Ep 20 Leading With Her Heart, Veronika Walker Gives The Salon Industry A Makeover

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Locally Owned, Ep 20

Title: Leading With Her Heart, Veronika Walker Gives The Salon Industry A Makeover
Host: The Street Smart Entrepreneur
Guest: Veronika Walker, owner of Concepcion Salon
Date: April 24, 2025

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Main Theme

This episode centers on the incredible entrepreneurial journey of Veronika Walker, who emigrated from Hungary at age 22, learned English in the US, and eventually built Concepcion Salon—an innovative, people-first salon in Alabama. The conversation explores resilience, leadership, building an intentional business culture, and reimagining what a salon can mean both for clients and stylists.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Veronika’s Immigrant Origins & Early Hustle

• Work Ethic from Hungary:
  Veronika recounts her childhood in rural Hungary, working in government plots with her educator parents during the last years of communism.

  “Growing up in Hungary, in a small town, to parents that were educators during late communism was very interesting... That was kind of a very hardworking background.” (02:00 – 02:30)

• Starting Over in America:
  Arrived in the US at 22 without speaking English, started out waiting tables, bartending, and then moved into sales and management at Jenny Craig.

  “I learned English throughout all that.” (05:11)

• Key Insight:
  Early adversity instilled resilience, adaptability, and a drive to “always improve” and seek opportunity rather than wait for it.

2. Rising Through Setbacks In The Salon World

• Barriers to Entry:
  After moves to Texas and back to Georgia, Veronika entered the salon industry in Montgomery, becoming a manager and eventually thriving in high-end salons like Aveda.

• The Move to Birmingham & Closed Doors:
  Upon moving to Birmingham, she was repeatedly rejected due to being “an older stylist” not bringing an established local clientele.

  “I can't tell you. I went to probably 4, 5, 6, 7 salons and tried to get a job and they all said no.” (13:43)

• Hard Lessons from Failed Salons:
  Veronika’s tenures at various salons taught her key lessons about culture, location, lighting, and most importantly, business models that either helped or hindered growth.

• Memorable Quote:

  “I knew it wasn’t me… it was the place. There was a combination of elements starting from the location, vibe… there was no good lighting. There was a boutique hiding the salon. It’s just a lot of elements I felt the clients didn’t like.” (14:14)

3. Entrepreneurial Clarity & Creating Concepcion Salon

• A Shift in Mindset:
  Realized she could create the environment she wanted, rather than try to fit into broken systems.

  “That’s what makes someone an entrepreneur. They don’t just power through, they pay attention. And when the environment doesn’t feel fit, they create one that does.” (17:12 – Host Commentary)

• Launching During the Pandemic:
  Opened her own “suite salon” in January 2020, just before COVID closures. Used the downtime to care for clients remotely—offering advice, products, and reassurance.

  “What I did during that six weeks of time was that I kept in touch with my clients and I helped them with different styles... begged them not to put box dye on their hair.” (33:33)

• Growth Sparks Need for Expansion:
  Outgrew the suite model as demand grew, explaining the need for a larger, collaborative, and creative salon while maintaining a “boho, positive, respectful atmosphere.” (11:37, 19:49)

4. Building a People-First, Specialist Team

• Deliberate Team-Building:
  Veronika is intentional in team selection, seeking stylists who have clear aspirations and fit with the collaborative, respectful culture.

  “I want to work with people who also felt out of place because they felt like they had nowhere to grow... in my salon, the stylists have room to grow. I care, and I ask them, ‘What are your aspirations?’” (19:35–20:55)

• Viewing Stylists As Clients:
  Innovates by seeing stylists themselves “as clients” and ensuring their experience is positive and growth-oriented—unique in an industry where stylists are often undervalued.

  “Every salon I’ve ever worked at never looked at stylists as people to value highly. They always looked at us as tools... I wanted nobody to feel like they’re being used as a hammer to nail a nail.” (32:37–35:27)

• The Trinity of Success:
  Host and Veronika discuss the necessity that the business must work for the client, the company, and the employees—all must win. (36:21)

5. Creating a Welcoming & Inclusive Space

• A Space for Everyone:
  One private room is specifically reserved for clients needing discretion—those with medical needs, religious requirements, or other sensitivities.

  “Private room for any clients that have a need for privacy, like, let's say they have cancer and they need their head shaved... Or I have some Muslim clients who don't want to take their hijabs off in front of men...” (48:10–49:19)

• Class Offerings & Stylists’ Specialties:
  The salon offers a range of specialties—gray coverage, dimensional color, curly hair, extensions, sun-kissed highlights, and protective styles for African American clients—with in-house education for both the team and outside stylists. (46:03–47:29)

6. Leadership Philosophy & Personal Growth

• Leadership Through Empowerment:
  Veronika balances high expectations with autonomy, communication, and mutual respect, steering clear of micromanagement.

  “I have to work on myself... I will do anything and everything I would expect anyone else to do. But I’m gonna let them do it. I’m not gonna be the person who’ll do everything, because then I’m just enabling.” (43:30)

• The “Sandwich” Method and Giving Space:
  She employs feedback methods that validate first, critique tactfully, then lift up again—plus she intentionally creates space for her staff to be themselves.

