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In this episode, Todd and Jen dive into the two pillars of salon growth: retention (keeping clients coming back) and acquisition (bringing in new ones).

Too many salon owners focus on just one—but long-term success requires mastering both.

You’ll hear practical strategies, client experience tips, and marketing insights drawn straight from the Hello Hair Co. playbook, including how to create loyalty, inspire referrals, and consistently attract new faces without burning out.

Key Takeaways

• Retention and acquisition aren’t either/or — both are essential for lasting salon growth.
• Consultations (and re-consultations) are the secret to keeping clients loyal.
• Hospitality and personalization turn good services into unforgettable experiences.
• Building staff confidence is a leader’s job — and prevents overwhelm in new stylists.
• Smart marketing tools (Google Ads, SEO, automation, reviews, social media) keep new clients coming consistently.
• Focusing only on retention or only on acquisition will break your business model.
• Tracking the right KPIs (rebooking, client lifetime value, cost per new client, referrals) shows you what’s really working.

Episode Timestamps

• [00:00] – Intro & why Jen refused to kick things off
• [00:01:30] – Jen's opening take and quote of the week: Vidal Sassoon on why hairdressers are magical
• [00:03:00] – Todd's opening take, owner perspective: the happiness KPI
• [00:07:00] – Why retention matters: loyalty, consistency, referrals, and fun
• [00:11:00] – The consultation game changer: how to re-consult every visit
• [00:14:30] – Building relationships when your skills are still developing
• [00:15:00] – Hospitality Playbook: moving beyond snacks and water bottles
• [00:17:00] – Personalization & note-taking for unforgettable experiences
• [00:19:00] – Staff happiness and motivation = client happiness
• [00:21:00] – Helping “baby hair pros” build confidence without overwhelm
• [00:23:30] – Why acquisition matters: churn, plateaus, and growth
• [00:26:00] – Automated touchpoints: email & text marketing that works
• [00:28:30] – Google Ads, SEO, and why outsourcing marketing was a game-changer
• [00:33:00] – Social media strategy: faces > backs of heads
• [00:35:00] – Cross-promoting with local businesses & the power of reviews
• [00:37:00] – KPIs: client lifetime value, cost per client, rebooking, referrals
• [00:38:30] – Wrap-up + free Hospitality Playbook download

Resources & Links

• Subscribe to the 321 Pro Push Newsletter: Real business lessons, strategies, and challenges delivered weekly.
• Listen to more episodes: the Hello Hair Pro podcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro

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In this episode of the Hello Hair Pro Podcast, Todd and Jen tackle one of the most hot-button topics in the hair industry: booth and suite rental vs. commission salons.

They break down the hidden costs of going out on your own, the predatory marketing tactics some rental salon owners use, and why many stylists actually make less money renting than they would in a well-run commission salon.

You’ll also hear about Jen’s unique apprenticeship program, how demand and merit (not time) should drive pricing, and why the future may be swinging back toward commission salons that innovate, lead with vision, and provide real support to stylists.

If you’ve ever wondered whether renting really means “keeping all your money,” or if you’re considering making the jump, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

Key Takeaways:

• The myth of “keeping all your money” — why rental comes with major hidden costs like software, insurance, licensing, cleaning, and taxes.
• Predatory practices in rental salons — from targeting new grads to dangling “amenities” that erode profitability.
• The rental vs. commission mindset — it’s less about freedom and more about whether you want to be left alone or guided.
• Apprenticeship success stories — why Jen’s program produces stylists who can raise their prices even before they’re licensed.
• Future industry trends — why rental is plateauing, and why well-run commission salons are primed for a comeback.

