Episodios

  • The 5% Client Retention Rule That Can Double Your Income as a Hairstylist

    The 5% Client Retention Rule That Can Double Your Income as a Hairstylist
    Dec 3 2025
    Are you exhausted from constantly chasing new clients on Instagram, TikTok, and referral apps, but not seeing your income reflect how hard you work behind the chair? In this episode, Ambrosia Carey breaks down the data-backed 5% client retention rule and shows you how a tiny improvement in retention can boost your salon revenue by 25–95% without adding more days, longer hours, or triple-booking chaos. If you're a hairstylist, colorist, booth renter, or salon owner who wants to build a sustainable, freedom-based beauty business, this conversation walks you through the difference between client acquisition and client retention, why social media can't be your only growth strategy, and how top-performing salons retain more first-time guests and turn them into loyal, high-value clients. You'll learn simple, repeatable systems you can plug into your existing booking software to stabilize your income, pre-book smarter, and create a client experience that feels elevated, personal, and totally on-brand. If you've been craving a clear roadmap to become the go-to stylist in your market, increase your rebook rate, and build a waitlist-worthy beauty business, this episode is for you. Watch our FREE Profit Maker Webinar Replay HERE: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq Enjoy our Marketing Guide Freebie HERE: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ke6k90nlq2 Share your experience and leave us a review HERE: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127 Key Takeaways 1. A small 5% increase in client retention can raise your profitability by 25–95%, making retention one of the most powerful levers for growing your salon income without adding more hours behind the chair. 2. Top-performing salons rely on new clients for only about 10% of their total revenue; the rest comes from returning guests who pre-book, buy retail, say yes to add-ons, and refer friends, because the experience is consistent and predictable. 3. Client acquisition (CAC) is expensive in both money and energy: think content creation, DMs, inquiries, and ad spend, while a retained client costs virtually zero to reacquire and is far easier to serve at a higher level. 4. Retention is not about perfection; it's about a repeatable client journey: clear consultation, simple at-home routines, a strong checkout process, and an agreed-upon maintenance schedule that protects your client's hair and your time. 5. A simple three-touch system: post-visit check-in, midpoint reminder, and pre-book or follow-up nudge, can dramatically reduce ghosting, extend the lifetime value of each guest, and make your income more stable month after month. 6. Low pre-booking rates and stretched-out maintenance cycles are not marketing problems, they're communication problems; tightening how you talk about timing, pricing, and future appointments can quickly improve your retention numbers. 7. You don't need "more clients" to grow; you need to deepen the relationship with 80–120 ideal clients who feel seen, cared for, and excited to come back. Freeing up your calendar and nervous system so you can pursue education, brand partnerships, or salon ownership without burning out. 8. By focusing on one improvement (like pre-booking, consultation, or checkout) and tracking one number for 90 days, you can increase your retention by 15% and build a more profitable, sustainable, and freedom-based beauty business. For more tips, find us on Instagram Subscribe on YouTube for updates Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: https://pharmagel.net/?ref=SSA15
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    36 m
  • Where Does Our Money Go? The Waterfall Map for Salon Profits

