Salon Rising: The Podcast

Summary

Hey lovers, welcome back to the inner sanctum. We have said before and we will say it again – scaling your business is not the only path the success. Our beautiful guest Amy from Amy Grant Hairdressing was kind enough to share her Sole Trader journey with us on this week's Pod. She is such a superstar and has proven that you can hugely change you financial success without taking on any staff. As well as the steps she has taken to prepare for her pending birth of her first baby. We are so proud of this Mumma to be and can't wait for you to hear her story.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:19 Casual Catch-Up and Salon Updates

00:57 Big Changes in the Salon

01:51 Transitioning Roles and Positive Changes

03:19 Personal Life and Family Adjustments

04:59 Introducing Special Guest Amy Grant

06:03 Amy Grant's Journey in Hairdressing

10:45 Challenges and Growth as a Sole Trader

12:54 Finding the Right Fit and Building a Client Base

16:06 Preparing for Motherhood and Business Decisions

27:57 Financial Success and Future Plans

33:31 Client for Life: The Salon Rising Experience

34:18 The Home Salon Decision

34:38 Devil's Advocate: Making Tough Business Choices

36:51 The Car Analogy: Making the Right Choices

42:40 Maternity Leave and Business Boundaries

45:16 Preparing for the Baby and Salon Setup

50:14 The Importance of Boundaries and Time Management

59:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Transcript

Welcome back to the Inner Sanctum lovers. On this episode, we are joined by the beautiful Amy Grant from Amy Grant Hairdressing, talking into being a sole trader, being able to grow your business without actually scaling and getting staff and preparing to have a baby in business. It's a great episode guys.

Enjoy. Welcome back, everybody. That's the cutest bit, I'm not even going to cut this out. The Salon Rising podcast. Everybody clap, everyone. A little bit of a check in first, Mara? Yeah, yeah. Jen? Yeah? Ask me a question, because I don't know where I'm going with that. How are you doing? You've done a lot of painting lately.

Oh my god, I've painted my ass off. I'm done. I'm not painting anything else. I am doing really good. Good. Really good. Yeah. Salon is cruising. It's been awesome. We're coming into obviously the busiest months and just really kind of focused on, you know, my team and the salon and it feels really great. Um, we've had a big change.

Yeah. Cause I couldn't remember if we've talked about this yet. We haven't. Okay. So you've had a big change in the salon. I have had a big change in the salon. I've changed color companies. Yeah. Um, which is huge. So it's massive. Um, I've just been, I was with the last company for 10 years, um, and I am now with Kevin Murphy, Colour Me, which is super exciting and I love, love, love, um, I'm loving what I'm using.

Um, so it was also really important. I think for me, I haven't had a change in 10 years, so I've never had a change since having Colour Me. a big staff. I think I only changed when it was you and Kiki. Um, so I've never had to change while I have a big team and my team have been asking me for it. Like, you know, you just, everyone gets a little bit stagnant, a little bit kind of bored and they need to move.

So yeah, we did a big change. Um, but it feels really great and it feels very fresh, um, which I think was really important. So, and because you had a change, And stuff as well, right? Like you had a, like a transition there. I did. With, um, Tegan left. My manager left. Yep. She, um, look, when we last did the last podcast, I did know she was going.

Yeah. She, um, gave me six months notice. So it was very well timed and, you know, we were very conscious on how we were going to support that role of her moving out. But yeah, I've got a new manager. She's incredible. Um, and it's been a really beautiful transition. Um, again, another great topic for me to talk on, you know, we might even do that in the next couple of pods, talking on obviously all of the change, because there's been so much of it.

Um, but very, very positive. I was just going to say that it's positive change. Yes. And seeing change as positive is always a nice thing. And seeing change as positive, huge, such a great topic for us to go into. So yes, definitely in the next couple of podcasts, we'll really, um, talk into this. I just wanted to let it land a little bit more.

It is really fresh. Um, so I just wanted to let it land a little bit more so that when I speak, it is coming from, you know, from the heart. Um, really landed knowing that it's all going how it meant to be. Yeah. So it's not just me like, Oh, I've done this. So, and all the decisions behind it and things like that, because I think it's really important for people to not fear the change.

That's new for you. Huge. That's not what you, when I change something, I change everything. Yeah. So, you know, I don't let just go through one life crisis. I change everything and anything I can, but you know, the energy then feels really good around it too. Yeah. Nice. So how are you, Jen? Yeah, I'm really good.

Like we've got a lot of change happening in our household at the moment, like not so much work wise and stuff like that, like everything there's pretty consistent, but we're just going through that change. Like I've got my last primary school aged child about to graduate and it's a big change. Yeah. You know, I was like, I was talking to my kids as I was going to drop them off to the train the other morning.

And I was saying, you know, like. You know, you guys getting bigger and we probably need to look at, you know, just teaching you how to use the bus to get home. Sometimes we can't get to the train station and pick you up. And my 11 year old's like, what do you mean? You just go on the TransLink app and then you just punch in your destination and then it comes up with the bus number you need to be on.

And then you just click on timetable and it, and I'm like, Oh, darn mom. Okay. So yeah, it's just, it's an adjustment as well. It's positive. Yeah. But it's an adjustment and it's like the end of an era. Yeah. Yeah. Anyway. Yeah. Jen, she's been sending me photos of our kids when they were little. Like it just people say, and this is very appropriate conversation to have with our guests that we have today.

People tell you, but it really goes so fast. It goes so fast. So just. enjoy every moment. And it, it's really, I feel like I'm in that at the moment. Like I'm really present. I'm really enjoying them even when they're being nightmares because you know, Wilde is my last and I don't want, like, I know that there'll be times where I sit and watch his videos of shit he's doing now because he's just cry a little.

And just cry a little. So anyway, with that in mind. Yes. Jen, our special guest for today, Amy. Now I've forgotten the Instagram handle again, so I'm going to get you to share it. Amy, your Instagram handle is just Amy Grant hairdressing, Amy Grant hairdressing. And she's joining us today for so many reasons.

