The Modern Hairstylist ™ Podcast

Hunter Donia
  • 4.9 (136)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Teaching you how to grow your beauty business as a hairstylist or salon owner without the overwhelm by implementing modern strategies so you can reclaim time, freedom and energy from working behind the chair.

  1. 3d ago

    Is Selling A Digital Product The Right Move For You?

    In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, Hunter Donia and Jodie Brown have the honest, unfiltered conversation that so many beauty professionals need to hear before they go down the road of creating a digital product or online education business. This one started as an off-the-record rant between the two of them and turned into something too real not to share. Hunter breaks down what it actually takes to build a digital product that works, who it is genuinely a great fit for, and why the motivation behind your "why" matters more than most people realize. They also get into the passive income myth, the skill gaps nobody warns you about, and why optimizing the business you already have might be the smarter first move. Key Takeaways: 🎯 Motivation matters more than the idea: Hunter breaks down the difference between building something because you are genuinely passionate about it versus building something because you want out of what you are already doing. One leads to sustainability, and the other usually leads to burnout on two fronts. 💰 It is not passive income, sorry: Jodie sets the record straight on one of the most overhyped promises in the online business space. A digital product is a business, it requires real investment, real strategy, and real work, especially in the early stages. ✅ Know if you are actually ready: Hunter shares the markers he looks for when someone comes to him with this idea, including whether your current business is dialed in enough to give you the time and space to build something new without it all falling apart. 🧠 The skill gap is real: Jodie explains why most people underestimate how much there is to learn when it comes to building a brand, a funnel, and a sustainable online business, and why filling those gaps is what separates the people who make it from the ones who do not. 🔄 There is more than one path to the goal: Whether it is location independence, more income, or more time, Hunter and Jodie both make the case that you need to start with the end in mind and work backwards, because a digital product is not always the most direct route to what you actually want. Why You Should Listen If you have been thinking about creating a course, a digital product, or stepping into education as a second stream of income, this episode will give you a clear-eyed, no-fluff look at what that path actually involves. Hunter and Jodie are not here to talk you out of it or hype you up for no reason. They are here to make sure you go in with your eyes open. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    22 min

  2. May 25

    How To Hire Help Without Wasting Money

    In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what it actually looks like to hire support staff in your beauty business, why most stylists do it wrong, and how to make sure you get a real return on the investment. If you are a six-figure stylist who is maxed out, stuck doing everything yourself, and wondering if bringing someone on is the right move, this episode is for you. Hunter walks through the full hiring process from identifying the gap in your business that actually needs to be filled, to defining the role, finding candidates, and running a paid test project that tells you everything you need to know before you commit. He also introduces a framework for understanding the two types of hires and why knowing the difference before you post a single job listing will save you a significant amount of time, money, and frustration. Key Takeaways: 🔍 Know your gap before you hire anyone: Hunter outlines three types of gaps that signal it might be time to bring someone on: a volume gap where you could grow more if you just did more of what is already working, a low-leverage task gap where your time is being eaten up by maintenance work instead of growth, and a skill set gap where someone else will simply always do it better than you. Identifying which one you have changes everything about who you hire and why. ⚙️ Systematize before you outsource: Before spending money on a human, Hunter makes the case for automating and streamlining the task first. A bad system handed to a contractor is just an expensive bad system. Getting clear on your processes before hiring protects your investment and sets whoever you bring on up to actually succeed. 👥 There are two types of hires and you need to know which one you need: Hunter breaks down the difference between an initiative hire, someone with more experience than you who brings ideas and is held accountable to growth, and a linear hire, someone who follows a strong system and gets you time back. Both are valid. Hiring the wrong type for the wrong role is where most stylists lose money. 🧪 The test project is your most important filter: Hunter is direct about this one. The test project represents the most effort and the best work you will ever see from a candidate. If you are not genuinely impressed by it, do not move forward. Hiring out of desperation or settling because a candidate was the best of a weak pool is a mistake that will cost you. 🎯 Get intentional about what you will do with the time back: Hiring someone to take low-leverage tasks off your plate only pays off if you are clear about what you are going to do with that time. Whether you reinvest it into growing the business or use it to actually rest and live your life, both are valid choices. But going in without a plan means the investment is unlikely to feel worth it. Why You Should Listen: If you have been putting off hiring because it feels overwhelming, expensive, or risky, this episode gives you a clear and honest framework for doing it the right way. You will walk away knowing exactly what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make a hire that actually moves your business forward instead of adding more stress to your plate. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    34 min

