Thriving Stylist Podcast #415
Episode Title: How to Keep Serving When the Market is Down
Host: Britt Seva
Guest: Coach 9
Date: December 8, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode addresses the unique and challenging market climate facing hairstylists and salon owners, especially in times of economic downturn and uncertainty. Britt Seva, joined by Coach 9, explores how beauty professionals can continue to serve their clients and maintain stability when faced with a shrinking clientele, job losses, and community-wide financial strain. The highlight is a creative, actionable "Beauty Community Fund" framework, designed to sustain salons, support struggling clients, and strengthen community resilience.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Understanding the Current Market Downturn
- Industry Fragility & Economic Shocks
- Britt sets the frame: stylists are experiencing “faucet off” conditions, with client volume drying up, echoing shocks like 2020 and the 2025 government shutdown (01:10).
- The “have and have-nots” gap widens—those with resilient systems fare better, but most feel “the pinch massively.” (05:20)
2. Contributing Economic Factors
-
Massive Job Losses
- Coach 9 highlights 153,000 jobs cut in October 2025—the highest October number in 20 years, exceeding even the Great Recession (07:15).
- Over a million jobs lost Jan–Oct 2025—a 65% increase year-over-year.
-
Industries Impacted
- Technology, retail, warehousing, logistics, media, nonprofits most affected (09:06).
-
Food Benefit Cuts
- 43 million Americans experiencing reductions, cuts, or eligibility losses for food benefits, increasing community vulnerability (10:27).
-
Government Shutdown Fallout
- 43-day 2025 shutdown, the longest in US history, led to federal workers being required to work without pay, causing ripple effects for service industries (12:13).
Memorable Quote
"Nobody feels totally safe. I just keep thinking of the word uncertainty."
— Coach 9 (13:20)
3. The Emotional Weight & Community Impact
- Stylists feel responsible not only for their businesses but also for uplifting clients as a form of essential, not luxury, self-care (14:28, 19:27).
- The struggle to serve all: “How do I take care of my guests that are suffering while still taking care of myself at the same time?” — Britt (14:28).
4. ‘Beauty Community Fund’ Concept: The Win-Win-Win Solution
The Idea
- Clients donate (anonymously or not) to a communal fund supporting beauty services for those facing hardship.
- Stylist/salon gets paid, community members in need receive support, and donors feel the reward of giving (17:34).
Why It Works
- Inspired by “pay-it-forward” models at cafes, restaurants, and coffee shops.
- Addresses practical needs–grooming for job searches, esteem, and well-being.
Quote
"They’re not having to make the hard decision between groceries and grooming.”
– Coach 9 (18:46)
Community Generosity
- Proven desire to help: “There’s a wait list to be able to adopt a family … so many people want to do it.” — Britt (21:16)
5. Implementation Logistics: Options & Steps
How Stylists Can Launch the Fund
- Donation Mechanisms:
- Pay-it-forward ‘pot’ (cash or digital contributions, any amount helps) (21:57).
- Gift cards/certificates integrated with POS/online booking for seamless tracking.
- Designated “Community Care Days” — batch donated appointments (21:57).
- Eligibility:
- Priority to existing clients in hardship; can be extended to broader community if salon prefers (23:58).
- Flexibility in how recipients are chosen; boundaries necessary for sustainability.
- Boundaries:
- Limit monthly funds, clarify scope (“our community raised $600 this month—here’s how it will be distributed”) (26:45).
- Avoid blanket discounts/free work that hurt the business.
Memorable Quote
“There’s the servant’s heart, there’s community support, there’s giving back, but then coming back around to … taking care of yourself.”
— Britt (26:45)
- Nomination System:
- Allow clients to nominate others anonymously (28:16).
- Brand/Business Partnerships:
- Local businesses (cafes, boutiques, grocers) may want to match donations or provide weekly/ monthly support (28:45).
- Transparent, Non-Gimmicky Communication:
- Regular updates (monthly “share backs”), focus on impact—not marketing hype.
- Example language: “We funded 12 haircuts this month. Thank you!” (31:33).
6. Step-by-Step Action Plan
Steps to Launch a Beauty Community Fund (32:19–37:05):
- Clarify Purpose
- Who benefits? Under what conditions? What services covered?
- Set Up Logistics
- QR codes, online/physical donations; use business Venmo or digital POS tracking.
- Develop Communication
- Brief program description, FAQ on website, catchy name (“Pay it Forward Beauty Fund,” “Beauty Bridge,” “Community Beauty Initiative”).
- Test the System
- Dry run: make sure tech, tracking, and flow work before launching.
- Announce & Promote
- Talk about it regularly in emails, on social, in-person—make donation easy.
- Share Impact
- Monthly or periodic updates, thank-yous, number of people helped (ensuring recipient dignity and privacy).
Quote
“Keep it simple … see how it starts going, then you can take it to the next level.”
— Coach 9 (38:31)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the Emotional Toll:
- "When faucet is on, there’s abundance ... when it’s faucet off, it can feel dry, stressful. Most stylists don’t like to operate with a dry bank account."
— Britt (02:30) - “How do I take care of my community … while still taking care of myself at the same time?”
— Britt (14:28)
On the Opportunity:
- “Grooming is a human necessity ... it is a health choice, and it’s a confidence build.”
— Britt (19:27) - "You’re taking care of those who need support, you’re looking out for your community, and you are still taking care of yourself."
— Britt (17:00)
On Implementation:
- "We can keep it anonymous, keep everyone's dignity intact ... let them know the impact their donations made."
— Coach 9 (30:45) - "If you build it they will come—but ... people want to help right now, everybody feels this uncertainty."
— Coach 9 (36:21) - “Keep it simple, keep it manageable ... and it’d be so beautiful to keep it going if you can.”
— Coach 9 (38:31)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:51 — Setting the context: the current fragility of the beauty industry
- 06:38 — Introduction of Coach 9 & broadening perspective on economic shifts
- 07:04 — Deep dive on job losses and industry-specific impact
- 10:27 — The trickle-down effect of reduced benefits and the shutdown
- 14:28 — The challenge of price increases & balancing client needs
- 17:34 — Introduction to the Beauty Community Fund idea
- 21:57 — Logistical options for donations & disbursement
- 23:58 — Handling eligibility and community communication
- 28:45 — Expanding with business partnerships
- 30:45 — Making the share-back non-gimmicky and focused on impact
- 32:19–37:05 — Step-by-step guide to launching and managing the fund
- 38:31 — Final wisdom: keep it simple, scalable, and sustainable
Episode Tone & Closing Thoughts
The episode is supportive and practical, with a community-first focus and an undercurrent of optimism. Both Britt and Coach 9 stress creativity, proactivity, and the necessity of business boundaries. The discussion is candid, filled with empathy and actionable encouragement for stylists seeking to thrive—together—when faced with macroeconomic adversities.
Connect with the Guest:
Coach 9 on Instagram: @Coach9Thrivers (39:34)
Host’s Final Words:
“So much love, happy business building, and I’ll see you on the next one.” — Britt Seva (40:00)