It's exciting that you're joining us today. Like your journey has been pretty cool. So I'm really excited to share some of your story. Yeah. Um, Samara, do you want to start with. When you first started working with Amy. Yep. The cool thing about Amy too, guys, and I don't think we've had a guest yet that's been solo.

I know, exactly. So Amy is a solo operator, which is super cool. I mean, our brow girls have been solo, but no hair guests. No hair guests that have been solo. Yeah. Yes. Both the brow girls have been solo, but then we had them on together. So it felt a little different. And we, when Amy and I started working together, we were working through many different options.

So it was a cool, different way to, um, talk to people about why you and I started talking to. So tell the people, Amy, a little bit about yourself. So I started working in a salon when I was 12. My mom's a hairdresser, so I would sit there and watch her do hair in our salon. Um, laundry, and I don't know why I decided to then go and do it myself, but I did, um, and yes, she got me working in the salon doing tea and tidy.

And then from there I was like, Oh, this is really fun. I loved like talking to people. And I think, um, just having that connection with people, even from such a young age, I think that's where like a lot of my, um, Maturity kind of came from was like feeling like I had all these like moms and aunties and I was loving it because they all loved me and yeah, I started my apprenticeship in year 10 or 11, I think, did you do your apprenticeship with your mom?

So when I started working in the salon, it was a, um, separate owner. Um, and then, um, mom and I worked under her for a few years while she was having babies. And then mom, um, took over the business from her and mom's had it now for 10 years or something. So, um, all through the, I think it was the last two years of my apprenticeship, I was under mom, but prior to that, it was my old boss.

And I was more focused on doing hair than actually finishing my apprenticeship. Like I was, think I was 18 or yeah, nearly 19 when I actually finished, even though I'd started it in school when I was like 15 or something, because I was just so in love with the job and the people and being creative. And it wasn't about, It just felt like something else that you needed to get done at some point.

Yeah. Like I wasn't, and I don't, it was silly. Like I'd Didn't even think about the fact that I would be getting paid more. If I finish my apprenticeship, like, yeah, I was just so obsessed with how work made me feel because school wasn't really my thing. Um, and I was just always so happy and at home. So that was what I did.

So did you start part time at school? So just doing like a school based apprenticeship or did you finish up at school? School based apprenticeship. Yup. So it was only the one day a week. And then I think I did like the late night and a Saturday as well. So it was a couple of days a week that I was there.

And then once I finished school I was working with mom. It was probably only part time. And that's where it got a little bit hard when I was nearing the end of finishing my apprenticeship, because I was getting older. I'm like, okay, well now I have rent and I have all these things I need to pay for. I need to make more money.

So I started working in hospitality on the side and that was really fun because I was. You know, making extra money, but I was also still being able to be creative doing hair. Um, and then it was a couple of weeks out from Christmas and the girl that mom had, um, got to come in and take over my spot in the salon just didn't show up.

And mom was like, Oh my God, it's two weeks till Christmas. Like, what am I going to do? Why did you go part time? Well, there just wasn't enough work for me to be full time in the beginning, um, which was a bit of like the battle because it's only a small shop, um, mom's very much like me, like just likes going to work, doing our clients.

It wasn't really about building at that stage for her, so there wasn't enough for the two of us, but obviously too much for one. Um, yeah, so. This girl just never came back and I was like, I'll come and save you, mom. So quit at the pub, back working at the salon, got through the Christmas and then it just got to a stage and I was like, I just don't think I can work with, for my mom anymore.

Like we would just be on that point that I'm impressed that you did in the first place. Oh, great. I, I'm Yeah. No. Don't shoot my mother. Oh, I love her, but working, it's, it's weird now, like even when I'm at work with her. Like now, um, we just don't talk like we never really, like, she'll be like, hi, how are you?

And I'm like, don't talk to me. I'm in work mode. Like I'm not here to, I'm not your daughter. I'll like we're coworkers right now. So you then started renting a chair from her, didn't you? No. So when I stopped working for her. I, like, salon jumped, like six salons in like two years. Why? Wow. Okay. Couldn't find home?

First one was full time role, biggest salon, really beautiful, um, boss. It was just way too much for me because I'd gone from something so casual and flexible And then I went straight into everything that I thought I wanted and it, the pressure just really got to me because I'm like, so I like doing things my way when it comes to my hair and, um, that's why my clients followed me as well because they liked how I did things.

And I think that's why I didn't stick around at many places because I don't know if it was just. Um, the jobs I was applying for or whatnot, but I felt like everywhere that I went, they were trying to change me. I wonder what your human design is. I think we did that. We did do that. But I can't remember. I wonder if she's a manifestor and doesn't like being micromanaged.

Oh, we're going to have to look into that, Amy, please do continue. Um, yeah. And it was really weird. I think I, I didn't handle not being able to do things my way. And I always just kind of felt like. Oh, I'm not sure. Like I was, I couldn't be myself or something like that. So yeah. Um, left there because it was too much, too soon, too quick.

Went to a part time role, loved the salon, but it was way too expensive for my clients and they couldn't come to me. And like, They're the whole reason why I do it. So I started doing them at home and then obviously I wasn't busy when I was at work. So that was really hard because obviously I felt like I was betraying her by doing my, my clients at home.

But, um, yeah, that was a really tricky situation. So did a little bit at home for a while, and then I landed at a really amazing salon for about a year and had the best year ever. And it was like, I learned so much from everyone there. Um, And that was really great. And then I was about to go on a Europe holiday and, um, yeah, they, um, had decided to close the salon, which was super sad, but for many reasons that aligned with them and their family life and the lease was ending and it was.

The good thing about that though, is you had that experience of some way that you love rather than being like, Ooh, nothing quite fit me. You just needed, and so many people think that. And I think we've got to be super conscious with that too. When we look at resumes and stuff like that, when we're hiring.

I'm generally quite, I look at things and go like, why is there a few salons on there? Like I will look at that, but I also think like with Amy, like I would hire in a heartbeat and have her in my space. And it's just that she was trying to find the right fit. Yeah. And we can't put everybody in a box and not everybody's going to work the way that we work.