  3. May 18

    Increasing Profitability And Managing Your Finances As An Entrepreneur

    In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown get into the money conversation most stylists either avoid entirely or stress about at the wrong time. If you are an independent hairstylist or salon suite owner who has crossed or is approaching the six-figure mark and you want to actually understand what is happening with your money, this episode is for you. Hunter and Jodie walk through what financial management as a stylist entrepreneur actually looks like at different income levels, why the advice to cut expenses is not always the right move, and what it really means to increase your profitability. Hunter is candid about the limits of his own expertise while sharing the real frameworks he uses with Mastermind clients to help them take home more money without working more hours. Key Takeaways: 💰 Your revenue level determines your financial priority: Hunter makes a case that stylists earning under $75K should be less focused on financial management and more focused on making money in the first place. Once you cross the $100K threshold, the way you understand, organize, and move your money starts to actually matter and creates real opportunity. 📈 Increasing profit is about making more, not just spending less: At a certain revenue level, most necessary business expenses are what got you there in the first place. Hunter explains why the smarter move is learning to outpace your expenses through higher-profit services and strategic pricing rather than cutting the investments that are working. 📂 A bookkeeper is not a luxury, it is a baseline: Hunter breaks down the difference between a bookkeeper, an accountant, and a financial advisor, and why most stylists are expecting one person to do all three. Hiring a dedicated bookkeeper, often for as little as $150 to $200 a month, gives you clean, accessible numbers and takes a significant mental load off of you as the business owner. 🧾 You cannot make good decisions without knowing your numbers: Whether it is understanding how much to pay yourself, evaluating which expenses are worth keeping, or knowing when you qualify for an S-corp election, none of it is possible without a clear profit and loss picture. Hunter shares why facing your numbers, even when it feels uncomfortable, is one of the most empowering things you can do for your business. 😌 Financial clarity is a form of self care: Jodie speaks to the shift that happens when you stop avoiding your finances and start having someone help you manage them well. Moving from reactive to informed decision making changes not just your business outcomes but your day-to-day sense of stability and control. Why You Should Listen: If money feels like a stressful, confusing, or shameful topic in your business, this episode normalizes that feeling and then gives you a clear and practical starting point for changing it. You will leave understanding what financial tools are actually worth your attention at your income level, why knowledge is the fastest way to remove fear around money, and how to start making decisions from clarity rather than chaos. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    22 min

  4. May 11

    What Being Overbooked Is Actually Costing You

    In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what is actually happening beneath the surface when a hairstylist is overbooked and why being fully booked is not the finish line most stylists think it is. If you are three to four weeks booked solid, turning away new clients, and still feeling exhausted, stretched thin, and stuck, this episode is specifically for you. Hunter and Jodie walk through the real costs of staying overbooked for too long, from the administrative and operational weight that spills into your time off, to the income potential you are quietly capping every time you say no to a new client. This is not about being ungrateful for a full book. It is about understanding what it is actually costing you to stay there without a plan to scale out of it. Key Takeaways: 🪞 Overbooked is a phase, not a destination: Being fully booked feels like security, but Hunter breaks down why it is actually phase two of growth and why staying stuck in it without a strategy creates a glass ceiling that keeps pressing down on your income, your energy, and your future stability as a business. 💸 Saying no to new clients is costing you more than you think: When your book is maxed out, most stylists stop marketing and start turning away inquiries. Hunter explains why that decision quietly caps your income potential and why a steady flow of new clients is not optional, even when you feel like you cannot fit anyone else in. ⚙️ The administrative weight is what burns you out first: It is not always the hours behind the chair. Hunter and Jodie talk through how a large client roster creates an equally large operational load outside of work and how automating and systematizing your client communication is often the fastest way to reclaim mental capacity and breathing room. ⏱️ Streamlining the in-chair experience is an overlooked lever: Hunter shares why systematizing what happens during the appointment itself, not just the booking and communication around it, creates real efficiency gains that let you deliver excellent results in less time without compromising the client experience. 📈 Scaling out responsibly means manipulating the right levers: From strategic price increases to building out systems to eventually increasing supply through hiring, Hunter walks through the actual options available to a stylist at this stage and why approaching them in the right order makes all the difference between coming out ahead and burning the whole thing down. Why You Should Listen: If you have worked hard to build a full book and you are now drowning in it, this episode gives you an honest and clear picture of what is actually going on and what you can do about it. You will leave understanding that overbooked is a solvable problem, that the cost of staying there is higher than you realize, and that there is a responsible path forward that does not require starting over. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    27 min

