PhorestFM: Stories From the Salon Floor
The salon industry has a lot to be proud of. Phorest has always been in awe of it. The energy. The camaraderie. The creativity. Being a business owner takes courage, but it can sometimes become an isolating, all-consuming reality. Amidst the daily whirlwind of tasks, there’s still the challenge of thinking ahead, of carving a path forward. The PhorestFM podcast celebrates innovative ideas, methods, and perspectives on business management and growth, marketing, leadership, and building great teams and cultures. Launched in 2017, it is hosted by Alex Bélisle-Springer (he/they), Global Education Content Lead at Phorest Salon Software. As of Season 9 (2025), new episodes air every second week, with occasional bonus drops on ”off” weeks.
Episodes

Monday Nov 12, 2018
Monday Nov 12, 2018
[091] Wouldn't it be great to wake up one morning and know exactly what your appointment book looks like 12 months in advance? Having clients fly across borders to get 90-minute facials?
On Phorest FM this week, Killian and Zoe welcome Katt Philipps, owner of Grafin Skin & Beauty, to talk about turning unmanageable appointment books into more than manageable - with little to no marketing budget.
Links:
Grafin Skin & Beauty (Website)
Technicians, owners! Get off the hamster wheel: build a velvet rope beauty business that advertises itself, build and manage an overflowing appointment book that is stress-free, and live the life you love. Sign up to Beta Test thebeautyeducator.com
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Oct 29, 2018
October Monthly Round-up
Monday Oct 29, 2018
Monday Oct 29, 2018
[090] This week's episode discusses everything that's happened on the Phorest Blog and Phorest FM over the previous 30 days. From the most popular blogs to snippets from previous Phorest FM episodes, announcements in regards to Modern Salon's Salon Digital Summit and Phorest's Salon Owners Summit, you're sure to get all the marketing advice you might have missed.
Links:
3 Tips To Strengthen Your Salon Retail Sales Rep Relationship
Get Your Copy: The Salon Owner's Ultimate Guide To Instagram eBook
Increased Retail Sales of 78% in One Week? #SalonRetailWeek Proves It Can Be Done
How Much Salon Retail Products Should You Stock
What You Need To Know About Salon Mystery Shopping Visits
Salon Digital Summit (Registration)
Salon Digital Summit, Advanced Education Session w/ Ronan Perceval & Paddy Monaghan (Registration)
Salon Owners Summit (Website)
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Oct 22, 2018
Monday Oct 22, 2018
[089] Unwelcome news in the Irish hairdressing industry this month. On October 9th, 2018, the Irish Minister for Finance announced a VAT (Value Added Tax) increase for hairdressing services along with a rise in National Minimum Wage and employers PRSI contribution, resulting in an industry call-to-action held on October 23rd, 2018.
To take the pulse on the matter, Killian and Zoe are bringing you straight into the action of the Hairdressing Council of Ireland's Protest March to gather clips from the protest, interviews featuring Bridget Haren and Sean Taaffe, President and Vice President of the Hairdressing Council of Ireland as well as a discussion with Phorest's very own Declan Kehoe and Lisa O'Brien.
Disclaimer: VAT & Beauty Salons
Phorest Salon Software's stance: Beauty salons have always been on the 13.5% VAT rate. However, we strongly believe VAT rates for both should be reduced to 9%, given as both types of salons face similar challenges. Read more in CEO Ronan Perceval's letter to the industry here.
Links:
Hairdressing Council of Ireland (Protest March)
Register for the Salon Digital Summit, Los Angeles (Nov. 4-6, 2018)
Register for Phorest's Advanced Education Session at the Salon Digital Summit (Take Your Instagram To The Next Level)
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Oct 08, 2018
Monday Oct 08, 2018
[088] The facts: a lot of clients don't have an email address on file, emails take on average 48 hours to be opened/read, and their open rate is around 23%. The truth? Chances are you're missing out on marketing to at least 68% of your client database. Not to say that you shouldn't be doing email marketing. You should. But what if there was a way to get a hold of all those clients who didn't have an email on file?
