The G Code

Heather Manuel
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

I opened my salon in 2013 in Louisville, Ky. In 2016, I started PIP University. In 2017, I fully retired BTC, and in our 4th year (2018), we cracked $1MIL. No sales from my chair. In 2019, I moved 14 hours away from my salon to Houston, TX, and led remotely for 6 years, only stepping foot in my salon 1x a year. In 2025, 3 weeks before I pushed out my 2nd baby, I sold the salon to the CEO so I could go all in on PIP University. Now, I have the time to share everything we're doing with our students and how we help build 7 figure salons that pay you more and need you less! Come hang ◡̈

Episodes

  1. May 20

    The Top 10% Mindset: Culture, Delegation & Profit with Whitney of Maven Hair Co.

    What does it actually take to hit $1 million in your second year and $2 million in your third… while opening a second location and building a team that doesn't need you for everything? In this episode, we sit down with Whitney of Maven Hair Co. in Fort Worth, Texas, and her salon director, Marissa, to pull back the curtain on one of the most intentionally-built salons in the industry. You'll hear how Whit designed her business from day one around delegation, core values, and a "safe place to fail" culture that keeps 34 team members rowing in the same direction. We dive deep into their group interview process, their 90-day residency program, and the no-gossip policy that has helped them attract and retain the top 10% of hairstylists.  Whit also gets candid about the limiting belief she had to shatter: that salons just don't make money, and how she finally started paying herself (without guilt).  If you're a salon owner who wants real culture, real profit, and a real life outside the chair, this episode will show you exactly what that looks like. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: 0:36 - Welcome & Guest Introductions 1:14 - Whit's Growth Story: $1M to $2M in Year Three 3:58 - Delegation & Letting Go of Control 5:54 - Building a Culture of Accountability & Candid Communication 6:51 - Navigating Hard Conversations & Restructuring Roles 12:00 - Culture, Core Values & the No-Gossip Policy 21:01 - Hiring, Group Interviews & the Residency Program 27:41 - Social Media Strategy for Attracting Top Talent 29:34 - Salon Profitability, Paying Yourself & Limiting Beliefs 39:54 - The Salon Director Role: Marissa's Day-to-Day 45:07 - Team Exits, Burning Bridges & Planting Seeds 50:37 - Work Hard, Play Hard: Building a Life You Love 🔗 Mentioned Links: Learn more about working with us inside RLCEO here:  https://learn.pip-university.com/ Connect with Whit on Instagram @whitswurldd https://www.instagram.com/whitswurldd?igsh=MXI0czVwbWV2OTRraQ== @mavenhair.co https://www.instagram.com/mavenhair.co?igsh=MTlyaDRwNThjN250OQ== Connect with Marissa on TikTok @stylistrealtalk 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pipuniversity?igsh=YW42N3Flb3o0dHhv Follow on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pipuniversity ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠YouTube⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@pipuniversity ⁠Email Newsletter⁠: https://pip-university.com/newsletter Podcast: https://www.pip-university.com/podcast