  “Giving space is another one. How to give people space to be different. How to see people for what they do best and appreciate that in them.” (53:14)

• Personal Balancing Act:
  Balances being a mother of three, a partner, and a business owner with the support of her family and intentional organization. (49:33–50:10)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Resilience:
  “What Veronica just walked us through may have sounded like rejection, but actually it was resilience in motion. Closed doors, long commutes, toxic culture, loss. But she never doubted who she was and what she had to offer. She just kept showing up.” – Host (17:12)

• On Empowerment:
  “I want a good, positive, respectful atmosphere... And the clients will feel it.” – Veronika (41:34–42:05)

• On Culture:
  “Stylists in her salon aren’t just renting space. They’re respected. They’re valued. They’re grown. It’s not just about great hair. It’s about building a place where everybody wins.” – Host (37:05)

• On Running The Business:
  “I needed to learn how to tactfully put up boundaries, how to say certain things… You praise them, then give constructive feedback, and then you make them feel really good going out. That was a valuable thing—the sandwich.” – Veronika (51:15–52:46)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:00] Veronika describes childhood in Hungary and its influence on her work ethic
• [05:39] Reflecting on her internal drive and learning, including language and business acumen
• [13:43] Facing rejection when relocating to Birmingham
• [17:12] Host summing up Veronika’s resilience and clarity as entrepreneurial strengths
• [18:03] Opening her own suite salon in 2020, just before the pandemic
• [33:33] Supporting clients remotely during COVID closures
• [35:27] Describing the innovative “stylists are clients too” approach
• [41:34] Explaining her positive, respectful, and collaborative workplace
• [48:10] Details the salon’s unique private room for clients needing discretion
• [51:15] Growing in people skills, communication, and leadership
• [55:54] Nominated for “Best of Alabama” award

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What Sets Concepcion Salon Apart

• People-First Leadership: Intentional about supporting growth, collaboration, and wellbeing for both team and clientele.
• Business Model Innovation: Values stylists as essential to the salon’s success; bridges the gap between commission, independence, and community.
• Inclusivity: Private service space for clients with special needs—medical, religious, or psychological.
• Continuous Learning: Monthly classes for skills enhancement, open to both staff and the broader stylist community.
• Positive, Boho Vibe: Culture of mutual respect and creativity, consciously set by Veronika’s vision and daily example.

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Ideal Clientele

• Women aged 20–60 needing gray coverage, dimensional color, or seeking quick, high-quality transformations
• Anyone valued for their time, seeking a positive conversation and great hair (58:02)
• Diverse service offerings cater to curly hair, extensions, protective styles, and anyone needing discretion

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Contact & Additional Information

• Website: www.salonconception.com
• Text/Call: 334-318-1428
• Online Booking: Through the website (includes a stylist match quiz and consultation form)
• Location: Hoover, Alabama

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Final Takeaway

Veronika Walker’s journey is a case study in determined, heart-led leadership. She models resilience, builds inclusive and growth-oriented culture, and redefines what success means for both clients and stylists. Her message: Don’t wait for permission. Build what you wish existed, keep showing up, and always lead with respect and heart.

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Share this episode with anyone looking for inspiration, practical business advice, or a fresh perspective on leadership and community building!

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

She moved to the US at 22, didn't speak the language, waited tables, sold weight loss memberships, learned English on the fly. And somewhere in the middle of all that, Veronica Walker decided she was going to build something of her own. Fast forward to today, and she owns one of the most thoughtful people first salons you will ever find. But what happened in between? Rejection, roadblocks, long commutes, failing salons, and a pandemic. Yet she kept showing up. This is a story about creativity, culture, leadership, and grit. And if you've ever felt like you're starting from behind or like you're building something no one can see yet, Veronica's story is going to speak to you. Let's get to it. Hello and welcome back to another episode of locally Owned. And today, my guest is Veronica Walker, and she owns Concepcion Salon, which is a very concierge service salon, very specialized. And her story is really exciting and she is doing some phenomenal things in the industry of running a salon. You're going to love what she's done and what she has to offer. And she is from Hungary, so she has come over here and made a life for herself. And I'm really excited to share her story. So, Veronica, welcome to the show.

[Veronica Walker]

Thank you so much. Hello, everybody.

[Podcast Host]

Well, so tell me what it was like moving here from another country and growing up experiencing one way of life and then growing up here.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah. Thank you. Yes. It was different. I would say it was different. Growing up in Hungary, in a small town, to parents that were educators during late communism was very interesting. I've always worked with my parents summers. We had these fields that the government gave to educators over the summer to work. And as long as you didn't give

[Podcast Host]

you summers off, huh?

[Veronica Walker]

No, it was just some extra that we could do. And so my parents always had different types of crops, and I grew up helping them doing all that. So that was kind of a very hardworking background. So when I came to the United states back in 98 to visit my aunt and uncle, it was different. It seemed very big out here, and I didn't even speak the language back then.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So. And then I decided that it was. It was a good idea to. To make a life here. I met somebody who then I married and we started our life together. And I had to figure it out how I was going to work hard in America.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. Now, how old are you when you first.

[Veronica Walker]

I was 22. You're 22?

[Podcast Host]

22. Okay. Yeah, yeah. So you. You had, you had a good bit of life under you from back in Turkey. And then hungry. Or hungry. Sorry, I said turkey must be hungry.

[Veronica Walker]

Works both ways.

[Podcast Host]

I know, but you must have. And then growing up with, you know, working in those fields with your parents, that probably has. Do you see that? That's. Anyways that that affects your work ethic now.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, definitely. Definitely. I would say that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And so. So you, you know, reading that you had started, or you were over in Atlanta, in Buckhead. Right. And you were working out of Jenny Craig and then you ended up running that.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, I did. I did a few different jobs while my husband was in. In school. I. I waited tables, I became a bartender then serving a couple of ladies some wine and upselling them on coffee and lattes. They asked me, hey, do you want to try working somewhere else? We run this company called Jenny Craig, and we really need some strong salespeople. So I said, you know, I'll try it. And so I started working for them, ditched a restaurant life, and then I got promotions there, and I ended up running the Buckhead center for Jenny Craig for a year until I had my daughter.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, wow. Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So how long did it take you to go from just starting out to running that center?

[Veronica Walker]

Year and a half to two years.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. Yeah. So you learned a lot?

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah, yeah, I did. And I learned English throughout all that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, that's, you know, thank you. I couldn't even imagine the challenge of, you know, having to learn a language and learn a culture and learn a business and grow to run that business. So what gives you that drive to say I can do this?

