The Solo Success Podcast

JM and Sam
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The Solo Success Podcast helps hair stylists, nail techs, and beauty professionals build thriving independent businesses. Each episode features successful salon owners, educators, and industry influencers sharing their proven strategies and hard-won wisdom. From client retention and pricing to marketing and work-life balance, we deliver actionable advice for solo business owners at any stage. Join our supportive community and gain the practical skills you need to transform your passion into a profitable solo venture—no gatekeeping. Your solo success story starts here!

Episodes

  1. JAN 2

    From Tesco to Fully Booked: Abbie’s Journey to Building HON Academy

    Ever felt like you’re doing everything and still not getting booked out? In the final episode of Season 1, we’re joined by Abbie, solo nail tech turned educator and founder of HON Nail Academy, who went from working shifts at Tesco with just a handful of clients… to building a fully booked business and mentoring others to do the same. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start attracting clients who value what you do, this is the episode to kick off 2026 with. ✨ In this episode, Abbie shares: 💡 The real secret to standing out in a busy market 📲 Why posting client nails isn’t enough to grow your business 🔥 Her favourite luxury upsell that adds £££ every week 🧠 Why pen & paper is holding solo techs back 📈 How to get booked up fast and stay that way 💬 What she teaches her students to turn skills into success From strategic content to client experience to upgrading your booking system, this one’s packed with real-world lessons for every stage of your journey. Whether you’re side-hustling or fully self-employed, if 2026 is your year to get serious, start here. 📍Mentioned in this episode: → HON Nail Academy – honnailacademy.com → Abbie on Instagram – @hon_nailacademy → JENA Booking App – jena.so 💌 Who do you want to hear from in Season 2? Drop us a DM or nominate yourself on Instagram @solosuccesswithjm Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so If this episode helped you, share it with a friend or leave a quick review – it really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening 💜

    44 min

  2. 12/05/2025

    Finding Your Niche with Rachael Lomax (The Copper Queen)

    Think your niche is too small? It might just be your biggest opportunity. In this episode, JM is joined by Rachael Lomax, aka @copperqueeneducation who turned her passion for red and copper hair into a global education brand. At first, she wasn’t sure if it was too specific. But after diving into her bookings and realising the demand, she claimed the niche and never looked back. Now, she’s one of only three people in the world specialising in this space. And she’s here to show you how to figure out what you should be known for too. Inside this episode: 🎯 The easiest way to identify your niche (hint: it's in your bookings) 📊 How to turn one service into your signature offer 💬 Why your niche builds authority and freedom 📸 How to show up online without chasing perfection 🧠 ADHD, hyperfocus, and building a business that works for your brain 👯‍♀️ The value of showing your mistakes, not hiding them 🗓️ Planning your year with structure, not stress This episode is packed with advice for beauty pros who feel like they’re meant to stand out, they just haven’t figured out how yet. Follow Rachael: Instagram: @copperqueeneducation Website: copperqueen.co.uk ✨ Mentioned: @thehairdressersocialclub Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional, all for just £19/month, with no hidden fees. 👉 Learn more at jena.so 💬 Found your niche after this episode? Tap follow and leave a review, it helps more solo pros find the show and get inspired.

    1 hr

  3. 11/21/2025

    From Hobby to Award-Winning Home Salon with Michelle Brown

    From hobby… to fully booked… to award-winning. 🏆 In this episode, JM is joined by Michelle Brown, solo nail tech and founder of Chells Beauty by the Sea, to talk about how she turned her home salon into a recognised and respected beauty brand without losing her freedom in the process. Michelle didn’t jump straight in, she built her business slowly and steadily while still working part-time, investing in coaching, and creating a space that feels just as special as it looks. We talk about: 🌊 Turning a side hustle into a full-time business 🧠 Why coaching gave her the confidence to go solo 💸 The difference between deposits vs card capture (and which one works!) 🎖️ Winning the Scratch Award for Best Home Nail Salon 🌿 Creating VIP experiences that cost little but mean everything 📱 How using the right systems gave her time and freedom back 🚨 What she did after a client fainted (and how she turned it into a strength) This episode is full of honest advice, mindset shifts, and smart strategies for any solo beauty pro looking to build a business that feels good to run. Find Michelle here: Instagram: @chellsbeautybythesea Website: chellsbeautybythesea.co.uk Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel seen, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧

    1h 1m

  4. 11/07/2025

    Why You’re Still Not Fully Booked with Jo Tompkins

    Still not fully booked? No matter how hard you’re trying? You’re not alone… and you’re not doing anything wrong. But there is a smarter way. In this episode, JM and Sam are joined by Jo Tompkins, founder of Nail Tech Tribe, coach and mentor to thousands of beauty professionals, to talk about what it really takes to build a fully booked, sustainable solo business. And spoiler: it’s not about going viral or copying what everyone else is doing. It’s about strategy, confidence and showing up consistently in the right places. Jo shares powerful, practical advice to help you stop spinning your wheels and start building a business that works. We talk about: ⏳ Why getting fully booked takes time (and what to expect) 💬 Confidence & conversion: the two things holding most pros back 📱 Why marketplace apps might be doing more harm than good 📣 How to show up everywhere your ideal client is (not just Instagram) 🏗️ Building your brand before you pour energy into marketing 📈 The service menu tweaks that can take you from £3k to £5k/month 🧠 Why mindset is just as important as marketing 🧍‍♀️ And the hard truth: sometimes your most loyal clients are the ones keeping you stuck This one’s for the beauty pro who’s tired of pushing but ready to grow. 💜 Connect with Jo Tompkins: Instagram: @thenailtechtribe Website: nailtechtribe.com Sponsored by JENA JENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. 👉 Learn more at jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧

