The Bridal Hair Club Podcast

Kira McClenaghan @parla.hair
  • 3.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

The Bridal Hair Club Podcast is your weekly dose of real talk for bridal hairstylists. Hosted by Kira McClenaghan aka @parla.hair, we cover hair techniques, pricing, boundaries, client experience, and all the business stuff nobody taught us in beauty school. If you’re ready to raise your rates, attract dream brides, and stop doing this alone, start the car and let’s grow your bridal biz together.

  1. 1d ago

    19. Building a Bridal Team Without Burning Out with Jillian Susten | Part 1

    In Part 1 of my conversation with Jillian Susten, co-owner of Glossed and founder of The Gloss Society, we’re talking about what it actually looks like to build and manage a team in the bridal industry. Jillian has built a team of 14 hair and makeup artists while personally taking on close to 100 weddings a year — so she knows a thing or two about managing a LOT of moving parts. We chat about: How Jillian grew her bridal team (and whether she’d do it all over again 👀) Training stylists to represent your brand, work ethic and standards The control-freak struggle of delegating and outsourcing Why keeping your team booked, paid and happy has to factor into your business decisions Pricing as a team vs. a solo stylist Package pricing vs. à la carte — and why there’s no universally “right” answer The responsibility that comes with having other artists working under your name Balancing weddings, business, motherhood and everything in between Why your version of “scaling” doesn’t have to look like someone else’s Jillian and I have taken two very different approaches to growing our businesses — she’s built a large team, while I’ve intentionally stayed solo and expanded into education instead. And that’s really the takeaway from this episode: there’s no one right way to build a successful bridal business. You get to create one that works for your goals, your life and the amount of responsibility you actually want to take on. Connect with Jillian: Follow Jillian on Instagram: @glossedbyjillianLearn more about The Gloss Society and join here: https://www.glossedbyjillian.com/plans-pricing And we’re not done! Jillian will be back next week for Part 2, where we’re talking all about online education, memberships, content creation and what it looks like to build another revenue stream alongside a busy bridal career. Follow The Bridal Hair Club Podcast so you don’t miss Part 2! 🤍

  2. Aug 14

    18. The Numbers You Should Be Tracking As a Bridal Hairstylist

    You can be fully booked, have thousands of dollars coming into your bank account…and still have no idea how your business is actually doing. 😅 In this episode, we’re going on a Money Date — something we’ve recently introduced inside The Bridal Hair Club to help you get to know the financial health of your business without needing to become an accountant. I’m breaking down the numbers I think every bridal hairstylist and makeup artist should be tracking regularly — not just at tax time when you’re scrambling to remember what happened six months ago. We’re talking about the money that’s already hit your bank account and the money you can expect to come in over the next few months (or even next year!). In this episode: Why tracking your revenue isn’t enough — and why profit is the number I really care aboutThe income categories you should be tracking so you know where your money is actually coming fromWhy retainers and final wedding payments need to be tracked separatelyHow to forecast future income and spot those dreaded slow-season cash flow gaps before they happenThe expenses you should be keeping an eye on (including those sneaky little subscriptions 👀)Why your available vs. unavailable inquiries matterHow to calculate and understand your booking/conversion rateWhy your average booking value can help you grow your revenue without necessarily booking more weddingsHow to use your numbers to decide what actually deserves more of your time and energyMy simple Money Date routine you can do every week, every two weeks or — at minimum — once a month Because the goal isn’t to track numbers just for the sake of tracking them. It’s to be able to look at your business and answer: What’s coming in? What’s going out? What’s left? What’s coming next? And am I on track for where I want this business to go? RESOURCES MENTIONED Deep Focus PlaylistMy go-to background music when I need to sit down, focus and get some admin done.Listen on Spotify Try The Bridal Hair Club FREE for 7 DaysWant to take a peek inside the Club? The Business Tracker isn't included in the free pass, but you will get access to the Express Pricing Calculator, Pricing Deep Dive Seminar, Email Template Suite, styling education, the discussion board and more — plus you’ll be able to see all of the resources waiting for you when you become a member. No credit card. No strings attached. Come poke around and see if the Club is for you! Get Your Free 7-Day Club Pass → Keep making moves — but keep having fun while you’re doing it. 🤍