If aligned with existing email campaigns, SMS marketing becomes a direct and invaluable tool to get your clients back in salons and spas more often. To discuss this whole 'SMS in support of Email' concept, Killian and Zoe welcome back two Phorest in-house guests to the show: Luke Doolin and Helen Devenney, from the Grow and Education teams respectively. For this episode of Phorest FM, expect some in-depth explanations about what works best for the hair and beauty industry, some laughs and a few announcements!
Links:
Get Your Copy: The Salon Owner’s Email Marketing eBook
Get Your Copy: The Ultimate SMS Marketing Gameplan eBook
PHOREST CLIENTS ONLY - Automated SMS Online Training
PHOREST CLIENTS ONLY - Money-Back SMS Marketing Campaign
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Sep 24, 2018
September Monthly Round-up
Monday Sep 24, 2018
Monday Sep 24, 2018
[087] September: back-to-school, warm winds from the last bits of summer. Another month, another round-up. This week's episode discusses everything that's happened on the Phorest Blog and Phorest FM over the previous 30 days. From the most popular blogs to snippets from previous Phorest FM episodes, announcements in regards to the Salon Owners Summit as well as upcoming Phorest Academy Webinars and trade shows, you're sure to get all the marketing advice you might have missed.
Links:
Get Your Copy: The Salon Owner's Ultimate Guide To Instagram eBook
Increased Retail Sales of 78% in One Week? #SalonRetailWeek Proves It Can Be Done
Behind The Scenes Of The Thrive Sessions Denver Workshop
How To Stop A Salon Employee From Always “Getting Away With It”
The Importance & Benefits Of Having A Salon/Spa Business Plan
Salon Email Masterclass, October 15th at 3:00pm UK/IRE Time or 10:00am US Eastern Time
Phorest Salon Software at Olympia Beauty, Sept. 30/Oct.1 (RSVP)
Phorest Salon Software at Professional Beauty Ireland, Oct.7-8 (RSVP)
Phorest Salon Software at Salon International, Oct. 13-15 (RSVP)
Phorest Salon Software at Professional Beauty North, Oct. 21-22 (RSVP)
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Sep 17, 2018
Melanie Icke on DiSC, Communication Styles & Buying Behaviours
Monday Sep 17, 2018
Monday Sep 17, 2018
[086] We all have our go-to ways of doing and saying things in the salon, but what if everyone wasn’t the same? What if they had a secret profile that described how they behaved, reacted, communicated?
In the spirit of the upcoming Salon Owners Summit 2019, Killian & Zoe welcome Melanie Icke to the show to get some insights on the workshop she'll be leading, "Getting To Know You," a session on DiSC, buying behaviours and how you can influence people based on their communication styles. Melanie Icke is the Head of People & Education at Phorest Salon Software, has over 25 years experience in the Beauty Business and specialises in the design and delivery of bespoke development workshops and materials.
Links:
“Getting To Know You,” A #SalonSummit Workshop By Melanie Icke
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Sep 10, 2018
James Parnell on Managing Your Energy & Getting Stuff Done
Monday Sep 10, 2018
Monday Sep 10, 2018
[085] There are two types of people in the world: those who never seem to have enough time on their hands, and those who always seem to achieve so much more than everyone else in the space of the same 24 hours.
In which category do you fit? Are you the type to think: "Wouldn't it be amazing if I could get an extra hour or two a day?"
You're not alone. A whole lot of people feel the same way.
This week on Phorest FM, Killian & Zoe are joined by James Parnell, Founder and Lead Coach at The WellBeing Gym. James is known to create sustainable performance improvements and increase creativity, clarity of thinking and decision making. Time management is merely a new concept. But this episode isn't just about time. It's about energy, daily routines, timeboxing, efficiency versus productivity, and so much more.
