Beyond The Mirror

Adrienne Varga and Jodie Fielden

Welcome to "Beyond the Mirror," your go-to podcast for business insights in the hair, skin, beauty, and wellness industry. Hosted by Adrienne Varga and Jodie Fielden, we're your guides on a deep dive into these dynamic sectors. Discover industry secrets, actionable strategies, and inspiring success stories that drive business growth. From essential business tips and effective marketing hacks to crafting exceptional client experiences and staying updated on industry trends, we leave no topic unexplored. Join us to unlock your business potential, elevate your brand, and embrace limitless opportunities beyond the mirror. Tune in for a transformative journey you won't want to miss!

  1. 18/12/2025

    What Thriving Salon Owners Do in January (While Everyone Else is Waiting)

    Send us a text FREE Team Meeting Checklist https://drive.google.com/file/d/1To9QGZ4W8wm7YifbZOAaosN2aG12qVzP/view?usp=sharing We’ve included a downloadable checklist to help you plan your beginning-of-year team meeting step-by-step January and February don’t kill salon businesses — poor planning does. In this episode, we show salon owners how to use the quiet season to build stronger teams, higher profits, and real freedom. January and February can feel scary for salon and clinic owners — but they don’t have to be. In this episode of Beyond The Mirror, we break down exactly how successful salon owners use the quiet season to prepare, reset, and grow instead of panicking.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  Why January & February are prep seasons, not dead seasons How to run a powerful beginning-of-year team meetingThe difference between being a boss vs a leaderHow to involve your team without losing controlWhat KPIs your staff should understand (and why transparency matters)How systems, policies, and delegation create real freedom Common mistakes salon owners make during annual meetingsIf you want a profitable salon, motivated team, and a business that doesn’t rely on you 24/7, this episode is essential. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    57 min
  2. 11/11/2025

    Salon & Skin Business Secrets: Lessons from 25 Years of Success with our special guest Sarah Hudson

    Send us a text In this episode, hosts Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga sit down with Sarah Hudson, founder of Skin by Sarah Hudson, to reveal what it really takes to build a thriving, high-end skin clinic in today’s beauty industry. Sarah shares her biggest business mistakes from straying from her niche to dealing with the wrong contractors  and how she turned those challenges into lessons that helped her build one of Australia’s most respected aesthetic skin brands. Discover how rebranding, creating her own skincare line, and continuously investing in technology transformed her business. Whether you own a salon, spa, or skin clinic, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you grow profitably while staying true to your brand identity.  What You’ll Learn: The #1 mistake that almost cost Sarah her businessHow staying in your niche builds credibility and profitThe truth about contractors and injectables in clinicsRebranding secrets that elevate your client experienceHow to create and launch your own skincare lineSmart reinvestment strategies for sustainable growthWhy mentorship and patience are the real beauty business superpowersBook Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    40 min
  3. 27/08/2025

    5 Things We Wish We Knew Before Starting a Salon | Save Time, Money & Stress

    Send us a text Thinking of starting a salon or already running one but feeling stuck? In this episode, Jodie and Adri share the 5 biggest lessons they wish they had known before starting their salon business. You’ll learn how to: ✅ Separate your profit from your wage (and why it matters) ✅ Shift your mindset for real growth ✅ Find the right people to support your dream ✅ Build salon systems that save you time and stress ✅ Trust yourself and take action sooner These tips will help you avoid burnout, manage your money better, and grow a salon business you actually love. Book a FREE demo  https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/demo-booking/a Timestamp:  00:00 Intro  01:52 Welcome 02:39 Tip 1: Your Profit is Not Your Wage – and Your Wage is Not Your Profit 09:24 Tip 2: Your Mindset Towards Growth is SO Important 12:25 Tip 3: You Don’t Need to Do it Alone – Find the Right People to Support  Your Dream 16:29 Tip 4: Systems Save You – Build Them Early 22:42 Tip 5: Trust Yourself Sooner Follow us on Instagram,tiktok & Facebook: @focusgdt Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube📺 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Subscribe to our channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt If this helped you, don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this video with another salon owner who needs it! Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    30 min
  4. 13/08/2025

    How to Fix Salon Communication Issues in One Step

    Send us a text 📥 Get your FREE Communication Style Test here: https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/rep-systems-test 📥Get your Personalised Team Dynamics Report here: https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/team-dynamics   Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:36 Welcome   02:22 The Real Problems Behind Team Frustration 03:36 Why Understanding Communication Styles Changes Everything 08:04 Real Salon Scenarios  17:37 The Solution – A Simple Test That Changes Everything 18:14 The Power of the Team Dynamics Report 22:20 Call to Action – Download the Test for Free Are you frustrated with your salon team not following instructions or missing details—no matter how many times you explain? 🤯 In this episode of Beyond the Mirror Podcast, Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga reveal why your team’s challenges might not be about motivation or attitude… but miscommunication. Discover the simple Communication Style Test that can transform how you train, manage, and inspire your salon team. 💡 You’ll learn: Why some team members “just don’t get it” (and it’s not laziness!)The 4 main learning styles & how to adapt your leadershipReal salon scenarios where a small change made a big differenceHow to use the Representational System Preference Test for instant clarityThe power of the Team Dynamics Report to unlock your team’s full potential 🎯 Perfect for:  Salon owners • Hair stylists • Spa managers • Beauty business leaders • Team managers 📲 Follow us on Instagram,tiktok & Facebook: @focusgdt Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube📺 https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Subscribe to our channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt Book a FREE demo  https://focusgdt.com/accelerator/demo-booking/a Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    25 min
  5. 16/07/2025