And you know, everyone runs their salons differently. What's your flexibility, blah, blah, blah, things like that. So, you know, some people have to try other salons to realize that it doesn't necessarily fit them. Yeah. Yeah. Um, And I, I was just so grateful that I did have all of the experiences at each salon because I did learn a lot from being in each environment.

Like I was in a salon where there was, you know, five other hairdressers and then one where it was just myself and the owner. And then yeah, Crawford's where. Um, you know, they were educators there, so I got a lot of, you know, experience just out of the everyday in terms of like hairdressing. So that was really awesome.

So yeah. Um, after that, I, I left early. There was still a few months that they were going to be open, but I decided I was going to leave early. Try to find another job before I went overseas. And the last place that I worked at, it was just kind of the final store. I'm like, right, I just, this isn't right for me at the moment.

Like I've got enough of a client base that, um, I feel like I can take. Um, so I quit there, went overseas, had the best holiday, and then came back. And that's when I started renting a chair in mom's shop. Oh, okay. Yeah. So that was, oh my gosh, four years ago now, four and a half years ago. Wow. Which has gone so quick.

Um, and I feel really lucky that, you know, obviously going into that, you know, she was really flexible with, um, not having to, You know, pay for the first month or whatever it was. And I had a lot of support from her while I was building my business. Yep. And yeah. Then you and I met year over a year ago. I think it was August 2022.

Yeah. First program. Yeah. Yeah. I snuck in. It was like a week out before you started. That's right. I was like, help, we've just got married and we want to start a family, but I'm like, I'm so busy. I haven't been taking new clients for a year. I don't know what to do. I'm a control freak. I don't want to hire someone, but I need help, like SOS.

So a lot of this stuff with Amy and it was a different ride. It was trying to. work out where you best fit. And Amy likes to run, um, Amy likes to run her decisions by 1700 people, and then get really confused about which one she should go with. She sounds like a manifesto for sure. Yeah. So in the end I had to like coach her through like, okay, we need to talk through every single scenario and then she would always make the best choices for her, but we talked through all the scenarios.

Sorry. When you started working with me, what was going on and how are you feeling? Because obviously a lot of people get to this point and it's amazing how we made, I'd love to go into discussing how we made the decisions that you have made for yourself and where you are now. And why? I was feeling really overwhelmed with how much workload I had taken on, but I, I'm just like a chronic people pleaser and couldn't say no to that.

Didn't want to disappoint people, but also I was like, you know, loving seeing the money coming in, but I'm like, I'm working so hard and I just don't feel like I'm really benefiting enough. Um, for how much I'm putting in, you're putting everybody before yourself. Yeah. Um, and I think it was more so setting, like, I didn't know how to start putting in the like structures to set myself up for when, you know, we do have a family.

Um, yeah. And obviously it had been a, a year or two at the point that I contacted Samara and you know, love mom again, but it was getting, it was that two year mark and I'm like, all right, things are getting a little bit prickly again. Like where can we go from here? I was ready to grow, but it was too small in the salon for me to take someone on in there.

And then it gets hairy with her working there as well. Yeah. So at this point, we really had to, it was really a, where do we want to go moment? What do you want to do? How do you want to build? And Amy and I, like I was really, um, so originally we, you looked at different places and you were like, I, I'm going to get there.

My own space, like we'd thrown up quite a few ideas and you were like, I'm going to get my own space. At this point, you guys had just gotten married. And I kept coming back to, when are you going to have kids? Where are you at? When are you going to have kids? Where are you at? Because I also knew I didn't want to put, having kids was massive for you.

And. And I was like, if it is coming soon, we need to make decisions around that because yes, it could take you a time to get pregnant, but it might be quick. We have to make decisions around that. So we kept floating different ideas. So at one point we found a space. Yeah. And you got quite far down the track.

We got quite far down the track. What made us go no? The, we got quite far down the track, but then I think they weren't being negotiable. Yeah. So we got, we found a space, loved it. We're kind of thinking into it. At this point, financially, um, AIMS was doing incredible. Um, I'll talk into that in a second, but I want to go through these kind of points first.

You were already doing incredible. So you already had quite a lot of savings. We knew you could do it, but the lease, the, That we wanted, they were becoming unflexible with what they'd given. I think we got to the point where we're like, Nope, this is feeling forceful. So we're going to like lean into it and then decide what feels right.

Yeah. And I think we lost like, and then we were just like, Nope, it's not right. Yeah. Is that what happened? I think so. You know, we did our list of everything that we wanted in the space. And it was the first one I looked at. It was amazing. And it could work. Like I could have made it happen financially. It could have possibly been.

Like the staff thing. Like I wasn't sure on if I wanted to have the salon and then just have people renting chairs. If I was ready for staff, I think I was freaking out about being a boss at the point of also learning and becoming a mother and like having somebody, you know, run my business and look after my first baby.

Yeah. While I'm in it. And the staffing thing was terrifying for you. You were just like, no, no, no, no. Like, and I was just like, all right, there's so much resistance. We're not pushing you in that way. Because, you know, with staff. It comes all the responsibility and a lot of the stuff. So I was like, I'm not going to push you that way.

So yeah, I think it got to the point where the lease became too hard. And we were just like, let's back off. It's meant to be, it's meant to be. And we really started to get into the flow of that. And then you and I started talking more and more and more regarding, you know, how you feel, what's happening.

Because then you were like, do I, we were looking at all different options. Do you rent a suite? Do you rent somewhere else? We, a lot of it also came back. This wasn't just spiritual decisions either. It was a lot of financial decisions. Like we would map everything out when Ames had a baby, what would happen.

We'd map every, every conclusion out and we kept coming back to certain things. And for me, I know what it is like to be a mother. And a salon owner. And I was like, I know that I know where Amy wanted to go. So we also did a lot of thought process about what do you want to do when you're a mom? How do you want it to feel?

You know, what do you imagine life looking like so that she could start to see if the salon, you know, Owning a salon and getting staff and like that fit into it as well. I love that you can do that now. We were talking about this the other day, like that path to getting to the, you know, like originally like, Oh, what?

