A thriving salon business is not just about great hair. It is also about business growth and creating an amazing experience clients keep coming back to. John Palmieri chats with Gina Bianca about the reality of salon ownership, the shift to a hybrid salon model, and what it takes to retain both clients and stylists. From pricing challenges to leadership struggles, they break down the lessons every salon owner needs to succeed. Plus, Gina shares her personal journey of growth, the importance of h...
Mar 31, 2025•56 min•Ep. 308
Leadership and legacy are the foundation of a thriving salon business. In this episode of Shop Talk, host John Palmieri sits down with financial advisor Philip Barrington to discuss how salon owners can step into leadership roles, build a lasting legacy, and secure their financial future. Philip shares insights on mentorship, creating a culture of excellence, and the business strategies that help salons grow beyond just day-to-day operations. They also cover why financial planning is often overl...
Feb 25, 2025•51 min•Ep. 307
Scalp cooling is revolutionizing the cancer journey for many, and Bethany Hornthal is one of those people leading the charge. In this conversation, the executive director and co-founder of HairToStay dives into the empowering option of unique procedure. Learn how scalp cooling minimizes hair loss during chemotherapy and how HairToStay is working to make it accessible to all cancer patients regardless of cost. Bethany also shares her inspiring journey, the science behind scalp cooling, and how th...
Feb 10, 2025•52 min•Ep. 305
What does it take to build an exceptional salon culture? Join John Palmieri and Chris Sulimay as they chat with Amber Pope , owner of Salon 27 , who shares her incredible journey to becoming a passionate and thriving salon owner. Amber opens up about the many challenges and various triumphs of building a business, leading a well-rounded team, and cultivating a salon culture centered around support, growth, and genuine connection. Tune in to discover actionable strategies for creating the right s...
Feb 03, 2025•54 min•Ep. 304
Digital marketing and SEO optimization are buzzwords thrown around when talking about building your brand online. But how do you know when to invest and where? Here to share his expertise is Lucas Renfroe . Lucas is a founding partner of Salon.Marketing , a digital marketing agency specializing in the salon and spa industry. He is also a founding partner of Roots Southern Salon in Savannah, GA. In this episode, Lucas sits down with our hosts, Jenn Yeager and Lindsey Young, to share practical tip...
Jan 27, 2025•44 min•Ep. 303
Is this the Salon Model of the Future - Lindsey Young Talks Quality Over Quantity In this conversation Lindsey Young, Owner of Luna Salon and Masters of Balayage Trainer, shares why she is choosing quality over quantity to grow her salon and how it is attracting the perfect stylists for their salon culture. She also shares lessons she is learning transitioning from behind the chair to full time owner. Connect with Lindsey - https://www.instagram.com/lunasalontally/ http://thelunasalon.com https:...
Mar 06, 2023•53 min•Ep. 249
If you haven’t seen the work of this incredible, and humble human being than you are in for a treat! In this conversation, John and Chris give Jack the title of Hair Color Transformation King of the World. He is a multiple-time Behind the Chair #OneShot finalist. And WE GOT HIM TO SHARE ALL OF HIS SECRETS! Jack began his career, in his home country of Syria and France before coming to the United States where he met his wife (a hairdresser as well). After years of working and refining their craft...
Feb 27, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 248
What’s it like to grow 9 salons and two skin spas? Just ask Lorean Cairns co-founder of Fox and Jane Salons and Skin Habit. To think her journey as an owner started under 10 years ago is miraculous! In this conversation, Lorean shares her philosophies on leadership, culture, coaching and her plans for the future. This is a conversation for every level of salon professional. Say Hi to Lorean https://loreancairns.com/ @loreancairns Purchase Culture Fox https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Fox-Cultivate-...
Feb 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 247
She Doubled Her Prices! In this very special episode John and Chris interview Rachael Ford, and Rachael represents well, a lot of you - and if you're new to the career - she represents what your future might look like. You see Rachael is a hairstylist and the owner of an 8 chair salon. She is also a mother with five ranging from college to toddler, a wife - a homemaker… You get the picture. This year Rachael finally had enough, one day - maybe while doing dishes or picking up toys she decided so...
