Podcast
Hair Smarter
Hosted by It’s the BreakRoom · ENGLISH
Hair Smarter is the podcast for every stylist who’s thought, “Why didn’t anyone teach us this?” Hosted by Sarah Rappolt and Sarajane Lynch, we get into the real stuff: tough client moments, boundaries, burnout, inspiration, relationships, and the lessons that actually help you grow. Along the way, you’ll hear from industry leaders and outside experts with ideas that can shift the way you work. It’s The BreakRoom you’ve always wanted — one that just might change the course of your career.
20episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
What To Say When You Mess Up Someone's Hair
5d ago00:27:12Tap to summarizeEvery hairstylist remembers that service. The one that kept you awake at night.The haircut that didn't land the way you expected.The color that went sideways.The client whose face changed when they looked in the mirror.In this episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane tackle one of the hardest realities of working behind the chair: what happens when you mess up someone's hair.Through personal stories, industry experience, and research on trust, communication, and customer psychology, they discuss how to handle unhappy clients, what to say when emotions are high, and why your response matters far more than the mistake itself.You'll learn:What clients actually need when they're disappointedThe phrases that make situations worseWhy some clients become more loyal after a mistakeHow to stop replaying bad services long after they're overA simple framework for finding closure and moving forwardIf you've ever driven home questioning your skills after a difficult appointment, this episode is for you.
Transcribe →Talent Is Overrated—Discipline Is What Actually Builds Careers
3w ago00:25:51Tap to summarizeMost stylists believe success comes down to talent. But what if that belief is the very thing holding you back?In this episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane unpack the myth of natural ability and explore what truly creates long-term success behind the chair.Through research and real-world experience, they break down:The difference between growth and fixed mindsetWhy repetition alone doesn’t build skillHow deliberate practice transforms your workWhy grit matters more than talentThe role of habits and consistency in career growthIf you’ve ever questioned your ability—or felt like you’re not progressing fast enough—this episode will reframe how you think about your career.
Transcribe →Behind the Chair & Beyond the Paycheck: Financial Basics for Hairstylists
Jun 100:31:23Tap to summarizeBeauty school taught us how to cut, color, and build clientele. It did not teach us how to build wealth.In this episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane sit down with financial advisor Claire Ross of Edward Jones to break down the financial basics every hairstylist and gig worker should understand.If you’re booth rent, commission, or 1099 — and you don’t have a 401(k) — this conversation is for you.We cover:Where to start if you’ve never thought about retirementThe difference between saving and investingWhat an IRA actually is (and how it works)Retirement options for self-employed stylistsBudgeting with fluctuating incomeMoney myths holding hairstylists backSimple money moves you can make this weekThis is not financial advice. This is financial literacy — explained clearly and without shame. Because mastery behind the chair also means sustainability beyond the paycheck.🎧 Listen if you:Are a hairstylist with no retirement planFeel overwhelmed by investingKeep saying “I’ll start saving when I make more”Want to build a long-term career, not just a busy yearIf you'd like to get in contact with Claire to discuss your own situation, goals, or opportunities, feel free to email her at Claire.ross@edwardjones.com.💬 Join the Hair Smarter community to keep yourself educated about all things hairdressing — craft, business, boundaries, and beyond.
Transcribe →You’re Building an Audience—Not a Career
May 1800:27:51Tap to summarizeSocial media has changed the beauty industry—but it hasn’t changed what actually builds success.In this episode, Sarah and Sarajane explore the difference between building an audience and building a sustainable career behind the chair.They break down:Why visibility doesn’t equal skillHow attention differs from trustWhat creates long-term client retentionWhy service is the foundation of your careerIf you’ve been focusing on growing online but feel stuck behind the chair, this episode will help you refocus.
Transcribe →Why Most Hairstylists Quit (And How to Build a Career That Actually Lasts)
May 400:27:46Tap to summarizeMost hairstylists don’t leave because they’re not talented—they leave because no one ever showed them how to build a sustainable career.In this episode of Hair Smarter, we break down the real truth about longevity in the hair industry—from burnout and income ceilings to what actually separates stylists who stay and thrive.We talk about:Why 50–60% of stylists leave within 5 yearsThe “busy but stuck” phase no one warns you aboutThe income ceiling behind the chairHow mastery actually develops over timeWhat it takes to build a career that lastsIf you’ve ever wondered how to stay in this industry and still love it, this episode is for you.