Doesn't it just happen? Like, doesn't it just happen? Like, doesn't it all? And then being like, okay, I'm just going to do this. Oh no, that didn't. Oh, Right. This is how we do it. This is how we get clear on it. Yes. And at this point too, we're talking about a hypothetical baby, right? Yes. Yeah. We were talking about a hypothetical baby at this point.

And I think that's where so much of like, cause I, the biggest part that, sorry, the, um, biggest thing that I got out of working with you tomorrow was like. The self growth and like the self confidence because, um, two years later I'm still working in my mom's salon, renting a chair. Um, but my plumber is installing my basin as we speak at my house.

So what we got to in the end over working. Yeah. So we went into a lot and you actually, Made all the decisions for yourself. It was just like, I never, we spoke through it, but I never, you actually made the final decision. You were like, yep, that all connects. Yes. That's the right decision. Um, and you didn't have faith in that, but you actually made all your decisions.

It wasn't me. It was just us talking through it helped. Um, but what we decided in the end was. You have, like, you were sending me photos. You, I was like, show me what your house looks like. And you were like, we could do it. And she sent me photos. And I was like, this is the most incredible setup. For a salon and I was like, and you want to have a baby and you want to be home and you want to be a present mom and you want to be there if you need to, but you have a husband that's great and he's home.

You can do night clients. Like, and if you are, you heard you hearing what Amy is saying, guys, you hear the connection and the love and the everything she feels about hairdressing, she's not feeling all that way about owning a salon and having the stuff she wants her clients to be her clients and she just wants to do hair.

Yeah. Yeah. And make good money out of it. Like that's her passion. So it doesn't have to involve all the other things because all the other things are not her passion. Her passion is doing hair, being with her clients. Yeah. So I was like, from day dot, oh, that's right. I need to finish my apprenticeship because I'm just so into what I'm doing.

Yes. Yeah. So owning a salon would have taken her completely away from that because it would have taken her off what she loves doing and then put her more into the things that she's not invested in. So then, yeah, we were sitting for it. This is the most perfect space. There's entries that don't have to go into the house.

It's bathroom downstairs, beautiful little outside area. Like it's honestly the most perfect setup. And I was like, this is what you put your money into. Plus, you know, we were talking about that and I was like, anything you put into the house. Is going to be a benefit to the house anyway. It's like, it's a no brainer.

Put, pour the money into your house and use that as your salon. So that's what you're doing and it's almost there, but it's been a great little project for you to work towards as well. It has been. And I think, cause I did, um, a lot of work with Belle as well, Belinda, and I think, yeah, the spiritual side of things and, you know, breaking down, you know, Those sides with mom that, you know, get hard and being able to, um, have the separation from work and.

Um, I think that's why I've been able to continue working there and it not get like ugly between us because yeah, I've been able to, you know, grow so much in that side of things. And that. You know, the growth, the spiritual growth between parents and kids is massive. Like for sure. It's huge. And I know I've done so much work on it.

He has to teach each other lessons and then you're the people who next teach you the lessons of the people you spend the most time with. And you're literally doing that with your mother. Like just no getting away from that. Yeah. The universe is just like, you are doing this, you are doing this and you thought, Oh, I've got to look externally and I've just got to leave in order to do this, but you still haven't even left yet and you guys are still good.

So that's pretty powerful. And then on top of that, you did get what you wanted. And there's a baby, you are almost 30 weeks, almost 30 weeks, that is awesome. Everyone's having a conniption, all your clients, but the best thing about it is you're going to have this beautiful home salon that's ready. You're going to feel excited to go back in there.

Exactly. And as you and I have spoken about, you're going to be able to move into that when you're ready. Um, with no, Pressure, your clients are not leaving you. They may have one other appointment somewhere else if they have to, but your clients are not leaving you because they're so loyal because you're so incredible at what you do, but you get to now have the time off you want because of the fact that there's no external pressure of getting back to work and the flexibility and also not having to commit financially to.

Yeah. And she's built this amazing clientele that's going to support her through, you know, having a baby, having a snug, you know, being able to do the nights and stuff like that when you've got support is, is massive. So good. I have clients that are like, I'll be your nanny. I'll just come and hang out all day while you work.

I'm like. Okay. You're hired. Like, and you'll be here on Tuesdays then. Yeah. Cool. Yeah. And it's such a coming from someone that did this in the complete opposite way that you didn't go towards. The thought of that is just so beautiful. Like knowing that you're going to feel so supported like that. And yeah.

knowing that you have the time off and when you're ready, you'll step back into it is, is amazing. So one of the other things that we did, um, and this is, I think, very important for sole traders and something that I'm doing right now with, I've done with quite a lot of people, one on one actually, is people like you who are already, you know, Financially savvy.

Mm-Hmm. . Your business is already financially moving. You've already got lots in savings. Yes. But you are fully booked. Mm-Hmm. you were take no new clients for 12 months. For us it was like price list. Yes. Yeah. This is a hundred percent. This is, uh, this is the juicy bit for like the, the outcome of this, the numbers was numbers exciting.

Yeah. Yeah. Yes, because what I see happen so often. And it's so normal guys is we are in a service based industry with clients become like family, especially yours. You look at yours. So putting prices up is terrifying. Cause we're like feeling like we're charging our friends, but. What I often see is everybody gets resentful because even for you, you are like, I'm working all these hours and I'm doing everything for everyone else and there's no boundaries.

So we, we put boundaries in place and then we really were like, it's time to nudge this price list up. That was like the first thing that we did. And probably the only thing apart from like my personal boundaries. Okay. That's like really stuck and even now, like if I'm doing a client's hair and I don't know, something changes slightly and I'll think like, Oh, I just want to charge that extra bit.

I'll like hearing in my head, Samara's voice, like you're doing this for you. Like this is your business and your future. Like they love you. They're happy with what you're doing. Let them support you. And I think that was the hardest thing and why. Yeah, I, um, didn't know where I wanted to go for so long was because I was Like I struggled with letting people support me and help me and then yeah, working with Samara and Salon Rising was just awesome because I still felt like I could learn and listen from all of the other salon owners that have salons and staff and all of their experiences.

