Salon Rising

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 coverThe lease shock, the pivot plans and choosing a smaller, stronger teamCourt battles, grief, overwhelm and learning to protect your peaceWhy joy (not hustle) is the new KPI for 2026The value of unplugging, resetting, and building in space before burnout hitsLetting go of control, embracing change and finding your anchor in the chaosThis is a conversation about the year that shaped us and the clarity, courage and joy we’re taking forward.Timestamps:00:00 Episode Summary02:08 Christmas Preparations and Traditions04:04 Balancing Business and Personal Life09:10 Lease Challenges and Business Adaptations16:22 Navigating Legal Battles and Personal Struggles24:02 Reflecting on a Year in Business24:39 Embracing the Power of Saying Yes25:40 The Importance of Taking Time Off27:17 Overcoming Overwhelm and Finding Balance28:24 Creating Joyful Memories with Family29:42 The Need for Personal Space and Self Care32:22 Pivoting in Life and Business41:11 Setting Goals and Embracing Uncertainty46:24 Final Reflections and Looking AheadMentioned in this episode:💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - TimelyWe’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 ImportsWe’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

What’s really working for salons right now...and what isn’t?In this Mini Moment, Jen sits down with Jeanette from Salon First to unpack findings from her Business Success 2025 Survey, which gathered insights from over 200 salon owners across Australia. The results reveal what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and where salon owners should really be focusing their energy this year.From retention struggles to menu simplification and the rise of lash, brow and skin services, this chat cuts through the noise to highlight what’s actually moving the needle in 2025.💡 What we cover:The biggest shifts salons are making this yearWhy retention matters more than reachHow to simplify your service menu for profitWhat 200 salons said about memberships and growthWhy listening to clients still trumps every trendA grounded reminder that success in 2025 isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what works, and doing it well.Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:52 Discussing the Feedback Survey03:16 Key Takeaways from the Survey08:15 Trends and Profitable ServicesMentioned in this episode:💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM ImportsWe’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 - TimelyWe’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 happens when life forces you to do the hard thing and you come out steadier, wiser, and more at peace with who you are?In this raw and generous conversation, Alex Fuchs — APAC Colour Master for KEVIN.MURPHY and owner of Fuchs Hair in Sydney, opens up about army bunkers, resilience, court battles, leadership wobbles, and the journey back to a client first salon he truly loves.We go deep on identity, pressure, growing a career and a family at the same time, and the quiet power of being seen in the chair. Timestamps00:00 Episode Summary01:22 Podcast Introduction and Guest Welcome02:42 Reconnecting with Alex03:26 Alex's Career Journey18:14 The Army Experience27:56 Life in Australia38:52 Oversharing and Its Consequences39:19 Support from the Salon Team39:34 Court Rulings and Emotional Impact40:00 Balancing Personal and Professional Life41:00 Leadership Challenges in the Salon42:27 Reflections on Salon Management44:52 Client Connections and Authenticity46:41 The Importance of Client Experience01:00:47 Social Media and Young Hairdressers01:02:35 Adapting and Evolving in the Industry01:06:29 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsIf you’ve ever felt like the wheels were coming off behind the scenes, this one will feel like a deep breath and a hand squeeze.💡 What we cover:The mirror moment that became Alex’s turning pointResilience lessons from compulsory service to courtroom stressLosing team, finding culture, and leading without people pleasingSmaller team, better profit, and falling back in love with clientsSocials as one pillar and putting client experience back at the centreIf this episode made you feel seen, hit subscribe and share it with a salon friend who needs it today.Mentioned in this episode:💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM ImportsWe’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 - TimelyWe’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 if the secret to stronger, thicker, and more beautiful hair starts where you least expect it...your scalp?In this Mini Moment. Samara and Jen are joined again by the amazing Monique McMahon. Owner of Que Colour and MCM Beauty, to talk about the growing movement that’s redefining the beauty industry: scalp care. Fresh from her US masterclass tour and the global launch of the Christophe Robin Fortifying Range, Monique shares what’s driving the shift from styling to scalp science and how salon owners can lead the conversation.💡 In this episode, you’ll hear:Why scalp health is the new frontier in haircareThe truth about stress, slick backs, and hair lossWhat makes the Christophe Robin Fortifying Range so powerfulHow to guide clients through their own hair health journeySimple tools and habits for stronger, healthier hairThis isn’t just about great hair, it’s about transforming the way we care for it, from root to tip.Featured Product: Christophe Robin Fortifying RangeThe Christophe Robin Fortifying Range strengthens and revitalises weakened hair, helping reduce hair fall caused by breakage by up to five times after just one use. Infused with amaranth peptides, it leaves hair visibly stronger, fuller, and more resilient.👉 Explore the range hereTimestamps00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Announcement01:00 Monique's US Masterclass Tour01:54 Hair Loss and Scalp Health Discussion03:02 Christophe Robin Fortifying Range10:40 Tips for Discussing Hair Loss with Clients14:20 Wrapping UpMentioned in this episode:💖 Celebrating Our Podcast Partner – Christophe Robin, proudly distributed by McM ImportsWe’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 - TimelyWe’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 happens when a tech minded gamer swaps code for colour and decides to make salon tech & marketing sexy?In this episode in the Inner Sanctum, we sit down with Brayden, founder of Your Salon Support and host of the podcast talk show, Can We Go Live, to unpack how salon owners can make tech and marketing feel sexy, simple, and smart again.Brayden shares his journey from the video game industry to the hair and beauty world, building systems that help salon owners move beyond the “post and hope” marketing mindset. We dive into the thinking behind his YSS Loyalty platform and how it’s reshaping the way salons connect with their clients, building real loyalty without relying on discounts.You’ll also hear how to turn memberships into recurring revenue, why your email list might be your most underused asset, and how small tech shifts can make a big impact on client retention, consistency, and growth.What We CoverThe 4 pillars of salon marketing Loyalty that lives on your client’s phone (and why it works)How to make memberships make sense for hairFilling last minute gaps without cheapening your brandThe one marketing tool you need to turn on todayThis isn’t just a conversation about marketing systems, it’s a wake up call that the future of your salon is already in your hands.Timestamps00:00 Episode Summary 02:42 Journey from Video Games to Salon Support 04:30 Building a Business in Salon Support 07:42 Marketing Strategies and Diversification 15:44 Loyalty and Membership Programs 25:00 Understanding Your Audience 25:15 Effective Use of Availability 25:59 Rebooking Strategies 26:37 Innovative Commission Tracking 27:44 Building Loyalty Without Cheapening 28:31 Integrating with Modern Software 31:39 Making Tech Sexy in the Salon Industry 35:09 Remote Team Dynamics 41:39 Expanding Globally 45:17 The Importance of Email Marketing 46:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 🎁 Special Gift from Brayden:Brayden is offering Salon Rising: The Podcast listeners a 3 month free YSS Loyalty subscription. Designed to help you elevate client connection and loyalty in your salon.To unlock, use the referral code SALON RISING via yssloyalty.com/contactMentioned in this episode:💛 A HUGE Thank You to Our Podcast Sponsors - TimelyWe’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 ImportsWe’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