Grow My Salon Business Podcast

Antony Whitaker
  • 4.9 (105)
  • 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. 2d ago

    350 What are the 10 Forces Shaping the Salon Industry Right Now?

    The salon industry is constantly changing. It always has and it always will. Some of the changes you’ll like and others you won’t.  Either way, understanding what drives change allows you to anticipate the future and prepare for the opportunities that come with change.  In this episode, I walk through 10 drivers of change that are reshaping how salons operate, who clients are becoming, and how the competitive landscape is shifting in ways that will catch a lot of people off guard. Some of what I cover will feel familiar. Some of it might surprise you. But the final point on my list is the one I think very few people in the industry are talking about, and I genuinely believe it could be the most significant shift we see over the next decade. If you care about where your business and this industry are heading, this one is worth your time. IN THIS EPISODE: Why the competitive landscape is shifting and what it means for employee-based salon owners specificallyHow economic pressure and changing consumer behaviour are forcing salons to operate differentlyThe generational shift happening at both ends of the workforce and what it means for salon ownershipWhy AI will not replace hairdressers, and how it could actually free salon owners up to focus on what matters mostThe surprising prediction about who the salon owner of the future might be and why it could be good news for the industryWhat the Anthropic report on AI and employment reveals about where hairdressing sits relative to other industries EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: thinking about the future of the salon industry [01:14] Understanding the forces that drive change before they arrive [01:42] Driver 1: Where competition is now coming from in hairdressing [03:00] Driver 2: Rising costs, slim margins, and a changing economy [04:00] Driver 3: How government regulation is reshaping how salons hire [05:00] Driver 4: How employee expectations have fundamentally shifted post-COVID [06:12] Driver 5: What clients want now and how appointment patterns are changing [07:16] Driver 6: Generational change from Gen Z to ageing baby boomer owners [09:05] Driver 7: Environmental pressures and what they mean for salons [10:00] Driver 8: How salon design is evolving to reflect a changing world [10:17] Driver 9: Technology, AI, and why the human side of hairdressing gets more valuable [12:36] Driver 10: Who will actually own salons in the future [13:15] The Anthropic report and what it says about hairdressing and AI risk [15:00] Why disrupted professionals may turn to the salon industry next [16:02] What this all means for you and where to get help 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: The Anthropic report on AI and employment, you can check out the graph here.   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website

    18 min

  2. May 26

    349 How AI Is Changing the Front Desk with Universe Walker

    AI has already and will continue to impact the salon industry. One area that is getting a lot of attention is the front desk and the role of AI in streamlining the client booking process, capturing missed calls and directly having a positive impact on salon revenue.   My guest today is Universe Walker, a hairdresser, salon owner, and the founder of Beauty Desk AI, whose AI receptionist Eve answers calls and texts, books appointments, handles escalations, and never puts anyone on hold. We dig into how she built it and why online booking alone isn't enough. If you've ever lost a client because nobody answered the phone, this episode will hit home. You'll walk away understanding exactly what an AI receptionist can and can't do, how it fits alongside your front desk team, and whether an AI receptionist could be the solution your front desk needs. EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: AI is changing how salons handle every incoming call [01:06] Meet Universe Walker, salon owner, hairdresser, and founder of Beauty Desk AI [03:26] The problem Universe set out to solve after COVID changed everything [05:06] Why 75% of salons no longer have a front desk, and what that costs [07:00] What Eve actually does: voice, SMS, bookings, and the all-in-one dashboard [10:12] How Eve integrates with your existing booking platform [12:09] Latency, the "army of Eves," and why conversations feel surprisingly human [16:06] The 200-call experiment: what happened when nobody answered the phone [21:20] How Eve is trained to understand your salon's specific services and language [26:12] Real examples of Eve's empathy, from nervous kids to tsunami evacuations [29:00] How salons with a full reception team use Eve as a backup [36:41] The business insights Eve unlocks that no booking platform can give you 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: Beauty Desk AI, the AI receptionist built specifically for salons: answers calls, texts, and books appointments 24/7 Find out more   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW UNIVERSE WALKER! Instagram 👉 FOLLOW BEAUTY DESK AI! Instagram | Website