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:00] Welcome & opening banter
• [00:01] Todd’s “seed planting” approach to partnership and decision making
• [00:05] Jen celebrates Madison, her apprentice, hitting 1,500 hours
• [00:07] Pricing apprentices fairly: demand vs. time in the industry
• [00:11] Rental vs. commission: not good vs. bad, just different needs
• [00:13] Why “you keep all your money” is predatory marketing
• [00:14] The danger of targeting new grads for rental
• [00:16] Loneliness and stagnation in suites — why many return to community
• [00:18] Business basics renters MUST know: mission, vision, P&L, insurance
• [00:20] The importance of marketing and curating like-minded renters
• [00:23] Why commission salons lost ground — and how they can bounce back
• [00:26] The constant need to evolve in business
• [00:27] Hidden costs checklist: rent, licenses, equipment, insurance, software, accounting, taxes, education, and more
• [00:35] Commission salon advantage: stylists get to focus on creativity
• [00:36] Todd’s renter’s checklist — what to have in place before you jump
• [00:38] Why industry infighting (rental vs. commission) is hurting everyone
• [00:39] Wrapping up & newsletter invite

Resources & Links

• Subscribe to the 321 Pro Push Newsletter: Real business lessons, strategies, and challenges delivered weekly.
• Listen to more episodes: the Hello Hair Pro podcast
• Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro
  
  

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In this episode of the Hello Hair Pro Podcast, Todd and Jen unpack the Evolution Trap — the danger salon and barbershop owners face when they stop evolving their business.

Complacency might feel comfortable, but in reality, it leads to shrinking profits, bored staff, and clients who notice when nothing changes.

Drawing from their own salon experience and mentoring work, Todd and Jen share practical strategies for staying adaptable, auditing systems, and keeping your business fresh — without overwhelming yourself or your team.

Key Takeaways:

• If you’re not evolving, you’re regressing — because inflation, client expectations, and staff goals are always moving forward.
• Stability often equals stagnation. Your business can look “fine” while actually losing money and momentum.
• Staff want growth and opportunity. Without it, your best people will outgrow your business.
• Clients value consistency but also crave freshness. A business that never changes feels stale.
• Small, consistent nudges toward improvement compound into massive long-term growth.

Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Intro & Labor Day recording
  Todd and Jen kick things off on Labor Day
• [02:00] – Staff complaints vs. staff goals
  Jen explains why owners should ask their staff about their goals instead of assuming laziness or a lack of work ethic.
• [05:00] – Defining the Evolution Trap
  Todd explains why saying “my business is fine” is a red flag — stability without evolution equals stagnation
• [07:00] – Systems that need revisiting
  Examples: cleaning lists, product lines, and small changes that create energy and accountability in the salon
• [10:00] – Why owners resist change
  Comfort and fear make it easy to default to “just doing more hair” instead of leading
• [14:00] – Mistaking stability for growth
  Why repeating the same playbook for 5–10 years leads to declining profit margins, bored clients, and high staff turnover
• [17:00] – The hidden costs of stagnation
  How failing to evolve affects money, staff retention, and client experience.
• [20:00] – Creating opportunity for staff
  Why your best stylists will leave if they can’t see a path forward — and how to give them leadership or education roles
• [25:00] – Signs you’re stuck
  Haven’t raised prices in years, verbal systems only, repeated staff questions, or plateaued growth = trapped
• [27:00] – How to break free
  Audit your systems annually, update standards, seek mentorship outside the industry, and use “nudges” (small changes that compound)
• [32:00] – Lessons from other industries
  Todd and Jen share ideas borrowed from restaurants and hospitality that salons can adapt.
• [34:00] – Closing & challenge
  Final reflections and this week’s listener challenge: What’s one area of your business that hasn’t changed in 3+ years?

Resources & Links

• Subscribe to our free newsletter, 321 Pro Push
• Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro
• Explore free resources for salon owners:

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Are discounts really the best way to grow your salon? Spoiler: they’re not.

In this episode, Todd and Jen break down why discounting hurts your business long-term and share proven, real-world strategies to fill your books without ever lowering your prices.