But also I had the accountability from Samara to, you know, remember my goals and what we were doing and what we were working towards. And yeah, it really paid off. I was so proud of that, that one year mark. Yeah. Do you remember the numbers that you sent through? I think so. I think I turned over an extra 40, 000 in yeah, comparative years.

I put an extra 10, 000 into my super. And I think I drew, uh, 30 from my business account into my personal savings, which is so cool. So amazing. So amazing. Buy no extra work and no one leaving. No one leaving. Yeah. No extra work. And guys, when we price, we price in a way that is not just like a, This is what it will be.

You know, it's got structure locking it outta thin air. Yeah. We don't pluck it out thin air. Everything has got structure behind it. It's where do we want to go And we are looking at all the back numbers first before we price. I actually just did this in um, finances just then. I just got off the call and it's really knowing how to price yourself.

Probably rather than just picking numbers. And that's where we were at and actually thinking of this. It's been 12 months. So we having a conversation before you step back into the salon, because that's the other thing is as you become in demand, you've got to. Yeah, start charging yourself and even, you know, it's been 12 months and Bob's is coming and then you're going to step off the floor and you're going to step off the floor for however long it is, eight weeks, 12 weeks, whatever you're having six months.

I don't, whatever you're having, but when you, it allows your, almost you guys to have a circuit break and you step back in the business and you step back in the business in a new way, and that is an increase in prices because your limit, like you're limited. Yeah. So, and. You're a mother and if you're going to be in the salon, exactly, you're going to be doing it for a good amount of money.

Yeah, it has to be worthwhile. It has to be worthwhile. And you can't physically look after every client you're looking after right now. So it allows you to go, all right, I need to do an increase. So it feels good and it covers me, but also. It's okay for those people to drop off that don't want to pay that anymore and have decided to move on because your capability is probably half.

And we restructured the way that I price as well. Yes, that's right. You were, it was all in packages. It was in packages. Yeah. Um, which was great. I mean, I think I still had all of the services priced accordingly, but I just, uh, marketed them. As a package price, but when I started going into sitting down and doing my quotes with clients before we started and breaking it down into like, you know, one hour of foiling or whatever it was, it was so much easier for them to understand what each service was costing them rather than just having that, you know, blanket number and not knowing what anything costs because then, you know, we could really work together if we needed to.

change things around and it's also meant that you can have all your add ons, you can have your add ons. It's easier for me to do price increases because I'm not having to work out working on a huge amount. Yeah. One, one package price. That's already, you know, a decent number. It's like smaller increments on each service and I can work with the client and yeah.

See how, Yeah. And that's the thing too, when, um, what sort of happens with Salon Rising is once you've worked with me for a period of time, so it's either a generally a six or a 12 week. Period. You then become a client for life and you can just have a call, like a one off call, which you can't do that unless you're a client of us before, because for me, I need to know your backstory and it takes time. so important for me to be in their business and to know them. Like I knew how you work and so when we have our calls now, I already know what to do. You need and how you work. So it's easy to pick up 12 months later because we did that probably 12 months ago. Earlier this year. Yeah. Or was it earlier this year?

Okay. Yeah. So you were like, I need to call. Yeah. And you called and you were like, okay. And we had decided the home salon, I think, or had we not? We had decided. We had decided the home salon. And then she called and she was like, right, I'm, I'm opening a salon again. And I was like, with my friend, with my friend.

And I was like, and she's pregnant and about to have a baby. And this is how it's going to, yeah. And you're like, I'm going to try and get pregnant. And this is how it's going to work. And I was like. Um, I'm going to be devil's advocate. And you were like, what? It's a great idea. And I was like, it's a terrible idea.

And you were like, what? And, and then I cried for like 20 minutes. And Tamara's just sitting there watching me. Like, I'm so sorry. I was like, I've got you in this, but when we did all the, okay. So first we went into the logistics of this shit, right? Like we were like. I went into the logistics of how's it going to work.

She's going on maternity leave. You want to have a baby. Why are we doing this? Yeah. But then we also went into the lease and I was like, are you aware of this? And you were like, Oh, this is expensive. And once we broke that down and we spoke through that and I showed her all of the things you were like, Oh God, I can't do this.

I was literally going to be in the same position I am now with my friend rather than my mom. Yeah. And I was like, and she was going to be on that leave and you were going to be on that leave. And then you were going to have to pay all the things while you're on that leave. And I was like, Oh, Are you sure?

And you were like, we had no idea. Yeah. But that was hard too, because your friend was quite invested. Yeah. And I feel like it was the universe being like, Amy, you're going to speak up because normally you want to please everyone. Yeah. And what did you have to do? Pretty much. We got off the phone and I said, it was pretty much like a, I know you cried for 20 minutes.

And then we were like, yeah, No, like, yeah. And it was the right decision. She still said to me the other day, actually, actually, she was like, Oh, we should have done that salon. And I'm like, no way. Yeah. We would have been crazy to lock ourselves into that. Yeah. Because the lease was extreme. It was bigger. It wasn't extreme, I lie.

It was just a lot for what you both had going on. Yeah. Well, the cost of the lease was the same as the first initial shop I looked at, but this second one was a third of the size, so it was stupid to go and do it because it's not like there was even room for either of us to do it. to bring someone on, or have a third person renting a chair.

If we, if we were both literally in the exact same situation. And I was like, for all that money, it's not going to be worth it. No. But again, sometimes you just need to like have someone play devil's advocate, you know, I was laughing about this the other day with my girlfriend. And no offense to anyone that drives a BMW, but years ago my first, like, you know, I was buying my first fancy car.

Like I was like, it's my first car that I can spend money on. My business is doing well. And I went to look at a car and I rung my best friend and I was buying a BMW and I rung her and I was like, I'm buying a BMW. And she's like, why? And I was like, cause it's cool. I like it. And she was like, I don't think it's a good idea.

And I was just like, bitch, step down. We were talking about this the other day, actually, when we went for a walk and I was like, No. And she was like, go and look at an Audi. And I was like, no, I'm, I'm literally signing the papers. I just was excited. And she was like, go and look at an Audi. And I was like, I want it now.