    40 min

  3. May 19

    348 How to Use AI in Your Salon Without Losing the Human Touch with Frank Westerbeke

    AI in the salon industry is moving fast, and most salon owners genuinely don't know where to start. My guest this week is Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe, a multi-generational salon group with six locations and nearly 300 staff in Tucson, Arizona. Frank's been using AI across his business for years, not just for Instagram captions, but for people management, financial analysis, team communication, and the client experience. What you'll hear in this conversation will make AI feel far less intimidating. Frank is not a tech person. He's a salon person. And the way he talks about AI, as a bridge, not a replacement, will shift how you think about it.  IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: AI in the salon industry and what's at stake [01:04] Meet Frank Westerbeke, co-owner of Gadabout and VerVe [02:09] Running 6 salons and 300 staff, Frank's role as the human connector [04:14] How Frank uses AI voice on the drive to a salon before a tough conversation [06:44] Why Frank gave his managers permission to use AI and what changed [10:23] Turning managers into leaders with AI as the bridge [18:07] Why Frank's marketing team uses AI to enhance creativity, not replace it [22:45] The client experience: where AI helps and where the human must stay [27:00] Using AI to free up human connection in the salon [41:42] Frank's advice for salon owners who haven't started yet 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. 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: Gadabout and VerVe Salons – Frank Westerbeke's salon group based in Tucson, Arizona – Visit Website Want MORE to help you GROW? 📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/ 🆘 Management overwhelm? Download our free checklist: https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/   👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW FRANK WESTERBEKE!  Instagram | Website

    47 min

  4. May 12

    347 There Is No Perfect Salon Pay System (And That's the Problem)

    How you pay your salon team is one of the most confusing decisions you'll make as a salon owner. Salon owners often compare pay structures with other salons, copying what seems to be working elsewhere. But the real problem isn't which pay system you're using. It's that most salon owners have never stopped to ask what a good pay system actually needs to do. In this episode, I cut through the noise around salon pay structures and explain why there is no universal right answer. Instead, I walk through the fundamentals of salon pay structures and why understanding your own numbers matters far more than benchmarking against the salon down the road. By the end of this episode, you'll have a clear framework for evaluating your own pay structure, a benchmark worth knowing when it comes to employee costs, and a clearer understanding of whether your pay structure is working for the business or against it. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN Why copying another salon's pay structure without understanding your own numbers is a recipe for financial stressThe one test that tells you instantly if your pay system is brokenWhy staff retention problems aren't always about money, and what actually drives people to leaveThe 40% benchmark for employee costs, what it means, and when exceptions applyHow to build a pay structure that is simple, transparent, and trusted by your whole team IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The question every salon owner worries about [00:26] Why salon pay is one of the biggest sources of confusion in the industry [01:00] The dangerous myth of a perfect universal pay system [01:32] Who this episode is and isn't for: employed income-producing staff only [02:07] The seminar exercise that reveals how different every salon's system really is [03:02] When your pay structure is so complicated nobody else can understand it [03:58] Why salon owners get themselves into legal trouble with pay [05:00] Your responsibility as the business owner to know the law where you operate [06:00] The five things every salon pay system must achieve [08:00] Why profit isn't optional [11:31] Why your payroll decisions can't be made in isolation from the rest of the business [12:22] The 40% benchmark and what happens when payroll climbs beyond it [14:00] Recap: what a good pay system actually looks like and where to get more help RESOURCES MENTIONED The Money Course - the online course covering pricing, wages, profitability and salon financial benchmarks – 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. 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