  3. Aug 7

    17. Wedding Prep Email

    If you've ever spent the week before a wedding answering the same questions over and over again, showing up to a dark hotel room with no outlet, or finding yourself hunched over styling hair on a dining room chair... this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing one of the biggest time-saving systems in my bridal business: my Wedding Prep Email Template. This simple email goes out before every wedding and answers your bride's questions before she even has to ask them. It sets expectations, prevents common wedding morning headaches, and helps create a smoother, more organized experience for everyone involved. We'll walk through exactly what I include, why each section matters, and how one email can reduce stress for both you and your bride. In this episode: Why every bridal hairstylist needs a wedding prep email.How to cut down on repetitive emails from brides.The room setup that makes styling easier (and saves your back).The hair prep instructions every bride should receive before the wedding.How clear expectations lead to smoother wedding mornings.The small details that prevent big problems on the day.Why systems like this make you look more professional while saving you time. Resources Mentioned: ✨ Download the FREE Wedding Prep Email Template and customize it for your own bridal business. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be so grateful if you followed the podcast and left a review. It helps more bridal hairstylists discover the show and build businesses that feel organized, profitable, and a whole lot less stressful 🤍

  4. Jul 31

    16. 10 Things I'd Tell My Younger Self as a Bridal Hairstylist

    If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of advice as a brand-new bridal hairstylist… okay, maybe ten 😅 In this episode, I'm sharing the biggest lessons I've learned after years in the bridal industry—from the mistakes that cost me money, to the decisions that completely changed my business. We'll talk about why learning the admin side of your business is just as important as learning new hairstyles, why watching tutorials isn't enough (you actually have to practice!), when it's worth investing in branding, why undercharging is practically a rite of passage, and the mindset shifts that helped me grow into the stylist and business owner I am today. Whether you're in your first wedding season or you've been styling for years, I hope this episode helps you avoid a few headaches—and reminds you that every successful stylist started exactly where you are. If you enjoyed today's episode, don't forget to follow the podcast and leave a review. It helps more bridal hairstylists discover the show! 🤍

  5. Jul 24

    15. Stop Doing the Hardest Weddings for the Same Price

    Have you ever looked at a booking and thought… "I'm giving up my entire long weekend for the exact same amount of money?" Or found yourself setting an alarm for 3:00am because a bride wanted an extra-early start… only to earn exactly what you would have made for a regular 7:30am booking? If so, this episode is for you. Today I'm sharing the three pricing add-ons that have made the biggest impact in my bridal business—not just by increasing my average booking value, but by helping me create healthier boundaries and actually enjoy wedding season more. Inside this episode, we'll cover: ​Why every bridal hairstylist should have an Early Start Fee (and how to choose your cutoff time).​Why I charge a Holiday Weekend Surcharge—and why I believe every day of a long weekend counts.​The invisible 1–2 hours of admin work you need to include when calculating your bridal pricing. The truth is, not every wedding asks the same amount from you. Some bookings require bigger sacrifices, more planning, and more inconvenience—and your pricing should reflect that. 🎁 Free Download I've created a free guide with my favourite bridal add-on charges, suggested fee ranges, and examples of exactly how I write these charges into my contract so clients know what to expect from day one. Download it here If this episode helped you, I'd be so grateful if you left a rating or review—it helps more bridal hairstylists discover the podcast and build businesses that feel profitable, sustainable, and enjoyable. See you next week! 🤍