Feb 13, 2023•47 min•Ep. 246
J Ladner Pt. 2 - How to Feel Like You are Enough / Showing Up / Being open to Education, Mentorship and Experience In this episode J dives deeper into the stylist career journey and why being open to education and mentorship early in your career is so important. He also leaves us with some beautiful final words - so be sure to listen until the end! If you haven't met J here’s a bit more about him - he is an accomplished hair and makeup artist with experience in film, television, theatre, print a...
Feb 06, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 245
“Be vulnerable with them, and the magic will exist” Hello everyone, it’s John here – welcome back to the Shop Talk Podcast, the educational podcast for salon pros looking to elevate their craft. This is Part 1 of our conversation with J Ladner, and I promise you, it’s going to be incredible! J, a bundle of energy, is the Digital Creative Director for Oligo Pro and the Founder of J Ladner Education. He is also the co-host of the No Stylist Left Behind Podcast, alongside Nina Tulio. Although relat...
Jan 30, 2023•33 min•Ep. 244
Intention Equals Power / Vivian Mackinder / Icon and Founder Hairdesigner TV Vivian Mackinder is an Icon in the beauty industry (and she is just getting started). A master reinventer, and pilgrim of online education Vivian has taught and inspired millions of hair stylists around the globe. In this episode she shares her philosophy for success and her keys to becoming a master hairstylist. Say hi to John on social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/124.go/ https://www.instagram.com/noindoorvoic...
Jan 09, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 243
Jay Williams may be the most prolific thought leader in the salon industry. In this conversation, Jay schools John and Chris on how to better lead yourself and influence others in such our fast-shifting 2020 environment. There is so much packed into this episode - you may have to listen twice! Connect with Jay Williams https://www.instagram.com/jaywilliamsco/ Purchase This VS That and Leave Your Mark (all profits go to helping stop human trafficking) https://www.jaywilliamsco.com/the-book Say hi...
Dec 26, 2022•1 hr 15 min•Season 2Ep. 242
Tamera is a salon owner, hair stylist, and author who's been in the industry for over 20 years. Through working towards bringing my vision to life. She strives to create a unique experience to the clients at True. "I wanted it to be a place where everyone felt beautiful and luxurious, while still maintaining affordability." This was the inception of Salon True. "Our clients are our extended family; when you enter the salon, you feel like you are home." I am committed to empowering the men, women...
Dec 23, 2022•27 min•Season 2Ep. 241
This Episode is part two of Pepper Pastor and she is amazing. Pepper is an artist in her soul who became fascinated with human behavior and in her spare time of being a busy salon professional, Global educator, a mother and wife with a life, She went to school and is finishing her PHD in organizational psychology.. In this part of the conversation Pepper really shares how to be more effective in your communications by using curiosity, learning candor and developing resilience. Enroll in Salon Bu...
Dec 05, 2022•22 min•Season 2Ep. 240
In this episode Pepper Pastor Salon professional and Organizational Psychologist shares lessons from her journey and studies in Creativity. Say Hi to Pepper on social - https://www.instagram.com/pepperpastor/ Enroll in Salon Business Blueprint - https://www.124goacademy.com Say hi to John on social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/124.go/ https://www.instagram.com/noindoorvoice/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/124GO/ If you’re a hairdresser, salon/spa owner, salon manager or beauty profess...
Nov 28, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 239
Christine Zilinski is a lifetime salon pro who has devoted her career to technical mastery and growth as a leader. She and her partners have developed a mastermind group for like-minded stylists, salon owners, and leaders. https://www.instagram.com/christinezilinski/ https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=empowered%20salon%20leaders Email Christine @ salonconcrete@gmail.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzJI27t8iHRRbSIgv2EBrxw Say hi to John on social: Instagram https://www.instagram.c...
Nov 14, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 238
Bonnie Bonadeo | Recruit and Keep Stylists by having the right Branding | Expertise and Empathy | When was the last time you updated your strategies for your brand, or your recruitment strategies? In possibly the most important time significant evolution in salons since the early 90’s it’s time to update your brand and your recruitment strategies. Listen as Bonnie talks about Taking a 360 approach to recruitment and branding What new stylists are looking for in a salon Sales training and communi...
Oct 11, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 237
Sep 27, 2022•33 min•Season 2Ep. 236
In this episode we talk with Industry Icon Winn Claybaugh about inclusivity, how to attract the team and clients that you WANT. And how to use three of the top human needs to ensure you have a healthy culture in your salon. Winn Claybaugh is the author of Be Nice (Or Else!) and “one of the best motivational speakers in the country,” according to CNN’s Larry King, who wrote the foreword for the book. A business owner for over 38 years with over 16,000 people in his organization, Winn is the found...