From rebooking systems and referrals to solving client problems and improving your marketing, this conversation gives you practical steps to attract and retain loyal clients—while keeping your profits intact.

If you’ve ever felt pressured to run “new client specials” or endless deals, this episode will show you a better way forward.

[00:00:30] Why Discounts Don’t Work

• Discounts train clients to chase deals instead of building loyalty.
• The wrong kind of client shows up when your main value is price.
• Discounts erode profit margins.

[00:08:30] Losing Clients After Price Increases

• Why losing some clients can help growth.
• The story of a longtime client who left after a price increase—only to return later because the service was worth it.
• Why “books closed” strategies backfire long-term.

[00:12:00] The Psychology of Discounts

• Why discount-driven clients rarely stay.
• Early bird rates, grandfathered pricing, and the fairness problem.
• Clients aren’t looking for the cheapest salon—they’re looking for solutions.

[00:16:00] Positioning Your Salon Correctly

• Luxury vs. high-volume vs. best-solution salons (from The Pumpkin Plan).
• Why most salons misuse the word “luxury.”
• Building systems that create client experiences, not discounts.

[00:18:00] Marketing That Actually Works

• Why SEO and Google Ads changed everything for Hello Hair.
• The long game of marketing.
• Social media as support, not the main strategy.

[00:23:00] Creating Emotion Through Content

• Client faces matter more than hair photos.
• How captions that solve problems drive bookings.
• Building emotion into your content to spark connection.

[00:26:00] Client Retention and Rebooking Systems

• Rebooking in the chair vs. at checkout—why timing matters.
• Using iPads and conversations to make rebooking personal.
• Why retention through relationships is more powerful than any discount.

[00:31:00] Referrals Without Discounts

• How to identify your “seed clients” (best-paying + favorite people).
• The psychology of referrals: people want to be connectors.
• Incentivizing referrals with value, not dollars.

[00:36:00] Rethinking Memberships

• Why discount-driven memberships fail.
• How to package services and products at a premium instead of a discount.
• The importance of solving problems, not cutting prices.

[00:40:00] Community + Connection > Coupons

• How to network in your community.
• Why free (used strategically) builds loyalty more than discounts.
• The “3 visits rule” for long-term retention.

[00:43:30] Final Takeaways

• Stop training clients to wait for deals.
• Solve problems, build systems, and focus on the client experience.
• Discounts kill growth—relationships fuel it.

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In this episode, Todd and Jen break down one of the most misunderstood topics in the salon business — price increases.

Forget the blanket $5 rule or the “just raise 3%” advice you’ve seen floating around. Those outdated approaches are costing salons profit, stressing out owners, and undervaluing high-ticket services.

What's covered:

• Why flat-rate or micro-percentage increases don’t make sense for every service.
• The “technician-to-owner” gap and how it sabotages pricing decisions.
• Why public price increase announcements can hurt more than help.
• How to confidently raise prices without losing your best clients.
• The exact steps Hello Hair used to give nine employees a 15–25% raise, with zero client loss.

Todd and Jen also share real-world scripts, leadership strategies, and client psychology tips to help you increase your pricing strategically, protect your profit margins, and keep the right clients coming back.

If you’ve been hesitant about raising prices or worried about client pushback, this episode will give you the mindset, math, and method to do it the right way.

Key Topics Covered:

00:00 – Intro: Why $5 or 3% increases don’t work
03:50 – The technician-to-owner gap and leadership blind spots
07:40 – Myth #1: The $5 Rule explained (and debunked)
09:55 – Myth #2: The 3% Rule and why it’s too low
12:30 – The hidden cost of announcing price increases publicly
20:00 – What pricing should be based on
26:40 – Education vs. value: what clients care about
27:50 – Hello Hair Pro’s 15–25% raise case study
36:00 – Coaching your team through price changes
39:00 – How to raise prices: step-by-step
46:00 – Standing firm and projecting confidence
47:40 – Client psychology and retention after an increase
49:00 – Closing thoughts and call to action

Connect With Us:

🎧 Subscribe to the Hello Hair Pro Podcast
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro
💌 Weekly newsletter: 321 Pro Push
🌐 Website: HelloHairCo.com/Pro

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Owning a salon isn’t just about doing great hair—it’s about leading a team, solving problems, and staying steady when chaos strikes.