    52 min

  2. Apr 15

    The Staff Walkout That Changed Everything | Katelyn Buxton of Salon Rooted

    What does it take to rebuild a salon from a complete staff walkout, a financial crisis, and a fresh start — and come out averaging $15K more per month just one year later?  In this episode, Heather sits down with Katelyn Buxton, owner of Salon Rooted in Pennsylvania, to talk about how she went from winging it as a business owner to running a well-oiled, revenue-generating machine. Katelyn shares how implementing the wrap structure, tracking her numbers daily, and leaning into uncomfortable leadership conversations transformed both her salon and herself. You'll also hear Katelyn get refreshingly real about the identity shift from booked-and-busy stylist to CEO, the loneliness of owning a business, and how the struggles she's faced in the salon have mirrored the ones in her personal life. Whether you're stuck behind the chair full-time, afraid of your own spreadsheets, or just trying to lead your team with more confidence — this episode will remind you that messy progress still moves the needle. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: 0:32 – Meet Katelyn Buxton 2:05 – Retail Sales: The Wrap Structure That Changed Everything 4:21 – Revenue Growth: From $45K to $60K a Month 6:11 – Knowing Your Numbers as a Salon Owner 8:50 – Growing Revenue Without Adding Staff 12:32 – Identity Crisis: From Stylist to CEO 21:14 – Katelyn's Story: Rebuilding After Rock Bottom 26:40 – Leadership & Having Difficult Conversations 30:21 – The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership 31:26 – How the Salon Has Transformed 35:18 – Owning a Business Mirrors Personal Growth 🔗 Mentioned Links: Learn more about working with us inside RLCEO here:  https://www.pip-university.com/israp-training-video-dbc-organic Connect with Katelyn on Instagram @salonrooted https://www.instagram.com/salonrooted?igsh=MWUweWk5MXloZmhvMA== 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pipuniversity?igsh=YW42N3Flb3o0dHhv Follow on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pipuniversity ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠YouTube⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@pipuniversity ⁠Email Newsletter⁠: https://pip-university.com/newsletter Podcast: https://www.pip-university.com/podcast

    37 min

  3. Apr 8

    2 Qualities of a Great Salon Owner with Jessica Gillespie

    What separates good salon owners from truly exceptional ones? In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Gillespie, owner of Art of Impact Salon and professor at PIP University, to uncover the leadership qualities that set top performers apart. Jessica is one of the best salon owners I know. Her leadership, culture-building, and decision-making skills are absolutely impeccable.  You'll learn how to take initiative in your salon even before you own it, master the art of knowing when to make fast decisions versus when to slow down, and build a hiring system that keeps your pipeline full year-round. We dive deep into the uncomfortable but necessary topic of letting people go, including how to handle the fear, maintain your integrity, and respond when things get messy. Jessica also shares her strategies for managing time as a busy mom and business owner, from eliminating distractions to leveraging every spare moment productively.  Whether you're leading a team or aspiring to own your own salon, this conversation is packed with actionable insights that will transform how you approach leadership and decision-making. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: 0:30 - Introduction 1:30 - Leadership & Taking Initiative 4:18 - Delegation & Control 5:53 - Making Fast vs Slow Decisions 8:46 - Hiring Strategy & Process 12:33 - Letting People Go 17:58 - Handling Team Reactions 22:18 - Time Management & Productivity 27:33 - Work-Life Balance & Seasons 🔗 Mentioned Links: Learn more about working with us inside RLCEO here:  https://www.pip-university.com/israp-training-video-dbc-organic Connect with Jess on Instagram @jess__gillespie https://www.instagram.com/jessica__gillespie?igsh=MWRkYW9jNjd3Yzc0Zg== 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pipuniversity?igsh=YW42N3Flb3o0dHhv Follow on FB: https://www.facebook.com/pipuniversity ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠YouTube⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@pipuniversity ⁠Email Newsletter⁠: https://pip-university.com/newsletter Podcast: https://www.pip-university.com/podcast