[Veronica Walker]

That's a very good question. I think a lot of elements give me the drive. I think it has something to do with being a Capricorn, for one. Growing up in Hungary, growing up to educators, my mom was always pushing me to put the effort in. Always told me, put the effort in. She always told me, don't ever wait for someone to tell you what to do. Find what needs to be done. Which then later on, I kind of had experiences when people were like, no, no, no, stay in your lane. That's not your job.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, you gotta balance that out.

[Veronica Walker]

You gotta balance that out. But. But I think I'm. I'm very high energy when I'm at work. And so I'm always thinking of how to improve my. My work, myself, my relationships, my business, and everybody around me. So in general.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So I think the drive comes from that. Always wanting to improve.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So that's sort of wired into you to think of better ways to do

[Veronica Walker]

it, I would say.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And so you worked at Jenny Craig, which I used to live in Atlanta, and I remember now this was back in the 90s, but Jenny Craig was pretty big back then.

[Veronica Walker]

It was. It was. And I started out as a. What they called a program director and a consultant. I had to make lots of phone calls to people who once expressed interest into losing weight and trying to motivate them back into the center. And then selling the programs we had, we always had a special. I think it was like a $20 for 20 pounds kind of thing, all the way up to $400 programs where it's like a lifetime membership, which is crazy because Jenna Craig is nowhere to be found now.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

But we did have these lifetime memberships, and those were hard. Those were very hard. So I had to learn how to help people tap back into their desires and help them lose the weight. And it was very rewarding when people decided to do what they set out to do for themselves. It was really nice. And we celebrated big when people reached their goals.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's tough because a lot of people don't follow. You know, they want to, but they don't follow through.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. That must have been pretty rewarding.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah. Yes, it was.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Well. But not enough to stay. You ended up moving back to Montgomery.

[Veronica Walker]

It was life circumstances. We had to move to Texas for about a year. My husband had to move for schools. He transferred to a chiropractic school there and Texas and had to obviously followed him. And there was no Jenna Craig there to transfer to. And I was about to have a baby also, so that was that. And then later we went back to Georgia. He ended up finishing that school in Georgia. And then he decided we would be moving to Montgomery, which is where his parents were from. And I followed.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So. And in Montgomery was the place where I became a salon manager and apprentice. By that time, I was 29 years old, I had two kids and decided I needed a career. I needed a little bit more than just a job. And so that's when I decided, okay, college, obviously, is not going to happen for me now because it hasn't for seven years. So this is what I'm gonna do. I've always been artistic. Let's see.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

And it worked out.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. I was reading you were working at a salon, and then I think you got. You started working at Aveda, which.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, I worked at a very nice Aveda salon in Montgomery. It is still open. It's still. Still an Aveda salon. I Say all that to say because a lot of the salons I worked at are not open anymore. They're closed. Three of them are closed that I worked at in Birmingham. So. Kind of sad.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Now, Aveda was. Was not. It was a little bit more of like a high end salon.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes. Yes. Aveda salons are high end salons. Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And how did you like working there? Was that.

[Veronica Walker]

I liked it. I liked it very spa, like, very calming, comforting salons. So, yeah, I like the Aveda vibe, the Aveda feel. However, once I didn't work for Aveda anymore or didn't work at Aveda anymore, I wanted something else. I wanted something different. I wanted something more positive and more. More vibrant. So the salon that I own now, it has a boho vibe to it. We have lots of plants.

[Podcast Host]

It has a what vibe?

[Veronica Walker]

Boho.

[Podcast Host]

Okay. You'll have to explain to me what that is.

[Veronica Walker]

Bohemian vibe. Positive.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Nice. Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

I wanted to combine really exceptional hair with a really positive vibe to clients. Very respectful, very good flow, good energy type of vibe.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Okay, so you. So you're working at Aveda and then you decide to go out on your own, or did it not work out there?

[Veronica Walker]

My life was changing and I wanted to move up to Birmingham to provide a better life for my family. And I looked at many salons in Birmingham and try to work at many salons, but I found a lot of closed doors for me when I wanted to move up here. So for the first six months after I moved here, I had to drive back to Montgomery to work for the whole five days a week.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So I commuted an hour and a half there and an hour and a half back for six months. And then I found one salon that would give me a chance. I think most salon owners did not want to hire me because I was an older stylist and I knew that I wasn't going to bring the clientele from Montgomery to Birmingham.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Veronica Walker]

I knew that some might follow, but not all of them. And I told all these saloners too, like, I know what I'm doing when it comes to hair. I can build another clientele very easily. I'll do everything that it takes to build one. And they all just did. Really didn't really want to give me a chance. So I can't tell you. I went to probably 4, 5, 6, 7 salons and tried to get a job and they all said no.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, wow. That's a little discouraging.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah. And then I got a chance at a place where I could not grow. So that was very interesting to me, that phenomenon that I couldn't grow for a whole year. I couldn't grow.

[Podcast Host]

What do you mean you couldn't grow?

[Veronica Walker]

I couldn't grow. I just. There was nobody on the books. I would do hair. They all would love it, and then not come back. It was just crazy. I. I thought I would. I was going crazy. That it's me that I turned into this terrible stylist. And then I realized it wasn't me, it was the place. It was a combination of elements in that salon, starting from the location of it, the vibe that it was trying to give out. The prices, marketing strategies, the look of the salon. There wasn't any good lighting there. There was a boutique in the front, hiding the salon. It was just a lot of elements that I felt the clients didn't like. There were a few clients that did, but wasn't near enough.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

And so I left and I went to Homewood, and they just lost the stylist because I believe she moved somewhere, and that was the right time for me to get in. And I was so happy that I was in this new salon. And I started building a business and I worked there for about two months, and then our owner passed away.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, no.

[Veronica Walker]

So that ended. Because the salon was no longer there. I think it was open for about two months more after that. And then we closed our doors. I was there on the last day. So that's when I went to my next salon that was also in Homewood. And that was. That was kind of crazy for me because I was a loyal one. I was the one who worked for six years at a preview salon.