  6. Jul 17

    14. Hair Extension Rentals: How to Add Value (and Revenue) to Your Business

    After a four-month break, Kira is back with a deep dive into extension rentals — one of the most profitable, client-loved add-ons a bridal stylist can offer. In this episode, she covers why rentals elevate a bride's look (fuller, longer-lasting styles with more versatility), how to start small and build inventory gradually, which suppliers to trust, how to price rentals for real profit, and the legal boxes to check before you launch. Whether you're brand new to extensions or looking to refine your current offering, this episode gives you a clear roadmap to turn rentals into a reliable revenue stream. In this episode: Why extension rentals boost bride confidence and satisfactionHow to start small and scale your inventory without overspendingPricing rentals for profitability Trusted suppliers and must-have shades to stock firstLegal considerations before offering rentals Resources mentioned:@bfbhair@bombayhair@saltandpinehairextensions@philocalyhair TRY THE CLUB FOR 7 DAYS FREE! Sign up here: https://www.thebridalhairclub.com/the-bridal-hair-club-7-day-free-pass Connect with Kira + The Bridal Hair Club on Instagram:@parla.hair and @thebridalhairclub

  7. Mar 21

    13. Imposter Syndrome

    Sorry for keeping you hanging the last couple weeks 😅 — but this one’s worth the wait. In this episode, we’re talking about imposter syndrome. The kind that shows up right before a wedding morning. The kind that whispers you’re not good enough… that you’re doing something wrong… that everyone else has it figured out except you. Because the goal isn’t to never feel it again. The goal is to recognize it faster… protect your peace… and snap yourself out of the spiral before it starts running the show. Inside this episode, we cover: How to recognize when imposter syndrome is creeping in (and where it’s usually coming from — chances are, it’s social media 👀)How to check in with where you actually are mentally when those thoughts show upSimple boundaries that protect your confidence and your energyWhat to do in the moment so you can shift out of the spiral fasterBecause once you can spot it, it stops feeling so personal… and starts feeling manageable. We’re going deeper into practical strategies inside this month’s Club Call in The Bridal Hair Club. If you want more confidence behind the chair and more clarity in your business decisions, this is exactly where we’re continuing the conversation. Join here:https://www.thebridalhairclub.com/ BONUS: Sign up for an annual membership before May 4 and you’ll get access to the final class of the Totally Average Hair Tour Virtual Class included for free (a $197 value) 🎉

  8. Feb 28

    12. Every System That Keeps My Bridal + Education Brands Running

    Everyone sees the wedding mornings, the reels, and the finished styles… but none of that works without what’s happening behind the scenes. And spoiler alert: NO ONE HAS IT ALL FIGURED OUT! In this episode, I’m opening up the full operations side of my business — both my bridal hairstyling company and my education platform — and walking you through the exact systems, programs, and support that keep everything from completely falling apart. If you’ve ever thought: “HOW are people running weddings and an online business at the same time?” …this is the episode. You don’t need to be more talented. You need better infrastructure. Inside, I break down: the CRM that runs my inquiries, invoices, and contracts how I manage client communication without constant back-and-forth emails the platform I use to host my membership and online education what support roles actually changed my stress levels the systems that let me step away from my phone without panicking Resources mentioned in this episode: Get 20% off your first month or year of Dubsado: https://dubsado.com/?c=parla20 Use code PARLA20 at checkout Thinking about hosting your own online education? Start with Kajabi: https://app.kajabi.com/r/H6CmW62c And if you want to learn my styling workflow in real life, tickets for the Totally Average Hair Tour are still available (including the virtual option): https://www.thebridalhairclub.com/the-totally-average-hair-tour I hope this episode gives you relief — because the goal isn’t to work harder. It’s to stop relying on memory and start relying on systems.

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About

The Bridal Hair Club Podcast is your weekly dose of real talk for bridal hairstylists. Hosted by Kira McClenaghan aka @parla.hair, we cover hair techniques, pricing, boundaries, client experience, and all the business stuff nobody taught us in beauty school. If you’re ready to raise your rates, attract dream brides, and stop doing this alone, start the car and let’s grow your bridal biz together.

Information

  • Creator
    Kira McClenaghan @parla.hair
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Kira McClenaghan @parla.hair
  • Show Website
    The Bridal Hair Club Podcast

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