Jennifer Jade Alvarez on Where AI & Automation Can Drive Impact in an Industry Built on Human Connection (w/ Rich Cullen)

[329] AI is soon coming to Phorest, and this serves as officially non-officially the first conversation in a string of ones to be sprinkled into the podcast’s schedule during Season 10.
A version of this conversation could easily live in extremes, but this one does not. Rather, it asks a valid and core question of our time: How do you adopt new technology, AI & automation more precisely, without losing what makes your business human?
In this episode, joined by guest co-host Rich Cullen (Principal Product Designer at Phorest), we sit down with Jennifer Jade Alvarez, founder of Naperville, Illinois’ Refined Beauty, to discuss what it has been like to bring AI and automation tools into various areas of her business. And beyond discussing tools, we also spend time discussing decisions: what to automate, the trust factor, and what should perhaps never be automated in a beauty and wellness business.
We unpack the opportunities, the trade-offs, the real-world lessons—including what happens when AI gets it wrong—and the paybacks. All of it, with a deep belief that the businesses that win in the future won’t be the ones to remove the human touch. They’ll be the ones who remove friction around the craft and care.
Connect with Jennifer Jade Alvarez
Download Jennifer’s Top 50 Ways Salon Owners Buy Back Their Time: A free checklist using AI, automations, and virtual assistants
Learn more about the Salon CEO Method™ coaching program, listen to the Beauty Business Game Changer Podcast, and connect with Jennifer on Instagram @JenniferJadeAlvarez
All things Phorest
Learn more about the Phorest Summit & secure your tickets for 2027: https://www.phorestsummit.com/
Learn more about Phorest Software.
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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.

Experience the Difference: A Case Study in Turning Service into Predictable, Consistent Retail Sales

[323] Featuring Derrick Rutherford (Co-Owner, Valentini’s), Arif Isikgun (CEO & Founder, Ai Beauty Consultancy), and Cole Marker (Founder & Builder in Chief, thync.c), this episode reimagines retail not as a “pushy add-on," but as an essential part of sustainable business growth, driven by client care and rooted in trust.
 
Backed by data from the Phorest 2025 Consumer Insights Report and rooted in the incredible success Valentini’s is having with retail (26% service-to-retail, 113$ average retail ticket), this conversation explores what’s driving these impressive figures and flips the narrative on common blockers salon, spa, and clinic teams face in making retail a natural part of everyday operations. With Arif and Cole’s added layer of lived experiences and insights as coaches, we first discuss the power of storytelling and the importance of thorough, process-driven consultations. Then, we speak to how systems make it stick, goal-setting and accountability elevate performance, and how retail can serve as an early indicator of broader issues in the business.
 
Learn how to build a retail approach that is:
Backed by systems that make the offer authentic, care-centered, and consistent
Sustainable and reflective of service standards and clients’ levels of trust
Empowers your team with confidence
Integrates service, recommendations, and follow-through into one seamless client journey
If you listen to one episode about retail this year… Let it be this one.
 
Follow Derrick Rutherford, Arif Isikgun, and Cole Marker on Instagram: @derrick_rutherford, @aibeautyconsultancy, @thync.c_coaching
 
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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

Betsy Morem on Burgers, Botox & the Power of Community-Rooted Businesses (w/ Joe DiFalco)

[316] CPA and co-founder of Morem & Waller CPAs, med spa co-owner, and now steward of Austin, Minnesota’s 87-year-old beloved Tendermaid burger joint, Betsy Morem (@heavenstobetsss) wears many hats. And her unique ability to balance big-picture strategy with daily operational insight makes her a trusted advisor to fellow entrepreneurs.
In this episode, Betsy joins Alex and Joe DiFalco, Senior Partnerships Manager at Phorest, for a candid conversation driven by stories about what it means to run community-rooted businesses, lead with care, serve with integrity, and how success can also be about the culture we create, the lives we touch along the way. Insightful, humble, and full of timeless lessons —like why the little things often leave the most significant mark— the conversation also covers rich, practical ground, including:
🤯 Key differences between salon and medspa models, from regulations to team dynamics
💡 Tips for salon owners looking to thoughtfully add medspa services
🫂 How to honour a business’s legacy while making space for new
🌱 The importance and power local businesses hold in their communities
To find out more about The MOD Medspa, click here.
To learn more about the Tendermaid, click here.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

David & Shirley Popham on the Heart, Art and Business of Paying Attention

[315] When David Popham first opened his salon in 1981, he didn't set out to build a legacy business. And Shirley certainly didn’t set out to work in or manage a salon—she grew up intimidated by them.
In this episode, Shirley and David Popham of Popham Hairdressing (@popham.salons) reflect on decades of hair and life stories. Stories of long, imperfect journeys, humble and unlikely beginnings, chance encounters, love, bold decisions, closing chapters, starting over and everything in between.
Most of this year’s PhorestFM conversations and stories have, in one way or another, connected to leadership, and in that way, this episode is no different. But here, leadership isn’t loud or perfect. It’s people-centered, creative, humble, built by curiosity and carried by integrity.
To find out more about Popham Hairdressing, click here.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

