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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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Retail used to feel simple. You trusted your brands, your clients trusted you, and selling products was part of the relationship—not a battle against the internet.

For many stylists today, that’s no longer the case.

In this episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, Lisa sits down with longtime Soul Tribe member Amanda Tustin to talk about what happens when retail starts to feel broken—and what it actually takes to rebuild it in today’s industry.

Amanda shares her honest journey of nearly walking away from retail after years of frustration with minimum buy-ins, lack of support, inconsistent product performance, and competing with Amazon and big-box retailers. She opens up about the emotional and financial exhaustion of trying line after line—and why loving your product is non-negotiable if you expect clients to buy it.

Together, they unpack:

• Why so many stylists feel disconnected from retail right now
• What’s changed in brand–stylist relationships over the last decade
• How to evaluate brands beyond trends and “clean” marketing
• How Amanda brought clients along for a retail transition without pressure
• Why retail is about trust, not just profit margins

This conversation isn’t about pushing a product—it’s about naming an industry shift and giving stylists permission to rethink retail in a way that actually feels aligned.

If you’ve ever thought “retail just isn’t worth it anymore,” this episode is for you.

Episode Resources

• Seven Haircare (use code AMANDA50 for 50% off your first order): https://www.7haircare.com
  
  
• Connect with Amanda: https://www.instagram.com/amandatustinhair
  
  
• Learn more about Stylist Soul Tribe: https://www.stylistsoultribe.com

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Burnout isn’t a badge of honor, and inconsistent income doesn’t have to be part of the job.

In this episode, Lisa sits down with business coach and industry educator Mandy Zehnder to talk about the systems that create real stability behind the chair: budgeting your business, setting aside taxes, paying yourself consistently, building cushion, and pricing with intention so your schedule can actually support your life.

Mandy also shares her story of leaving the industry during a hard season, coming back with a “failure isn’t an option” mindset, and how running her business on a budget ultimately protected her family when life threw a major curveball.

If you want more income, more freedom, and a schedule that doesn’t require nights, weekends, or constant hustle, this conversation will shift how you think about your business.

Episode Links:

• https://www.mandyzehnder.com/
  
  
• https://www.instagram.com/mandyzehnder_edu/
  
  
• https://www.stylistsoultribe.com/
  
  

#hairstylist #salonbusiness #stylistlife #boothrenter #salonsuite #pricingstrategy #stylistburnout #beautybusiness

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This is Day 2 of the Vision Casting Workshop 2026 replay, originally hosted live inside Stylist Soul Tribe.

Day 2 is where vision turns into structure. We move from reflection and big-picture dreaming into practical planning, focusing on the 12-Month Blueprint, quarterly themes, and 12-Week Roadmaps that actually support real life.

This session is conversational, emotional, and deeply grounding. We talk through resistance, imposter syndrome, contentment, celebration, and what it really looks like to grow without chaos. You’ll hear live coaching, honest reflections from members, and examples of how to turn clarity into momentum.

In this replay, we cover:

• Creating a 12-month vision that feels supportive, not overwhelming
• Choosing a yearly theme and anchor goals
• Breaking the year into quarters (and when it’s okay to only plan Q1)
• How to define “needle movers” instead of vague goals
• Building realistic 12-week roadmaps (with real examples)
• When to DIY your roadmap vs. when deeper support matters
• Celebrating wins, practicing contentment, and navigating imposter syndrome
• Systems, delegation, and support that reduce burnout
• An overview of the SST Marketplace and how members can get support without doing everything alone

Workbook download

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Happy 2026. This episode is a replay of Vision Casting Workshop 2026, Day 1 (originally hosted live at the end of 2025).

If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been, what’s been shifting inside Stylist Soul Tribe, and what I’m building next, this is the clearest “big picture” update I’ve shared in one place. We spend the first half casting the vision and guiding you through reflection and vision board prep, and then I pull back the curtain on the Stylist Soul Tribe ecosystem and what’s evolving going into 2026.

In this replay, we cover:

Why I love vision casting in the “week that doesn’t feel real” between Christmas + New Year’s

Reflection prompts that actually create clarity (camera roll, benchmarks, lessons)

Vision board mindset (specificity + detachment: “this or something better”)

Bucket list items, mantras/word of the year, and “possible failures” (big bold goals)

A full update on the SST ecosystem: Jumpstart, Mastermind, Community, Intensives, Retreats, BOS, and Marketplace

What I’m prioritizing in 2026, and why “Together We Rise” is the theme

Download the workbook here

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What if the only thing standing between you and true financial freedom wasn’t your talent—but your understanding of the numbers behind your business?