    Where Does Our Money Go? The Waterfall Map for Salon Profits
    Nov 25 2025
    In this episode of the Successful Stylist Academy Podcast, Ambrosia pulls back the curtain on one of the most confusing parts of running a profitable business as an independent stylist or salon owner: where your money actually goes. Instead of just looking at your bank balance and hoping for the best, she walks you through a simple "waterfall" visual so you can see how every dollar flows through your business, into costs, marketing, overhead, education, and finally: profit. You'll learn realistic percentage benchmarks for each category, the most common money leaks that silently eat into your income, and how to fix them without adding more hours behind the chair. If you've ever felt busy but not truly profitable, this conversation will help you reclaim your confidence, your cash flow, and your long-term freedom. Get FREE access to our Creative Service Profit Maker Webinar now! The booking software that makes my job easier is GlossGenius with AI support to make tasks as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Want more episodes like this? Drop a review here & tell us what you want to hear more of: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127 Key Take-Aways: 1. Think of your business like a waterfall, not just a bank balance. 2. Money flows from the faucet into a series of "glass cups" : direct costs, client acquisition, overhead, growth, and finally profit. 3. When you see each glass clearly, you stop assuming all the money in your bank account is truly yours and start treating it as money with a job. 4. Get clear on your direct costs (COGS) so every bowl of color is profitable. 5. Direct costs include anything you touch, mix, or use on your client: color, lightener, developer, foils, gloves, towels, shampoo, conditioner, cleaning supplies, and even credit card fees. 6. Aim to keep these costs around 10–12% of your total revenue, and know that once you creep toward 15–20%, it is a danger zone and a clear sign you need a price increase. 7. Stop overordering and start pricing services with product usage in mind. 8. Common leaks include buying too much inventory, letting products expire, turning unsold retail into backbar, and never updating prices when suppliers raise theirs. 9. Fix this by using systems or software to track inventory, calculating your cost per scoop or per gram, and doing a quick monthly inventory check so your shelves are lean and intentional, not a graveyard of old product. 10. Track your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) so your marketing actually pays you back. 11. Your CAC includes ads, promos, new client discounts, referral rewards, branding shoots, social media time, website, and booking software that help you get clients in the door. 12. A healthy benchmark is 5–10% of your revenue, and a simple formula is: if you spend $200 on ads and get 5 new clients, your CAC is $40 per client and each client should bring in at least four times that in lifetime value. 13. Prioritize retention over constant hustle for new clients. 14. Common mistakes are chasing visibility without conversion, not tracking where new clients come from, and focusing more on strangers online than on the guests already in your chair. 15. Track first-time versus repeat clients monthly, create a simple referral system with a clear reward, and double down on the platforms and efforts that are actually sending you clients, not just likes. 16. Audit your overhead before it quietly drains your profit. 17. Overhead includes rent or booth rent, utilities, Wi-Fi, insurance, software, accounting, subscriptions, cleaning, payroll taxes, and benefits. 18. Ideally, this lands between 35–45% of your total revenue, and when it creeps toward 50% or higher, you either need to cut costs, raise prices, or both to keep your business from tipping upside down. 19. Be ruthless with subscriptions and intentional with tax planning. 20.Typical leaks are paying for apps and tools you no longer use, overspending on décor or space that does not match your income level, and failing to save ahead for taxes. 21. Quarterly, comb through subscriptions, automate your bookkeeping and reports, and move around 30% of your profit into a separate tax or high-yield savings account so you are not surprised at year-end. 22. Treat education, events, and travel as growth costs; not automatic write-offs. 23. Hair shows, classes, coaching, membership programs, flights, hotels, and meals are powerful when they are strategic, but expensive when they are random. 24. Try to keep these growth costs under about 8–10% of your annual revenue, give every class a clear action plan for how you will turn it into income, and look for ways to turn trips into content, offers, or digital assets you can reuse. 25. Decide how your profit will be divided before it hits your account. ...
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    47 m
  • Proven Ways to Amplify Your Income Using Hair Extensions

    Proven Ways to Amplify Your Income Using Hair Extensions
    Nov 18 2025

    Offering extensions can transform your average ticket, attract premium clients, and position you as an expert. In this episode I break down how to use "scholarship" (free-labor) installs to sprint your social proof, fill your portfolio, and raise prices with confidence, without giving away the store. You'll get scripts, a 7-day action plan, and the math to make it smart.


    Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq


    Get 20% off your first order & subscribe to Rooted Hair for ongoing deals & education: https://rootedhair.ca/


    Key Take-aways:


    1. Free or low-cost installs are not "giving away time" — they're a strategic investment that builds your portfolio, confidence, and social proof.


    2. Choose models intentionally; their hair, vibe, and reliability should match your dream client.


    3. Always do an in-person consultation to assess density, texture, lifestyle, and realistic expectations.


    4. Use model installs to capture strong content: videos, transformations, reactions, and movement shots.


    5. Set clear expectations — free installs do not include free maintenance.


    6. Outline deliverables for your model such as tags, testimonials, or specific content requirements.


    7. Recommend the extension method that fits the client's hair and lifestyle, not just what you want to showcase.


    8. Present your offer as a structured model call, not a giveaway.


    9. Use the model period for testing, check-ins, and refining your technique and systems.


    10. Limit freebies to maintain value and avoid attracting bargain-hunters.


    11. Avoid models needing heavy color correction — it adds unpaid hours and unpredictable results.


    12. Use team members as in-salon models to build credibility and visibility.


    13. Start with a small beta group to gather feedback, testimonials, and repeat business.


    14. Track long-term earnings — even a handful of models can generate thousands in yearly maintenance revenue.


    15. Practice before launching publicly; confidence grows through private reps and real clients.


    16. Streamline your technique — clients value efficient installs just as much as luxury experiences.


    17. Avoid selecting models strictly through DMs; refusals to consult in person are red flags.


    18. Remember: free installs are an intentional investment that fuel your launch, proof, and profitability.


    Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: https://pharmagel.net/?ref=AMBROSIAMANN


