CAN WE GO LIVE: Late Night Talk Show for Salons

YSSmedia

Welcome to the hair & beauty industry's first late night talk show where stylists, salon owners, and beauty moguls spill the tea they'd never post on Instagram.Hosted by Brayden Lee, founder of Your Salon Support & YSSmedia, this unfiltered podcast dives deep with the people behind your favourite salons, cult brands, and beauty empires. From viral TikTok stylists to salon owners turned industry moguls, no topic is off limits. We're talking burnouts and breakthroughs, loyalty programs and late payers, the marketing moves behind the magic, and the stuff no one posts but everyone does.Think late night energy meets industry insider secrets, with bold questions, belly laughs, and just the right amount of chaos.If you've ever wondered how the "cool salons" stay booked out, or what really goes on behind those perfectly curated feeds, this is your backstage pass.Subscribe now and join the conversation that's changing how we talk about beauty business.

Episodes

  1. From Shag to Self: How Grace Kelly Rebuilt Her Career on Her Terms

    10/07/2025

    From Shag to Self: How Grace Kelly Rebuilt Her Career on Her Terms

    Host Brayden Lee sits down with Grace Kelly, the award-winning colourist and founder of Shag Hair Newcastle, to unpack one of the most inspiring salon stories in Australia. At just 22, Grace stumbled into salon ownership — and what started as a small rented space soon grew into a powerhouse brand known for its feminine explosion of pinks, greens, and fearless energy. Together with her business partner, Grace expanded Shag Hair into a second location, launched Shag Education, and built one of the country’s most recognisable salon aesthetics. When the dreaded C-word (COVID) hit, Grace turned challenge into innovation — transforming Shag Hair into a co-working haven for stylists who wanted freedom without the overheads. Now, after starting a family, Grace opens up about her biggest pivot yet — learning to say no, embracing slower seasons, and discovering that stepping back doesn’t mean stepping away. In a heartfelt conversation, she reveals what it took to sell her salon, hand over the reins to her team, and redefine success on her own terms. Grace also teases what’s next — from hosting the styling stage at Made for Regionals to building her personal brand and exploring new creative opportunities in Sydney. 💡 In this episode, you’ll hear:  • How Shag Hair grew from a 20-something’s dream to a cult brand.  • Why co-working salons are shaping the future of the industry.  • The power of saying no — and how motherhood shifted Grace’s mindset.  • What it really takes to sell your salon and step into your next chapter. 🎁 PLUS: Stick around till the end for your chance to win a 3-month subscription to Your Salon Loyalty, the digital loyalty card made for modern salons. ✨ Subscribe for more raw, real conversations with the biggest names in hair and beauty — and hit the 🔔 to catch every new episode of Can We Go Live? Can We Go Live is powered by Your Salon Support. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want a loyalty program like the ones we talk about? 👉 Get your free demo at yssloyalty.com — and see what everyone’s raving about.

    24 min
  2. The Shocking Truth About Luxury Branding (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

    09/29/2025

    The Shocking Truth About Luxury Branding (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

    Step inside the world of luxury PR and personal branding with Billy Daniels, founder of Billy Etc, and a standout figure in Sydney’s elite fashion and beauty scene. In this episode, Billy reveals the real strategies behind building a luxury brand—from the details that make a business truly feel high-end, to the common mistakes that leave brands falling flat. We dive into Billy’s journey from Perth to Sydney, his unexpected leap into reality TV, and the power of personal branding in today’s competitive market. You’ll hear wild behind-the-scenes stories, learn why “luxury” is more than just a buzzword, and get actionable advice for elevating your own brand—whether you’re a salon owner, entrepreneur, or just obsessed with the finer things. Plus, discover the secrets of high-profile events like the Cartier High Jewelry Gala, and find out what it really takes to stand out in the world of PR. If you want to know what separates the brands that thrive from those that just survive, this episode is your must-listen guide. takeaways Every touch point has to feel luxurious.Investing in PR can lead to increased income.Luxury branding requires authenticity and consistency.Reality TV can be a powerful tool for personal branding.Chapters 00:00 Creating a Luxurious Client Experience 06:48 The Journey from Perth to Sydney: Building a Personal Brand 12:45 The Importance of PR and Marketing in Business 19:23 Luxury Positioning: Walking the Walk 25:34 Leveraging Reality TV for Brand Growth Can We Go Live is powered by Your Salon Support. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want a loyalty program like the ones we talk about? 👉 Get your free demo at yssloyalty.com — and see what everyone’s raving about.