[Podcast Host]

Right? Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

Right. I'm not a salon hopper. We have this. We have this. This phrase for people that just want to go and go and go and go and try out all the salons. I was not that, but this was just working out. And so anyway, I worked at this third one, and that worked out really well for a while until internal drama started happening in there. And so I saw how that was handled by management, and I did not like that one bit. So I worked there for about two years, and I decided, never again. I'm not going to work for anybody else. And that's when I decided to open my sweet salon just for me.

[Podcast Host]

Let's take a breath here. What Veronica just walked us through may have sounded like rejection, but actually it was resilience in motion. Closed doors, long commutes, toxic culture, loss. But she never doubted who she was and what she had to offer. She just Kept showing up. She knows she's a good stylist, so instead of focusing on what might be wrong with her, she zooms out and realizes it's not her. And she actually gets a clear and better way to do things. That level of clarity, that's what makes someone an entrepreneur. They don't just power through, they pay attention. And when the environment doesn't feel fit, they create one that does. You can't keep hard workers down. You can slow them, you can shake them, but if they can't find a way, they'll make one.

[Veronica Walker]

So that was 2020 when I opened my.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, that's a great year to open a business.

[Veronica Walker]

January with no idea what was coming. So, yeah, I opened it, and that was very nice. But I grew it. I felt like it was getting to be too small.

[Podcast Host]

Good problem to have.

[Veronica Walker]

And I couldn't grow, and I needed to grow.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's a good problem to have.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Especially compared to the other experience.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

You know, couldn't grow at all.

[Veronica Walker]

Right, exactly.

[Podcast Host]

So you found. Well, I think people found you.

[Veronica Walker]

I would absolutely say that. That's a good way of putting it. Yes, people found me.

[Podcast Host]

And so how do all these experiences that you've had. Because I'm listening to you explain. And they're very different. You know, if you go from a very spa like place that offers, you know, a level of. Yeah, yeah. Where you feel Zen. Yeah. You just know, okay, this is. Nothing's really gonna go wrong here, you know, Or.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

Like, they're making this experience.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

They care about the experience of it. To a place where you felt like there was no thought put into the experience.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

And then you've seen different management styles. And so now here you are on your own, and it's gotta feel good to say, wow, I'm. I'm doing things my way and I need to find a bigger place.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. So I had enough time to collect all these experiences, and sometimes I would journal them. Sometimes I just think about them of how I would do if I had a bigger salon with several chairs, how I would do, how I would manage people. And really I realized that I don't want to manage a lot of people. I want to manage one or two. But I want to work with people that are like me. I want to work with people who also felt out of place because they felt like they had nowhere to grow. And I feel like in my salon at Concepcion, the stylists that work there, they have room to grow. And I care. And I ask Them? Well, what are your aspirations? Which way is growth for you? And everybody has a different answer, and I love that, but because I can help.

[Podcast Host]

Really. So you feel like. With different answers.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So then what are you looking for when you're asking those questions? Is there any common theme that you go, okay, this person wouldn't work out here, but this person would. Is there?

[Veronica Walker]

Oh, definitely. Yes, there's definitely that. When you're hiring, when you're interviewing someone who is looking to rent a space in your salon and you ask them, what is your goal for this? Oh, I don't know. I just want to, you know, rent a space and just do hair. Okay. That's probably not going to be good enough.

[Podcast Host]

Right, right. Yeah, yeah. Because you have a very clear vision of what you're trying to create.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, I do. And the girls that are working there now, for instance, we have our curly specialist. She and I actually worked together at my previous job. And also she was at the Salon Suites location as well. She was running her own suite. And she is a hearing daughter of deaf parents, and she wants to always help the deaf community, so as much as she can with her hairstyling skills. So she wants to connect with deaf people. So I'm helping with that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah. That's really unique.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes. So, yeah, so we've got. We've got things in the works. We've got classes going for stylists to learn from us once a month. We have all these different things that we put together. So I'm helping the girls who want to work there and not feel that glass ceiling over their heads.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's fantastic.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So you're going beyond just owning a salon at this point?

[Veronica Walker]

I guess. So

[Podcast Host]

let's pause right here. You can hear, hear it in her voice. Veronica has a clear vision for her salon, and it's no wonder that she has a clear vision for who's right fit. It's not just about who's talented. It's about who is a right fit for the culture. She's not looking for someone to just rent a chair. She's looking for someone who belongs in that space that she's built. And what I love is that she actually cares where people want to grow, not just what they bring to the table today, but where they want to go to next. That's leadership. That's community. And when you work for someone who really sees you, you show up differently. And I love that she gets that. And we're getting a little ahead of ourselves, so let's back up A little bit. So you realize, okay, I'm going to go out on my own. And you do pretty well. People are finding you that are going, this is exactly what I'm looking for. And that's reaffirming, you know, that's really affirming to, you know, to see that it wasn't you, Right?

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, definitely.

[Podcast Host]

But you picked a pretty bad time, you know, Covid. And so you had just. You just found a place Right. In January of 2020. And we're going to. And you had this idea of how to open it up. Correct.

[Veronica Walker]

The suites are very easy. There are several. Several companies that have buildings rented out with small suites in them, and they rent these suites. So you can just move in with your products and your blow dryers and your shears, and then you bring your clientele and they go in and you do their hair and you pay your rent and that's it. Yeah, it's really easy. It's very easy. There are several of these companies all around.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So it's. It's kind of like a. A lily pad to owning your own salon. So the suites situation that I went into, that was just, for me, that was a one person or technically a double suite, but that was just me doing here there. I paid my rent every Monday and I did hair there for four years.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

And no boss, nobody to tell me how I needed to run my business. The way I ran my business was up to me. And my clients loved it. They loved the small, secluded, private space. So it worked out, but it got too small. I missed other people. I missed stylists around. I missed being inspired by what they did. And I missed them saying, oh, Veronica, that looks so good. What did you do? You know.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

We're just helping each other. Or we could just, you know, in a bigger salon, you can go up to somebody and say, hey, what do you think how I should approach this? This person wants bright red. How should I formulate? You know, when you're on your own, you're just. You're on your own.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

And I feel like it becomes too small because if you're not being inspired by someone else, then your knowledge is going to just sink in.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

Even though there's all this continuing education online that you can seek out, and I did. Still, I feel like creativity.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

It's really so much better when more people are around.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. When you can collaborate, you know, in a sense, it's. Yeah. The energy is just. It multiplies.