Ready to find those 1-2 extra hours in your day?
Links:
The WellBeing Gym
This One Question Decides Everything + Free Goal Planner
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Aug 27, 2018
August Monthly Round-up
Monday Aug 27, 2018
Monday Aug 27, 2018
[084] End of August. End of the #SalonRetailWeek. Killian and Zoe dedicate this week's episode to a round-up of everything that's happened on the Phorest Blog and Phorest FM in August. From the most popular blogs to snippets from previous podcast episodes and announcements in regards to upcoming webinars, trade shows we're going to be at and more, you're sure to get all the marketing advice you might have missed.
Links:
Top 3 Reasons Why Salons And Spas Should Adopt Tiered Pricing
Everything Your Salon Needs To Know About Instagram’s IGTV App
The Hedgehog Concept: What Will Your Salon Be Known For?
Enter To Win Our Latest Phorest Blog Sweepstakes Bundle! (Ends September 6th, 2018)
Save Your Spot: Phorest Academy Salon Email Masterclass (September 17th, 2018)
Phorest Salon Software at Olympia Beauty (September 30th, October 1st, 2018)
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Aug 20, 2018
Pamela Laird on Ditching Your Betty & Finding Your Bernie
Monday Aug 20, 2018
Monday Aug 20, 2018
[083] For anyone running a salon or spa, one of your main objectives is figuring out how to build your client base. Obviously, I mean more clients means more business. But what if it wasn’t just about building a client base, but more about building the right client base?
In this episode of Phorest FM, salon owner, hairdresser & speaker Pamela Laird discusses the getting rid of the Bettys and attracting more of the Bernies. She explains: "We all have a Betty. You know the type – she’s booked for a full cut and colour, the last time she was in she was 25 minutes late, and the time before that she didn’t turn up. She never listens and always moans about her colour fading. But what does she expect? She’s using some crappy store-bought products that you wouldn’t use on your daughter’s dolls. The pain of working with these clients is not worth the return – instead, working with the right clients will bring you joy, motivation and it will grow your business."
If your salon/spa is struggling with attracting the right type of clients, then this episode is for you!
Links:
Fin & Co. | Website
Fin & Co. | Instagram
Fin & Co. | Facebook
Pamela Laird | Instagram
Content Marketing Academy
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.

Monday Aug 13, 2018
Jennifer Swaine on the Importance of Social Media in the Salon Industry
Monday Aug 13, 2018
Monday Aug 13, 2018
[082] As with any form of advertising, businesses want to be seen everywhere to maximise every opportunity to reach their target market. Whether it be Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn, it has now become the norm for businesses to be on at the very least one channel. But how do you pick the good one to be on? And from there, how do you connect with your audience?
With 20 years in the beauty industry owning and managing salons on top of getting certified in digital marketing, Jennifer Swaine knows well about creating a brand narrative and promoting beauty services online. So much so that she's caught TV3 Xpose's attention in Dublin with her latest business venture Leeson Beauty Lounge, where she and her team provide high quality express beauty treatments (nails, brows, lashes) for busy women on the go!
This week on the show, Jennifer joins Killian and Zoe to discuss the role and the importance of social media in the hair and beauty industry.
Links:
Leeson Beauty Lounge, Facebook Page
Style Media, Website
Sign Up For #SalonRetailWeek! Starts August 20th, 2018
Social Media Today, Website
Social Media Examiner, Website
Digital Marketing Institute, Website
Buffer Blog, Website
Tune in weekly for a mix of interviews with industry thought-leaders, roundups of our most recent salon owners marketing tips & tricks, all the latest in and around Phorest and what upcoming webinars you can join. Phorest FM is produced every Monday morning for your enjoyment with a cup of coffee on your day off. Feel free to let us know who or what topic you'd like to hear on the show!
Leave a Rating & Review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
Read the transcript, or click here to request a personalised quote from Phorest Salon Software.