[277] [285] While the neurodiversity movement has helped pave the way for a lot of changes in how society thinks about autism and other neurological differences, there is still a lot more work to be done. Isolation, exclusion, and loneliness remain all too common experiences for autistic people. In this heartfelt discussion with Kate Owens-Heins, Founder and CEO of the Sensory Safe Solution (@sensorysafesolution), we explore some of the challenges that autistic individuals face when going to the salon, how her personal experience as a mom led her to transform her own salon into a haven of sensory safety-safe haven and how she made it her life calling to educate professionals on the techniques she's now so well-versed in. This episode is more than just a conversation; it's a journey into the heart of inclusivity within everyday experiences, emphasizing the need for safer spaces, building trust, and developing a relationship based on understanding and acceptance. Links: Learn more about The Sensory Safe Solution: https://thesensorysafesalon.org/ Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[285] How might we increase salon retail sales outside of the often go-to opportunities that are upselling clients while they're in the chair and building an online store? From strategies for creating events that don't just charm but convert to finessing product placement through visual merchandising, we explore an array of techniques to not only captivate clients' attention but also significantly boost your bottom line. With another two reruns in one, we're dishing out all the secrets to capture your clients' senses and keep them coming back for more. The episode rerun featuring Rowena Doyle was originally released in April 2018 as part of Season 2, and Katie Lowndes' episode was originally released in April 2019 as part of Season 3. Links: Connect with Katie Lowndes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-lowndes-6211b812/ Connect with Rowena Doyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowena-doyle-31a00718/ Click here to subscribe to the weekly PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

[284] Ever wonder why some salons can charge the big bucks while others struggle to make ends meet? This episode rerun, featuring salon industry coach David Barnett (High Performance Stylist), is a goldmine for owners looking to nail their pricing strategies. We discuss the elusive balance between cost and value, break down how understanding your break-even point can lead to a thriving, profitable business model, and share wisdom on identifying when your salon (or staff) is ready for a price increase. Plus, learn effective ways to communicate said increases to your clientele, turning the process into a celebration of your stylists' success and smoothing the transition. Originally released in April of 2018, as part of Season 2. Links: Connect with David Barnett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/highperformancestylist/ Read Vish's Whitepaper: https://shorturl.at/zLQW3 Click here to subscribe to the weekly PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

[283] Although numbers can provide valuable insights into an employee's performance, relying solely on figures can be misleading. Without context, numbers are just numbers. In this episode rerun, hear Hellen Ward (@hellenward), industry-renowned hair and beauty consultant and co-founder of Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, discuss the power of a lean KPI approach, the importance of team ownership over these metrics, and the need for recognizing achievements beyond the numbers, ensuring your staff feels valued and aligned with your business objectives. Originally released in November of 2020, as part of Season 4. Links: Learn more about Hellen, her coaching and consultancy services: https://www.hellenward.com  Click here to subscribe to the weekly PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

[282] For thirty years, Strategies has set the paradigm for what it means to build a true "Team-Based" salon, spa, medspa, barbershop, or lash studio. They have helped thousands of owners transition from being reactionary and fearful to confident and thriving business leaders. In this 2-in-1 episode rerun, you'll first hear Michael Yost (President) and Dennis Gullo (Certified Coach) share a "road trip essentials" analogy they use to talk about salon finances and numbers, discuss what it takes to drive your business to both excellence and success & share the three fundamental financial statements you'll need in the process. The second conversation, with Neil Ducoff (Founder), focuses on leadership and resolutions you should make if you’re looking to shift from being a reactionary and fearful owner to being a confident and thriving leader. Originally released in September and November of 2021, as part of Season 5. Links: Schedule a free consultation call with the Strategies team: https://strategies.com/memberships Click here to subscribe to the weekly PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

[281] Employees all over the world are craving better wellbeing, making it a non-negotiable for businesses to tend to. In this episode rerun, you'll hear Life & Business Wellbeing Coach Sonia Magnier's (@soulfully_sonia) take on how wellbeing and wellness play into how we show up at work, how energy doesn't lie, the importance of holding space for one another, how we "should" on ourselves way too much and her tips for inspiring salon teams while fostering introspection and self-care as essential to personal and professional growth. Originally released in June of 2022, as part of Season 6. Links: Book a discovery call with Sonia Magnier: https://soniamagniercoaching.com/ Read Gympass' "The State of Work-Life Wellness 2024" report: https://gympass.com/en-us/resources/research/work-life-wellness-report-2024/ Watch Travis Heath's TEDx Talk "Self Care to Communities of Care": https://shorturl.at/mrNU9 Click here to subscribe to the weekly PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