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    44 m
  • Burnout to Purpose: The Hairstylist's Guide to Serving with HairAid

    Burnout to Purpose: The Hairstylist's Guide to Serving with HairAid
    Oct 14 2025

    What is HairAid and how can a hairstylist actually change a life in one week? Ambrosia talks with Alannah Zilkowsky (HairAid project lead) and Corey/Hairdustry about HairAid's volunteer-led projects in Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Guatemala. Learn how teams teach core foundational haircuts in less than a week, why graduates can earn income immediately, who can volunteer (you don't need to be an educator), costs and logistics, real success stories, and why many stylists return feeling re-energized and burnout-free. If you've wondered how to use your salon skills for global impact, this is your playbook.


    Catch the Profit Marker Replay HERE: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq


    To learn more about HairAid: https://hairaid.org.au/


    1. HairAid is a volunteer-led charity that teaches core foundational haircuts in less than a week, so people in extreme poverty can earn income immediately.


    2. You don't need to be an "educator" to serve basic skills. Willingness to follow HairAid's method, and a servant mindset are enough.


    3. Projects operate in countries like Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Guatemala, partnering with local NGOs for lasting impact.


    4. Students often experience their first formal education on day one, and by day's end they complete a live one-length cut with guidance.


    5. The curriculum covers greeting, tools, sectioning, one-length, V-shape, long layers, round layers, graduated bob, and short cuts (adapted per location).


    6. Impact is immediate: graduates open micro-salons, support families, and even return as translators/trainers, creating ripple effects.


    7. Volunteers report personal transformation, learning presence, surrender, and gratitude, often returning re-energized and cured of burnout.


    8. HairAid's logistics remove guesswork: pre-trip packets, packing lists, cultural notes, training videos, and on-ground induction day.


    9. Typical projects host 12–18 volunteers; costs include a volunteer fee plus flights, many stylists fundraise via clients and salon events.


    10. Common fears (cost, travel, "am I good enough?") are normal; pairing with experienced leads and teammates makes it manageable.


    11. Service extends beyond the classroom: HairAid supports local social enterprises (hotels, eateries) to uplift the wider community.


    12. Post-COVID rebuilding means fewer trips now, with more locations returning; connections on the ground help open future countries.


    13. You can contribute even if you're not ready to travel: share the mission, sponsor a volunteer, or connect HairAid to credible local partners.


    14. Bringing a spouse or friend is welcome, non-stylists can help with admin, cross-checks, or allied community projects.


    1 5. Big picture: teaching a skill changes a life, restores dignity, and builds community, while reminding us why this industry matters.


    Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line by entering code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15

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    52 m
  • Why Your Time Is Worth More Than You Think

    Why Your Time Is Worth More Than You Think
    Aug 18 2025

    Your time is your most valuable and limited business asset. In this episode, Ambrosia Carey reveals how to calculate your true hourly rate, spot hidden time drains, and protect your schedule so your business actually works for you. Perfect for hairstylists, salon owners, and creative entrepreneurs ready to scale without burning out.


    Get your free time tracker here: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/cm08owklix


    Watch our FREE profit maker webinar here: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq


    Key Take-Aways:


    1. No one talks about the one asset you can't raise… your time.


    2.If you've ever spent hours prepping for a client just to break even, delivered amazing work that took more out of you than it gave back, it might be worthwhile to track you time.


    3. Time is your most limited, non-renewable resource. Money can be replaced.


    4. Time is the invisible labor in your business, from admin to prep, content creation, client communication, setup, cleanup, and everything in between.


    5. Calculate how much time went into prep, during, and post. Then subtract taxes, fees, and costs which will bring your real return.


    6. Hidden time costs are everywhere. From travel time you don't bill for, to client follow-ups on your days off, to team management and inventory issues, it all adds up.