In this episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, Lisa sits down with Jolene and Kristi from Summa Collective—two powerhouse financial experts with over 30 years of combined experience helping beauty professionals grow smarter, stronger, and more sustainably.

Together, they break down why only 5% of salons are profitable, what’s keeping stylists stuck in financial overwhelm, and the exact mindset and systems shifts that can help you finally take control of your money.

💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• The shocking statistic about salon profitability—and how to change it
• How to actually read your Profit & Loss statement (without feeling intimidated)
• The biggest financial mistakes beauty pros make (and how to fix them fast)
• What it really means to pay yourself like a CEO
• Why mindset and money confidence are the secret to long-term success
• How Summa Collective helps stylists and salon owners make accounting approachable and empowering

🔗 Connect with Summa Collective

Follow on Instagram → @summa.collective

Learn more + book a consultation → https://www.thesummacollective.com/

🎧 Want to Go Deeper?

This conversation is the prequel to the live Financial Masterclass inside the Stylist Soul Tribe Mastermind on November 18th—where we’ll dive into your own profit and loss numbers, learn how to find your break-even point, and map your path to sustainable profit.

💬 Let’s Connect

If something from this episode clicked for you, send Lisa a DM on Instagram → @stylistsoultribe

We love hearing your “aha” moments and stories of transformation!

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Feeling burned out as a hairstylist? You’re not alone.

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I built my dream beauty business without constantly hustling—using my signature method, the Cycle of Success.

This is the 7-step framework I used to rebuild my business from burnout to aligned freedom… and the same system I’ve now guided hundreds of stylists through inside Stylist Soul Tribe.

If you’ve ever felt fully booked but secretly exhausted, this video will show you a new way forward.

✨ In this video, you’ll learn:
• Why the traditional salon “success model” is broken.
• The 7 steps inside my Cycle of Success (mindset, vision, schedule, clientele, income, whitespace, and big magic).
• How to restructure your schedule for freedom—without losing income.
• How to raise your salon prices strategically using data, not emotion.
• How Soul Tribe stylists are breaking free from burnout and building businesses they love.

This is for you if you’re…
• Booked out 8–12 weeks but still feeling drained.
• Wondering when (or how) to raise your prices again.
• Dreaming of more life outside the salon—without giving up your career.

👉 Ready to create your own dream beauty business?
DM me “SST” on Instagram / lisahuffhair
and I’ll share how you can apply the Cycle of Success to build a business that truly supports your life.

Being “in demand” should feel exciting, not exhausting. Let’s rewrite what success looks like—on your terms.

See you inside,
Lisa 💫

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Have a topic request or someone you think we should have on the pod?! Send us a text and let us know!

In this powerful episode of Stylist Soul Tribe Conversations, I’m joined by the incredible Jodie Brown — second-generation stylist turned brand strategist, educator mentor, and founder of Align Creative Co. Jodie shares her raw, real journey from life behind the chair to building a sought-after global education brand. We dive into the emotional pivot that changed everything, how she walked away at her peak, and why branding — not just better hair photos — is the true key to standing out in today’s saturated beauty industry.

If you've ever felt the pull to evolve your career or questioned how to make your mark in a crowded space, this one’s for you.

🎙️ We Talk About:

• Jodie’s journey from salon life to international retreats
• The emotional (and strategic) pivot that reshaped her business
• Why “different is better than better” in branding
• The overlooked branding mistakes most stylists are making
• What’s actually working in marketing in 2025
• The difference between intuition and emotional reactivity
• Why stylists don’t need huge audiences to build a thriving business
• The truth about Instagram today — and where else to focus your energy

🔗 Connect with Jodie:

• Instagram: @itsjodiebrown
• Retreat Info & Offers: escapetoelevate.com

💫 If You Loved This Episode:

• Send Jodie a DM and let her know what resonated!
• Tag us on IG and share your biggest takeaway (@stylistsoultribe + @itsjodiebrown)
• Leave a 5-star review so we can keep bringing you more powerful convos like this!

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