[280] Consumers are looking for two-way dialogues and relationships with brands. Still, scaling real-life relationship qualities within vast online communities remains full of complexity. Through the storytelling of personal experiences, this discussion with industry-renowned expert business coach Britt Seva (@brittseva) explores the essence of authenticity, vulnerability, the delicate equilibrium between private life and public persona and the implications of presenting a filtered version of ourselves to the world. Originally released in October of 2022, as part of Season 6. Links: Hear more of Britt Seva's thoughts on vulnerability and social media: https://thethrivingstylist.com/podcast/254 Learn more about Britt Seva's business-building strategies & educational offerings: https://thrivingstylist.com Access the Thriving Stylist podcast's full directory: https://thethrivingstylist.com/full-podcast-episode-directory Check out the Harvard Business Review's "When — and when not — to share" assessment: https://hbr.org/web/2013/09/assessment/when-and-when-not-to-share Click here to subscribe to the weekly Phorest FM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments. Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  Read the transcript, or click here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.

Nina Tulio — industry-leading salon mentor — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer on the day before her keynote at the Salon Owners Summit 2024, which was all about the highs and lows of her career and the five steps leaders need to take to move from a fearful mindset to a confident mindset. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about Nina Tulio: https://ninatulio.com/ @ninatulio Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

Vish, the cutting-edge colour management software, was back as an event partner for the Salon Owners Summit 2024, showcasing how salons can revolutionize colour services in their salon and exhibiting their incredible technology. In this Live From... bonus episode, Tom Bentley-Taylor — Managing Director EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) at Vish — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer to discuss exciting updates coming to Vish in 2024. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about Vish: https://getvish.com/ @vishsalons Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

Fry Taylor — Co-founder and GM of The Green Salon Collective — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer for a long overdue catch-up ahead of his Salon Owners Summit workshop with Professor Denise Baden on some of the latest solutions coming out of innovative research and organisations for greener salon practices. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about The Green Salon Collective: https://www.greensaloncollective.com/ @greensaloncollective Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

David Meade — award-winning researcher and renowned organisational facilitator, business coach and broadcaster — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer to share his thoughts on the Salon Owners Summit 2024 event and discuss some of the actionable changes he spoke about on stage in regard to transforming the way we think, act and behave in business and life. Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Learn more about David Meade: https://www.davidmeade.co.uk/ @davidmeadelive Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

[279 BONUS] We all have stories to share. Some shape or empower us, and others change our lives — but if there's one thing Alex Belisle-Springer (@a.belspring) has learned from nearly a decade of sharing stories from the salon floor, it's familiarity more than knowledge that colours people's perspectives and allows them to embrace discomfort. Only when we take the time to listen and connect with one another do we open the door to vulnerability, acceptance and long-lasting positive change. In a bonus to their conversation with Ronan Perceval, CEO of Phorest Salon Software, this episode features Alex Bélisle-Springer answering a quickfire round of questions from Shauna O'Halloran, Head of Education, Training & Support at Phorest. Links: Get your tickets for the next Salon Owners Summit: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[279] Few introverts can claim to have made a name for themselves by facilitating over 250 podcast conversations, but Alex Bélisle-Springer (@a.belspring) is not your typical introvert. As the Global Content Education Lead at Phorest and resident host of the PhorestFM podcast, Alex has made inspiring contributions to the salon community over the past seven years, resulting in various speaking opportunities and content collaborations featured in renowned print and digital industry media. Since coming out as transgender in 2021, Alex has dedicated much of their energy to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in their personal and professional life. Today, blending advocacy, mentorship and experiences from their transition, he offers intersectional approaches and practical guidance to business owners and their staff on fostering safer spaces and more inclusive cultures in which understanding, kindness, curiosity and compassion prevail. In conversation with Ronan Perceval, CEO of Phorest Salon Software, this episode has them reflect on their keynote at The Salon Owners Summit 2024, their life and experiences of alienation and belonging. Links: Get your tickets for the next Salon Owners Summit: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[276] In back-to-back episodes with Pepper Pastor (@pepperpastor) — a dynamic professional passionate about collaborating with entrepreneurs, creatives, and tech startups, founder of Purpose & Policy (@purposeandpolicy) and who many may also know from her work as a celebrity hairstylist specializing in fine/thinning hair — we'll be discussing brain-based strategies to improve your leadership and organizational effectiveness and potential. With a solid foundation in neuroscience, Pepper brings a unique perspective to the realm of work behaviour and approaches to shape the development of executive functioning. Part 2 of this episode picks up right where the previous conversation left off and explores the relationship between the employee lifecycle and organizational culture, psychological safety, what high-trust culture are really, as well as how and why you should want to focus on this in your salon or spa. Links: Learn more about Purpose & Policy: https://www.purposeandpolicy.com Learn more about Pepper Pastor: https://www.pepperpastor.com/ Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[275] In back-to-back episodes with Pepper Pastor (@pepperpastor) — a dynamic professional passionate about collaborating with entrepreneurs, creatives, and tech startups, founder of Purpose & Policy (@purposeandpolicy) and who many may also know from her work as a celebrity hairstylist specializing in fine/thinning hair — we'll be discussing brain-based strategies to improve your leadership and organizational effectiveness and potential. With a solid foundation in neuroscience, Pepper brings a unique perspective to the realm of work behaviour and approaches to shape the development of executive functioning. Part 1 of this episode explores the employee lifecycle of beauty businesses, what the various stages look like and why they're essential, grasping data, using it, and ways to benefit from it. Links: Learn more about Purpose & Policy: https://www.purposeandpolicy.com Learn more about Pepper Pastor: https://www.pepperpastor.com/ Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