Transcribe →How to Find Your Muse (From a Top Model Scout)
Apr 2001:00:43Tap to summarizeMost hairstylists think better work comes from better technique. But what if the real unlock… is choosing the right people? In this episode, we sit down with NYC model scout Rachel Payne—whose career has been built on identifying talent before the world sees it. From discovering models on Instagram to developing them into editorial talent, Rachel shares how she evaluates potential, approaches strangers, builds trust, and creates long-term working relationships.And the truth is—everything she does applies directly to hairstylists.If you’ve ever:Struggled to find the right modelsDefaulted to friends or “easy yes” clientsFelt creatively stuckThis episode will change how you think about your work.
Transcribe →How to Stop Taking Everything Personally at Work as a Hairstylist
Apr 600:40:08Tap to summarizeOne hard client comment can stick with a stylist longer than a full day of wins. In this episode, Sarah and Sarajane talk about why hairstylists take things personally at work — and how to stop spiraling when clients, coworkers, managers, or salon dynamics hit a nerve. They break down the psychology behind it, the soft skills that help, and a simple reset tool for staying grounded behind the chair.
Transcribe →The Unspoken Rules of Professionalism in the Salon
Mar 2300:36:00Tap to summarizeHas professionalism in the salon evolved — or declined?In this debate-style episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane take opposing perspectives on the unspoken rules that define what it means to be a true professional behind the chair. From hustle culture and hierarchy to social media at the chair, AI in the salon, and generational boundaries — this episode dives deep into how Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z approach professionalism differently… and what that means for modern salon culture.Backed by research from Harvard Business Review, Deloitte, Pew Research, SHRM, MIT Sloan, and the American Psychological Association, this conversation explores:Has hustle culture strengthened or burned out our industry?Is filming clients during service unprofessional?Are boundaries making stylists stronger — or more fragile?Is AI a professional tool… or a shortcut?How should salon owners manage multi-generational teams?Every generation brings strengths. Every generation has blind spots. The question isn’t who’s right.It’s what standards still matter. If you work in a salon with multiple generations — this episode is required listening.🎧 Listen in. Reflect. Debate.
Transcribe →When It’s Time to Move: Leaving a Salon Without Burning It Down
Mar 900:22:51Tap to summarizeThinking about changing salons? Feeling stuck, burned out, or unsure if it’s time to leave your current salon environment?In this episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane unpack the emotional, professional, and psychological realities of moving salons — without panic, drama, or burning bridges.We cover:How to know if it’s burnout or true misalignmentThe psychology of career transitions and why this decision feels so intenseWhat numbers every stylist should know before interviewingHow to interview new salons like a professionalWhat to do (and not do) when telling clientsLegal fears around non-competes and client ownershipHow to reduce stress and make aligned decisionsBacked by research in organizational psychology, professional identity development, and workplace stress, this episode blends real stylist stories with practical strategy.If you’ve ever wondered:“Can I take my clients with me?”“Am I being disloyal?”“What if I make the wrong move?”This conversation is for you.
Transcribe →Borrowed Vision - PART 2: Why Mentors Matter
Feb 2300:27:55Tap to summarizeMentorship isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about learning how to see.In this episode of Hair Smarter, Sarah and Sarajane invite their mentors Marc Berardi and Nikki An-Levi into an honest conversation about why mentorship is essential in the hair industry—and in any creative career.With decades of experience behind the chair, in education, and as salon owners, Marc and Nikki share what mentorship really looks like: building strong foundations, receiving hard feedback, adapting through change, and creating careers with longevity.This episode goes beyond technique and into what hair school forgot to teach—how guidance, integrity, and community shape better work and better lives.If this episode resonated with you, or if you know a stylist who could benefit from this conversation, please share, follow, and leave a review. It helps other stylists find Hair Smarter.Hair Smarter — where we get into what hair school forgot to.
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