  5. May 4

    The 4 Phases To Work A Day Less And Make The Same

    In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia breaks down the exact four phase process he uses inside his Mastermind program to help fully booked hairstylists work a day less without sacrificing their income. If you have built a steady clientele, you are grossing six figures or close to it, and you still feel like you are hitting a wall, this episode is specifically for you. Hunter shares real results from two Mastermind members, Steph and Alyssa, and then walks through the step by step framework that got them there. This is not general advice about raising your prices or posting more on social media. It is a clear look at what actually has to happen, in order, for a stylist at your level to reclaim their time without starting over from scratch. Key Takeaways: 📊 Phase one is a deep dive into your numbers: Most stylists at this level have never seen a full picture of what their business data is actually telling them. Hunter explains how pulling and interpreting the right numbers is the non-negotiable first step, because every decision that comes after it depends on understanding exactly where you are undercharging, where you are losing time, and where your real income potential is hiding. 💰 Phase two is finding your pricing and service leverage: The majority of fully booked stylists are underpriced in at least one area of their menu, and many are spending large portions of their day on low leverage services that cost more in time than they return in revenue. Hunter walks through how swapping service mix and adjusting pricing strategically, not blindly, is often where the biggest income gains come from without adding a single extra hour behind the chair. ⚙️ Phase three is auditing and automating your systems: Getting time back requires taking a hard look at everything that is currently running on memory and manual effort. Hunter breaks down how he goes into Mastermind clients' businesses and builds out the automations and systems that deliver the same quality of client experience with far less daily maintenance, so that the time freed up from phase two actually stays free. 📣 Phase four is building a smarter, more sustainable marketing system: Consistent marketing is what got you to this level and it is what will keep you growing past it. Hunter explains why stylists at this stage need to stop spending energy on what is not working and start reinvesting their reclaimed time into higher leverage marketing strategies like SEO, Google Business optimization, and automated content systems that most stylists never have bandwidth to touch. Why You Should Listen: If you are booked out, burnt out, and wondering why the income still does not feel like enough, this episode gives you a clear and honest framework for what actually needs to change. You will walk away understanding the four specific phases that separate stylists who are stuck at their ceiling from the ones who break through it, and why working less and making more is not a fantasy for someone at your level. It is a process. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    25 min

  6. Apr 27

    Creating A Highly Referable Client Experience (For High Ticket Clients)

    Sign up for the Client Experience Glow-Up Party here: https://www.hunterdonia.com/party In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown break down what it actually takes to get high ticket clients talking about you without any incentive, discount, or referral program involved. If you already have higher prices and wonder why organic referrals are not coming in as consistently as you would like, this episode gives you a clear picture of what is missing and what you can start doing differently. Hunter and Jodie walk through the three core elements of a highly referable client experience for high ticket clients specifically: personalization that goes beyond generic amenities, a signature methodology that gives clients something to identify with and talk about, and a documented, consistent client journey that high paying clients can rely on every single visit. Key Takeaways: ✨ Generic extras are forgettable, personalization is not: The fancy shampoo bowl and complimentary snacks have become the assumed standard at higher price points. Hunter shares 2026 survey data showing that 62% of clients who talked about a salon visit mentioned the experience, not the hair, and that 20% specifically called out personalization as what made the appointment feel worth it. If you want Susie talking about you at dinner, you need to give her something that felt built for her, not just any client. 🧠 A signature methodology gives clients something to subscribe to: Hunter walks through the real example of Mastermind member Brandy, who built her own documented method for tackling hard water in her specific market. That methodology gives her clients a framework to reference, an identity to adopt, and language to use when recommending her to someone else. It makes her sound like more than just a stylist who does good work. It makes her sound like a system worth buying into. 🔁 Inconsistency is the number one reason high ticket clients leave: High paying clients are not more forgiving of inconsistency. They are less forgiving. Hunter explains why people who spend a lot of money hire experts specifically so they do not have to think, and why delivering a different experience from visit to visit quietly erodes the trust and confidence that makes someone want to refer you. 📋 High ticket clients want to be led, not asked: Showing up and being asked what you want today does not feel like a premium service. Hunter connects real survey data showing that high ticket clients consistently say they wish their stylist took more initiative, and ties it back to why documenting your client journey is not optional if you want to hold onto the clients you are working hard to attract. 🗣️ Documented consistency is what makes referrals land: Organic referrals only convert when the new client actually has a great experience too. Hunter uses the Chick-fil-A example to illustrate how documenting your client experience down to the specific words you use creates the kind of reliable, repeatable quality that makes your reputation something your clients can confidently stand behind when they recommend you. Why You Should Listen: If you are charging higher prices or working toward them, this episode is a direct look at what your best clients are actually noticing, what makes them bring you up in conversation without being asked, and what gaps in your current experience might be quietly costing you referrals you never even knew you lost. Hunter and Jodie give you a clear framework for what a highly referable experience actually looks like and why building it is one of the most compounding investments you can make in your business. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    24 min