    52 min

  5. 10/24/2025

    Running a Fully Booked Solo Biz with a Little Help from ChatGPT with Coledoesnails

    What do you do when the environment you’re working in doesn’t feel like a safe space, for you or your clients?You go solo.In this episode of The Solo Success Podcast, JM sits down with Nicole (@coledoesnails) a fully booked solo nail tech, JENA user and finalist for Nail Tech of The Year 2025, to talk about the bold (and emotional) decision to leave salon life behind and build a business on her own terms.From starting out in makeup and realising it wasn’t the right fit, to renting a salon chair that didn’t align with her values. Nicole knew something had to change. So she built her own space. Her own brand. And her own version of success.She shares:🌟 The mindset shift that helped her finally go solo📈 How a local collab helped her socials take off🧠 The power of backing yourself (even when it’s scary)🏠 Why creating a safe, welcoming space matters more than aesthetic💅 The tools she uses to make life easier and business smootherThis one’s for anyone who’s questioning the path they’re on and wondering if there’s a better way to do business.Find Nicole here:Instagram: @coledoesnailsWebsite: coledoesnails.jena.siteSponsored by JENAJENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees.JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings.Find out more at jena.soIf this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel seen, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show.Thanks for listening! 🎧

    52 min

  6. 10/10/2025

    How to Become Iconic in Your Industry with Kayleigh Greenacre of Actually, I Can!

    You don’t need to do more to stand out.You need to be known for one thing and own it unapologetically.In this episode, JM sits down with Kayleigh Greenacre, award-winning business strategist and Founder and CEO of 'Actually, I Can!', to talk about what it really takes to become iconic in your industry and build a business that doesn’t just pay the bills, but feels aligned, exciting, and yours.They explore the mindset and systems that separate the burnt-out from the fully booked and why trying to do it all yourself is the fastest route to burnout.We talk about:📌 Why clarity in your positioning is everything🌟 How to find the "one thing" that makes you unforgettable🛠️ Why investing in the right systems gives you more time, freedom and profit🧠 How to shift your mindset from survival to CEO💸 The truth about spending money to save moneyFind Kayleigh here:Instagram: @kayleighgreenacreWebsite: actuallyican.co.ukSponsored by JENAJENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees.JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings.Find out more at jena.soIf this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show.Thanks for listening! 🎧

    45 min

  7. 09/26/2025

    Standing Out & Getting More Clients with Salonology’s Ryan Power

    Feel like you’re doing all the right things but still not getting enough clients through the door?It’s probably not your prices. Or your skills.It’s your visibility.In this episode, JM and Sam sit down with Ryan Power, co-founder of Salonology, to talk about the powerful (and often overlooked) strategies solo beauty pros can use to stand out from the crowd, fill their diaries, and turn one-time clients into long-term superfans.This one’s packed with simple but game-changing advice for anyone who wants to grow, without burning out.We talk about:📍 The hundreds of ways to get in front of potential clients⛳ The salon owner who joined a golf club… and filled her diary📢 Why marketing consistency matters more than going viral💬 Building trust so people actually book when they’re ready💸 How to get repeat clients to spend more—without feeling pushy🧠 Making sure YOU are the one they think of when it’s time to bookFind Ryan & Salonology here:Instagram: @itsryanpowerInstagram: @salonologyukWebsite: salonology.ukSponsored by JENAJENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees.JENA’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings.Find out more at jena.soIf this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show.Thanks for listening! 🎧

    54 min
  8. From Mobile Nails To A Global Training Academy with Becci Hollis

    09/12/2025

    From Mobile Nails To A Global Training Academy with Becci Hollis

    Ever wondered if your Instagram name could be the reason you're not fully booked?In this episode of The Solo Success Podcast, Becci Hollis, founder of Blossom Academy, shares how an unexpected break during lockdown helped her turn a small mobile nails business into a global training brand.From mobile nails to teaching beauty professionals in her Shrewsbury salon and around the world, Becci's journey is packed with lessons, pivots, and practical tips every solo business owner needs to hear.We talk about:How lockdown gave her the push to growThe accidentally perfect Instagram name that boosted her SEOWhat it really takes to get fully bookedThe transition from nail tech to educatorHer biggest mindset shifts and what she’d do differentlyThe power of visibility and trusting your next moveFind Becci here:Instagram: @blossomacademy_Website: blossom-academy.co.ukSponsored by JENAJENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional... all for £19/month with no hidden fees.JENA's your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings.Find out more at https://www.jena.soIf this episode sparked an idea or helped you see what’s possible for your business, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show.Thanks for listening!

