Salon Success Secrets

The Journey To Success

• Lindsay Lowe & Jen Booth

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Rediscover the essence of beauty and success with Lindsay Lowe and Jen, two trailblazing salon owners who turned uncertainty into opportunity. Lindsay's journey began with an unexpected role as a receptionist, sparking a passion that led her to helm Platinum Company Beauty Bar. Meanwhile, Jen's early academic struggles redirected her path towards a fulfilling career inspired by her grandmother's salon. Together, they share personal stories of perseverance, revealing how key figures and pivotal moments shaped their careers, offering valuable insights for fellow salon owners seeking their own paths to success.

Building a harmonious and loyal team that aligns with salon culture is crucial for long-term success, as Lindsay and Jen candidly discuss. They tackle the tough decisions, such as parting ways with team members who don't fit, to create an environment where everyone thrives. Drawing parallels with NBA trades, they illuminate the business side of these choices and the immense rewards that come from helping team members achieve financial independence. Their journey from overcoming early challenges to empowering others offers motivation and strategies for salon owners eager to foster a supportive and successful work environment.

Investing in oneself is key to unlocking the full potential of a salon business. Lindsay and Jen emphasize personal development as a crucial business investment, highlighting the importance of working on the business rather than just in it. They share their experiences of nurturing unique talents, fostering positivity, and maintaining a growth mindset, encouraging fellow salon owners to engage with them for feedback and suggestions. This episode promises to inspire listeners to embrace the infinite game of life, focusing on purpose, contribution, and creating an uplifting environment where everyone benefits.

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Speaker 1:

Have you ever felt like giving up on your salon business? Totally Well, we sure have, and today we're going to share some of those moments with you and reveal what got us through. So we're excited to have you join us on today's episode the journey to success.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and so we just thought it'd be really cool if we took the opportunity to share our journey and what got us to where we are today. But the most important part is that you can take some of the lessons that we've learned and implement them into your salon so that you don't have to have the challenges that we have once faced. So we're so excited to dive in and share some of that with you today.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, so I'm Lindsay Lowe. I own Platinum Company Beauty Bar in Manhattan, Kansas, and I got into the beauty industry at the ripe age of 19. I actually was going in to get my nails done at the salon that I eventually ended up purchasing from the owner. But I was going in to get my nails done and the girl was like, are you still looking for another job? And I was taking a few classes at, you know, local college at the time and didn't really know what I wanted to do with life. And I said, yeah, I actually am. And she was like well, we're hiring for a receptionist right now. You, you would be the perfect person for it. And so I literally met with the owner that afternoon and she hired me that day.

Speaker 1:

And, um, the rest was history. You know, because as soon as I started working inside of the salon, I, you know, I fell in love. I was like, okay, these are my people. I love what happens inside of the salon. You know, women come here, and men too, and leave feeling like a better version of themselves. And I thought, okay, this is the industry that I need to be a part of.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I love that story. It's such a beautiful story and my story is my grandmother actually owned the salon company before me and you know, I grew up in the salon, first grandchild for her. So we had a really close relationship and I would get off the bus, I'd sweep hair. I just thought I was the coolest kid ever, right, and the clients are like man, you know, fold towels, do whatever and so I just loved being in that space. Well, when my high school years came around, you know, I thought I had to go to college because, you know, nobody in our family had been to college. So I thought I could be the first one to get get into college. Well, what, what, why is I did a little more playing in high school than probably I should have. So when the college applications came in not accepted, not accepted and you know, in that moment, you know, I was like, oh man, feeling very defeated, and but you know, I think one thing that kept coming back to me was the experiences that I had getting off the bus at my grandmother's salon and how everyone there was just so happy to be there. And then, you know, they just they walked in one way and walked out feeling another way and I was like man, you know, I, I always said I kind of wanted to do hair. Maybe this is something that I should explore more.