And she's like, go and look at the fucking Audi. Like, you'll love it. And I was like, whatever. And I was so angry at her. I drove to Audi and, Love the car. I drove out with an Audi and I love my Audi. Like I had my Audi for five years and then I upgraded to the bigger one to fit all the kids. And I love it.

It was the best decision that I ever made, but like that was poison for me to have to be like, Oh, and we talked about it the other day. I was like, you have to surround yourself with people. That can play devil's advocate. And look, there's nothing wrong with BMW, but she was just like, I know you're going to love, like, I'm going to talk to you here.

And you have to surround yourself with people that can speak up and say, and you respect and go, Oh, that's like a, But, but you respect and take the decision. And I do that a lot. And if you can't take other people's opinions, you don't have the growth because other people have different ideas and they have different things.

Like she, you know, had known all about cars and she knew that that would be the right choice for me. And it was, I love my car. So you have to be okay. There's some decisions that you're like concrete. I know that this is the right thing for me. And you go forward and you make those decisions every time.

But it also. You need someone that you trust and that is wonderful because they don't, it's not, I, it's my opinion because of this, they can break down the different processes around it. Exactly right. Because even with Jen and I, you and I have played many, many times. I've played a lot of stuff off you because I know that you're happy to, I know you know when to speak up.

And when to let me have it. Yeah. I know, I know that if you don't want to hear what I'm speaking up about, you'll just call one of the next day until you find someone who says what you do want to hear. If you're not ready to listen. Correct. And sometimes it is hard. Like sometimes I know that you and I've had conversations and I'm like, Uh, I don't want to hear that.

And you're like, I know you don't want to hear it, but yeah, it just buckle up, dude. This is the conversation we have to have. And I asked for the advice because I need to hear it. I don't want to necessarily hear it. And I want you to tell me everything is fine and the sun is shining, but if I don't ask for it and don't get it, then I make decisions that sometimes can affect me.

In the other way, because I'm, I'm working on emotion and that heightens, like, this is going to be a great idea and I'm going to love this instead of like a, hold on, let's put into perspective what's actually happening. She's pregnant. You're going to get pregnant. Who's going to be paying the bill? Who's actually going to be working there?

Yeah. And also the bigger picture, what do you actually want? Like we get swept up by the romance of something, but what, it's the same thing with a car. We got, I got swept up with the romance of being at bloody BM, but what actually do I want out of a car? And when I worked it out, the Beamer wasn't right for me.

The Audi was because of the space and how the car was, all of the things that I actually wanted were in that. And this is such a weird analogy with cars and businesses, but it was the same type of thing. And when you come back to it. What do you want it to be? What do you want your life to be? And so often we don't make decisions based on if you looked at yourself, and this is something that is huge for us within Salmon Rising and something we speak about all the time.

If you look at yourself 12 months down the track. Who are you? How do you go to work? How do you show up every day? How do you feel? What are your weekends like? What are your days spent doing? And we really got to the end of knowing the home salon was the best decision for you without staff, because that you want to be a present mom and you knew how to do it.

And you also knew how it fit in with your husband. Like you were like, my husband's going to do this and this is what's going to work for us. So. so much magic in that instead of just making decision, you knew that that picture of your life did not fit into that salon. Yeah, but also having the knowledge of going through every single option that I had at that time means that I can take that in the future.

And, yeah, like. Do you also feel like in those spaces when you were like in the group programs and stuff like that. And as you were saying, you were hearing like the different experiences that other people were having. Did that reaffirm for you? Like, Oh, actually I don't want that. Yeah. I'm quite happy doing this.

You know what I mean? Yeah. Yeah. I think one of the nights we were on a call, it was like a burndown moment for me and I was just like, Oh yeah. And then everyone else was like, and you were like, I'm sitting there with my wine, like, I'm so glad I don't have to deal with this. I'm like, I will not be hiring anyone.

Yeah. Definitely reconfirmed. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. But yeah, then moving forward, I know that you and I will, like, as we said before, you're ready to get back on the floor. I'll be like, all right, let's restructure because I, I think maternity leave is amazing. For business owners, because it makes you reset your boundaries.

Yeah. It makes you reset your prices and reset your ability, your clients, because you have lesser capabilities. So why not make the same amount of money in the, in the time? Because the clients that love you will pay that because it's a supply and demand thing. Yeah. And how are you feeling about going on maternity leave?

Are you feeling comfortable with the idea? Um, I don't think it's really hit me, let alone the fact that I actually have to give birth to this baby. Yes. She's not terrified of the baby. She's terrified of leaving her clients because before you have children, that's your focus. Yeah. And then you have kids and it doesn't, it lessons.

I am such a psycho. I went through and worked out all of my regular tint clients and what dates they'd be due for their next appointments while I'm off so that I can book them in with. Like my friends, you're the sweetest. And I've just, I've texted them and I'm like, okay, I've booked you an appointment with this person on this day.

And they're like, great, thank you so much. I'm like, no problem. You're welcome. Happy to help. And as I said, you only have, if half of your clients leave, which they probably won't, you only have capacity for so much. Yeah. I don't think they will. I don't think they will either. Yeah. I don't think they will either.

But again, that next price jump is. This has to be worth it for me because I'm a mama now and it's time away from bub. Absolutely. And it has to, it will fulfill you in a way that, because at the end of the day, this may not be for everyone. This is not for my sister. My youngest sister is like mother, mother reincarnated.

Like just. She's like a, she's like a wear your baby type. You know, she is the one like breastfeeding on a lily pad. She is. She's like pooch home birth. With those like rose petals dropping from the sky and like baby lambs, you know, like baby lambs.

100 percent literally. She gave birth. Uh, like 10 days ago at home, home birth, just like mythical creature, you know, we were both pregnant at one stage and she was like, I'm just going to like have give birth at home and then just get into bed. And I was like, I'm going to go to the hospital. I'm going to have it cut out of me and then I'm going to get looked after for five months.

Days and then, you know, in the nights take the baby away because I need to sleep. And that's some people's experience, not mine. I love being back at work, hence starting a third, a second business, like when Wilder was five minutes old. You don't know what you're going to be like until you, and I've, you and I spoke about like this a lot.

