Thriving Stylist Podcast: Episode #392 - 100 Salon Owners Share Their Biggest Mistakes and Regrets

Host: Britt Seva
Release Date: June 30, 2025
Podcast Description: The beauty industry has undergone significant transformations over the past decade. Once reliant solely on reputation and referrals, today’s stylists and salon owners must employ strategic marketing and robust business skills to thrive. Britt Seva, a Social Media & Marketing Strategist for hair stylists, offers actionable insights, interviews with successful yet not mainstream stylists, and one-on-one coaching to help professionals build prosperous careers and businesses.

I. Introduction: The Importance of Discussing Business Challenges

In Episode #392, Britt Seva delves into the often-overlooked struggles of salon ownership, highlighting the critical mistakes and regrets shared by 100 salon owners. This two-part episode focuses on functional and structural missteps, with financial aspects slated for the following week.

Britt Seva begins by emphasizing the necessity of transparency in business discussions. She shares her experience coaching over 17,000 stylists and salon owners through her company, Thriver Society, gaining invaluable insights into the real challenges faced in the beauty industry.

"We don't talk about businesses not going well. We can't look like we're going through hard times. We have to hide it. It's too embarrassing." [00:04:00]

Britt underscores the reality that owning a salon is fraught with difficulties that are rarely discussed openly, advocating for a culture where these challenges are normalized to foster better solutions and reduce associated shame.

II. Story #1: The Perils of a Family-Like Salon Culture

Scenario: A salon owner experienced a dramatic walkout of eight stylists, attributing the crisis to fostering a "family-like" environment.

Key Points:

• Over-Friendship and Lack of Boundaries: The owner sought friendships within the salon, creating a sorority-like sisterhood. This blurred the lines between professional and personal relationships.

  "I was seeking friendship within the salon. We had a very family-like environment... eventually this led to toxicity." [00:12:30]

• No Consequences or Structure: By avoiding enforcing rules, such as not increasing rent or holding team members accountable, the owner inadvertently allowed unqualified individuals to mismanage the salon.

• Impact of Rumors and Toxicity: A single "bad apple" initiated rumors, eroding trust and leading to mass departures.

  "In good salons, people get fired from the business. That's how you run a smart business." [00:17:45]

Lessons Learned:

• Leadership from the Front: Leaders must set and enforce boundaries, transitioning from being friends to authoritative figures who can make tough decisions.
• Importance of Rules and Repercussions: Establishing clear guidelines and consequences is crucial for maintaining order and professionalism.

III. Story #2: Over-Friendship Leads to Team Walkout

Scenario: Another salon owner faced the departure of three team members, including a top revenue stylist, due to excessive camaraderie and inadequate structure.

Key Points:

• Fear of Enforcing Guidelines: The owner struggled to enforce rules out of fear of damaging friendships.

  "I get too close to my employees and I do see them as friends… not wanting to put anyone out by upping their rent." [00:20:15]

• Impact of Lack of Training: Insufficient training and prolonged growing pains contributed to instability.

• Turnaround Through Structured Coaching: Attending Britt Seva’s "Hire Your Dream Team Bootcamp" helped the owner implement necessary structures while maintaining a positive team environment.

  "It was painful. I was ready to sell my salon. I hired all the wrong people." [00:23:50]

Lessons Learned:

• Balancing Friendships and Professionalism: While a friendly environment is beneficial, maintaining professional boundaries and structures is essential for business stability.
• Investing in Training and Structure: Structured training and clear operational systems are vital for sustainable growth and team cohesion.

IV. Story #3: Toxic Partnerships and Costly Remodels

Scenario: A salon owner entered a partnership that led to a hostile work environment, culminating in a major salon remodel that exacerbated existing tensions.

Key Points:

• Toxic Leadership: The former business partner's shady practices created a hostile environment, prompting significant staff departures.

  "We decided to do a major renovation together and had five stylists leave immediately after that." [00:28:10]

• Financial Missteps During Remodel: Investing over $100,000 into an expensive remodel without addressing underlying leadership issues proved detrimental.

