Beyond The Technique Podcast

In this episode of Beyond the Technique, Kati Whitledge sits down with award-winning salon owner Tonya Raybon to unpack her 15-year journey from bookkeeper to thriving salon CEO. Tonya shares why she transitioned from a booth rental model to a commission-based team, and how that decision transformed her culture, financial stability, and leadership impact. You'll hear real, honest insights into letting go of hurt feelings when team members exit, learning through failure, and stepping fully into your role as a leader. If you're ready to build a stronger, more unified salon business in 2026, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to lead with clarity, courage, and vision. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/DjKEGFFoBPI GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book POWERED BY: JOIN mya! joinmya.com FOLLOW SALON RAYBON Website: https://www.salonraybon.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salonraybon/ LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

Today your host, Kati Whitledge challenges salon owners and leaders to confront one of the most destructive habits in the workplace—complaining. She explains how a culture of constant negativity erodes social capital, repels high-value clients, and ultimately limits the growth potential of both teams and businesses. Kati shares practical strategies, including the "5-second rule" and healthier ways to vent, helping leaders redirect conversations toward solutions instead of problems. If you want to protect your salon culture and build a team focused on growth, ownership, and opportunity, this episode will give you the mindset shift you need. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/_bnhvKbQCMU GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book POWERED BY: JOIN mya! joinmya.com LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

Succession planning isn't something you wait for, it's something you build, and in this episode, we have Mary Beth Berns here to break down the most disastrous myths that can derail your salon or spa exit. From the misconception that growth automatically increases value to the belief that finding a buyer means you're almost done, they reveal what truly impacts a successful sale. You'll learn realistic timelines, why financial clarity and proper maintenance matter, and how emotional decisions can cost you at the finish line. If you want to maximize your business value, protect your legacy, and exit on your terms, this conversation will show you where to start and how to do it right. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/g9WvNqlyCZQ GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book POWERED BY: JOIN mya! joinmya.com FOLLOW MARY BETH BERNS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mbbsmallbusinesscoaching/ Salon Spa Connection: http://www.salonspaconnection.com/ Qnity Succession Planning EDU: https://qnity.com/blog/succession-success-readiness LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

In this episode, Kati Whitledge explores the classic "glass half full or half empty" mindset and what it means for salon owners navigating real business challenges. She shares how leaders can shift their perspective from focusing on what's missing to recognizing the opportunities, relationships, and resources already in front of them. Drawing from her own experience with team turnover and business changes, Kati encourages owners to take action with what they have while staying committed to growth and innovation. This conversation is a powerful reminder that optimism, resourcefulness, and faith-filled leadership can turn even difficult seasons into opportunities to build a stronger salon. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/phGftLoBeBk GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book POWERED BY: JOIN mya! joinmya.com LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/

In this special episode of Beyond The Technique, Kati Whitledge sits down with a very familiar guest—her husband, Anson Whitledge, VP of Operations at Inspired Enterprises—to share the unexpected journey that led him from electrical engineering and tech startups into the beauty industry. Anson opens up about growing up in rural Wisconsin, building early businesses in video production, and developing a deep passion for technology, systems, and now AI. Together, they share the behind-the-scenes story of how a chance salon visit (and an accidental bald spot!) sparked both a relationship and a business partnership. The conversation also dives into Anson's bold decision to leave a stable corporate career to help Kati grow their salon and technology ventures—just months before the pandemic reshaped everything. Salon and spa owners will walk away with insights on resilience, partnership in business, and the power of combining technology, systems, and leadership to build something meaningful. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/YE1f1eD5ezQ GET MY BOOK! From First Date to Forever; How to Market Like A Matchmaker: https://joinmya.com/from-first-date-to-forever-book POWERED BY: JOIN mya! joinmya.com LET'S CONNECT! BTT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthetechnique MYA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/join_mya/ FOLLOW KATI WHITLEDGE Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiwhitledge/ Get my favorite bio-hacking products: CLICK HERE SPONSORS Join the PBA: https://www.probeauty.org/