    7. Here's how to protect and optimize your time: Create repeatable processes, batch content and communication, schedule work during your best energy hours, use time-based pricing, and track your time for one week to see where your hours actually go.


    8. Scaling isn't just adding clients, it's reclaiming time so you can build with intention.


    9. If you're ready to protect your time, grab my free Time Audit Worksheet: a simple guide to help you track your real time costs, calculate your hourly return, and identify where your time is being underpaid or unaccounted for.


    10. Let's protect your time, and build something sustainable together. Join our Membership Waitlist


    Take 15% off our favorite skincare line, Pharmagel with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15


    Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey



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    25 m
  • The Mindset Shift Every Hairstylist Needs to Make More Money

    The Mindset Shift Every Hairstylist Needs to Make More Money
    Jul 9 2025
    As a hairstylist, increasing your income isn't always about adding more, it's about deepening the way you communicate, consult, and recommend. In this episode, we explore the mindset shifts and soft skills that make all the difference. You'll learn how to remove the ick from sales by shifting your focus from pushing to partnering. From understanding the stories you tell yourself about selling, to crafting recommendations that actually help your clients feel seen and supported, this conversation goes deep into what it truly means to build trust behind the chair. We'll talk about how retail becomes a tool for transformation, how to simplify your systems, and how the care you give can create a lasting foundation, not just for your client relationships, but for your career. If you've ever struggled with selling retail, felt weird bringing up products, or want to serve better and earn more, this episode is for you. Download our FREE full proof profit maker HERE: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/nlle1d1php We would love to hear from you, drop a review & we will add you into our next giveaway: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/successful-stylist-academy/id1584273127 Key Take-aways: 1. Ways of creating opportunities can happen simply by focusing on a specific problem. 2. What are the stories you tell yourself when it comes to providing a service and sales? 3. Delivery is everything. If we learn to deliver differently, we remove the ick from sales. 4. The repulsive sales feeling comes from someone thinking they're trying to take something from us. 5. Care vs. Commission. 6. Start with the recommendation through the consultation. 7. It's more of a partnership with your client, and you want to work together. 8. Care can be both about the care of the hair with the result in mind, but it can also be about helping the client feel less overwhelmed & learning how to repeat what we do behind the chair. 9. If you don't know or like the product, it's hard to talk about it. 10. Impact happens with passing knowledge onto our clients, because they spend more time with their hair than we as service providers do. 11. Retail builds trust, which builds a different foundation, and career. 12. Soft skills should happen in beauty school & with mentorship. 13. The art of being seen & heard is repeating back what you hear. 14. Ask what might be missing before starting the service. 15. Every time a client comes to see you, they left some other place, and they're coming to you for a reason. 16. Technology has made it possible that we communicate less, but with our industry, we need to communicate more. 17.Communication skills are vital to a successful foundation. Learn more about people and how you can provide exceptional care. 18. Life is a mirror not a window. 19. We have processes & procedures for everything else in our service, do the same for retail. 20. 4 parts: Captivate, fascinate, educate, close. 21. Find out what's most important to your clients. Then find out the What, why, how, when. 22. For a low-performing stylist, find out why your clients aren't purchasing from you. 23. Coach to the habits, not the numbers. 24. Every day, pick up 2-3 products and get to know the product. You can find Kristie on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kristie.theorie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15
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    1 h y 1 m
  • Money Moves for Creative Entrepreneurs

    Money Moves for Creative Entrepreneurs
    Jun 18 2025

    In this episode, we sit down with Carrie Scott, Financial Advisor with Cetera Investors, to talk about building real, sustainable wealth as a creative business owner. Whether you're a hairstylist, solopreneur, or growing your side hustle, this conversation is packed with approachable tips on setting up financial systems, the biggest mistakes creatives make with money, how to plan for slow seasons and long-term wealth, shifting from hustle mode to intentional money moves. Carrie breaks down complex topics with warmth, clarity, and zero judgment. This is the episode every creative didn't know they needed.


    Find Carrie Scott here: website: https://scottwealthmgmt.ceterainvestors.com/ or feel free to contact by email.


    Carrie recommends you read this book


    Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40


    Key Take-aways:


    1. You can open a RothIRA for your working child to help them get started with their long term wealth building.


    2. As a small business owner, look over your spending and income month to month & start with an emergency fund.


    3. Set yourself up for success by putting yourself first and start investing for your future plan.


    4. Would you rather pay yourself or the IRS?


    5. The average age that someone starts to invest in their future is 40. Imagine what it would look like to start earlier.