In this episode, Todd and Jen pull back the curtain on a whirlwind week of running Hello Hair Co.

From dealing with a busted dryer, a tough staffing decision, and a convincing scam attempt, to unpacking why so many salon owners fall into the “keep all the money” trap, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons.

They dive deep into:

• Finding the right mentor (and spotting the wrong ones before they derail your business)
• Why non-negotiables are essential for building a strong culture and consistent standards
• How to prepare for seasonal slowdowns instead of just “accepting them”
• The leadership mindset shift every salon owner needs if they want to grow and last

Whether you’re a new salon owner, an experienced stylist thinking of branching out, or just curious about the behind-the-scenes of running a business, this episode will give you strategies to lead with clarity, handle curveballs with confidence, and avoid costly mistakes.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Opening banter & download spike update
02:00 – Jen’s week of business curveballs (dryer problems, staffing decisions, and resilience)
04:45 – The salon owner “keep all the money” myth and why it fails
10:00 – Seasonal slowdowns: the bad advice floating around & how to actually prepare
17:00 – The Eversource scam attempt: how it unfolded and what to watch for
24:00 – Finding the right mentor (and avoiding the wrong ones)
31:00 – Why customized mentorship beats cookie-cutter templates
35:00 – Non-negotiables: how they shape culture, performance, and growth
40:00 – High expectations, vision alignment, and leading from the front
41:00 – Todd’s restaurant story: enforcing standards when it’s uncomfortable
42:30 – Final thoughts and call to action

Key Topics Covered:
Salon leadership, seasonal business strategies, avoiding scams, finding the right mentor, mentorship pitfalls, setting non-negotiables, leadership decision-making, staff management, salon business growth, vision and values, problem-solving mindset

Connect With Us:

🎧 Subscribe to the Hello Hair Pro Podcast
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro
💌 Weekly newsletter: 321 Pro Push
🌐 Website: HelloHairCo.com/Pro

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Find more of our things:
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What makes someone want to stay at your salon? This episode answers that question—straight from the people who matter most.

Todd and Jen read real, unfiltered responses from their team about why they choose to stay at Hello Hair Co.

These messages are full of honesty, emotion, and insights that speak to what stylists value in a work environment.

From mentorship and leadership to laughter and lizards (yes, really), this is an episode that gets to the heart of retention.

They also react to real posts from salon owner forums—some hilarious, some concerning—and offer sharp, honest takes on pricing, commission structures, culture breakdowns, and the dangers of social media advice.

If you’re trying to build a salon that people never want to leave, this episode is your blueprint.

Key Topics Covered:

[00:00] Real Talk: Reactions, Feedback, and Social Media Rants
[00:03] Jen’s Opening Take: From “Talks Too Much” to Career Asset
[00:05] Todd’s Opening Take: Specialists Work for Generalists
[00:08] Why We Asked Our Staff “Why Do You Stay Here?”
[00:09–00:24] Reading the Team’s Responses (and Getting a Little Emotional)
[00:25] A Client Turned Blowdry Addict Turned Teammate
[00:27] Why People Come In Even on Their Days Off
[00:31] The Power of Individualized Goals and Coaching
[00:33] What Real Culture Looks Like (Hint: It’s Not Buzzwords)
[00:35] Reactions to Wild Salon Owner Forum Posts:
• Vaping in "luxury" salons?
• Grandfathered pricing drama
• 70% commissions?!
• Suite renters getting “called out”
• When staff stop showing up
[00:42] Final Take: Culture, Leadership, and Creating a Place People Want to Be

