In this episode of Salon Rising The Podcast, we chat with the incredible Sarah Lancaster—salon owner (Cole & Co Hair), mum of three, and the brains behind The Relief Hairdresser. Sarah’s built something pretty special, growing her business from a home setup to a full salon while creating a much-needed service that helps salons find reliable, temporary stylists when they need them most.

We talk about the juggle (because it’s real), the importance of solid policies, and how she’s handled everything from growing a team to navigating unexpected challenges (floods included!). Sarah’s approach is thoughtful, considered, and quietly determined—proof that you don’t have to be the loudest in the room to make a big impact.

00:00 Episode Summary

01:56 Introducing Our First Guest of the Year

02:33 Sarah Lancaster's Journey

03:40 Building a Team from Home

05:25 Managing the Relief Hairdresser

08:37 Education and Skill Development

11:53 Handling Client and Staff Dynamics

14:34 Operational Insights and Feedback

21:24 Balancing Teamwork and Independence

21:35 Returning to Roots and Business Adaptation

22:36 Flood Crisis and Community Support

23:38 Relocating and Repurposing Spaces

25:20 Juggling Family and Business Responsibilities

27:38 Coping Mechanisms for Busy Minds

32:48 Training and Team Development

37:51 Learning from Mistakes and Implementing Policies

44:41 Future Goals and Aspirations

45:33 Conclusion and Gratitude

You don’t need to do it alone, Salon Owner Babes!

Rising Finances Online helps you understand your finances and grow your salon business. It has 9 detailed modules and 65 in-depth lessons. You also get hours of expert advice. Take control of your finances and plan for success with confidence.

Let’s rise together – sign up today!

https://www.salonrising.com/rising-finances-online


https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

Hit subscribe for more real, inspiring convos!

In this episode in the inner sanctum, we chat with Bridget, owner of The Tortoise and the Hare, about the unfiltered reality of running a salon—through the highs, the struggles, and everything in between. From navigating staff changes to expanding her salon while battling severe illness during her pregnancies, Bridget shares her raw and personal journey.

This honest, heart-to-heart conversation dives into how she balanced family life, business growth, and health while staying true to her values. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a business you’re proud of, this episode is for you.


00:00 Episode Summary

01:36 Podcast Introduction and Special Guest Announcement

02:31 Bridget's Journey: From Admin Job to Salon Owner

03:30 Building a Community and Managing Relationships

09:13 The Evolution of Salon Services and Client Demands

10:40 Balancing Personal Life and Business Growth

12:35 Expanding the Business: New Salon Ventures

14:33 Staffing Challenges and Finding Stability

21:57 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Plans

29:24 Balancing Salon Management and Personal Life

30:25 Returning to the Salon: Challenges and Adjustments

31:14 Reflecting on 10 Years in Business

33:26 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Client Reactions

35:29 Navigating Staff and Client Relationships

50:40 Financial Wisdom and Business Growth

53:17 The Importance of Community and Support

55:56 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans


You don’t need to do it alone, Salon Owner Babes!

Rising Finances Online helps you understand your finances and grow your salon business. It has 9 detailed modules and 65 in-depth lessons. You also get hours of expert advice. Take control of your finances and plan for success with confidence.

Let’s rise together – sign up today!

https://www.salonrising.com/rising-finances-online


https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

Hey lovers, we’re back!

It’s our first pod of the year, and we’re kicking things off with a chat you won’t want to miss. This week in the Inner Sanctum, we’re joined by Sherri from Timely, where she leads ANZ partnerships, working closely with partners in the hair and beauty industry. We’re talking about the real stuff – money, mindset, and why reaching out for support early (whether it’s a coach or better systems) can change everything.

Sherri shares her journey from salon owner to her role at Timely, plus how their booking and sales tools are helping beauty businesses work smarter, not harder!

And because Timely is all about supporting you, they’ve given us an exclusive discount for new Timely customers! Use code SALONRISING to grab 50% off your subscription for 3 months - https://app.gettimely.com/register

Hit play and let’s make this year your best yet!