[Veronica Walker]

So I Agree.

[Podcast Host]

So tell me what happened then. So you're pretty happy doing your own thing, but then you realize you miss some of these other things. And I get the sense that you're realizing maybe even you're missing out on yourself, growing as a stylist and as a person having other people around to collaborate with. And so you decide it's time to. To. To change.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Still do your own thing.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

So, and that was in 2020, right? That's when you.

[Veronica Walker]

2020 is when I opened the suite in January. We got locked down in March, so that was very scary. Thankfully, salon suites did not make us pay rent during those weeks, even though I believe they had to pay rent to the landlord. But what I did during that six weeks of time was that I kept in touch with my clients and I helped them with different styles that they could do at home to hide their gray. I still sold them professional products so they can use good shampoo and conditioner to preserve their color that we put on there from before so they don't have to go to Walgreens and get something there that would strip out their color. So I definitely kept in touch with them and kept them up and begged them not to put box box dye on their hair. So. Yeah. And then May 11, I think it was the day when K. Ivy decided, we can all go back to the salon. And I did. My books were full, and everyone was so grateful that we were back to work. And, yeah, I felt like I never missed a beat. But so many stylists decided after that six weeks of break, they never wanted to go back and do hair again. Wow. So they got jobs. They did all these other things. Lots. Lots of our industry decided to quit doing hair. That was their time. Just like restaurants quit, too. A lot of restaurants were, you know, decided they were not going to come back after Covid. That was the time. That was the sign.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

For me, it was more of a sign to keep going. So, yeah, three years later, it was 2024 is when I opened my own salon with seven chairs in Hoover. But that took about two, almost three years of planning to finding the right spot to write business plans to figure out financing and all the things.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Was there a specific moment that you remember where you got the. The idea for Concepcion?

[Veronica Walker]

So idea, yes. The idea was always there. I did have to shift a little over time because what was available as far as building, some of them were out of my reach. Some of them just weren't going to be good with the landlord. You know, some of them were not in the right location, like no visibility.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So some of them was too big, too small. So I had to keep looking and keep looking and keep looking and finding the right one.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Now the, but the idea, because you do it very differently and I feel like your business model is, I mean there's typically in a lot of industries, there's three different types of business models. You know, like, you know, in the say the salon industry, you've got your head starts, you know, which are, you know, sort of based on a low price. And they're usually getting people that are, you know, just get them in, get them out quick and upsell them with some products and things like that, if you can. And then there's sort of the mid level where it's people that have some experience, they go out on their own, they offer a lot of quality, a lot of value for, you know, a reasonable price. And then there's people that are more on the upper end. They're, they're, they're doing specialty services and they're, you know, the, the quality of their work, the skill that they do. What they have to offer is, you know, it's, it's built for a crowd that's looking for that and, and it's not, you know, so they're the more expensive model.

[Veronica Walker]

Correct.

[Podcast Host]

And, and I feel like, with, I feel like that's what you are, that's what you're offering is the people that raise their hand and say, yes, I'm looking for that, you know, for someone. I don't want somebody who's only got a year or two of just dying hair. I want somebody who's got, you know, 10 years, who's gonna make sure that this comes out. They've made their mistakes on somebody else's head pretty much. Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And they know what they're doing and that's your model. And.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And where I think I know because you worked in Buckhead, in Atlanta, you ran Aveda, you know, you'd been around some upper end environments. And so I think that had an influence on your thoughts of how this might work. But there's other reasons too that are built into the way that business can work, fit a person's personality too.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes. Work in Ed Aveda definitely, definitely helped with knowing where that sweet spot is, where the customers are comfortable and taken care of, and how to give the customers, clients really good value. But I also had to look at stylists as my clients as well. And I think that's where it's different that every salon I've ever worked at. Never, ever looked at stylists as their clients or some, some people to value highly. They always looked at us as tools. Just tools. Just, just the hammer that hammers the nail. Yeah, right, right. And I think that this concept that I'm trying to achieve, or I am achieving, I think it was brewing all this time, my 17 years in the hair industry, of how to bridge over the gap between, oh, you're a good starting out stylist, you need to be on commission right here to three years later, oh, you have a full book and everyone loves your work and you're still on commission and we're taking half of your earnings and that you don't feel like you're being used. Because when you boil it down to brass tacks, really, those commissions that the big commission salons will take from you, it's really not all that much because when you go out on your own, you still spending half of your earnings on your rent and your color and your shampoos, but you don't feel like it. When you work for people, you feel like you're being used.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Veronica Walker]

So that needs to be bridged over in this industry.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Veronica Walker]

And I feel like, you know, offering, you know, the booth rent situation also with the added bonus of the salon carrying some of the marketing and giving, giving, you know, caring about those people and not just like, oh, okay, I'll take your rent money. Thank you.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Veronica Walker]

You know, it's just the clients are not the only ones that need the added value. All the stylists need to feel like they're being valued.

[Podcast Host]

Right, right.

[Veronica Walker]

And I think, I think that's what sparked it, that I wanted nobody to feel like they're being used as a hammer to nail a nail.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

You know, makes sense.

[Podcast Host]

No, it makes perfect sense. I call that the trinity of success is where it's, you know, in my company that I sold, it had to be good for the client, it had to be good for the company, and it had to be good for the employees. It wasn't all three. If it wasn't a win, win, win, it wasn't a good idea because you can't have somebody lose, you know, in that, in, in that, you know, circle, you, there can't be a loser, you know, because then they just. That person, the customer is never going to use you again. You know, the employee is going to quit or, you know, the company's going to lose money, you know.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

So it's, it's got to Be all three.

