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What if being “booked and busy” isn’t actually the definition of success we’ve been sold?

In this episode, I’m joined by Cheri Doren, creator of the Defined Stylist Method, behind-the-chair stylist, salon owner, and educator with nearly four decades in the beauty industry. Cheri shares her honest journey through burnout, people-pleasing, financial pressure, and identity loss, and how those experiences shaped the way she now mentors stylists.

We talk about the realities of hustle culture behind the chair, how early salon environments can either build or break confidence, and why so many stylists end up trapped in careers that look successful on the outside but feel unsustainable on the inside.

This conversation is reflective, grounding, and deeply validating for any stylist who has ever felt exhausted, overwhelmed, or unsure if this pace is really what they signed up for.

In this episode, we cover:

Why “booked and busy” isn’t the same as fulfilled or sustainable

How toxic or unstructured salon environments impact confidence and longevity

The moment burnout becomes impossible to ignore

When client relationships cross into identity and emotional exhaustion

Why curating your clientele can be an act of self-respect

The role mentorship plays in preventing burnout before it starts

Cheri’s concept of “personal culture” and intentional career design

Redefining success in a way that actually supports your life

Whether you’re early in your career and want to avoid burnout altogether, or deep in it and craving a way out, this episode offers perspective, permission, and a reminder that there is another way.

Connect with Cheri Doren:

Website: https://www.thedefinedstylistmethod.com

Cheri also shares long-form education, storytelling, and burnout recovery content on Instagram and YouTube, all linked through her website.

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