00:00 Episode Summary

03:34 The Power of Social Media and Networking

04:19 Introducing Sherri from Timely

05:51 The Challenges of Starting a Salon

22:04 The Barbering Industry and Client Retention

30:44 Financial Literacy and Business Management

34:43 Personal Background and Family Influence

39:51 Realizing Childhood Trauma

40:11 Turning Pain into Purpose

40:52 Connecting with Young Hairdressers

41:47 Moving Back to Melbourne

42:59 Embracing Change and Reflection

45:19 Understanding Business and Software

47:18 Financial Realities of Solo Business

51:50 The Importance of Coaching and Support

54:23 Daily Routines and Self-Reflection

01:03:18 Retail and Rebooking Challenges

01:16:19 The Power of Online Bookings

01:19:16 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

You don’t need to do it alone, Solo babes!

Solo Rise Online is where your confidence strengthens, and your business thrives. With 17 powerful modules, 93 lessons, and nearly 7 hours of expert guidance, you'll have everything you need to grow with confidence.

Let’s rise together – sign up today!

https://www.salonrising.com/solo-rise-online


https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

Babes! It's our final episode in the inner sanctum for 2024! It's time to reflect on the whirlwind it's been personally and professionally.

This year has seen the Salon Rising Team navigating major life changes. New relationships, blended families, new business ventures and some incredible opportunities. As well as the constant evolution of our business practices.

We talk about overcoming challenges, embracing change, and setting and re-evaluating boundaries. And always coming back to the importance of joy and being present. We highlight our experiences with our Mastermind group and the Salon Rising community. As well as the lessons learned from balancing multiple responsibilities.

The is an episode filled with gratitude and hope. Thank you to our supporters, including Ozdare and Kevin Murphy. We can't wait to be back bigger and better than ever in 2025.


00:00 Introduction

00:49 Reflecting on the Past Year

02:02 Personal Growth and Relationships

04:14 Professional Changes and Challenges

07:13 Balancing Work and Personal Life

12:55 Embracing Change and Flexibility

20:30 Finding Joy in the Everyday

29:52 Late Night Thoughts and Nutrition

30:39 Balancing Family and Self-Care

33:12 Outsourcing and Systemizing Tasks

34:25 Avoiding Burnout: Beliefs and Boundaries

35:20 Financial Discipline and Business Strategies

41:41 Mastermind Group: A Year in Review

46:11 Planning for 2025: Reset and Accountability

56:02 Gratitude and Reflections

https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

We also have a very special offer for all Salon Rising listeners! If you'd love to join the Kevin Murphy family for the first time, or if you are a Kevin Murphy OG, click the link below and jump on these amazing offers.

https://ozdare.com/salonrising

And a huge thank you to our podcast sponsors:

https://ozdare.com/

https://kevinmurphy.com.au/au/en/km/

We changed things up in the inner sanctum for this episode. It was Samara's turn to interview Jen about her recent experience of buying a salon. Jen shared the challenges and triumphs of her journey, and boy, was it a journey.

From the initial decision to buy a salon to the drawing and planning phase to the various obstacles she faced. Let's say that dealing with solicitors, bankers, etc, is not something she's keen to do again soon.

They discuss the importance of having clear goals, remaining resilient through difficulties, and the value of speaking up and seeking help.

In the end, despite the unexpected difficulties, Jen has found joy and fulfilment in the birth of her new salon, August Hair Co. This chat highlights the importance of clear visions and strategic decisions in business ownership.


00:00 Episode Summary

02:50 Jen's Big Announcement

03:24 The Decision to Buy a Salon

04:11 From Renting a Chair to Owning a Salon

09:16 The Search for the Perfect Space

12:18 Manifesting the Ideal Salon

16:02 Navigating Financial and Legal Hurdles

21:42 The Struggles of Small Business Lending

27:36 Seeking Help and Support

28:19 Challenges with Professional Services

31:03 The Importance of Good Leadership

33:52 Rebranding and Naming the Business

37:20 Financial Considerations in Business

43:16 Navigating Emotional Attachments

46:37 Setting Boundaries and Standards

50:15 Excitement and Challenges of New Ownership

https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

We also have a very special offer for all Salon Rising listeners! If you'd love to join the Kevin Murphy family for the first time, or if you are a Kevin Murphy OG, click the link below and jump on these amazing offers.

https://ozdare.com/salonrising

And a huge thank you to our podcast sponsors:

https://ozdare.com/

https://kevinmurphy.com.au/au/en/km/

In this bonus episode, Samara chats with Jess from J & Co Hair in Wollongong. The pair discuss Jess's transformative experience with the Solo Rise Online program. Jess shares her insights on the program. Including the importance of mindset, community support, and practical tools like the budget spreadsheets.

