This short episode is a reflection on the real relationships we form with the people who sit in our chairs. I’ve often said that clients aren’t your friends, they’re your clients. And professionally, that boundary matters. But every now and then, those lines blur in ways that are deeply human.

I share a couple of stories from my time behind the chair that have stayed with me for decades. One client who reminded me never to underestimate the importance of kindness, and another who became part of my family in the most unexpected way. These are reminders of the quiet role hairdressers play in people’s lives, sometimes without even realising it.

As the year wraps up, this episode is simply a thank you. To the clients we serve, the relationships we build, and to you for listening. Because when you stop and think about it, this industry can create some very special connections, and it’s easy to take them for granted.

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

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Until next time!
Antony

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At the end of every year, I like to take a step back and look at what’s really happening in our industry. Not just at a surface level, but underneath it all. In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Gordon Miller for one of our now-regular “state of the nation” conversations, where we dig into the biggest shifts shaping the hairdressing industry right now.

We talk about the growing importance of data, what AI is actually being used for inside real salons, and why understanding the numbers is no longer optional if you want a sustainable, profitable business. Gordon shares practical examples of how salons are using AI to improve communication, training, productivity, and decision-making, not as a replacement for people, but as a tool to make people better at what they do.

We also explore the changing relationship between salons and product companies, the rise of independent and freelance models, and why great commission-based salons are still creating incredible careers for hairdressers who want stability, structure, and serious earning potential. If you care about the future of this industry and your place in it, this is a conversation worth listening to.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[00:00] Welcome and introduction

[00:24] Why end-of-year reflection matters for salon owners

[02:14] The two biggest changes Gordon's seeing in 2025

[03:02] Data is becoming the decoder ring for everything

[04:23] What's driving the focus on numbers and KPIs

[08:37] The AI revolution in hairdressing salons

[10:17] Real use cases: How top salons are using AI daily

[14:42] Using AI to improve manager-team member communication

[17:05] The connection between data and AI in salons

[18:13] How salon tech companies are integrating AI

[21:24] The evolution of the salon business model

[25:04] Why the commission model isn't going anywhere

[31:02] The truth about working hours in the industry

[36:40] The changing relationship between salons and manufacturers

[42:24] Why salon associations matter more than ever

[45:25] Where to connect with Gordon Miller

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Episode 267 with Maxwell Snow from Van Michael salon in Atlanta

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In this episode, I’m joined by Hayley Mears, former hairdresser, branding expert, and the driving force behind Six Underground Media. Hayley is also one of the guest educators inside our marketing course, and she brings a level of insight into social media, branding, and digital trends that most salon owners simply don’t have access to.

We dive deep into what salon owners should expect from Instagram in 2026, why the platform is about to shift in a major way, and how AI is going to become a natural part of your marketing workflow, whether you like it or not. Hayley also opens up about outsourcing, building teams globally, why email addresses are more valuable than followers, and how Canva has democratised design for salon owners everywhere.

If you want to stay ahead of the curve, understand what’s changing, and get practical, real-world advice from someone who lives and breathes digital marketing for salons, you’re going to love this conversation.

IN THIS EPISODE:

[02:23] Instagram trends coming in 2026
[04:26] Auto-responses, ManyChat, and in-app automations
[06:00] The overwhelm salon owners feel around tech and social media
[07:26] Should salons outsource or DIY their social?
[08:59] Why capability and confidence aren’t the same thing
[09:39] The shift in what salons need from social agencies
[17:41] Three things to focus on for Instagram in 2026
[18:21] Why storytelling matters more than ever
[21:04] How to use AI for content and campaign ideas
[27:27] Canva: why every salon should be using it

Want MORE to help you GROW?

📚 Check out our Bestselling GROW Books https://growmysalonbusiness.com/books/

🆘 Management overwhelm!? Download our free checklist! This checklist will help you get clarity on where you're at https://growmysalonbusiness.com/management-checklist/

RATINGS + REVIEWS

🙏Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!

They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast.

👉 Here's what you do:

- On your phone, Click here (Read steps below first)

- Scroll down to 'Ratings & Reviews'

- Tap on the empty purple stars and rate 5 stars

- Click on ‘Write a Review’ I love to hear what’s been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Thank you for your support! 🙏

Until next time!
Antony

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Online Marketing Course - Join the waitlist - Enrolment opening January

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👉 FOLLOW HAYLEY MEARS!

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