What happens when the babies on hips become teens with attitudes, endless school events and bigger problems…but business still needs you too?

In this raw, funny and very real episode, Sam and Jen return to one of the Inner Sanctum’s most loved topics...Motherhood in Business. And dive into what it really looks like when you’re raising kids while running a salon and carrying the mental load of it all.

From chaotic mornings and four different school drop offs, to the guilt, the overwhelm, the constant tabs open in our heads and the pressure to do it all… this episode is equal parts cathartic, comforting and hilariously relatable.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing the school run with one hand and holding your business together with the other, this one is for you.

What we cover

• The mental load of older kids: bigger ages, bigger stakes
• Why business owners need more support than ever
• The money traps busy mums fall into (and what to look at instead)
• Systems, hacks and tiny changes that save your sanity
• How to find pockets of joy when life feels like “too much”

In short, this episode is a love note to every exhausted salon mum doing her best. A reminder that you’re not alone, you’re not losing it, and you’re allowed to choose joy and support over self sacrifice.

Timestamps

Mentioned in this episode:

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

In this bite-sized chat, Jen is joined by Brayden from Your Salon Support, for a jargon free breakdown of the marketing terms every salon owner thinks they should know… but often doesn’t.

From marketing plans to AIO, social strategies to loyalty systems, Bray strips it all back so you know what matters, what you can ignore, and what actually moves the needle depending on whether you’re a solo operator or running a full team.

If marketing feels overwhelming or you’ve ever wondered “Do I really need all this?”, this is the episode that finally makes it make sense.

What we cover

• What a marketing plan actually is (and why it’s the foundation of everything)
• How a social media plan differs — and why it should never exist in a vacuum
• Why EDMs (email direct marketing) are the most underrated sales tool in the industry
• The rise of AIO and how ChatGPT is literally recommending salons
• The non-negotiables for solos vs. small salons vs. larger teams

If you’ve been feeling lost in the marketing maze, this Mini Moment is your permission slip to simplify, streamline and get strategic. Let’s make tech (and marketing) sexy, one clear plan at a time.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Marketing Terminology

00:40 Understanding Marketing Plans

01:30 Crafting Effective Copy

05:02 Social Media Strategies

05:50 Email Direct Marketing (EDM)

08:57 The Importance of a Website

11:31 Artificial Intelligence Optimisation (AIO)

14:57 Tailoring Strategies for Solo Operators and Salons

16:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Mentioned in this episode:

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely

What a year!!

In this raw, honest, and surprisingly uplifting episode, Sam and Jen sit down to unpack the real 2025. The chaos, the curveballs, the court battles, the soaring rent, the unexpected grief, the kids’ schedules, the moments of magic, and the beautiful anchor that their salons have become.

From navigating explosive life seasons to rediscovering joy in small team culture, this conversation is a reminder that you can rebuild, recalibrate and keep rising, even when life feels loud.

They talk through what changed, what surprised them, what hurt, and what healed and why joy, rest, and the power of a mighty small team have reshaped the way they’ll run life and business in 2025. If you’ve had a year that stretched you, softened you or forced you to pivot, this episode will feel like a deep breath and a moment of being seen.

What we cover

• The lease shock, the pivot plans and choosing a smaller, stronger team
• Court battles, grief, overwhelm and learning to protect your peace
• Why joy (not hustle) is the new KPI for 2026
• The value of unplugging, resetting, and building in space before burnout hits
• Letting go of control, embracing change and finding your anchor in the chaos

This is a conversation about the year that shaped us and the clarity, courage and joy we’re taking forward.

Timestamps:

00:00 Episode Summary

02:08 Christmas Preparations and Traditions

04:04 Balancing Business and Personal Life

09:10 Lease Challenges and Business Adaptations

16:22 Navigating Legal Battles and Personal Struggles

24:02 Reflecting on a Year in Business

24:39 Embracing the Power of Saying Yes

25:40 The Importance of Taking Time Off

27:17 Overcoming Overwhelm and Finding Balance

28:24 Creating Joyful Memories with Family

29:42 The Need for Personal Space and Self Care

32:22 Pivoting in Life and Business

41:11 Setting Goals and Embracing Uncertainty

46:24 Final Reflections and Looking Ahead

Mentioned in this episode:

💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - Timely

We’ve partnered with Timely to bring you something special:

➡ Enjoy a 14 day free trial to see how Timely can transform your salon.

➡ New customers get 50% off their first 3 months.

If you've been thinking about levelling up your salon systems, this is your moment. Timely is designed specifically for salons. Helping you manage bookings, clients, staff, and more with ease.

Use the code SALONRISING at checkout or click the link below to to claim the offer. 👇

Timely

💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM Imports

We’ve partnered with Christophe Robin and MCM Imports to bring you something beautiful:

➡ Experience the Christophe Robin Discovery Box — curated by pro ambassador Monique McMahon.

➡ Inside, you’ll find her handpicked favourites — the hero products she swears by in the salon.

It’s your invitation to explore the range and discover why Christophe Robin has become a quiet obsession among stylists who know their craft.

Click the link below to request your FREE Christophe Robin Discovery Box, exclusively through McM Imports. 👇

MCM