    Turn Salon Clients Into Recurring Revenue with Smart Memberships

    Send us a text Are your salon packages costing you more than they make? In this episode of the Beyond the Mirror Podcast, Jodie Fielden and Adri Varga break down how to build profitable salon memberships and packages that drive recurring revenue without draining your time or energy. Successful salon memberships require strategic planning and accurate cost analysis to ensure profitability while delivering value to clients. When designed thoughtfully, memberships increase client retention, provide predictable revenue during quiet months, and encourage higher spending. • Know your numbers – calculate exact costs of services including product, time, wages, and overhead • Build memberships based on real profit margins, not arbitrary industry standards • Focus on adding value rather than discounting to maintain profitability • Keep membership structures simple with maximum three tiers that clients can easily understand • Include high-margin, low-labor services as membership benefits • Launch memberships alongside price increases to ease the transition for clients • Prepare your team thoroughly – they must understand and believe in the membership value • Create transparent terms and conditions to build trust with clients • Test new membership structures organically before launching marketing campaigns • Leave room for upselling – clients who prepay are more likely to add services If you're interested in creating a profitable membership structure for your salon, book a complimentary Salon Accelerator session with Jodie. Find us on Instagram and Facebook @focusgdt or click the link in the description. Whether you’re a salon owner, beauty entrepreneur, or just starting out this episode will change how you think about pricing and client loyalty. 🕒 Timestamps: 02:00 welcome 03:02 Why Pricing and Profit Margins Come First 05:20 Top 5 Membership/Package Mistakes 21:39 What Makes a Great Membership or Package 33:51 Benefits of Memberships & Packages — Catch full episodes of Beyond The Mirror Podcast here on YouTube 📺https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiISqVGpkx9vbvz6PRhuLfcbIE7GlcOM&si=ZkpA-raFJbmnO1UA Listen to Beyond The Mirror Podcast while you're on-the-go!  — Subscribe to the channel here:https://www.youtube.com/@focusgdt Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    40 min
  6. 11/05/2025

    Profitable Salons: The Uncomfortable Truth

    Send us a text Building a profitable salon business requires investment of time, money, energy, mindset and willingness to embrace discomfort - it's not for the faint-hearted. • Most salon owners want change but aren't willing to change themselves • Profitable salon owners know their numbers and can communicate effectively • Setting boundaries with clients and team members is crucial for business success • Growth doesn't come from perfection but from imperfect action outside your comfort zone • The right business mindset includes ownership, grit, and problem-solving abilities • Your business is a reflection of you - you are the only one who can truly fix it • Surrounding yourself with successful people forces you to level up • Time and money must be sacrificed for growth - success requires restructuring priorities • The 80/20 principle applies: 80% of salon owners aren't willing to do what the 20% will do • Taking risks and being comfortable with discomfort separates profitable owners from the rest Book a free demo of our Salon Accelerator program. We guarantee results in 90 days or you don't pay. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    27 min
  7. 30/03/2025

    Money Talks: The Surprising Truth About Salon Profit-Sharing

    Send us a text Creating a fair and effective profit-sharing system is key to motivating your salon team while ensuring sustainable business growth. We break down the essential foundations and step-by-step implementation. • Profit-sharing motivates team members to think like business owners, not just employees • Without proper reward systems, businesses face staff lacking motivation beyond wages • The essential foundations include strategic pricing, monitoring KPIs, and weekly one-on-one meetings • Three effective profit-sharing methods: simple above-target sharing, total sales sharing, and multiple benchmark system • Implement four-week calculation periods rather than weekly to create balance • Transparency with team about salon financials eliminates resentment and builds understanding • Set up your team for success with achievable targets that still drive growth • Remember that different team members may be motivated by different rewards Join us next week when we dive into client attraction, retention, and the client journey. If you'd like to learn more about implementing fair pricing and profit-sharing in your salon, check out our Salon Accelerator program demo by clicking the link below. Book Your FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo!! If you would like more info about how we help salon owners increase their revenue in under 90days, WITHOUT hunting for new clients... book a FREE Salon Accelerator Program Demo and we'll break down everything for you in the demo. Our guarantee to you... Increase your revenue in 90 Days without hunting for more clients OR YOU DON’T PAY. Book Now!

    48 min

About

Welcome to "Beyond the Mirror," your go-to podcast for business insights in the hair, skin, beauty, and wellness industry. Hosted by Adrienne Varga and Jodie Fielden, we're your guides on a deep dive into these dynamic sectors. Discover industry secrets, actionable strategies, and inspiring success stories that drive business growth. From essential business tips and effective marketing hacks to crafting exceptional client experiences and staying updated on industry trends, we leave no topic unexplored. Join us to unlock your business potential, elevate your brand, and embrace limitless opportunities beyond the mirror. Tune in for a transformative journey you won't want to miss!