    31 min

  4. Mar 4

    Her Salon Hit $1M+ While On Maternity Leave

    What happens when you fire your top producer making $15-20K/month while chasing a million-dollar goal? In this raw and inspiring conversation, Em Buckley shares how she grew Willow Salon from a chaotic one-woman show into a seven-figure business with a leadership team so strong, she took a 10-week maternity leave and only got called ONCE. Em reveals the gutsy decision to let go of her highest-earning stylist in April, then watched her salon not just survive, but MORE THAN DOUBLE revenue in just four months. She hired 9 new stylists in 5 months (adding $65K in revenue), transitioned from rental to commission without losing a single team member, and built systems so bulletproof that her sister trained herself for the most important position in the salon. If you've ever wondered how to build a salon that runs without you, gives you work-life balance, AND crushes revenue goals, this episode is your blueprint. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (0:00) - Introduction (2:20) - Willow Salon Three Years Ago (3:35) - Transitioning from Rental to Commission (4:40) - Building Systems and Work-Life Balance (5:35) - Maternity Leave Success Story (7:12) - Building a Leadership Team (12:43) - Making Hard Decisions: Letting Go of Top Producer (16:48) - The Results After the Hard Decision (19:14) - Aggressive Hiring Strategy (20:17) - Hiring Process: Heart Over Hands (24:26) - Finding and Recruiting Stylists (27:14) - Systems That Enable Growth (28:32) - Hiring Family and Clear Expectations (29:45) - Giving Feedback and Setting Expectations (31:43) - Why Hybrid Models Don't Work (35:13) - Team Input and Collaboration (38:15) - Leading Without a Title (40:15)- Being Tough and Loving at the Same Time (42:20) - Having Difficult Conversations (47:03) - The Definition of Success Has Changed (50:35) - Motherhood and Business (55:27) - Gratitude for Growth and Support 🔗 Mentioned Links: Learn more about working with us inside RLCEO here.  Connect with Em on Instagram @emthestylist 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow PIP on IG Follow PIP on FB ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ Podcast

    58 min

  5. Feb 25

    Can your salon run without you?

    Ashley Thomas turned a single-chair salon in a 3,000-person Pennsylvania town into a multi-seven-figure empire with a $600,000 cash build-out—and she's revealing exactly how she did it.  In this conversation, Ashley breaks down the critical difference between being a salon owner and being a true business owner, sharing why most stylists aren't prepared for the leadership challenges that come with growth.  You'll learn her framework for managing rapid change, keeping top talent through transparency and collaboration, and why she believes hoarding clients as the top producer actually holds your business back. Plus, she shares the gut-wrenching story of firing her first employee and how it became the most important leadership lesson of her career. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (0:10) Introduction to Ashley Thomas  (4:15) The $600K Cash Build-Out  (5:27) Salon Owner vs Business Owner (8:10) Team Retention & Handling Walkouts  (11:06) Managing Rapid Growth & Change  (13:26) Transparency & Team Collaboration  (18:46) Core Values as Decision Filter  (22:13) Flex Hours & Team Autonomy  (23:37) Hoarding vs Building a Business  (26:55) Sitting in Discomfort to Grow  (30:33) Transitioning from Stylist to Owner  (36:03) Hiring Her Sister Morgan  (37:55) The Visionary-Doer-Questioner Team  (43:58) Hard Lesson: Firing Her First Employee  (47:47) Doing the Hard Thing with Integrity  (50:19) You Don't Have to Be Behind the Chair  (53:17) The Power of Focus  (56:18) Closing & Where to Find Ashley  🔗 Mentioned Links: Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ Connect with Ashley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hbic.sixten?igsh=ZHVsYzRvZ3RheWll https://www.instagram.com/sixtensalon?igsh=MXJqbDgydWwycXAwYg== 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG now! Follow on FB now! ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ Podcast ⁠

    57 min

  6. Feb 18

    Every Salon Owner Needs This

    What if the secret to building a thriving business isn't just vision, but having someone who can turn that vision into reality?  In this episode, I sit down with Samantha Huber, my integrator and right-hand person at PIP University, to reveal the behind-the-scenes dynamics that make the business work. Sam shares her journey from salon manager to indispensable business partner, discussing the rare skillset of resourcefulness, the power of delayed gratification, and how faith guides them through the unknown.  This conversation goes deep into what it really takes to build systems, follow through consistently, and lean on God when the path forward isn't clear. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (0:34) Introduction to Sam Huber and their relationship (2:26) Sam's role as an integrator at PIP University (5:33) The power of resourcefulness  (9:02) The importance of follow-through and communication (11:22) Advice for building systems and overcoming the discomfort of organization (14:42)Tools for productivity: Google Calendar and task managers (18:50) Short-term sacrifice vs. long-term gain (24:50) Dealing with fear and the unknown in business (27:30) The role of faith and prayer in overcoming challenges (31:03) When prayers aren't answered the way you expect (34:57) From new age to Jesus (37:30) The 30-minute moment that changed everything (41:01) Why sharing faith matters in business (48:13) Being obedient to God's calling to share the gospel 🔗 Mentioned Links: Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG now! Follow on FB now! ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ Podcast