    16 min

  5. May 5

    346 The 5 Numbers Every Salon Owner Needs to Know

    Most salon owners don't have a money problem, they have a ‘lack of understanding’ problem. You can be fully booked, your team can be flat out, and yet you can still be running at a loss without realising it.  That's what happens when you're managing your business without awareness of a few key numbers. On today's podcast, I'm walking you through the five numbers that, in my experience, determine whether a salon owner feels in control of their finances or is controlled by them. These aren't complicated. You don't need to love spreadsheets or become an accountant. But knowing these five numbers changes the way you make decisions, and the decisions you make determine the business you build. If last week's episode resonated with you, this one is the practical follow-up you've been waiting for. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why your salon can be fully booked and still be running at a loss and the one number that highlights the reality.What net profit margin actually means and why checking it once a year with your accountant is already too lateWhy copying a competitor's pricing could mean your services are running at a loss.How a 13-week rolling cashflow forecast removes the financial anxiety that hits every time something unexpected goes wrongWhy these five numbers are all connected and what pulling on one thread does to the rest IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: The salon that looks busy but can't explain the numbers [00:26] Why this episode follows directly from last week's [00:44] The real reason salon owners feel financial fog [01:19] Why gut feel is not a strategy for running your finances [01:42] Number one: your breakeven point and why it matters most [02:52] You can be fully booked and still be running at a loss [03:47] Number two: net profit margin and what it actually measures [04:55] The story of Clarissa: from 2.5% to 8.4% profit margin [06:16] Number three: staff costs as a percentage of total revenue [08:11] Number four: which services on your menu are actually profitable [09:56] Number five: understanding your cashflow over the next 13 weeks [11:53] Billy's story: from breaking even to £80k profit [12:08] How all five numbers connect to each other [13:39] The free 10-question salon financial reality check [13:57] Free live masterclass: Where Does All the Money Go? Want MORE to help you GROW? ➡️ 10 Question Salon Financial Reality Check – A free 60-second quiz to identify exactly where your financial knowledge gaps are – Find out more ➡️ Free Live Masterclass: Where Does All the Money Go? – Monday 11th May, one hour, completely free – deeper than this episode and the logical next step if this resonated – Register here RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE If you enjoyed this episode, you'll also like: Episode 345: Where Does All the Money Go? The 10-Part Financial Framework for Salon Owners Listen here  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. 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

    15 min

  6. Apr 28

    345 Where Does All the Money Go? The 10-Part Financial Framework for Salon Owners

    Hopefully your salon is busy, clients are coming through the door, and money is being taken at the till every day, so if that's the case, then why is salon financial management still such a struggle? This is the reality for a lot of salon owners: the numbers just don't add up, and the stress that comes with that is real.  In this episode, I walk you through a 10-part framework for following the money trail in your business. This isn't a finance lesson, and it's not about spreadsheets. It's a practical way of thinking about your business that gives you clarity and control, because right now, with costs up and clients spreading out their appointments, you can't afford to keep guessing. IN THIS EPISODE: The difference between knowing your numbers and understanding your business in real timeWhy budgets aren't about restriction,  they're the single most important tool for weekly profitabilityWhat cashflow forecasting actually looks like and why a 13-week rolling forecast changes everythingHow to think about productivity-based pay so your team's performance is tied to the salon's financial healthEPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction: The reality of a busy salon that still isn't profitable [00:50] Why the financial picture behind the scenes rarely matches the front [01:14] This isn't about how hard you work, it's about structure [01:38] The biggest misconception: thinking someone else is watching the numbers [02:22] Why understanding your finances is your job, not your accountant's [03:10] What following the money trail actually means in practice [03:53] Introducing the 10-part financial framework for salon owners [06:47] Why budgets matter more than most salon owners want to admit [08:07] Cashflow forecasting and why 13 weeks ahead changes everything [09:32] Pricing for profit and why "charge your worth" isn't a strategy [10:47] Recap: how many of the 10 points are you actually doing? [13:01] The free webinar: Where Does All the Money Go? RESOURCES MENTIONED Where Does All the Money Go? (Free Webinar) Antony breaks down the 10-part framework in full and shows you how to apply it practically in your salon - Register here 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. 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