[Veronica Walker]

And I have seen so many salon owners just say, oh, there's no such thing as loyalty anymore. Everyone leaves once they got successful. Well, there's a reason for that.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, there's a reason for that. Well, you know, and to some extent, if somebody becomes successful because you help them become successful, that looks good on you, you know?

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So. Yeah, and they'll get a taste for what it's like to go out on their own, and maybe they'll do really well, and that looks good on you, and maybe they'll come back.

[Veronica Walker]

And some people are meant to lead, you know, and if that's what you want to do to, you know, open your own salon, I'm with you.

[Podcast Host]

This part right here tells you everything you need to know. While so many stylists were stepping away from the industry during COVID Veronica doubled down and figures out a way to still serve her clients even when the doors were closed. That's the difference between someone who's just doing hair and someone who's building something with a purpose. And you can see how that same mindset shaped the culture she leads to today. Stylists in her salon aren't just renting space. They're respected. They're valued. They're grown. It's not just about great hair. It's about building a place where everybody wins. The client, the stylist, and the owner. And that is not common in this industry or any industry, really. But then again, that's what makes Veronica special. She is not common. Hey, everyone. I just want to take a minute to share something personal. When I was building my business, there were times when I felt completely out of my depth. I was struggling with employee issues, sales issues. I had ideas, but I couldn't seem to get them implemented. I felt like my company vision was always just out of my reach, and I didn't know what to do. But I was fortunate. There were other business owners, people a little further down the road than I was, that stepped in and helped me. They saw potential in me that I couldn't see in myself yet. And out of compassion and probably a little bit of remembering their own early days, they offered their time, their wisdom, their experience, and their perspective. And those conversations had such a huge impact on me. And now I want to pay that forward. If you own a business and you're feeling the same things I was, I want to help you. And heck, if you don't own a business, but you just feel like you can't seem to get your life to go in the direction you want it to. I absolutely want to help you too, and I think I can. Here's what I want to do. Look in the show notes and there's a private link to my calendar. Click on it. It's called the Listening Coach. And when you get there, you're going to see it's listed as a $297 fee. But I want you to ignore that. Just book it and write locally owned fan in the notes and I'll waive the fee. Why am I going to do that? Because I'm not trying to sell anything. I'm just trying to help. I'm just trying to pay back and pay forward what was given to me. If you're stuck spinning your wheels, overwhelmed, trying to figure out what to do, do, I'd really love to listen and draw on my 28 years of business experience and see if I can help. That's all. All right, let's get back to the show. Yeah. Now, what do you do? Because this is your salon, in a sense, but you've put together a team of people and they're all specialists. Right. So how do you either ensure that they reflect your values, that they're not just somebody who's really good at what they do, but that they're embodying your vision for what this place can be? How do you ensure that?

[Veronica Walker]

So far, so good. So far, we had a really good, no drama type of relationship a year and a half, and I feel like it's because I hired well. I feel like we are all friends to. To a degree, and we all respect each other and we can say, hey, you know, they. This is bothering me. You're doing this. Can we try it a different way? If somebody feels like their stuff is being used, they can say to the others, hey, guys, I feel like somebody moved my chair or something. Can we not do that again? And they're like, oh, yeah, sure, of course. So there's a mutual respect going on. And that's what I wanted. That's what I want. I want a good, positive, respectful atmosphere in the salon and the clients will feel it. You know, when we have. Again, when I worked in previous salons and people are fighting over clients or fighting over color or they're fighting over who's. Whose work is better than the others. It just. It just creates more infighting and creates more. More tension inside the salon. And clients feel it.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So I want to avoid that if I can. I think communication, clear communication is important. I think that's how I'm ensuring That.

[Podcast Host]

Okay, now, do you. Do you notice a certain management style that you use? You know, because some people are very top down. You know, hey, I'm the boss. I've got these two people under me. Other people are very different. You know, for me, I was. I was more relationship oriented. You know, I.

[Veronica Walker]

That's a good word.

[Podcast Host]

I wasn't top down. Didn't come natural to me. But to, you know, build a relationship and then be able to say the hard things was more natural to me.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, you said it.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Veronica Walker]

That's me.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Well, that would fit a more bohemian place, for sure.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, it does.

[Podcast Host]

So is there anything that you've noticed that this is. With that sort of management style, that this is how you're able to empower people? Is there anything that. That, you know, like, you gotta do this on a daily basis. I mean, and maybe you just said it. It's communication, you know, that there's communication that's gotta be involved. But is there anything that you've noticed because you've been somebody that seems to jump in when things need to be run, you're not afraid to jump in and do it.

[Veronica Walker]

So, yeah, I feel like that's been something that I have to. I have to work on myself, that I will do anything and everything that I would expect anyone else to do in my salon. But also, I'm gonna let them do. Let them do it. I'm not gonna be the person who will do everything, because then I'm just enabling.

[Podcast Host]

Right.

[Veronica Walker]

For them to disrespect. So I'm not gonna do that. Same with kids, right?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right. I know you probably don't want your employees to know that you just compared them to children, but

[Veronica Walker]

I didn't mean to compare them to children.

[Podcast Host]

I know, I know. I'm just.

[Veronica Walker]

Same way of. And I am coming to that, actually, because I do have. I do have three children. Two of them are old, older, 22 and 19. The two older ones. And they sometimes need me to let them do the things that I could also do for them, but I'm not going to.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, I thought you were gonna smack them around.

[Veronica Walker]

But no, no, they're not that bad. They don't need that.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, they all do.

[Veronica Walker]

But they just need some rules, you know? And I think everyone needs rules, because if there are no rules, then they don't know what to do.

[Podcast Host]

Right, Right. Yeah. So it's just.

[Veronica Walker]

Parameters are good, boundaries are good. Yes.

