PhorestFM: Stories From the Salon Floor

Kristin Rankin & Lauren Wilde on Running Gender-Affirming Salon Spaces

[203] What does the power of a haircut mean to you?⁣ For many, going to a salon is a wonderful experience. Unfortunately, though, it is still a scary and challenging experience for quite a few others. While the professional beauty industry has always been considered a safer space for people within the LGBTQ2S＋ communities, we still have a long way to go with education, acceptance and understanding.
And because learning through community, asking questions and sharing experiences is so powerful, The Dresscode Project (@thedresscodeproject) has become the number one resource to turn to within the industry.
Working to eradicate homophobia, transphobia and discrimination according to race, sex and gender in salons worldwide, Kristin Rankin has made it a huge part of their career ⁣to teach business owners and hairstylists how to create a space that feels safe and welcoming to everyone. In this episode, we discuss the birth of their initiative — The Dresscode Project — explore the ins and out of creating safer spaces for all clients and chat with salon owner & educator Lauren Wilde on the importance, meaning and day-to-day of running a gender-affirming salon space.
Links:
Learn more or become a part of The Dresscode Project Salon Alliance: https://www.dresscodeproject.com
Reach out to Kristin Rankin (they/them) @kristinrankinhair or on www.foxandjanesalon.com
Reach out to Lauren Wilde (she/her) @wildehairday, @frizz.and.fantasy or on www.roseandonyx.com
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.

Jill Higginbotham on Management Fundamentals That Drive Salon Success

[202] Today, Eufora International and Phorest Salon Software announced an official partnership, aligning their core values around education, growth, and caring for the planet, bringing salons the ultimate experience in integrated technology and product offering. The collaboration will see the teams work together to provide top quality resources and tools to help salons grow all aspects of their business, from marketing skills to retail sales, e-commerce and more.
In that spirit, this week's episode features Jill Higginbotham, owner and founder of J Michael's Spa & Salon in Louisville, Kentucky (@jmichaelsspasalon) and Eufora International Business Educator (@euforainternational). Passionate about leadership and education, she helps stylists and salon owners realize the importance of their profession, their creativity, and their business. In this conversation she aims to do precisely that, as she discusses management fundamentals and pressure points, the six key drivers of salon success, the "Rule of 3," delegation and staff development.
Links:
Get more information on Eufora International's educational offering: https://eufora.net/pages/education
Follow Jill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jill_higginbotham_style
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.

Inside Phorest: Check Your Salon Online Health Score & Find New Avenues for Digital Growth

[201] The COVID-19 global pandemic has accelerated the need for all businesses to connect, sell and communicate online. Now more than ever, businesses that capitalise on social media, digital advertising and e-commerce not only survive, but thrive. If 2020 was the year of change, perhaps 2021 can become the year of opportunity: how well has your salon adapted to consumer behaviour changes?
This week, Head of Phorest Pay Europe Niamh Greaney joins the show to talk through how salons can get a personalised report on their business' Online Health Score and identify the triggers they can pull to up their game.
Links:
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qYM8gIbIoTw
Check your salon's Online Health Score: https://bit.ly/2PGxEym
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.

Rachel Paige on Self-Discovery & Finding Rhythm After Traumatic Loss

[200] Content warning: This conversation contains a segment depicting an episode of domestic violence, and mentions of death and suicide, from 3:30 to 21:30 and from 31:15 to 35:15. Listener discretion is advised.
This week's episode features Rachel Paige (@rachelpaigexo), Founder & CEO of The Beauty Lounge in Texas, Global educator for LACED, and business coach for salon owners as she tells her story of survival and how she reframed her experience into a deeper understanding of herself, her purpose, and her world.
We have done our best to hold this conversation with intention and sincerity, and we encourage you to listen to it without judgement but rather with a compassionate ear. Thank you for listening, and please take care of yourself. If you need to, don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help. You can find resources on your local governing sites.
Links:
Book your Business Strategy Session with Rachel: https://rachelpaigexo.as.me/coachingcall
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.

Kate Lynch & Eimear Morris on How and Why You Should Do a Social Media Spring Clean

[199] Whether you're open for business or in the UK/Ireland and getting ready to reopen your salon, the first quarter of the year is always a good time to put on your spring cleaning outfit and have a closer look at your social media presence. In other words, a time to take stock of your accounts' strengths and weaknesses, make sure that you aren't missing opportunities, and are representing your brand appropriately.
Co-founders of The Creative Society (@thecreativesociety.ie) — a social media and branding agency — Kate Lynch & Eimear Morris are both passionate about empowering business owners to control their brand's online presence. Therefore, while this week's episode will discuss why it's so important to understand your salon's positioning within the social sphere, it will also cover practical tips and provide information on tools you can use to assess your current performance and improve your strategy.
Doing a social media self-audit is like doing a big house-cleaning project. It'll take some work, but by the time you're done, you'll be happier and get better results.
Links:
Get more information on The Creative Society's workshops: https://thecreativesociety.ie/events/
Get 4 free Social Media Weekly Planners (1 per week) to help reopen your salon: https://bit.ly/38MqUWf
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.

