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Inside Chat with Valerie & Amy
The go-to podcast for business owners in the spa, salon, hair and aesthetics industry, co-hosted by founder of The Delforge Group Valerie Delforge and ex-salon/clinic owner and business coach Amy Gordon. Join Valerie and Amy as they discuss the questions they get on a regular basis from members, in an honest, open and frank chat.
Episodes
85 episodes
Inside Chat Episode 85 | Do Your Team See You as Approachable?
In this episode, Valerie & Amy are discussing what it really means to be approachable as an owner, while still maintaining professionalism and boundaries with your team. It’s all about striking the right balance, creating a supportive envir...
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11:31
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Inside Chat Episode 84 | What To Do When an Ex Employee is Stealing Your Clients
In today’s episode, Valerie & Amy dive into a tricky and uncomfortable topic: ex-staff members stealing clients after they’ve left your business. You’ve put in the time, the effort and the trust to grow relationships with your clients, so i...
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7:45
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Inside Chat Episode 83 | Handling The Pressure of Decision Making
In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy are diving into the reality of decision making as an owner: the pressure, the responsibility and the mindset it takes to move forward even when there’s no 'perfect' choice. Whether you're new to leaders...
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7:26
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Inside Chat Episode 82 | Employed or Self Employed Therapists, Which Is Best For Me?
In this weeks episode, Valerie and Amy break down the pros and cons of employed vs self employed therapists/stylists, ultimately discussing which path aligns best with your business.Join us every other Monday for a new episode of Inside...
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5:47
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Inside Chat Episode 81 | Stop Ignoring Your Budget & Take Control of Your Finances
In this video, Valerie & Amy discuss the importance of budgeting and why burying your head in the sand isn't a solution. Ignoring your finances can leave you feeling overwhelmed but getting on top of your numbers can completely transform yo...
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5:47
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Inside Chat Episode 80 | How to Manage Staff Holidays Without Losing Key Business Days
In this episode, Valerie & Amy discuss navigating the challenge of staff using their holiday allowance to avoid working Saturdays, leaving you short staffed on your busiest days. They explore practical strategies to balance employee needs w...
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7:26
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Inside Chat Episode 79 | Surviving & Thriving in 2025: What We Make of the Year So Far
We’re back for our first episode of the year and we’re diving straight into how 2025 is shaping up so far. Valerie and Amy reflect on the highs and lows of 2024, the struggles and the key lessons we can take into this year.In January, w...
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11:32
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Inside Chat Episode 78 | Our Top Bloopers of All Time
We've just wrapped filming for Series 8 of Inside Chat and one thing's for sure — the bloopers never disappoint! Enjoy these hilarious moments from way back in Series 1 up until now.We'll be back soon with fresh content this month, but ...
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2:41
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Inside Chat Episode 77 | Our Top 5 Episodes of All Time
Since launching Inside Chat at the start of 2023, we’ve explored a wide range of topics, diving deep into the nitty-gritty of what it’s really like to be a business owner and the challenges that come with it. These are our top 5 episodes of all...
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11:20
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Inside Chat Episode 76 | CASE STUDY: The Mystery Shop That Went Wrong… And It’s Consequences
In 2024, thanks to the popularity of one of our Inside Chat episodes, we launched our Mystery Shop service. In this bonus episode, listen to Valerie as she shares the story of a Mystery Shop that went wrong and the consequences th...
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34:51
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Inside Chat Episode 75 | Top Episodes of 2024
And that's a wrap on 2024! What an incredible year of Inside Chat, packed with fascinating topics and thought provoking discussions. Here are our top episodes of the year! Stay tuned for brand new episodes coming soon as we gear up for another ...
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11:12
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Inside Chat Episode 74 | Merry Christmas & Thank You for an Incredible 2024
As this year draws to a close, we want to wish you a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year and extend a heartfelt thank you for being part of our wonderful community throughout 2024. It's been another amazing year of Inside Chat and we are so ...
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7:09
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Inside Chat Episode 73 | How Structure Transforms Your Business Long Term
In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the importance of having structure in your business and how to harness the unique strengths of every individual on your team. They discuss how structure brings organisation, clarity and the abil...
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8:39
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Inside Chat Episode 72 | How to Stop Doing It All & Trust Your Team
As a business owner, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing everything yourself. You’ve built this business from the ground up and letting go of control can often feel impossible. In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy dive into how to shift...
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5:42
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Inside Chat Episode 71 | Commission Success Without The Competition
In this week’s episode, Valerie and Amy discuss how to manage commission structures effectively, balance healthy competition and build a retail culture that empowers each team member individually. They share their tips on how to eliminate commi...
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8:02
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Inside Chat Episode 70 | Why Consistency Matters in Leadership
In this episode, Valerie and Amy dive into one of the most crucial yet challenging aspects of effective leadership: consistency. How you show up every day, how you interact with your team, and even how your mood sets the tone for your business....
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6:53
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Inside Chat Episode 69 | Is a Mystery Shop the Key to Front of House Improvements?
In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy revisit our mystery shop case study, showcasing how it highlights key improvements for the Front of House and the overall customer journey. This complimentary case study was released to accompany the re...
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6:34
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Inside Chat Episode 68 | How Self Assessment Can Improve Your Leadership for Your Salon/Spa Team
In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy discuss the importance of assessing your leadership skills and how it impacts your salon/spa team's performance. It's easy to spot issues in the team, but how often do we reflect on our own leadership? ...
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6:36
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Inside Chat Episode 67 | What is the Key to Effective Performance Management?
This week, Valerie and Amy explore the crucial steps behind effective performance management. Before any formal actions like disciplinary measures, having a structured process in place is key. They’ll discuss why it’s essential to follow these ...
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7:11
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Inside Chat Episode 66 | Why Mastering Your Online Presence is Crucial for Business Growth!
In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into Amy's latest obsession—Google Business! Building a strong online presence is crucial for driving your business forward, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming. From Google Business to yo...
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6:40
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Inside Chat Episode 65 | The Secret to a Seamless Spa Experience
In this week's episode, Valerie & Amy look into how you can enhance your spa's customer journey to ensure a seamless and personalised experience for every client. From the moment they walk through the door to the time they leave, every touc...
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8:02
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Inside Chat Episode 64 | The Art of Picking Your Battles with Your Team
This week, Valerie and Amy dive into the crucial topic of prioritising team issues. It can feel overwhelming when every instance seems to demand immediate attention. Learn the what, when and how of picking your battles and discover why reacting...
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7:03
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Inside Chat Episode 63 | Overwhelmed and Stuck? Navigating the Struggles of Salon/Spa Business Ownership
In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive deep into the realities of feeling overwhelmed as a small business owner. They discuss practical tips on dealing with the struggles that come with running a business, especially when it feels like ev...
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7:27
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Inside Chat Episode 62 | My business is thriving but I'm unsure what to do next...
In this weeks episode, Valerie & Amy dive into the journey of thriving salon owners who ask, "What's next?". They discuss re-evaluating your business, which areas you should focus for continued growth and discuss strategies to enhance custo...
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7:04
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Inside Chat Episode 61 | Is age vs. authority a real challenge for young salon/spa owners and managers?
In this week's episode, Valerie and Amy dive into the unique challenges of leadership as young salon & spa owners and managers. They explore the dynamics of leading a team when age can be perceived as a barrier to authority and respect. Thi...
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8:54
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