Sarah Abel on Ditching Survival Mode and Leading With Vision (w/ Luke Doolin), Part 2

[314] In Part 2 of this conversation, co-hosted by Luke Doolin (UKI Managing Director at Phorest), we pick up where we left off with Sarah Abel — CEO of TNB Skills Training (@tnbskillstraining) and proudly known in the industry as the Funding Godmother.
The topic of mindset as a strategic tool for growth remains a constant throughout, but in this episode, we spend more time exploring how salon owners can access funding, develop their teams, and build businesses that aren’t just bigger, but stronger and more resilient in the face of change.
We get into:
💷 The importance of having a strong brand positioning🎓 Rethinking training and apprenticeships so that people in those roles can be revenue-generating faster🚀 Embracing discomfort and reframing failure as fuel for long-term success
To learn more about Sarah and TNB Skills Training, click here. To watch her podcast interview on Susan Routledge's podcast Beauty Business Matters, click here, and to order her book The Power of Funding, click here. You can also find Sarah on Instagram @sarahabelfundinggodmother @sarahhairbeautyfunding.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

Sarah Abel on Ditching Survival Mode and Leading With Vision (w/ Luke Doolin), Part 1

[313] Sarah Abel, also known as the known as the Funding Godmother, is the CEO of TNB Skills Training (@tnbskillstraining) and author of The Power of Funding, is an award-winning entrepreneur and funding strategist with a fierce passion for helping beauty businesses grow, secure funding, and develop accredited and regulated programmes, all without getting buried in bureaucracy.
In Part 1 of this conversation, co-hosted by Luke Doolin (UKI Managing Director at Phorest), we explore Sarah’s experience of overcoming adversity, her first steps into the industry, and the core skills, ideas, and mindset that have helped her build resilient businesses, no matter the economic climate. Find out about:
💸 Sarah's early days in the industry: buying a nail salon without any experience as a beauty business owner or nail tech/artist📣 Why sales & marketing have been and continue to be critical skills for her businesses🧠 What salon owners can do today to shift from survival mode, into inspired vision with outside-the-box solutions amid financial hardships and/or economic uncertainty
As the industry continues to lobby the government, our hope is that this conversation leaves you seeing new possibilities, not just for your salon but for your team, yourself, and the way you lead and run your business.
Watch "There won't be a Hair Industry in the UK without change," by the Salon Employers Association here, and read the British Hair Consortium report here.
To learn more about Sarah and TNB Skills Training, click here. To watch her podcast interview on Susan Routledge's podcast Beauty Business Matters, click here, and to order her book The Power of Funding, click here. You can also find Sarah on Instagram @sarahabelfundinggodmother @sarahhairbeautyfunding.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

Built to Last: Two 'Unicorn' Stories From the 2025 Salon Today 200

[310] Have you ever considered entering the Salon Today 200? Or want to know more about this industry-leading program that showcases salon business success? Behind every honoree's recognition are pages of essays. Stories of innovation, vulnerability, resilience and transformation.
In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the competition and celebrate the grit and vision of two 2025 Salon Today 200 honorees in the Technology best practice category: Soleil Salon & Spa and Eric Fisher Salons.
From navigating crises with creativity to reimagining systems, these salons discuss the real-world decisions that shaped their transformation. Alongside Stacey Soble, Director of Brand Content Strategy at Salon Today, we also unpack the judging process, reveal tips and strategies for submitting essays that stand out, discuss the power of storytelling, and why authenticity always wins.
Guests: Bobbi Springer (@beautybar_allure), Maggie Di Falco (@maggiethesalon), Stacey Soble (@salontodayofficial), Luisa Gladymir Garcia (@soleilsalonspanh), Eric Fisher & Cathy Salas (@efsalon) and Veronica Ballard (Phorest).
Click here to learn more about the Salon Today 200.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

Live From the Salon Owners Summit 2025 With Ryan Power

Ryan Power — UK-based award-winning salon coach and mentor — joins podcast host Alex Bélisle-Springer after his workshop at the Salon Owners Summit 2025 for a 5-year catch-up highlighting the vital role of connection, community and solidarity in the industry.
Get your tickets to the next Salon Owners Summit now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets
Learn more about Ryan Power: https://salonology.uk/
@itsryanpower on Instagram
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: https://bit.ly/3WvQiI7
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.

Keya Neal on the Power Authenticity Holds for Growth & Fulfillment

[305] PhorestFM Season 9 is officially underway!
This first episode of 2025, featuring Keya Neal (@keyaartistically), is a rich tapestry of wisdom that underscores the multifaceted nature of authenticity, its power for growth and fulfillment, and the inevitable costs associated with honoring the full spectrum of our identities amidst societal expectations. If you ever needed a reminder that everything you need is within, this is it.
Keya is the Founder of Kolour Kulture and Texture VS Race, a Color Educator and DEI Consultant. Find out more about Texture VS Race here.
Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts!
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software.
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.