    27 min
  3. How Alex Fuchs Created a Salon for Everyone

    09/14/2025

    How Alex Fuchs Created a Salon for Everyone

    In this episode of Can We Go Live Season Two, host Brayden Lee engages with the distinguished Alex Fuchs, Director of Fuch's Hair.  They discuss the importance of creating a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community in salons, avoiding judgment, and implementing gender-neutral policies. The conversation also delves into Alex's journey of achieving the role of Color Master for Asia Pacific in October 2024, his background in a Swiss hairdressing family business, and how he has combined tradition with modern values to build a successful salon in Sydney.  Additionally, Alex shares his insights on taking opportunities, saying yes, and manifesting career goals. The episode also highlights the importance of creating an inviting atmosphere in salons and fostering a high-performing team culture. Chapters 00:00 Creating a Safe Space for the BTQI+ Community 00:52 Welcome to Can We Go Live Season Two 01:13 Introducing Alex Fox 01:47 Discussing Marketing Assets 02:42 Alex's Journey to Color Master 07:10 The Importance of Saying Yes 10:50 YSS Loyalty Program 12:32 Alex's Family Hairdressing Legacy 14:15 Family Legacy and Logo Design 15:45 Apprenticeship and Early Career 16:49 Moving to Australia and Career Growth 19:02 Establishing a Salon in Sydney 20:24 Modern Values and Inclusivity 24:58 Sustainability and Client Experience 25:25 Competition and Conclusion Can We Go Live is powered by Your Salon Support. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want a loyalty program like the ones we talk about? 👉 Get your free demo at yssloyalty.com — and see what everyone’s raving about.

    27 min
  4. The Solo Salon Boom & How to Prevent No Shows

    09/07/2025

    The Solo Salon Boom & How to Prevent No Shows

    Brayden kicks off Season Two of Can We Go Live, the hair and beauty industry’s late night confessional, where industry pros spill their secrets, share marketing wins, and talk about what’s really happening behind the chair. This episode features Sherri from Timely, and it’s a masterclass for salon owners on protecting revenue, avoiding burnout, and embracing the future of bookings. The No-Show & Cancellation Crisis Sherri dives into one of the industry’s biggest headaches, the surge in cancellations since COVID. She breaks it down: The fix: deposits and online bookings.She shares a raw story about losing three new clients on a Friday and how that moment pushed her to implement cancellation fees, a move that felt scary but ultimately protected her business and created healthy boundaries. Solo Operators & the Power of Online Booking Sherri calls online booking the hardest but most powerful step for solo operators to take. Why? Fear of losing control. But the stats speak for themselves: 37% of bookings happen outside business hours.65% of online bookings come from new clients.Sherri urges salon owners to “switch it on” and reap the benefits. Designing the Client Journey Solo operators aren’t just hairdressers, they’re business owners. Sherri talks about using tools like approval features and digital consultation forms to set expectations and avoid surprises (like the client who turned up wanting blue hair!). These forms can even gauge interest in upsells or other services. Burnout vs. Overwhelm The conversation turns personal as Sherri and Brayden discuss the realities of burnout. Overwhelmed? Outsource tasks.Burnt out? Take a holiday.Sherri reminds owners it’s okay not to know everything, getting help is part of running a business sustainably. Wellness Driven Clients Finally, they explore post-COVID consumer shifts: clients want more than just hair. From natural looks to wellness inspired add ons (think saunas and self-care services), salons have an opportunity to tap into this growing movement. Timestamps: Introduction (00:00 – 01:20)No-Show & Cancellation Crisis (02:11 – 05:52)Deposits & Healthy Boundaries (05:53 – 09:10)Solo Salon Operators & Online Bookings (09:59 – 13:33)Consultation Forms & Client Journey (14:47 – 17:20)Tools, Tech & Checklists (17:20 – 18:38)Burnout vs. Overwhelm (18:38 – 21:08)Marketing & Automations (21:48 – 25:17)Post-COVID Consumer Trends (26:22 – 30:41)Can We Go Live is powered by Your Salon Support. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want a loyalty program like the ones we talk about? 👉 Get your free demo at yssloyalty.com — and see what everyone’s raving about.