    50 min

  7. Jan 28

    This Increased My Salon's Sales By $8k A Month

    Upselling is the easiest way to increase your salon revenue without finding new clients or raising your prices. Today, I'm walking you through the exact system that increased my salon sales by $8,000 per month using Added Value Experiences (AVEs). I'll show you how to create a physical menu that actually converts, the front desk scripts that work for both new and existing guests, and how to rotate your offerings so they never get stale. If you've been hesitant about upselling because it feels pushy or salesy, this episode is for you, my friend. I'll reframe what upselling actually is (spoiler: it's your job as a beauty professional), give you the exact menu structure that works, and show you how to track results so this becomes a living, breathing part of your business. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (0:32) Reframing Upselling: It's Your Job(3:33) Creating Your AVE Menu(5:27) The Front Desk Script(10:59) Rotating Your Menu Strategically(12:24) Tracking and Measuring Success(14:23) Making It Work: Ownership and Accountability 🔗 Mentioned Links: Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG now! Follow on FB now! ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ Podcast ⁠

    15 min

  8. Jan 21

    Hands Down #1 Mistake Owner Make

    If you're a salon owner who feels like you have to do everything yourself to keep the business running, this episode is for you.  I'm breaking down the hands-down number one mistake that keeps owners stuck, overworked, and unable to scale past a certain point: failing to delegate effectively. The shift you're craving doesn't come from working harder; it comes from learning how to lead, delegate, and design a business that doesn't depend on your every decision. When you free yourself from the day-to-day, you create space to solve higher-level problems that result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in growth. This episode gives you the exact framework to start building that freedom today. ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (0:27) The Cost of Not Delegating Why 80% of what's on your plate right now needs to come off of it, and what happens to your business when it doesn't (1:59) Real Example: New Guest Retention System A real-world example from my salon where delegating freed me up to discover we were losing 44% of new guests—and how we built a system that cut that drop-off to 30%, saving us 18 clients per month (5:22) Why Owners Struggle to Delegate  Most owners already delegate small tasks but stay blind to bigger opportunities because they think they can do it faster or worry it won't get done right. (6:26) Tips for Strong Delegation  The four essential tips for strong delegation: building by design, delegating to roles (not just people), delegating thinking (not just tasks), and delegating research (9:32) Roadmap to Effective Delegation  A step-by-step roadmap to start delegating today—even if you feel like you don't have anyone to delegate to or you're a one-person show (14:04) Implementation & Next Steps  How to create templates and frameworks that make delegation foolproof, so tasks get done right without you being the bottleneck 🔗 Mentioned Links: Download the 20-page Syllabus Checklist here: https://www.pip-university.com/syllabus Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG now! Follow on FB now! ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ Podcast ⁠

    15 min

  9. Jan 14

    5 Ways To Get More Clients (without spending money)

    Boosting your Google Rank is one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get more clients in the door. Today, I’m breaking down the exact 5 ranking factors Google uses to determine which salons show up first in search results. These aren't complicated, and you can implement them in just 1.5 hours this week. If you’re tired of seeing salons with outdated websites ranking higher than you, this episode is for you, my friend. I’ll show exactly what Google cares about and give an actionable plan you can implement today.  ⏰ What You’ll Learn: (1:17) - Reviews (40% of ranking) The #1 factor that makes up 40% of your Google ranking (and how to leverage it) (5:10) - Google Business Profile (30% of ranking) How to optimize your Google Business Profile to stay visible (4:33) - Local SEO Keywords (15% of ranking) The SEO keywords your website MUST have to rank locally (6:33) - Engagement Signals (10% of ranking) Why engagement signals matter more than you think The 2 parts of engagement signals to pay attention to (7:54) - Website Speed & Mobile (5% of ranking) Why website speed can completely sabotage your rankings How to make your website fast, updated, and easy to navigate (14:54) - Action Plan Steps you can take to implement these 5 factors into your salon in under 2 hours 🔗 Mentioned Links: Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  Follow on IG now! Follow on FB now! ❤️ Subscribe: Youtube Email Newsletter Podcast

