and negotiating with product suppliers was where my naivety was fully exposed. This week I take you behind the scenes of what's really happening when you deal with a manufacturer or distributor. You'll come away understanding how the commercial side works: list price, rebates, the size of the pie, and the difference between a real partnership and a shiny distraction. My aim is simple. I want you walking into that conversation informed, prepared, and able to build a deal where both businesses genuinely win. IN THIS EPISODE: Why the list price is never the real price, and what sits behind itThe size of the pie: how much value a supplier can actually offer youHow rebates really work, including the catch that traps a lot of ownersHow to prepare before you negotiate so you hold the stronger positionWhy the real goal is a partnership where both businesses winEPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction[00:20] The dark arts of negotiating with your product suppliers and manufacturers[02:07] Why nobody actually pays the full list price on the page[03:07] Manufacturer versus distributor, and why that structure changes everything behind the scenes[05:08] The list price is just the start of a commercial conversation[08:23] The experience gap between you and the person across the negotiating table[09:50] The size of the pie: the concept that underpins every deal[11:04] How you get to choose where that value lands in your business[13:10] Rebates explained, and the two important realities that owners often overlook[15:54] Shiny object syndrome, and the seduction of events and luxury experiences[17:41] Why putting your business out to tender is simply smart, professional practice[19:13] How to prepare properly before you ever sit at the table 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

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4.8
out of 5
45 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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