    32 min
  5. 08/31/2025

    Salon Social Media Agency Owner Spills Her Secrets: The Content Strategy That Actually Books Appointments

    Season Two kicks off with a bang! 🎉 Host Brayden Lee reunites with his "sister from another mister" Jewel Vincent (Modern Day Social) for their one year anniversary and let's just say, many martinis have been consumed since their first meeting. Fresh off scaling her team and niching down hard into hair and beauty, Jewel spills the tea on why she ditched the vanity metrics obsession, how she's building a business that actually matters, and the loyalty program strategies that are keeping salons booked solid. Between celebrity silhouette games, behind the scenes chaos, and some seriously candid business advice, this episode proves that the best partnerships happen when you stop trying so hard and just let the magic unfold. Warning: Contains unfiltered friendship energy and way too many inside jokes. You've been warned 😅 CHAPTERS Welcome (00:00:00)Brayden kicks off Season Two with his marketing bestie Jewel Vincent - and reveals this was actually their first meeting ever (spoiler: they're basically inseparable now).From Solo Hustle to Team Empire (00:01:24)Jewel spills on scaling Modern Day Social from one-woman-show to a team operation, plus why niching into hair & beauty was the smartest business move she ever made.The Growing Pains Every Salon Owner Knows (00:05:02)Real talk about transitioning from doing everything yourself to actually leading a team - and why systems aren't just buzzwords, they're survival tools.What's Actually Working in Hair Industry Content Right Now (00:06:00)The trends that matter, what clients really want to see, and why chasing vanity metrics is the fastest way to burn out your marketing budget.Content That Actually Books Appointments (00:09:04)Breaking down content funnels that work for salons - how to create posts that nurture clients instead of just collecting likes.The 3-Layer Content Strategy That Fills Your Books (00:10:22)Jewel reveals her top, middle, and bottom funnel breakdown with real examples that salon owners can steal immediately.Behind the Magic: How Viral Content Gets Made (00:12:00)Ever wondered how those perfectly polished posts happen? Jewel walks through her editing process and shares client wins.Why Educational Content Beats Sales Posts Every Time (00:13:19)The content mix that builds trust, positions you as the expert, and keeps clients coming back (hint: it's not what you think).Ad Break: The Loyalty Program That's Changing Everything (00:14:45)Brayden shares a client success story that'll make you rethink how you retain customers - plus how to get your own custom program.Lightbox Appreciation & Good Vibes (00:16:54)A moment to appreciate good lighting and even better friendship energy.Celebrity Hair Guessing Game (00:17:36)The segment that proves Brayden and Jewel should never be left unsupervised - celebrity silhouettes meet hair industry chaos.Your Chance to Win $30K in Business Prizes (00:23:22)The competition announcement that could literally transform your salon - here's how to enter and what you could win.Tools and Segments ManyChat: 09:04Mailchimp: 14:44They Said It, We Reddit: 02:07Loyalty Program for Salons: 14:55YSS Loyalty: 00:15:58Can We Go Live is powered by Your Salon Support. New episodes drop weekly on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Want a loyalty program like the ones we talk about? 👉 Get your free demo at yssloyalty.com — and see what everyone’s raving about.

    25 min

About

Welcome to the hair & beauty industry's first late night talk show where stylists, salon owners, and beauty moguls spill the tea they'd never post on Instagram.Hosted by Brayden Lee, founder of Your Salon Support & YSSmedia, this unfiltered podcast dives deep with the people behind your favourite salons, cult brands, and beauty empires. From viral TikTok stylists to salon owners turned industry moguls, no topic is off limits. We're talking burnouts and breakthroughs, loyalty programs and late payers, the marketing moves behind the magic, and the stuff no one posts but everyone does.Think late night energy meets industry insider secrets, with bold questions, belly laughs, and just the right amount of chaos.If you've ever wondered how the "cool salons" stay booked out, or what really goes on behind those perfectly curated feeds, this is your backstage pass.Subscribe now and join the conversation that's changing how we talk about beauty business.