    6. Start with the end in mind. Have the final number you want to retire with and get clarity on what you should be putting away.


    7. Monthly installments can help over the one lump sum to accrue interest over


    8. Get the mindset of how you'll start your investment; short, medium, or long term for the best success.


    9. Debt accrual is a financial killer and can hold you back from moving forward. Do you want to sacrifice now or later?


    10. Index means the money is split between all companies.


    11. Investing into a mutual fund or ETF is a safe way to invest.


    12. A Simple IRA maxes at $16,500 for the year 2025 if you're under 50 & have at least 1 employee. There is no cost to set it up, and the employer has to match up to 2%.


    13. SEP IRA is for a solo $70k per year or 25%.


    14. Both Simple & SEP IRA's have matching as well as separate requirements.


    15. If you put $300 away in an investment account, you're not actually putting away $300 because $80-100 would have been counted toward taxes, so your check looks like it drops closer to $200 instead.


    16. Financial advisors not only help you with choosing how to invest in the right type of account to fit your needs a goals, they also help you come up with a plan to pay off debt, save, and get to your goals faster.


    17.Short term typically don't have fees & don't pay much, intermediate (5+ year goal) mutual funds which compounds over time, but you don't have to be 59 ½ before you can touch the money. Long-term don't touch until you're 59 ½


    18. IRS charges a 10% fee if you take money out prior to 59 ½


    19. Annuities you don't have an age limit when you want to take money out of an account. You only pay taxes for the income, and it's a nice way to build a legacy and pass over the generations.


    20. You have to take income at the age of 73 on your IRA.


    21. CDs and HYSA (high-yield savings account) interest payments and terms change all the time.


    Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey


    Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15


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    45 m
  • Building Your Marketing Message

    Building Your Marketing Message
    May 24 2025

    Struggling to market your creative business or attract high-quality clients? In this episode, we join Jodie Brown who walks through the exact steps to define your ideal client, clarify your brand message, and choose the right marketing channels to grow your business. Learn why niching down helps you stand out, how to stop overthinking your content, and how to use repetition to build reputation. Whether you're a hairstylist, salon owner, or creative entrepreneur, this episode will help you simplify your strategy and create marketing that actually works.


    Get FREE access to our profit making webinar: https://small-kiwi-98108.myflodesk.com/ao7u0l0qzq


    Our 6 figure stylist guide here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/622541789b7136a9e313da40


    Key Take-aways:


    1. When you find there is a need to solve, that's what shapes your marketing message.


    2. Some people get confused with the type of clients they want to have vs the type of clients they're already attracting.


    3. You attract what you project.


    4. Identifying your ideal client is a fundamental must do.


    5. Who are you talking to and what problem do you solve or what desire do you want to facilitate?


    6. Why you? What is the unique way you'll solve your clients problems?


    7. When you get those answers defined then you can choose your marketing channels.


    8. Most businesses get hung up because they don't get specific enough. Niching down will always help you stand out.


    9. A common mistake businesses make is thinking the can't post the same thing twice.


    10. Marketing isn't about saying 100 different things, it's about saying 1 thing 100 different ways.


    11. Repetition equals reputation.


    12. Marketing yourself as a generalist can be harder, focus on the experience.


    13. Three areas of focus to be successful in marketing your business are: website, Instagram, and email list.


    14. The first step before coming up with a strategy is gaining clarity on your brand story.


    15. Add a CTA (call to action) in your bio with an easy & structured way to guide visitors into clients.


    16. Pinning a post with all of your important information is helpful as well.


    17. Once you have clarity in your brand, have a structured way of funneling visitors into clients, then create your content plan.


    18. Content is about bringing the foundations to life.


    You can find Align Creative Co on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aligncreativeco?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==


    Email & text marketing is the quickest way to increase your income and GlossGenius has AI support to make this as simple as clicking a button! Try it out for 2 weeks FREE: https://glossgenius.biz/AmbrosiaCarey


    Get 15% off Pharmagel, our favorite skincare line with code SSA15: http://www.pharmagel.net/discount/ssa15?redirect=%2F%3Fafmc%3Dssa15


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    46 m