You don't know what you're going to feel like when this baby's here. It could be a whole encompassing, I cannot be away from this baby. This is where life wants to be right now. I will just do a night client here or there. Or you could be like me and be like, Yes. My husband can be on maternity leave because I need to go back to my clients.

But you have the luxury now of having both. Exactly. And you get to choose. And I've just made sure that I've been really firm with my boundaries. And when I did my little post on Instagram, I was like, I'm not setting a comeback date. Like it'll just, it'll be a play it by ear. Yeah. But then I knew that I could still look after my clients by, um, booking them in with.

Yeah. And then that's amazing too because your girlfriends at the end of the day, if they have the capabilities and the capacity to look after them, then they look after them, but then they know that they're going to come back anyway. So they may retain some, they may go back, but it's like, well, that's cool.

It's an extra client for me while I can look after them for you. Totally. You know, and when you're ready to have them back, that's fine as well. Like, yeah, that's pretty cool. Jen had that while she was, Oh, with my back. Yeah. I was actually like, cause I can totally relate to that feeling you're having.

Cause it's like, okay, well this could be like make or break, like this could be it. But it's like, no, you just have to be comfortable with this, right? Like this has to happen. You can't change it, just let it be where it will be. And yeah, I was just like, Oh, you need your hair done this time? Sure. Come and book here.

Yeah. Come and book, you know, like I'll get this sorted out for you. And I was also shocked at the number of people that just literally waited 16 weeks to have their hair done. Yeah. Cool. Okay. Yeah. It's pretty cool. It's exciting. It's very exciting. So the salon's nearly finished. It is. When do you go in before baby's born?

Yes. Well, I originally wanted to be at home in September, but we ended up doing a last minute bathroom reno and it got pushed out to October and then my plumber forgot about me, Curtis. So now it's November, but that's fine. It'll be the last six weeks of work. And. I initially wanted to be working from home much earlier because I thought I would be getting to this stage and struggling.

Yeah. I've been really grateful to not be unwell. See, that's great. And it's meant that I have been able to look after. More clients and, you know, pump up that bank account while I still can. So you'll go home in like two or three weeks. Um, probably next week. Yeah. Oh my goodness. Like every like really happening, everything has been there for months.

Yeah. I just, I needed the plumber. I just needed the base and connected. Yeah. Oh my gosh. So what sort of setup have you got for yourself? Like how many chairs have you got? I have two, but I'm probably only going to be uh, One on one with clients, which I'm really looking forward to because that was the other thing that I wanted to bring in was a much more relaxed and, you know, quiet experience for people because life is crazy and people just want to come and get their head on.

That's the other importance of making sure you charge accordingly because you've got to account for the half an hour, hour that they're sitting there processing because you could have another client in on that time. Totally. Yeah. Yeah, I had not thought about that. See, this is why everyone needs tomorrow.

Laughter Um Yeah. So two chairs, my basin and my dog and soon baby, soon baby and soon baby. That's amazing. Yeah. I just love that we've gotten to this and you move in next week. Like we're recording the pod and it just so happened that every decision has led to the pod next week. It's really exciting.

It's been such a cool. And as you say, like, it's nice to see that. Solo journey as well. Like it's really, yeah, it's really awesome. And it's really nice to have seen you step through that journey with someone to have a baby as well. Yeah. To be a mom. To be a mom because yeah, there was lots of different decisions in place, but first and foremost, it was being a mom.

So, and everything had to align with that. Yeah. Yeah. I love it. I'm so proud of you. Oh, thank you. So proud of you. And now we just get to love and enjoy you on the next chapter of, you know, how it's going to feel. And we'll do it probably in 12 months of how it feels after having the baby where you're at and you know, what happened because it's going to be such a great follow up.

I know it's going to be powerful and you are going to absolutely crush it because you are you, but you know, being able to make those decisions along the way of, you know, how much dirt, how long, how. Quickly do I go back? How long do I go back for? But yeah, the boundaries in the price list we'll be doing, don't you worry.

So important. Okay, I guess we will start to wrap things up. Is there anything else you wanted to cover before we wrap things up? No, is there anything you want to cover before we wrap things up? I don't think so. Well, I was thinking maybe if there was like a journal prompt you might give someone who's wondering.

If they want to be on the solo track or on the, like growing a business track, like, is there anything that you kind of thought, Oh, this was the clinch for me that was like, no. It would probably be, I'm going to take a page out of Samara's book. And, Yeah. Like where, what do you want? Like just that question, because the amount of times that she had to ask me that, like, what do you actually want?

She sends me memes of it all the time, like from the notebook. What do you want? What do you want? And with business? I never say to somebody, what do you want out of business? I always say, what do you want from your life? Yeah. What do you want your life to look like? And then you fit your business into that.

Yeah. Because if you try and decide what you want from business. It just doesn't work. You've got to know what you want from life. If you want to travel, you know, six months a year, you're not having a business, you know, like if you want to, you know, but it's even today, one of, um, on the call, they said to me, like, how did you start working Saturdays?

And I was like, because that's what I want out of life. And I made it work because that's what I want from life. What I want from life is how I develop my businesses. And even now. I have strong boundaries, you know, and boundaries are a big thing that's coming up again lately. Um, and it will be another class coming up for like coming up because it is something that is so important.

But even with that, you know, salon rising rich has my boundaries. I don't, I don't start before 10 because starting at 10 means I was up at five this morning. I got myself ready. and then got the kids ready, could sit and have breakfast with them. I cooked some scrolls and some cookies ready for the day.

And then I walked my girls to school and had that time with them. And then I went for a long walk and then I swam. Swam. Swam. Then I swam. Then I went for a swim guys. She swam. I swam. I swam. She swam in the pool. This is a whole thing. I swimmed. I went for a swim. I swam. I went for a swim guys in a pool.

Like this is nothing fancy. And It allows me to reset. I came home, I had a shower, I got ready and I got on our rising call. So invigorated and ready for my day. Yeah. So they're my boundaries. And then guys, I finished by two 30. So I fit my day into like four and a half hours because I finished by two 30 because I'm a mom.

