Podcast Summary: The blondEST with Savanna Boda

Episode: Everything That Happened in New York
Date: March 16, 2026
Host: Savanna Boda (“The Dallas Aesthetician”)
Guest/Co-host: Tyler

Episode Overview

In this episode, Savanna Boda and Tyler recap their recent trip to New York City for a major aesthetics conference (formerly known as IECSC), sharing behind-the-scenes details from both their professional lives and their adventures as business owners, friends, and aesthetician influencers. They discuss the challenges of scaling a business, dealing with internet haters, navigating work-life balance, memorable moments in New York, and personal stories about their staff, pets, and unique conference experiences.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life & Business Updates

• Challenges of Scaling the Spa
  • Opening the spa brought ongoing stress instead of the anticipated “smooth sailing.”
    • “We were like, once this spa opens, we're going to be smooth sailing. It's not. That was not the case.” — Tyler [00:29]
  • Supply chain headaches (e.g., bar cart for staff bathroom lost overseas).
    • “The bar cart for our staff bathroom has been, like, stuck in a different country for, like, probably three months now.” — Savanna [02:05]
• Delegating Roles & Maintaining Control
  • Transitioning parts of social media to staff was emotionally difficult for Savanna, who built her brand online.
    • “I slay social media. Like, I'm so good at it. ...It's just so difficult. There’s times where she’ll do something, and...I wish I had time.” — Savanna [05:21]
  • Balancing hands-on control with team delegation is a struggle, especially for two “control freaks” learning as they go in their 20s.

2. Haters, Internet Drama, and Personal Boundaries

• Fish Tank Controversy
  • Addressed criticism after their pet pufferfish ate other fish; explained how fishkeeping works and responded humorously.
    • “For the bitches out there that said they were going to report me to the Better Business Bureau because my pufferfish ate another fish. First of all, get a job, babe.” — Savanna [07:25]
    • “In the ocean, fish eat fish.” — Savanna [07:34]
    • “We have literally gravestones outside. That's how much we care about these fish.” — Savanna [10:27]
• Rumors and Online Hate
  • Savanna discusses dealing with unfounded rumors ranging from drug use to parenting critiques.
    • “You can say whatever the fuck you want to say about me, but never say that I don't care about my animals. That I will so fight. I'll fight you.” — Savanna [11:23]
    • “If you don't have haters, you're not popping.” — Savanna [13:13]
    • “My haters keep me famous.” — Savanna [13:14]
    • “Be a smart hater. My haters are stupid...They don't understand anything that they're saying.” — Savanna [11:58]
    • “I do pray for you.” — Savanna to the haters [16:20]

3. Navigating Work-Life Balance

• Social Media Impact
  • Savanna reflects on stepping back from running all her own social and how it affected her personal life.
    • “I was posting...I never really was fully present in any aspect of my life because my head was in the phone.” — Savanna [06:12]
  • Importance of making time for personal joys, connections, and avoiding burnout.

4. Highlights from the New York Trip

• Conference & Speaking Events
  • Savanna was nervous about her boyfriend seeing her teach at the conference for the first time.
    • “It was his first time being at a conference and seeing Savannah speak on a stage.” — Tyler [21:00]
    • Memorable on-stage slip-ups due to nerves, which were taken in stride.
      • “I literally said, you're the best son to our father, instead of, you're the best father to our son.” — Savanna [21:26]
• Networking & Energy
  • Praised the industry conference for its energetic, collaborative atmosphere.
    • “That class...the energy was so good. People were laughing, people were talking, people made friends. Like, it just really felt collaborative and, like, everything I love about our industry was happening in that room.” — Savanna [24:03]
    • “I feel like that was, like, top two...you showed up and showed out.” — Tyler [24:28]
• Food & Fun
  • Raved about finally dining at Don Angie’s after four years of failed attempts.
    • “The first thing we got to do when we were there was go to Don Angie's...and it was as hyped as it should have been.” — Tyler [22:01]
  • Tyler’s “dream bag” luxury purchase celebrates success and self-growth.
  • Epic Uber ride with driver Ollie, complete with shared snacks and discovering Arab rap music.
    • “My highlight was when I was a little high, a little drunk, and we were in the car with Ollie...I bought him candy, and I bought him ice cream.” — Savanna [26:15]
    • “He showed us music from his country and it was, like, amazing...it was like Arab rap. It was good.” — Tyler & Savanna [27:09]

5. Memorable Moments: Highs and Lows

• Highlights
  • Most rewarding: Last class of the conference was highly engaged and collaborative [24:03].
  • Funniest: Uber ride with Ollie [26:15].
  • Personal growth: Tyler’s bag purchase, Savanna’s boyfriend seeing her in her professional element.
• Lowlights
  • Max Mara shopping experience: comically slow checkout process.
    • “It took them 32 minutes to check her out, get it bagged up, and give it to us...and we were the only ones in the store.” — Tyler [26:10]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Delegating Social Media (Savanna):
  “It’s my brain. It’s my brain. And so it’s just so difficult to...there are times where she’ll do something...but then I’m like, in my head, like what I would have done, and I’m like, I wish I, like, had the time.” [05:21]
• On Haters and Perspective (Savanna):
  “There’s nothing that you guys can say or do that’s gonna stop me. You’re wasting your time that you could be working out, that you could be reading a self-help book, that.” [18:34]
• On the Nature of Internet Hate (Savanna):
  “I don’t hate you because I don’t hate people, but I don’t like you. I don’t think you’re good people. I think you’re sad people. And I do pray for you.” [16:20]
• On the Magic of Industry Gatherings (Savanna):
  “Everyone was, like, excited to learn. Everyone was happy to be there. I just felt really special to be a part of that.” [24:03]
• On Memorable New York Moments (Savanna):
  “My highlight was when I was a little high, a little drunk, and we were in the car with Ollie...” [26:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29 – The myth of “smooth sailing” after opening the spa
• 02:05 – Staff and business challenges, control issues
• 05:00 – Delegating social media & its personal impact
• 07:05 – Fish tank drama & responding to online criticism
• 13:13 – On haters: “If you don’t have haters, you’re not popping”
• 16:20 – On addressing and praying for online haters
• 18:34 – “There’s nothing you can say to stop me…” — mindset for dealing with critics
• 21:00 – Boyfriend sees Savanna speak at conference for the first time
• 22:01 – Long-awaited Don Angie’s meal
• 24:03 – Standout moment: last class of the conference
• 26:10 – Max Mara checkout ordeal
• 26:15 – The Ollie Uber ride and new music discovery

Conclusion

This episode is a candid, energetic, and humorous blend of professional insight and personal storytelling. Savanna and Tyler share the highs and lows of business ownership, the often ridiculous nature of internet infamy, and the joys of connecting with their community—online and in real life. Listeners will find not just skincare wisdom, but relatable life lessons in resilience, growth, and keeping a sense of humor through it all.