Speaker 2:

And so, about the age of 19 or 20, I went to a hair school. So I went to school, I worked with my grandmother, shalon, during the day, um. I went to school at night, um, and about a month before I finished school her health had really started to decline. Actually, the business had pretty much died out. So if you imagine back in the two early twos, like she still was doing a lot of roller sets and perms I mean she had a duff, wallpaper, peach stations, toning tables If you've never seen a toning table, I think they still make them check it out.

Speaker 2:

It's passive exercise, it does exercising for you. So she's like you know, either we're going to have to sell the business or you're going to have to buy it from me. And I was like, oh, ok, well, I'm not sure about this, but I jumped in and you know we had one employee at the time. I think she quit. The day she found out, I took over. So that's even better, right, and no money. You know, at the time no banks would ever give me money, because I didn't really have any credit. I was 19 years old, and so it's just been a really incredible journey to look at where we started to, where we're currently at and what we're going to create for the beauty industry.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, jen, I love your origin story and you know, I also think that it's amazing that you know your grandmother was, you know, part of your inspiration that really influenced you to join the beauty industry. Because I think, you know, we've all had somebody that kind of influenced us and you know whether it was somebody that you grew up seeing or you know you're like, hey, this is just something I'm interested in Cause, you know, for me, when I was in high school, I loved doing butterfly clip updo's. I don't know if anybody remembers butterfly clip updo's, but I was the queen of giving myself a butterfly clip updo and all my friends were like, how do you do that? You know, and so you know, and it still didn't even occur to me at that time. You know that maybe I should do hair. That time, you know that maybe I should do hair. You know, and I I was a high school dropout and really was confused about like, okay, what is going to be my path in life. You know, and I think probably a lot of salon owners can relate to, maybe why you got in the industry isn't why you've stayed in the industry. You know, and that's definitely been true for me, because you know if you would have told um, you know, 18 year old dropout, high school dropout, lindsay Lowe, that you know she would be sitting here today, she'd probably say, yeah, right, you know, because, um, very similarly to you, jen, you know, in in the, the business that you purchased.

Speaker 1:

When I first purchased um, it was called crimpers's Hair Studio at the time, from the previous owner, I had a business partner and when we took over the salon, I was the youngest person in the salon and one of the girls her husband was military, so they were moving. Another one was going to have a baby One of them we fired and then two others quit. One of them we fired and then two others quit and, um, you know, it was like from five to zero, overnight, and I had just found out that I was pregnant with my oldest. She's about to turn 15 years old, which is super exciting. Um, you know, and really thought what the heck did I sign up for? You know I'm about to have a baby, I'm getting no paychecks and you know, at the time, the the uh partner that I was with at the time, we aren't any longer and I, you know, wish her well.

Speaker 1:

She's gone on to do great things, as have I, um, you know, just having that struggle of you know them wanting to give up all the time, and you know you being like, no, we can do this. You know, and, um, you know, I think that every salon owner has had some sort of like a challenge that's really tested them, um, and really given them some grit maybe. Um, jen, what's a challenge that you have faced and what did you learn from it?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you know, I think, just like I mentioned earlier, starting out there was no money, like zero. I had to beg the SBA to give me $5,000. And that was after almost I cried, I think in the bank office, came up with a business plan on Google. Just somebody, we got to get this peach wallpaper off. We've got to get this duck wallpaper off, um, and so, you know, I think and I'm really grateful for that experience though, because it really taught me a lot about creating value for clients it really taught me a lot about, you know, income and finances and understanding of profit and loss, and so I think it's one of the greatest gifts that I was given is to start with nothing and to be able to create what we have now.

Speaker 2:

What we have now, I think, you know, as challenges with salon owners.

Speaker 2:

You know, I think sometimes we have such a servant heart and we want to serve and give so much to our team and then a lot of times, we don't even realize the impact that certain people have on our team that can kind of drag us down.