Sep 20, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 235
You don't get to be called International Business Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Business Education Ambassador for Oligo Professional, without having the experience to back it up. And Nina Tulio proves that in this inspiring conversation with John and Chris. A former salon owner, turned business coach, Nina has been there, lived to tell about it and now uses her experience to help salon owners and stylists to thrive in todays quickly evolving business. Connect with Nina https://www.instagram.c...
Sep 12, 2022•53 min•Season 2Ep. 234
Be a Millionaire Hairstylist | Cash Lawless | Founder TheMillionaireHairstylist.com In this episode Cash shares timeless wisdom, how he became a Millionaire, and why you should Pay Yourself First! Cash is on a mission to help hairstylists THINK BIGGER! You are going to LOVE this conversation! https://www.themillionairehairstylist.com https://www.instagram.com/cashlawlesshair/ https://www.instagram.com/themillionairehairstylist/ Say hi to John on social: Instagram https://www.instagram.com/124.go...
Sep 06, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 233
In part 2 of this conversation Ashely reminds us that it’s not just about the haircut - but about how we make the client feel that makes the biggest impact. You can connect with Ashley https://www.instagram.com/redhotstylist/ https://www.instagram.com/saveyourscissorssalon/ https://redhotstylist.com https://saveyourscissorssalon.com Ashley Lavallee is the owner of Save Your Scissors Salon, an upscale and edgy salon where Ashley and her staff provide each client with their undivided attention and...
Aug 29, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 232
In part 1 of this conversation Ashely reminds us that it’s not just about the haircut - but about how we make the client feel that makes the biggest impact. You can connect with Ashley https://www.instagram.com/redhotstylist/ https://www.instagram.com/saveyourscissorssalon/ https://redhotstylist.com https://saveyourscissorssalon.com Ashley Lavallee is the owner of Save Your Scissors Salon, an upscale and edgy salon where Ashley and her staff provide each client with their undivided attention and...
Aug 22, 2022•30 min•Season 2Ep. 231
Aug 19, 2022•50 min•Season 2Ep. 229
Digital marketing and SEO optimization are buzzwords thrown around when talking about building your brand online. But how do you know when to invest and where? Here to share his expertise is Lucas Renfroe. Lucas is a founding partner of Salon.Marketing, a digital marketing agency specializing in the salon and spa industry. He is also a founding partner of Roots Southern Salon in Savannah, GA. In this episode, Lucas sits down with our hosts, Jenn Yeager and Lindsey Young, to share practical tips ...
Aug 19, 2022•44 min•Season 2Ep. 230
In this conversation David Stanko, Technical Director of Haircolor for JPMS shares some of his favorite: Hair color tips that you can use every day in the salon. Tips for practicing hair color in the salon advice for aspiring educators Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-stanko-b33b638/ https://www.instagram.com/thedavidstanko/
Aug 01, 2022•55 min•Season 2Ep. 228
Be Profitable with Your Pricing | Elaine Travis Coach, Author & Founder @expertcolorsolutions Elaine Travis is a career colorist, salon owner, independent educator, author and life coach. Her passion is paying it forward and sharing her love of hair color teaching hairstylists struggling with formulation and building their business. Follow Elaine at: https://www.instagram.com/expertcolorsolutions/ www.expertcolorsolutions.com https://www.facebook.com/expertcolorsolutions To Enroll in the Sal...
Jul 25, 2022•58 min•Season 2Ep. 227
In This Episode, John shares details of an important coaching conversation to help a stylist overcome negative thinking that was holding her back in the salon. This leads to a discussion on: Overcoming Negative (unhealthy thoughts) Not comparing yourself to others Self forgiveness Creating an empowering vision Setting mile markers to help you get there If you’re a hairdresser, salon owner, salon manager or hair beauty professional, please subscribe and give us a Wicked Good Review!! Follow us on...
Jul 19, 2022•46 min•Season 2Ep. 226
In this episode we talk with Industry Icon Winn Claybaugh about inclusivity how to attract the team and clients that you WANT, and how to use three of the top human needs to ensure you have a healthy culture in your salon.
Jul 11, 2022•1 hr 11 min•Season 2Ep. 225