[Podcast Host]

This is such a good picture of leadership done right. Veronica doesn't lead with a heavy hand. She sets the tone, sets the expectations, and then lets her team rise to meet them. That's not always easy to do, especially when you're used to jumping in and doing it yourself. But she gets it. Stepping in too much doesn't empower, it enables. And you can hear the care in how she leads. It's not just about results. It's about relationship, communication, mutual respect, helping others grow. When you're the owner and you're creating the culture and you create a space like hers, that energy is felt by the clients as well. And I love that.

[Veronica Walker]

Absolutely.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Now you've got all these specialists. So what are the specialties that you offer?

[Veronica Walker]

So I am a gray coverage dimensional color specialist. So I do a lot of highlights. I do a lot of color. I do gray coverage. Obviously, not everyone does that.

[Podcast Host]

Okay.

[Veronica Walker]

Not everyone wants to specialize in formulating hair color for gray coverage. That's. That's me. I also cut, and I do Brazilian blowouts. And then we have a curly specialist who does curly hair. Curly cuts really well. Also, she does curly education. Then we have a girl who does extensions and balayages. Balayage is a freehand painting. She does a lot of blondes. And then we have a girl.

[Podcast Host]

So freehand painting is. She's painting the dye on there?

[Veronica Walker]

Yes, it's a lightener that goes on there. Freehand painting. So she picks up a piece of, like, a chunk of hair, a section of hair, and then paints it and then feathers it up and then paints underneath. It's just kind of like being Bob Ross on the hair.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

And she's about to have a class on it, actually, for us and for anyone else who wants to attend. Coming up next month, actually, in May.

[Podcast Host]

Oh, wow. Fantastic.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah. And then we have a girl who does sunkissed highlights, Most natural highlights you've ever seen. And then we have a girl who does natural hair. She does a lot of protective styles, mostly for African American clientele. So she does twists and locks, and that's what she does. So we all do something different.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah. And I was really intrigued that you must have seen a need for this, that you actually have a room that is for clients that need some discretion.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes. So this idea came from when I was at the suites. So there the rooms were all private. Here we have one private room. All of us can use it. For any clients that have a need for privacy, like, let's say they have cancer and they need their head shaved and a wig tried on. Obviously, they don't want to do that out in the open. So private room is best for that. I have some Muslim clients who don't want to put their. Take their hijabs off in front of men, potential men clientele. So I take them in the private room and we do their hair there. Also there are some clients who, who have this condition called trichotillomania where they pull their hair and they have bald spots or they have alopecia or they have anxiety. Just any of those things that make them not want to go to a salon. They can come to our salon because we have a private room for this.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. That's amazing. Yeah. That's really perceptive to see that there's a need for that.

[Veronica Walker]

There is.

[Podcast Host]

Wow. Well, how do you find it? You mentioned you've got two older kids and then.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah, and then I have a seven year old.

[Podcast Host]

Wow. Yeah, that's a big difference.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Starting over again.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

How do you balance it all?

[Veronica Walker]

It just happens every day. You just work at balancing everything.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's tough.

[Veronica Walker]

You know, I have a very, very supportive husband. He's amazing. So he cooks, he grocery shops, he makes breakfast, he helps a lot and he has a full time job.

[Podcast Host]

Nice.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Wow. I need a husband like that.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah, I know. Everyone needs man, everyone needs one.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. So looking back over, you know, this journey where you are now experienced, how many stylists do you have in the. In there now?

[Veronica Walker]

So we have five right now.

[Podcast Host]

So you went from running, you know, as a stylist, running a place, opening your own, you know, almost not being able to get hired for whatever reason.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

And having a hard time with that to, you know, working at places where you could just tell it wasn't a good fit to having your own booth to now your own suite where you've got, you know, a crew of people.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah. Yes.

[Podcast Host]

What are some things on that journey that you just have seen have helped you grow as a person?

[Veronica Walker]

Oh, everything. Every.

[Podcast Host]

Like what do you feel like is the biggest area you've grown in in your life?

[Veronica Walker]

Biggest area. I've grown people skills coming from Hungary and English as my second language. I needed to learn how tactfully put up boundaries, how tactfully say certain things to people

[Podcast Host]

to. I had the same problem coming from Jersey, so.

[Veronica Walker]

Really? Yeah, I bet. Very blunt. Yes, normally. So I've learned to kind of tone that down and be, I guess, a little bit more pleasant. I've learned this method actually from my aunt. She taught me to sandwich. So when you give feedback Is you put the positive in the beginning and positive in the end, and then you put your constructive right in the middle.

[Podcast Host]

Ah, nice.

[Veronica Walker]

So you praise them, and it works with anyone again. It works with children, works with friends, works with. And it's nice. It's nice to actually validate the things that they're doing right. And you appreciate them for whatever it is, and then you give them your constructive feedback, what you want them to improve on, and then you make them feel really good. Going out, saying that, I know you can do this.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So that was big, valuable thing. It's got me through a lot. The sandwich.

[Podcast Host]

The sandwich, the sandwich. Even as a name. All right, I'm about to sandwich you now. Okay.

[Veronica Walker]

So

[Podcast Host]

I feel like that's probably better than, you know, because people pick up on a pattern. You know, they're like, oh, she's complimenting me. So she's about to tell me something I did wrong.

[Veronica Walker]

So.

[Podcast Host]

So just go ahead and tell them, hey, I'm about to feed you a sandwich. Okay.

[Veronica Walker]

Right, Right. True.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

I've got another one. Giving space is another one. How to give people space to be different. How to, you know, actually see people for what they do best and appreciate that in them. I think that's very important, too. Or I'm a type of person that I want you to trust me. I want you to tell me stuff if you trust me, but it's totally okay if you don't. So that's giving space. Like, okay, I don't have to know everything about you. It's totally okay.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah. Sometimes people don't see it themselves. And so very true. Being able to help people see that, I think is a need. I think people need to know that. And when they feel that coming from you, a person who leads them and they can start seeing it in themselves, they have a tendency to bring it out more and more.