Speaker 2:

And so I think Lindsay and I have both experienced we've had walkouts, we've released people, we've had, you know, people leave and I think to me that's not even a challenge. That was the greatest gift that we could ever receive and I learned so much for it from it is that you know, having the right people on your team that are loyal the big difference between loyal and disloyal just really helps set your company up for success. And I feel like when you, when you start to understand who people are, my challenge before is I just didn't understand people. I just wanted everybody to do good and be good and have good Right, and so when you really can come from the place of understanding who people are and then understanding, hey, are they the right fit for our culture or company or not, gives you so much freedom as a salon owner. So that's the way I like to view it through that lens is, you know, just meeting people where they're at and deciding if the journey is going to match up for what you're creating in your companies.

Speaker 1:

I love that, jen. And just recently, if you're an NBA fan at all, they just made a huge trade the Dallas Mavericks and the LA Lakers with Luka and AD and you know it's kind of rocked the whole basketball world. If you're a fan, you know. And I think what's so interesting, jen and I have some friends in the NBA and was recently talking with one of them and I was like wow, that was. You know, did you see that coming? And you know they're like, hey, it's a business, just like your business is a business, you know, and this is truly what's best for their future. And you know, I just think, man, that's such a beautiful perspective. And I remember, man, that's such a beautiful perspective.

Speaker 1:

And I remember, jen, the first time that walkout happened for me, purchasing the salon, you know, 24 years old, newly pregnant, nobody knew thinking, man, this is the end of the world. Like how am I going to? I'm not even getting a paycheck Like what is going to happen? You know, but it truly was the best thing for everybody's future. Like it can feel shocking to the outside world, um, and it can even be a little bit of a shock to you at first, but just knowing, like, hey, you know, when you are the GM of the, the team, you know your salon team, you do always have to be thinking about that future. And, you know, knowing, hey, everything is happening for your highest good. And and I love what you said, jen, about understanding who people are, because that was something that I also struggled with in the beginning was, you know, just, you know, because I I remember during that, that first initial time that, um, you know, I released one person on the team and then two others quit. There was just so much turbulence, um, you know, and I remember feeling like, wow, I'm the youngest person on the team and I felt like the most level-headed about everything, um, and you know, not to judge anybody at any point in their journey, but also realizing, hey, that's not, you know, that was a sign that we were not supposed to be together, you know, and I still probably would have done anything for them and bent over backwards.

Speaker 1:

And now I realize, you know, hey, we do have to think about, like, this place like a sacred temple, and we do have to make sure that, you know, there's only clean feet coming in this space. And so, like Jen mentioned, knowing the difference between loyalty and disloyalty, um can really just help you create the incredible environment. You know, because, who knows, I don't even remember why I got in it, to be honest, because now it is just so much more, um, more of a almost like a spiritual journey. You know, it's like how can we help people who want to be here create incredible lives? Like, how can we help them reach their goals?

Speaker 1:

You know, I was really excited because just this week we got to sign up for more people to become millionaires on our team and, you know, through our, our company, matched simple IRA. You know, showing them how to create that. Like back then I I couldn't even think beyond. Um, hey, I'm not going to get a paycheck, and you know there's all this wild stuff happening. But then to be to this place today where it's like, hey, we're truly getting to create millionaires on our team, who knew that that was right around the corner? You know.

Speaker 2:

That's so beautiful. I love that. Just, you know, the one of the greatest opportunities is to be able to give someone new and young in our, in our industry, you know the gift of understanding, you know saving and investing and so wow, that's. That's about bringing beauty back to the beauty industry. And so, speaking of that, like what, lindsay, what's inspired you to become a salon coach or to help other salon owners?

Speaker 1:

Yeah, I think you know that's such a beautiful question. It's really just knowing, like, hey, if I would have had some of the knowledge that I do now, you know, years ago, 15 years ago, 16 years ago, when I first purchased the salon, I just can't even think how many more people I would have been able to impact. You know, and Jen, truly, you and I share this same belief that we do want to bring that beauty back to the beauty industry, to where people are. You know, when they go to their parents and say, hey, I want to, you know, be a hairstylist or an esthetician or whatever it might be, they're like yes, go do that. That's going to be an incredible life for you.