    26 min
  9. Pricing Drama, Client Boundaries & Salon Survival with Maddi Cook

    08/29/2025

    Pricing Drama, Client Boundaries & Salon Survival with Maddi Cook

    Ever undercharged a client and instantly regretted it? Or felt guilty enforcing your cancellation policy? Maybe you’re wondering how to actually plan ahead as a solo beauty pro—beyond just staying “fully booked.” This episode is for you. We’re joined by Maddi Cook—former hairdresser turned business coach and founder of Boss Your Salon. She’s the creator of the Boss Your Profits calculator, which has helped hair and beauty pros generate over £100 million in extra income.From back surgery and burnout to a literal ceiling collapse, Maddi’s been through it all—and now she’s helping solo business owners like you build profitable, protected businesses without the panic. We talk about:- The biggest pricing mistake freelancers make (and how to fix it)- Creating boundaries that actually stick- What to think about beyond just being “fully booked”- Why mobile or solo doesn’t mean “cheap”- How to attract your dream clients with clear branding- Planning for time off and the future without fear Find Maddi here:Instagram: @bossyoursalonWebsite: bossyoursalon.com Sponsored by JENAJENA is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros. No fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional... all for £19/month with no hidden fees. JENA's your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings.Find out more at https://www.jena.so If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening! 🎧

    53 min
  10. Burnout, Boundaries & Building a Business That Works for You with Hayley Jepson

    08/15/2025

    Burnout, Boundaries & Building a Business That Works for You with Hayley Jepson

    Ever thought, “Maybe it’s just me” when you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or like you’re the only one drowning in client messages, home life, and a business that never switches off? It’s not just you. And this episode is the reminder and the permission you didn’t know you needed. We’re joined by Hayley Jepson, founder of The Resilient Hairdresser, a former colourist and psychotherapist turned mental health educator and coach for the hair and beauty industry. Hayley shares how burnout pushed her out of the salon, how she found her way back on her own terms, and how she helps freelancers like you protect your energy, set clear boundaries, and actually enjoy the work you’re brilliant at. We talk about: The burnout signs no one talks about (like losing your joy or resenting your clients)What to put down first when you’re overwhelmedADHD, dopamine, and how to manage your energy (not just your time)Delegating, outsourcing, and why getting a cleaner might change your lifeHow to stop running your business in crisis modeWhat it really takes to avoid burnout long term Find Hayley here: Instagram: ⁠@the.resilient.hairdresser⁠ Website: ⁠theresilienthairdresser.co.uk⁠ Sponsored by Jena Jena is the booking system built specifically for solo beauty pros—no fluff, no fuss. Take payments upfront, send reminders automatically, protect your time, and look seriously professional… all for £19/month with no hidden fees. Jena’s your new favourite tool if you're done chasing clients or double bookings. Find out more at https://www.jena.so . If this episode gave you something to think about or made you feel less alone, tap follow and leave us a quick review. It really helps more solo business owners find the show. Thanks for listening!

    57 min

  11. 08/01/2025

    How Jo Simpson Built a Fully-Booked Nail Business From Her Spare Room

    Learn the exact strategies that took nail tech Jo Simpson from zero clients to a thriving, fully-booked solo business - all from her home salon. No huge investment, no burnout, just smart systems that actually work. In this debut episode of The Solo Success Podcast, Jo (@nailed_it_by_jo_) reveals the raw truth about building a beauty business from scratch. Host JM (founder of JENA) digs deep into the journey that transformed Jo from nervous beginner to award-winning nail tech. You'll discover: The client-building system that filled her books in under 6 monthsHer pricing formula that doubled her income without losing clientsThe mindset shift that turned fear into fuel for growthWhy she almost quit (and what made her push through)Simple automation tricks that gave her back 10 hours a weekThe exact script she uses to handle difficult clients Perfect for beauty professionals who are: Just starting their solo journeyStruggling to find consistent clientsReady to raise prices but scared of losing businessTired of feeling overwhelmed and underpaidLooking for real strategies from someone who's been there No fluff, no "manifestation," just practical advice from someone who built their business one client at a time. The Solo Success Podcast drops new episodes every two weeks, featuring beauty entrepreneurs who've cracked the code on building profitable solo businesses. Connect with us: Instagram: @solosuccesswithjm for daily business tips Youtube: @solosuccesspod Learn more about JENA: @jena.ai_

    44 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

The Solo Success Podcast helps hair stylists, nail techs, and beauty professionals build thriving independent businesses. Each episode features successful salon owners, educators, and industry influencers sharing their proven strategies and hard-won wisdom. From client retention and pricing to marketing and work-life balance, we deliver actionable advice for solo business owners at any stage. Join our supportive community and gain the practical skills you need to transform your passion into a profitable solo venture—no gatekeeping. Your solo success story starts here!

Information

  • Creator
    JM and Sam
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © JM and Sam
  • Show Website
    The Solo Success Podcast