  7. Apr 20

    The 3 Tiny Details That Killed My Luxury Experience

    Sign up for the Client Experience Glow-Up Party here: https://www.hunterdonia.com/party In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia shares a personal story from a recent luxury spa trip that turned into a masterclass in client experience. If you are trying to attract and keep high-ticket clients, this episode breaks down why the smallest overlooked details can quietly chip away at perceived value, even when everything else about your service is excellent. Hunter walks through three specific moments from his spa visit that fell short compared to a previous experience at a similar price point. None of them were major failures. But together they created a feeling of getting less than expected, and that feeling is exactly what causes high-paying clients to mentally check out or start looking elsewhere. Key Takeaways: 🌟 Luxury clients expect everything to be thought of for them: When a high-ticket client has to solve a problem for themselves, even a small one, it signals that the experience was not fully considered. Hunter explains why anticipating your client's needs before they arise is one of the most powerful ways to reinforce the value of what they are paying for. 🤝 Personalized service creates trust that transactional service cannot: The difference between a dedicated server who builds rapport with you and a runner shouting your name across a pool is not just comfort. It is connection. Hunter connects this directly to the stylist chair and why the relationship your client feels during their visit is a core part of what they are actually paying for. 📋 Unset expectations are a client experience failure, not a policy problem: When Spa two turned out to be non-co-ed and no one had communicated that ahead of time, the disappointment was not about the policy itself. Jodie Brown breaks down why it is always the business's responsibility to make sure clients know what they are walking into before they arrive, so they can make an informed choice and show up prepared. 🔁 Consistency is the standard your clients measure you against: Once a client has a great experience with you, that becomes their baseline. Every appointment after that is being compared to the best version of what you have delivered. This episode reframes consistency not as something nice to have but as the foundation of client retention and price growth. 💰 The details matter more as your prices go up: High-ticket clients are not more forgiving. They are more discerning. Hunter explains why the clients you most want to attract are exactly the ones who will notice what is missing, and why closing those small gaps is what separates a good experience from one worth paying more for and referring others to. Why You Should Listen: If you are working toward higher prices or trying to hold onto the high-quality clients you already have, this episode gives you a clear and honest look at what those clients are actually paying attention to. You will walk away with a sharper eye for the small gaps in your own client experience and a better understanding of why getting those details right is one of the most direct paths to retention, referrals, and continued price growth. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    13 min

  8. Apr 13

    The 2026 Salon Consumer Behavior Survey Results Are In

    Get the full Salon Consumer Behavior Report HERE! In this episode of The Modern Hairstylist Podcast, host Hunter Donia and guest Jodie Brown share highlights from Hunter's 2026 Salon Consumer Behavior Survey, and this year's results are different. Instead of surveying general salon-goers, Hunter went straight to the clients of his Mastermind members, all stylists earning $100K or more, to find out exactly what high-paying clients expect, what keeps them loyal, and what makes them leave. This episode is for independent stylists who are already doing well and want to keep growing without guessing at what their ideal clients actually want. Hunter walks through three key findings from the survey and what each one means for how you show up in your business. You will also hear how to get the full report, including the complete results and tools to help you apply them. Key Takeaways: 📋 Generic extras are forgettable. Personalized ones are not. 62% of clients who talked about their salon visit to a friend mentioned the client experience, not the hair. And when asked unprompted what makes an appointment feel worth the price, 1 in 5 specifically called out personalization. The amenities are the baseline now. What sets you apart is making each client feel like the experience was built for them. 🔁 Personalization does not have to be manual Hunter addresses the biggest obstacle stylists have with personalization: it does not scale. His answer is to systematize it. When you build personalization into your processes through automations and documentation, you can deliver a curated experience every single time without it costing you extra effort. 📱 When you are not showing up, someone else is 64% of clients follow other stylists on social media. Every gap between appointments is an opportunity for someone else to grab their attention, whether that is another stylist or a brand actively filling the space you are leaving open. Staying top of mind between visits does not have to take a lot of effort, but it does have to happen. 💸 Price is not why high-paying clients leave The survey asked clients directly what would make them leave a stylist. A bad result they could not fix, a major price increase, and an inconsistent experience over multiple visits were all on the list. Inconsistency took the top spot. High-paying clients will tolerate a lot, but a repeated pattern of uneven experiences will cost you their loyalty faster than almost anything else. 🛡️ Consistency is a systems problem, not a motivation problem The last client of the day deserves the same experience as the first. Hunter connects this directly to the previous episode on ADHD and systems, making the case that showing up consistently is only sustainable when you have something to follow, not when you are relying on how you feel that day. Why You Should Listen: If you want to grow your income without lowering your prices or burning yourself out, this episode gives you real data from real high-paying clients to guide your next move. You will hear exactly what that audience values, what drives their loyalty, and where most stylists are quietly losing ground. Grab the full report in the show notes to get the complete results and start putting them to work in your business. Get 50% off your first two months with Glossgenius! Let's connect on Instagram!

    23 min
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Teaching you how to grow your beauty business as a hairstylist or salon owner without the overwhelm by implementing modern strategies so you can reclaim time, freedom and energy from working behind the chair.

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