    16 min

  10. Jan 7

    5 Things I'd Do If I Opened A Salon Today

    Building a scalable salon business requires intentional systems, clear communication, strategic hiring, and a long-term vision.  Alrighty, my friend, today we’re diving into 5 non-negotiable strategies for building a scalable, profitable salon business.  These insights come from my own experience of building a 7-figure salon in 4 years. I walk you through the 5 things I would do if I were to open a brand-new salon today.  Whether you’re about to open your first salon or have been open for years, I hope you’ll take these strategies and work them into your business, so that you can create the foundation for sustainable growth beyond your personal capacity. Today, I cover: (0:30) Being an employee-based salon  Build a business bigger than yourself through employees Avoid rental salon model limitations Start behind the chair to generate revenue and sustain expenses Scale back from chair work by year two to focus on team growth Commission-based model: stylists earn commission, salon keeps a portion for expenses and reinvestment (3:20) Team Policies & Guidelines Write a comprehensive employee handbook before hiring Clarity prevents resentment and turnover Key policies to document Including company vision and core values with daily execution examples Using core values for hiring, feedback, and firing decisions (7:50) Systematic Pricing Don't base pricing on location alone Three pricing considerations: Expenses with built-in profit margin, Unique selling point (USP) vs. competitors, and Maximum service time (most important factor) Set time boundaries for each service to prevent rushed work Create multiple service levels (3-4 to start) Model pricing should be affordable—focus is on training, not profit Service-based businesses sell time; pricing must reflect time availability (11:40) Owner’s Schedule Work 5 days/week, 2 days off for family and personal wellness 3 days behind the chair (8+ hours): Train new hires during every service, Film services for training content, Hand off tasks as team improves 1 day mixed (3 hours admin + 5-6 hours training): Scout for future training program leaders 1 day mixed (3 hours admin + rest of day coaching): On-the-spot coaching and team connection When to transition completely out of chair work (14:00) Hire Your Right-Hand Person Most important hire—start them on the front desk Essential qualities this person should have Hiring seasoned vs green candidates Provide training to ensure execution matches your standards Long-term: they manage the front desk team and guest processes while you focus on team growth and hiring 🔗 Mentioned Links: Get in touch with our admissions team to learn more about RLCEO here: https://go.pip-university.com/ 👋 Say Hi: If you haven’t done so already, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. I share a ton of gems, value-packed freebies, and the occasional belly-laugh meme.  ⁠Follow on IG now!⁠ ⁠Follow on FB now!⁠ ❤️ Subscribe: ⁠Youtube⁠ ⁠Email Newsletter⁠ ⁠Podcast ⁠

    17 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

I opened my salon in 2013 in Louisville, Ky. In 2016, I started PIP University. In 2017, I fully retired BTC, and in our 4th year (2018), we cracked $1MIL. No sales from my chair. In 2019, I moved 14 hours away from my salon to Houston, TX, and led remotely for 6 years, only stepping foot in my salon 1x a year. In 2025, 3 weeks before I pushed out my 2nd baby, I sold the salon to the CEO so I could go all in on PIP University. Now, I have the time to share everything we're doing with our students and how we help build 7 figure salons that pay you more and need you less! Come hang ◡̈

Information

  • Creator
    Heather Manuel
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Heather Manuel
  • Show Website
    The G Code

You Might Also Like