Pay structure problems are one of the biggest hidden reasons salons struggle with profit, team trust, and long-term stability.

In this episode, Brie breaks down the difference between commission and 1099, why paying commission while issuing 1099s is misclassification, and how these mistakes put both owners and stylists at risk. We also talk about the growing trend of deducting backbar, color, or expenses before commission, and why that approach quietly creates resentment, confusion, and broken culture.

You’ll learn what clean pay structures actually look like, why pricing and payroll are inseparable, and how to think about compensation in a way that protects your business while paying your team fairly.

This episode covers salon payroll, employee classification, commission structures, backbar costs, pricing foundations, and leadership responsibility around pay.

If you’ve ever felt confused about how to structure pay, worried about payroll, or unsure whether your current setup is actually clean, this conversation will bring clarity.

This is a must-listen for commission salon owners and spa owners who want to build ethical, sustainable pay structures that support both profitability and strong team relationships.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon and spa owners think of their lease as just another monthly bill — but very few realize how deeply that decision affects pricing, payroll, staffing, stress levels, and long-term profitability.

In this episode, Brie & Chandra break down how salon leases quietly shape your entire business model, why signing a space before building the right financial structure creates pressure, and what owners need to understand about rent, overhead, and minimum performance requirements.

We talk about how space size connects to pricing, why bigger or prettier locations don’t automatically mean better businesses, how leases influence pay structures and productivity expectations, and what to look at if your rent constantly feels heavy.

You’ll also hear guidance for owners who are already locked into a lease and feeling the weight of it, including how to evaluate your numbers, where to adjust first, and how to start shifting the business so your space supports you instead of draining you.

If your salon feels busy but not profitable, or if rent feels like the thing you’re always chasing, this episode will help you understand why — and what to do about it.

This conversation is a must-listen for commission salon owners and spa owners who want a more stable, predictable, and profitable business.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon and spa owners start the year with big goals, strong motivation, and a long list of things they want to accomplish — and by February or March, many already feel behind, discouraged, or unsure why nothing is sticking.

In this episode, Brie & Chandra break down why traditional New Year resolutions don’t work for most beauty business owners, and why a reset is far more powerful than setting another goal. We talk about what’s really happening when progress stalls, how to recognize when your business needs recalibration instead of more motivation, and what it looks like to shift from goal-setting to structure-building.

You’ll hear coaching around mid-year resets, identifying hidden bottlenecks, understanding where your systems are breaking down, and how to rebuild momentum without burning everything down or starting over. This episode covers leadership mindset, business clarity, decision-making, and the difference between being busy versus building something stable.

If you’ve felt stuck, off track, or frustrated that your goals aren’t turning into results, this conversation will help you understand why — and what to focus on instead.

This episode is a must-listen for commission salon owners and spa owners who want to stop relying on motivation, build real consistency, and create a business that actually supports growth.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Salon retail has changed more in the last few years than most owners realize. In this episode, we sit down with a leading beauty distributor to break down the real retail trends happening inside the salon industry right now — from shifting client buying habits, to supply chain changes, to how salon retail sales are being affected by Amazon, online shopping, and new product education models.

We talk about how salon retail strategy has evolved, what brands are focusing on in 2025, how distributor partnerships actually work, and what owners need to understand if they want consistent retail revenue inside a commission salon. You’ll hear insider insight on inventory management, product pricing, retail margins, stylist retail training, client trust, add-on sales, retail KPIs, and the role of product knowledge in building a profitable salon retail system.

If you’ve been struggling with low retail sales, inconsistent stylist participation, or clients buying online instead of in your salon — this conversation will help you understand what’s changed, why it changed, and how to rebuild your salon retail system in a way that actually works. We cover the difference between old-school retail tactics and modern, client-focused retail education that supports higher ticket sales, stronger client experience, and higher profitability.

This interview is a must-watch for salon owners who want to improve retail performance, train their team with confidence, increase product sell-through, and build a salon business model that thrives, even as the beauty industry continues to evolve. Whether you're trying to boost retail numbers, educate your team, or shift your salon culture around retail — this episode gives you the strategies, insights, and leadership tools you need.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most salon owners think going deskless will automatically save money, streamline operations, and fix their front-of-house problems — but that’s not always true. In this episode, we break down the real differences between a deskless salon system and a traditional front desk, and how each one impacts profitability, client experience, retention, rebooking, and overall salon operations.

We walk through what works, what breaks, and what actually creates consistency inside a growing commission salon. From front desk roles, guest management, phone systems, booking workflows, check-in/check-out, and salon leadership, we get into the details that most owners overlook.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your salon should keep a front desk, transition to a hybrid model, or go fully deskless — this episode will help you understand the systems, staffing, KPIs, benchmarks, and client-flow strategies that truly support a profitable, scalable salon.

This conversation is a must-watch for any owner wanting stronger salon systems, better team accountability, smoother client journey, and leadership that doesn’t rely on putting out fires all day.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Most stylists think they have to rent a booth to make six figures — but that’s not true. In this episode, we break down how stylists are hitting six-figure income inside commission salons using structure, level systems, benchmarks, upsells, and strong leadership.
We’re joined by Amber, a stylist who started as an apprentice and is now on the brink of six figures working around 30 hours a week. If you’re a stylist or salon owner who wants real income growth without burnout, this episode proves what’s possible when the systems are right.

Resources & Links:

✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok @thebeautybizagency
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Slow seasons happen. Cancellations, a stylist on leave, a busted water heater — and suddenly the salon’s cash flow feels shaky. This episode shows salon owners how to build real cash reserves so one slow month doesn’t trigger panic decisions.
We cover profit vs cash, how much an emergency fund should be (in payroll weeks and monthly expenses), where to pull the cash from (pricing, budget, cost controls), and a simple plan to build reserves without starving growth. If you want a stable, profitable beauty business, start here.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com

Every salon has the stylist who’s “good enough” — they’re dependable, they’re pleasant, they don’t create drama… but they also don’t grow. Their numbers stay flat, their retail is low, and their rebooking never moves. And because they’re not a “problem,” you let it slide — even though they’re quietly draining profit and slowing your salon’s growth.

In this episode, we uncover the hidden cost of stagnant stylists, why “good enough” is often the most expensive seat in your salon, and how fear, guilt, and avoidance keep owners from having the conversations that would change everything. You’ll learn how to coach better, set performance standards, and protect your revenue without feeling like the bad guy.

Sometimes the stylist draining your growth isn’t causing chaos — they’re quietly holding your business back.

Resources & Links:
✨ Coaching options: www.thebeautybizagency.com
📱 Follow on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok
📩 Email: admin@thebeautybizagency.com