Speaker 1:

You know, I'm truly making it a beautiful place, like where, you know, this isn't somewhere where people come to gossip. This is somewhere where people come to to become transformed and you know to, to become a bigger, better, more beautiful version of themselves in the world. And you know so there's just, we know, like just, I mean, jen, I think you and I have spent at least a million dollars on educating ourselves and yes, yes, and you know, trying to become the best version of ourselves.

Speaker 1:

And so, you know, it feels like the the most ethical thing to do, um, to give that back to our industry, to help other salon owners, you know, create millionaires on their team, bring the beauty back to the beauty industry, have that huge positive impact, you know, inside of our, our industry and truly our world at large. Because, you know, I believe that we are like the honeybees of the earth. You know, people come in, they think that they're just getting their hair done, but, like, we're pollinating the world, and we can pollinate it with poison or we can pollinate it with goodness. And so I want to do my part to try to pollinate the world with goodness, because honeybees don't go out thinking, you know, that they are pollinating the world. No, they're like, they just think that they're making honey.

Speaker 1:

Our, our teammates do that every day. They think that they're just going out doing hair sometimes. No, they're pollinating the world. And so, you know, getting the opportunity to help people become bigger versions of themselves, so that they can then help the people who sit in their chair become bigger versions of themselves, I would say that's really one of the main drivers that influenced me, you know to become a coach and and really join this industry. What about you, jen?

Speaker 2:

Yeah, I would say ditto. You said it so well and you know I love the analogy of what you just said and you know it is, it's, it's really. You know, everybody has a gift to give this world. I truly believe that, and sometimes you just have to have that person that sees the gift in you more than you see it in yourself, and so to be able to create that environment to for someone to to thrive, to create the salon of their dreams, like that's what ignites my fuel and what you know keeps me learning, it keeps me moving forward, it keeps me inspired, as you know that. You know people did it for me and I want to do it in return as well.

Speaker 1:

I love that, jen. What would you say Like? Um, you know, you just have such a a wonderful outlook on life. You know what is something that you do Like? How do you stay motivated when things aren't always going your way?

Speaker 2:

So, yeah, you mean, things don't always go my way, darn, you know. Um, I think one thing that keeps me motivated is just, I like to play an infinite game, I like to play the big game, like, I want to continue to play this game of life and do great things, and so I have to always remember my why, why do I do this and what is the contribution that I want to make in this world? Because I feel like I've had a lot of growth, and after growth comes that contribution. So always, look at, you know, begin with the end in mind is is looking forward, looking through the lens of 10, 15, 20, 25, a hundred years, 200 years, 300 years, like. What does it look like, even when I leave this earth? And thinking about that big picture helps me focus on what I need to do today. It's like that be do have right, who do I need to be today to create what I want to still make possible when I leave this earth? And so that is just a belief that I keep with me is, you know, thinking about the bigger picture, thinking about all the transformations that I get the opportunity to create.

Speaker 2:

And, you know, I'm a big believer, too, in not being a victim of your circumstances. You know there's two sides to everything. There's two sides to bread, there's two sides to a coin is, I think one of my gifts too is to you don't always have to, not every situation has to be positive, but you know, if you look at the every situation that you put in through you know, a place of faith and a place of love, it's going to keep you more, you know, more excited. If you approach everything from a place of fear or a place of, you know, worry, that's going to keep you more anxious. And so just looking at the way, looking at your perspective and the way you're approaching things, I think really helps me stay grounded, even when something doesn't go quite as I had planned.