• Resolution Through Amicable Buyout: Ultimately, buying out the toxic partner led to a revitalized salon atmosphere and improved team morale.

  "Since the buyout was finalized, it was like a whole new place." [00:31:00]

Lessons Learned:

• Choosing the Right Partners: Ensuring business partners share the same values and work ethics is critical to prevent toxic dynamics.
• Avoiding Surface-Level Fixes: Investing in superficial changes, like remodels, without addressing core leadership issues can lead to further instability.

V. Story #4: Booth Rental Salons Without Structure

Scenario: A booth rental salon suffered a major downturn due to the absence of a clear business plan and structure, leading to team division and toxicity.

Key Points:

• Lack of Clear Vision and Structure: The salon was founded on a vague vision to create a happy, collaborative space for independent stylists without concrete organizational systems.

  "We were trying to please everyone, offering too much to some and not enough to others." [00:35:20]

• Resulting Team Divides: Conflicting desires for complete freedom versus structured growth led to resentment and a toxic work environment.

• Rebuilding Through Vision and Policies: Revising the salon’s vision, enforcing strong policies, and focusing on growth and education transformed the business.

  "We now have a waitlist for our coast stylist program and cannot keep up with the demand." [00:39:50]

Lessons Learned:

• Essentiality of Structure in Booth Rentals: Even independent stylists require a structured environment to ensure business viability and team harmony.
• Importance of Clear Vision and Policies: Establishing and enforcing a clear vision and robust policies is essential for preventing confusion and maintaining a positive culture.

VI. Key Lessons Learned from the Stories

1. You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know: Unanticipated challenges can severely impact a business. Proactive learning and seeking expert guidance are crucial.

2. Selective Coaching and Consulting: Choosing coaching methods and business advisors that align with your salon’s culture and vision is essential for effective growth.

3. Rules, Guidelines, and Repercussions: Implementing and enforcing clear rules and consequences maintains order and professionalism.

4. Balanced Leadership: Strive to be a respected leader and mentor rather than a peer to maintain authority and manage effectively.

5. Financial Vigilance: Financial mismanagement, such as unplanned investments or ignoring financial health, can lead to business failure.

6. Safer Business Partnerships: Entering business partnerships requires careful vetting to ensure compatibility and shared vision.

VII. Final Insights and Advice

Britt Seva shares insights based on recent confessions from stylists facing imminent walkouts, emphasizing the importance of owner self-awareness and receptiveness to feedback.

"Your team sees something in the end owner that the owner does not see and/or address… the owner becomes defensive instead of listening." [00:43:15]

Advice for Salon Owners:

• Encourage Open Communication: Create a culture where team members feel safe to express concerns and provide honest feedback.
• Cultivate Self-Awareness: Owners should regularly reflect on their leadership styles and be open to personal growth and change.
• Seek Professional Development: Invest time in understanding true leadership and the mechanics of running a successful business beyond superficial fixes.

VIII. Conclusion

Episode #392 of the Thriving Stylist Podcast offers a candid exploration of the common pitfalls faced by salon owners. Through real-life stories and insightful analysis, Britt Seva underscores the importance of structured leadership, clear vision, and authentic communication in building and maintaining a successful salon business. By learning from these shared mistakes and regrets, salon owners and aspiring entrepreneurs can navigate the complexities of the beauty industry with greater resilience and strategic acumen.

"So much love, happy business building, and I'll see you on the next one." [00:46:30]

Key Takeaways:

• Transition from a friend-focused to a leader-focused approach to maintain professional boundaries.
• Implement clear structures, rules, and consequences to ensure business stability.
• Choose business partners and coaches wisely, ensuring alignment with your salon’s culture and vision.
• Foster open and honest communication within your team to preempt and address issues proactively.
• Prioritize continuous learning and self-awareness to enhance leadership effectiveness and business success.

For Further Learning: Don't miss the next episode, where Britt Seva delves into the financial challenges and strategies for salon owners, providing a comprehensive guide to overcoming both structural and monetary obstacles in the beauty industry.