Jess emphasizes how the program helped her overcome imposter syndrome, gain confidence, and make data-driven decisions to elevate her solo business.

The conversation highlights the value of continuous learning, accountability, and the impact of raising industry standards.

This inspirational and informative session is for solo babes wanting to take their business to the next level. If you've been on the fence about Solo Rise Online, this is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:45 Jess's Background and Solo Rise Experience

01:30 Mindset and Community Support

03:08 Financial Insights and Pricing Strategies

05:02 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

10:44 Continuous Learning and Business Growth

13:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Interested in Solo Rise Online? Click the link below and find out more!

https://www.salonrising.com/solo-rise-online

We are back in the inner sanctum with Justine from Eve the Salon. This was Justine's second episode with Salon Rising; much has changed in her world.

Justine joined us straight off the back of our Mastermind retreat, with the pending arrival of her 2nd child drawing ever closer. We spoke about the immense support she received from the amazing women who joined her in this round of the Mastermind, especially as she went through the rebranding process for her salon.

Bringing her long-held dream of Eve the Salon to life. The discussion is about the importance of the right community. The challenges and empowerment that come with rebranding. As well as the personal growth experienced through collective support. The episode speaks to how vital it is to have a supportive network for both personal and professional success.

And for anyone wanting to find the incredible Margot - https://www.instagram.com/holistic_health_practices/


00:00 Episode Summary

04:01 Introduction to Justine from Eve the Salon

05:07 The Journey of Rebranding: From Heron Harlow to Eve the Salon

11:38 Challenges and Triumphs of Rebranding

21:05 Balancing Motherhood and Business

26:40 Mastermind Retreat Reflections

35:02 The Magic of Mastermind Sessions

35:38 Personal Reflections and Retreat Experiences

36:30 The Healing Power of Margot's Massages

39:08 Group Vulnerability and Hypnotherapy

42:49 The Importance of Community Support

44:10 Navigating Business Challenges Together

50:47 Personal Growth and Team Dynamics

55:47 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans


https://www.salonrising.com/

Find out more and watch out for updates on socials @ -

https://www.instagram.com/salonrising_/

We also have a very special offer for all Salon Rising listeners! If you'd love to join the Kevin Murphy family for the first time, or if you are a Kevin Murphy OG, click the link below and jump on these amazing offers.

https://ozdare.com/salonrising

And a huge thank you to our podcast sponsors:

https://ozdare.com/

https://kevinmurphy.com.au/au/en/km/

In this bonus episode, Samara chats with Naomi from Blondie the salon. The pair unpack Naomi's journey in the Rising Finances program.

Naomi shares her experiences on how the program has helped her overcome financial challenges in her salon. This has led to significant mindset changes and practical financial management.

They delve into topics such as budget management, understanding pricing, and the importance of retail sales. Key moments include Naomi finding confidence in her business finances. Achieving unexpected revenue targets and getting support from their accountability group.

This motivational and informative session is for salon owners struggling with financial issues. If you've been on the fence about Rising Finances, this is for you.


Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:53 Naomi's Journey to Rising Finances

02:46 Mindset and Money Beliefs

06:03 Budgeting and Financial Control

10:07 Team Collaboration and Achievements

13:18 Pricing Strategies and Client Communication

15:44 Final Thoughts and Encouragement


We have an exclusive offer just for our podcast listeners! Ready to follow in Naomi’s footsteps and elevate your salon to its full potential?

Join Rising Finances today and use the code POD300 to save $300 on your enrolment.

But act fast—this special offer is only available until November 19th!

https://www.salonrising.com/rising-finances