    14 min

  7. Apr 21

    344 Does Your Salon Have a Pricing Problem or a Productivity Problem?

    Salon profitability is under more pressure than it has been in years, and the hard reality is that being busy isn't the same as being profitable. In this episode, I get into the financial fundamentals that too many salon owners avoid, because understanding your numbers is the only way to get in front of the problem before it becomes a crisis. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly where to look in your business to find the leaks, whether you have a pricing problem or a productivity problem, and what your real options are for increasing profit margins. This isn't about cutting everything to the bone. It's about making smarter decisions with the facts in front of you. IN THIS EPISODE: Why being fully booked doesn't mean your salon is profitable, and what that means for your business right nowHow to use your profit and loss report to separate the facts from the feelings and make better financial decisionsThe difference between a pricing problem and a productivity problem, and which one your salon actually hasThe three ways to increase salon income, and which one delivers results the fastest EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Introduction: Why salon profit margins are under pressure right now  [00:27] The things you can control when times are tough  [02:07] Why competitive pricing creates a crunch point for salon owners  [03:04] How to use your profit and loss report correctly  [04:29] What the numbers in a typical salon P&L actually look like  [05:42] Pricing problems vs productivity problems: knowing which one you have  [06:21] How to approach cutting costs without losing what matters  [08:05] Why the miscellaneous line in your P&L deserves more attention  [09:22] The three ways to increase your salon income  [11:44] Why a price rise is the fastest lever available to you  [12:38] Which services are actually profitable when you look at the real margins  [13:25] Using technology and AI to create efficiencies in your business  [14:16] Recap and your next action step 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. 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

    15 min

  8. Apr 14

    343 The Mindset Behind Long-Term Salon Success with Scott Buchanan

    Running a successful salon for nearly 40 years in one of the most competitive cities on the planet takes more than talent. It takes the willingness to keep evolving your model, your mindset, and even the words you use with your team.  My guest today, Scott Buchanan of the Manhattan-based Scott J Salons, has done exactly that. With around 90 employees across two locations, Scott's story is one of grit, reinvention, and a business built around culture and community. In this conversation, we get into the real numbers behind a thriving employee-based salon, why he treats his team as partners rather than employees, and what it actually takes to keep an employee-based salon competitive in today's market. If you want to build a business that still works 40 years from now, this is the episode to listen to. ✅ Why calling your team "partners" changes the way they show up every day ✅ The KPIs Scott tracks obsessively and why guest count matters more than top-line revenue ✅ How Scott uses "wellness check-ins" instead of performance reviews to drive better results ✅ How Scott thinks about AI, retail, and the future of the salon experience in the next five to ten years ✅ The one piece of advice from a 40-year career that every salon owner needs to hear IN THIS EPISODE: [00:00] Introduction: 40 years in Manhattan and what longevity really takes [00:50] Scott's current business: two locations, 93 staff, and a long road to get here [03:29] Is the age of the big salon over? Scott's honest take on boutique vs. large [05:37] Why Scott considers his team partners, not employees [07:18] Wellness check-ins: reframing performance reviews to drive real change [10:25] How to keep an employee-based team in the age of salon suites [13:55] The blowout story: why you have to be there when the client wants to be there [20:11] How Scott is using AI now and where he sees the salon industry heading [27:33] The key numbers Scott watches most closely, and what they reveal [37:07] Intercoiffure America/Canada: building a community for employee-based salon owners [43:57] Scott's one piece of advice for lasting 40 years in this industry 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. 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: 🎓 Intercoiffure America/Canada – A community for employee-based, salary-based salon owners in North America – Find out more 👉 FOLLOW US! Instagram | Facebook | Website 👉 FOLLOW SCOTT BUCHANAN! Instagram  👉 FOLLOW SCOTT J SALONS Instagram | website

    47 min
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4.9
out of 5
105 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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