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In this milestone 200th episode, Todd and Jen continue their in-depth exploration of what it takes not only to build a successful commission salon but also to sustain one.

From emotional intelligence behind the chair to their refined hiring process, leadership growth, team retention strategies, and handling conflict like pros—this episode is loaded with actionable insights for salon owners and hair professionals alike.

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

[00:00] – Opening Takes

[07:00] – Recap of Part 1 + This Week’s Focus: Culture & Hiring

[08:00] – Early Hiring Mistakes & Leadership Growth
How the initial team didn’t align with the Hello Hair Pro mission—and how Todd and Jen refined their leadership and hiring approach as a result.

[10:30] – Hello’s Current Hiring Process
From culture fit first to post-hire model evaluations, shadow days, and hands-on onboarding.

[15:00] – What They Look for in New Team Members
Hiring for personality, not just skill. Todd looks for people he genuinely wants to be around; Jen assesses presentation and willingness to learn.

[18:00] – Common Hiring Traps in the Salon Industry
Why relying solely on technical ability is short-sighted, and how mentorship and real education matter more than ever.

[20:00] – Maintaining Culture & Retaining Your Team
What do you do after the hire? Jen shares how they constantly create opportunities, set goals, and keep their staff engaged long-term.

[22:00] – Fighting “The Social Media Carrot”
Why your team is being recruited 24/7 online—and how Hello Hair Pro stays ahead by offering real, meaningful value inside the business.

[24:00] – Education & Growth Opportunities
Daily education, peer-led classes, paid teaching gigs, and goal tracking. Jen explains how these initiatives keep their team connected and motivated.

[26:00] – The Power of Little Things
Sometimes, upgrading the breakroom fridge is the culture win of the year. Small gestures = big impact.

[28:00] – Making Work Fun: Games, Challenges & Contests
From Google review competitions to team videos, Todd and Jen explain how they use fun strategically, so it doesn’t become “just another thing.”

[29:00] – Treating Staff Like Adults, Not Children
Professional respect is key. Feedback is given directly, respectfully, and constructively.

[30:00] – Handling Conflict the Right Way
Disagreements happen. Jen and Todd discuss how they approach staff conflicts, encourage resolution, and maintain healthy team dynamics.

[32:00] – Wrap-Up + Teaser for Next Episode
Todd will be asking the team, “Why do you stay at Hello?” and they’ll share those answers in a future episode.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Hire for character, teach the skill.
• Retention is the real growth strategy.
• Create a salon people don’t want to leave.
• Your culture is built on what you tolerate and celebrate.
• Conflict is natural—how you handle it defines your leadership.

📩 Get More From Todd & Jen

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Is running a commission salon even worth it anymore? Should you go solo, rent a suite, or bring it back to commission?

In this episode, Todd and Jen dig deep into what it actually takes to run a successful salon in 2025—from ditching discounts to building strong foundations, leading new generations of hair pros, and why most salon owners burn out.

You’ll hear why leadership is everything, how to market with intention, and how to avoid the trap of working harder instead of smarter.

This episode is full of real talk, hard truths, and proven strategies that Todd and Jen have actually implemented in their own salon.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why salon ownership isn’t about hair—it’s about business
• How blaming “the next generation” is lazy leadership
• The fatal mistake of constant discounting
• What a solid mission, vision, and core values actually do for your business
• How to build a brand people want to work for (and with)
• Why culture starts with listening, not talking

Helpful Blog Posts:

• Client Acquisition: Are You Solving the Right Problem?
• Don’t Be For Everyone
• Attracting The RIGHT Clients

Timestamps:
00:00 – Happy (not really) Monday + Opening Takes
01:30 – Is Commission Still Worth It in 2025?
02:15 – Todd’s Opening Take: Put the scissors down
03:00 – Jen’s Opening Take: Blaming the new generation won’t work
05:00 – The real reason salon owners burn out
06:30 – Discounting is not a marketing plan
09:00 – What your promotions say about your business
10:00 – Foundations: Mission, Vision, Core Values
13:00 – Choosing aligned brands and distributors
16:00 – Why salon marketing starts with knowing yourself
19:00 – Likes vs Revenue: What good marketing actually looks like
21:00 – Why making money isn’t “selling out”—it’s survival
24:00 – Culture is everything: How we built ours
27:00 – Jen’s honesty: “I didn’t know if I could be this uncomfortable”
30:00 – Listening over lecturing: The new leadership model
32:00 – Join our newsletter + what's next

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In this episode of the Hello Hair Pro podcast, Jen and Todd dive into what it really takes to build a standout salon business in today’s industry.

They kick things off with a personal story about a salon owner's dress code and her grandmother's influence, which leads to a broader conversation about the role of professionalism and presentation in attracting the right clients and building trust.

Then, Todd shares a blueprint for treating your salon like a media company—from launching a podcast and building an email list to creating content that attracts dream clients and future team members. Learn how shifting your mindset from "just a salon" to a media-driven brand can unlock next-level growth.

Whether you're a salon owner, booth renter, or stylist with ambition, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you grow with intention, elevate your brand, and future-proof your business.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Intro: Why This Topic Matters
• 01:18 – A Salon Owner, Her Grandma, and the Dress Code Debate
• 03:30 – What Professionalism Really Means in the Hair Industry
• 07:42 – Jen’s Advice for New Salon Owners
• 09:26 – How to Build a Media Company Around Your Salon
• 20:52 – Final Takeaways & Growth Challenge

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