Key Takeaways:

• People don’t leave bad jobs—they leave bad leadership.
• Staff want structure and freedom. The best cultures create space for both.
• Push your people—but lead with care. Mistakes are opportunities.
• Your clients and staff notice more than you think. Especially when things are inconsistent.
• Leadership starts with self-awareness. If you’re losing people, the mirror is step one.
• Stop asking Facebook for answers to legal and business questions. Get real help.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Messages from Hello Hair Co. staff
• How we handled individual raises and goal setting
• Apprenticeship reflections
• Our “kickoff” 2025 meetings
• Salon owners giving away services (and not realizing it)
• Commission myths and real profit margins
• The Bear on Hulu (again!) – “Remember why you started”

Connect With Us:

🎧 Subscribe to the Hello Hair Pro Podcast
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @hellohairpro
💌 Join the newsletter: 321 Pro Push
🌐 Visit: HelloHairPro.com

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Hiring a stylist is hard. Retaining one is harder. Training them from scratch? That’s where most salon owners throw in the towel.

Todd and Jen believe that’s exactly where the opportunity lies.

In this episode, they break down their education funnel—the system they’ve built to train new hires (especially those straight out of cosmetology school) into fully booked, confident, high-performing stylists.

From blow-dry assessments to client-ready test-outs, you’ll hear exactly how they do it, how long it takes, and how it leads to stronger retention, higher performance, and long-term growth.

Whether you’re thinking about training your first stylist or looking to improve the education model inside your salon, this episode will help you build a path that scales with your business and supports your team.

Key Topics Covered:

[00:00] Stop Waiting for the “Unicorn” Hire
[00:02] Jen’s Story: Learning the Hard Way at Her First Salon
[00:04] Daydreaming Won’t Save Your Business—Systems Will
[00:05] Todd’s Opening Rant: $80 Haircuts, Facebook Negativity, and a Dying Industry Mindset
[00:12] Stop Asking Facebook What a Lawyer or Accountant Should Answer
[00:14] Building an Education Funnel
[00:16] Going Wider Reduces Risk and Builds Retention
[00:17] Why We Focus on Hiring Stylists Out of School
[00:19] How a True Apprenticeship Works (And What States Offer It)
[00:20] Are You a “Push Forward” or “Hold Back” Type Leader?
[00:22] Our Step-by-Step Training System (From Model to Client-Ready)
[00:27] The Blow-Dry Test: A Crucial First Win
[00:30] Why Clients Are Paying During Training—and Why That’s a Win
[00:32] Adding Services One by One = Confidence + Clarity
[00:34] Transparency Builds Trust: Don’t Hide the Training
[00:36] Matching Clients and Stylists Without Compromising Standards
[00:39] Transitioning From Friends/Family to Real Clients
[00:41] Ongoing Training, Redos, and Leadership Conversations
[00:44] Education Never Ends—Even for Experienced Stylists
[00:46] Paying Stylists and Educators During Training
[00:47] What If You Don’t Have Time to Train?
[00:49] Be Willing to Let People Go—If They’re Not Growing, You’re Shrinking
[00:51] The Term “Apprenticeship”
[00:52] Get on the Email List

Key Takeaways:

• Unicorn hires don’t build sustainable businesses. Systems do.
• Stop outsourcing business decisions to Facebook. Talk to professionals.
• Create wins early and often.
• Your education system should evolve. What worked 5 years ago won’t work now.
• Train transparently. Clients will respect your honesty if you lead with integrity.
• Hire slow, fire fast. Don’t hold onto the wrong person just because training takes time.
• Education never ends. Even senior stylists should be reassessed regularly.

Connect With Us:

🎧 Subscribe to the Hello Hair Pro Podcast
📸 Instagram: @hellohairpro
💌 Join the newsletter: 321 Pro Push

Links and Stuff:
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