Katie Godfrey on Franchising as a Strategy for Growth

[198] Opening a second salon or spa involves more than meets the eye, and many salon owners, unfortunately, get too excited too quickly. Is your salon truly ready to expand? And if it is, what business model best fits you?
Owner of a multi-award-winning salon, business mentor, author, and podcaster, Katie Godfrey (KG Professional, The Life of KG) has conducted various talks and mentoring sessions at colleges and events about her story and is passionate about motivating others in building their careers. One topic she’s very passionate about is franchising, a common business model in various industries, however not as well known within the hair and beauty industry.
To better understand how it can be a successful strategy for salon growth, this episode explores the structures and knowledge you need to franchise successfully, the pros and cons of this alternative business model, and what you can do to ensure standards are met across the different franchises.
Links:
Learn more about KG Professional: https://kgprofessional.com
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.

Richard Gibbons on Generating Substantial ROI With Paid Social Advertising

[197] With many people now working from home, there has been an accelerated need for all businesses to connect, sell and communicate online. This year onward, having a paid social media advertising strategy to work along the organic one will be a must for salons to attract clients & generate substantial ROI.
Founder of Boost My Customers, a UK-based company with a vision to help clinic owners get the freedom they want and make an impact in their local community, Richard Gibbons has worked with 50+ clinics, including some on the verge of closing — which he's helped turn around and become fully booked in just 45 days!
In this episode, we discuss how to scale profitably with no capital, ways to know if your social media advertising campaign will succeed before spending a penny on ads, how to craft the perfect online advertising offer and, of course, also share some success stories from owners who would have worked with Richard in the past!
Links:
Follow Richard Gibbons on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boostmycustomers
Learn more about Boost My Customers: www.boostmycustomers.com
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.
 

Inside Phorest: Unleash the Power of Staff Performance

[196] Working in a super-engaged, high-performance environment can be one of the most rewarding goals for all salon teams today. Salon managers want to keep staff motivated, engaged and focused on their performance metrics. In turn, their team members want to be challenged, empowered and inspired to achieve their potential. Yet, one of this year's biggest challenges will be motivating staff and teams on furlough, part furlough, disengaged, bored, scared or struggling with their own mental health.
The staff feedback process just got so much easier. Your team can now check on their key performance metrics, such as revenue and transactions for services, product retail and client booking numbers in their PhorestGo app — at any time, anywhere. Spend your time coaching and empowering your team instead of reading through long reports and big data tables.
On this week's episode, we're joined by Phorest Product Lead Cillian Moloney to discuss the latest Staff Performance feature release. Are you ready to get your team to peak performance?
Links:
Watch this episode on YouTube & get more visual insights into the Staff Performance feature: https://youtu.be/mGBvST_4MVU
Learn more about the feature: https://bit.ly/3uA8Hoi
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.

Stefanie Fox on Leadership & What Staff Want From Their Salon

[195] When running a business, the need to drive both performance and business often comes with thinking that dangling a carrot or motivating somebody to do something is the way we're going to get there fastest. Yet when you look at human psychology, and you understand what makes people feel both interested and capable of doing something different, it requires that they work hand-in-hand with someone that's going to help them.
Founder of Talent Match, a recruitment and team building agency specialising in the beauty industry workforce, Stefanie Fox is a generational leadership expert whose work is rooted in research. She believes that speaking directly to the beauty industry's workforce is the only way to move forward and build teams that thrive. Therefore, she regularly surveys today's talent to understand what they want and then acts as the liaison between salon owners and salon talent to discuss and navigate hard conversations.
In this episode, we look at the differences between leadership & motivation, dive into Stefanie's recent research on staff's wants and needs, and discuss what responsibilities a great leader has in today's industry & workforce changing landscape.
Links:
Follow Stefanie Fox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stef_fox_jaxn
Learn more about Talent Match: https://talentmatch.biz
US/CA "Charging Your Worth" On-Demand Webinar: https://bit.ly/3aN21de
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.

April & Nikki Dominguez on Growth, Community & Chasing Your Dream Career

[194] Beauty professionals and beauty careers are highly impactful industries. Yet, what's not talked about is that beauty service careers are often seen as frivolous — and not taken seriously. They've been underrepresented in professional advancement and career tools.
April and Nikki Dominguez, respectively CEO & President of Handsome, share the same vision and values: to provide resources and tools to an industry and community of people who've been overlooked. As such, in this episode, we discuss community and networking, the industry's current need for connection, what all people with successful careers have in common, and of course, Handsome — a platform supporting barber & beauty professionals in charting a course for themselves, challenging norms, and reclaiming a term of authority.
Links:
Follow Handsome on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/handsome_app
US/CA "Charging Your Worth" Webinar Registration: https://bit.ly/3aN21de
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.