Yeah. And yeah. My businesses revolve around that because that's what I want my life to look like. And it takes time and it takes, you know, decisions and it takes boundaries and it takes resilience and it takes so much structure and discipline to do and say what you're going to do and not fight your own boundaries.

Because it's the same thing when this baby comes, you can't, you go, these are, I'm going to set times and days with you and set times and days when you talk to clients. And that's all I'm going to allow because it is a game and it's things, you know, you came in this morning and we were talking about that app, Opal, which I've spoken to everyone about.

It is an app that locks down your phone and it doesn't allow you to get on apps. And I am obsessed with it and I'm giving it to everybody. If anyone is interested, DM me, I can give you a month's free. I don't work for the app. I do not work for this app. It is not sponsored. It's just changed my life. Yeah.

Because I actually was speaking about this the other day with my girlfriend, Tanya and pointing the noise down. And she said, I wasted so much time on my phone when I had a baby, she said, I wasted so much time because it's like. You're feeding. So you waste time. Imagine using that time and you're going to scroll, but using that time to do something a bit better, like read an amazing book or something that feels wholesome and rich rather than sitting and scrolling on your phone, because I'm the same way.

And Opal for me has allowed, so when Wilder, when I'm present with my kids, I turn it off. The other thing about it is it tells you how much time you spent on your phone On what apps? How many times you picked your phone up? It also tells you if you continue the way you're going, how many years of your life you will spend on your phone.

Wow. This is like the quit smoking app. Yeah, it really is. Like 21 years. Oh, no, I can't. I can't. Geez. So I Timely conversation, gang. It's really nice for me because the other day I was saying to the girls when they got here, I had an amazing day on Saturday, you know, went to the markets with dad and we did all this stuff.

I was up really, we were up early and we did all this stuff. And then I went for brunch and a walk on the beach and I hadn't had my phone on me at all. Like I was just so present in life, got home, had music on, we were cooking. I painted more shit. And then my girlfriends all came over from dinner. So by the time I got back on my phone, I was like, The only time I'd been on my phone was for like an hour and 20 minutes.

And that sounds like a lot, but I also had, that was with Spotify and that was with me paying for things and still texting and calling people, which adds up. But sometimes you get on your phone, you're like eight hours. Yeah. Like, and look today, it's going to say eight hours because we record this shit on our podcast.

Yeah, I'm worth it. Yeah,

we can lose 21 years of our life for you Amy, that's fine. It is definitely a game changer for me. For you thinking about how much you're on your phone. And I now lock it like, so for example, you could be like, Oh, I'm feeding. And I generally Jen's like, but can't you send me photos of the kids? So I feel like I'm not missing out.

And I said to her, you wouldn't lock it all day. Cause you lock it all day. You can't get into anything. You can exclude apps. So like your banking and stuff, but I just want to be in nothing once I'm ready. Yeah. But like last night I was exhausted and I know if I have my phone on me, I'm going to end up scrolling on that phone.

Fucker, for hours. Yep. And it's such a waste of time. Get on there, get what you need to do and get done off. And my sister's like, just put your phone away. I'm like, yeah, you tell me how easy that is. You just automatically pick it back up. Oh, you do? Yeah. It's totally unconscious. And it also tells you how many times you pick it up.

When your apps on, it's like, Nope, you can't get on. Nope. You can't get on here. Nope. You can. You're like, the other day I had to, cause I couldn't get on anything. I had to text my email to be able to write a list of shit. I needed to do for the next day. And like things I needed to get from Woolworth's because I couldn't get into my phone.

So if ever you get a grocery list, it's just from me to do the next day. I almost consider doing that, but it is, yeah, it's definitely making me get into bed. That discipline of getting into bed. Okay. Reading my book for a little while and then just going to sleep and getting up early and actually being efficient and using my day.

Because people say I've got no time, guys, I've got three kids and two businesses. It's what your priorities, and if you look at your phone usage, you end up wasting so much time. I went on a tangent, but I feel very passionate about this app because of the fact that you will get so much time back of your life.

Yes. Anyway, that was, that was quite the rabbit hole, but beneficial for everyone. I feel. So beneficial. Yeah. Opal. Opal. Not sponsored by. Message me if you want a one month free pass, not sponsored by. Yeah. It's just, I have it. It's like HelloFresh. You just get free shit. Just slide into the DMs and we can flick that your way.

I spent a hundred bucks on it for the year. It was worth every dollar. So it's like a subscription thing. No. Yeah. You just pay a hundred bucks for a year and it was worth every single goddamn dollar. That's why I say try it for a month. I want shares in Opal. Yeah, that's a great idea. Such a good idea. And you can set the different differences and stuff.

That's a two. Nah, you think about it, it $100. How much of your time? 21 years of your life. How much of your time is worth? $100 an hour? I was like, oh, pay it. Not even thinking. That's why I'm like. Take the month first to make sure you'll use it. Yeah, but I have used it religiously since I put popped up on Instagram.

And of course I bought it. So it's, um, yeah, it's just one of those things. It's like, what's an hour of your time, but if you're getting. Hours on hours on hours of your time back. Like if you've got a really good sleep, that's worth a hundred dollars for that one hour. So I could sell ice to Eskimo anyway, back in Jen's like, so we have a whole podcast on April.

Cause I think it's social media is really important. Okay. Okay, guys, for joining us. Yes. And for joining us, Amy. for joining us. We are so excited to know what this is. We have ten more weeks to find out, boy or a girl. Yeah, we will see. We have our, we all have our ideas. Yeah, I think it's a girl. Do you? What do you think it is?

I'm not quite sure yet. I actually go boy, I don't know. It's a boy or a girl guys. It changes every day for me. It's definitely a baby. It's definitely a baby. Um, we are so excited and can you please make sure you take, because you're opening next week and this will go out next week. Yes. Oh yeah. Can you take some videos and photos of the salon so everyone can jump on.

And guys jump on, get on Amy Grant Hairdressing and See her new little space and see where she's going. That will feel very cool for her too. Yes. All right, guys. Thank you so much and we will see you soon. See you soon. Bye. Bye.