Speaker 1:

Oh, that's incredible, jen. I feel like that, that that one mindset shift can change everything for you. So, if you are listening to this right now, jen, that was a powerful nugget that you just dropped when you said everything that happens to you in life there's a positive and a negative to it, and sure, not everything feels positive, but there is always something positive in everything. And so when you focus on that that keeps you, you know, having that faith, that love, that belief in something bigger versus the opposite. If you just dwell on everything negative, like you know, if you, if you did have a walkout, you know like, of course, that doesn't feel, like, oh, this is the best thing that's ever happened to me. You know, like we've people have sent us messages before of, like other salon coaches you know, have said you know, if, if your salon coach is saying it's the best thing, you know, and we're like, you know, thank you for sharing that, you know it's, it's because we do realize there's two sides to every fact in life.

Speaker 1:

And when you dwell on that negative and you're like, oh, I spent all this time and money and I did all this stuff and that's a that's about you, that's a victim that keeps you stuck, that keeps you fearful, that keeps you in that small place, but when you can? You know. See, hey, this has just opened up the opportunity for my dream team and there are people out there that are looking for your help right now. And you know, if you feel like the market that you're in is flooded right now, it's not. It's not. There is a need for you. You know if, if you feel called to to be a difference maker in the world, to contribute in some way, you know they're knowing that there's that positive and that negative to everything and just paying attention when your brain starts to get fixated on the negative, that one mindset shift can change everything for you.

Speaker 2:

That's beautiful. So let's do a question Like I wish, what I wish I knew when I started. So if you think about that lens, like you just mentioned, you know the money that we've invested in ourself. So like what has been the best investment that you've made in your business?

Speaker 1:

Oh, hands down, just developing personally as a salon owner you know, and, um, you know, I think that they have taken you've taken it to just about everything. You know that's possible and you know I'm not saying hey, you need to take everything. That's possible. If you're listening to this, um, you know, jen and I have actually done that hard work for you and so you got questions while I answer them. No, I'm just kidding, um, but you know, just investing in yourself and and really taking time to work on the business instead of in the business, you know, because I spent years hustling hard, um, to try to make things happen, um, and I wish I would have known, hey, you can relax a little bit and just work on, you know, building relationships with the right people that want to be there, find some loyal people, um, you know, release the disloyal people so that they can find what it is that they are are looking for and just continue investing in yourself and developing yourself so that you can be the best version for your team, because you know that's truly the best gift that we can give our teams.

Speaker 1:

You know, and even when we hear some salon owners say, you know, we're getting ready to head out to Cancun for our fun social, you know some salon owners are like I feel guilty leaving my team. You know guilt is one of the lowest emotions are like I feel guilty leaving my team. You know guilt is one of the lowest emotions. Like you should feel incredible that you get to come. This is such a gift you're giving to yourself and your team when, when you pour into your cup, that gives you the ability to pour into theirs, you know, and I think, um, when, when you spend that time to invest in yourselves, that the, the transfer that that gives to your team, the transfer that gives to your, your clients, like it's almost like you become like a drug and people don't know why they enjoy being around you but they just leave feeling so much better.

Speaker 1:

You know, and I haven't done hair for years and, um, you know, and there's still people who enjoy that feeling, you know, and it's, it's no longer. You know, buckle up, I'm worried. I, you know, need you to hear to do my hair for the rest of eternity? You know no, but they still. You know, like when you work on yourselves, it's still a gift to everyone around you. So I would say that would be the one thing that I would, um, wish I would have known from the beginning.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, me too. You said that. So, so beautiful. It's so true Like the best investment you can make in your, in your business, is working on yourself. I love that. Well, thank you guys so much for tuning in. I just wanted to give you some backstory of who the heck are Jen and Lindsay, and so that just gives you a little insight. Like we've been where you're at and you know we our. Our greatest gift for you is to make your salon run more efficiently by taking what we've learned and being able to teach you those lessons too, so that you can grow and scale as you desire. So if you love this podcast, be sure to share it, leave us a review or maybe just tell us what you're looking for us to cover next. So in the meantime, in between time, we'll see you soon.