... we're back! And with lots to celebrate together — including Phorest's 20th birthday, PhorestFM's 300th episode milestone, more of the Live From… episodes and, of course, plenty more stories from the salon floor to enjoy on your commutes, dog walks, mornings or evenings, with or without your team! To make sure you don't miss a beat this year, subscribe to the Phorest FM email newsletter and follow both Phorest Salon Software (@phorestsalonsoftware) & Alex Bélisle-Springer (@a.belspring) on Instagram! Watch the video teaser: https://youtu.be/62p6DhevG70 This trailer was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.

[274] As we gear up for the Salon Owners Summit 2024, Geno Stampora (@genostampora), a visionary, passionate and compassionate leader with broad experience in the beauty industry, sets the stage for an enriching keynote presentation that will foster a fresh perspective on leadership. In this episode, hear his thoughts on what he considers to be distinguishing factors between a good and a great salon as we discuss the significance of building strong client relationships, practising curiosity over judgment, setting clear expectations, and creating a unique, welcoming environment that empowers both employees and clients. Links: Get your tickets for the Salon Owners Summit 2024: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[273] Have you ever wondered why some people are highly allergic to hair dye while others seem immune to its effect? The global hair colour market generated a value of about 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2022 and is forecasted to reach nearly 42 billion U.S. dollars by 2029. Yet, there is still a blatant lack of standardized policies and protocols when it comes to allergy screening in the industry. Deep dive into the complexities of hair dye allergies with renowned expert toxicologist Dr David Basketter, highlighting the importance of proper allergy testing, examining the continued usage of PPD despite a surge in allergy reports, uncovering the truth behind the advertising of PPD-free hair dyes and discussing innovative tools like Colorstart (@colourstart_uk) to ensure client safety. Links: Learn more about Colourstart: www.colourstart.com Get started with Phorest + Colourstart: https://www.phorest.com/demos/colourstart/ Watch "A Better Way to Patch Test" (free webinar recording) Read "Testing Times" by Helen Ward Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[272] Adversity comes in all shapes and forms — and it doesn't discriminate. In a slightly different delivery than your weekly PhorestFM episode, business coach Steve Gomez (@saloncoachsjg) will take us on his journey of overcoming pancreatic cancer, underscoring the role of psychological resilience, social support and adaptive coping strategies amid adversity. This episode dives into the essence of shifting mindsets, acknowledging our feelings, and the power of resilience in overcoming not only business obstacles but personal battles, too. Trigger Warning: This podcast contains discussions about sensitive topics that may be distressing to some listeners. These topics include cancer, surgery complications and recounting of a near-death experience. We understand and respect that this subject may be emotionally challenging for some individuals, so please prioritize your well-being and feel free to pause or skip this episode if you feel it may affect you negatively. Listener discretion is advised. If you or someone you know needs support or resources for any of the discussed topics, please get in touch with a mental health professional or GP. Your well-being is important to us. Find services in your area: Australia: https://shorturl.at/ghP37 Canada: https://shorturl.at/cgzPV USA: https://shorturl.at/ho359 UK: https://shorturl.at/tuCWZ Ireland: https://shorturl.at/prvAO Links: Learn more about Steve Gomez's business coach offerings: https://stephengomez.net/ Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

[271] Brands such as Vish, Sustain Beauty Co., Ecoheads, Green Circle Salons and Green Salon Collective, are, at this point, all well-known within the global sustainability sphere of the hair and beauty industry. But there's one business, originally known as Affordable Salon Equipment Repair, that began in 1996 as a small beauty equipment servicing business in San Diego, CA, who, years before sustainability was needed for public buy-in, saw a need in the industry for reliable beauty equipment service and repair. In this episode, hear Daniel Johnson — owner of The Salon Chair Guys @thesalonchairguys and founder of The Green Beauty Community @greenbeautycoalition — discuss his father's influence on his vision for a greener future within the hair & beauty industry and the need for collaboration and education to drive change. Links: Learn more about The Salon Chair Guys: https://thesalonchairguys.com/ Learn more about The Green Beauty Community (CODE GBC10): https://greenbeautycommunity.com/ Learn more about Matt Klein: https://kleinkleinklein.com/ Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1 Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm  This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.