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.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
[270] For people within the industry wanting to blend their career and giving back initiatives with a global and almost immediate impact, empowering individuals living in conditions of poverty by equipping them with the necessary resources to not only survive but thrive with a career in the salon industry helps them connect to a larger purpose through the universal language of hair.
Mandy Pulse (@mandy_saloninspire), the owner of Salon Inspire in Kansas City, Missouri, is one of those people, and that's how the organization for which she's the proud Founder and CEO — Global Stylist Scholarship — came to life.
In this episode, we delve into Mandy's journey within the hair and beauty industry, explore her non-profit's transformative work and discuss the impact, challenges and rewards of connecting passion and purpose with global impact.
Links:
Listen back to PhorestFM Episode 269: https://link.chtbl.com/PFM-S07E269-HetherFlorman
Learn more about the Global Stylist Scholarship: https://www.globalstylistscholarship.com/
Studies & research: BMC Public Health, Corporation for National and Community Service, Journal of Happiness Studies, Volunteering and Civic Life in America
"The Healing Power of Doing Good" by Allan Luks: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Power-Doing-Good/dp/0595175910
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.
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Friday Oct 20, 2023
Robert Miraglia — Certified Strategies Coach — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about how he got started with coaching, share some personal stories of salon ownership and give some insight into growing a successful, thriving salon, spa, or medspa with Strategies looks like.
Also featured in this episode are Ana & Trent from @RusticSalon and Jessica from Couture Lash Lab.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Thursday Oct 19, 2023
Ariel Sims, Spa Director at Absolutely Fabulous Spa @absolutelyfabulousspa in Frisco, Texas — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about her role within the organization, discuss working with Strategies' coaching, training and systems, and last but not least, the culture shift the team has seen over the past year.
Also featured in this episode are Jeff Lingley from @BrushABlowdryBar, Ana & Trent from @RusticSalon & Kelly Swan from @LetEmHaveItSalon.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Find out more about Absolutely Fabulous Spa: https://www.absolutelyfabspa.com/
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Katlin Liell-Kok @bbysnakes — Education Director/Manager & Purefessional Colorist at Omagi Salon & Spa— joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about leadership and what she gets out of going to conferences & events like Strategies' Team-Based Experience as well as share some insight into what went into the salon's application for the "No Compromise Business of the Year" award.
Also featured in this episode are Amanda Maddalena from AM Salon @a.madd_hairdesigns & Ana & Trent from @RusticSalon.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Find out more about Omagi Salon & Spa: https://www.omagisalonspa.com/
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Sydney Lopez — Rainbow Hair Educator, Social Media Strategist, Hairstylist & Co-Owner (and so much more!) — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to give some insight into the social media lab she designed for TBX23, discuss her experience with growing her platform and audience, the value you bring for your audience and giving back to the hair & beauty industry and community through her the company she's launching.
Also featured in this episode are Jeff Lingley from @brushablowdrybar & Sarah Carter from @thespasalonm.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Find out more about Sydney's Education: linktr.ee/Sydneyannlopezhair @sydneyannlopezhair
Find out more about Unicorn Uprising: https://unicornuprising.com/
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Monday Oct 16, 2023
Daryl Jenkins — Director of Coaching at Strategies — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to talk about his involvement with Strategies and give some insight into the TBX23 coachability session he led.
Also featured in this episode are Kelly Swan from @LetEmHaveItSalon, Nicole Faehn from @blushfargo, and Amanda Maddalena from AM Salon @a.madd_hairdesigns/.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Friday Oct 13, 2023
Bruce Hourigan — Strategic Business Advisor at Strategies — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to share how he first got involved with Strategies, how he spends most of his free time, and last but not least, discuss his experience with coaching clients during TBX23.
Also featured in this episode are Dana Broslovsky, Ellie Mowbray & Alyssa Breault from @ALDAAesthetics, Sarah Carter from @TheSpaSalonM and Nicole Faehn from @blushfargo.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Thursday Oct 12, 2023
Neil Ducoff — founder of Strategies, guru of team-based compensation, author and named one of 12 business "Legends and Icons" by the annual Serious Business Conference in New Orleans in 2006, amongst many other industry awards & recognitions — joins podcast host Zoé Bélisle-Springer to reflect on 30 years in business and share his thoughts on the Strategies Team-Based Experience 2023 event.
Also featured in this episode are Dana Broslovsky, Ellie Mowbray & Alyssa Breault from @ALDAAesthetics.
Find out more about Strategies: https://strategies.com/ @strategies4biz
Read the transcript and subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter: http://bit.ly/2T2gUj1
Leave a rating & review: http://bit.ly/phorestfm
This "Live From..." bonus episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Great music makes great moments. Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed.
Monday Aug 14, 2023
Monday Aug 14, 2023
[269] Hether Florman, the owner of Salon Hether's (@salonhethers) located in Arvada, Colorado, stands out as one of the many professionals in the industry who consistently strive to make a meaningful impact. Not only has she dedicated her entire career to doing hair and making people feel beautiful, but her unwavering dedication to personal growth and learning has also served as an inspirational force, leaving a profound mark on the lives of those fortunate enough to meet her.
In this episode, listen to Hether candidly share and reflect on her early career aspirations, her journey within the salon industry, the transformative experience of her volunteering work in Guatemala through her involvement with the Global Stylist Scholarship non-profit organization, and her ongoing commitments to leadership and impact.
Links:
Learn more about Salon Hether's: https://www.hethers.com/
Learn more about the Global Stylist Scholarship: https://www.globalstylistscholarship.com/
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.
Monday Aug 07, 2023
Monday Aug 07, 2023
[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.