Hunter Donia on Building the Clientele of Your Dreams, Insights Gained From Adversity (Rerun)

[293] What if failure was the key to your success? Whether you're a seasoned beauty pro or just starting out, Hunter Donia's (@hairbyhunty) experience of rebuilding a clientele after relocating to a new area underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
In this episode, learn more about how and why, despite initial confidence and extensive efforts, putting the finger on what would work for him in this new city was slower and more discouraging than expected.
This conversation with Hunter Donia was originally released in February 2022 as part of Season 6.
Links:
Learn more about Hunter Donia: https://www.hunterdonia.com/
Listen to The Modern Hairstylist Podcast: https://www.hunterdonia.com/podcast
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: https://bit.ly/3WvQiI7
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.

Erin Raber on Pin-Up Curls’ Transformative Journey From Slow to Flywheel Growth (Rerun)

[286] In this episode rerun, salon owner & educator Erin Raber (@theculturecurl) walks us through the evolution of her salon's brand identity, how she redefined her marketing strategy to attract her ideal clientele and the clarity that comes with a focused marketing vision.
Pin-Up Curls' transformative journey from slow to flywheel growth is a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing innovation and striving for continuous improvement in business. By adopting the principles of flywheel growth, any company—big or small—can unleash its full potential and achieve sustainable success in the long run.
This conversation with Erin Raber was originally released in October 2022 as part of Season 6.
Links:
Learn more about Pin-Up Curls: https://www.pin-upcurls.com
Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: https://bit.ly/3WvQiI7
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.

Katie Lowndes & Rowena Doyle on Boosting Retail Sales with Salon Events & Visual Merchandising (Rerun)

[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 PhorestFM email newsletter: https://bit.ly/3WvQiI7
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.

Britt Seva on Balancing Vulnerability and Self-Disclosure on Social Media (Rerun)

[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 PhorestFM email newsletter: https://bit.ly/3WvQiI7
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.

Janine Cannon on Growth and the Secrets Behind Zazou Salon & Academy’s Success

[268] People don't leave companies; they leave leadership. If you agree, you already have one point in common with Zazou Salon and Academy's leadership team. Established by Bruce Peters in 1992, the salon's dedication to providing outstanding customer service, fostering a positive and fun work environment and giving back to the community has yet to fail its team and, therefore, the business's success. That's not to say that they didn't face various challenges throughout their journey, but from the opening of the salon in 1992 to the expansion of their flagship salon in 2008, they've never been afraid to try new things, never shied away from learning and have always strived to innovate and provide exceptional experiences for their clients.
In this episode, hear Janine Cannon @beauty.industry.expert, Brand and Business Development Lead at Zazou Salon and Academy, discuss the milestones and challenges the business has faced over the past 30 years as well as her insights on leadership, recruitment, retention, and personal growth within the company.
Links:
Learn more about Zazou Salon & Academy: www.zazou.ca
Follow the team on Instagram @zazousalonandacademy, Facebook Zazou Salon and Academy & TikTok @zazousalon
Reach out to Zazou's team: careers@zazou.ca or to Janine Cannon directly: janine@zazou.ca
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.

Verna Wall on Research at Phorest and Success Stories From the Salon Floor

[263] For the past 12 months, Verna Wall (Research Manager), Rich Cullen (Lead Product Designer) and the Phorest Research Team have been on the road visiting salons and on Zoom, starting conversations with business owners all over the world. They've been looking at the data and asking questions, all with a simple motive: to find out what the best salons are doing to be successful.
Featuring Verna Wall, this episode explores what the role of a researcher entails and what research looks like at Phorest, all the while discussing specific data points and insights.
Also featured in this episode:
Maggie Di Falco, Maggie The Salon @maggiethesalon, USA
Sarah Doyle, Templeogue Beauty Clinic @templeoguebeauty, Ireland
Patrick Monaghan, Phorest Salon Software
Erin Jones, Urban Evolution Salon @urbanevolutionsalon, USA
Sheri Hancock, Fine Bella Salon @finebellasalon, USA
Stacey Holmes, Steel Blade Men's Salon @steelbladebadassleader, USA
Mary Camille King, The Ritz Inc @theritzinc, USA
Bonnie Conte, Avalon Salon Spa @avalonsalonspas + Vibe Salon @vibesalonlakezurich, USA
Erin Raber, Pin-Up Curls @pinupcurlssalon, USA
Links:
Get your Salon Owners Summit 2024 tickets now: https://www.salonownersummit.com/tickets
Read the blog (Verna Wall & Rich Cullen on Success Stories from the Salon Floor – Salon Owners Summit 2023 Recap): https://shorturl.at/fsJM1
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.