Buying a commercial salon space - featuring Carla Crowley
What if the gap between where you are and where you want to be is simply how fast you act on what you already know?In this episode, we sit down with salon owner and mother of two, Carla Crowley, whose quiet fire turned a spare room in Gembrook into a thriving clinic, a trusted team, and now a commercial property that will become her forever business home. Her success didn’t come from hacks or luck, but from decisive action, self-awareness, and a money system that turned stress into structure.Carla shares how journaling helped her see her progress, how one-on-one mentorship fast-tracked growth, and why speed of implementation beats perfection every time. We unpack real leadership lessons structured one-on-ones, psychological safety, and empowering a team that grows the business with you, not around you.This episode is a grounded playbook for regional salon and clinic owners ready to grow without burning out. You’ll hear how Carla made bold moves with little cash, secured her dream property, and built a business that runs smoothly while she’s at the Melbourne Show with her kids.If this story inspires you, follow the show, share it with a salon owner who needs a boost, and leave a quick review telling us one action you’ll take this week.To follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon
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31:37
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31:37
Why I sold my skin clinic - featuring Rache Mahon
In this powerful conversation, Rachel Mahon shares her courageous decision to sell her high-performing skin clinic after eleven years in business and begin a new venture with her daughter, Soul Society.This isn’t a burnout story or a highlight reel. It’s a grounded, human reflection on identity, leadership, and letting go with integrity. From journaling a truth she didn’t want to face, to safeguarding her culture through a values-aligned buyer, Rachel walks us through how she honoured her team, herself, and the next evolution of her career.💬 In this episode, we talk about: • Knowing when it’s time to move on, and trusting that whisper • How to sell your salon or clinic with heart and transparency • Managing team emotions during transition • Leadership beyond the treatment room: boundaries, safety, and trust • Building Soul Society — a culture-driven business with her daughter • The power of belonging and generational collaborationIf you’re a salon or clinic owner considering change, whether that’s selling, redefining your role, or building something new,this episode will help you find both clarity and courage.To follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon
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35:11
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35:11
We put our Salon Manager in the hot seat
Freedom sounds amazing, until it bumps into your need to control every detail. In this episode, we sit down with Tae, our salon manager, to unpack how control quietly creeps into salon leadership, and what truly shifts when you replace micromanagement with trust.This isn’t theory, it’s lived experience. We get real about giving someone a title without real power, double-checking that crushed initiative, and the moment we realised our “supportive” words were actually restricting action. Tae shares how that dynamic led to burnout, why stepping away became necessary, and how it ultimately helped all of us rebuild leadership from the ground up.We talk systems and mindset: the foundations that now keep our business steady without a founder’s hand on every lever. You’ll hear how we made “bring a solution with your problem” a daily practice, defined what true ownership looks like for team leaders, and shifted client loyalty from one stylist to an entire brand experience. The result: smoother operations, stronger culture, and profits that reflect teamwork, not heroics.If you’re a salon owner craving more time and trust, a team leader stuck between responsibility and permission, or someone ready to step up, this episode is your permission slip. Ask better questions. Share power. Drop the control habits that keep your team small.👉 Hit subscribe, share this with another salon owner who’s learning to loosen the reins, and tell us in the comments: what’s one control habit you’re ready to release?To follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon
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23:10
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23:10
What you need to know about Salon Team Development Days
What if the key to building a strong, connected salon team before the silly season isn’t another checklist but honesty, pressure, and celebration?In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of our Life Ahead Team Development Day: a mix of raw journaling, a horror-themed escape room, and a practical debrief on communication, roles, and trust. It was messy, emotional, and incredibly powerful. The biggest surprise? How clearly our team patterns showed up, and how small shifts in language and leadership can completely change the way your salon operates.We talk about why journaling first thing clears emotion before the day even starts, and how a Saw-style escape room revealed who naturally leads, who supports, and who needs a moment to find their feet. It turns out, the way we play games is the way we work. From there, we dive into real tools like short scripts for asking for help, mapping communication styles, and reframing leadership as a circle where everyone can both give and receive support.You’ll also hear real reflections from our stylists and leaders about sisterhood wounds, boundaries, and how to celebrate each other without losing focus. This is a must-watch for any salon or spa owner who wants to build a more united, resilient, and self-aware team especially before the holiday rush.🎧 If this conversation resonated, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with another salon owner who’s ready to elevate their culture. And don’t forget to leave a quick comment below. We’d love to hear how you support your team through big growth moments.To follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon
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37:07
How Jess Lewis went from a Home Salon to a Blonde Empire
The moment you meet Jess Lewis, you feel it: a rare mix of warmth, authenticity, and unstoppable drive that has made her a legend among millennial hairdressers across Australia. From humble beginnings in a home salon with her sister as an apprentice, Jess built one of the country’s most recognised blonde specialist salons, attracting clients who would travel hours for her craft.Her influence extends far beyond the salon chair. Jess pioneered live workshops that transformed the way stylists learned together and later embraced online platforms to make education accessible nationwide. She has inspired and mentored a generation of hairdressers who continue to cite her as one of their biggest influences.Behind the success lies a personal story marked by resilience. Jess speaks with raw honesty about returning to work only ten weeks after her first child, navigating miscarriage and divorce, and redefining her identity as both a mother and an entrepreneur. Now a mother of three, she has reimagined family and business life with her husband Luke, launched JL Hair Tools, and created programs that nurture the next generation of stylists.This conversation is filled with insight, vulnerability, and inspiration. Jess reminds us that it is possible to build something extraordinary while staying true to yourself. 🌟 Whether you’re a salon owner, hairdresser, or entrepreneur, you’ll walk away with practical wisdom and motivation to grow your business. Tune in now for a powerful story of resilience, reinvention, and redefining success on your own terms.Follow Jess:Instagram — @jesslewis | @hairbyjesslewis🎙️ More from The Conscious Salon:Website: https://theconscioussalon.com.auTo follow our journey:Instagram @aheadhair_@the_conscious_salon
Welcome to The Conscious Salon.Here for the real talk salon owners actually need. The Conscious Salon Podcast is where salon owners get clear guidance without the fluff. Hosted by Nic & Tess, we break down leadership, team culture, money, client journey, systems and numbers into simple moves you can use this week. Expect straight talk, real stories, lots of laughs and practical frameworks that help you lead well, grow profit, and have a life outside the salon.You will hear from salon owners, industry leaders and working mums who have done the hard yards. We cover mindset that holds under pressure, meetings that improve your team culture, and the habits that build a self led team.Follow the show and start with leadership posture, client journey design, and money mindset. Listen in, implement, and stay conscious.
Australia