The Conscious Salon

What if the card surcharge changes everyone’s talking about… don’t actually need to be the business disaster you’ve been expecting? From 1 October 2026, card surcharges are being switched off across Australia, and if you’re a salon owner, you’ve probably already seen the panic posts. But instead of adding to the noise, Nic and Tess take a breath, look at the facts, and break down what this change really means for your salon. From EFTPOS fees and merchant rates to the temptation of going cash-only, this episode is about turning a noisy policy change into a practical plan that protects your profit without compromising your client experience.In this episode, you’ll hear about: 💳 What the card surcharge ban actually means for salon owners 💰 Why the “billions of dollars” headlines don’t tell the whole story 📱 Why going cash-only or bank-transfer-only may create more problems 🤝 How to negotiate your merchant fees and shop around for better rates 📊 How a small pricing adjustment can help absorb the difference 🧠 How to avoid the cortisol spiral every time something changes in your business 🔄 The quarterly habit that could help you save money across all your recurring expenses Because not every business change needs to become a crisis. Sometimes, you just need the facts, the numbers, and a practical plan. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community:https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

Caring deeply about your team is one thing. But are you accidentally becoming their parent instead of their leader? In this episode, Nic and Tess unpack one of the biggest leadership traps salon owners fall into: rescuing, mothering, and micromanaging their teams. While it often comes from a place of care, these habits can unintentionally create dependence, limit your team's growth, and keep you stuck working in your salon instead of leading it. If you've ever found yourself solving every problem, answering every question, or feeling like your business can't function without you, this episode will help you shift from rescuing your team to empowering them. ✨ In this episode, you'll learn: 🚩 The signs you're parenting your team instead of leading them 💡 Why rescuing your team can actually hold them back 🧠 How to coach your team to think for themselves instead of relying on you 🗣️ Simple questions that build confidence, ownership, and critical thinking ✋ Why healthy boundaries create stronger, more self-led team members 🚀 How letting go of control helps you build a salon that doesn't rely on you 🌱 Why allowing mistakes is one of the fastest ways to grow confident leaders If your goal is to step off the salon floor, build a self-led team, and become a more conscious leader, this conversation is one you won't want to miss. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

How much is an unaligned team member really costing your business? The answer might surprise you. In this episode, Nic, Tess, and Tae dive into the powerful connection between team alignment and business performance. Using real client data and real coaching experiences, they unpack how one unaligned team member can impact your culture, client experience, and financial results—and what happens when your entire team is working towards the same vision. They also share practical leadership strategies for identifying misalignment, having courageous conversations, and creating a team that's genuinely invested in your business goals. If you've ever found yourself saying, "They're great, but..." this episode is one you won't want to miss. In this episode, you'll learn: 📊 Why your numbers often reveal leadership challenges before people do 🎯 What true team alignment actually looks like beyond shared values 💬 How to identify when a team member is no longer aligned with your vision 🤝 Simple conversations that create clarity instead of conflict 🚀 Why courageous leadership creates opportunities for both your team and your business 📈 How one aligned team can dramatically improve performance and profitability 🌱 Practical ways to build a numbers-focused culture without overwhelming your team When your team understands the vision, believes in the process, and works towards the same goals, incredible results become possible. This episode will help you create a culture where accountability, ownership, and performance naturally thrive. ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

What happens when you've built a successful career, opened your dream salon, and then suddenly find yourself questioning who you are? In this deeply honest conversation, Nic and Tess sit down with salon owner, educator, and lived-in colour specialist Emily Mander to talk about the realities of rebuilding your life, business, and identity after becoming a mother. Emily opens up about moving from the UK to Australia at 34 weeks pregnant, leaving behind the salon she'd built from the ground up, navigating motherhood without a support network, and the emotional challenge of balancing ambition with family life. This episode is a powerful reminder that success doesn't always look the way we imagined—and that sometimes the bravest thing we can do is embrace the season we're in. In this episode, you'll learn: 🌊 How Emily built a thriving salon and personal brand across two countries 🤍 The identity shift that comes with motherhood and business ownership 🌱 Why it's okay to feel lost while rebuilding your life and career 💬 The importance of talking openly about the realities of motherhood 💪 How to embrace hard seasons without falling into victim mentality ✨ Why creating a business that can thrive without you creates true freedom ❤️ The power of leading with purpose, wellbeing, and genuine connection 🚀 How giving yourself permission to grow at your own pace changes everything Whether you're a salon owner, entrepreneur, parent, or simply navigating a season of change, this conversation will remind you that growth isn't always linear—and that you don't have to have it all figured out. To follow Emily's journey: https://www.instagram.com/emilymanderhair/ ________________________________________________ Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form

You can look like you've got everything together on the outside while your brain is running at full volume on the inside. In this episode, Nic and Tess sit down with salon owner and educator Jess Lewis for a raw, funny, and deeply relatable conversation about being diagnosed with ADHD as an adult—and why so many women spend years believing what they're experiencing is simply anxiety, overwhelm, or the pressure of having too much on their plate. Jess opens up about what finally prompted her to seek answers, what sensory overload feels like in real time, and how intrusive thoughts and mental spirals can affect relationships, parenting, confidence, and the way you show up as a business owner. The conversation also explores the reality of running a fully booked salon in a challenging economy while raising three children and carrying the constant responsibility that comes with business ownership and motherhood. Jess shares how hormones, exhaustion, and never-ending demands can impact your capacity—and why understanding what's happening in your brain can be such a powerful first step. They also get practical about what has helped Jess, from ADHD medication and creating boundaries to recognising masking, protecting her energy, and finding healthier ways to quieten the noise. Most importantly, this is a conversation about normalising the messy middle and creating space for women to talk honestly about what they're experiencing without shame. In this episode, you'll learn: 🧠 What led Jess to seek an ADHD diagnosis as an adult 💭 Why ADHD symptoms in women can sometimes be mistaken for anxiety or overwhelm 🔊 What sensory overload, intrusive thoughts, and mental spirals can actually feel like 👩‍👧‍👦 How ADHD, motherhood, hormones, and exhaustion can affect your capacity 💼 The reality of managing a busy salon while trying to be present at home 💊 What Jess has found helpful in quietening the noise and managing her ADHD 🚧 Why boundaries are essential for protecting your energy and capacity 🤍 How masking can affect the way neurodivergent women show up at work and in relationships 🌱 Why normalising the messy middle can help women feel less alone Whether you've been diagnosed with ADHD, are beginning to question your own experiences, or simply feel like your brain never stops running, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone—and that understanding yourself can change everything. Thank you to our podcast sponsor CPR. https://www.cprhair.com https://www.instagram.com/cprhairpro/ Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.au 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @the_conscious_salon 📧 Join our email community: https://mailchi.mp/theconscioussalon/subscribe-form