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In this final episode of our commission salon business mini-series, Todd and Jen break down how their roles as salon owners have evolved over time—and what it really takes to build a sustainable commission-based business.

From systems and structure to trust, delegation, and team culture, this episode is packed with real-world insight and hard-won lessons. Whether you're just starting or scaling up, this is a must-listen.

🔹 Timestamps + Topics

[00:00] - Welcome back & what we covered in parts 1 and 2
[03:00] - Jen’s opening take: The first real vacation after 16 years of owning a salon
[05:30] - Todd’s opening take: Use AI smartly—but don’t outsource your thinking
[09:45] - How our ownership roles have changed over the years
[13:00] - Your team determines how far you can go
[14:40] - How we got our team to care about cleaning (without nagging)
[16:30] - Why simplicity in systems makes them stick
[18:00] - Using Slack for communication and why it works
[19:00] - How we structure team meetings to inspire, not intimidate
[22:45] - Honest self-audits: “Where have we failed you as leaders?”
[24:00] - Delegation, creating opportunities, and expanding team roles
[27:00] - Station-sharing, working 7 days, and maximizing space without expanding
[30:00] - What most salons miss: supporting multiple generations of stylists
[34:30] - Why we don’t micromanage KPIs and tailor mentorship to the stylist
[36:00] - Taking care of your team holistically (yes, that includes hydration)
[37:00] - Final thoughts: You don’t need to have it all figured out
[38:00] - Culture is built on your worst days, not your best
[39:00] - What to do next: Audit yourself, your systems, and your leadership

💡 Key Takeaways

• You can’t scale alone. Build systems, delegate, and trust your team.
• Meet your staff where they are. This includes their mental health, concerns, and communication preferences.
• Your culture is about the bad days. Stay grounded and lead with intention.
• Commission isn’t outdated. Done right, it offers freedom and structure.
• Everything improves when your team feels valued.

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In this milestone 200th episode, Todd and Jen continue their in-depth exploration of what it takes not only to build a successful commission salon but also to sustain one.

From emotional intelligence behind the chair to their refined hiring process, leadership growth, team retention strategies, and handling conflict like pros—this episode is loaded with actionable insights for salon owners and hair professionals alike.

🕒 Timestamps & Topics:

[00:00] – Opening Takes

[07:00] – Recap of Part 1 + This Week’s Focus: Culture & Hiring

[08:00] – Early Hiring Mistakes & Leadership Growth
How the initial team didn’t align with the Hello Hair Pro mission—and how Todd and Jen refined their leadership and hiring approach as a result.

[10:30] – Hello’s Current Hiring Process
From culture fit first to post-hire model evaluations, shadow days, and hands-on onboarding.

[15:00] – What They Look for in New Team Members
Hiring for personality, not just skill. Todd looks for people he genuinely wants to be around; Jen assesses presentation and willingness to learn.

[18:00] – Common Hiring Traps in the Salon Industry
Why relying solely on technical ability is short-sighted, and how mentorship and real education matter more than ever.

[20:00] – Maintaining Culture & Retaining Your Team
What do you do after the hire? Jen shares how they constantly create opportunities, set goals, and keep their staff engaged long-term.

[22:00] – Fighting “The Social Media Carrot”
Why your team is being recruited 24/7 online—and how Hello Hair Pro stays ahead by offering real, meaningful value inside the business.

[24:00] – Education & Growth Opportunities
Daily education, peer-led classes, paid teaching gigs, and goal tracking. Jen explains how these initiatives keep their team connected and motivated.

[26:00] – The Power of Little Things
Sometimes, upgrading the breakroom fridge is the culture win of the year. Small gestures = big impact.

[28:00] – Making Work Fun: Games, Challenges & Contests
From Google review competitions to team videos, Todd and Jen explain how they use fun strategically, so it doesn’t become “just another thing.”

[29:00] – Treating Staff Like Adults, Not Children
Professional respect is key. Feedback is given directly, respectfully, and constructively.

[30:00] – Handling Conflict the Right Way
Disagreements happen. Jen and Todd discuss how they approach staff conflicts, encourage resolution, and maintain healthy team dynamics.

[32:00] – Wrap-Up + Teaser for Next Episode
Todd will be asking the team, “Why do you stay at Hello?” and they’ll share those answers in a future episode.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Hire for character, teach the skill.
• Retention is the real growth strategy.
• Create a salon people don’t want to leave.
• Your culture is built on what you tolerate and celebrate.
• Conflict is natural—how you handle it defines your leadership.

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Is running a commission salon even worth it anymore? Should you go solo, rent a suite, or bring it back to commission?

In this episode, Todd and Jen dig deep into what it actually takes to run a successful salon in 2025—from ditching discounts to building strong foundations, leading new generations of hair pros, and why most salon owners burn out.

You’ll hear why leadership is everything, how to market with intention, and how to avoid the trap of working harder instead of smarter.

This episode is full of real talk, hard truths, and proven strategies that Todd and Jen have actually implemented in their own salon.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why salon ownership isn’t about hair—it’s about business
• How blaming “the next generation” is lazy leadership
• The fatal mistake of constant discounting
• What a solid mission, vision, and core values actually do for your business
• How to build a brand people want to work for (and with)
• Why culture starts with listening, not talking

Helpful Blog Posts:

• Client Acquisition: Are You Solving the Right Problem?
• Don’t Be For Everyone
• Attracting The RIGHT Clients

Timestamps:
00:00 – Happy (not really) Monday + Opening Takes
01:30 – Is Commission Still Worth It in 2025?
02:15 – Todd’s Opening Take: Put the scissors down
03:00 – Jen’s Opening Take: Blaming the new generation won’t work
05:00 – The real reason salon owners burn out
06:30 – Discounting is not a marketing plan
09:00 – What your promotions say about your business
10:00 – Foundations: Mission, Vision, Core Values
13:00 – Choosing aligned brands and distributors
16:00 – Why salon marketing starts with knowing yourself
19:00 – Likes vs Revenue: What good marketing actually looks like
21:00 – Why making money isn’t “selling out”—it’s survival
24:00 – Culture is everything: How we built ours
27:00 – Jen’s honesty: “I didn’t know if I could be this uncomfortable”
30:00 – Listening over lecturing: The new leadership model
32:00 – Join our newsletter + what's next

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