[Veronica Walker]

I agree. I agree.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, that's a really good.

[Veronica Walker]

I'm good at complimenting.

[Podcast Host]

This right here. This is why her salon works. It's not just that Veronica hired specialists. It's that she sees what makes each person special. She values what makes them unique. And she's learned how to communicate in a way that draws the best out of them rather than shutting them down. She calls it people skills, but that's leadership. And, you know, a lot of business cultures, the norm is burnout or hierarchy or silence. She's doing something different. She has created space. She gives trust. And she doesn't need to control everything because she's already built a Culture where people want to show up and get their best. And that's what makes her successful, not just as a stylist, but as a business owner. She is fearlessly herself, and because of that, her people trust her and want to imitate that. So what. What's new? I mean, what's on the horizon for Concepcion?

[Veronica Walker]

Okay, so hopefully we'll fill the two chairs with two more individuals that fit our wonderful vibe, and we'll continue to do the classes if we have interest for these classes that we do. And we'll always figure out something else. There's. Sky's the limit. I'm always thinking about how to improve.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Well, now, I heard you got nominated for an award.

[Veronica Walker]

Oh, yes. Guide to Alabama. Yes. Best of Alabama. We need lots of voters to vote for us.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

That's exciting to win this. That would be great.

[Podcast Host]

So do you know who nominated?

[Veronica Walker]

I don't.

[Podcast Host]

It's just one of your clients.

[Veronica Walker]

I guess so. Yes. I guess so.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. That had to be a pretty exciting moment.

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Well, fantastic.

[Veronica Walker]

Maybe they tell me who it was when we win this.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Yeah, that'll be nice. You can give them a free treatment.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Well, so tell me briefly, I want to get your information so that anybody listening can get ahold of you. But you've been doing this long enough. Who are the people that you feel are looking for you? Because not everybody is. There's obviously people that want that coupon, and they're gonna go into Head Start.

[Veronica Walker]

Right.

[Podcast Host]

But who are the people that are saying, man, I'm really looking for something? That when they find you, they're like, oh, I'm so glad you exist.

[Veronica Walker]

So you are asking me who is my. My ideal clientele?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, exactly.

[Veronica Walker]

Or who is the salon's ideal clientele?

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

Because it's two different things. Because for me, it's usually women that. That are between 20 and 60 years of age that need gray coverage, that. That need dimensional highlights, and I do pretty fast work. I actually have taken pride in doing these transformational work masterpieces, if I can say, in two and a half hours. So people that value their time and value a good conversation, value good hair. They're the ones in my chair.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Veronica Walker]

So. Yes. But the salon will take a lot of different people because we have all these specialists who have their different ideal clienteles, like Kisa. She'll take all the people who have curly hair, Children, men, women, who want to know how to style their hair. She'll teach them how to style their hair. Hannah, she. Her Clientele, mostly all women, they want long, long hair because she does extensions. So it just, you know, whoever finds us, finds us.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But the people, the person looking for you is somebody who wants that done, right?

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. Well, fantastic. Well, for the listeners that hear this and go, boy, that is what I'm looking for.

[Veronica Walker]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

How do they find you guys?

[Veronica Walker]

So if you Google, you can Google Concepcion Salon, you can find us. And then you can go to the website www.salonconception.com and you can read about us. And you can do online booking. You can fill out the stylist match quiz, you can fill out the online consultation form, and we'll get back with you.

[Podcast Host]

All right, well, I'm going to keep. Put all that in the show notes so that all somebody has to do is click on that and they'll be able to find you. Do you have a phone number that they can call, or do you prefer they go online?

[Veronica Walker]

Yeah, prefer to go online. But you can also call and text 334-318-1428. That's our text number.

[Podcast Host]

All right, Veronica, well, this has been great. I was looking forward to this interview, and I'm so glad I finally got to talk to you. And your journey's amazing.

[Veronica Walker]

It was my pleasure. Thank you so much. I appreciate it.

[Podcast Host]

All right. You're welcome. What you just heard wasn't just a story about a salon. It was about someone who refused to settle and chose to build something better. Veronica didn't have the perfect conditions. She didn't have investors. What she had was an idea for a better way to do things and the courage to act on it. So here's my question to you. How have you shown your employees that you value them? Who in your world needs to be seen for their strengths, maybe even before they see it in themselves? What kind of culture are you creating? Even if you're just a team of one? Remember, inspiration is great, but. But action is what moves the needle. So whatever it is, your next hire, your next offer, your next bold move, take it. This is locally owned. And thanks for listening. And hey, if this hit home, share it with someone who's ready to lead with their heart. Thanks for listening to another episode of Locally Owned. I hope you found this helpful, interesting, and inspirational. And please be sure to hit that follow button so you won't miss an episode. And I'd love it if you let me know what you think of the show by leaving a review. And hey, before you go, I do want to say this again, because, I mean, it. If you're a small business owner and you're really struggling to grow, to work less hours to achieve your goals, whatever it is, I would love to put my 28 years of business experience to work helping you. And heck if you're not a small business owner but you feel like you really need help just getting traction in your life, well, this is absolutely for you too. Look in the show notes and click on the link that says listening coach. I offer a one on one coaching session that I'm offering to you right now. Now you're gonna see it listed at 297, but I want you to ignore that as a fan of the show show locally owned. Just book the time, put in the notes that you're a fan of the show and the fee is waived. You're thinking, well, why are you doing that? Well, because I'm not trying to sell anything. When I was in business and I was struggling somehow and I think God did it, the right people were sent to me to say the right thing at the right time. And it was so helpful. And so the kind of conversation that they had with me, I'd like to have with you. So if something is saying to you right now, well, what have I got to lose? Well then consider yourself nudged by the universe. Because who knows, I might just be able to help you see the potential that you have that you just can't see right now. And that would be a huge win for both of us. Us. Thanks for listening to the show. I look forward to hearing from you.